Trying to define that 'RE thing'
Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 9:11 pm
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Trying to define that 'RE thing'
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Tornado my military bullet, with Kevin the Meteor Minor De Luxe[/center]
Today was a little warmer and I just had to take Tornado, my military bullet, out for a last run before he goes back to the RE depot to have a good rest whilst I am back in France. It will be several months before I return to the UK, possibly about Feb.
It didn't rain and was nicely mild. There was one point during the trip where Tornado had settled down at about 55MPH, no vibration and just pure joy to be on. I tried to work out exactly what it is that I find so fascinating about both my RE's. I knew that they would not appeal to all riders and certainly not those who get their thrills from speed or performance, so what are the factors that add up to that huge RE smile? Well, I tried to list them from my experience and perspective.
1) Looks - As a kid, motorcycles looked like motorcycles. That still hold true now, except that my definition of a motorcycle never altered from those times. Therefore, I still think of the sixties and earlier bikes as motorcycles with everything later more as "Transformers" or fisher-price bikes. Of course the newer bikes are more advanced, but I just don't rate their looks. It seems that many members of the public are also intrigued as no RE owner is a stranger to having people who stop to admire your motorcycle, and often come up to chat about it. This last happned to me this afternoon.
2) Build quality - As with anything manufactured in Britain before the disposable age, motorcycles were usually over engineered and designed well. SO many RE's are still running. My 1959 Meteor Minor De Luxe ex airflow (Kevin for short), runs well for a machine that is a few years older than myself. both my RE's are all metal, solid and sturdy vehicles of immense strength.
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Open, adjust, close. Simple to maintain yourself![/center]
3) Ease of maintenance - Royal Enfield's have some quite amazing features. These motorcycles were designed to be easy to maintain, whether by a trained mechanic or a home enthusiast. On the odd occasion that a rear puncture happens, Kevin is simplicity enough. loosen two nuts and the whole rear mudguard and tail light assembly comes straight off. Loosen a nut and pull the axel and the quickly detachable rear wheel comes straight off, leaving the brakes, chain and sprocket in place. Take a stud out the front, and the petrol tank comes straight off too! But it goes a lot further than that... what modern bike can you simply look at the manual, and proceed not only to dismantle your steed, but also be able to fix or change parts and get back up and running good as new again?
[center]
AS easy as a Meccano set. Just solid engineering![/center]
4) Riding experience - The enfield smile. To explain further... You have to ride an older Royal Enfield, wether British or Indian made. False neutrals, nuts that vibrate loose and other things that rattle off, are all part of life along with the control layout. When you have become a master at operating your motorcycle, you actually get a feeling of pleasure that comes from knowing that you and your motorcycle become as one. You hear and also feel how your steed is performing. It becomes a living, breathing entity of great strength which it will allow you to control it, but only if it decides that you are worthy to do so. Being at harmony with a motorcycle that needs to be ridden correctly with proper gear changes, and a certain level of concentration, is much more rewarding than jumping onto something modern where all you have to do is flick the gears and lean, which gets you there but seems a little soulless somehow. I developed a close relationship with both my RE's which has meant getting to understand their feedback both through their sounds and vibrations. I point tornado up a hill near us, and we are chugging away as as I try to encourage him by thinking, "Come on, you can do this, yes you can" which gets followed by a fond pat on the casquette when we reach the top. The main point that shows enjoyment of these motorcycles is a trip out on a damp or chilly day, but having that wide smile as you both journey on which makes any inclement weather fade into insignificance. The smile can last well after the journey's end and a good RE 'fix' can get me over periods where it rains for several days on end. I would still rather be out with my RE's though!
[center]
Just sitting on one of my RE's is enough to bring out 'that' smile[/center]
So there we go. A little bit hard to put into words, but that is my take on why I prefer old British motorcycles over the currently available bikes. Many of you that have Re's or other Brit bikes will hopefully identify with me in so much as there is something a little undefinable, but rather special about them.
[center]
Here is a carol for Xmas. Great for those RE club meetings!
Hark the Royal Enfields sing,
Bullet bike, the perfect thing!
Good on roads and in the wild,
riding one will make you smile.
Joyful me upon my bike,
Passed a Triumph, speed of light,
fifties trials were all the same,
“Bullet bike not beat, again!â€
Hark the Royal Enfields sing
Johnny Brittain, off road king.
Bullet not the only one,
RE twins could really run,
Constellation, Meteor,
around the world they like to tour,
built for fun with innovation,
still get a standing ovation,
cush drive, forks, and swinging arm,
kept the rider safe from harm,
Royal Enfields are the best,
other bikes are ‘all the rest’
If, whilst in your bed you lie,
you hear something chugging by,
something that could change your life,
a Royal Enfield classic bike.
Be it christmas or your birthday,
make sure that you have your say,
“I want a bike that says R E,
as that’s the only marque for me!â€
Get yourself and Enfield bike,
and help to put your world to rights!
Merry Christmas to you and your bikes!
Your out of date, possibly Microsoft browser does not support the audio element.




