Forum

[Michael]

hehehe... so what you need to keep your RE on the road is (well, what I carry and use regularly anyway): spark plug socket and spare plug, selection of spanners (a couple each of 10mm, 12mm and one or two bigger ones depending on how lucky I feel), spare bulbs, a leatherman, a swiss army knife, some old wiring for emergency 'get home' style repairs, a mobile phone, generic cable for throttle/clutch with spare nipples for 'get home' style repair, and a handful of washers for a variety of uses.




I have had to call the RAC... it mostly didn't rain when this happened.

[PeteF]

Oh, and don't discount a 350. They don't go as fast and are a bit under-powered, but they do ride very well.

[JB]

Thanks for the help. I figure an Enfield will be a good excuse to learn how to work on a bike and I'll enjoy it. I'll look out for a newer bike if possible, I'm tempted by their finance schemes for the 2015 models – but I think I can get a decent condition fairly new one for a lot less. Those prices look pretty good on Autotrader Coley. Thanks for the heads up with the issues, that's why i though it would be a good idea to post here, otherwise I'd be going in blind! Seems like a useful community. Better get my licence sorted first! Cheers for the help all.

[Richy2spanners]

Hi JB, my first bike was an efi bullet
I am now on my second efi and love them.
One of the things that attracted me to the brand was that I am an imbecile when it comes to fixing things like cars and bikes. The Bullet is dead easy to work on for small jobs and as well as learning how to ride I can also service and maintain my bike. I bought my last bike on eBay and failed to notice that it didn't have a kickstart (2009 efi) which worries me a little. But I have found it reliable and fun.

[Mark M]

Just to clarify, will you be taking the test on a Bullet? The guidance seems to say that the bike you use for the Test must be at least 595cc. Of course if you're using a "school" bike of the right capacity then using a Bullet for your own use, just ignore me! I'd talk to your Instructor just to be sure. I can agree about the Sixty-Five, a really well sorted evolution of the old iron barrel models, the 5 speed box is well worth it and the motor is much more user accessible than the EFI models. If the electric start doesn't work you can just ignore it anyway!
REgards, Mark

[papasmurf]

If taken on a Bullet, it won't be a "full" motorcycle licence.


http://www.artmotorcycletraining.co.uk/ ... t-2013.htm

[apparently lucky eddie]

At the risk of sounding a little pedantic, you say you like classic bikes. This would would obviously exclude the new Enfields as they are modern, fuel injected, unit construction, disc braked machines. The electrics are as appalling as an old pre-unit bike, in fact there are far more electrics to go wrong. If you want an old style bike with which you can tinker then you want an old classic. If you want a modern bike that pretends to be old then you want a UCI/EFI. But you'll need an AA card if you break down. And sooner or later you will have a break down. Probably a mental one and you'll go buy a Honda too, just in case! One more thing, it really, really won't feel like a rocket whichever you go for. You WILL get burned up by kids on mopeds both on acceleration and top end. As for capacity, there is n't much difference in performance but some will argue the 350 is a sweeter feeling motor at the expense of a little more torque with the 500.

[Thack]

JB: Speaking personally, I really wouldn't recommend an Enfield for a first bike. It's just to far away from the normal motorcycling experience. They are SLOW, for one thing, and need much more tinkering than a Japanese bike.



I've liked all three of my Enfields, but for me they've always been "hobby" bikes, primarily for sunny Sundays. I would not use one as my sole motorcycle, but they make a great second bike.



For your budget you've got a fabulous choice of great Japanese bikes. I strongly recommend taking that route until you know for sure how much motorcycling will be a part of your life.



I bet loads of people will be annoyed that I've said this, so I repeat my disclaimer: this is just my opinion, and is no better than anyone else's.

[JB]

When I said I like classic bikes I was referring more to the style I suppose. Would I be right in thinking even the new Enfields are still pretty simple? I have a background in electronics which may or may not help. I'm not sure how many sensors are involved. When it come to speed I'm only going to be cruising on it. If it can get to 60 that's fine by me. I'll certainly check out other options, although I'm quite set on getting a single! And Enfields looked like a great option. I appreciate the comments, never apologise for your opinion! I have quite a bit to do with Morgan cars and they split opinion the same way. They have 'quirks' and 'character'which is actually something I was looking for in a bike.

[papasmurf]

I would suggest not running it for long at 60mph. (I suspect doing that plus not letting the engine warm up fully after starting and moving off are the cause of a lot of peoples troubles.)