[saint45]

They need to cool it on the prices. These are made in India,man. Not the UK. most expensive 500cc ever! Also, i have a decent dealer here in CA's bay area but cant help but feel a little ripped off with the 8-900 dollar destination fee. Any word on another dealer in no. calif.? anyone else feel the same?

[prof_stack]

They need to cool it on the prices. These are made in India,man. Not the UK. most expensive 500cc ever! Also, i have a decent dealer here in CA's bay area but cant help but feel a little ripped off with the 8-900 dollar destination fee. Any word on another dealer in no. calif.? anyone else feel the same?

The fee might well be including the setup, in which case it sounds normal.

[Ice]

 The UCE machines price includes a hefty import tariff by the Indian government on the American made hydraulic tappets and the Keihin EFI system.

 Also do not forget to figure in fuel surcharges, tolls, highway taxes, etc,etc, that the trucking companies have to pass on to their customers.

A good set by a good dealer is not expensive it is priceless.

[clubman]

Here in the UK I see that the Clubman variant - which I paid 4,950 GBP for in November 2009 - is now 5,800 GBP. That's about $9,500. Way, way too much compared to the competition. (Of course they're only built to order anyway.)

[Maturin]

This is probably due to the up- and down-tours of the global finance and stock market, that also pressurizes the currency excange rates. Dollar and Pound going down, Euro is stable (whatever reason for), and Gold and Swiss Franc going through the roof. Especially the imports into all countries that use Dollar as anchor currency will suffer under rising prices.
The main problem, though, is the unpredictibility of all things happening in the global finance system. This has become so unimaginable complex, that even specialists with 3000.- € suits look like clowns when they try to explain anything.

[SSR]

The UCE machines price includes a hefty import tariff by the Indian government on the American made hydraulic tappets.

A pair of American made UCE  hydraulic tappets in India at a RE workshop cost $16(including all the taxes imposed by the Government+transport charges and some profit for RE+ local taxes).

[Land Surveyor]

I've heard about these American-made tappets before.  Why on earth would they source this one particular part from the U. S.? 

[SSR]

I've heard about these American-made tappets before.  Why on earth would they source this one particular part from the U. S.? 

Readily available part (no known bike in India uses them hence no supplier)which has a proven supplier in terms of reliability and cost factor. It's the same supplier for HD.

[bittercrick]

+1   I too think the bikes are over priced for what you get you can get a new triumph for only another grand and there is no comparison in quality. My 2cents

[Ice]

A pair of American made UCE  hydraulic tappets in India at a RE workshop cost $16(including all the taxes imposed by the Government+transport charges and some profit for RE+ local taxes).

 


Makes me wonder what the EFI system costs in India and how much the import duties and V.A.T. are on the completed bike in the U.K., the U.S. and Canada

[Drifter]

They are allready priced 2 grand to high. You can buy a high quality japanese bike for less that will run for 100.000 miles.......these things are made in India not the USA!

[Maturin]

They are allready priced 2 grand to high. You can buy a high quality japanese bike for less that will run for 100.000 miles.......these things are made in India not the USA!

On the other hand spare parts are quite cheap. The big 4 from Nippon always sold their stuff over the price, afterwards they charged funny prices for spares. That's a question which strategy is used.

[prof_stack]

Also factor in (for US riders, at least) the 2-year unlimited warranty.

But the UCE is the only new 500cc thumper of British ancestry alive.  That is exactly what most of us wanted when we bought it.  The $6.4k (before setup, freight, ect) I paid for my C5 was correct from an emotional point of view but idotic from a rational point of view (especially since my new Guzzi was less than $5k sticker).

And that is the rub:  buying a motorcycle for most people is purely emotional.

[Ducati Scotty]

It's a niche bike.  It's a little pricey for what it is mechanically but there is nothing else like it available in the US.  The mechanical charm of a long stroke single, the amazingly accurate styling from days gone by... Nothing else like it.

Scott

[1 Thump]

The C5 costs $ 2779.34 in India.

