Rusty, what are your impressions after 350 miles?
Very good impressions so far. I don't know whether the bike is good enough (in terms of build quality) to attract first time owners in the numbers that RE would like but I do enjoy the C5 riding experience. I have basic mechanical skills and spent a long time looking at the 2009 range so I knew what to expect and was happy to dust of the spanners. Owners of other brands will expect everything to be perfect from day one and it just isn't like that. Not a problem for me but it might be for a long term sales strategy.
Would I recommend a C5 to a non Enfield owner attracted to the styling? I doubt it, but to someone who doesn't mind working on a new bike, yes definitely. Worth every penny of the additional £500 over a G5 in my opinion.