[scott]

Hello Everyone,
   I am looking at a 2002 Classic 4 speed with Iron engine. Is there a big disadvantage to 4 speed vs. 5 on this bike, and is there a big disadvantage to Iron vs. aluminium? I would greatly appreciate any insights! Thank you!
Scott

[deejay]

Hello Everyone,
   I am looking at a 2002 Classic 4 speed with Iron engine. Is there a big disadvantage to 4 speed vs. 5 on this bike, and is there a big disadvantage to Iron vs. aluminium? I would greatly appreciate any insights! Thank you!
Scott

You can also get a 5-speed iron. The aluminum is a different model. I have the 5-speed iron, and I love it. Only difference between mine and the 2002 you are looking at is a big gap between 3rd and 4th gear on the 2002 as it has a different gearbox. Get an iron, they are the original and there are more mod parts for it.

[scott]

So, do you think I should get the 4 speed or look for a 5? Also, can it be converted? Thanks for your reply!
Scott

[scott]

Hello again,
   It's got 1300 mileson it and is in new condition except the owner put a loud pipe on it, which I would change. He is an avid motorcyclist and mechanic and said he was meticulous about the break-in. It runs great., but I think the price is a little high @ $4200.00, but it's negotiable. Thanks again, I really appreciate your input!
Scott

[Spitting Bull]

Scott - both the 4-speed and the 5-speed boxes have the same top gear.  The difference is that the 5-speed box has one more gear in the middle, to remove that big gap betwen 3rd and 4th on the 4-speed box that Deejay mentioned.

The iron-engined 4-speed bikes have been in production for over 50 years. They are well-proven and I wouldn't change mine.

Tom

[deejay]

Hello again,
   It's got 1300 mileson it and is in new condition except the owner put a loud pipe on it, which I would change. He is an avid motorcyclist and mechanic and said he was meticulous about the break-in. It runs great., but I think the price is a little high @ $4200.00, but it's negotiable. Thanks again, I really appreciate your input!
Scott

That is REALLY high. My father got his 2002 with 2,000 miles on it last year for $2500. I wouldn't even be able to sell my 2006 5-speed for that.

[scott]

Hi,
  Yeah, I was thinking about $2000 would be fair.
Scott

[deejay]

Hi,
  Yeah, I was thinking about $2000 would be fair.
Scott

let us know how it works out for you, good luck!

[Bankerdanny]

Scott,

you can retro fit a 5-speed to a 4. But you have to convert to right foot shift as the 5-speed box and crankcase were designed to work together. CMW sells the conversion kit, but you have to supply your own box.

I will second what others have said that it is not worth the trouble.

I will admit to coveting the 5-speed with its better gear spacing and more direct connection between shifter and box. But in day-to-day operation, the 4-speed works perfectly fine.

The 5 would be a much more attractive conversion if 5th were an overdrive for more comfortable highway cruising.

[LotusSevenMan]

A right foot, four speed is the traditional way and that's what I would go for every time given a choice.
LSM

[scott]

Thanks alot guys, that's very helpful! Yes, I was thinking that 5th was like overdrive for cruising. If that's not the case, then I won't worry about it.
Scott

[meilaushi]

Hello again,
   It's got 1300 mileson it and is in new condition except the owner put a loud pipe on it, which I would change. He is an avid motorcyclist and mechanic and said he was meticulous about the break-in. It runs great., but I think the price is a little high @ $4200.00, but it's negotiable. Thanks again, I really appreciate your input!
Scott

You might want to check the Kelley Blue Book to see what prices they list a RE of that year at.
http://www.kbb.com/kbb/Motorcycles/Default.aspx
and go to used, royal enfield, and the year (not necessarily in that order).

[charte]

Hi, I have both types of bikes.

I will say that the 5 speed was great in the heavy mountain biking we did....as some of the guys mentioned above, it's nice to hit 4th now and then, and I'd never go to 5, which means I couldn't have used 4th on the iron.  So the 3 to 4 range on the 5 speed was very nice and comfortable for steep hills (and plenty of times I used 2nd, and even 1st on hairpins with busses coming at me).

For regular riding, both are great, and I have no preference.

My only problem is every now and then I mix the two and I hit the brake instead of the shifter ;-)

[luoma]

Scott, unless you are buying the bike as a garage queen/show bike or investment, just get one set up they way you want it. If you want 4-speed, get it. If you was five geers, get it. After all, you are probably getting the bike to ride it, and you have to be happy on the road.

I got the AVL becuase the engine had the upgrades that I might have done myself. I liked the looks of the old-style delux much better. I wish they would have come out with the classic AVL series earlier. I would love to have an iron engine too, but I ride a lot and the roads in my area are not suitable for any bike that can't easily cruise at 65+.
I had to make some compramises in favor of riding. If I lived in an area more suitable to twisty back road cruising at 45-55, I would have gone with the older design.