[sharpshooter]

I know they have been described as pieces of crapola but I can always use another toy in the garage.

I just looked at Royal Enfields web sight and lo and behold they have a new upgraded model called the electra x. I have not seen one but the photo shows a quite handsome motorcycle and hey, it has electronic ignition.

Sure its down on power but 70 miles to the gallon back and forth to work what the heck.

Anybody out there seen one or have any thoughts.

Rick......................

 

[ohiorider]

You'll catch a lotta flak over considering this bike... but here's my thoughts about it. It's your money, you'll buy it, you'll ride it, and over time will decide if it was worth it or not. You already understand what it takes to keep old British iron running, since you own or have owned a mid 60s Triumph. I've bought bikes I thought would be the end all, and found they didn't work for me. Others, like the W650, which I originally intended to use only in the National Park and for other low speed putting, were taken on several trips down the Blue Ridge, and were worth twice to me in pure fun what I paid for them.

Bob

 

[sweatmachine]

go get a look at them in person. They look great on the website, but lackluster in person.

Just my opinion.

I'd rather pick up a vintage Norton or BSA or Triumph, than a fake vintage indian enfield, but that's just me. Figure costs are similar, maintanance is too, but power is better and you actually have a genuine article rather than a stamped out bombay bomb.

go get a look at them, you may change your mind.

 

[kliff]

Thinking about one myself, they remind me of build quality straight out of the 50's and 60's.
Besides, I want something fairly cheap, that I can tear down to the last nut and bolt, blue print and modify, for AHRMA racing, and have fun on against similar bikes.....

Whole lot cheaper than doing a Gold Star, IF I could find one, and not near as frustrating if something happens to it.... :hammer:

 

[ohiorider]

Cliff - You're probably correct about the build quality being much like a 50's bike, although I think they've improved several of the components ... electrical, etc. I think that would be an interesting project. How do you think an Enfield (modified for racing) would stack up with comparable Matchless G50s? That'd probably be the main competitor in AHRMA, wouldn't it?
Bob

 

[sweatmachine]

hmm, I don't know what you could do to make an Enfield compete with the G50, those G50 replicas are what, like 30 grand?

 

[kliff]

On 2006-12-19 08:53, ohiorider wrote:
Cliff - You're probably correct about the build quality being much like a 50's bike, although I think they've improved several of the components ... electrical, etc. I think that would be an interesting project. How do you think an Enfield (modified for racing) would stack up with comparable Matchless G50s? That'd probably be the main competitor in AHRMA, wouldn't it?
Bob

COMPETITIVE ! Surely you jest ! With my 260lbs on board !
You guys are HILARIOUS! I did the math, track and entry fees with the AHRMA are cheaper to RACE, than a comparable TRACK DAY anywhere else......I'm just going to have fun, and fill out the feild for the guys that are racing the entire series. LOL! Besides.....I just like working on bikes, I sorta thought an Enfeild would solve both problems.

Be Competitive......you guys are too much.....35 years ago tho......LMAO!

 

[kliff]

On 2006-12-19 09:02, sweatmachine wrote:
hmm, I don't know what you could do to make an Enfield compete with the G50, those G50 replicas are what, like 30 grand?

Not that I'd be competitive Sweat, but bigger valvesm higher compression, porting, different cams.....heck, stoker cranks with carillo rods are available if you really wanna play....and its all on the Enfeild site......that engine design is old, but can be woken up.....and I don't do stock. LOL!

 

[sweatmachine]

Kliff, you certainly have the tools, know how, and my respect.

Let's see it! I'd love to see a ridiculously hot rodded Enfield.

 

[kliff]

Working on a deal now to raise a little capital......check back around Feb...I'll know for sure by then.

Oh, and keep your fingers crossed to...LOL!

 

[DrEnglish]

I think they're pretty cool. Have not seen one in person. If you LIKE to tinker with a bike I bet they are really fun.

I bought some turn signals from their store. Have not fitted them to the bike yet, but they are way more solid than the stock Triumph ones and have a goofy retro appearance. Awesome. Plus, I don't think they'll droop and they are HUGE.

 

[Iceseven]

I think that it would be a cool bike to own especially the military model. There are websites of people taking these things around the world (pack spares though). They don't seem to keep their value so a newer used model might be the way to go

 

[ohiorider]

On 2006-12-19 09:52, Iceseven wrote:
....... They don't seem to keep their value so a newer used model might be the way to go

That's how I would do it, too. They don't cost too much new, but they seem to depreciate quickly. Have to admit, I'm taken with them. I need to find the actual history of Royal Enfield in India on the web. Sounds like when RE closed the doors in England, India simply continued building. From what I've read, these bikes have been in continuous production in India since 1955-56 era. That makes the Indian RE a year or so older than the original Sportster!

