Royal Enfield

OK, the pictures are sure cute and I have a dealer nearby (much, much closer than my neighborhood BMW dealer), so I'm toying with the idea of a Royal Enfield as a possible commuter bike and spouse toy. Has anyone in the forum had any real experience with these bikes?

If airheads weren't so popular, I would have went that route.

I came very close to purchasing a new one this last year. But........after doing a lot of reading posts from owners on the web, I talked myself out of it. I love the way they look but these bikes can have a great number of problems and the Royal Enfield dealer is about 50 miles away. The newly introduced, fuel injected models may eliminate some of the problems but not enough to get me to bite. If you have a dealer near you and good parts availability, the Enfield looks like it might be a fun bike to own. Good luck with your decision.

The looks of the Enfield really "wow" me, but then I find retro or classic bikes the best looking. Of course the Enfield is not retro as it has never changed! Pete Egan states how the bike is better than it once was in an article he wrote.

I owned a 2001 model for 8 years.Fun little bike,got about 70 mpg.Easy to maintane.top speed was about 70mph,sweet spot was 45-50.I never had any engine or tranny issues.But fender stays would break due to vibs,bolts would work loose.Chrome was poor quality and pits easily.The drum brakes would slow you down(new models have front disk).Classic motor works(main importer)have a nice website with members area,nice store for parts and accessories.I've not rode the new model with fuel injection,but old models were like an overgrown moped.Still a fun bike for around town and country roads.

I haven't seen one of these yet, but I tell you what retro bike impressed me... The Triumph Bonneville. Great retro vibe, with good power & brakes. Needs a custom pipe though, too quiet. I have 1/2 a mind to buy one & REALLY retro it out, bobber style...

+ 1 on Triumphs!. I have a 1999 K1200LT as my traveling bike but picked up a 2008 Scrambler with 730 miles on it for $6k in September.

It's a fun bike and you'll have conversation with many people wherever you stop who have a story about old Triumphs.

Good power and I haven't read about any real issues with reliability or experienced any problems either.

Joe

Here's a pic .I sold her and got my 1st airhead.