[1 Thump]

Hey Will,

How much does a Kawa W800 cost on that side of the pond.

[prof_stack]

The C5 costs $ 2779.34 in India.

Eeeyyowww!  Stop that!  My blood pressure is high enough already!   

[CoffeeAchiever]

I love my Royal Enfield Bullet!  There really is no new motorcycle like it available in the US at any price.  Of all the motorcycles that I test rode before I bought my G5 Deluxe, none put as big a grin on my face.  What's that worth?  To me, a lot! 

A long time ago, I bought a very expensive mountain bike.  A friend at the time who I use to ride with seemed to take great joy in pointing out how much I overpaid for the bike every time we got together.  After that experience I decided that I would never again check the price of something I bought AFTER I bought it.  More importantly, I never tell anyone what I paid for anything.  What's the point?  The money is gone.  Why go looking for reasons to be unhappy with your purchase. 

For me at least, buying a Royal Enfield was not a rational decision.  I bought my Bullet because I wanted it, not because I needed it.  I love the way Royal Enfields look, the way they sound, the way they handle, and most of all, the way they make me feel while riding them. 

[SSR]

The C5 costs $ 2779.34 in India.

Little correction;

State taxes differ throughout India. Cheapest is in North where it's $3000 and with registration charges+ insurance = $ 3,222 on road.

Makes me wonder what the EFI system costs in India and how much the import duties and V.A.T. are on the completed bike in the U.K., the U.S. and Canada

ECU at customer end is $178, Injector is $29.  Throttle body with sensors roughly around $111. RE pays a way lot less then this.

Barrel with piston and rings was $67 and may be it was just a coincidence after I posted the prices of the parts on a Indian forum, within few weeks the price of the same kit went up to $178.

Most shocking for me was when I got to know the prices of the upswept silencer in USA was around $400 when we lot down here pay just $67 which included a free flow down pipe with the upswept. Although now RE has changed the design of the upswept which fits direct on the down pipe with the inbuilt cat so $67 just for the upswept which is still cheap.

[2bikebill]

The W800 is about £6,600 pounds on the road. Nice looking bike of course, but not necessarily an improvement on the W650. OK - fuel injection, and 98 extra cc (it's 773cc - the 650 is actually 675cc) but not a lot more poke, if any, than the W650. And definitely doesn't have the same old school character. I wouldn't trade.

In UK, a new G5 - £4,895, and a new C5 - £4,995.

[GreenRE]

Little correction;

State taxes differ throughout India. Cheapest is in North where it's $3000 and with registration charges+ insurance = $ 3,222 on road.

The C5 is about 6500 here in the states before tax and prep and all the other fees. I think 1thump was indicating the before tax price which is in that ballpark.

Import cost, duties, homologation cost, CARB , NHTSA etc should add up a bit, and then add profit . Yep, sounds about right.

[Maturin]

Don´t forget that in case of Japanese bikes the moment of truth comes when it´s about to get spare parts, whose prices are usually quite stiff. In case of RE the vehicle is quite expensive, but spare parts are adequate, and even cheaper when you use the aftermarket.
In Germany the B5 is 4950.-€, the C5 5950.-€. The Kawa W800 is 8190.-€.
The domestic Indian bikes, however, are delivered with Indian tires, injection and silencer. Maybe there are more differences. I guess, that the quality controll is somewhat different too, in the same way as it´s common in the automobile industry. That may explain at least a part of the price difference. No reason to break sweat 

[Land Surveyor]

For comparison, the Suzuki S40 thumper costs $5,099.

I've considered them before but the looks are strictly 70-80's Japanese cruiser, which gives me nausea. Plus the ergos are too small even for my stubby legs.

If they decide to style as a standard like the TU250, RE may have a problem.

Of course, it will still abound in plastic, especially the chrome-plated variety. Yech.

I think all-steel construction and old-time detailing are worth the premium.

[Maturin]

I love my Royal Enfield Bullet! 

