The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => Discussion about "Lesser" makes, er, Non-BMW ;-) => Topic started by: Bob_Roller on February 26, 2009, 07:59:17 PM
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Anybody have any information on current model Royal Enfield bikes ?
There's one up for sale here in Phoenix on Craigslist, it's an '03 model 500 cc single with 150 miles on it, for $3500.
Only thing I know about them, is that they are made with pride in India ;D
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This is close, I think...http://www.realclassic.co.uk/enfield030320.html
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Thanks Fastcat, if I don't work late on Saturday, I'm going to take a look at it.
Only dealer in the area is in Prescott, AZ., about 100 miles from home.
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If it is the latest model(s), they have had a lot of improvements in engineering and quality control, according to the Peter Egan story I read in Cycle World last month.
The bike in the article was the army version, with jerry-looking cans for saddlebags. Looks cool!
Not much of a shakedown, though, as Egan only got in one very cold ride before winter hit. The bike arrived later than planned.
The older ones require a tinkerers' passion, I believe.
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If it is a 2003, it could still be a cast-iron top end engine. These aren't bad bikes, from what I hear, but they use a carburetor, tend to have little oil seeps from various places, get 60 MPG and have a top speed of around 77 mph.. The new "Lean Burn" engine version has an all alloy head that looks alot like a Suzuki Savage's head. They are more oil tight, actually have fuel injection, get even better MPG than the carburetted version, and have 2-3 more ponies in the cylinder, enough to give you a top speed of over 80 MPH.
If you like to tinker with airheads, you'd probably be perfectly fine with an Enfield as well. There are a number of enthusiasts and after market accessories for them, though the dealer network is pretty thin. At least there are more Royal Enfield dealers around than Ural dealers. It will definitely not be a good superslab bike, but a perfect around town commuter or backroads cruiser.
The top-end model is called the "Electra" and has electric start. I'd go for the top end model though I'd probably use the kick starter most of the time just for the nostalgia...
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The Bullets have now ceased production.
Me? I really like the Clubman.
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Bullets are still in production and are quite popular here in Blighty.
However the companies who import them new do a rigorous pre delivery inspection/shakedown. But they are a lot better than they were. There was a newer efi version produced last year to get around new polution regs. It has another couple of horses and is reputed to be capable of 100mpg with restrained riding. The new model certainly look like a Bullet bit has 5 speed box and a left foot gear change etc.
But it is true that the old model has cease pruduction.
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I bow to superior intellect. The old 4 speed have now ceased production - as from this year only the 500 efi are going to be produced. My apologies for misrepresenting them. :-[ I received my info from a magazine - not Royal Enfield themselves. I will double check in future. God I hate being....slightly incorrect.... ;)
They are quite popular here is Oz as well. Pretty well bullet proof from what I hear.
I still like the Clubman though. [smiley=beatnik.gif]
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/models/classic.html
http://www.royal-enfield.com/bullet-classic.htm
http://www.royalenfieldaustralia.com/bullet_electra.php
http://www.royal-enfield.com/bullet_uce_efi.htm
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I still think this is the coolest one! ;) (for commuting)
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.enfieldmotorcycles.com%2Fmodels%2Fimg%2Fmilitary%2FMilitary.jpg&hash=d0327ac46c3100166b4f1cc3cad4982bc5da37b6)
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/models/military.html
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There was one of those very bikes for sale on CL right nearby in Concord, NH - but it is no longer listed now. I think that the seller wanted $3K for it, and it had less than 3K miles. But, if I were to find $3K to spend on a motorcycle I think that I'd get a bigger airhead to keep Tillie in Bavarian company in the garage, maybe an older but non-abused RT.... :)
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I'm with aussie. Gotta love the clubman. Of course that leads to a desire for a Belstaff jacket, pudding bowl helmet and goggles as well.
rich
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As far as i aware these are Indian imports????? I think ill stick to the curry
Lou
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I'm with aussie. Gotta love the clubman. Of course that leads to a desire for a Belstaff jacket, pudding bowl helmet and goggles as well.
rich
I say. Rich fancies himself as Mike "The Bike" Hailwood. Ey, wot? 8-)
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As you can see in this '09 pic, they have finally made the leap into the 21st century! (OK, well, maybe the 20th century!)
I'd still like one. In British Racing Green, if you please! ;)
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I've ridden the 2004 500cc Bullet. It's a gutless wonder with weird brakes and tranny feel. It's hard to describe but the only words that comes to mind is loose or sloppy. It reminds me of a really good looking mini-bike (Briggs and Stratton) with suspension. It is definitely not what you are used to but would probably make a good around town bike. Definitely ride before you buy.
There are lots of parts for customizing it though so it could be fun.
