Author Topic: New RE C5 Battle Green (Read 3894 times)

medioXcore · **on:** July 06, 2014, 10:21:21 pm

Hey everybody. I should be picking up my C5 on Tuesday. It's currently sitting in its crate at the dealership. I currently ride a Buell Blast, which is also a thumper. Is there anything I should know about the RE? I know it's not a powerhouse or speed demon, which is what attracted me to them. Well, that and the vintage styling. Thanks in advance!

GSS · **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2014, 11:03:32 pm

Welcome to the group! Hopefully you have a good dealer who does the setup correctly. Very basic stuff is to keep it below 50-55 mph for the first 300 miles, do an oil change and gradually creep up on the speeds until it is full broken in at about 1500 miles. Most of us do another oil change at 600 miles as well to get rid of the tiny metal flakes that you will see on the oil drain plug magnet. The stock spark plugs are not that great so an NGK BPR6ES or NGK BPR6EIX is highly recommended. Otherwise have fun.....!!!

GSS

Arizoni · **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2014, 11:03:59 pm

You probably already know, a new Royal Enfield needs to be ridden without 'pushing' it hard for the first 300 miles.
They recommend not using over 1/2 throttle or exceeding 40 mph during this phase although my dealer said 45 mph was a more realistic number and a lot less likely to get me run over by the cagers.
The first oil change at 300 miles will show a lot of metal chips so it is important to clean the two magnets, the oil pump inlet screen and to change the oil filter. (The oil filter is not available from any auto parts store. It is special and is available from NfieldGear in a 5 pack that is well worth buying. Call 800-358-0938 unless your going to have your dealer change the oil and filter for you.

medioXcore · **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2014, 11:31:45 pm

Thanks guys. I can't wait to pick her up. I live in Hawaii so it's going to take some time to get her broken in. My commute is maybe five miles each way. I may take a day trip around though. The one thing that worries me is I live on one side of the island and the dealer is on the other. In between us is a mountain. (Not a big one, but a mountain nonetheless). There's only three ways over said mountain, two highways and one interstate. Do you think she'll make it up and over without any issues?

High On Octane · **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2014, 11:37:07 pm

Congrats on the bike and welcome to the forum!

That's a tough one to decide. How steep are the grades on that mountain and what are the posted speeds? Those will be the 2 biggest factors.

Scottie J

medioXcore · **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2014, 11:44:10 pm

I'm not sure of the grades. The speed limit on the interstate is 60mph, 55mph on the two highways.

GSS · **Reply #6 on:** July 07, 2014, 03:55:17 am

It might be best to trailer it home, or take the slowest highway, keep around 50ish and stop every 10-15 miles to enjoy the scenery and give the engine a break.

retrolynn · **Reply #7 on:** July 07, 2014, 04:35:03 am

Medio: I picked up my b5 at a dealer 120 miles away,rode it 100 miles,dealer changed the oil and filter,and checked everything. I then rode it home,no more than 45mph. I had to go over a 6mile long pass,all 2 lane. No problems,and the motor was not very hot on the other side. Just dont lug it. I live in Montana,so lots of mountains!I wish you as good an experience with your new bike.

medioXcore · **Reply #8 on:** July 07, 2014, 04:38:05 am

Thanks for the kind words. Since my wife is driving me down there, I'll just have her follow me and act as a buffer of sorts. I really wish the dealer was open on Mondays!

Arctictanker · **Reply #9 on:** July 07, 2014, 09:00:17 am

Welcome and nice choice. My wife, also a rider, followed me back from the dealer. It is a handy buffer especially since some stretches on my trip had faster posted speed limits than 40-45. She actually had to change lanes behind me to give me an opening to move over. Signal was on and everything. Arizoni is correct and it took a while to break in. It can be nerve wracking but worth it.

retrolynn · **Reply #10 on:** July 07, 2014, 07:06:35 pm

Our experiences were very much the same! My wife,and knowledgeable friend followed me home,in our van,half at night. They had the flashers on after dark,and traffic was courteous.I only did this after riding the first 100 miles in the town where I got the bike. They changed the oil,and the mechanic-owner went over the bike. So far it has been a good experience,being a Fathers Day gift from my wife!

Ryan J · **Reply #11 on:** July 08, 2014, 11:37:10 am

Gratz on the new bike. I also live in Hawaii and picked up the 2012 Military Green C5 about 2 months ago. I like in Kapolei and took the Pali to Nimitz. Speed wasn't to much of an issue, had a few people passing me but i was able to keep it under 40 the whole way home.

ROVERMAN · **Reply #12 on:** July 08, 2014, 03:38:50 pm

Guys, it really isn't necessary to keep it under 40. This is not an Iron Barrel, no lugging or high revving, no more than 1/2 throttle, you are good to go.

Roverman.

High On Octane · **Reply #13 on:** July 08, 2014, 04:51:23 pm

Quote from: ROVERMAN on July 08, 2014, 03:38:50 pm

Guys, it really isn't necessary to keep it under 40. This is not an Iron Barrel, no lugging or high revving, no more than 1/2 throttle, you are good to go.
Roverman.

Have you ridden up a mountain? It's hard NOT to lug the motor, especially on anything over a 4-5% grade. On a 6% grade most 4 cylinder cars require full throttle just to maintain 55 mph.

medioXcore · **Reply #14 on:** July 08, 2014, 07:38:39 pm

Quote from: Ryan J on July 08, 2014, 11:37:10 am

Gratz on the new bike. I also live in Hawaii and picked up the 2012 Military Green C5 about 2 months ago. I like in Kapolei and took the Pali to Nimitz. Speed wasn't to much of an issue, had a few people passing me but i was able to keep it under 40 the whole way home.

