Royal Enfield - 350/500cc - any current experience?

[AmBraCol]

The Royal Enfield dealer I found near Orlando is in a little place called Hollowpaw. He also sells these

http://imz-ural.com/

Looking at the pictures of them reminds me of the German motorcycles used in the Indiana Jones movies.

Funny thing is, they don't sell the Ural here. Come to think of it, there are no more Russian vehicle dealerships anywhere that I'm aware of. They used to have Lada and Gaz and probably others, but they've pretty much disappeared from the new market. I find them interesting, but that side car would require paying tolls on the highway - something I don't have to do for just two wheels. And tolls are expensive down here. Ridiculously expensive, considering the crappy nature of most of the roads.

[AmBraCol]

Shucks, if I can get enough of you guys to buy one, perhaps I can talk them into giving me a discount.

[Old Ironsights]

Shucks, if I can get enough of you guys to buy one, perhaps I can talk them into giving me a discount.

What I like about them, aside from the classic styling is that they still have integral kick-starts.

A good article: http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2013/03/ ... lassic-c5/ My favorite quote?

Enjoy the economy, almost scooteroid: an astounding, measured 72 mpg , riding moderately, vs. Royal Enfield’s 85 MPG claims (“your mileage may vary")

Here's an interesting page. Won't give a new KLR to compare, but does give the 2015 Classic RE and the 2015 Honda XR:

http://www.fremonthondakawasaki.com/new ... Go#compare

http://www.fremonthondakawasaki.com/new ... Go#compare

Now, you probably aren't going to motocross a RE, but I'm thinking it should be a heck of a lot better on dirt trails/farm roads than something like my shaft drive Maxxim.

Of course, You can always do THIS to a Bullet:

Please note: All parts are available separately or as a kit. You first must secure a "donor" bike which is usually a stock Royal Enfield. This is an aftermarket kit and is not manufactured or sanctioned by Royal Enfield Motors. For Off road Use only, may not be legal in all jurisdictions.
Flexible indicators
Alloy mudguards
Fork gaiters
Air filter
Side stand
Handlebars
Sump guard
Exhaust system
Straight kick-start
3 x mudguard stays
Rear mudguard loop
Spoke and nipple sets
21" + 18" alloy wheel rims
Alloy tank with cap, tap, rear fixing and transfers
Rear number plate bracket and light holder and rear light
Single saddle with fixings and springs (large or small available)
All required fixings (Please note: tyres are not included)

Ah the toys one can get with a little (or a lot) of Green...

But on doing a bit more research, I think that a stock RE Bullet should get along in the woolly's of Peru just fine...



How's that for a fully "loaded" Enfield?

And they are OK in water too:



http://www.dirttrackproductions.com/mot ... ng-pa.html

Here's all the crazyness you can do on an Enfield... (amazing website) http://www.rideofmylife.in/

http://www.rideofmylife.in/motorcycles

[AmBraCol]

Funny you'd bring up the comparison to a Honda XR650. That bike's also on the market here - for a mere twice the cost of the Royal Enfield Bullet.

No, I don't know why the RE is relatively cheap here, or why the Hondas and such are so expensive, but I'm really, really interested in obtaining a RE as it's looking more and more like the best bang for the buck down here in a "big" bike.

[AmBraCol]

And here's a comparison to another locally available bike:

http://www.fremonthondakawasaki.com/new ... Go#compare

Suzuki price - 20,100,000 Colombian pesos.

Royal Enfield price - 13,350,000 Colombian pesos.

Don't know for sure yet how I'll come up with the $$$ for the Enfield, the Suzuki is a pipe dream.

[Old Ironsights]

Got any bridges like this in Colombia?



http://www.rideofmylife.in/motorcycle-t ... -arunachal

[AmBraCol]

Got any bridges like this in Colombia?



http://www.rideofmylife.in/motorcycle-t ... -arunachal

Even better - we've got places where they run you across the river on a zipline...

And no, I don't do those trails, thank you very much! actually, at least in this section of the country, our roads are quite modern for the most part - and improving. The occasional landslide will mess things up here and there, but we've come a long way. And we should, considering the price of tolls in this country. Tolls are one reason why I do most of my traveling on a bike - there's a bike lane to the right at each toll booth for motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians to go through gratis.

[Old Ironsights]

Ever heard of these chaps?

http://www.motolombia.com/guided-tours-colombia/

[AmBraCol]

Ever heard of these chaps?

http://www.motolombia.com/guided-tours-colombia/

As a matter of fact, nope. I ran across a similar outfit the other day, but didn't bookmark them. They've got an interesting selection of bikes, and seem to indicate they'd just rent you a bike so you could do some "free style" touring instead of tagging along with a guide. But OUCH the daily rental prices on some of those bikes!

