Royal Enfield

NYSpeed Automotive
1

I was at One Stop at the corner of Bowen and Broadway today. I was unaware but they are a Royal Enfield dealer. They had a few models there and all were sold, they were pretty cheap too like 5-6k range. However after examining the bikes I was not impressed. I’m sure that if cared for properly they could be nice but they looked of shotty quality at best.

There was a military bike there (an 08 model and a side car is optional). It had 24 miles on it. It was sold. They did not remove the quality control stickers off of things, the paint was chipping off the bike, there were scratches on parts of the bike. If it is meant to look like this to give it some kind of authenticity, meh, I guess so but I do not think that this is the case. In general when glancing at the bike it looks cool as hell. Upon closer inspection it looked like a cheap chinese knock off of a classic. The fit and finish looked like something you would expect to see at Harbor Frieght parked next to the park bench, pancake compressor and giant iron chicken. It seriously looked like a really cheap product. From what I was told the Royal Enfield name was bought out by an Indian company that was reproducing them and selling them.

I am not sure how these ride. I would imagine that they ride similar to how they look and definately have a vintage feel to them.

I would probably ride one if someone let me, but I am not sure I would buy one.

Here is a picture of what was parked there.

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2008models/2008-RoyalEnfield-Bullet500esMilitarya.jpg

2

I love it!

edit: just read what you wrote :tdown:

3

It was definately cool to look at but again the quality is questionable at best I think.

although i think i could over look that if it had a side car :stuck_out_tongue:

4

indiana jones feel to it.

5

one of my friends has one. i dont remember what year it is but it runs great. no issues.

Brian

6

i talked to my friend today while looking at his bike. the last actual enfield produced in england was in the early 70’s and they have been built in india since 1955. they only got the rights to the name in 1995 though.

they arent meant to be a super precision motorcycle. the design and manufacturing process hasnt changed much since the 60’s. the engine hasnt changed from the 50’s to the 2005 model. the 2006 engine was only changed to comply with some emissions standards.

you want ultra precision, buy japanese. doesnt mean that it cant be reliable though.

its just not that kind of motorcycle. its like buying a ural. you are buying a bike that is still produced largely like it was back in the day. and that wasnt with CNC’s. you buy these bikes for the history.

Brian