Hitchcocks Forum

Hi IVe got my mind made up I'm getting a Royal Enfield for my first bike I cant wait, so if there's any advise, tips, do's and donts They would be much appreciated.
Also I'm after a bike so which would be the best for me!

Hi FOZ-------( Bear in mind I don't know your age, experience etc and am assuming you can't afford the latest EFI and UCE machines )--Your first bike, eh??..Do's & Dont's ? IMHO}---DON'T get one !!....DO get an easy to handle,cheapie oldish Jap bike, plus get a year or two of motorcycle ROADCRAFT under your belt, and also build up a good Insurance "History".... Get involved with clubs---go on ride-outs, buy a tool kit and get your hands dirty with real(not virtual) simple maintenance courses. Motorcycles in general are not a ---"2-wheeled car" and the Enfield Bullets, as a 50-year old design, ('cos that's what you'll be riding---even if it was only made 5 years ago )---take a bit more handling/understanding than a modern computer chip on wheels !!! IF YOU CAN afford an EFI/ UCE bike then YES, go for it as they are ---to all intents and purposes----a modern bike but with an old name............ You pays yer money and takes yer choices !!

Only get an Enfield as your first bike if you've had a double frontal lobotomy, or have grey hair. You'll find that a majority of us Enfield riders have a history of riding British bikes and are terminaly brain damaged (and have grey hair). For a first bike, I'd suggest a boring Jap bike. They're ultra reliable and handle really well. Enfield ownership (along with other British bikes) involve endless tinkering and a well stocked toolbox. It really depends on what you want from a bike. Do you want endless days enjoying your bike? Do you want to set off for your destination knowing full well that you'll get there? Do you want a bike that'll never let you down? If so, buy Jap. However, if you want the living hell of wondering if your bike will actually start in the morning and actually get to the other end, buy an Enfield. If you want the most glorious sound that can come out of a 2 wheeler, buy an Enfield. If you want to be part of a crowd of riders who should be consigned to the history books, buy an Enfield. Lastly, Royal Enfield isn't a bike, it's a state of mind.

There you are FOZ---two people, who have never met each other ( and not likely to unless at the counter in Hitchcocks !!) both saying a similar thing. Your posting has a very emotive feel within it. Keep that alive---and yourself-----and return here in say-2014 and then see how you feel ??... We'll still be here.

Foz - whilst the replies you have received are pretty much correct i.e. buy something japanese and ride that for a couple of years do not be put off an enfield. I was put off enfields buy the image of constant fettling and poor reliability. I finally bought a brand new 350 in 2007. It has been perfectly reliable and unlike Barry_Q when I go to start it every morning I have no doubts that it will start. In over 5 years it has only let me down once and that was my fault (I ignored a slipping clutch for too long). I service mine myself every 6 months and probably check bolts etc every couple of months - hardly high maintenance. I would jump on it any time and ride anywhere and would be very surprised if it didn't arrive at my destination (on the provisio i don't thrash it). Find a low mileage, well kept example preferably with some decent mods to carb and exhaust and you will find you have a cracking little bike for not a lot of money.

Foz,
While I can't argue with any of the above, I would say if you want one, buy one - you can always sell it if it is not for you. As for what to buy, I would suggest a low mileage unmolested 500, you can modify it to suit yourself if you wish but at least you will start out with something not too sluggish that should be fairly reliable. There will be some 'modified' ones out there that may not be too good, although that is not always the case,of course. Paul

Thanks to all so far.
I'm 30ish I've been driving (cars) on and off road for about 15 years I also have a mechanical mind so don't mind getting the "tool fine adjustment" out once in a wile.
The reson behind wanting a Enfeild is so I could own a British classic even if it's now made in India.
I have about £3000 to spend on a bike, I don't want what everyone else has ie a jap bike

Couldn't agree less with some of the comments already posted! You have your mind set on an Enfield, good for you, go for it! No, this bike isn't something that requires some magical expertise..... in the 50's and 60's these were typical mounts for the lucky ones who could afford them. As such,they are basic and simple to use and repair. Clearly you have made a decision based upon some research, you know that this bike isn't going to perform on the road like a modern Japanese bike of barely half the engine size, and you will realize that it is like Meccano, you can (or sometimes, have to) take it apart and put it back together in order to improve some aspect or another.... and enjoy doing it! These, and the other reasons you have quoted, are exactly why most of us ride Royal Enfields - and certainly don't require an apprenticeship on some other make to qualify!
Which one to buy? Many would agree that the Sixty-5 is the most desirable of the "traditional" iron engined models, but the truth is most of us love the one we have - so it almost doesn't matter which you go for.
For what it's worth, I have a 2001 350 Classic, and continue to enjoy it, as I have for the past ten years since buying it.
Good luck with your purchase.....

What is so special about a Bullet sixty 5 from what I know it is just the first of the later Classic 5 speed with gaiters?

Having read though your posts I would say as you have not had a Motorcycle before but seem capable of basic maintenance a good used 350 Bullet would make a good first bike as they can be reliable with basic maintenance and are easily maintained with basic tools No diagnostic equipment required except maybe a multi meter and a good tool box of basic spanners.And on the plus side its not too powerful to get you into trouble like some pocket rockets. My first bike was a BSA 175 bantam followed in 1974 by a 350 Bullet after I passed me test. You don't mention if you have passed your test yet or not I'm not too sure what what driving restrictions are now but I think if you do the part one as your over 21 then take the direct access after passing your test the 350 or 500 falls into this category of the first two years of licensing restriction so no problems.