If I DO end up with a Royal Enfield will have to do some specific "adventure" type blogging about some of my travels. There are some cool roads to run, and some of them I NEED to run in the line of work. Maybe someone here would like to see what Coffee Country looks like from the back of a bike - now there's bike rental place where you can pick up a ride and then tag along if you like!

[Old Ironsights]

Well, until I can afford a new bike myself, I'm just going to have to see how "un-street" I can make my Maxxim.

This guy did a pretty good job of making his 2-track capable:

http://xjbikes.com/forums/index.php?thr ... ost-437673

Looks like the major upgrades are in suspension & tires...

[wecsoger]

If I DO end up with a Royal Enfield will have to do some specific "adventure" type blogging about some of my travels.

Pictures or it never happened.

I'm sorry no one here has one of the bikes, I would have loved to hear a personal opinion. I may have to check out a dealer or two now.

Maybe start another thread...how is it for American retirees down there?

[AmBraCol]

If I DO end up with a Royal Enfield will have to do some specific "adventure" type blogging about some of my travels.

Pictures or it never happened.

I'm sorry no one here has one of the bikes, I would have loved to hear a personal opinion. I may have to check out a dealer or two now.

Maybe start another thread...how is it for American retirees down there?

Pictures, eh? Attached is a picture of my current ride on a past trip over the mountains, across the river and up the other mountains. That load together with me is asking a bit much of the lil' thing, but it's come through with flying colors so far. It'd be nice to have a better seating arrangement and a bit more torque, which is why I"m looking at the RE bikes.

As for US citizens retiring down here, there's a considerable number. There's a Yahoo email group called "Colombia Experts" of which the majority seem to be retired folk. It's a good place to get general info and feedback from folks living down here as retirees. The downside is leverguns are virtually unknown and firearms of all kinds are highly controlled, nearly impossible to get LEGALLY any more. Only the Army sells (legal) guns and ammo and like all monopolies it puts a squeeze on the little guy, to say the least. Yet air powered rifles are as yet ALMOST unregulated. You can't just pack one in your suitcase and bring it in anymore, but by paying a substantial premium over US prices you can get your hands on almost anything in the air power line.

[Old Ironsights]

Well, at least 10,000ft isn't too high up there... I'm at 5,000 local but (try to) haunt 9,500+ around South Pass - and hoping the Bike is up to the Dirt USFS Roads there...

http://www.sinkscanyonstatepark.org/act ... -road.html

It's a day trip...

[AmBraCol]

Yesterday I was in Medellín on mission business. After getting things done we went by the RE dealer. There we got to look over various models and the dealer took me on a test ride. I took off on a 350 Rumbler and he was riding a Classic 500 in Chrome. Part way through the ride we switched. The Rumbler is what I'm looking for, as far as riding comfort and more modern gauges and a tach go. They both have great torque for handling the steep grades on highways down here. If we can somehow swing the Rumbler in 500 cc, that'd be the cat's meow since it is fuel injected. No purchase 'til after our "home service" trip this summer, which means not 'til October or November. We talked over warranty issues and other things and I saw them handle a warranty issue on another guy's bike. All that's left is to come up with the funds. hopefully I can sell the XL before we leave and bank the proceeds then add to them as possible.

Anyway, thanks to all for the input. If we can swing the deal I'll post updates for those interested.

[Old Ironsights]

... All that's left is to come up with the funds. hopefully I can sell the XL before we leave and bank the proceeds then add to them as possible.

Anyway, thanks to all for the input. If we can swing the deal I'll post updates for those interested.

I'm in for $50. It's a Biker Ministry Thing...

And, FWW, the Classic/Bullet also comes in EFI. I think it has since the '14 model year.

[MrMurphy]

Used to work with a guy who had a Ural, the sidecar model in "Russian Army Green".

All it was missing was an MG42 mount. Put him in feldgrau with a helmet (he was a six foot blond) and he'd be right out of Operation Barbarossa.....

[Blaine]

I'll match Old Ironsight's Fifty.....where can we send some dedicated Scooter Money??

[Blaine]

Bump....Let's think about helping Paul get his scoot.....

[AmBraCol]

... All that's left is to come up with the funds. hopefully I can sell the XL before we leave and bank the proceeds then add to them as possible.

Anyway, thanks to all for the input. If we can swing the deal I'll post updates for those interested.

I'm in for $50. It's a Biker Ministry Thing...

And, FWW, the Classic/Bullet also comes in EFI. I think it has since the '14 model year.