My words, Br. CoffeeAchiever 

[2bikebill]

Good point.  Jap parts are expensive.
Mind you  -  you tend not to need em very often.....

[Maturin]

Mind you  -  you tend not to need em very often.....

I have a vivid memory of the master brake cylinder´s seal of a SR500. 70 Mark - 35€ for 15 cm of rubber - and that was 20 years ago! The 6 nuts of the rear sprocket of a CB450 - special size, of course - 5€ apiece, you need new ones every time they´re open because they are self-retaining. OMG, did I swear at them guys...

[Ducati Scotty]

If they decide to style as a standard like the TU250, RE may have a problem.

Even with new styling the engine doesn't look right.  The geometry of the RE engine comes in large part from the fact that it has a primary chain instead of gears driving the transmission.  The TU 250 is a nice bike but doesn't look near as good as the RE.  The RE has just the right combination of smooth, authentic design to make it stand out in any crowd.

Scott

[Land Surveyor]

It's definitely an original.  The Japanese have very little design heritage upon which to capitalize.  Unless you count the Honda Cub.  Or the CB750.

RE have their own history upon which to draw.  As does HD, of course.

Even the revived names have a heritage upon which to draw. Most notably Triumph but also Norton and Indian, recently bought out by Victory.

Darn, now I'm thinking about what a new Meteor would look like again.

[bittercrick]

I'm all for a bigger RE , but feel they (first) should do the needed improvements on the bullets.and get some quality control in place.I agree they'er fun bikes but for the price point they shouldn't have so many issues.I've decided my C-5 is a 55-60 mile per hour ride it's happiest at that speed and I do like getting 70 mpg when that speed is riden.however I had a 2008 1200 cc sportster that got 65mpg when riddin 60mph.
 Love the looks and sound of the RE but a few less issues would make it even sweeter. my 2c

[prof_stack]

For comparison, the Suzuki S40 thumper costs $5,099.
...
If they decide to style as a standard like the TU250, RE may have a problem.
...

Yep, get those footpegs back where God intended them to be and their 650cc thumper might be worth a second look.

[GlennF]

The main problem, though, is the unpredictibility of all things happening in the global finance system. This has become so unimaginable complex, that even specialists with 3000.- € suits look like clowns when they try to explain anything.

oh .. its quite simple really

Stock market and money market speculators are overpaid overqualified but relatively simplistic punters who basically gamble with other peoples money. When things are fine or they get good "tips" they push prices through the roof, when things turn bad they go gutless and react with hysteria and sell madly everything they can and buy up "safe haven" investments like Swiss franc, Japanese yen and gold.

Once you realize the price of stocks/gold/real estate have been detached from any real value as a company to own, metal to make jewelry from or house to live in and its simply gambling (like horses or football)  its easy to understand.

[iowarider]

I love my Royal Enfield Bullet!  There really is no new motorcycle like it available in the US at any price.  Of all the motorcycles that I test rode before I bought my G5 Deluxe, none put as big a grin on my face.  What's that worth?  To me, a lot!  

A long time ago, I bought a very expensive mountain bike.  A friend at the time who I use to ride with seemed to take great joy in pointing out how much I overpaid for the bike every time we got together.  After that experience I decided that I would never again check the price of something I bought AFTER I bought it.  More importantly, I never tell anyone what I paid for anything.  What's the point?  The money is gone.  Why go looking for reasons to be unhappy with your purchase.  

For me at least, buying a Royal Enfield was not a rational decision.  I bought my Bullet because I wanted it, not because I needed it.  I love the way Royal Enfields look, the way they sound, the way they handle, and most of all, the way they make me feel while riding them.  

I could not agree more with all you have said. I have played the game of why did I pay that much to many times and can not count the times I buy and then the next day it goes on sale. In my opinion, especially in the United States, very very few if any are bought because of need.

As for your statement;
 "After that experience I decided that I would never again check the price of something I bought AFTER I bought it.  More importantly, I never tell anyone what I paid for anything.  What's the point?  The money is gone.  Why go looking for reasons to be unhappy with your purchase".

