Forum

[John R]

Obviously mostly Indian - related, but the contact section does give Moto GPs details. I suppose they might bring the 350 over if it was cheap enough. 18 bhp isn't really enough unless it was priced below about £2750, I would have thought.
The owner's manual is interesting; plenty of D.i.y. advice. And safety advice: wear a white shirt. I always do, under my black leather jacket!
Also, on the Moto GP site, what are the red R.E. bikes shown by the logo?

[Durham Tim]

Hi John,

The bikes beside the logo look like the new Royal Enfield Cafe racer. I must say I was a bit surprised to see them there, because to the best of my knowledge the new Cafe Racer hasn't been launched yet. (At least not in the UK). Watsonian Squire, the previous importer, had one on display at the NEC Bike show on the RE stand a few months ago, but the guys I spoke to were very tight lipped as to when/if they were going to be launched, and what price they might eventually come in at.

[Riggers]

Hi guys. Just been reading in one of the mags in Tesco (Classic Bike Guide I think) an article about all this. Interesting what Watsonian had to say. They reckon that they will become a major spares supplier (!!!) for R.E. as well as carrying the new bikes. Also they said that the reason for them giving up the importing was due to the price of the new bikes being too high (sorry STU), and that they only managed to sell 300 bikes last year. If I read it right (and I was in a bit of a hurry) they said that they were doing OK when the bikes were priced around the £3,500 mark, but once they hit the heights price-wise things went wrong, and despite pointing this out to R.E. they couldn't get a better pricing structure. Not quite sure why they're gonna keep selling them if they say they can't 'em! Anyway if I've got any of this wrong you can check it out in your local fag shop - maybe even buy a copy! Cheers all. Riggers.

[John R]

Interesting. I must say, I'm not surprised. I quite like the look of the Efi models, but they don't have the interest that the iron-barrels do- - partly because they are really a new design, not a classic. If i had 4k+ to spend, it would go on a Hinckley Bonnie or even a "real" classic.
Best of luck to the new importers though. I suppose WS are going to become a dealer.

[Durham Tim]

Hi Riggers and John R.

I think you've both got it spot on!! I paid £2400 new, for one of the last 350 iron barrel classics in 2008. The price was exactly right for what it is. I love it to bits and don't ever foresee selling it on. I know the current RE price structure was hotly debated on this forum a few weeks ago, but there's absolutely no way I'd pay £4000 plus for one of the new models. If I had that kind of money to spend, like John, I'd go for a Hinckley Bonnie.

The whole experience of the carbed engine, drum brakes etc., is exactly why I chose the 350 iron barrel in the first place. This is only my opinion of course, and I respect other peoples preference for the convenience of the newer models.

[Chris [Stockport]]

Tim... I've had much the same experience... price, engine type (mine's a 500 but the same basic one as you etc.) Quite agree. It will be interesting to see what the new importers make of all this. Hope they will get it right. By the way, I have just been looking at this NEW!!? website: The Watsonian Motorcycle and Sidecar Company. What will they do now? Anyway, for existing owners we continue to be extremely lucky to have Hitchcocks, as everybody seems to agree.

[Riggers]

Hi John Tim and Chris (et al). Yes I'm in total agreement with all three of you. Mine's a 500 Classic Deluxe from 2000 for which I paid £2,800 new. It was then, and is now exactly what I wanted - a classic 'British' big single at a fair price which wasn't 40 years old. In the 13 years I've owned the bike I've only done 20,000 miles but every single mile has been a delight. I've taken off all the PAV rubbish, opened up the breathing and exhaust, re-jetted the carb and geared it up 2 teeth on the gearbox. I reckon she makes about 28 bhp now, is good for cruising happily at 60, and could make about 80+ on a good day. Considering I've done nothing to the engine I reckon that's not bad. I reckon Enfield missed a trick when they consigned these old birds to the ash can. Still probably the E.U. were at the bottom of it - they seen to be the Wicked Witch of Two Wheels. Cheers all. Riggers.

[Alan R]

Hi guys--------- add me to that list as well for all the same reasons.........especially the relative pricing on new bikes ( I'd LURRRV a Guzzi V7 )....But at the end of the day it's all about both desirability AND affordability occurring at the same time I think....and this is where the Marketing Dept. at Enfield will start to earn their 2 Rupee's worth...Yes, it will be interesting to see what the new people make of it all...maybe it WAS time for a new broom ???

[Beezabryan]

The whole affair looks to be a real dogs dinner.
So long as bits to keep my old clunker going are available from Hitchcocks my interest ends.

[Durham Tim]

Well summed-up Bryan.

Also agree with Alan re the Guzzi. Scroll down to the second bike on the link http://www.corsaitaliana.com/index.php? ... edshop&a=0 - A special edition version of the Guzzi V7 classic. (Without the stupid "7" stickers etc). IMHO, the finest looking new motorcycle available today!!!