Author Topic: What have you heard or experienced of the B5  (Read 9620 times)

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Dallastheologian

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on: June 22, 2011, 12:15:42 am
So I was originally going to get the C5, but I think I have switched to the B5 ($1000 cheaper) and I am going to have the dealership put on the tan leather solo seat as well as doing some fender pin-striping . What do you guys think.

Thanks


olhogrider

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Reply #1 on: June 22, 2011, 12:22:47 am
I got a C5 right before they announced the B5. For $1000 less you get a two-up seat, a kickstart, a metal tank badge instead of a decal... what's not to like? Some people don't like the shape of the rear fender, but I like it. Just make sure the pinstriper has the same talent as the factory guy. Show him that youtube of him pinstriping a tank.


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #2 on: June 22, 2011, 12:27:02 am
Sounds like a cool option.  I have and like the C5 but a B5 with a solo and some extra pinstriping would look even more vintage, and you'll never see another just like it.

Scott


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Reply #3 on: June 22, 2011, 12:46:36 am
An old skool 1955 frame with an EFI. UCE engine.

What more do you need to know to make up your mind?

$1000 less?...... Done deal.
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Tri750

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Reply #4 on: June 22, 2011, 12:52:45 am
They were supposed to be "different" not as nice paint, handle different, etc. We have yet to see or feel anything unlike the C5 or G5. Nice bike.
They seem to sit lower tho the brochure says its the same. The seat cover seems to be made out of some sort of rubberized kryptonite. Tough as elephant hide.
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #5 on: June 22, 2011, 12:55:28 am
I noticed the seat cover looked different than the G5 when I saw it.

Scott


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Reply #6 on: June 22, 2011, 01:03:18 am
Still waiting for the dealer to prep their 2 B5's.  The "frumpy" fender actually looks good to me now.  For $900 less it seems like a no brainer.  The tires are
G5 style, 19-inch wheel.  The front forks are C5 style (gotta remove them to change the fork oil).  I want to test ride one.
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Dallastheologian

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Reply #7 on: June 22, 2011, 01:24:46 am
Anybody know of any pics of a B5 with the solo seat?


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jartist

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Reply #9 on: June 22, 2011, 02:05:49 am
http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/1129100/

The B5 looks just like a bullet 350 in India so you can google "enfield bullet 350" and lots of pics of bikes with various modifications come up.  I really like the B5 but the dealer had a G5 on the floor and I couldn't wait any longer.  :P


barenekd

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Reply #10 on: June 22, 2011, 05:06:47 pm
I have to go with Jartist. I wanted a B5, but the dealer didn't have any yet, either. So I got the G5. Instant gratification, right? He got the B5 about two weeks later. After close examination, I think I prefer the G5, but the B5 certainly looks more original.
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #11 on: June 22, 2011, 06:16:30 pm
The front forks are C5 style (gotta remove them to change the fork oil).

I know they have fork covers instead of the rubber gators but that doesn't mean they are C5 style.  The C5 fork was created just for that bike, it's shorter and has less travel.  I'm guessing since they're using an old frame model they're using an old fork too and you don't need to disassemble them to change oil.  Over the years and models they've switched from gators to metal covers and back again several times.

Scott


CoffeeAchiever

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Reply #12 on: June 22, 2011, 10:25:15 pm
I say go for the B5 Dallastheologian.  What's not to like about saving $1,000?  Nothing at all!  Besides, the best part about the new B5 is that it's a ROYAL ENFIELD BULLET! 

All the Bullets are too cool for words in my humble opinion - all versions, all colors.  Before I bought my G5 Deluxe I looked into ordering a B5 myself.  Impatience got the better of me and I bought my bike off my dealer's floor. 

The B5's vintage domestic Indian market 350 look is killer.  I especially like the B5's brass tank badge and fully supported front fender.  Even the funky semi-squared off rear fender is a big time personality enhancer in my book.  Gold pin striping on a black B5 would be the icing on the cake! 

If your dealer has a B5 ready to go then what are you waiting for?  Get it and ride it!  You'll love it!! 

