Royal Enfield is the oldest motorcycle brand still in production. The multinational brand has roots in Great Britain and expanded to eventually become headquartered in India. Royal Enfield’s Flying Flea brand is its entry into the electric vehicle (EV) market.
Royal Enfield produces nearly a million motorcycles per year. It operates through more than 2,000 stores across all major cities and towns in India and nearly 850 stores in more than 60 other countries. It employs approximately 16,000 people across six continents. However, these impressive numbers have only contributed to motorcycles with internal combustion engines — until now.
The Flying Flea name pays homage to a motorcycle the brand produced in the 1940s for use in WWII. The military dropped these bikes out of airplanes with parachutes to deliver lightweight, all-terrain military transport.
The new Flying Flea brand marks a significant departure for Royal Enfield. Although it is known for offering utilitarian and affordable motorcycles for the masses, it has historically been behind the tech curve compared to other brands.
However, Flying Flea developed its own motor, battery, battery management system, and custom software. The new company has already filed 28 patents for native and connected applications. Flying Flea developed end-to-end technology in-house in partnership with industry-leading experts and brands.
“We’ve been deeply investing in R&D and infrastructure for EV over the last many years and have built a world-class team including 200+ engineers in India and the UK. We have also initiated the development of an EV manufacturing plant in Chennai, India. We have invested in Barcelona-based Stark Future, known for its advanced off-road electric motorcycles,” said B Govindarajan, CEO of Royal Enfield.
First Flying Flea Electric Motorcycle: The FF-C6
The FF-C6 will be the first bike under the Flying Flea flag in the spring of 2026. Inspired by the original 1940s Flying Flea model, the FF-C6 has a retro-futuristic aesthetic link to the past that cannot be denied. Along with the looks comes EV technology, which is unprecedented for Royal Enfield.
Flying Flea categorizes the FF-C6 as a “city+” mobility vehicle but touts that the bike’s capabilities will allow “riders to break free to and from the city,” the brand said in a press release.
The brand hints at capabilities beyond urban commutes with a first-of-its-kind modern update to the original Flying Flea front suspension, with a forged aluminum Girder fork and articulating mudguard. This unique system mates with a forged aluminum frame that encases a finned magnesium battery case that saves weight and enhances cooling.
Flying Flea developed a new central Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) that integrates physical and digital touch points with a tailor-made chip. The integration includes a true round touchscreen information cluster that maintains the chassis’ classic lines.
Software developed in-house drives the VCU. It offers over 200,000 different ride mode combinations, which manipulate everything from throttle and braking to regen feel. Additionally, it constantly monitors and alerts the driver if it is disturbed and is always made current with Over-the-Air updates.
The FF-C6 has lean angle sensing ABS and cruise control. A domestic three-pin plug handles charging duties.
Flying Flea also announced a scrambler-styled FF-S6 would follow the release of the FF-C6.
Most riders interested in EVs demand more specific information on the range, powerplant, and other pertinent features. But these were unavailable at the time of writing.
Royal Enfield’s deep history, large manufacturing capacity, and recent and more modern motorcycle models all bode well for Flying Flea’s introduction into the electric motorcycle category. The undeniable styling of Royal Enfield’s newer bikes, like the Himalayan, is sure to attract potential sales.
But like other electric motorcycles, the final production model can differ significantly from what was promised in the launch materials. Let’s all hope that what we see here closely matches what lands on dealer floors in 2026.
You can keep up with the developments on the FF-C6 and FF-S6 on the Flying Flea website. At the time of publishing, pricing had not been confirmed.
