Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Royal Enfield update

A few months back, I posted about my neighbor who (despite everyone telling him NOT to) purchased a "Made in Injah" Royal Enfield. Trust me when I say that these things are about as archaic a motorcycle as you can purchase in the US right now. (I haven't seen a Ural, but I've heard that they're fairly primitive, too.) Anyway, he buys one - without the electric start option - and seems to be enjoying the natural pride of ownership that comes with owning a piece of remelted pig iron - until... One day... IT WON'T START!! I think he's torn every accessible part off that thing in search of the karmic answer. Finally, last week, he gave up and has taken it into a technician who likes to work on British inspired motorcycles. My other neighbor and I have rechristened the bike a "Royal Spendfield" to the chagrin of my neighbor.

On the PLUS side, this motorcycle gets more attention than anything I've ever seen from people. The downside to that is that the admirer needs to actually visit the bike in the garage, because it doesn't seem to want to venture out.

To each their own.

I read about a guy that bought a Royal Enfield in India, picked it up and rode it home to Sweden, halfway around the world! Sounds pretty loony to me, but he pulled it off. I guess with a little luck and skill you can do just about anything. Even on an Indian. Sorry, meant to say and India'n made bike.

I haven't rode one yet, but visited a dealer in Northeast Pa, he deals Triumph, Enfield, etc. He is a great guy to talk to, and has done a lot with the Enfields, disc brake front,etc. He told me about a girl from overseas, is coming to get one and ride to California on it. Again, I have no firsthand knowledge, but sure would like to someday
jeff

Sounds like Uncommon Motorcycles, that is a neat dealership. I stopped by there once to look at a Moto Guzzi Lemans V11, but decided to get my America instead. Believe he had Triumph, Motor-Guzzi, Ducati and Royal Enfield.

Man, welcome back!

ss, That was Uncommon, did you see the hard bags on the Moto Guzzi, they were National Cycle, really sharp I think they would look great on our bikes, but they make kits to fit everything else but BA and SMs
jeff

Oh yeah, those bags are first class. Too bad we don't have a fitment, but bet someone here could make them work.

Dont Royal Enfield also have a "Diesel motorcycle" out. I recall someone here in the UK saying they saw one at our local meeting.

Ray
I read an article a couple of years ago with a 'new' Enfield being test ridden with Nick Sanders on his diesel Enfield.
It's got, I think, 6bhp and he gets something like 100mpg out of it.
As for Nick Sanders (round the world guru), I believe he has recently set off to regain his world record for travelling round the world.
Now, there's travelling light and there's travelling light! He is on an R1 with, get this - no spares of ANY description, no clothes, no food etc just a credit card and a can of puncture repair gunk!
Needs his bleedin' head looking at ...

Ray, wouldn't be surprised if there is a diesel version out there, since there are quite a few diesel BMW knock-offs and the such in that part of the world...

You didn't suggest he clean and reset the points gap, then.

... strange then, that all these people http://www.royalenfield.com/touroperator.asp make a living out of 'em ...

Great link adey, the picture alone makes me want to tour the dessert, err, I mean India on the bikes too. Who in their right mind would want to ride where that picture was taken? Well, maybe the Az. guys here, looks kinda like Phoenix, but no one else.

Hiya Pat
I was expecting AZ to look like that during my first trip to the US in Jan/Feb.
It was much greener though.

I couldn't find the actual link I was looking for but there is a company that does an Indian tour for charity.

For a couple of grand, you get to India, tour on their bikes for, I think, two weeks and then come hone .. hopefully.

The event is ALWAYS over-subscribed and, I've read, a life-changer!!

You get all medical and mechanical back-up and food etc en-route.
I'd consider it if I were a braver man ....

Ray
He must be 'cause he's done it a couple of times on a bicycle too ...

I saw my first new version of the Enfield actually being ridden (all others were parked). At 50mph, that thing was wound out! Jeez, not much better than one of those cheesy little scooters!

As I passed him and looked back via my mirror, all I noticed was the headlight. Looked like someone had stuck a couple of candles in there. It was WEAK!

I've always thought they were kinda cool looking but after seeing it actually run, I wouldn't touch one of these POS with a ten foot pole....

My opinion only.....

They are a great little bike for short run commuting in slow traffic or a trip to the corner market. If you've ever seen films showing traffic in Bombay or Calcutta, that is where they would fit in perfectly.