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[Presto]

Maybe as important as max speed is what might be called cruising speed, the speed the bike seems happy to hold mile on mile. in my experience that is around 55mph. At that speed it is (fairly) smooth and relaxed. Much above that and it vibrates and seems to be trying too hard. Real Classic tested them in the early days and this is what they wrote (but they must have had a good'un!): 'hitting eighty-odd miles an hour is no problem; in fourth 75mph comes up quickly enough and 80mph in top is easy too but you need a longer road than I had for more'.

[Beezabryan]

Hey Presto, Cruising speed is much more important than all out ball busting MPH. With an 18 tooth final drive sprocket the Infamous Enfield is happy at 60 - 65 indicated mph, can't be too far out as I (steadily) overtake HGVs on motorways & dual carriageways.

[Exile]

It's a bit unfair to ask how fast it should be. It is what it is. I liked that "loosening up" comment though. I find Thumper is getting a bit quicker at the top end with the passing of time. He's covered his first 2000 miles now.. I've caught him getting up to 110 kph (65 mph) without too much rattling going on...

[bikerbill]

Yes, the natural "sweet spot" seems to be around 55-57mph. The bike settles naturally there and will cruise all day like it - and get 85ppg. With a less restrictive silencer and an extra tooth on the front sprocket mine is happy enough cruising at 60mph, and will bang along fine at 70 when a bit of dual carriageway is unavoidable. I wouldn't want to do it for long though - it's out of its natural comfort zone.

[bikerbill]

Oh - and that 12000 in my first post should of course be 1200!

(WHEN is there going to be an edit option here...?)

[sofiaspin]

You cant expect the bike to perform until it has about 3000 miles on it. My efi Woodsman has had four oil changes in its 3500 mile existence as I like to push on a bit so took the view it needed more regular changes in the early mileage.
It also has a performance pipe - which definitely adds a bit of poke, and sounds faster too! Regarding Real Classic - Rowenna did the review, assuming it is the one you refer to - and she is perhaps a bit smaller in the frame than some of the Enfield owners I have come across - in other words, extra poundage carries a speed penalty!

[Scalyback]

OK, Thunderbolt, my Woodsman has done 2500 miles.



I have no idea how fast he will go and have never found out, but on the odd occasion I have pushed for 10-15 seconds or so, on the dual carriageway, we got up to 70 MPH with what seems like quite some to spare. (Speedo is exact after larger tyres fitted, tested with gps system)

I guess that due to the type of engine (push rods) that I never will know the top speed, but with the low end torque, he don't half well take to off road as well!



I did try to push Tornado, my iron military, but after what was probably 60MPH, we seemed to decide between us, that neither of us were comfortable with it (Measured with GPS, Tornado's speedo has no clue what it's doing). 50-55MPH max is a good chugging speed and ww are quite happy with that. Get's us around the area nicely, and good for a Sunday morning chug to the Hollyville cafe for breakkie.



so as mentioned occasionally, these engines will run fast, but they are not designed to do so, and will usually suffer if you thrash them.

[rustygman]

What's the run in period on the efi's? Excuse my possible ignorance but isn't 800 miles a bit early to be testing top speed?

[simon]

1000 miles was the traditional run in as I remember it. 500 at not above 45 -50mph and then another 500 with only very short bursts of speed and no labouring the motor.

[simon]

Of course this was for old fashioned motors with iron rings and old fashioned alloys. The modern engines apparently are more tolerant.