Any opinions on new Royal Enfields?

[ProSimex]

Finally took the wife for a ride the other day, first time shes been on one. Now she wants to learn how to ride and has her heart set on a Royal Enfield. Now I personally think these are fantastic looking machines, but I don't know a god damn thing about them.

I figure a brand new bike is less likely to leave her stranded somewhere then if say i got her an old cb350-xs650 ect. Are these things likely to be killing me in repairs?

 

[Hoofhearted]

If you take them for what they are then there won't be a problem. As Swivel says slow, 50s tech. Basically they are a cheap and cheerful get you to work bike. The Brits have a good term when referring to plodders or racers. Grey porridge vs. roast beef. An Indian Enfield is definitely grey porridge. If you can realize that and not think that slapping clip ons and rear sets will allow you to lap the Isle of Man at over the ton (and never have a mechaincal problem) then you might enjoy an Enfield,

 

[ProSimex]

im pretty sure rear sets and the ton are the last of the wifes worries. I think she just wants something to cruise around with me on. And Swivel, I take great offence that you would call and XS650 a "heavy old pig" when it is in fact pure mechanical bliss and perfection itself.

 

[axeugene27]

Check out the misfit by cleveland cycle werks. What a great deal 3200 out of the box. Looks sweet too. I live in cleveland area and saw one at state 8 (a local dealer) liked it very much. May only be available in ohio though. http://www.clevelandcyclewerks.com/bikes/tha-misfit-by-cleveland-cyclewerks/

 

[Big R]

Pro, you'll have to pardon Drivel's ignorance when it comes to motorcycles. He spends all day doing Google searches to appear smarter than what he is, and doesn't actually own or work on any.

Which is why he is on my "ignore" list. I highly recommend it.

 

[Big R]

As far as the Enfield goes, there is a guy on the GSTwins site compared the GS500, the Bullet, and I think the Ninja 500 before going with the Suzuki. Availability of parts, low cost, ease of maintenance, MPG, performance, etc, all were looked at.

There are a few women on the GSTwins forum, and I don't recall any of them complaining about the bike.

 

[Big R]

quote from Drivel:
" You are ignoring this user. Show me the post"

See what a mean? I didn't have to waste any time reading the silly response from this babbling nutcase.

 

[hillsy]

A buddy of mine has an RE and he loves it. Like Hoof and co say - take it for what it is and it will put a smile on your dial. Not fast, but old world charm aplenty.

Oh - except for the fact that the decomp valve dropped into his cylinder recently and has done a merry engraving dance all over the piston.... :'(

 

[hocbj23]

Basically the Indian folks bought the marque,machinery,patents,etc, and moved the whole Enfield shebang from Britain to India. They have been building the bike for local consumption for years and started small exports 5 or 6 years ago.The bike is,by now, thoroughly sorted out,bullet proof,fun to ride,easy to maintain.U will not win any races,but for a 1st bike for the spouse,gets a hearty thumbs up from me.bj

 

[Tim]

So they're about $6000 for the 500 right? Too bad the 350 doesn't seem to be available in North America.

For that money you can pick up a used Kawasaki W650 or many other well sorted, engineered modern 'classics'. IMHO if you're going to buy a Royal Enfield you might as well buy an old one.

 

[Maritime]

Check out the ccw misfit like previous poster.sugested. they look as well built or bettef and have close to the same hp as the enfields with less.weight
They have a canadian disributor az well. Half the price. They also have a model that looks similar to an enfield but i cant think of the name

Sent from my MB525 using Tapatalk

 

[djelliott]

I've ridden a bunch of the Enfields. G5, C5, AVL and yes, they are very unremarkable in the speed category. They are however fun to cruise around on and if that is the bike you are truly looking for the G5 and C5 are pretty solid. The fuel injection made all the difference. The AVL's were just finicky pigs that'll start floating valves at about 60MPH. The warranty is great and they have been very steadfast in a few recall issues. That being said it all depends on what you want for you and the value you want to get for your money. Having a warranty is awesome but if you don't care about that, you could pick up a used more modern bike for much less. An 8 or 10 year old SV650, CBR600, GS, etc or possibly even newer model, if you get lucky, for less and all those bikes will love you all day long. Heck if you want a single 500 thumper I've seen people damn near giving away Buell Blasts ;D.

