2006 Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500

[land864]

Just got my Learner's on the weekend so I could rec reg the Ag Bike up the farm.
Problem was I loved the ride on the day and started thinking about a road bike.
Not as a daily ride just the occasional weekend cruiser.
Got talking to a fella who was Indian and he said he had a Royal Enfield back in India.
Got home and got to Googling and fell in lust with the above bike.
Don't know if anyone has any views , knowledge or opinion but I would welcome any.

Thanks

Pete

[vnx205]

I can't tell you much about the bike, but a friend of mine has one.

He has done several of those tours in India and Morocco and possibly other countries where the arrangement is that you buy the bike new before the tour and sell it back to the tour operators at the end. However, you have the option of keeping the bike.

After one of his Indian tours, he kept the Royal Enfield and imported it to Australia.

He obviously thought it was worth all the hassles of getting it into the country, but he has a few other classic bikes, including a Douglas 500 horizontally opposed twin with the cylinders fore and aft.

[simmo]

Pete,
I haven't ridden them but was interested in buying one a few times, and read the road test impressions etc. But decided I have enough good sh..t to look after already. ( I do all my own service work almost)
if you've got a feel for the bike go ahead, but test ride first for an hour, it's good starter bike, versitle and fast enough not for you to be bored with quickly, not so fast you'll loose your licence in a month or two, handling and brakes are ok, build quality is much better than the bikes ever were when made in the UK :eek: dare I say that in the landrover forum?
I think it's good choice, it's simple, you can maintain it yourself, or learn how to. It's economical on fuel & low tech so service and spares prices won't bankrupt you. Have fun and stay safe. simmo
Plus People like them because they have some "presence"
1981 Motoguzzi Sp1000
2012 Moto Guzzi 750 V7 Classic
2008 Honda Shadow 750
2001 Vespa PX 200
1979 Vesap PX 150 sport.
1995 Defender Tdi wagon

[simmo]

Back again peter after some research.

The Enfield is 8-9k late model second hand, simplicity and lightness are strong points, lightness is important for a starting bike

But before you shell out your hard earned cash there's some other bikes you should at least look at and take for a test ride.

Honda VT400 shadow. Bullet proof reliability,shaft drive, fuel injected, got a dealer every where, faultless fit and finish. plenty around, always easy to sell if you want to move on. Quite good handling and brakes. Good fun for weekend rides, passenger seat is uncomfortable but you can get gell pad. I went on bike for sale there's plenty of them from 2011 onwards, all less than 20,000kms, some less than 10,000 Km $5.5 to $7k.
Young brother to my 750 shadow classic,for my money one of the best value bikes around. There's more of this family of bikes around than any other "big bike"

Yamaha Vstar 400 and 650. Prices are the same as the Honda, plenty around, good dealer network , expect it will be bullet proof, very similar to the Honda. definitely worth a test ride. Both these cruiser type bikes are easy to ride low seat height and fun.
None of these are terrifically fast but fast enough to enjoy the mountains and keep up on the freeway. good luck simmo.:cool:

[CV888]

If you get a v star 650 which is learner approved then you can do this bobber conversion like I have done to my v star 1100.

Sent from my GT-P5100 using AULRO mobile app

[land864]

Thanks Guys.

I know the Honda and Yam would be great , reliable rides but I think the Enfield is a Land Rover type thing:)

The bike I was looking at was a 2006 model Pre EFI with 23000kms on it.

It was at an asking price of $ 5500

[simmo]

Land ,

looking good the price is good as well.:D fun per dollar will be hard to beat.

There is a definite similarity to landies there. Ruggedly handsome, simple.

You'll have a lot of fun on it. Carbs are good, especially when you have only one of them. Got a problem? unbolt it and take to the kitchen table and pull apart and clean. I love the big cylinders, my old Guzzi aka "the relic" is great to work on. good luck I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun.

[loanrangie]

I like them and wouldnt mind one just for putting around on, if i could get one that was able to be put on club reg then i'd buy one.

[Gerokent]

The best part about it is it is not a jappa.:)
I saw a program on telly a while ago where the pin stripping on fuel tank was being hand painted.
They look the goods.