Hitchcocks Forum

After reading recent posts and also Bertie clocking the big 20k mark today it suddenly dawned on me that he has in fact been a very reliable bike that has never let me down, ok so the clutch plays up a bit, sometimes he doesn't like to start first kick, he even leaks a little bit but hey, that's all part of the RE experience, Bertie is a 2004 500 classic Bullet......so how reliable is your Royal Enfield?

I have had my Classic 500ES from new in 2005. The paint and chrome are still like new. I have had a broken throttle cable, a loose multipin connection in the casquette and a tiny oil weep from the kickstart shaft, nothing else. I have only covered about 12000 k though. It's more reliable than any new British bike and, indeed, a few new BMWs that I ever bought. Super little bike.

I've had 3 Indian Bullets, all supremely reliable including one that was riden back to England from India circa 1980 without so much as a broken cable. My only experience of unreliable Enfields is with these new EFI/UCI thingy's and their unbelievable electrics. Topless pistons? Not me squire, but then I always rode them within their limitations.

2008 Electra (yes Norm, an Electra!) 22000 miles owned from new. Replaced the coil. That's it so far apart from oil and filter changes. And tyres. Never not started, never not got home. Been in a van once (puncture). Far more reliable than previously owned Kawasaki's and current BMW boxer.

Hi Matt, very happy for you, but don't go getting too smug, not many miles between a good running Electra and an oh my god situation. Electras don't exist in my world anymore because mine is now called the Crossbred and it is running beautifully and thank you for asking. LOL

just got back from the Himalyas the was 17 bikes in total we did 1000mls and 40,000 bends!!!
a couple of plugs were changed and one puncher , not bad for a total mileage of 17,000!!!

a friend don a trip earlier in the year on the same bike as we had and done a similar mileage so them bike were the classic 500 kickers.

john

My bike has covered 25,000 miles but with many many Hitchcocks improved parts
and I go over it once a week checking the normal things .
The terrible 1995 electrics inside the headlamp was a big problem for a long time but as Edward pointed out that pesky O ring on the kickstart shaft needs changing every year it seems , next time its out I'm going to get my machine shop man to machine a second groove so it has 2 O rings , my forks have brand new seals and still weep ...me thinks the O rings at the top need changing .
The bonded seal for the big end quill is great and removes my worry about that horrible cork which would harden and was a loose internal fit after only 1,000 miles , the magnet in the oil filter is fantastic and I might pop anouther in it , new clean oil every 1,000 miles with a new filter is a must for me .
Electronic ignition and a Boyer power box was a great improvement as the battery does not boil away anymore , if money was no problem I would kit out the engine all the way and I'm pumping 40 bhp as it is now .

Royal Enfields are for life and I'm sure even JC would have swapped his Donkey for one .

New clean oil every 1000? I usually use the new dirty stuff. (Sorry, couldn't resist)

40bhp Phil with a floating bush and Indian wheels, I'd like to see that