Royal Enfield Taurus Diesel was indeed a milestone in the Indian motorcycling. The Taurus is remarked as the first diesel engined bike in the country. However, the bike was very noisy. It has excessive vibration and people hated to ride a vibrated Bullet. Moreover, the machine also caused pollution. Finally, the firm had to stop the production of the Diesel Taurus.
The Royal Enfield Diesel Taurus was coupled with a 325cc, 4 Stroke Aircooled Diesel engine. It delivered maximum power of 6.50 HP @ 3600 RPM and maximum torque of 15.00 Nm @ 2500 RPM. Its engine is mated with a 4 speed gear transmission. The bike is capable to give back an economy up to 72 kmpl.
At the initial stage, Royal Enfield installed an industrial diesel engine in the frame of British-built Royal Enfield Bullet 350cc. Later, the street mechanics used the same industrial diesel engine in used bullets by replacing the petrol powered engine. The successful journey of this was later inspired Royal Enfield to manufacture Diesel power Bullet, the Taurus.