Forum

[Davie Hall]

Hi Norm, thanks for the straight up reply. I have never been good at taking advice, I have tended to buy the bike I want not what people think I want. As for repairs etc, up till 4 years ago I was a mechanic, so repairs are not a problem. I intend to ride both bikes and make a decision then. As for them not being good on motorways I am fortunate to be an hours ride from the nearest dual carriageway, and avoid them like the plague and still have the Gs for that sort of riding.

[Norm]

Davie, my preference would be the 65 but be aware that I spend heading towards $1000 in parts to rebuild these when they go bang. After that they are a good motor but remember these are built in India and quality is not their better point. If you go in realizing this then you have a better chance of making the right choice

[PeteF]

I think Norm is being a bit pessimistic. The classics don't all go bang. The main reason for problems is that owners do not treat them as the 60 year old design that they are. They do take a bit of looking after and must not be "thrashed" The 65 is probably the best of the classics as it benefits from the much superior 5 speed box.

[Paul]

For me, I'd go for a secondhand G650GS BMW in place of your current bike. You would get a good trade in at a bmw dealership.

[Norm]

Hi Peter, granted they don't all go bang but if somebody is contemplating an Enfield I like them to go in with their eyes wide open, no point in going in with rose tinted glasses only to be shattered when things go bad. Enfields have this reputation more than any other bike I know of, particularly in this day and age. What is so annoying is the factory could have easily fixed these problems as we have proven by just building the motors properly, aint rocket science.

[grunda 12]

just reading this thread and 1 guy says that an efi is no good for motorway use does it do 70mph ?if it does thats the limit on the motorway although you dont have to ride at 70mph all day long ,i ride my diesel bullet on motorways 57mph no probs just go with the flow went 70 miles down the m1 to the last mad mikes doo in leicester at a constant 70mph on my electra ,i also ride my combination on the motorway top speed 55mph and the harley top speed over 100mph i just dontget this enfields are no good for motorways ,i had a 350 bullet 2006 model thrashed it up hill and down dale went on motorways and it didnt go bang the engine currently resides in blackbetty noel ogris bike still no engine issues now i also read of an efi with 9000 miles on the clock and no issues well there shouldnt be issues at that mileage or even 15000 when i have known them to pop the big end ,but the ultimate answer is here the guy wants an enfield he has had experience of an iron barrelled bike and has caught the enfield bug so my advice is do what you want and remember your only here once! happy days paul

[MartinB]

I can recommend the EFI as a current owner and the previous owner of an Electra.I have owned loads of mostly Jap and a few Italian bikes and one or two Brits and in my opinion the EFI is a great take on drawing on the best of both past and modern features.

[Davie Hall]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Firstly to answer a couple of replies. Paul, I have had an f650gs and my partner has hers in he garage so I can ride that when I want too.
Grunda, your correct I have got the bug for an Enfield, I do a lot of riding on my own and frequently never go above 60 mph and the way my work life goes I always have 4or5 days off(its not a Monday to Friday) job so if I am going to a rally or just out for the day I always go for the scenic route. And I am well aware of their shortcomings and besides taking you time to get somewhere you see a lot more, and if I didn't buy an Enfield I would probably buy a jap 125 and how much fun would that be, so an Enfield its going to be. Besides I will get a chance to put faces to name on here. Anyhow If I go for a65 and it does let go I will fit a stronger crank and make it more reliable and continue to enjoy the scenery.
Cheers Dave

[Alan R]

Hi DAVIE........OK, that's fair comment and I genuinely wish you well with your Enfield............Here is what happens when a STANDARD compression ratio ( 6.5-1) CAST ALUMINIUM piston "lets go"........................................................................................................................ My advice for longevity is DON'T tune it up other than remove the PAV system......As NORM has indicated they are built by optimists and ridden by pessimists !!......Ask if the exhaust valve seat has been upgraded( valve seat recession).......................

[Norm]

Hi Alan, I think that is a bit unfair, I don't consider myself as a pessimist, more like a realist lol