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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: The Annoyed Man on July 08, 2008, 12:40:29 PM

Title: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: The Annoyed Man on July 08, 2008, 12:40:29 PM

I'm shopping for a cheap commuter bike and the Bullet 500, on paper at least, looks like a good option. I'd be buying one of the latest models new if I do go that route. I really like to looks of the 500 Military. http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/models/military.html

Anyone here have any input?

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: Sergeant Bob on July 08, 2008, 07:35:51 PM

It looks pretty cool, though I don't know anything about them. Looks a bit like a couple other Mil Replica bikes I've seen advertised.

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: mgdavis on July 08, 2008, 07:42:03 PM

They require a lot more maintenance than a modern motorcycle, unless they made recent drastic changes.

Cool bikes, but not something I'd want to deal with as a daily driver. More of a second bike kinda deal.

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: Iain on July 08, 2008, 08:22:18 PM

I'd probably make sure you get one of the models with the newer engine - all aluminium lean-burn engine. Supposed to be a good unit and claims 85mpg or thereabouts.

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: BobR on July 08, 2008, 11:36:43 PM

It would be a toss up for me between the Enfield or a Ural with a side car. I like them both.

bob

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: The Annoyed Man on July 09, 2008, 03:15:56 AM

Quote from: Iain on July 08, 2008, 07:22:18 PM

I'd probably make sure you get one of the models with the newer engine - all aluminium lean-burn engine. Supposed to be a good unit and claims 85mpg or thereabouts.

70mpg on the page linked in my OP. I'm hearing that the new AVL engines are a big improvement along with the 5 speed gear box. I'm really itching to get one, but I also need to get a bike I can rely on.

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: Iain on July 09, 2008, 03:47:08 AM

http://www.royal-enfield.com/bullet_electra_500.htm

That link claims 87.5mpg for their lean burn models. Might be some differences between the UK and the US models, gallons are different too.

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: charby on July 09, 2008, 03:49:46 AM

I'd be concerned about location of dealer to where you live or commute. If you have to trailer it 100 miles or more for warranty work, etc.

I personally would go with a Harley, Honda, Suzuki or Yamaha because there are dealers everywhere.

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: Manedwolf on July 09, 2008, 04:08:12 AM

I still think the Ural requires that the driver be wearing goggles and a long coat to look appropriate on it.

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: The Annoyed Man on July 09, 2008, 04:08:52 AM

Quote from: Charby on July 09, 2008, 02:49:46 AM

I'd be concerned about location of dealer to where you live or commute. If you have to trailer it 100 miles or more for warranty work, etc.
I personally would go with a Harley, Honda, Suzuki or Yamaha because there are dealers everywhere.

I have a local dealer, so I'm not too worried about that. I'm also a fair hand at twisting wrenches, and the reviews I'm finding say these bikes are easy to work on and the newest models are fairly maintenance light. While I would LOVE to get a Harley, they're 3-4 times the price of the RE.

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: charby on July 09, 2008, 04:12:09 AM

Quote from: SMLE on July 09, 2008, 03:08:52 AM

Quote from: Charby on July 09, 2008, 02:49:46 AM

I'd be concerned about location of dealer to where you live or commute. If you have to trailer it 100 miles or more for warranty work, etc.
I personally would go with a Harley, Honda, Suzuki or Yamaha because there are dealers everywhere.

I have a local dealer, so I'm not too worried about that. I'm also a fair hand at twisting wrenches, and the reviews I'm finding say these bikes are easy to work on and the newest models are fairly maintenance light. While I would LOVE to get a Harley, they're 3-4 times the price of the RE.

You can get a brand new Harley Sportster 883 for under $7K and it will about the same size frame as the Enfield.

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: mgdavis on July 09, 2008, 05:50:11 AM

Two other things: 22hp, and drum brakes fore and aft.

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: Iain on July 09, 2008, 05:57:49 AM

The new models have discs at the front.

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: mgdavis on July 09, 2008, 06:31:19 AM

I looked around their site more, and it would appear that the "Electra X" does have a disc up front, and also found an extra pony somewhere.

Like I said earlier, they're cool bikes. I'd enjoy having one to kick around town on. However, I'd prefer something more modern for commuting duties.

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: Balog on July 09, 2008, 06:34:15 AM

For $5k you could get a Japanese bike with better performance, reliability, part support etc. It's up to you of course, but those bikes seem to be purposely outdated and nostalgic. Nothing wrong with that, but for purely utilitarian usage they would seem somewhat sub-optimal.

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: charby on July 09, 2008, 06:41:07 AM

Can the Roayl Enfield do this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-EdtDDxPfg

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: coppertales on July 09, 2008, 07:37:38 AM

Both are really cool bikes, especially with sidecars.  The Ural side car, in the military dress has a machine gun mount on it.  The middle weight regular bikes, Kawasaki, Suziki, etc, run about the same price, without the sidecar.  The latest Mechanic's Illustrated has a rundown on them.  To answer your original question, I would not hesitate to buy either....chris3

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: The Annoyed Man on July 09, 2008, 07:44:17 AM

Quote from: Charby on July 09, 2008, 05:41:07 AM

Can the Roayl Enfield do this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-EdtDDxPfg

My question is; Why would I want to abuse ANY machine that way?

Title: Re: Paging Royal Enfield Motorcycle owners...
Post by: Manedwolf on July 09, 2008, 07:48:45 AM

Now someone just needs to make a repro of this thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tHfS5gFgfo

Guy does not know how to do the gears, though!