Here's a few examples on CL:

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/3014869966.html

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/3047863074.html

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcy/3047596375.html

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/mcd/3042186787.html


I understand though that some folks don't like the look of modern bikes which I'm sure is what draws them to the vintage allure of an Enfield. If you're looking for a great value you can't go wrong with a used modern bike. If you want new and vintage looking and speedy rips and trips on the freeway aren't in the game plan, then I see nothing wrong with the Enfield. By new motorcycle standards it's not expensive and they are very well built. The key is to get it from a good dealer that knows how to break them in. My friends shop Immediately changes the oil it was shipped with and takes the bike through a varying 100+ mile break in. Bringing it back in intervalls to check and retorque bolts as needed. After 100 miles the break in oil is changed and by then anything that was going to rattle off has been attended to. We've seen them come in from other dealers and they were a mess because they basically bolted the shit on and sent them out the door.

 

[axeugene27]

new triumph bonne is a sweet bike but maybe not a good beginner bike.

 

[hillsy]

SV's make decent dirt bikes too.....

 

[Frog]

A mate of mine had an Enfield a few years ago it had the road kit fitted (race carbs etc) and it would do 90mph+, the race kits could be fitted by the dealer without making the warranty void. I think around 2005 they built a new engine to meet tighter emission controls, the older ones had the original British engines with a few mods. There is nothing particularly wrong with the bikes, it's just that quality control can be varied and some have niggling little problems that can be sorted by the dealer, Plodding around at 55mph with the occasional 80mph blast these bikes are fine.
Read Way to go by Geoff Hill, a very funny account of his journey from India to Northern Ireland on an Enfield Bullet.

 

[beachcomber]

In their era they were a reasonable alternative to BSA and other singles and about on par for speed and general performance. Once tuned the 500 Bullet wasn't far behind a Goldie in terms of performace, although the chassis left a bit to be desired.

Compared with singles bikes from that era - the modern Bullets are just a little bit better [ apart from brakes which are considerably better ] - but absolutely NO comparison to a modern bike.

The parent company has developed a "Cafe Racer" with a decent frame design and suspension / brakes to match - supposedly on the market later this year. There was also a new development based on the Constellation some 10 years ago, but that appears to have come to nothing.

 

[ProSimex]

So they're about $6000 for the 500 right? Too bad the 350 doesn't seem to be available in North America.

For that money you can pick up a used Kawasaki W650 or many other well sorted, engineered modern 'classics'. IMHO if you're going to buy a Royal Enfield you might as well buy an old one.

Tim, if you know where to get a W650 in this country, or a "fish & chips" Enfield for that matter, then please let me know! I for the life of me haven't found many at all, especially since the W650 was only sold in north america for 2 years or something.

And Swivel, I'm not too concerned with anything you might have to add to this conversation. I know, I know, I don't ride a V-max so I'm not a real biker, ergo I should listen to you. But please, piss off.

Frog, Im going to find that book immidiatly!

 

[Kasi]

I bought one for my GF a couple of mounts ago and she loves it its a 08 and i changed the bar and the saddle for her all around it is a great bike and i have to admit i love to ride it to its so easy going if you go easy on it , we brought it over to Aruba where i live most of the year and it is perfect for those island back roads and gives me lots of grin in my face , she just did her license and wanted that bike after my sugestion : but it is light weight and she drives it easy and with confidence .
Since now i had no problems at all with the Bike but like mentioned before here it is not a highway or long distance bike you have to take it easy on her and she is happy lollll.
Parts are widely available and cheap and there is good forum support .

Here she is .

 

[Kasi]

I forgot to mention she kicks on first kick ( cold !! ) and after i showed my GF how to do it she never use the E start anymore .

She got lots of credit from the boys for doing so Lollllll.

 

[axeugene27]

that's a purdy motor.