Author Topic: G5, staying or going?  (Read 6742 times)

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Ducati Scotty

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on: April 29, 2013, 11:29:15 pm
I've seen it mentioned and rementioned a few times lately that the G5 is going away.  I've heard nothing about this outside the recent mentions in this forum.  Is there any evidence for this?  Links please if you have them.

Thanks,
Scott


Jack Leis

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Reply #1 on: April 29, 2013, 11:52:12 pm
All I know about it is what Bare told me. Ron Greene told Bare at a recent bike event that they were discontinuing them.
I would much rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow    Jack


Joel-in-dallas

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Reply #2 on: April 30, 2013, 12:18:21 am
The US website and the Royal Enfield worldwide site from India don't mention it.
But consolidating the number of Frames and models would make a bit of sense. Not have the Bullet in a G series and a C series.

I hope they keep the G5 a few more years, but I am not worried either way. I fell confident there will be spare parts and such for my bike for many years to come.


Jack Leis

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Reply #3 on: April 30, 2013, 12:22:07 am
There will be spare parts. It's the long wait for them thats the problem.
I would much rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow    Jack


ace.cafe

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Reply #4 on: April 30, 2013, 12:45:32 am
I haven't heard anything about it, either way.
However, the G5 frame and body has a lot in common with the AVL Electra-X.

Engine stuff should cross reference to the B5 parts list.



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Arizoni

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Reply #5 on: April 30, 2013, 12:50:21 am
About an hour before this topic was made I sent a PM to Kevin asking him the same question.
It will be interesting to see what he has to say about it.
Jim
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jartist

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Reply #6 on: April 30, 2013, 01:07:37 am
B5 and G5 have very similar set ups in the frame as far as I can tell except for a few different welded on tabs for seat, subframe and side boxes.  The electra was an attempt to modernize the AVL frame and since bullets aren't sold according to their modernity it makes since to drop the G5 being that it's essentially a uce electra.  I always thought it was silly for RE to make the squared off engine side covers when it's otherwise the same engine as the B5 and C5.


Ducati Scotty

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Reply #7 on: April 30, 2013, 01:11:16 am
They're only building 5 bikes: C5, B5, G5, Machismo, Cafe.  While the B5 and G5 are very similar in many ways they also have their differences.  Enfield has had so many subtly different models over the years I wouldn't expect them to drop one BUT perhaps the new leadership is taking that tack as part of the company's new direction.  Also, maybe CMW isn't going to import them any more but they'll still be available in India.  I'll be curious to see what Kevin says. 

Scott


singhg5

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Reply #8 on: April 30, 2013, 04:17:07 am
B5 and G5 are quite different.  G5 is better looking  ;)

As Ace.cafe has mentioned G5 is closest to AVL Electra X in every aspect except cosmetic differences of gas tank.

B5 front forks completely different from G5 - upside down.

Indian website shows G5 (it is called Bullet Electra EFI in India), except for very minor differences to its export version such as smaller headlight and front fender, but it is the same frame.

http://royalenfield.com/motorcycles/bullet-electra-efi#!technical-specification
 
« Last Edit: April 30, 2013, 04:59:26 am by singhg5 »
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barenekd

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Reply #9 on: April 30, 2013, 06:33:35 pm
Have any of you seen a G5 on a shop floor lately? They're real rare to nonexistent around here!
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #10 on: April 30, 2013, 06:59:48 pm
But does that mean RE is not making them or CMW is not importing them?

Scott


Joel-in-dallas

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Reply #11 on: April 30, 2013, 07:43:42 pm
Its interesting. The new plant that just opened RE states that it will produce the full range of Royal Enfield Motorcycles. But it didn't go into more detail about what that means.

I guess we will have to wait. I certainly hope the G5 aka Bullet Electra EFI continues for at least a few more years. But I could see how they might want to simplify down to the Thunderbird, Classic and Continental GT. Who knows maybe one day they will have a bigger engine. I suspect a 750-1000cc engine from RE on their classic frame would see in foreign markets. Especially if they get a confortable cruising speed of 85mph.


Arizoni

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Reply #12 on: April 30, 2013, 08:34:32 pm
Kevin's answer to my question about the G5 is, "It is hard to know what is going to happen and when. For example the factory recently agreed to manufacture some new G5's for us." so it seems the G5 isn't gone.

He did not give any indication of the number that will be imported so we will just have to wait and see.

Jim
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #13 on: April 30, 2013, 08:45:53 pm
If they offered the B5 in different colors I could see dropping the G5, vet close at that point.  Aesthetically it's just fender and fork differences.  Also the G5 is the most modern looking with unstayed fenders.  Maybe they want the Cafe to be the modern Bullet now.

Scott


barenekd

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Reply #14 on: April 30, 2013, 09:08:09 pm
The 750 vertical twin is still in the pipeline.
Bare
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