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Those Royal Enfield Bullets...

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SpannerMonkey
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PostPosted: 00:59 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Those Royal Enfield Bullets... Reply with quote
I gotta say, I'm 2 stroke till I die. But the looks of these bikes (God I love the styling) and their affordability are starting to become quite attractive to me.

Thing is, I've heard horror stories about serious false neutral issues and varying results on reliability

What do you guys have to say about these bikes? As I'll be on my 33bhp restriction when I get my test done anyway, which the 350 engine sits under... and the 500 engine sits directly on.
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Frost
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PostPosted: 01:55 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
I rode one once. Power delivery was lovely for slow riding in cities and stuff, but weight distribution wise it was very heavy and slow. Top speed was slightly under useless and handling was ...interesting. If you want something 33bhp legal with a bit of retro character get an SRX400:

https://taiho-bike.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zaiko/SRX400.jpg

I had the 600 and i still miss it. It was a shit to kick start when it wasn't running right, was the smallest 600 ever, top speed wasn't ace, but i loved it all the same.
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SpannerMonkey
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PostPosted: 02:12 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Too modern looking =/ I cant quite put my finger on it. I'm definately more into my classic brits, or my 2 stroke jap racers
but for my first >125cc I wanna have something classic looking.
The bullets come at the right price for me too.
Also, I love the cafe styling parts you can get for them =P
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SpannerMonkey
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PostPosted: 10:03 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Spellchucker wrote:
I'm still got a bog spft spot for a Bonnerville ... newish so reliable ... i'm yet to read up on their overall performance ... Thumbs Up Smile
They look alright, but they're a little bit over-rated in my opinion of what they are.
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The Shaggy D.A.
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PostPosted: 11:18 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Re: Those Royal Enfield Bullets... Reply with quote
spannermonkey91 wrote:
I gotta say, I'm 2 stroke till I die. But the looks of these bikes (God I love the styling) and their affordability are starting to become quite attractive to me.

Thing is, I've heard horror stories about serious false neutral issues and varying results on reliability

What do you guys have to say about these bikes? As I'll be on my 33bhp restriction when I get my test done anyway, which the 350 engine sits under... and the 500 engine sits directly on.


I don't know where you got your figures from, even the new fuel injected 500 only makes a claimed 27bhp, the classic 500 makes 22bhp and the 350 manages 18bhp.

Anyhoo, they are slow, heavy and economical to run. You need to keep on top of regular (but simple) maintenance, and the quality of some parts can be hit and miss. I can't speak for the later 5 speed gearboxes, but in the 4 speed Albion box there is a neutral for every other gear that moves around. It's not really a problem, because you're not going quick enough to make the most of fast gear changes. If you imagine a German making love to a slow waltz, then you'll be fine - Clutch-2-3-Stamp-2-3-Clutch-2-3. The lack of acceleration and drum brakes do wonders for your forward observation, as once you've got up to speed you really don't want to scrub any off.

It's one of those bikes you need to own and get your hands dirty on to appreciate - you see a lot for sale that only have a couple of thousand miles on the clock as people buy them with rose coloured glasses on, can't be arsed to do the pre-ride checks then wonder why it's so unreliable as stuff has vibrated loose and fallen off.
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Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5
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SpannerMonkey
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PostPosted: 12:32 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Sounds like my old CZ... just with better styling haha!
But strangely enough, i like the bond that maintaining your bike more often gives you =) So maybe this is the kinda bike for me after all Very Happy
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SpannerMonkey
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PostPosted: 15:45 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm leaning towards the 500cc version more than the 350cc. The extra torque would do me well on a 500 single, but it's still a laid back comfortable ride.
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ncrn
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PostPosted: 16:06 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
I've worked on the newest version of the 500, I was helping to swap gearboxes of around 1000 bikes as they had a nasty tendency to lock up when being ridden. All I can say really is the build quality is awful compared to a Japanese bike. No two are the same as there is no measurement used in construction, everything is done by eye and, what I can only assume, guess work. Things like the foot pegs vary in position by about 8cm between bikes..