Tabellarius de verbis ostensor gaudium

Trying to define that 'RE thing'
[/center]

[center]
Tornado my military bullet, with Kevin the Meteor Minor De Luxe[/center]
Today was a little warmer and I just had to take Tornado, my military bullet, out for a last run before he goes back to the RE depot to have a good rest whilst I am back in France. It will be several months before I return to the UK, possibly about Feb.
It didn't rain and was nicely mild. There was one point during the trip where Tornado had settled down at about 55MPH, no vibration and just pure joy to be on. I tried to work out exactly what it is that I find so fascinating about both my RE's. I knew that they would not appeal to all riders and certainly not those who get their thrills from speed or performance, so what are the factors that add up to that huge RE smile? Well, I tried to list them from my experience and perspective.
1) Looks - As a kid, motorcycles looked like motorcycles. That still hold true now, except that my definition of a motorcycle never altered from those times. Therefore, I still think of the sixties and earlier bikes as motorcycles with everything later more as "Transformers" or fisher-price bikes. Of course the newer bikes are more advanced, but I just don't rate their looks. It seems that many members of the public are also intrigued as no RE owner is a stranger to having people who stop to admire your motorcycle, and often come up to chat about it. This last happned to me this afternoon.
2) Build quality - As with anything manufactured in Britain before the disposable age, motorcycles were usually over engineered and designed well. SO many RE's are still running. My 1959 Meteor Minor De Luxe ex airflow (Kevin for short), runs well for a machine that is a few years older than myself. both my RE's are all metal, solid and sturdy vehicles of immense strength.
[center]
Open, adjust, close. Simple to maintain yourself![/center]
3) Ease of maintenance - Royal Enfield's have some quite amazing features. These motorcycles were designed to be easy to maintain, whether by a trained mechanic or a home enthusiast. On the odd occasion that a rear puncture happens, Kevin is simplicity enough. loosen two nuts and the whole rear mudguard and tail light assembly comes straight off. Loosen a nut and pull the axel and the quickly detachable rear wheel comes straight off, leaving the brakes, chain and sprocket in place. Take a stud out the front, and the petrol tank comes straight off too! But it goes a lot further than that... what modern bike can you simply look at the manual, and proceed not only to dismantle your steed, but also be able to fix or change parts and get back up and running good as new again?
[center]
AS easy as a Meccano set. Just solid engineering![/center]
4) Riding experience - The enfield smile. To explain further... You have to ride an older Royal Enfield, wether British or Indian made. False neutrals, nuts that vibrate loose and other things that rattle off, are all part of life along with the control layout. When you have become a master at operating your motorcycle, you actually get a feeling of pleasure that comes from knowing that you and your motorcycle become as one. You hear and also feel how your steed is performing. It becomes a living, breathing entity of great strength which it will allow you to control it, but only if it decides that you are worthy to do so. Being at harmony with a motorcycle that needs to be ridden correctly with proper gear changes, and a certain level of concentration, is much more rewarding than jumping onto something modern where all you have to do is flick the gears and lean, which gets you there but seems a little soulless somehow. I developed a close relationship with both my RE's which has meant getting to understand their feedback both through their sounds and vibrations. I point tornado up a hill near us, and we are chugging away as as I try to encourage him by thinking, "Come on, you can do this, yes you can" which gets followed by a fond pat on the casquette when we reach the top. The main point that shows enjoyment of these motorcycles is a trip out on a damp or chilly day, but having that wide smile as you both journey on which makes any inclement weather fade into insignificance. The smile can last well after the journey's end and a good RE 'fix' can get me over periods where it rains for several days on end. I would still rather be out with my RE's though!
[center]
Just sitting on one of my RE's is enough to bring out 'that' smile[/center]
So there we go. A little bit hard to put into words, but that is my take on why I prefer old British motorcycles over the currently available bikes. Many of you that have Re's or other Brit bikes will hopefully identify with me in so much as there is something a little undefinable, but rather special about them.
[center]
Here is a carol for Xmas. Great for those RE club meetings!
Hark the Royal Enfields sing,
Bullet bike, the perfect thing!
Good on roads and in the wild,
riding one will make you smile.
Joyful me upon my bike,
Passed a Triumph, speed of light,
fifties trials were all the same,
“Bullet bike not beat, again!â€
Hark the Royal Enfields sing
Johnny Brittain, off road king.
Bullet not the only one,
RE twins could really run,
Constellation, Meteor,
around the world they like to tour,
built for fun with innovation,
still get a standing ovation,
cush drive, forks, and swinging arm,
kept the rider safe from harm,
Royal Enfields are the best,
other bikes are ‘all the rest’
If, whilst in your bed you lie,
you hear something chugging by,
something that could change your life,
a Royal Enfield classic bike.
Be it christmas or your birthday,
make sure that you have your say,
“I want a bike that says R E,
as that’s the only marque for me!â€
Get yourself and Enfield bike,
and help to put your world to rights!
Merry Christmas to you and your bikes!
Your out of date, possibly Microsoft browser does not support the audio element.




Tabellarius de verbis ostensor gaudium
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