Thank you, sir. At this point funds could be sent via PayPal to Paul AHT sacm dot net or a check could be sent with a note designating "Motorcycle Upgrade fund" to South American Christian Mission, PO Box 1593, Joplin, MO 68402 NOTE: WE ARE NOT a 501 (C) or whatever it is organization as we refuse to let the US Government dictate what we can or can not do in our ministry. In other words, no tax write off unless written off as a gift or whatever the IRS allows in such cases. I'm no tax lawyer so don't know how that'd work.

Anyway, any funds so designated will be so used.

As for the EFI - it's only on the 500 CC models. The 350 runs a carb. Attached is a picture of yours truly on the Rumbler 350 I test rode the other day.

[Old Ironsights]

Thanks. You need a better scoot...

[Old Ironsights]

Happy Trails!

As for EFI vs Carb... I'm torn. In many ways a Carb is better because it CAN be fixed, where an EFI has a computer that you just have to replace... not to mention death by EMP...

They run Carbs on the Nepal trips, so I wouldn't worry about them too much.

[AmBraCol]

Happy Trails!

As for EFI vs Carb... I'm torn. In many ways a Carb is better because it CAN be fixed, where an EFI has a computer that you just have to replace... not to mention death by EMP...

They run Carbs on the Nepal trips, so I wouldn't worry about them too much.

Yeah, I'm torn on that one too. I think the Bullet's got the carb on the 500, but the Classics and the Rumbler (Thunderbird) all run the EFI. All the 350's, on the other hand, run carbs... We'll see how it shakes out in the end. We're in no place to make any decisions at this point in time, other than the decision to go ahead and sell the XL.

[Old Ironsights]

Well, you're lucky in that your bike/choice of bike has only one cylinder.

I have 4 cylinders and 4 carbs... that need to be vacuum sync'ed... and my 34 y/o carb to intake boots suck... err... leak vacuum... so I can't get a proper sync/tuneup, until they are replaced... at $260 a set of 4...

But right now, I've got the scratch for the itch, so it's getting done. I just hope they last another 34 years.

[AmBraCol]

Yeah, I remember the whole 4 carb issue on the old CB500Four...

Let's hear it for thumpers!!!!

[Old Ironsights]

Yeah, I remember the whole 4 carb issue on the old CB500Four...

Let's hear it for thumpers!!!!

https://youtu.be/0-2YfY-cqJk?t=103

But what *I* want is one of THESE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z40YBU4GEXs

[Old Ironsights]

Here's a great Youtube about Royal Enfield... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_EsUR4oakg

How about a DIESEL Bike? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPdnRrfPnIU

She even ran all the way to Nepal on 70% vegetable oil....

[AmBraCol]

Here's a view of some of our roads down here. I've ridden some of these myself, albeit not on the big bikes they're using.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS4MUi_BhCM

[Grizz]

That's a great motorcyle country to be in. Love the roads and the sights and the people. If you could arrange a temperature drop of around 50dF I could love being there. Tropics slay me, I'm northern dna, but attracted to the beauty.

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.ca/motorc ... eld-canada

you probably already have absorbed all of this. I like the classic but find the fuel capacity skimpy. Is that an issue in your area? It would make a trip across the west on tertiary roads a bit sketchy.

http://www.bikesindia.org/reviews/what- ... gines.html

here is an article written in an India publication that talks about the engine. the close-up pictures of the engine look good.

Grizz

[AmBraCol]

That's a great motorcyle country to be in. Love the roads and the sights and the people. If you could arrange a temperature drop of around 50dF I could love being there. Tropics slay me, I'm northern dna, but attracted to the beauty.

Grizz

Temps here are not too bad. Our average temperature is around 70 F. If one moves up to Manizales then it drops a couple more degrees and up in Bogotá it's even cooler. The heat kicks in down in the river valleys, such as the Cauca river valley to our west or the Magdalena valley over the central range of the Andes to our east. And, of course, the lowland plains east of Bogotá tend to be quite hot and humid. But even though we're near the Equator, this high up the temps are pretty decent. And, in my opinion, the landscape in this area is quite attractive - about the best Colombia has to offer. Someday, perhaps, I'll get a chance to ride south and explore down that way. One trip I hope to do soon is all the way up to Cartagena. BUT I'm not going to do either on as small of a bike as I've been running. I'm simply getting too old to do that to my poor body any more.

[Old Ironsights]

The 6gal tank is about the ONLY thing I like about the KLR...

[AmBraCol]

you probably already have absorbed all of this. I like the classic but find the fuel capacity skimpy. Is that an issue in your area? It would make a trip across the west on tertiary roads a bit sketchy.