Here's a photo of an older iron engine Bullet that looks an awful lot like the new B5.  It has the gold pin striping you're considering and a chrome gas tank!
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BRADEY

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Reply #13 on: June 23, 2011, 09:50:01 am
I would say the B5 is a super cool bike. Retro to the hilt, modern as they can get, and above all it goes like on rails at any speeds. You would love it for the attention it would grab for you. Its my dream bike and it is being introduced in India as well...so may be we can plan a ride to Ladakh if you may please, some time in future........ ;D


Maturin

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Reply #14 on: June 23, 2011, 11:46:35 am
1000 little green friends less for a B5...and you can spend these immediately for usefull/useless gadgets like crash bars, windshields, ace-bars, silencers, seats or this and that and too....
However, I guess it could be worth it doing these pinstripes on the fender yourself. Or, if you´d like a more substantial alteration, what about a different colour on the fenders? Like yellow, maybe? Would match the tank emblem, that´ll be a hit!
Ok, ok, I´m going to stop now spending your money... ;D
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higgins

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Reply #15 on: June 23, 2011, 12:42:24 pm
Enjoying my B5.  Still haven't spent the $1000 difference on upgrades (EFI silencer, 7" headlight, Cramster bags) but getting close. I initially viewed it as a starter bike for getting back into bikes and I think it will suit 99% of my wants and desires. It will definitely make me seek out the backroads to get to where I want to go.

If I do add a bike to my stable I think it will be something completely different and likely italian.


Maturin

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Reply #16 on: June 23, 2011, 06:55:45 pm
If I do add a bike to my stable I think it will be something completely different and likely italian.

Let´s come to something Italian, completely different   ;D

http://www.2ri.de/Images/Big/0/Benelli_750_SEI_1976.jpg
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Reply #17 on: June 23, 2011, 10:37:37 pm
The B5 at Seattle Ducati/RE is almost ready for a demo ride.  Saturday, I was told.


Looks like the B5 uses the C5 style forks.  Can't easily change fork oil.  Darn.






The bike came from a CA warehouse, hence the charcoal cannister.




The toolbox and battery box are bolted in.  Flat black metal boxes look nice.
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Land Surveyor

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Reply #18 on: June 24, 2011, 06:23:39 pm
I didn't realize that was a tank badge.  From the picture, I thought it was just a big decal.  Great!  So it's only missing pinstripes on the fenders? I can live with that.

Will the metal panniers from the Military fit it?  I wouldn't care about the color.  Black paint is readily available.

I would still like to see some kind of curvy Sportster-type fiberglass panniers on there, though.

I think that back fender's growing on me.  I was sort of leaning toward black, anyway.  It's not like I'd ever see another RE around here anyway.

Isn't it more difficult to find 19" tires?  I would want to consider some tires well-suited for dirt and gravel roads.


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #19 on: June 24, 2011, 06:30:46 pm
The tanks badge is cool but it's thin stamped metal.  I believe it's the oldest style badge there is.  I've seen old school solid brass ones somewhere, maybe NFieldGear?  If the mounting holes line up they'd be a nice upgrade.

Scott


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Reply #20 on: June 24, 2011, 07:33:41 pm
I just realized it's got the sidecovers I like as well.  This is getting better & better.


Maturin

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Reply #21 on: June 24, 2011, 07:44:10 pm
The air filter looks completely different now. They aren´t using  these round filters anymore, do  they?

Just noticed the fork leg: it has ears for the mudguard stays!
« Last Edit: June 24, 2011, 07:49:47 pm by Maturin »
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Maturin

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Reply #22 on: June 24, 2011, 07:45:56 pm
Isn't it more difficult to find 19" tires?  I would want to consider some tires well-suited for dirt and gravel roads.

Look here:
http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php/topic,10916.0.html

These new Ensigns or the Mitas  seems to be best suited for light offroad work.
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When acellerating the tears of emotion must flow off horizontally to the ears.
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Reply #23 on: June 24, 2011, 11:07:01 pm
Thanks!


