05-28-2014, 02:59 PM | #16 | |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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Quote:
Although they are light years better than the original English construction, and miles better than the earlier Indian construction, they are not at the quality level of a Honda. Similar to CB's they require more owner involvement with proper setup, research, and maintenence. They are not hard to work with, but not a simple turn key proposition like a Yamaha either. Also, they are slow for their displacement. I rode my 250cc KLX today and after riding the 500cc RE for several hundred miles the KLX, which has only modest horsepower, feels like a Ferrari next to a Prius compared to the RE. But, as we know, speed and riding pleasure can go togehter, but sometimes are different events. Also similar to a CB, the RE COMMUNITY is a key to enjoying the bike. There are some great guys on their forum that are happy to help. As I have stared before though, even though I don't have a CB at the moment, I enjoy CB's a lot and this is my (internet) home :-)
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05-28-2014, 03:01 PM | #17 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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My favorite spectator questions so far:
What year is that? How did you get a disc brake on an antique? Does it run OK on modern gas? Is Royal Enfield made by Norton? Did you do the restoration yourself? LOL!!
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Happy to serve. Last edited by FastDoc; 05-28-2014 at 09:02 PM. |
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05-28-2014, 03:01 PM | #18 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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Proposed license plate:
OLDDOC
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05-28-2014, 11:28 PM | #19 |
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Posts: 9,055
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I like it; I also like the fact that you consider this place 'home'...
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"They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard |
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05-29-2014, 12:38 AM | #20 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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Very much so.
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05-29-2014, 12:48 AM | #21 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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Finally got a couple of the trip pics loaded.
The first one is outside of Bickleton, WA, getting into the desert area in the rain shadow of the Cascades. The second is on the Columbia River east of Vancouver, WA.
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05-29-2014, 12:50 AM | #22 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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Yes that is a gravel road in the first shot. I think I went a little too far off the beaten path on that road choice. I was striving to stay off roads with a speed limit over 60. The bike did very well on the gravel, although I rode slowly on it. Heck it's made for prewar England and India. I doubt pavement even existed in the 30's when the Royal Enfield Bullet was originally made.
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05-29-2014, 06:46 AM | #23 |
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 648
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i ve seen a family of five on a bullet in delhi, or the milk man with two large milk canisters on each side on roads where trucks wouldn t fit. they can do india, so they probably can do most of the states.
beautiful machine BTW! you got the leather to go with it?
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1971 Garelli Gulp 50cc with open ports and 16 mm Bing Carbie + 1980 Honda XL 223 ZS + 2007 Zongshen LZX200G + DR400SM |
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05-29-2014, 08:01 AM | #24 |
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,357
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Need to sell one of my three bikes before I buy a RE. Three bikes is enough for me.
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05-29-2014, 10:48 AM | #25 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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I wouldn't worry about a little gravel. Lovely pics.
The bike must be broken in by now; how does it compare with when you first rode it? Does it accelerate more quickly? Is the shifting smoother?
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Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer |
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05-29-2014, 12:16 PM | #26 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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I have about 700 miles on it. I think full break in is considered 1,000 miles so I am close. Some owners report the bike continues to smoothen up for the first 2,500 miles so I think there is a variable here.
To be honest it operated smoothly new as well as now, I don't feel a difference. It shifts well. Better than my Gold Wing, about as well as my KLX, but not as good as my YZ which has the best shifting transmission I can recall of any bike I have had. The shifter on the RE travels through a wider than usual arc, and if you move it fully there are no false neutrals or any clunkiness at all. It has wide ratios which suit its 31 ft/lbs well. The clutch is very light. It shifts very well. As far as acceleration goes, it does OK. It has 31 ft/lbs of torque (plenty) but only 27 hp (pretty modest). So accereration is great off the bottom, but it runs out of steam pretty quick. At that point in the rev band it's getting buzzy so it's time to shift again. So, the way to operate it is to smoothly shift it 'short' and ride the torque. I'd estimate the shift point at 3,000-4,000 RPM or so but with no tach who knows. I love this bike. Trading Little Sweetie for it was a good move for me. Sweetie, BTW, is doing fine. She and her new owners are enjoying her all around the Portland/Vancouver area.
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05-29-2014, 02:08 PM | #27 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Altamont, Kansas
Posts: 15,103
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It is good that Lil Sweetie made a new friend and is being enjoyed. I am planning to get another bike when the girls start driving. Will be less transporting then. So I have about 7 more years.
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05-29-2014, 02:45 PM | #28 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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Plenty of time to look. Or more likely assemble. LOL!
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05-29-2014, 03:18 PM | #29 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Altamont, Kansas
Posts: 15,103
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I should start collecting parts. Thinking about finding a Honda XL so I can insert a China engine.
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You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone. |
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05-29-2014, 07:04 PM | #30 | |
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Elburn, IL
Posts: 5,959
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Quote:
I didn't stop trucking them around until they got married and left home. And my oldest turned 35 today. Doc-Everytime I look at that bike I have to wipe drool off my chin.
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Cheesy ______________________________________ 07 Hi Bird Enduro-Flown the Coop 07 Ural Gear Up 79 Honda CX500 77 VeloSolex 4600 V3 73 VeloSolex 3800 I'm making this up as I go.-Indiana Jones Telling me something 'is for my own good', is a fast way to a fat lip.-Me I don't even care about my own problems, why should I care about yours?-Quote on one of my favorite t-shirts |
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