Forum

[SFC1000]

If the test bike is bad then what faith have you in the one that you buy.


If you need a bike on a day to day basis I would not suggest an Enfield.


I know that there will now be lots of people saying they use them everyday and never have a problem but the amount of problems on this site seems to suggest the opposite. 


The materials used and the build quality on these bikes is dreadful.


I own an Enfield and there is no way I would use it everyday.


Poor suspension, low cruising speed and vibration do not make me a happy person.


Pottering down lanes at 40 - 45 mph is fine but apart from that no thanks.


I would sell it but they are so rubbish the prices are not much better than scrap value.  


An engine rebuild can be more money than the bike is worth (if mine goes wrong I will break it for spares).


Some may seem that this is a negative view point but I am just being honest and not looking at these bikes through rose-tinted glasses.


They were grey porridge in their day and today they are worse. 


 


 

[Norm]

 SFC1000,


   You are probably right and commuting any distance is not worth it. I just spent $300 on an Accralite piston, another $100 to get it turned into a good piston, $100 to get it bored and you are right, probably costs more than the bike is worth but what the hell is an old git sposed to do with his time

[nick]

hi


 I commute 36 miles a day, 20 are on the M1 and the rest is through central london traffic... I've done this weekly since May last year... my EFI is v happy at 65mph 70 mph is okay, but the bike is more comfy at 65.....


I'm v happy with the EFI as  a commuter, its brill and with a dose of ACF50 and some love and polish (and a top of oil)... it  will look sound and be fantastic... ignore the naysayers

[guzzimeister]

Hi


here's my two penn'orth. Firstly an EFI which struggles to take a 16st bloke to 70mph with 900 miles on the clock is still tight, not yet run in. I am a 17st bloke and my EFI cruises happily if buzzily at 70mph, but it has 5000 miles on the clock. Makes all the difference. Try a runi in one, it'll be a lot better.


Re quality etc. Early Bullets imported in the 90s were very variable, but anything from around 2004 on seems quite decent, and the EFI build quality is as good as anything I've seen, if not better. They will do long distances on the Motorways, I have done Europe on my 04 Sixty Five and my 10 EFI. They don't like motorways much but for a 50 mile commute they will be OK. Both bikes are oil tight but the 65 does burn oil, probably throuhg the valve guides. In general the Classic and Electra engines are good, but represent the technology of the 50s and 60s and therefore regular attention is required on oild, valves etc. If you don't want this, buy a Jap.


I don't write this as a blinkered Enfield owner, I also have 3 Guzzis and a BMW, and my reference point is my V11, which also needs a loving hand. That's the fun of these bikes, owner involvement. If it goes wrong you can fix it, not take it to the dealer for some diagnostics......


They're not for everyone, but I would say the EFI is one of the most practical bikes about at the moment with a £7 gallon. Servicing is restricted to chain, oil and air filters. tappets are hydraulic and ignition/ fuelling is electronic. You can even do your own EFI daiagnosis with no tools whatsoever so in that respect easier to fix than most old bikes.


Anyway, rant over. Enjoy your riding boys.


 Guzz

[STU]

Hi SteveG, Guzzimeister has got it right. I had a 2003 Sixty-5 and it was a nicely built and finished bike if not right up there with the very best Jap bikes. The Electra that I now have will easily cruise motorways.


SFC1000's post may well relate to an old 350 iron barrel bike which is a totally and utterly different machine than a new Classic EFI - which he may not have ridden. Yes the EFI's can have faults and forums like these are there for people to discuss them but I don't think that any other manufacturer could claim to be 100% fault free either.


You are doing the right thing asking the dealer for a second machine - if Guzzimeister has done Europe on an EFI cruising happily at 70mph (and I have done 100 miles in one day on UK motorways) then you should be able to do the same.


And yes, they do vibrate - but then they are singles! Its part of the fun but shouldn't be actually uncomfortable!


Good luck Steve, would you post the forum again and let us know how you get on?

[SFC1000]

SteveG,


I would agree with all of the replies after my post but just give a thought to travelling 12,000 miles per year, without choice, on an Enfield.


In my opinion they are not comfortable, footrests too far forward so too much weight on your bum, vibration and poor suspension. 


I am sure it can be done but I would allow for a back-up option. 


If you are going to buy new then there a lot of, near new, very good bikes available for £4,000. 


I am not trying to be negative but do not wish to see you disappointed.    


Maybe you could buy a secondhand EFI, plenty around at good prices, and a secondhand Jap 250, again cheap, as your stand-by.


This will give you peace of mind and ensure you are not late for work.  


I spent 11 years commuting into the City, from Marlow, and always used 2 x twin cylinder Jap 400's. These were light, reliable, good on fuel and more than fast enough to cope with the M40 and A40.  


In that time I did not have a single breakdown.


 


 


 


 


 

[Alan R]

Hello men----I call you men, you're Heroes really !!  Now then SFC1000--do you want to sell your Enfield ?? I have a Classic 500 and want another.  YES, honestly---I do. HEY !! I heard that -----no,I'm not mad, just love the "Hands-on" and the ride and the whole thing really. I have a 1975 Honda GL1000 which, 35 years or so later can still out-drag some of these Rocket-Ships but is just as "modern" as they are-------it is their great grand -daddy after all !!.  Please don't break it---contact me and lets see if we can do a deal ??

[SFC1000]

Alan R,


I have an Electra X, not a Classic, but you may still be interested, let me know.


The bike is standard bar a, slightly, louder exhaust.


All is working perfectly, just jump on and ride off.