Your logic, in my mind is so flawless I am stealing it for my own use. Thank you

[CoffeeAchiever]

iowarider, feel free to claim this philosophy as your own.  After one's health, the only thing more valuable in this life is one's happiness.  Peace of mind does wonders for my state of happiness.  Ride on!

[Sub]

I didnt look too closely at pricing when I bought mine because I knew I wanted it, but I agree with the other posters that after owning this bike a while, this is an overpriced bike for what you get and the quality level. The other good point that was made is that if it ends up being the same price as a Bonneville (The other bike I was seriously considering) its obvious what way to go.

If they're going to increase prices, they should be giving consumers something for it:better quality, more power, more reliability, or heck, even accessory vouchers.

[Ducati Scotty]

As a true long stroke engine (the Bonnie isn't) and at a lower price the choice between a Bonneville and an RE has many facets.  If they make a similarly priced twin the distinctions become finer and I think the quality will be a much larger consideration.  It won't matter in India where the price would be much lower but I don't think they'd sell many on the international market.

Scott

[GlennF]

My main reason to avoid Triumph is that in Australia, just like the Harley also is here, they are deemed the realm of sad mid life crisis males Triumph need to get their old school mystique back somehow.

[Ice]

I could not agree more with all you have said. I have played the game of why did I pay that much to many times and can not count the times I buy and then the next day it goes on sale. In my opinion, especially in the United States, very very few if any are bought because of need.

As for your statement;
 "After that experience I decided that I would never again check the price of something I bought AFTER I bought it.  More importantly, I never tell anyone what I paid for anything.  What's the point?  The money is gone.  Why go looking for reasons to be unhappy with your purchase".

Your logic, in my mind is so flawless I am stealing it for my own use. Thank you

I agree completely !


Another take on it; the price divided by the number of days you expect to live makes the cost pretty effective.
 
Also riding instead of driving whenever practical saved me over $3,000 in gasoline costs last year alone.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Where to start....... I will ramble here but hope to shed some light on this subject

1. Price increases. There has not been a recent price increase in the US. Maybe not true elsewhere. I don't see any for 2012 models when they are released but only time will tell. Actually if you think about the the B5 at $5495 49 state or $5695 CA model that could be considered quite a price decrease. Some of this is amazing with the trashed US dollar. Why RE sells them to us without an increase while the dollar goes nowhere but down sometimes surprises me. The Indian Rupee is a better and more stable currency that the dollar at present. The other issue is the rapid increases in the price of commodities such as steel.   Anyway there have been no recent price increases. Shipping and dealer prep are very real costs. Different dealers have different prices and costs for this work. We do publish an MSRP to give the consumer a base from which to compare. Be careful that you are comparing apples to apples. A discounted bike is not usually a good deal. The difference in dealer service between a good dealer and a not so good dealer can be painful. Find the best dealer you can and pay whatever they ask it is worth it. This is true for any motorcycle.

2. Another thing to consider is the cost of technology. First of all there is no such thing as free trade unless you are trading with the US. There are no import duties on motorcycles or motorcycle parts into the US. However if you import most anything into India or a lot of other countries for a motorcycle (and other goods) they are heavily taxed. My point is that anything imported into India raises the cost quite a bit. This is the reason that a "cheap" Harley here such as the little Sportster is extremely expensive there. What is good for the goose is not good for the gander.

