Malle London has long been one of TheArsenale's most trusted partners. Founded by designers Robert Nightingale and Jonny Cazzola, the UK workshop builds travel gear and bags that are tested in genuine field conditions before they reach customers. Their collaboration with Royal Enfield produced two purpose-built custom motorcycles for the Malle Rally Royale, a 1,250-mile cross-country event through the wildest terrain in mainland Britain.
Why the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Was the Right Base
Before committing to the build, Malle borrowed a stock Interceptor 650 for a field test in Portugal, covering more than 1,000 miles in three days with 200 of those miles off-road. The twin-cylinder parallel engine, accessible chassis, and relaxed ergonomics proved well-suited to sustained adventure use. Working with Royal Enfield's Industrial Design team in Leicestershire, Nightingale and Cazzola refined the concept over several months of trips north, translating sketches into a complete specification.
What Was Changed and Why
The build stripped the Interceptor 650 back to essentials and rebuilt it with components chosen for performance under load. British Customs fabricated two sets of custom exhausts on a dedicated jig. The front suspension was upgraded to upside-down WP telescopic forks, and the rear shocks were extended to increase travel. British Customs Grabber foot pegs and Mule Tracker handlebars rounded out the controls. Every modification served a practical purpose: the bikes needed to carry support engineers over 1,250 miles of unpaved British roads without failure.
The Malle Luggage System
Both builds carry Malle's full luggage suite: a duffel bag, two side dry bags, and a tank-top pannier for quick-access items. All Malle bags are made from British waxed canvas. The Red/Silver Rally Royale 02 features a relief map of Scotland's Applecross Pass embossed into the canvas; the Black/Silver Rally Royale 01 carries the Hard-Knott Pass from the Lake District. The total carrying capacity is sufficient for a five-day, 1,250-mile expedition without resupply, as detailed in the build coverage on Bike EXIF and on Malle London's own site.
Malle London Gear at TheArsenale
The Rally Royale builds are a statement about what purposeful design looks like when form follows function. TheArsenale carries a curated selection of Malle London's most practical travel pieces, including the Jack Messenger Bag and the Vincent Duffel, both made from the same British waxed canvas used on the Rally Royale bikes. For riders who want to explore further, the full Motorcycles collection at TheArsenale brings together custom, electric, and classic builds from builders around the world.
