Forum

[piglet]

Hi,
I am planning on buying a Bullet as soon as possible after I pass my test, but I am unsure whether or not to go for a new one...does anyone have any advice?
If I go for one a few years old it will obviously be cheaper, which would be great. However, if I go for a new one, it will have a warranty and I have heard that build quality etc has also improved a lot with the new ones. ..is this right?
Also are the EFI engines the best kind for a newbie to go for or does it not make much difference?
If anyone can share their thoughts I would appreciate it.

[Mark M]

Well hw long is a piece of string?! First I'd decide if it's UCE or Classic engine you want then we can go into more detail. But a general rule of thumb is that there are lots of late Classics around that have had loads spent on them and done few miles before the Owners (ahem,) moved on. This is a good way to get a well sorted slightly older bike with loads of desirable extras, mostly ones sold here as it happens!

REgards, Mark

[rog]

It depends how confident you are with spanners etc. From personal experience I know that the EFI models are more reliable and much easier to maintain. If in doubt go for an EFI.

[piglet]

I want to learn how to do do the basic maintenance needed to keep the bike in good order but at the moment my knowledge is pretty much zero...thanks for the recommendation...that's one for EFI!

[2cvandy]

If you're starting from zero mechanical knowledge then definitely an EFI. New would give you the peace of mind of a warranty, but would presumably tie you to dealer servicing for the duration, it would give you time to learn your way around the bike before getting the spanners out though. But 2nd hand cheaper of course and will often have had "improvements" done by the previous owner, note though that they may only be actual improvements if done properly. Do you have a dealer nearby? Best plan might be 2nd hand from a dealer, sort of best of both worlds?

[piglet]

That would be a good plan. There is a local dealer, however, I don't think they have been selling Royal Enfields for all that long...they have a few new ones in but no second hand ones. I could wait to see if one comes in but that could take ages and I really want to have the bike for the summer. Not knowing whether improvements are actually improvements or not is one of the things that makes me unsure about buying used...It could turn out to be either a bargain or a nightmare! Thanks for helping to clarify the EFI issue.

[mike w]

Hi Piglet
I also have limited mechanical knowledge but I have always liked the style of the old bikes but no good me owning one as I would not know where to start if it needed fixing , so last September I bought a new Classic 500 which I have already done 2000 miles on it is a joy to ride , it is no where near the power of my last bike but I get much out of riding the classic than the other bikes I have owned. My advice to you would be if it is in your budget then go for new then you have full warranty and also any changes you make you know how they have been done correctly.

[jefrs]

I'm a little concerned by the, "as soon as I pass my test" bit. Yes it's an A2 licence but although the various Bullets are considered lightweights they're a good quarter ton with you on top. I'd advise getting some solid experience at dodging cars on a real pick it up to turn it round lightweight scuttler first. Riding a motorbike and driving a tin can are two quite different things. Bantam?

[AA maniac]

A Bullet is far less powerful than the bike you would have to ride to pass an A2 licence (up to 47hp now for A2) and about the same weight if you are learning on a Suzuki GS500 or a Kawasaki ER500.in my opinion a Bullet is more like riding a cross between a good 125 and a Mountain bike with an engine. the perfect bike to gain some low speed riding experience on. If you are a newbie to bikes I would go with an EFI, because of the lighter clutch an the lack of things needing adjustment.....although you will still need a bag of spanners to make sure things don't undo and fall off on there own.

[piglet]

Thanks so much for the replies. I have been umming and ahhing over what to get for ages and was leaning towards buying a new one...this has helped me decide to do just that. It is my 40th birthday later this year so am allowed to splash out for once!
P.S. I have been riding my 125 for the last 18 months or so and have had lessons on a kawasaki er6n...I think I'll be as safe on a Royal Enfield as I would on anything else and I can't think of anything nicer to ride around the lincolnshire wolds on.