3. The export bikes have starters and all of the EFI components from Japan. The catalytic converters are from Germany, gaskets and lifters from the US.  I think the pistons and rings are imported but I could be mistaken about the most recent bikes. Tyres in the UK and so on. Some of these  items can be purchased from domestic manufacturers in India but there is a cost in terms of quality. The bikes made for the Indian market do not have as many imported parts (I don't care what the Indian rumor mill says). I have stood in the factory many times and looked the parts bins in the face.  A good example is the facts that the Indian EFI isn't nearly as sophisticated as the export system and is an "open" system". It has no catalytic converter which is the single most expensive component in the bike. As for parts prices in India I would go to your local NAPA store or look in a wholesale motorcycle parts company and price out some motorcycle valve lifters. I think you will find that the prices are quite a bit higher than advertised. Try to buy a throttle body for the quoted price. Not possible We can sometimes buy this stuff at OEM prices and they are no where near the prices quoted for India. If you can find the high tech parts that cheap in India I would be very suspicious of its origins. If you think about it all of those parts would also have a huge duty on them which would make them more than half as expensive to buy than the quoted prices. . I don't want to dispute anyone here but I have seen this myself.  You might find domestically made parts at those prices. This is why RE goes to great pains to not use imported parts in the domestic bikes. We have to be very careful when we buy from non factory sources. It is common to see  RE parts passed off as genuine parts, even in an RE box. Another one we hear is "these are made by the same company that makes the part for RE. Normally not true, It is interesting though when you compare these parts with the real thing.

4. You can buy more motorcycle for the dollar in the US than the RE if you compare engine sizes, speed, horsepower etc. but you can't buy a Royal Enfield. If your criteria is strictly rational the RE is probably a bad choice.. But most of us buy things for entirely different reasons. How can there be so many different car brands sold when they all do basically the same thing and do it well.

[olhogrider]

So Royal Enfield is going to produce a car?

I love starting rumors.

Thanks for the thorough explanation.

[Ducati Scotty]

Thanks for the info Kevin.  And no, you can't summarize why you buy and RE on a balance sheet

Scott

[REpozer]

Thanks Kev. I feel better knowing my bazooka is really fine Germen machinery.

 Not to worry about price , soon a loaf of bread and an RE will cost the same.

[Maturin]

As a true long stroke engine (the Bonnie isn't) and at a lower price the choice between a Bonneville and an RE has many facets.  If they make a similarly priced twin the distinctions become finer and I think the quality will be a much larger consideration.  It won't matter in India where the price would be much lower but I don't think they'd sell many on the international market.

Scott

I am more optimistic about the sucess of a twin on the international market. It would be, just like the Bullet, an unique bike and would address the customer's passion for a "real motorcycle", wich is quite widespread today.
It would be necessary, though, for RE to do their homework on many export markets. An active and caring importer does only exist in the Uk and the US, as far as I can tell. In central Europe RE is virtually non existent, neglecting huge markets. They're realy in need of infrastructure, without they wont sell neither singles nor twins here.
As Kevin stated, rationally all of us made a bad deal buying a Bullet. Luckily rationality is Not at all necessary for having great fun.

[bman734]

I thought the price was very reasonable compared to a new Harley Sportster. If I got a dollar for every nice comment I get while out on the road I'd have been paid back already for the cost of the bike. OK I exaggerate a bit on that last comment but not by much!

[bman734]

Also, the scooter shop that I bought my bike form  sells scooters for five grand. Where's the logic in that! I still feel I got quite a deal on my C5 military. No regrets, no way and I'd do it again in a heart beat. Can't wait to take a shower and go for a ride on a REAL bike.

[barenekd]

Can't put a value on "Character"

One of my other considerations when I bought the Bullet was the Honda CBR250R. Much less dinero (~40%), Probably more reliable, somewhat faster, doesn't get as good gas mileage, marginally lighter, not too bad looking. All in all, a much "better" buy.
However...I have a Bullet! Wouldn't have it any other way.
Bare

[olhogrider]

Can't put a value on "Character"

One of my other considerations when I bought the Bullet was the Honda CBR250R. Much less dinero (~40%), Probably more reliable, somewhat faster, doesn't get as good gas mileage, marginally lighter, not too bad looking. All in all, a much "better" buy.
However...I have a Bullet! Wouldn't have it any other way.
Bare

Besides, when you throw the Honda down the road it requires expensive plastic. The Bullet just gets more "character".

[Okie Enfield]

Thanks Kev. I feel better knowing my bazooka is really fine Germen machinery.