Grizz

Oops! I missed this the first time 'round. The model I'm seriously considering has a 20 liter (just over five gallon) tank. At 70 mpg or better, that's a fairly decent range. To put it into perspective, with my current ride I get over to Melgar and tank up (first trip, with wrong sized tires, didn't even make it to Melgar). With the fuel capacity and mileage of the Thunderbird, I could easily reach Bogotá and maybe even come back on one tank of fuel - although I'd probably not push it on the return, filling up in all probability around Melgar or Ibagué before starting the climb towards home. Even the Classic is fine for this area of Colombia. Out in the plains area, I don't know. But for the areas I'm most likely to venture, the standard Classic capacity would be OK as fuel stations are not too hard to come by.

Western US on tertiary roads? That's a good reason to have luggage rack and jerry can for fuel.

[Grizz]

Western US on tertiary roads? That's a good reason to have luggage rack and jerry can for fuel.

yeah. I can go 550 between gas stops in my van and I carry an extra 100 miles in the supplies locker. plus the 6gal water supply.

glad to hear your temps are moderate. sounds like pnw somewhat.

I have an obvious case or roamingitis.

Grizz

[2ndovc]

In 2003 my dad bought an Enfield Bullet w/ the electric start and I bought a KLR 650.
The KLR is a big bike and he was looking at the Kawasaki Sherpa but loved looks of the
Bullet.
The Enfield's require a lot of maintenance and puttering to keep them up and running,
especially when compared to my KLR where all I really had to do was change the oil and
lube the chain. That thing was a big fun brute that I really enjoyed. I sold it after it sat for two years
in my garage and when I went to start it one day the air cleaner was full of mice!
Decided I'd get another one someday and let someone enjoy mine that had more time.

The Enfield reminded me of the MGB that the old man had when I was a kid. Always something to
be done before you take it out. However if your something of a mechanic (which we are not) I'm
sure you would be fine. Every time we went for a ride together someone would stop us and ask what it was. Definitely had way more "Cool Factor" over my KLR.

I've been looking at a used BMW 1200GS. We'll see how things go this summer.

[Leverluver]

For years, I used to commute from Golden, through the Denver "mousetrap' (pre-bypass days) and north to commerce city on a BSA 441 Victor. I hope the RE doesn't vibrate as much as the Vic did. After I arrived at either end of the trip, my hands were numb for an hour after words from the vibration. As much as like one lungers, at retirement age now, I couldn't take that amount of vibration anymore. The RE does seem cool for places with a slower speed to life.

[AmBraCol]

In 2003 my dad bought an Enfield Bullet w/ the electric start and I bought a KLR 650.
The KLR is a big bike and he was looking at the Kawasaki Sherpa but loved looks of the
Bullet.
The Enfield's require a lot of maintenance and puttering to keep them up and running,
especially when compared to my KLR where all I really had to do was change the oil and
lube the chain. That thing was a big fun brute that I really enjoyed. I sold it after it sat for two years
in my garage and when I went to start it one day the air cleaner was full of mice!
Decided I'd get another one someday and let someone enjoy mine that had more time.

The Enfield reminded me of the MGB that the old man had when I was a kid. Always something to
be done before you take it out. However if your something of a mechanic (which we are not) I'm
sure you would be fine. Every time we went for a ride together someone would stop us and ask what it was. Definitely had way more "Cool Factor" over my KLR.

I've been looking at a used BMW 1200GS. We'll see how things go this summer.

You might take another look at the Royal Enfield. The new UCE engine is a lot less fidgety than the older cast iron and AVL models were. Of course, a lot depends on what you'll be doing with it. With most of my riding being well under 50 mph, the Royal Enfield should work like a champ.

[AmBraCol]

For years, I used to commute from Golden, through the Denver "mousetrap' (pre-bypass days) and north to commerce city on a BSA 441 Victor. I hope the RE doesn't vibrate as much as the Vic did. After I arrived at either end of the trip, my hands were numb for an hour after words from the vibration. As much as like one lungers, at retirement age now, I couldn't take that amount of vibration anymore. The RE does seem cool for places with a slower speed to life.

I got to test ride two of the RE bikes a couple weeks ago. A 350 Rumbler and a 500 Classic. The Classic seemed to have a bit more vibration, but nothing objectionable. The Rumbler was very smooth riding for a thumper.

[AmBraCol]

Thanks, guys. What with savings and a couple of donations, the fund is up to about $1,300 US and I've not sold the XL yet which should more than double the funds available. There's still a ways to go, but several months (and miles) before any decisions will be made. Thanks to the donors - you know who you are.