Hitchcocks Forum

Have had my loaner 2008 bullet electra for 2 weeks have decided I in the market for buying one

Bike will be used for a 50 mile commute daily ( not motorway but about 15 mile dual caridgeway)

So will be looking at doing about 12k a year

The electra is returning 102 mpg which is very impressive

I am not handy with spanners can do simple jobs oil change , brake pads etc so I am drawn to the UCE engine as I believe this will need less fettling

Trouble is the EFI models are a bit more than I want to spend at approx 3k

Does any one have a ballpark for how long tyres last on the bullet and cost for replacements

Anyone using the bullet for a similar commute / thoughts welcome

Many thanks for making a newbe welcome on the forum

Cheers Steve

I'd try and find a decent Sixty Five. The fifth gear really does help.

Sounds like an all year commute and for 50km in Winter your going no need fairing or heated gloves or both. I would consider the alternative of a 250cc scooter, if you can afford a 2nd bike. My Yamaha X-City with an efficient windscreen was excellent. If one bike only I go with Pete, but a 2nd hand EFI should also be possible. Cheers TrevorCH

steve ,youve answered your own question? money is always well spent push the boat out buy a new bike if your going to do 12000miles a year buy a new bike,the efi is the man for the job thats if you don,t want a scooter? tyres ...skidmaster on the rear should do at least 5000miles as they are very hard usually front tyre usually avon should do at least 7000 miles unless you do those stoppy tricks with the front wheel,it is by far the easiest enfield to service so go for it ,atb paul.p.s i don,t make my living from selling enfields honest?

Try to find an EFI you can afford - Electra model seems to be cheaper than Classic, and curiously when my brother and I rented one of each, we found it handled better (and the dealer seemed to agree), the frame/fork geometry is slightly different. Dual seat is comfy too! I just fitted Avon Roadriders front and rear on my Electra X, about £160 fitted - fantastic handling now, although some might object to the modern appearance - see Avons for sale by our host - they look like the left tyre of the picture..... good luck!

Steve,
Problem is you have ridden it for 2 weeks, what happens if you end up with an engine meltdown, you have to look past the rosy couple of weeks you have had. If you are seriously thinking of an Enfield and don't like spanners go for an EFI, they seem far more reliable

Hi Steve. The Electra X is a great all weather all year round commuter, and will do fine on the dual carriage ways. 12000 miles a year may be a lot to ask from it though. I do about 7000 miles a year on mine, and I have to be ever vigilant to check that everything is in order and be prepared to fix minor problems as they arise. Not always welcome if I've had a couple of tough shifts at work and then have to spend a large part of my day off fettling about. This is not a ride and forget kind of bike! Added to that, the Electra X has the reputation for more major engine damage - in the long run. Norm is probably right in advising an EFI model, as no reports of engine failure relating to this model have yet turned up on this site, as far as I am aware.

Thanks for the replies

Will keep my eyes open for a bargain EFI model

Parts are on back order for my other bike (sprint st1050 ) so got Bullet for another week , I am missing the extra 100 BHP ...

Cheers Steve

I know I probably shouldn't advertise, but if you are able to travel to Carlisle (actually about 20 miles north of Carlisle), have a look at A7 Motorcycles stock - Jonathan and Helen are real enthusiasts and carry a good stock. I got mine from them (and rented from them when they still rented bikes) and can recommend a chat. see http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/a7motorcycles ... 4340.l2562 If this is inappropriate, I realise it may be deleted.

Steve there is absolutely no doubt that the EFI UCE bikes are more durable and capable of longer distances, in more comfort.
Any extra investment (and it may not be much) would be well worthwhile. It's not that AVL Electras' are bad it's just that they were hastily developed from the old iron engined model and as such retain some of that models quirks along with the E/start issues.