Hitchcocks Forum

Hi Folks,
Am new to this forum as I am just contemplating buying an Electra 500 2008 with just 2500 miles on the clock that has been mostly garaged since purchase.
I am currently riding a honda cb250 (TwoFifty or Nighthawk), which has been ultra reliable and no trouble but has always been too low for me and uncomfortable to ride for more than half hour (my poor back!) and is now rusting away.
I want a bike that has is as economical (around 75-80mpg), as easy to ride (cruses comfortably at 65mph but I generally ride very easily - no speed freak!) and hopefully lasts me a long time. I don't have a garage so am worried about rusting chrome (can't see any stainless steel exhausts for this bike for instance). I am not bothered (much!) about style - I just want something that does the job (though this bike does look a lot nicer than the honda). I live in the country and mainly use my bike for lanes and A roads including dual carriageway riding.

Will I be buying the wrong bike?

On the short test ride I had I found the bike very comfortable but the one thing that did concern me was that at higher revs (in 4th - I didn't have a stretch of road that I could get up to 5th in), I felt a vibration in my hands that would soon become hand-numbing - not conducive to spending time on the motorway. Is this a general flaw or is it something that can be overcome? I am aware that 2500 miles is not much and that it had been sitting for 6 months or so - not a fair run really...

I would be really, really grateful for any advice and guidance you might be able to give me as I know next to nothing about these bikes...

Many Thanks

These bikes are not for everyone I'm afraid and unless you have a desire to regularly work on it and maintain it I would say keep the Honda. And always factor in a costly engine build when you least expect it.

Hi Woosh. A few thoughts, firstly I found with my Electra X that the motor didn't really free up until about 5000 miles. Before that there was some vibration at higher speeds but I wouldn't have said it was severe enough to be a problem. A correctly tuned motor and properly adjusted chain should give a reasonably comfortable ride if all is well. These bikes are ideal for country roads, but I think any expectation of cruising at 65mph may be pushing it. They feel right at about 50-55 indicated, maybe 55-60 with a 19 tooth gearbox sprocket. 75-80 mpg can be expected easily, although my bike is in standard trim i.e standard carb and air filter and I have achieved 105mpg on a good run. As for rust, well mine is kept inside a shed which gets damp in the winter and rust has never been an issue apart from the mirror stalks on which I gave up and bought non standard items. If it's going to be outside then it may be more of a problem which needs to be prevented with a coating of oil etc. Electrics may suffer to.

Woosh, if you're new you won't know Norm, he lives in Australia and rebuilds knackered bikes for people so although he has had a lot of experience he has seen some real hounds so is a bit jaundiced about the bikes at times! (All due respect Norm!) I'd say the vibration is something to expect in a single but can be mitigated by several things: if you look in the Accessory Catalogue here you'll find bar end weights to alleviate the problem, other possibilities are raising the gearing, using the gearbox to ride in the sweet spot etc. And don't think big Honda singles are immune, I have a XL500 and that can tingle even with balance shafts! Otherwise I think the bike would suit you from what you say.
REgards, Mark

Frank and Mark are spot on. Raise the gearing slightly with a larger gearbox sprocket and it runs beautifully 55ish Just right for A-B roads..

Run over with the spanners occasionally during cleaning and check for loose fittings.. Most important clean oil changed regularly, every 3000 miles or yearly..

Should be a nice bike... have fun..

Hi Woosh. I more or less have to repeat what has already been said.
These bikes are perfect for country lanes and other minor roads, with a spot of dual-carriage way or motorway thrown in the mix once in a while.
The Electra X will easily go 65mph, but the engine may feel slightly stressed at this speed.
Vibration through the handlebars has never been an issue with my Electra X.
You have to be willing to get out the toolbox on a regular basis to keep the bike in good running order.
Unfortunately the electrics will be affected if the bike has to live outside (in UK weather), making the bike very unreliable.

By the way, I don't have a garage either, and wheel the bikes up a ramp into the house, where they have taken over the living room (more of a workshop actually). They dry out nicely over night in there, ready for the next all weather commute.

I've no experience of the 'new' Enfields, but I think it's probably fair to say that any bike left outdoors will deteriorate. I would suggest that you use ACF50 on whatever bike you have. (Masses of info on t'internet - just Google..)

Hi,

all old Brit singles and RE India versions will vibrate a bit, it just depends how much you find acceptable! My 8 year old version is probably run in by now and is earning its keep as a commuter bike very satisfactorily, to the extent that I would want to get it repaired if anything major failed. The engine has been tweaked (insurance co. notified) and the gearing LOWERED by one tooth on the gear box sprocket for better town riding with no noticeable penalty in the vibes department.

Some bits will rust even when garaged, so it will be up to you to keep it all polished/greased etc...

I am very glad I bought mine, and unless your potential Electra-X is a complete lemon (not TOO many of those around, fortunately) it should serve you well. This model has had a few problems overall, but nothing that can't usually be put right.

Regards,

Adrian

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