Author Topic: Is it worth it ?  (Read 10712 times)

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palace15

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on: September 08, 2011, 11:12:56 pm
 ???

I have seen a couple of 1yr old C5's with less than 4500miles on them, both are over 200miles from where I live, and the UK importer says its at the dealers discretion whether the warranty can be transferred, and if so any warranty issues I may have can only be dealt with by the original dealer(200miles away). so what I ask you guys, Are the new C'5s worth the gamble of NO warranty? I realise that if we were talking about a HonKawaSuzYam I probably would not even be asking this question, but we are talking India/RE !

Over to you guys!
Dave
You will always find that women that have lost thier virginity, still have the box it came in!

Royal Enfield, making mechanics out of owners since 1893.


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #1 on: September 08, 2011, 11:25:53 pm
The new UCE bikes are much better than the older bikes in that they have far fewer problems BUT as you said they are not Japanese machines.  You may have some small problems but a bike with a year and 4000 miles should have been shaken out by now.  Most problems are minor and easy to fix with a few tools and a question posted here.  You're unlikely to need major work but if you do you're going to have to:
1) haul 200 miles for the warranty
2) do it yourself
3) pay a local mechanic.

How much will you save by buying used?  Are you at all handy?  If you're not saving much money over a new bike that you could get from the local dealer and if you don't want to or can't do any work yourself it may not be worth the gamble.

Scott
« Last Edit: September 09, 2011, 12:10:14 am by Ducati Scotty »


TWinOKC

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Reply #2 on: September 08, 2011, 11:37:59 pm
I bought a used 2010 C5 that I found on Craig's List with less than 300 miles on it.  No warranty.   The closest dealer is over 100 miles away.  My bike has been pretty much trouble free.  The minor problems I have had have been resolved by assistance from knowledgeable brothers on this forum.   The president of CMW called me to help with one issue.  I can't say enough good things about Royal Enfields and this forum.


Go for it!

Terry     ;)    
2010  C5  Teal
2011 Triumph Bonneville T100
2015 Scrambler Ducati


palace15

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Reply #3 on: September 08, 2011, 11:49:57 pm
First of all, many thanks for such prompt replies, First bike has about 1200 miles on it and a saving of £1750 and the second bike has about 4500miles, slightly newer and a saving of about £1250.

I prefer to do my own spanner work and I have already seen how friendly and knowledgeable this forum is  :D

I would also join the UK RE owners cllub

I will post the outcome.
Dave
You will always find that women that have lost thier virginity, still have the box it came in!

Royal Enfield, making mechanics out of owners since 1893.


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #4 on: September 09, 2011, 12:11:15 am
That's big money and since you're handy with a wrench spanner, I say go for it!


GlennF

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Reply #5 on: September 09, 2011, 12:22:06 am
I look at it this way.

1) If you have minor annoying problems that normally are covered under warranty will it cost more than £1250 to fix locally ? This seems unlikely.

2) If you get a major serious warranty fault would it cost more than £1250 to freight the bike back to the original dealer? This also seems unlikely.

With the amount of money you are saving warranty is not such an issue.

Its more important to look at other factors - the history of the two bikes and also any differences between 2010 and new models (do the UK 2011 C5 have the kickstart for example). Also how does a new B5 compare price-wise with a second hand C5.


Arizoni

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Reply #6 on: September 09, 2011, 12:42:57 am
I'll probably forget something and I have only owned my RE G5 for about 2 1/2 months but here is a listing of the problems I've had/read about on the UCE bikes (mostly American imports).
The problems are listed as I think of them .

Burned out light bulbs. (Easily replaced)

Shorts in the wiring system. (Poor protective insulation consisting of a great use of plastic electrical tape combined with sharp metal edges.  Much of this can be avoided by using slit rubber/plastic tubing to cover the wires in the vicinity of sharp metal edges)

One defective alternator.

Several electrical start sprag clutch failures.

Several cases of loud unexplained ticking/knocking noises.

Instability at high speeds. (often fixed by lowering tire pressures.  Some people suggest replacing the white swing arm spacers with the newer black ones.  Also, loosening the front suspension bolts, bouncing the front tire on the ground and retightening the bolts.)

Electric Starter solinoid failure. (The best fix seems to be replacing it with a non RE part).

Loosening of fasteners. (Check often and use the Blue Loc-Tite thread locking adhesive to secure)

Chain and rear sprocket wear. (Lube often, adjust to factory specs (1" loose) as required.)

Difficulty replacing oil filler cap. (Install redesigned cap assy. or add a screw to hold the filter retainer/filter bypass valve disk in place.)

False neutrals in shifting  transmission. (usually get better with using fully synthetic oil and additional break in milage).

Computer does not boot up when trying to start. (Check sidestand switch.  Disconnect if defective).

Engine searching for correct idle speed. (Replace Bosch spark plug with NGK BPR6ES and reduce idle speed slightly by turning the brass screw in the top of the throttle body clockwise about 1/8 turn).

