Help, I may actually buy a Royal Enfield!!

[Trev]

I really enjoy variety in my bikes but think I may be going a stage too far, I'm seriously considering buying a Royal Enfield!

I tried a new one out a few weeks ago almost by mistake, it was a real laugh and for a year or two I've been thinking about 'building' (lightly modifying a standard bike) to make a street scrambler and now I'm pretty much decided on using a RE as the base. I want to go for a 'modern' left hand gear change with disc brake version, not too fussed about electric start, and add single seat, high level exhaust, knobblies, high bars, matt paint job, etc

It will be used as (another) winter bike with a odd bit of very gentle green laning and as I'm not looking to have another bike that needs cleaning after every ride, the tattier the better, not that easy to find though they all seem immaculate, low miles coveted machines.

A post on the forum gives you guys and girls a chance to talk me out of it before I go too far or maybe give me further encouragement, any RE enthusiasts out there?

[wiltshire builders]

Owning an Enfield makes absolutly no sense whatsoever so if you feel drawn to one it must be the right thing to do.

From the sound of what you've got planned I think it'll look amazing.
I always fancied a Bultaco sherpa T but they only come in 2 conditions. Concours or sh*t order. Either way it'd cost a lot.

I look forward to hearing about your progress.

[Red Zed 1]

royal enfield are bringing out a cafe racer,,i think it was reviewed in last months motorcycle monthly..actually looks really good...

[WR6133]

royal enfield are bringing out a cafe racer,,i think it was reviewed in last months motorcycle monthly..actually looks really good...

There is one in Hayballs Salisbury. I stopped there today to look at the Enfields.

[Jon_W]

If your going to buy an enfield buy a 1960's one!

[Trev]

Yeah tried that one, nice bike but too much of a compromise for me. Although looks nice and rides and performs well for a RE it's still some way off a modern bike in most areas, really a 'Sunday best' bike that's able to do a bit more than the standard Enfield's. For me it as an alternative to a cruiser for those not into that sort of bike but still want something to polish and 'ride out' on.
However I wouldn't bet against it getting a wider audience, it's definitely got the looks, comfortable riding position, acceptable performance, braking and handling, good mpg and low price, pretty much why I bought my NC700X - apart from the looks ; )
I'm after a less pretty RE, one that will only see soap and water come the spring and I won't shed a tear over if I drop it, will be even slower than the Cafe racer though

[wheelers]

just sold a 2000 enfield bullet 500, just like a normal bullet apart from poor finish, corrosion and rust better than chinese quality but not as good as british. it was ridden to Leicester and lost side cover lock on way!! not bad as thats all it lost on a 100 mile trip!
word of warning is cylinder heads , you can pick up porous ones . when I did one a few weeks ago for another customer they said it wasnt a regular fault only had 3 that week!! the other thing is they are prone to dropping exhaust vallve guide.
to impregnate the head and rebuild is around £150, to do the guide and re cut seat around ~£100 . oversize guides available.
As Jon said , buy original, will keep its value. our 2000 sold for £1400, but I have seen them at £2000 down to £900 it really is take your pick.

[Trev]

just sold a 2000 enfield bullet 500, just like a normal bullet apart from poor finish, corrosion and rust better than chinese quality but not as good as british. it was ridden to Leicester and lost side cover lock on way!! not bad as thats all it lost on a 100 mile trip!
word of warning is cylinder heads , you can pick up porous ones . when I did one a few weeks ago for another customer they said it wasnt a regular fault only had 3 that week!! the other thing is they are prone to dropping exhaust vallve guide.
to impregnate the head and rebuild is around £150, to do the guide and re cut seat around ~£100 . oversize guides available.
As Jon said , buy original, will keep its value. our 2000 sold for £1400, but I have seen them at £2000 down to £900 it really is take your pick.

I'm looking at post 2005 model as quality is supposed to have improved, especially the motor, but then they would say that! Not looking for it to be my regular ride or do too many miles on and I'm not averse to a bit of light spanner twirling so not being totally reliable is not s big concern although I'm hoping not to have it broken down every time I want to use it.

Thanks to a couple of others who have suggested Triumph scrambler, definitely a better bike in every department but not sure I'll get one for the money I'm thinking of (£2 - 3K) and too heavy and powerful for what I want + again don't want a 'pride and joy'.

C'mon guys and girls, you're going to need to try harder than that to talk me out of it!!

[Jon_W]

As an alternative, have you thought of the honda CL400?

[Trev]

As an alternative, have you thought of the honda CL400?

Jon, no I haven't, thanks for that and also suggestion to buy an older on, both ideas for me to throw into the thought process. Initially what puts me off both is that I don't want something that I end up being too precious about but open to changing my mind