Author Topic: Road trip from Alabama to Orlando - Epic road trip  (Read 4754 times)

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The Garbone

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Was tinking about buying a Bullet 500 on ebay up in Alabama.   

I know its a bad idea to buy a bike and ride it 500 miles home but what the heck, you only live once.   

The question since I have never drove a RE would it be doable to ride this with someone (the wife) on the back of the bike?

Thanks in advance,  Gary
Gary
57' RE Crusader 250
67' Ford Mustang
74' Catalina 27 "Knot a Clew"
95 RE Ace Clubman 535
01 HD 1200 Custom
07 RE 5spd HaCK

* all actions described in this post are fictional *


Leonard

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Reply #1 on: July 08, 2008, 01:44:17 pm
Since you wouldn't know for sure what you are getting into with an ebay bike I'd drive up there in my pickup with my wife and have her follow me home............just in case.
But to answer your question, heck yes it's doable.
2009 Triumph Bonneville T100
2004 Royal Enfield Sixty-5 (RIP)
2001 Kawasaki W650 (going, going...gone)
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Bankerdanny

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Reply #2 on: July 08, 2008, 08:17:47 pm
Plan your route carefully so that you can avoid highways.

Enfields prefer 50-60 mph with one person on them, two won't make it any faster. I'm sure it's doable, but I second Leonard that with a blind purchase you don't know what you're getting. Having the wife in the support vehicles with some tools just in case woujld make sense.
Endeavor To Persevere

Current: '75 Honda CB550F, '76 Honda CB750F. Previous:  2007 Yamaha Vino 125, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000 Goldwing, '77 Honda CB550K, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500ES, '68 Suzuki K11, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175


The Garbone

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Reply #3 on: July 09, 2008, 02:10:57 am
Well, I have found a dealer hear in central FL so I probably will be buying one from him after a test drive.    Going to give up the Ebay thing, it was an adventure to contemplate while it lasted.
Gary
57' RE Crusader 250
67' Ford Mustang
74' Catalina 27 "Knot a Clew"
95 RE Ace Clubman 535
01 HD 1200 Custom
07 RE 5spd HaCK

* all actions described in this post are fictional *


Bankerdanny

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Reply #4 on: July 09, 2008, 05:10:56 pm
I think that buying from Ebay can be fine.

But planning a long ride back on an unfamilar bike, especially one like an Enfield, which, while perfectly capable of long range travel, is not necessarily that well suited to it, is a gamble. Especially given the small dealer network.

When you buy a YamaHondaKawaSuki and it breaks down on the trip home, the chances are excellent that there is a dealer nearby. If you buy an Enfield, the chances are very good that the nearest dealer could be 100 miles away.

You are probably doing the right thing in buying from a local dealer where you can test ride first.
Endeavor To Persevere

Current: '75 Honda CB550F, '76 Honda CB750F. Previous:  2007 Yamaha Vino 125, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000 Goldwing, '77 Honda CB550K, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500ES, '68 Suzuki K11, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175


Leonard

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Reply #5 on: July 09, 2008, 08:01:21 pm
Maybe going off topic here, but while chatting with Tait from CMW at the REunion he told me that they were able to drop ship to any address.  So if you are on the road and break down they can ship a part to where ever you happen to be holed up.  If you get your order called by 2pm it will go out that day.
You don't suppose he was worried about me making it back to Kansas do you?

But planning a long ride back on an unfamilar bike, especially one like an Enfield, which, while perfectly capable of long range travel, is not necessarily that well suited to it, is a gamble. Especially given the small dealer network.
2009 Triumph Bonneville T100
2004 Royal Enfield Sixty-5 (RIP)
2001 Kawasaki W650 (going, going...gone)
http://www.romeoriders.com


Bankerdanny

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Reply #6 on: July 09, 2008, 08:17:13 pm
Leonard, you are certainly living proof that Enfield's can tour quite nicely. But you have the advantage of knowing your bike well.

I have my own ~400 mile trip coming up Saturday, so I will soon find out for myself how well it works.
Endeavor To Persevere

Current: '75 Honda CB550F, '76 Honda CB750F. Previous:  2007 Yamaha Vino 125, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000 Goldwing, '77 Honda CB550K, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500ES, '68 Suzuki K11, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175


Leonard

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Reply #7 on: July 09, 2008, 09:28:06 pm
I'm sure you and the bike will do just fine.  I forward to a trip report.
2009 Triumph Bonneville T100
2004 Royal Enfield Sixty-5 (RIP)
2001 Kawasaki W650 (going, going...gone)
http://www.romeoriders.com


Bankerdanny

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Reply #8 on: July 09, 2008, 10:20:49 pm
I will be going to DuBuque and back from Chicago. As you know from you're trip to the REUnion that part of Iowa along the river is very beautiful.

I definitely plan to leave early, give myself plenty of time and bring my camera.
Endeavor To Persevere

Current: '75 Honda CB550F, '76 Honda CB750F. Previous:  2007 Yamaha Vino 125, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000 Goldwing, '77 Honda CB550K, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500ES, '68 Suzuki K11, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175