I'm sure there are more but for now these are ones that stuck in my mind.
As you can see, the new EFI, UCE powered bikes are prooving to be pretty "Bullet proof". (small pun there. :) )



Jim
2011 G5 Deluxe
1999 Miata 10th Anniversary


palace15

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Reply #7 on: September 09, 2011, 12:16:11 pm
I look at it this way.

1) If you have minor annoying problems that normally are covered under warranty will it cost more than £1250 to fix locally ? This seems unlikely.

2) If you get a major serious warranty fault would it cost more than £1250 to freight the bike back to the original dealer? This also seems unlikely.

With the amount of money you are saving warranty is not such an issue.

Its more important to look at other factors - the history of the two bikes and also any differences between 2010 and new models (do the UK 2011 C5 have the kickstart for example). Also how does a new B5 compare price-wise with a second hand C5.

Minor problems I am not too bothered about, its more a case of a major 'blow-up', I take onboard your comment about returning the 200miles to the original dealer, thats not the concern which is that the original dealer may not let me continue the warranty as this is sometimes only limited to the original owner, Dealers are like insurance companies, always looling for an 'escape' clause!
You will always find that women that have lost thier virginity, still have the box it came in!

Royal Enfield, making mechanics out of owners since 1893.


Lwt Big Cheese

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Reply #8 on: September 09, 2011, 12:34:00 pm
Would people be using them as primary transport for thousands of miles if they were all that bad?

Do you take us for idiots? As we're using them?  ;)


Go for it. Or buy a Honda.

Or ask on a Honda forum!!  :D
« Last Edit: September 09, 2011, 12:36:47 pm by Lwt Big Cheese »
No warranty implied or given.
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2bikebill

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Reply #9 on: September 09, 2011, 12:50:11 pm
I'd buy one with 1200 miles on to save £1750!
I'd say worth the gamble.
And you wont find anyone more ambivalent about these bikes than me ....! ;)
2009 Royal Enfield Electra (G5)


clubman

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Reply #10 on: September 09, 2011, 01:50:49 pm
My personal warranty claims:

Lock on left hand side panel fell out
Wiring was defective causing fuses to blow and battery flattened
Sprag clutch failure (1)
Sprag clutch failure (2)
Exhaust split apart (Goldie silencer, not OEM)
Entire rear asembley - stoplight & indicators - fell off due to holding bracket shearing
Sidestand switch defective, not replaced
Starter solenoid replaced
Clutch switch replaced

There have been a few other issues - loose connectors, exposed wires causing shorts - that have been resolved without involving the warranty. The above covers 18 months and 9,500 miles. I've demoted it to second bike and done only 1,000m in the last three months and it's been fine.


prof_stack

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Reply #11 on: September 09, 2011, 02:33:02 pm
For me a motorcycle is about pleasure riding.  My 2-wheel commuting is by bicycle as 4.2 miles is too close for all the gear and warmup to make it worth the time on the motorcycle.

The RE is a niche bike and those who really want it buy it.  RIght now it is my second bike and gets the short ride "cycle-therapy" duty of 30 to 100 miles per ride.  For that it is perfect. 
A Royal Enfield owner's cup is always half full.


barenekd

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Reply #12 on: September 09, 2011, 06:50:43 pm
I have 3200mi. on my G5,and the only warrantable problem I've had on mine is a dimmer switch that was improperly assembled at the factory, resulting in terrible lights, even when I put the 7" tri-bar on. I fixed it myself.
My engine is fairly quiet. Nothing is alarming me. It tracks well handles well, especially with the K70s. No wobbles. It's comfortable, a lot of 200 mile rides and I feel great.
I put a DEKA battery in it because I don't like standard wet batteries. I di keep the OEM one to start model airplane engines with. It idles pretty well except getting a bit fast when it's hot. the starter works when I choose to use it. I'd rather kick it.
Sidestand switch was getting intermittent, my mechanic caught it and repair it in a 1/2 hr.
I have no real complaints about it. It's been as reliable as anything else I've owned. And that's a lot of bikes. I do work on it more than I have anything else recently, but that's because I enjoy working on it.
And now I've got to go put another 100 or so on it. Later, guys.
Bare
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2011 Black Classic G5 (RIP)
I refuse to tiptoe through life only to arrive safely at death
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palace15

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Reply #13 on: September 09, 2011, 09:46:30 pm
Would people be using them as primary transport for thousands of miles if they were all that bad?

Do you take us for idiots? As we're using them?  ;)


Go for it. Or buy a Honda.

Or ask on a Honda forum!!  :D

At any point did I even suggest I was taking anybody on this forum to be an idiot?

How would I know what people on here use thier RE's for, I personally want to tour on one.

I actually own an offroad Honda so if I wanted any info on that I would go on a Honda forum.

I can't quite understand if you are trying to be a 'keyboard hero' or just trying to boost your 'post count' or maybe I have just wasted my time replying to an idiot?
You will always find that women that have lost thier virginity, still have the box it came in!

Royal Enfield, making mechanics out of owners since 1893.


REpozer

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Reply #14 on: September 09, 2011, 11:06:27 pm
 If you have to think about it,...if you have to ask.....consider a Honda Rebel.

http://powersports.honda.com/2009/rebel.aspx

2008 ( AVL) Classic Bullet in British Racing Green
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