Forum

[STU]

OK, we seem to be getting towards the fact that the only way for us to evaluate the bike is to ride it oneself, and I am delighted to see that a number of us on here are planning to do so.
Myself I am waiting for my local dealer to get one in stock and will then do so. However I am riding through this winter and for that reason plus, as Sofiaspin says, it is worth waiting to see how things evolve I am going to wait until the new year before buying.
By the way, for the winter I bought a very tidy and well looked after 2007 BMW G650 X Country with 10K miles on the clock. 53bhp and 44ft/lbs - very lively and easy able to cruise beautifully at 70 on the motorway and storm up hills. BUT MCN say keep away from M'ways - HOGWASH!!!
Also on here we often discuss RE reliability and build quality issues - well, my (Italian made) BMW has uneven welding, thin paint on the frame, corroded fasteners, plastic seat base whose location logs are burring up badly, leaking rear indicator lenses, sometimes reluctant neutral light and is in the dealers having a new front brake disc to replace the warped original, replacement brake reservoir diaphragm and work on the slightly leaky coolant system!!!
Still, it's the best handling bike that I've ever ridden...

[Duke]

Well Guys I have read this thread with some interest and you all have varying opinions...but I have bitten the bullet ( sic ) and actually bought a GT and had it delivered today ( thu ) first impressions - well the owners manual is proper for a start - well translated and informative...Keys - look modern - sit on the bike and it seems quite large compared to my previous EFI Classic. Riding position - LOVELY ! one of the most well proportioned bikes I have ridden. Switch on - the clocks are modern and there is not one but two trip meters !!! GLEE and a fuel gauge too ! Speedo and rev counter are electronic, engine sounds lovely - not too loud ( mine is a Ace cafe launch model so have the sports silencer ) on the road the bike is NOTHING like my old model, gearing is well spaced out and gearchange is a dream, the motor spins freely and before you know it you are are at 4,ooo rpm and changing up and in no time at all you are at 80 mph..I have to back off remembering I am running in...handling is neutral and the bike drops into roundabouts lovely, brakes are superb - a Royal Enfield with a good rear brake - WOW !! Early days I know but I am already so pleased with this bike - its everything the EFI Classic was not. I am confident enough to say that this is a massive step up for the factory, quality is up by miles and there is a feel about this bike that just smacks of a well designed bike all round. You want my advice? Go out NOW and snap up the last remaining launch models before stocks run out - its a massive leap forward. Oh and by the way - It looks better in real life too !!!

[Norm]

Be interesting to know if these are "Press Release Bikes" assembled under very strict supervision and if so these are the ones to go after

[sofiaspin]

Excellent Arthur thanks for sharing it is good to hear a real person comment rather than third party internet 'reviews'. Can I ask what the insurance charge is/was - roughly? I suspect it is as good as you say, and after market parts will allow us to tweak. I note a big spread in CBG and a 9 out of 10 rating. My big question is - do I sell the 04 ES trials which has had a large amount spent on it and get the GT, or keep the vibrator?! Thing is the classic bullet has been brilliant. I have just finished a Sunbeam S8 which is going into a shop window for winter display and that will probably be sold.

[MadMike]

At last feedback from somebody who has bitten the "bullet" (LOL pun intended) and actually bough one. The early impressions are always important because they always seem to stick. Hopefully Arthur you will be kind enough to let us have regular reports on progress. Sofiaspin......sella bike simply to buy another one? How retro can you be? Just go out and buy a Conti and keep the other Enfield. Different bikes ridden on different days is a wonderful choice to have, and you only get one go at life, this is not a dress rehearsal remember.

[Chris [Stockport]]

Arthur, Hope you are enjoying the bike. Sounds like it!
Does anyone know the list of differences between the standard and the uprated versions?
(Apologies if it's now already buried somewhere in these messages....)

[Peter 53]

Well I have compleed the form for a test ride request and hopefully they will in contact with me soon... very ironic thing is that my nearest dealer is a SCOOTER SHOP a mile from where I grew up in Wembley!

When I bougth my 1999 Bullet, it was actually sold to me as a 535 Lightning, but proved to be a standard 499 engine, so I am curious if the extra 36 cc and electronics makes any difference?

[sofiaspin]

MadMike you may be in the fortunate position of having a bike for every day of the week, or more. But for some of us we have to get by on one or two. Carpe Diem indeed, but the old excuses of 'it is an investment', or 'It is a company asset attracting good tax benefits' is wearing a bit thin with the other half.

[Alan R]

Hi-guys --------------- apparently my local dealer has one in stock but I can't test ride it because there isn't any INSURANCE COVER yet !!..However a ride over there is always worth it as the local C aff has great sausage baps ( Plus OTHER ASSETS)... I too hope that these Ex-Demo models are genuine "Off the production line" bikes and not "specials" cobbled together for publicity's sake !!.. Maybe the Eicher Group has had a POSITIVE effect on the peoples' thinking at RE, especially with respect to that greatest bugbear of all for them---QUALITY !!!.....Come-on MARK M, grab one and stick a Meteor twin in it....or a 5TA ??

[Riggers]

Well having found myself increasingly confused by the widely differing views of journalists I decided to bite the bullet (oh not that one again - sorry), find one in stock somewhere, take a proper look and maybe book test ride. Easier said than done in Yorkshire! However I managed to track down a dealer in Scarborbough who had two in stock and went yesterday for a look-see. My first impression was "what a pretty little bike!". And it is, with it's gorgeous post office red tank, and side boxes, deep gloss black frame (Triumph please note), and a classy "Continental GT" motif on the tank. Sitting on it, the riding position seems great for my 5' 11" size, with the clip ons and rear sets not too radical meaning even my arthritic hips didn't object too much. It also seemed very well balanced, light and flickable - inasmuch as I could tell from a showroom floor. The dealer was a guy called Chris Tilly (who, when I recognised him, had sold me a BSA Rocket 3 in 1972!) provisionally booked me in for a test ride next week; I'll report back on here for anyone interested. Finally, an overall impression was one of quality which, lets be fair guys, has not been Enfield India's over-riding selling point over the years. To me the finish, the feel and look are all miles ahead of recent offerings. Here's looking forward to next week when the question of power and vibes can be addressed! Tony.