In late 2021 – Royal Enfield, the world’s oldest continuously operating motorcycle manufacturer, was involved in the script of a new Netflix film, about to begin production; co-directed, co-written, and co-produced by Daniel Kaluuya, an Oscar and Golden Globe winner, with Kane Robinson as Top Boy, also known as Kano, in the lead role.
A unique challenge was presented to Royal Enfield – to design an exclusive motorcycle that would perfectly fit into the near-future world of ‘THE KITCHEN’. In a dystopian London, where inequality is unchecked and social segregation based on income and racial lines is endemic, Izi (played by Kano) and Benji (played by Jedaiah Bannerman, in his debut role) struggle to navigate the world they find themselves in. As long-time residents of ‘The Kitchen’, a community existing in one of London’s last residential neighborhoods that refuses to succumb to the demands of oppressive authoritarian forces, Izi and Benji face challenges and problems that will alter their future forever.
The customized Royal Enfield is an integral part of the film’s narrative, as well as a source of status, independence, and identity for Izi – Kano’s character. Thus, in creative collaboration with multidisciplinary artist and London musician Gaika Tavares (brother of the film’s co-director Kibwe Tavares), the in-house customization team at the Royal Enfield Technology Center in the UK embarked on a creative process of generating conceptual ideas to develop a machine that felt fully integrated into this unique landscape.
The boundaries of functionality, form, and aesthetics were pushed to the highest degree with each of the multiple preliminary designs that were brought to the creative table for analysis. Some designs were heavily inspired by iconic science fiction references, others were more aggressive and neo-revivalist in appearance and feel, and others paid homage to certain aspects of cyber-punk film culture and nodded to nostalgic street fashion. Through a process of creative refinement and fusion, based on cues and inspirations from the various directions, an anarchic “mutant” custom bike was born.
Built on the brand new Shotgun 650 platform, the “IZI’s Ride” is a bold tribute to the customization culture embodied in the DNA of the Royal Enfield brand and celebrates the unique sense of individuality that defines any custom build. Paying homage to its predecessor, the SG650 Concept (first presented at EICMA 2021), with its neo-dystopian design and radical aesthetics, the ‘IZI’s Ride’ pushes the boundaries of what tomorrow’s customizations could be.
The custom features developed for the ‘IZI’s Ride’ include:
– Front and rear wheel hub covers – prototyping
– Monocoque tank and seat cover – prototyping and milled foam
– Integrated Perspex rear light and LED
– New auxiliary frame – manufactured steel
– Replacement side covers – prototyping
– Front fork protectors with integrated LED lighting – prototyping
– Swingarm protectors – prototyping
– Custom-designed paint and graphics – paint and vinyl
