'08 Royal Enfields - Are They Reliable?

[Mad*Sparrow]

It always amazes me at the sensitivity of some people with vehicles that they own or had owned. It's like they have made the object into something perfect that cannot have any flaws and will defend any criticism of it needlessly. We all know that all bikes have problems and sometimes comparisons although maybe inaccurate are part of the subject at hand. Anyway, I have a lot of Indian friends that will account for the RE's with an almost part of the family type sentiment and have asked me if I have ever had any experience with them in the states. No matter their flaws they seem to love them and as they state to me that the new ones (in India) are very reliable. I've always wanted to get a diesel RE for the very reason you describe. Simplicity is sometimes worth it's wieght in gold, in my opinion.

[bikeosaurus2000]

I had an opportunity to ride an early '09 AVL Bullet Classic yesterday, and I absolutely loved it! It's a nice light bike with quick steering, spunky pickup, great transmission, the lovely sound of a single cylinder engine, tons of cool retro vibe, and surprise of surprises... I was totally impressed by the effectiveness of its drum brakes, too. I found it a great bike, providing more than enough capability to enjoy years of great rides.

It's a mystery to me why some people are so fixated on hi-tech road rockets which easily out perform every highway restriction in the book, making it more likely that you'll not only rack up a list of traffic violations, but maybe take a trip to the ER, too. Go figure.

Thanks for all the input, folks. I seriously have the feeling that I'll be wheeling a new RE into the garage soon, parking it next to my '09 Ural Gear Up. Woo-Hooooo!

____________________________

B2k aka Fred
- '09 Ural Gear Up

"Anything worth doing is worth overdoing!" - M. Jagger

[Brtp4]

Now I really want one.

BP

[Birdmove]

I have a 2007 Bullet 500, which has the earlier "iron" engine.I bought it about a year and a half ago in December. The bike has been fine.I have two other motorcycles also, so it doesn't have high mileage. Its at about 2300 miles.It sounds great, looks great, is a load of fun to ride-even though it is not fast.It can cruise fine up to about 50 mph, which I consider about the limit for a cruising speed on my bike.Mine shifts quite well, starts really easily with the kick starter, and I don't use the electric start unless I stall in traffic.Gas mileage varies from mid sixties to into the eighties.You can check the valve clearance in maybe thirty seconds, once you've done it once.Although it will take a bit longer if it needs adjusting.The bike is very comfortable, handles well, and gets a lot of attention. One day I took about a 40 mile ride and stopped at a Starbucks for coffee when it started raining and I didn't bring my rain gear.Three different guys seperately stooped to look at the Bullet. Two of them came inside and searched me out to ask me about the bike.I told each about the history on Royal Enfield, and told them where the dealer was (Vinces in Olympia, Wa. USA) etc.
The older Bullets are not freeway bikes. The newer ones are faster and maybe freeway useable.

jon in Puyallup, Wa.

[wantok]

I've got 2 mates who are real Enfield fans, having owned a number over the years & doing many staggeringly long trips on them around Australia. They both now have the updated models (efi etc) & these are proving to be pretty bulletproof. They're a more practical day to day ride, but some think they don't have quite the restored classic look of the earlier iron heads but hey, more power, better suspension & brakes etc can't be a bad thing?
Cheers

[lfmn]

[quote=Mad*Sparrow]It always amazes me at the sensitivity of some people with vehicles that they own or had owned. It's like they have made the object into something perfect that cannot have any flaws and will defend any criticism of it needlessly. We all know that all bikes have problems ...quote]

I agree with you 100% that all bikes have flaws. All I'm saying is that 99.9% of the time, people talk about Harleys flaws and ignore the flaws with Hondas, BMWs, Kawasakis and other bikes. Harleys aren't perfect, but it's not 1974 anymore either when dealers put cardboard under the bikes in the showrooms to sop up leaking oil. I'm not looking to get in a pissing contest, I just want to set the record straight. Also, most of the time it's someone who's never owned or sat on a Harley doing the jawin'. It always starts out, "Well I had a friend that had a Harley and ...."

Originally Posted by Mad*Sparrow

comparisons although maybe inaccurate are part of the subject at hand.

The subject was Royal Enfields.

Can't we all just get along??

[redbastard]

I had a 1994 350 Enfield bullit for about 8 years and loved it. No it was not reliable, well that's not true . You could rely on it breaking down. You should get one for sure.

[mountain eagle]

They seem to dress up nice too..... the new concept bullet.

[Northern Dog]

Originally Posted by mountain eagle

They seem to dress up nice too..... the new concept bullet.

oOoOoOoOo .... me likey!!

[rallybug]

From the same source (Oberdan Bezzi) is his Scrambler concept:



Put me on the list for that one

Once Rhodie has amended his Triumph Scrambler rear caliper mount to move it atop the swingarm

[jazscam]

When I was in india I went to the RE factory. They said in India, one of their largest markets, the bikes overheats a lot. Mainly due to it being unbelievable hot there.

When taken to a cooled climate, like Canadian or the USA they are very reliable (from the manufacturer).

Happy 4th of July.

[MCrider]

any long term updates?