Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Went to buy a 2002 demo Enfield today- VENT

Had to drive 100 miles to Tulsa to look at it.
Well, big disappointment. They were trying to rip me off. They said over the phone it was in great shape.
To explain:
The bike was rough. On a 1 to 10 scale maybe a 5 or 6.
The seat was split from weather cracking, all four turn signals were scratched up from hitting pavement, it smoked blue smoke, there was some bailing wire holing the battery from falling out, scratches and road salt everywhere.
How do I know they were trying to steal my money? The odometer showed 68 miles (not bad for a 2002 demo)and the rear tire was almost bald. Either they had the odometer unhooked for four years or they were doing alot of power burnouts on a 22 HP bike. LOL
They wanted 2,800 for this almost NEW demo. Sounded good over the phone as a new one costs 4,800. I said the bike is maybe worth 2,000, and they said, "OK" "we will take 2,000". I said I'd think about it and left. I didn't have to think very long about the POS. Drove another 100 miles back home bikeless.
Oh well, at least I went and looked instead of always wondering about the deal that got away.
The bastard's
Mad`

Count your blessings. It sounds like you may have just taken the cheapest 200 mile ride of your life. Can you imagine how you may have felt if you just told them to crate it up and ship it-And people do do just that from time to time. Anyway - the Enfield thing may seem to be a great concept, but, I recall posting long ago my perception of just about anything Indian "If it ain't tee shirts or shower shoes, they're best left in India."

I make it a rule never to buy a used bike I am goin g to ride,unless I know the complete history of it.. As in I know the person who has owned it since new.. If I am going ot buy it and part it out,well thats a diffrent story all toghter.. But even then I offer them way less then what thay are asking.. I do a lot of wreck buying and sell the parts off of them and 99% of the time I make a good profit on it.. A few times I will save some parts and do a quick paint job and sell the parts for a much higher price.. People on ebay will buy anyhting that says "custom" when it comes to a motorcycle..But it sounds like you did the right thing,sounds liek the bike has had the living crap beat out of it and now they are trying to dump it on some smuck

Why an Enfield? Have you read any of the forums about the bikes? A mechanics delight...if you enjoy wrenching more than riding. Bummer deal, good thing you didn't buy it.

Yeah, I've been through all the pre-qualifications to owning a Royal Enfield. They are 1955 technology and so is my 57 Chevy which is in my heart and soul.
With seven bikes and a couple hot rods, I enjoy turning a wrench. Made my living turning a wrench.
I don't like being taken for a fool and driving 200 miles to be made a potential fool. Doesn't matter what brand of motorcycle it may be. I have learned from this experience and that is a good thing.
Mad`

From the sound of it, I don't think it's worth more than $500. To be burning oil noticably in 3 years, there is a good chance the engine has been siezed. I bet it would take more than the $2800 difference it would cost to get a new one to get that one into decent shape.

The one thing going for it is that a lot of real OEM parts are still available for the UK version. Use as many of those as you can find to rebuild it and you would end up with a better than new bike.

From my understanding,, the new enfields are the same as he old one,s....
don,t handle
oil leaks
just a piece of cr*p!

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From my understanding,, the new enfields are the same as he old one,s....
don,t handle
oil leaks
just a piece of cr*p!

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umm, competition for Harley me thinks.

Over a year ago, I posted a lengthly thread on how my next door neighbor and good friend had purchased one of these challenging pieces of India made 50's technology. He wanted to buy an Enfield for several reasons, among which were:

1. They are cheap

2. They are what he considered "classic"

3. He wanted a bike he could "work on"

4. There aren't that many around (for good reason)

5. See number 1 (above)

Well, it has fulfilled every one of his expectations, and then some. It has developed a miss that won't go away, and he's been through numerous points and at least one solid state ignition with no improvement. We have come to call it the "Royal Spendfield" because he could have purchased a much more reliable motorcycle after spending all the money he's spent trying to just get this one to run right. Granted, he DOES get a lot of comments from folks wondering if it's a bike from the 30's, but these are usually made in parking lots as he's jumping up and down on the kick starter trying to get the darned thing running (I didn't mention that he opted for the non-electric starter model, because it was more "classic.")

While these bikes do fill a certain niche market for those who want a cheap "classic" bike (the Ural also fits this niche), the inexpensive price just isn't worth the pain and frustration of owning one, in my opinion. That is, unless you just want to hang it on a wall as "art" or need something humorous to hold your garage floor down.

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While these bikes do fill a certain niche market for those who want a cheap "classic" bike - - That is, unless you just want to hang it on a wall as "art" or need something humorous to hold your garage floor down.

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Spot on. I like these bikes. They look great and are a reminder of the past. BUT, being a complete moron at home mechanics, I would not want one in my garage.

Its a shame they cannot put some modern technology on the Enfield to make it more reliable. It can easily be done and with out losing any of its classic look.

I guess this is just more proof of the kudos that need to be given to Triumph for making the modern Bonneville and all the models based on the Bonneville a motorcycle that has all the style and character of a past era, yet with out the reliabilty headaches.

That dealer in Tulsa is the one we have to deal with....It's a constant fight to get them to understand what part you are trying to purchase( if it's aftermarket), and it's like pulling teeth to get a good deal(returning, loyal customers).

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Do you ever get tired of HD bashing?

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Nope, not at all. Bash them at every chance i get. All of my Harley riding friends would be dissapointed if i didnt. Seeing as they all think i ride a funny little foreign bike. And i will continue to bash them for what I think they are, Over Priced, Over Hyped, Medioca (at best) motorcycles.

Ive never owned a harley, but I have ridden many. Some i have liked, some i couldnt wait to get off.

Well, to their credit the were very nice and cordial. They were very enthusiactic about selling the machine. They did offer to install a new seat and replace the rear tire which was a nice gesture. The bike was just not what I was looking for so I headed for OKC likity split. I'd still like to have one for a conversation piece if nothing else.
Mad`

I am with you Panman. A lot of members like to bash the Harley's. You just have to accept it as a characteristic of this board. I have an affinity for both machines, have owned a few of both.

Some bash it because its the in thing to do. Most have never owned or even ridden a Harley. And its usually a sportster for those who have. Just one of those things.


Fryguy

I rode my buddies Harley a couple weeks ago. I'm 54 years old and this was my first Harley ride. I don't know Harley models but it is a big bike with big tires, lots of chrome, and huge ape hangers. I had a good time riding it. The handlebars aren't as scary as they look. It's pretty much put the bike in fifth gear and leave it there. It chugs along from any speed in top gear. It was loud but I really like loud anyway. I had a good time. I offered my friend my turbo Busa so we could ride together, but he declined. I can't imagine why?
Mad`

Mad, its ok to like other bikes, even Harley's. Doesn't mean that you have to abandon your Triumph. Harley's are nice in their own way. No they are not the best bike out there and no they do not make you instant cool. But some Harleys are nice and some are really cool. I will own both Triumph's and Harley's. Why, because I can

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or need something humorous to hold your garage floor down

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I am still holding my sides laughing! I never heard that term! I will be stealing that one from you

I've ben riding mostly HD's since '58. I had a few other makes, but never found anything I really liked until I got the America a couple of years ago. All I can say is there is nothing wrong with Harley but there is something right with Triumph.
On the other hand, the only good thing I can say about far east bikes is that they are good to learn on, because it doesn't matter when you crash them.