The worst case I saw was an unsold model which had rust inside the engine casing, I genuinely thought that was impossible.

I got to ride a couple of them round, they are quite heavy and very under powered. The fuel economy is meant to be around 100mpg so very impressive, that probably just comes from the lack of power though.. The riding position was comfy but I felt quite awkward on it (I am quite tall).

Basically I could see the appeal of renting one and riding round for a sunny week, but I would never in a million years own one.
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SpannerMonkey
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PostPosted: 16:18 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for the respond there my friend. Shoddy build quality is something I'm used to. I've had various chinese bikes as well as a CZ 125 with the shoddiest quality ever
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ncrn
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PostPosted: 16:21 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
spannermonkey91 wrote:
Thanks for the respond there my friend. Shoddy build quality is something I'm used to. I've had various chinese bikes as well as a CZ 125 with the shoddiest quality ever


As long as that doesn't bother you then you should be fine, despite what I say about the build quality they are still miles ahead of most Chinese bikes. Just not even near the same league as the Japanese ones.
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SpannerMonkey
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PostPosted: 16:27 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
ncrn wrote:
spannermonkey91 wrote:
Thanks for the respond there my friend. Shoddy build quality is something I'm used to. I've had various chinese bikes as well as a CZ 125 with the shoddiest quality ever


As long as that doesn't bother you then you should be fine, despite what I say about the build quality they are still miles ahead of most Chinese bikes. Just not even near the same league as the Japanese ones.

Ah, fair enough. Looks like it should be a good choice. I'm amazed by the amount of aftermarket parts available =P
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27cows
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PostPosted: 17:20 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Those Enfields are really designed for old fellas to potter round the leafy lanes on Sunday mornings, rather than to be properly ridden. Rather like half the Jap 'sports' bikes they make today Wink

Never understood why people had a problem with CZs. Had a couple myself. Agricultural, certainly, but they did the job and no one would ever nick one Laughing

If the SRX400 is anything like the 600 - best avoided, IMHO.

Get an MZ251ETZ Cool
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SpannerMonkey
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PostPosted: 17:26 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
27cows wrote:
Those Enfields are really designed for old fellas to potter round the leafy lanes on Sunday mornings, rather than to be properly ridden. Rather like half the Jap 'sports' bikes they make today Wink

Never understood why people had a problem with CZs. Had a couple myself. Agricultural, certainly, but they did the job and no one would ever nick one Laughing

If the SRX400 is anything like the 600 - best avoided, IMHO.

Get an MZ251ETZ Cool

I'd rather the MZ TS125... More classic appeal =P well, to me it does =)
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27cows
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PostPosted: 18:58 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
spannermonkey91 wrote:
27cows wrote:
Those Enfields are really designed for old fellas to potter round the leafy lanes on Sunday mornings, rather than to be properly ridden. Rather like half the Jap 'sports' bikes they make today Wink

Never understood why people had a problem with CZs. Had a couple myself. Agricultural, certainly, but they did the job and no one would ever nick one Laughing

If the SRX400 is anything like the 600 - best avoided, IMHO.

Get an MZ251ETZ Cool

I'd rather the MZ TS125... More classic appeal =P well, to me it does =)


The problem with the 125s is that they were owned by learners Laughing
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SpannerMonkey
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PostPosted: 19:53 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
27cows wrote:


The problem with the 125s is that they were owned by learners Laughing

Ah well, Cant be that bad =P I'm technically a learner and not all of my bikes have been thrashed. Just most Wink Only had one accident and never even dropped the bike then =P
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woolly_moose
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PostPosted: 22:00 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
LOVE our Bullet. Could go on for days about it. It makes me crack a smile, which is something after a day with the freaks.

