Royal Enfield

FastDoc · 03-10-2014, 12:36 PM

As you may have seen in Roger's Ducati thread, we visited Moto Corsa in Portland, the largest Ducati dealership in the country. They also sell exotic bikes from Aprilia, MV Agusta, and just as cool but not so exotic, Royal Enfield.

I spotted the old fashioned British/Indian machines in a corner of the Ducati warehouse and had a great time looking at them. They are a Chinarider's dream bike.

Very inexpensive to buy ($5,000 and even less in some cases) and parts are very cheap. $72 for an entire exhaust system, $30 for a piston, and $30 for an oil change kit which has filters and oil and gaskets sufficient for several oil changes.

They are fuel injected 5 speeds and unit construction nowadays, and hop up parts abound. They have high quality European brakes and suspension, but look very much like antiques.

I was offered a chance to ride this one:

FastDoc · 03-10-2014, 12:51 PM

They are very light, simple, and easy to ride. Comfortable and relaxed.

They are not powerful but they are very torque. They pull hard off the bottom, but run out of steam very early, maybe 4,000-5,000 RPM or so.

They would probably be comfortable up to maybe 70 MPH, but their mission would be 60 or less. It would be a delightful commuter or country road bike.

SpudRider · 03-10-2014, 02:33 PM

Thanks for starting the nice thread, Doc.

Do you have more photos of the Royal Enfields?

FastDoc · 03-10-2014, 02:50 PM

I was on such a high in that place I could hardly think straight I was so excited. Sorry I did not take more pics.

Roger and I will be going back in about a month so I can take more at that point.

FastDoc · 03-10-2014, 04:01 PM

In terms of motorcycle manufacturing, I think India is the new China.

http://www.visordown.com/features/di...dia/24653.html

Weldangrind · 03-10-2014, 10:47 PM

I think those are delightful. They test rode one on Café Racer TV, and it wobbled badly at highway speeds. My guess is that a stabilizer would sort that ourt.

FastDoc · 03-11-2014, 12:09 AM

Maybe the bearings were not properly greased and adjusted? I only buzzed around Portland up to about 60 and the bike was very relaxed.

Daeouse · 03-11-2014, 04:59 PM

*drool*

FastDoc · 03-11-2014, 05:08 PM

I would want a passenger seat.

Too many pretty girls in the world to leave one at the curb. Ever.

Barnone · 03-23-2014, 07:28 AM

Sweet looking RE I saw at Holopaw Ural when I was there test riding the 2014 Urals.

FastDoc · 03-23-2014, 11:28 AM

That must be a fun dealership to visit.

Barnone · 03-23-2014, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastDoc

That must be a fun dealership to visit.

Yep, great old school dealer. When you order a part from Gene he sends it to you with the invoice. No credit cards, just cash or check.
http://holopawural.com/

Barnone · 03-26-2014, 10:47 PM

Another photo of the RE that is calling my name. The young lady is an extra charge option.
And FastDoc a pillion pad and foot pegs can be added. I gotta have the sprung seat.

Krasi_BG · 03-27-2014, 03:29 AM

And what are the warranty terms for this extra option?

FastDoc · 03-27-2014, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krasi_BG

And what are the warranty terms for this extra option?

That is so funny!

I can tell you from extensive research I've conducted for over 30 years the price of upkeep on that particular option is cost prohibitive.

03-10-2014, 12:36 PM	#1
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Royal Enfield As you may have seen in Roger's Ducati thread, we visited Moto Corsa in Portland, the largest Ducati dealership in the country. They also sell exotic bikes from Aprilia, MV Agusta, and just as cool but not so exotic, Royal Enfield. I spotted the old fashioned British/Indian machines in a corner of the Ducati warehouse and had a great time looking at them. They are a Chinarider's dream bike. Very inexpensive to buy ($5,000 and even less in some cases) and parts are very cheap. $72 for an entire exhaust system, $30 for a piston, and $30 for an oil change kit which has filters and oil and gaskets sufficient for several oil changes. They are fuel injected 5 speeds and unit construction nowadays, and hop up parts abound. They have high quality European brakes and suspension, but look very much like antiques. I was offered a chance to ride this one: __________________ Happy to serve.
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03-10-2014, 12:51 PM	#2
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	They are very light, simple, and easy to ride. Comfortable and relaxed. They are not powerful but they are very torque. They pull hard off the bottom, but run out of steam very early, maybe 4,000-5,000 RPM or so. They would probably be comfortable up to maybe 70 MPH, but their mission would be 60 or less. It would be a delightful commuter or country road bike. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

03-10-2014, 02:33 PM	#3
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Thanks for starting the nice thread, Doc. Do you have more photos of the Royal Enfields? __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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03-10-2014, 02:50 PM	#4
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I was on such a high in that place I could hardly think straight I was so excited. Sorry I did not take more pics. Roger and I will be going back in about a month so I can take more at that point. __________________ Happy to serve.
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03-10-2014, 04:01 PM	#5
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	In terms of motorcycle manufacturing, I think India is the new China. http://www.visordown.com/features/di...dia/24653.html __________________ Happy to serve. Last edited by FastDoc; 03-10-2014 at 05:14 PM.
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03-10-2014, 10:47 PM	#6
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I think those are delightful. They test rode one on Café Racer TV, and it wobbled badly at highway speeds. My guess is that a stabilizer would sort that ourt. __________________ 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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03-11-2014, 12:09 AM	#7
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Maybe the bearings were not properly greased and adjusted? I only buzzed around Portland up to about 60 and the bike was very relaxed. __________________ Happy to serve.
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03-11-2014, 04:59 PM	#8
Daeouse Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Thonotosassa , FL, USA Posts: 170	drool __________________ Jon "MotoSquirrel" "Complete newbie, and damned determined."
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03-11-2014, 05:08 PM	#9
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I would want a passenger seat. Too many pretty girls in the world to leave one at the curb. Ever. __________________ Happy to serve.
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03-23-2014, 07:28 AM	#10
Barnone Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,348	Sweet looking RE I saw at Holopaw Ural when I was there test riding the 2014 Urals. Last edited by Barnone; 07-13-2019 at 09:12 PM.
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03-23-2014, 11:28 AM	#11
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	That must be a fun dealership to visit. __________________ Happy to serve.
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03-26-2014, 10:47 PM	#13
Barnone Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,348	Another photo of the RE that is calling my name. The young lady is an extra charge option. And FastDoc a pillion pad and foot pegs can be added. I gotta have the sprung seat. Last edited by Barnone; 07-13-2019 at 09:12 PM.
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03-27-2014, 03:29 AM	#14
Krasi_BG Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria Posts: 436	And what are the warranty terms for this extra option?
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