New Delhi: Royal Enfield has started offering E20 retrofit kits for some of its older motorcycles. These kits are meant to help certain bikes run better with fuel that contains 20 percent ethanol. The move mainly targets owners of older models that were not originally built for higher ethanol blends.

The company says all its motorcycles have been E20-ready since BS6 norms came into effect in 2020. So, these new kits are not for the latest models. Instead, they are designed for BS3 and BS4 bikes, especially those that use carburettor-based UCE engines.

Which bikes are covered and what the kit includes

The retrofit kits are available for older 350cc and 500cc UCE engines. This includes models such as the Classic 350, Bullet 350 and Thunderbird that were sold in BS3 and BS4 form with carburettors.

Fuel with more ethanol can slowly damage some parts in older bikes. Rubber pieces and a few metal components may not last as long as they used to. To deal with this, the E20 kit replaces small items such as O-rings, pipes and seals. These updated parts are better suited for the new fuel and are less likely to get damaged over time.

For the 500cc engine, there is no separate, dedicated kit. However, service centres suggest upgrading some fuel system parts to prevent possible blockages in the future.

Price and availability details

According to dealerships, the E20 conversion kit for BS4 models is priced under Rs 1,700. The dealer we spoke to also suggested that owners who prefer can also replace the full carburettor, which costs Rs 2,650. These prices do not include fitting charges, which will be added separately at the service centre.

The kits are being sold through authorised Royal Enfield service centres. However, not all outlets currently have them in stock. It is advisable to contact your nearest service centre in advance to check availability before visiting.