This review worth 2 cents. 8-)
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Yes, even the latest are still sub 30bhp. Latest one are 28 bhp or so.
I also rode an Electra a couple of years ago. I found it a stable, pleasant, but unexiting ride. I had just jumped off my Cafe Racer at the time. I need that extra 10 horses it seems.
They do have a lot of soup-up kits for the older bike and there are a couple of tuners in the UK that have got them up to and beyond 'Gold Star' power outputs. What they will do with the latest engine is anyone's guess.
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As far as i aware these are Indian imports????? I think ill stick to the curry
Lou
Actually they will run on thinned down Korma!!!should you run out of gas!! :D
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Can I heartily recommend a book called "Overland To India" by Gordon May....( www.overlandtoindia.co.uk ) Apologies to folks who know this already....but in the Uk there is an enormous motorcycle rally in Peterborough...held every May. Gordon was there selling his book and is a very fine chap indeed! He rode a 55year old Royal Enfield from the UK to India......a very readable tale written from the heart( No...I'm not on commission!)
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Last week I noticed in our small town's elementary school that there was a fairly recent vintage RE Bullet complete with the Cozy sidecar in the teacher's parking lot. I'll have to see if I can find out who is the owner..
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Iv'e owned 3 enfield's over the years,a 250 Clipper,250 Crusader sports,and a 250 Continental,all of them great bikes,and known over here in Blighty as "oily endfield's"i might be tempted to get another at some point!!.
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It was Royal Oilfields when I were a lad! :)
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It was Royal Oilfields when I were a lad! :)
You must be alot older then me! ;D
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I just saw an ad on Craigslist here locally in Phoenix, for a 2000 Royal Enfield, not running for $750, and no title .
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I just saw an ad on Craigslist here locally in Phoenix, for a 2000 Royal Enfield, not running for $750, and no title .
Why not go and looksy?Look here-
http://www.ianchadwick.com/motorcycles/enfield/
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Without a title, the process gets quite long and involved here in the state of Arizona .
Up until a few years ago, a vehicle without a title was considered a stolen vehicle by the licensing authority, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), until proved otherwise with proper documentation .
I did a little inquiring about this a few months ago, and you have to post a bond, if I remember correctly, around $5000, to get a bonded title, and it could take a few years to get the process finalized .
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Without a title, the process gets quite long and involved here in the state of Arizona .
Up until a few years ago, a vehicle without a title was considered a stolen vehicle by the licensing authority, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), until proved otherwise with proper documentation .
I did a little inquiring about this a few months ago, and you have to post a bond, if I remember correctly, around $5000, to get a bonded title, and it could take a few years to get the process finalized .
Well i didn't know you had to go through all this stuff to get the title!!!not worth the hassle i guess Bob.
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It probably has something to do with our proximity to the international border with Mexico, under a 2 hour drive .
The three biggest exports from Arizona to Mexico are : guns, drug money and stolen vehicles .
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Bob, Would a salvage title application be any easier? Or even possible in AZ? Monte
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No, with no title to work with, I guess the Motor Vehicle Division has to access insurance data bases, and registration records from other states, to get a continuity of ownership from when the vehicle was first sold, to preclude the possibility that the vehicle may have been stolen, the information is there, but it gets more difficult with increasing age of the vehicle .
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Thump on!! :)
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If I may wallow in nostalgia for a while,: in 1966-67 I owned a 1959 Royal Enfield Constellation, 700 cc twin. I won't bore you with the details but those bikes were surely designed by someone who rode every day, went on holiday with his RE and maintained it himself. Full of ideas to make life easy, in fact so easy that the boys took them apart for fun and reassembled them badly, which accounted for some of the oil leaks. It was one of the best rigs I ever had right up with the R65. See my screen name....!
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There is a good article on the Enfield's in ...Cycle World... November 2009
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(http://) This is one very cool Enfield.
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That IS a nice setup, and for a reasonable price, I think. I'd consider one of these, except that no matter where I go, I've gotta end up on an interstate somewhere for some portion of my commute, and if the bike can not comfortably hit 70 MPH, with a sidecar and a load I'll be run over.
Is the sidecar on your R65 also an Inder, or is it a Steib ?
This would be a great rig for Sunday morning rides in the country, though.
I noticed that ebay also has a nice looking 1967 Enfield 750 Interceptor for sale in Florida ($6K price tag on it now).
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Cool Enfield - The Musket v-twin!
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/04/17/royal-enfield-musket-update/
Down at the bottom there is a youtub link of this bike running.
Other V-twins that interest me are here --- http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/10/09/harley-davidson-sportster-off-road-conversions/
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The Enfield with the sidecar is on Ebay...buy it now for $6000.00 seems to me a good price. My sidecar is a LS200 Steib.