For the Motorcycle guys

[Guest mustangdave]

I was on FB this morning and saw an "ad" for Royal Enfield Motorcycles...pretty cool if single bore British "THUMPERS" are your cup of tea

Royal Enfield Bullet C5 Military - The Classic British Military Motorcycle Model

Kinda reminds me of my dads 67 BSA Victor Special. Check out the LINKY if you like

[buck1032]

I saw them a few years ago. While they are "British" bikes, they are made in India and are not of the same quality as the actual Enfields. I was actually looking to buy one back in 05 but I just couldnt pull the trigger on it after reading about poor quality parts and still hard to find replacement parts. They do have a way cool factor to them, IMO.

[Guest mustangdave]

According to the "press" on the web page...the Brits don't build 'em anymore and haven't since the 60's...ALL Royal Enfield bikes currently come from INDIA...

[Guest BEARMAN]

If I were going to go for a British motorcycle...It would be Triumph, or possibly a Norton, not the India made, Enfield.fwiw

[peejman]

I think all those old Triumphs, Nortons, and such are neat. I think I'd like to have one, but I'm sure I wouldn't want to maintain it.

[Guest mustangdave]

If I were going to go for a British motorcycle...It would be Triumph, or possibly a Norton, not the India made, Enfield.fwiw

I'm actually looking at the current crop of Triumph Motorcycles...the Modern Classics line is cool...a buddy here at work has a SPEED TRIPLE (after JONESING over it for 4-5 years)...I could almost go for a STREET TRIPLE, but I'm leaning toward either a SPEEDMASTER or an AMERICAN...and IF i were to bump it up a notch a THUNDERBIRD. Oh how I wish you could find a Norton Commando 750 still functioning. The Royal Enfield just had a cool retro VIBE...I mean come on building the SAME BIKE..since 1955??? talk about being stuck in a time warp.

[1gewehr]

The 'new' Royal Enfields have a horrible reputation for reliability. If you are looking for the 'classic' British look with decent performance and reliability, I would suggest the Triumph twins. I spent a day playing with a Bonneville a few years ago and enjoyed it a lot! It was a very versatile machine with excellent performance and handling.

[Guest mustangdave]

I took a serious look and ride on the Triumph SCRAMBLER a while back...just wasn't willing to finance it.

[Guest mustangdave]

Ok...a while back I pulled the trigger...I bought a 2005 Royal Enfield Bullet 500ES....here is a vid clip

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.1828001746220.107970.1425627582#!/video/video.php?v=1900394916004

I am liking it BIG time....

BIG TIME thread resurrection....

[Tncobra]

Ok...a while back I pulled the trigger...I bought a 2005 Royal Enfield Bullet 500ES....here is a vid clip

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.1828001746220.107970.1425627582#!/video/video.php?v=1900394916004

...

Posting vid where we have to join to watch, FAIL.

[Guest Drewsett]

I have considered getting one of the Enfields as well. I like the classic styling, but also worry about the potential for poor quality control, based on some of the stories I have heard. If I were to buy one, I would be tempted to take it to a mechanic and have him tear it apart and inspect and rebuild it slowly, replacing any parts that appear to be deficient or low quality. That would add to the initial cost of the bike by a large margin, and one of the most attractive aspects of the bike is that it's so inexpensive.

You say you are liking it big time, what sort of repairs have you had to do? Have you installed any aftermarket parts, whether the stock parts failed or not? How is its agility when compared to a similar sized bike (Sportster, etc)?

[Guest mustangdave]

here's the video clip again...

I've installed a new low restriction air box and filter...to help with air flow and cooling....thats about it. The bike weighs just under 400 lbs....its not twitchy like say a Triumph Street Triple...but IMO its way more agile than a 883 Sportster

[Guest BEARMAN]

here's the video clip again...

I've installed a new low restriction air box and filter...to help with air flow and cooling....thats about it. The bike weighs just under 400 lbs....its not twitchy like say a Triumph Street Triple...but IMO its way more agile than a 883 Sportster

That is one sweet Royal Enfield. mustangdave! She's purring like a kitten...

[Tncobra]

Ahhh, cool ride.

Deffinately not a cookie cutter, I'd rock that for sure.

[Guest mustangdave]

to answer Drewsett's question about repairs...the 09 and newer RE's are probably going to be the more reliable bikes...what with EFI and disc brakes and what they call the "unit construction engine" the company has come into the 21st Century. My 05 is referred to as an "iron barrel" or CLASSIC design...its a typical "british" bike...it runs well IF you maintain it properly...and like to "tinker"...the delema for me right now is...saddlebags ON or OFF....and windscreen or fly screen. Drewsett...IF an RE is in your future...shop around there are some SERIOUS deals to be had....New you're talking mid 5K to 6K....I got the 05 for 2500...and after shipping, registration and insurance, MSF course...my total cash outlay was 3K....and the wife was on board too.

[Chief07]

I looked at the adds, The nostalgic appeal was great.

But I have a 1999 H-D Heritage Springer which transports me back to

the 40's and 50's. Good enough for me. Wish I could get ahold of a old

"Basket case" from the 50's to restore. I would be in "HOG Heaven".

Hope I can do that before I get too old to ride.

[Guest mustangdave]

Chief...I do like the OLD SCHOOL appeal of the bike too. While I like HD's, I've never really wanted one...except for maybe a 750XR....maybe its the Evel Knievel appeal