Did you pick yours up at Domenicos? I was thinking taking either H3 or Likelike. I live by Kalihi, so the H3 will be the most direct route. Hell, I may just go up and around, take the scenic route. We'll see how the weather holds.

krimp · **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2014, 08:11:13 pm

Quote from: ROVERMAN on July 08, 2014, 03:38:50 pm

Guys, it really isn't necessary to keep it under 40. This is not an Iron Barrel, no lugging or high revving, no more than 1/2 throttle, you are good to go.
Roverman.

It is going to be difficult to get the C5 over a mountain without any lugging at all. That being said, if he can stretch out the shift points going up hill to 22MPH and 33MPH, he shouldn't have a problem. And no more than half throttle will get you up to those speeds easily.

medioXcore · **Reply #16 on:** July 08, 2014, 10:42:14 pm

Gaaah! Banking delays are pushing my pick up date till Thursday. Super sad face.

High On Octane · **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2014, 11:07:48 pm

Lame!

Ryan J · **Reply #18 on:** July 09, 2014, 04:22:23 am

Sorry to hear about the bank delay.

Yep, Dom's is the only place on Oahu that sells Enfields, and TC is a pretty good guy.

I would recommend not taking H3, high grade and everyone is in a hurry. The bike will be a little rough the first couple hundred miles, and u don't want to push her. I took the Pali with no issues but the Likelike is good to. Best bet is taking the 72 around the east side, weather depending. No Real big hills, Great ride.

i had my bike broken in in 3 days, a good trip around the north shore puts miles on quick, and u know what traffic is like up there on a weekend, so no need to go speeds over half throttle.

Feel free to hit me up some weekend if u want some company.

medioXcore · **Reply #19 on:** July 09, 2014, 04:34:29 am

So far TC is treating me pretty well. I may take you up on that offer. I work this weekend, but I'll hit you up.

ROVERMAN · **Reply #20 on:** July 09, 2014, 02:31:33 pm

Scotty, i have to admit, no real mountains in Michigan. I defer to those in mountainous states.
Roverman, flatlander.

High On Octane · **Reply #21 on:** July 09, 2014, 03:58:33 pm

Quote from: ROVERMAN on July 09, 2014, 02:31:33 pm

Scotty, i have to admit, no real mountains in Michigan. I defer to those in mountainous states.
Roverman, flatlander.

I lived most of my life in Wisconsin and I didn't realize how steep mountain roads are until I traveled them myself. My wife's Hyundai Accent loses speed going up I-70 and can only do about 50mph, some cars can't even do that.

Scottie J

medioXcore · **Reply #22 on:** July 10, 2014, 08:07:24 pm

I hate waiting. $:-\$

Hopefully the shop will call soon. I'm getting super antsy.

medioXcore · **Reply #23 on:** July 10, 2014, 11:14:22 pm

w00t! Got the call this morning. I'm on my way to pick her up!

Arctictanker · **Reply #24 on:** July 11, 2014, 12:29:43 am

Safe riding!

medioXcore · **Reply #25 on:** July 11, 2014, 03:07:32 am

Finally! She is mine! I picked her up at 130 this afternoon and put a few miles on her. I ended up going down south and through Honolulu. 3 people asked me about it, 4 if you count my neighbor when I had it parked and was going over a few things. I don't even know how many stares. She now has 71 miles on her, not one of those miles being over 40. Too bad I work all weekend...

azcatfan · **Reply #26 on:** July 11, 2014, 04:05:40 am

Awesome, and Congrats! Now take some pics and show your bike off, we wanna see it!

High On Octane · **Reply #27 on:** July 11, 2014, 04:10:33 am

Nice! Glad you got home without issues.

medioXcore · **Reply #28 on:** July 11, 2014, 04:10:50 am

I would have snapped a few with some scenery, but I didn't want to stop riding!

retrolynn · **Reply #29 on:** July 11, 2014, 04:51:30 am

Congratulations on the new bike! Good job getting it home. Its too hot here,to ride,so I am going for a ride before work tomorrow at 5am!

medioXcore · **Reply #30 on:** July 11, 2014, 05:11:14 am

Quote from: retrolynn on July 11, 2014, 04:51:30 am

Congratulations on the new bike! Good job getting it home. Its too hot here,to ride,so I am going for a ride before work tomorrow at 5am!

Oh man! It was pretty hot here, too. Especially in town! Because I'm in the army, I have to wear as much protection as possible, and I was baking!

krimp · **Reply #31 on:** July 11, 2014, 03:22:04 pm

Quote from: medioXcore on July 11, 2014, 05:11:14 am

Oh man! It was pretty hot here, too. Especially in town! Because I'm in the army, I have to wear as much protection as possible, and I was baking!

You certainly picked the right color then. Congratulations. No go buy some Loctite and put it on the tool box, battery and air filter locks.

Arctictanker · **Reply #32 on:** July 12, 2014, 08:37:19 am

I was a tanker for 13 years and started riding after I got out. Anyway...if the humidity is not high I recommend a cooling vest. I use this one:

http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/Biker/Base-Layers/Tops/brand/BILT/Cooling-Vest/p/29038_60744_2

Other than that get a mesh textile jacket, together I can ride comfortably in the mid 80's. You need the textile jacket to help with the evaporation. I ride ATGATT. Safe riding!

Guaire · **Reply #33 on:** July 14, 2014, 01:15:30 am

That's a great looking Bullet, media!

medioXcore · **Reply #34 on:** July 14, 2014, 07:39:41 am

Quote from: Guaire on July 14, 2014, 01:15:30 am

That's a great looking Bullet, media!

Thanks! I'm pretty fond of her myself.