 Not to worry about price , soon a loaf of bread and an RE will cost the same.

I just tryed to straddle a loaf of bread and have as much fun as I do on my RE Alison. UMMMM no compairison, but i might have a new hobbie. 

[SSR]

@Br. Kevin

As we are sharing information on here I think it would be beneficial for all to know the real facts and I don't want the domestic C5 owners to feel short changed.

What really differs between the two C5 domestic and export.

1. ES - Denso, made in japan- Yes we have that too although C3 has a local made one.

2. Catalytic converter- yes we have that too although not the expensive version which is around £555 for the export market. You have it in the exhaust and we have it's little brother in the down pipe.

3. O2 sensor with open loop ECU- We don't have simply because our pollution norms are less stringent hence not required and also to keep cost down. ECU unit is made in Japan and so it the rest of the system.

We suffered because of it's absence but thats been sorted with a remap which suits our climate conditions better.
 
4. Handle bar- For more then a year we had the same export handle bar and only changed recently with a wider and higher handle bar for the Indian market due to the negative feedback from the riders.

5. Headlight- some of the export market has the sealed unit and we have the bigger one which anyways have a better throw.

6. Gear shifter- You have the toe shifter and we have the heal+toe shifter

7. Avon tyres- We have the Indian made ones simply because the Avon tread is not suitable for our Indian road conditions and they could not supply RE with the quantity and lower prices.

8. Sprag bearing- If I am not wrong I think you said there were only couple of sprag failure reported in US and later many more were followed. We got the new Japnese sprag before you got it.

9. Air filter cover- We got it before you did.

10. Crank bearing Upgrade- Now you are being supplied with a FAG crank LHS bearings and we are still stuck with the SKF although RE is testing new Japnese RHS NRB and I am sure we all will get it at the same time.

Once RE by mistake sent me a export headlight and I can tell you that it did not had a single difference in quality and it was by the same vendor.

There is not a single UCE part available in the market and the prices I quoted are straight from the RE workshop for which we have to wait like anything. Yes agree that fakes are available for AVL and CI with OEM like packing but not for UCE as of now.

They say you get what you pay for and I agree that for export market. The quality check for export is very stringent and we down here suffer due to lack of it.

[aikischmid]

I felt like I did a ton of research online when I decided I was going to get my first motorcycle. The price, to me, was an obvious advantage that the RE had over the other bikes I was interested in. The Triumph Bonnie, Moto Guzzi V7, and HD Sportster were all solidly $9000. The RE G5 was $6000, significantly a third of the cost of the others I would have been interested in. And I just wasn't interested in any of the Japanese stuff - I recognize that the quality is great and all, but like others have said, I just love that vintage look.
So once I found RE (I had never even heard of them before!) I was completely satisfied with the price and look of the product. So then I started reading all kinds of reviews online, which were all really favorable. Especially the whole Jay Leno thing, which just really tipped the scales and made the decision for me.
The dealer did have a slightly used, couple year old black Bonnie in his inventory, which would've cost me about the cost of my new G5, but by that time I was already in love with RE. Plus when I looked at cost of accessories on Triumph and HD's website - hell no! I really think RE makes motorcycling, and creating a cool individual style, much more affordable.
So as far as price goes, I think as long as RE doesn't "have" to raise them much more, they're right on target. And with the advent of the new management, that dude who came from General Motors, we can expect to see even greater quality controls. Maybe in four years, when I have my G5 paid off and I'm ready for something a little bigger and more powerful, RE will be releasing some new parallel twin 750cc Meteor?! I'm excited to see the company grow.

[Chiefharlock]

Interesting..... my destination charge was only 275.00..... hmmmmm

[prof_stack]

Interesting..... my destination charge was only 275.00..... hmmmmm

How far do you live from CMW?

[bman734]

That seems unreasonably logical bare. Plus you get more metal for your money with a Bullet.

[Chiefharlock]

@ prof_stack  I'm not entirely sure how far I am from CMW, but I live in the southern part of central Missouri....