 

[JJ_Rider]

I considered buying an Enfield pretty seriously. I think they're cool looking, in person or not, but the models seemed to change their styling between years, and some I liked better than others (just tank logos and stuff). There's an Enfield owners forum somewhere that that had some good info on reliability (or lack thereof). I opted out because they sounded like a lot of upkeep. Probably similar to a vintage bike, but that's more than I wanted. Also not good if you want to exceed 50 mph. Finally, the guy at the dealership just did not seem to want to sell me one. Not sure why, but it made me a little nervous. But if you're willing to deal with the shortcomings, I think they could be pretty neat.

 

[kliff]

On 2006-12-19 11:45, JJ_Rider wrote:
I considered buying an Enfield pretty seriously. I think they're cool looking, in person or not, but the models seemed to change their styling between years, and some I liked better than others (just tank logos and stuff). There's an Enfield owners forum somewhere that that had some good info on reliability (or lack thereof). I opted out because they sounded like a lot of upkeep. Probably similar to a vintage bike, but that's more than I wanted. Also not good if you want to exceed 50 mph. Finally, the guy at the dealership just did not seem to want to sell me one. Not sure why, but it made me a little nervous. But if you're willing to deal with the shortcomings, I think they could be pretty neat.

Short comings.......heeehhhaaahaa, I've owned, lived with and ridden Triumphs, BSA's, and Nortons from the 60's and &0's with Lucas electrics, and even worse an AMF era '81 H-D Shovelhead........ An Enfeild will be fun.

 

[Iceseven]

I did a check on the internet about reliability of the Enfields and I see different things, one guy went through three engines in 20,000 miles!

Tell you what though I have been really liking the old Triumph cubs, they are reasonably priced and seem easy to work on.

 

[TBAbob]

Never having cared what anyone else thinks about what I ride, I actually owned not one, but two Bullet 500s!! A 1999 and a 2000. The wife wanted one after she saw mine. Sigh! That was a mistake!

They are cheap and very cool looking BUT........they do require as much or more constant maintenance as '50s bikes do. The overall quality is fairly poor but if you're a bit tool handy it's not too hard to correct a lot of it....like replacing darn near every fastener and electrical connector on the bike for starters. The manual and the instructional video that came with the bikes were done in India by Indians and are quite humerous not to mention being of very little help. The electric start and electronic ignition was not available with my bikes and would be a BIG asset. The kickstarter usually took at least 5-10 and sometimes 30+ kicks to start the bike! Very helpful to your aerobic exercise routine!

There are two tool boxes on the Bullet and you actually must carry tools and be prepared to use them (just like the '50s!) on any ride. I could deal with this but got real tired of going out to pick my wife up on the side of the road! The bikes got sold.

I regret not keeping my Bullet however. I had it to the point where it was liveable and had fully retroed it with a sprung solo saddle, big Lucas headlight, period header/silencer, etc. It was really cool looking. Always got lots of comments. Literaly everyone assummed that it was a restored 1950's Royal Enfield!

There is a Bullet 500 guru named Dan Holmes (DRS Cycle) out in Indiana who knows these bikes in detail and has a lot of aftermarket stuff. If you're familiar with which end of a tool does the work, then these bikes can be fun. If your mechanical expertise ends with knowing where the starter button is, then forget it.

Cogito ergo equito

Bob

 

[Iceseven]

Bob, how are the engines on the Enfields, are they pretty solid? Are the problems mostly minor?

How is the reliability of the Enfield say compared to your BSA? (I had a 1974 Trident for close to 20 years so I can relate to that type of maintenance).

I wouldn't mind tinkering but my days of rebuilding Triumphs is a thing of the past and wouldn't want to relive that part of it.

 

[Brooksie]

If I want another bike with poor dealer support, I'll buy another Triumph! (just kidding).

 

[Jerkyboy]

after i sold my 78 and my Harley owning brother in law had a cow because i didn't ask him if he wanted to buy it, that was my side of the fence if you will, I decided to go look at bikes and RE, Bullets were in the running, until I went to look at one. The advertising and brochures they present are beautiful but the bike just looked too Heath Kit to me. I had this image of Raj tooling around the Punjab province on one, but not something that i would dare put on the interstate even for a second. Anyway as soon as my brother in law gets some scratch were going to split a vintage bike and it just so happens that the one i really want is in your neck of the woods. Are you near Mountlake Terrace? I'm pretty sure this little honey of a 30incher was up on ebay last year about this time and he's lowered his buy now price a few hundred. Single carb just flawless and purple to boot. I can't think of anyway the RE would even come close. Check it out. Good Luck.
70Daytona