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #24 on: June 24, 2011, 11:30:28 pm
Thanks for that tire post.  I want to see what other modern style 18" tires there are for the C5, especially stuff that's good in the rain.  I wich I could get Michelin Pilot Roads for the Enfield.  I could wheelie my Ducati in a downpur with those tires, they were awesome!

Scott


Maturin

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Reply #25 on: June 24, 2011, 11:50:14 pm
Hehe, I had Michelin Pilot Roads on my Duc aswell. After all other strong points the most oustanding feature of these rubbers are their adhesion in weat conditions. I dearly miss that.
Theoretically there should be more modern 18´ than 19´. I´ll have a look  ;)
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When acellerating the tears of emotion must flow off horizontally to the ears.
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #26 on: June 25, 2011, 12:53:26 am
I'm seeing some but it's often tough to find a matched set of something I want.  They make a front or rear in the size I want but not other.  I may just take a large front and mount it backwards on the rear.  That way the tread will shed water the right way and the rubber is overlapped in the right direction.

There are plenty of matched sets but I what I want is a modern tire, matched set in the sizes I want, and really good wet weather performance.  I don't want to squeeze anything too big on the front either.  Performance suffers whey you do that.

Ok, what I really want is a set of Pilot Roads in the size I want :)

Scott


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Reply #27 on: June 28, 2011, 02:57:34 pm
Here's another question.  Is the B5 simply reminiscent of the originals or does it actually use some of the same parts?

I ask because I wonder if any of the accessories in the current RE catalog will ft.  Like luggage racks, etc.


StephenCB

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Reply #28 on: June 29, 2011, 09:33:14 pm
I am going to be getting a B5 from the new RE dealer here in Savannah, GA in the next few weeks.  I've already spoken with the dealer about adding the Old Fashioned Solo Seat and the Old Fashioned Pillion.

And no RE would be complete without the Deluxe Front Number Plate


barenekd

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Reply #29 on: June 29, 2011, 09:46:32 pm
Quote
Here's another question.  Is the B5 simply reminiscent of the originals or does it actually use some of the same parts?

The B5 is the most original of the bunch. This is the old 350 frame, etc. All the stuff should fit.
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GlennF

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Reply #30 on: June 30, 2011, 12:00:22 am
The tanks badge is cool but it's thin stamped metal.  I believe it's the oldest style badge there is.  I've seen old school solid brass ones somewhere, maybe NFieldGear?  If the mounting holes line up they'd be a nice upgrade.

Scott

I fitted a solid brass one to my B5 recently, photo below.

It was an Indian aftermarket solid brass item.

The screw mount holes match the B5 tank but the badge is "flatter" and needs some serious bending. To get the bend perfect on a standard B5 it may be necessary to pry off the small brass inner emblem , shape it separately and reattach it to the main part.

It definitely looks the part, well worth the effort.



olhogrider

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Reply #31 on: June 30, 2011, 04:08:50 am
Sweet!


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Reply #32 on: June 30, 2011, 12:33:14 pm
that is a beautiful machine...Just breathes classic in everyway...I gotta tell ya, Its right up there if not in some ways sweeter than the c5's...Love the pics...
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #33 on: June 30, 2011, 10:17:25 pm
GlennF, that looks awesome!  I like the badges that come on the B5 but they're a bit thin and may get damaged.  Nice to see there's such a pretty alternative available that lines right up with the existing screws.  About how much did they cost?

Scptt


GlennF

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Reply #34 on: July 01, 2011, 12:02:37 am
GlennF, that looks awesome!  I like the badges that come on the B5 but they're a bit thin and may get damaged.  Nice to see there's such a pretty alternative available that lines right up with the existing screws.  About how much did they cost?

Scptt


Think they were about $US25 and roughly same again for freight so about $US50 all up. You could probably get cheaper on the freight by shopping around.


Note the badges match in terms of mounting holes but are made for a much flatter tank so need some careful bending. They are quite thick but as they are made of brass they will bend OK without needing to be heated. Each badge is actually two separate pieces brazed together, the wing part and the inner Royal Enfield logo section. If you are not overconfident with metal work you may need to allow a few extra bucks to get a local panel shop reshape them to fit the tank better.