Royal Enfield GT Continental 535

[DexterKane]

These are getting pretty affordable now they've been around a few years. Heavily considering one as my first big bike. I like retro looking bikes and there's a few decent ones listed for 2.5k with less than 10k on the clock. After I sell my 125 and do a bit of haggling that seems doable.

Obviously I'd love one of the new 650 twins but it's just not going happen money wise atm.

Most of my rides are through the city and less than an hour so I guess that shouldn't be much of an issue.

Wouldn't mind doing a few road trips a year, possibly with a pillion. (Mods look easy enough).

Has anyone on here lived with one? Are they that bad for occasional motorway / long distance use?

Thanks

[MarJay]

As a second or third bike for tarting about on? Great.

As a main bike for doing some touring and actually getting places? Practice the phrase "Hey Siri, call my Osteopath" and "Hey Siri, call the Enfield Dealer and the AA please".
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[linuxyeti]

I've no experience of the 535, but I have of the new 650, Interceptor, if you can, I would go for a 650, excellent bike, it's been 100% reliable in over 5000 miles, in all weather, it's not rusted to dust either, which is apparently a bonus

Another thing to note, is that the 535 is, or at least within a month, will be out of production.

Personally, i'd take a good condition E4 Bullet over the 535. Yes, the 500 Bullets are also going out of production, but, there are just so many spare parts for them, that you'll be fine for years to come.

There are plenty of people who use them as everyday bikes
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[DexterKane]

[quote="MarJay"]As a second or third bike for tarting about on? Great.

As a main bike for doing some touring and actually getting places? Practice the phrase "Hey Siri, call my Osteopath" and "Hey Siri, call the Enfield Dealer and the AA please".[/quote)

Hahaha!

Are they really that bad reliabilty wise? I don't mind doing a bit of maintenance here and there.

Most of my rides are in city, and not going over 40 mph. Am I right not to be too worried about comfort for everyday getting about?

[DexterKane]

[stinkwheel]

I think they'd be a pretty good buy if you can cope with the riding position. I was just saying to a friend I thought these were becoming a real bargain buy. Possibly a future classic too, they look cool, are a better performing model than others of the same era and there aren't all that many out there.

I've ridden one of the "new" 500 classic bullets which has the same overall engine but in a lower state of tune and it would be perfectly liveable with as an every day bike. It'll cruise at 70 two-up and was comfortable and easy-going with perfectly adequate chassis package for the amount of power it had. It's not going to break any speed records but was a fun ride and plenty quick enough for getting about the place.

The 535 GT continental is a bit more in every respect. A bit more poke, better brakes (Brembo brakes as standard), fancier suspension. I've looked at them and the standard of finish was pretty high, better than on the newer bullets and in a different league to the old ones.

It'll return monumental mpg and looks and sounds cool as hell. I bet they are seldom crashed so probably aren't heavily loaded insurance-wise.

So yeah, my only real issue would be comfort over distance. Luggage/pillion is just a matter of ingenuity and perseverance (and more bungees). As a bike, it should be great. For posing about that London, sounds perfect.

Handlebars can be moved/changed for something a bit more or less extreme depending on your taste. Quite a few owners have drilled the yoke to fit riser clamps and standard bars.

If it's still not quick enough, hitchcocks motorcycles do a tuning kit that'll give you a 40% increase in bhp at the back wheel (for a price).
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[linuxyeti]

[om15]

If you are looking at Royal Enfield try the Himalayan, probably not many second hand ones around, but cheap to buy, run and insure, my fully comp inc breakdown cover is just over ninety seven quid with ERS.
It is a brilliant good fun bike, wouldn't recommend for motorways though, is more comfortable and rideable that the old Bullet.
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Alcohol doesn't solve problems, but neither does milk

[wr6133]

I recently picked up a Continental GT 535. I paid 2800 with 229 miles on the clock. Prices seem to be all over the place and I got lucky.

The lack of comfort is a myth, it's really not a sporty position at all, clip ons are above yoke, reach to them is short (the "long" tank is an optical illusion), pegs are not rearset at all. Solo stock seat is a bit crap but the dual seat is plush. The only way this could be considered a sporty position is if you have just stepped off a Goldwing or you have freakishly short arms.

From my limited experience of a mates bullet the 535GT is also a whole different league of build quality. I've only put 600-ish miles on mine since buying it but they have been abusive miles on and off road and it hasn't even vibrated a screw loose.

I'm taking mine to France in April, if I thought comfort or break downs would be an issue I wouldn't I'd take one of my other bikes.

It handles very well and is reasonably torquey, good at urban filtering.

Mine with my fat arse weighing it down and causing drag manages to hit a GPS confirmed 84MPH..... you can only confirm this with a GPS coz at that speed the speedo needle is bouncing around the entire swept area Makes motorways and dual carriageway doable but to be blunt a bit shit. I took mine up From J15 - J18 on the M4 and wished I'd come off at J17 and used the back roads. 60MPH is a nice speed to cruise, 70 is a just a little bit vibey for long motorway stuff and as you get to 80 you start pricing up the cost of the fillings if they rattle out.

It's ok with a pillion, handling suffers but the motor pulls well, brakes are enough.

You need to clean them alot, well if you like all the polished metal, if you don't mind a severe "patina" then ignore this.

You can't park them anywhere without at least 1 person telling you about the cafe racer they owned in 1958 that could do 768MPH and set the land speed record on the North Circular. Or asking you "Is that A Norton"?

Don't worry about spare parts, the 535 is basically the same UCE engine in the bullets just with a bigger jug and I think valves.

Insurance is laughably cheap, I spend more in a week on Diesel than I spent insuring this fully comp for a year

Despite trying my best I can't get less than 63MPG.

RE are dropping the 500 singles, eventually there is going to be a nostalgia tax on buying one. Try one now while they still exist, if you don't like it you won't lose much if you flip it.

[arry]

[DexterKane]

[stinkwheel]

[PotatoHead202...]

I would seriously consider something with a bit more oomph. Plenty of reliable, cheap novice friendly options around that'll run rings around the 535. CBF5/600, ER series, f650 and more. Whilst the 535 will be a step up from the 125 it won't be THAT much of a step up.
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