 Royal Enfields
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 59
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 59 |
Does anybody here have any experience with the new Royal Enfields? There aren't any dealers for them within 150 miles of me or i would have allready taken a test ride. Just wondering if it would make a good second bike and replace my speedie as my commuter bike. Thanks everyone!
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
They're still made in the same plant based on the same design now for around 50 years so they should be at least okay or they wouldn't have lasted. Like anything, they have some quirks but I'll bet it's a pretty decent bike for a 500cc single. There is lots of good reading here: http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php?action=forum
Last edited by oldroadie; 06/16/2008 10:03 PM.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
I have heard they have quite a few quality issues.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
Word on the street is they're ok if you like an underpowered bike that needs a lot of tinkering.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,541
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,541 |
There is a Royal Enfield dealer in Chattanooga.
Nice little bikes, highlight the LITTLE. For a 500cc they have about as much power as a old 200cc from the land of the rising sun.
Nice bike though quality is not the best around, but bags of character, and what a great look.
For a second bike to run around town on, Why not.
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463 |
A girl at work has one. She also has a Kawasaki 600 for some kind, but says the Enfield has so much more character then the Kwak.
As it's been said why not?
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel... 
09 America - It's very blue....
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
I agree, I love the look. Saw one right before I bought my Speedmaster and had crossed my mind to get one. Way too many people said there were quality issues so I didn't. I would have still bought the SM either way though.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Nice little bikes, highlight the LITTLE. For a 500cc they have about as much power as a old 200cc from the land of the rising sun.
Or, about 4 HP less than a BSA A7 500 CC from GB...
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
I was talking to an Enfield dealer a while back. He was telling me that they actually are failry reliable machines as long as you just ride them around town and avoid the freeways where you will have to be running them at constant high RPMs for a while. He said the top speed of the Enfield is about 65 MPH, but dont even try to maintain that speed.
Soren
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,210
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
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Man?...i have a hard enough time explaining what year my america is...i cant imagine explaining this thing has 30 miles on it..hhaah 
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
They also produce a diesel one as well now suppoese to be very reliable... Diesel engined
Ray(UK)
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 62
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Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 62 |
you can't beat the price.....$5000 for the deluxe model.
I saw one at the Gathering of the Nortons this year and they definitely have a cool look. There is a new dealer in Bordentown, NJ (http://www.cycleicons.com) and I've been considering going up and taking a look/test ride. my wife has been talking about a bike for her and I think the enfeld might be a perfect first bike (plus I could take it out on occassion!)
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
One of my neighbors has an Enfield .303. I wonder if it's made by the same company. 
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Quote:
One of my neighbors has an Enfield .303. I wonder if it's made by the same company.
Does it go with a "BANG" 
Ray(UK)
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
Quote:
One of my neighbors has an Enfield .303. I wonder if it's made by the same company.
Does it go with a "BANG"
Boy Howdy, does it ever. He took it to the range with us when I went through some of my 30.06 in the M1 Garand.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
That were at one time the same company. The English Enfield that is. The old service manuals are funny , they talk about you surface people this and you surface people that. They did this to throw a little humor in since they used to be made in the old munitions tunnels.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463 |
Quote:
One of my neighbors has an Enfield .303. I wonder if it's made by the same company.
Yes in the same way BSA used to make guns too...
BSA = Birmingham Small Arms....
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel...
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel...
09 America - It's very blue....
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 168
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 168 |
A company here in Australia is taking care of the underpowered issue by converting the engine into a 1000cc V-twin. See here http://xy.cx/ce/
Last edited by AussieBiker; 06/18/2008 9:52 AM.
1965 Harley rigid Chopper
Perth, Western Australia
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
Thats cool, did they cut the frame to get that crankcase in there? The engine is the bottom loop of the frame but couldn't tell if the original was too or not.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,284
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,284 |
Strangler
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 168
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 168 |
Quote:
Thats cool, did they cut the frame to get that crankcase in there? The engine is the bottom loop of the frame but couldn't tell if the original was too or not.
Reading the article I think they custom made that frame. I'm just crossing my fingers hoping they put it into production. Would be a great base for a Bobber project!
1965 Harley rigid Chopper
Perth, Western Australia
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Quote:
Man?...i have a hard enough time explaining what year my america is...i cant imagine explaining this thing has 30 miles on it..hhaah
Wow, what year is that, '43? Did you get it war surplus? 
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Royal Enfields
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 807
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 807 |
No experience with them; I just know that they look gorgeous in the flesh, especially the 350 Trials.  I was tempted.
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,477
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,477 |
My neighbor has one. It's an unreliable piece of crap, and it sits in his garage now, after he grew so frustrated with parts falling off and not starting that he bought a Honda Shadow which he loves.
If you want a second modern vintage bike, the Ural is a much better choice.
JB
"Long live the Duck Force!"
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 121
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 121 |
We have a dealer right down the street, they have a model that is updated, like a 1970's model. they have electronic ignition instead of points, and a couple other reliability improvements. Worth a look for around town, I think.
jeff
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
A girl at work has one. She also has a Kawasaki 600 for some kind, but says the Enfield has so much more character then the Kwak.
As it's been said why not?
My 1964 MG had charactor too 
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 688
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 688 |
There are some power and quality issues. But if you re bore it, change to electrical ignition, and do some other performance up grades you will get a pretty good bike. Their after market parts are pretty extensive and at good prices. The only way I would get one if I ran accross a used one. Then I would strip down and rebuild the thing.
She's a Lady and the Lady is 100% mine !
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 59
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OP
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 59 |
Thank you, everyone for all your advice. Maybe i will look for a used Enfield, or Ural. I really like the Urals as well, but they are pretty expensive new.
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,555
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,555 |
If I had the cash to throw around and the time to to ride em. I'd have a Ural and an Enfield.
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
Quote:
Quote:
Thats cool, did they cut the frame to get that crankcase in there? The engine is the bottom loop of the frame but couldn't tell if the original was too or not.
Reading the article I think they custom made that frame. I'm just crossing my fingers hoping they put it into production. Would be a great base for a Bobber project!
I like it too, would be cool to have one to play with. After seeing the Goldwing bobber I would like to find one of those to cut up and play with too.
Quote:
They Don't Stop!
Are you saying the frame down tubes don't stop? They sure do on the Aussie V twin version I was asking about. Or did you mean the whole bike?
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Royal Enfields
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 34
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 34 |
The Bullet 500 Classic looks like it would be a blast for cruising around town. 
Cheers, Sid
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