Hitchcocks Forum

Hello All, an Enfield Newbie here seeking advice please.

I'm considering purchasing the latest 535 Continental GT, and was lucky enough to be very kindly given the opportunity to test ride one, which I loved everything about, except it's lack of go.

I have therefore been considering performance upgrades, but have read on this forum about quite a few unreliability issues (mainly crank/main bearing) with the Electra X, so the question I wish to ask is....does the new Conti GT share the same bottom end as the Electra, and if so, is it feasible the same problems could blight the Conti too, or am I being needlessly concerned?

Has anyone heard of any reliability issues with the new GT, which performance upgrades might only make worse?

Many Thanks.

The continental GT does not share the problems that the Electra X had.



Nothing on this earth or in the RE stable suffered with the problems that the Electra X had.



Norm will no doubt second me on this???

Gambo to date the UCE motors have been reasonably reliable, but I assume they still suffer from the fact that they have Indian bearings fitted and it seems they have upped the hardening on the crank pin, time will only tell but if you are already thinking it is short on power I would look elsewhere because even with performance upgrades you are obviously going to be short on power, they are what they are

I agree with Norm: don't rely on getting much more out of it by performance upgrades. Yes, of course you WILL get more, but it still won't come close to a typical Japanese middleweight 500 or 600. If you really do want to get serious, it will cost you a FORTUNE to get it even remotely competitive.



If you can live with the two or three extra horsepower you might liberate with a louder exhaust and a K&N filter, then great. If not, don't buy it, mate - you'll be disappointed. Or poor. Or most likely both.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Don't get me wrong, I was never expecting the GT to be anywhere near what could be called fast, but I did expect a bit more 'oomph' than what it delivered. After the test ride, I en-likened the acceleration to be about the same as an old 250 SuperDream, and when I got back home a quick Google search revealed they are only 2bhp apart, so not a bad a guesstimate!! The reason for my interest in a 535 GT is the company I mainly ride with these days are most certainly not quick riders, and the hypersports bikes I currently ride are literally a pain in the back (and wrists) when not being ridden how they are meant to be ridden, so I figured something that was a bit more of a 'plodder' would fit the bill. The looks and aircooled simplicity of the 535 GT also appeal, and I certainly think the handling is up to the job....just not sure about the grunt. However, I keep thinking back to the fun (and pace) we used to have on 12bhp 125s back in the day, and then trying to convince myself that surely summat with over double that power will/could provide the same amount of speed and fizzog grins, despite the fact one was a screaming two-stroke and the GT is a single pot thumper. Ooooh, I just can't make me mind up!! Please forgive my indecision chaps.....I must be in-touch with my feminine side over this!! He He.

Having come from riding sportbikes like a Speed Triple, Laverda Strike, and a Benelli TNT I can say it takes a much different mindset to buy one of these Royal Enfields. The thinking I used was I wanted to slow down and be able to ride at the speed limits posted on the roads I typically was riding at 15mph+ on those sportbikes, as well as protect my career and license! I saw the value in just plodding along. And it has been enjoyable riding at the speed limits not having to worry about speeding tickets, or getting nailed for passing in a no passing zones. Has worked well, but I have been modifying mine for more power.....go figure!