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Author Topic: Bought a newish bike  (Read 578 times)

Offline Tony Smith

  • Mt. Olympus Resident
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  • Posts: 2313
  • Graduate, Wallace and Gromit School of Engineering
Bought a newish bike
« on: May 13, 2024, 01:03:09 AM »
Well, after a decade long slow burn I pushed the button and bought a 2016 Royal Enfield Continental GT, the 535cc single.

I couldn't help myself, a mere 2,743 kilometers on the clock and looking nearly mint.

The only modification was a very loud muffler which I packed with steel wool to get through our State's "roadworthy inspections". The joke was on me as the inspector took one look at the bike, said "this is brand new isn't it" and proceeded to write the certificate without even starting it.

100km later the steel wool had burned out.

Now at the outset let's be clear, as I said in my review here quite the a few years ago they are the ultimate sheep in wolf's clothing. My DRZ400 would snot it into a cocked hat effortlessly, in fact I think my wife's DR200 would go close to beating it in straight lines.

But you do not buy one for the performance. You buy one for:-

The look - right out of the 1960s Ace Cafe.

The braking by Brembo combined with wide and sticky  tyres provides more than adequate braking.

The suspension is almost reasonable

The Harris Performance designed frame gives pin sharp Handling


I love it.
1978 R100RS| 1981 R100RS (JPS) | 1984 R65 | 1992 KLE500 | 2002 R1150GSA |

Offline Tony Smith

  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • ****
  • Posts: 2313
  • Graduate, Wallace and Gromit School of Engineering
Re: Bought a newish bike
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2024, 02:27:15 AM »
Whoops, I stuffed the attachment to the previous post
1978 R100RS| 1981 R100RS (JPS) | 1984 R65 | 1992 KLE500 | 2002 R1150GSA |

Offline Burt

  • Lives in Foothills of Mt. Olympus
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  • Posts: 253
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Re: Bought a newish bike
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2024, 04:11:14 PM »
Tony, Tony, Tony. 

I know we are all slowing down as we get older but that does not mean you have to buy a bike that does the same.   :thud:
Black 1984 R65 - the Wombat

Offline dogshome

  • Lives in Foothills of Mt. Olympus
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  • Posts: 268
Re: Bought a newish bike
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2024, 08:38:38 AM »
It IS cute  :-*

肉(r?u)包(bāo)子(zi)打(dǎ)狗(gǒu) (meat+bun(2nd and 3rd)+hit+dog)
* Literally: To hit a dog with a meat-bun.:-O

Offline Tony Smith

  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • ****
  • Posts: 2313
  • Graduate, Wallace and Gromit School of Engineering
Re: Bought a newish bike
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2024, 05:48:06 PM »
It IS cute  :-*

And in a three word post you have fully traversed my reasons for buying it.

In a few short years when riding is beyond me I am going to take it with me to the nursing home where, with a sheet of glass affixed, it will become my bedside table.
1978 R100RS| 1981 R100RS (JPS) | 1984 R65 | 1992 KLE500 | 2002 R1150GSA |

Offline dogshome

  • Lives in Foothills of Mt. Olympus
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  • Posts: 268
Re: Bought a newish bike
« Reply #5 on: May 21, 2024, 12:12:58 PM »
She'll be a lot faster when you are recounting to others, when you get there  8)
A Red Barchetta, if you will  :beer:
肉(r?u)包(bāo)子(zi)打(dǎ)狗(gǒu) (meat+bun(2nd and 3rd)+hit+dog)
* Literally: To hit a dog with a meat-bun.:-O

Offline Tony Smith

  • Mt. Olympus Resident
  • ****
  • Posts: 2313
  • Graduate, Wallace and Gromit School of Engineering
Re: Bought a newish bike
« Reply #6 on: May 21, 2024, 01:21:39 PM »
I do find already that the older I get, the faster I was!
1978 R100RS| 1981 R100RS (JPS) | 1984 R65 | 1992 KLE500 | 2002 R1150GSA |