[Maturin]

Four grand for the B5, which stylisticly is even closer to "old brit". And you´re correct in the assumtion that the bike´s biggest weakness is certainly the electrics and wiring, not mechanical issues.
We´ve got a lot of these luddites in Germany, too. The german RE-Forum, which is otherwise quite substantial and active, is full of them. My first postings there litterally were just blown away by several "specialists" who are of the opinion that the UCEs are just devil´s bike - as simple as that - and their owners, consequently, worse than any crotch rocketeer.
The main thing they complained about constantly was the price. I agree that you have to pay more than for most japanese competitors, but to run a Bullet is, due to low part prices and a user-friendly construction allowing to do many things on your own, very cheap. On the other hand: it´s almost always the case that there are cheaper products from far east, no matter what we´re talking about. But if you follow this philosphy you´ll end up with a chinese scooter you can throw away when the tyres are worn. Greetings
Maturin

[GlennF]

With regard to modern bullet electrics, there are issues with them, but compared to the esoteric vagaries of the 1950s/1960s lucas electrics which would work every second tuesday on a full moon so long as you did not have baked beans for breakfast the new bullets are the epitome of electrical reliability.

[singhg5]

The source of that information - "Oldbmw" - is one of the luddites from the UK forum. There seems to be a general prejudice over there against the new bikes, based on, well, on the fact that they are new!  It's the same kind of sour bikesnob nonsense you find in many "kickstart clubs" here in UK  -  if it isn't ancient, dripping oil, and made in UK well back in the last century, it isn't a "real motorbike".
 
The rest of us are too busy enjoying this golden age of motorcycling to give much of a damn.

Well put Will.  

Such people are everywhere across all continents. I have run into some Indians (from India) living here in US saying the same thing about my G5   !  They have no personal experience riding an EFI and are just plain jealous that the bike does not drip oil and starts with the push of a button or in one kick !  Fortunately there number is few and vast majority of people are more than happy to see and enjoy the new bike.

This is the Golden age of RE - the best of old and new rolled into a black G5.

[barenekd]

If you own or have recently owned an old Brit bike, then you can remember what the Good Olde Days were really like. Hey weren't so great when you're battling all the things, generally from Lucas and crappy gaskets, that keep you off the road and in the garage a lot, You can REALLY appreciate the new Enfields. Kick starting is fine,sometimes, but when was the last time you lamented not having a crank on your car? I use my kick starter about half the time and it usually works quite nicely, but if it doesn't start in three or four kicks, the next kick is with the thumb. I don't need a drip pan under the bike any more. But, the really good part is remembering how well the old Brit bikes worked, when they did. It's a Matchless feeling that no other modern bike is ever going to touch.
Bare

[Tony in Glendale]

Is it a Matchless feeling or a Superior feeling?  The (Black) Shadow knows!