Triumphrat

sweatmachine · 07-11-2006

dang, those reviews are rough! I guess that was expected. Could be worse, could be me! I think I'll go ride my Bonnie now. Whaddya know, cranked right up!

Silverado57 · 07-11-2006

Some of the reviews of the "new" Royal Enfields were less than favorable.

There's a R-E for sale in a local MC near me. It's been there for months, sitting over it's own pool of oil. 'Nuff said.

dazco · 07-11-2006

Thats too bad. A $5k single would be nice. Then again after looking at the pics they aren't my cup of tea anyways. Much too dated looking for my tastes. But i love singles. I also love 70 MPG ! I'd never buy one anyways because i can only have 1 bike, and i already have the #1 in my book.

Ruthwell · 07-11-2006

not to mention, folks, won't STW find a good Bonny (possibly even an '05 soon) for around $5K?

foggydewhearst · 07-11-2006

I wanted the Royal Enfield 500 Bullet Classic so bad it was all I could think about...then I rode one for about 1/2 hour. PLEASE don't buy one of these bikes without a reasonable test ride first. The shifting was so vague I would almost roll to a stop at times before 'finding' the next gear. The brakes would have been better if they were a block of wood rubbing against the tyres. The selling dealer (Lancaster Honda) luckily is on a remote rural road, this thing will get you killed on any kind of a highway with todays traffic. With all that said, I still find the bike charming and would have one as a third or fourth bike, and use it ONLY on the back roads of rural Chester County (PA) where I live. The Bonnie is just light years ahead in every quantafiable catagory you can name, and is an excellent choice for a new rider. By the way, Lancaster Honda no longer sells them....should tell you something.

Panthermark · 07-11-2006

I think it would make a great 2nd or 3rd bike. I love the look, and I like to tinker.....but the quality seems to suck.

onetufTop · 07-11-2006

STW-

Which Bonneville are you looking at? I ask that because if the Enfield has grown on you, then I think either the Bonny Standard or T-100 will do the same...even better...and it's classic, retro, brit style (depending on the model). After owning quite a few bikes throughout the years, I picked up my B Blk a few months ago and absolutley love it. I would highly recommend it to a new rider. All too often I have to talk to my young Marines about their desires to purchase crotch rockets...often succeeding in talking them out of it, because they are brand new riders. I wish one would say to me that he was thinking of buying a Bonnie...I'd be elated!

I've gotten as much as 49 mpg on my bike...790 CCs, no mods to engine yet. I'll see what she does after the pipes get put on this week. She's very forgiving...perfect for a new (or old like me) rider.

You mentioned 70 mpg? If gas mileage is one of your main deciding factors, and I'm serious when I say this, then why not get a scooter? Honda makes a nice one that won't break down on you.

Bhakti-rider · 07-11-2006

I'm from the old school; we learned to ride on very light bikes in the dirt. I still consider that the optimum approach: once you can climb hills standing on the pegs, jump when you crest the top, and descend with the rear brake locked up, and spin donuts, you'll be much more able to control a bike on the street.

But if that's not a practical scenario for you, I agree with Aggie98's recommendation of a Honda 250. Believe me, there's a lot to be contending with when you're first learning, and the less weight, not to mention power, you have, the less likely that you'll hurt yourself seriously.

ooobaby · 07-11-2006

What I've heard about the Royal Enfields is that they're under powered and relatively fragile. If you want something vintage looking to "tinker" with, go buy a vintage Triumph, BSA or Norton. :razz: At least they'll appreciate and have a resale value.

Diego · 07-11-2006

> Thats too bad. A $5k single would be nice.

How 'bout a $4K single that's reliable enough to ride across the continent, Daz? Suzuki's LS-650 (now one of the Boulevard models) fits that description nicely, although their decision to implement it as a cruiser rather than a standard makes it not everyone's choice.