I have lost two pending posts last night and this morning, so now that I am done cursing, I will change my tactics and update my post a piece at a time. Please excuse this large post, but I will cover a number of important topics.
First, Chasfield, Hondas and Harleys represent significantly different market segments. Honda offers an extremely well-engineered, but docile product that is quickly duplicated by many other manufacturers, effectively melding its bikes into mediocrity. Harley-Davidson, on the other hand, has strived for decades now to market it's bikes in a manner to appeal to the individuality of its customers, while also maintaining a "rogue" appeal. Excellent tactic, but expensive (I speak from experience).
With that said, I appreciate the responses to my earlier post on the comparative value of Royal Enfields.
Ace, you own a sharp RE (but I'm too old for the low bars, though). You also present a strong argument. Regarding cost, I was wrong in my earlier claims. I just surfed the D&D Cycle website and learned that the cheapest Bonneville (Black) is $7299, while the America (my choice) is $7999. That makes an RE more of a value, pricewise. With respect to performance, I am confident that a UCE will meet those requirements. I have no intention of riding cross-country (among the strengths of my big Harley-Davidson). My riding is mostly around town, with some day-trips mixed in. My primary concern with an RE is overheating if I were to burn a tank of gas (or more) in one trip on a hot summer day (once a limitation of HD Sportsters). Also, the front disc brake is a notable upgrade, as I have read (in one report) of the inadequacy of RE drum brakes.
Regarding economy, I will use Luoma's research into the gas mileage of a Bonneville as a basis for further explanation. My Harley-Davidson, with a 96 cubic-inch V-twin delivers only 40-45mpg, and apparently, a Triumph is not signficantly better, if not worse--another strong point for RE. You just cannot beat 70 mpg.
But the most important factor to me, as to all of us, is the personality, or the sound and feel of the bike. Yesterday I rode across southern Alabama with a girlfriend (she bought my Sportster). When we ride together she rides in the left half of the lane, and I ride in the right, often just behind her so I can absorb the staccato rumble of her exhaust (she serves me well). It is a similar sound and feeling that I hope to expect from a Royal Enfield. If I could acquire that, I would willingly sacrifice the over-abundance of torque provided by a Harley-Davidson, or the smoothness and speed (not particularly attractive characteristics to me) associated with a Triumph America. I normally think that anything over 50mph is only fighting the wind, although as I ride behind a windshield, my Harley-Davidson lopes along perfectly in overdrive at 60mph.
Mike, I recently visited D&D Cycle shopping for a new RE bike. In order to speed the transaction, I offered the multiple salesmen on the scene the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to accept my 2007 HD Street Bob in trade, but they only laughed. Why is that?
Luoma, I understand your skepticism of "smooth, over-engineered" motorcycles, which is one of the reasons I now ride the beast I do. But I would welcome the opportunity to step down to a smaller, more nimble, and less expensive ride that would offer me a similar personality at less cost. In fact, if we can set it up, I would like to get together so we can ride together and I can inspect your ride (note above analysis technique). If we can set something up somewhere in Pensacola, just let me know at Richard_Kemp@military.com. Cheers.