Royal Enfield to riders: Get on and ride it!

Royal Enfield motorcycles may someday be so well known in the United States that riders won't have to try to explain what they are to drivers stopped at a traffic light.

Royal Enfield will offer demonstration rides at Bike Week in Daytona Beach, Fla., Wednesday March 3 through noon Saturday March 6 at the Scooter Superstore on U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach.

Requirements:

• 21 years of age.
• DOT approved helmet (yes, even though Florida doesn't require it).
• Long pants and sleeves.
• Motorcycle endorsement on license; you can not ride on a permit.
• Eye protection advised (sunglasses OK).
• Gloves are always a good idea.
• No open toed shoes; shoes that project the ankles preferred.

Address is 1459 North US Highway 1 Ormond Beach, (386) 671-1977.

This "Royal Enfield Experience" should rocket the brand to a new level of prominence. Hundreds of people will be able to say they not only know what a Royal Enfield is, they've ridden one — and probably liked it. Word of mouth is the most powerful form of advertising.

Visibility at Bike Week likely will telegraph the message that customers are welcome and catered to; you don't have to bring special knowledge or your own tools; did you know there's even a dealer near you?

The Royal Enfields they see will look well made, be easy and fun to ride, reasonably priced and come with a warranty. Waiting for their chance to ride they'll meet other people who are interested and enthusiastic.

In addition to Daytona Bike Week, the Royal Enfield Experience tour plans stops at the Americade rally June 7-12 in Lake George, N.Y.; Laconia Bike Week, June 12-20 in Laconia, N.H.; and, yes, Sturgis, S.D. Aug. 9-15.

So much for riding "The Motorcycle They Never Heard Of."

Maybe soon, when the guy in the pick-up rolls down his window, he'll yell, "Hey, is that a Royal Enfield?" instead of "What year is THAT thing?"