Forum

[taper]

With a great sadness I have sold my 350 bullet and gone over to the dark side by purchasing a Japanese motorcycle (with electric start)due to unrelenting injuries sustained to my right leg and an endless purchasing of parts for the Enfield but never achieving perfection eg always another breakdown of the bullet after each ride out,it would appear that I purchased what is known in the trade as a lemon, spent a small kings ransomme on the bike but never achieved reliability. Yes I now miss my Enfield bullet not only because the person I sold it to has now advertised the same bike with a £2ooo mark up on what he gave me for it due to its cosmetic appearance , but that some unsuspecting person will buy it and have the same experience as myself.I already miss the bullet (imperfections and all) but wish that my experience would have left me wanting another for although my new bike is reliable it has no soul as did the bullet.

[Bertie the Bullet]

Don't be fooled by the dull look of the Jap, as much as I love my Bullet I wouldn't be without my Honda, plenty of soul, totally different rides, both excellent in their own way

[Norm]

Taper I have always said when people say isn't it great Enfield parts are cheap, the downside of that is you go through so many parts, you are just always having to replace something. There is no comparison to the amount of parts you replace on a Jap bike compared to those you replace on an Enfield

[dottyone]

As one who traded my beloved 2002 Classic 500 for a Honda CBF500 earlier this year my comments are:
1. The electric start works.
2. The brakes work.(ABS)
3. It can go fast enough to get me into trouble.
4. It is reliable.
5. BUT please can I have my RE Back!
Love,
stephen

[Bertie the Bullet]

Taper, having been out on the Bertie today I can see why you have sold up with your bad leg, compared to my Honda Bertie sure is hard work, except pushing him, The Honda is much heavier. Good luck with whatever you have.

[jaffa90]

taper, you sound a sensible fellow.

[Riggers]

Hey Jaffa - sorry you are leaving. You didn't say which oriental iron horse you'll be buying. Just an odd one every now and again DOES seem to have a little character, but I think you have to stay away from the four cylinder everyone's the same variety. As well as my Classic Bullet 500 I've now owned a 2004 Yamaha TDM900 for a couple of years. Paid £2,300 for it from Robspeed in Grimsby and it's been a really soulful bike! I think the 270 degree 900cc twin engine is remeinscent of a V-twin in its power delivery and sound. It seems to me to have the 'feel' of a Norton Commando from the 1970s (although they had a 360 crank). It goes well, sounds well, stops well, and handles well. Well, well, well! Good luck with whatever you buy. Cheers mate. Tony.

[Riggers]

Sorry Jaffa - I mean Taper....

[taper]

Thanks everyone for the positive comments and also the sound advice and tips over the last couple of years , I still miss the character of my 1965 bullet 350 ,But its great to be able to go to my present bike and with the push of a button hear the engine burst into life , go for a cruise (weather permitting) and expect to return to base with nothing more than a few miles on the clock. If my bullet would have been a similar creature then we would not have parted company. I still love the Royal Enfield and will still pass on any advice or experiences to future owners
so please don't be miffed if I crop up on the site now and again.

Thanks to all of you
Taper