It's bedtime, so you're spared some lengthy ramble about it. FOR NOW.
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SpannerMonkey
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PostPosted: 22:04 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
NOOO! tell me moose! =D I wanna hear the ramble!
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woolly_moose
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PostPosted: 22:12 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Re: Those Royal Enfield Bullets... Reply with quote
spannermonkey91 wrote:


Thing is, I've heard horror stories about serious false neutral issues


this is not an issue- it's a 'feature'. You either leave it 10 mins and chat to some random old bloke who had one in 1958 and has come over to tell you this, buy the 5 plate clutch upgrade that eliminates the 'feature' or don't go into Hastings via the hilly traffic lighty route and coast along the coast instead.

Other features include indicator lights that make the most embarrassing poop poop noise like a dog's squeaky toy and a rear brake that sounds like someone is scraping two large pieces of metal together headturningly loudly. Combine all of these outside the Carlisle in Hastings and then go and sit on the benches sipping your drink with the Hogs, trying to look unaware of your surroundings, knowling full well that you have to repeat all of this in reverse when you leave.
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Hat first, THEN gloves... One day, science will develop a cure for hat hair.
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woolly_moose
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PostPosted: 22:13 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
spannermonkey91 wrote:
NOOO! tell me moose! =D I wanna hear the ramble!
that was your first mistake! Ask me anything that you want a girl's pillion perspective on. In exchange I'll tell you which handbags sit best on the rack, etc.
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Hat first, THEN gloves... One day, science will develop a cure for hat hair.
Moped(we shall never speak of this again)>Yamaha BR125 Custom>Bullet Classic 500
https://www.bikepics.com/members/woollymoose/
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SpannerMonkey
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PostPosted: 22:22 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Well moose, Is it a modern bullet 500? As in with the new EFI engine? or the older ones? (If ther were older ones)
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Lone-Wolf
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PostPosted: 23:15 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Wotcha.

I give you . . . The Bullet

Happy riding.
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SpannerMonkey
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PostPosted: 23:46 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Wow, Great informative read! I've lived with bikes that have required much more work than that =P So by the sounds of it, i'd be fine! Lone wolf, would you recommend the 500cc engine over the 350? Speed isnt something I'm craving but in terms of useable power, is the 500 a noticable amount pokier?
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Lone-Wolf
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PostPosted: 23:56 - 31 Aug 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
spannermonkey91 wrote:
Wow, Great informative read! I've lived with bikes that have required much more work than that =P So by the sounds of it, i'd be fine! Lone wolf, would you recommend the 500cc engine over the 350? Speed isnt something I'm craving but in terms of useable power, is the 500 a noticable amount pokier?


Wotcha.

Yes - I'd go for the 500, but the biggest improvement you can make is the five speed box. There is such a ratio gap between third and fourth with a four speed box - you have to rev the nuts off it in third, and then it will just about pull top. All your "round town" work is done at a speed that is too fast for third, but too slow for top.
Go for a later five speed model - well worth the extra few quid.

ps. Don't worry about speed, an Enfield has lapped the Isle of Man circuit at over 100 mph average this week, and a top speed of 132.6 mph - the first push rod single to do so I belive. Well done Mr. Lindsell.
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SpannerMonkey
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PostPosted: 00:00 - 01 Sep 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote
Lone-Wolf wrote:
spannermonkey91 wrote:
Wow, Great informative read! I've lived with bikes that have required much more work than that =P So by the sounds of it, i'd be fine! Lone wolf, would you recommend the 500cc engine over the 350? Speed isnt something I'm craving but in terms of useable power, is the 500 a noticable amount pokier?


Wotcha.

Yes - I'd go for the 500, but the biggest improvement you can make is the five speed box. There is such a ratio gap between third and fourth with a four speed box - you have to rev the nuts off it in third, and then it will just about pull top. All your "round town" work is done at a speed that is too fast for third, but too slow for top.
Go for a later five speed model - well worth the extra few quid.

So I'm after a 5 speed 500cc... What year did these come into play? =)
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