Author Topic: Another Brit homes in on a C5 (Read 9251 times)

Rusty · **on:** April 10, 2009, 03:41:46 pm

Hello Guys first time poster here, and another Brit. It’s nice to find a RE forum which is so active and enthusiastic about these bikes.

My own circumstances are that for the past year I’ve been wondering whether a Bullet could be my only bike, I can’t justify two and currently own a T’Bird Sport. My local dealer has been really helpful and I’ve been able to test ride most of the iron engine and lean burn models. Whilst they’ve been great fun there’s always been things about them which I haven’t liked (never the engine though), practical stuff which would make it a pain to own so I’ve kept the T’Bird.

All that changed when I tried the 2009 Classic (C5?). How they’ve managed to iron out the niggles and yet retain the character of a Brit 500 single is beyond me. It’s a quite fantastic bike, everything does what it should do properly so you don’t find that you’re having to accommodate quirks. You can just sit back and really enjoy the engine which in my opinion is what the Bullet’s all about, even the exhaust note is just about right through the torpedo exhaust.

The T’Bird has a new owner and I have a large wad of cash which my RE dealer will soon have. He has the black and turquoise bikes in stock and will be getting the red one next week, I’m leaning towards the red but need to see it in the flesh before I decide.

Yes I’ll be trading down in terms of horsepower but trading up in terms of enjoyment. It's a different kind of motorcycling and I'm looking forward to riding Oxfordshire's back roads and country lanes at a more sedate pace. The T’Bird had more power than I ever needed.

If you haven’t test ridden the C5 yet you are in for a real treat.

ace.cafe · **Reply #1 on:** April 10, 2009, 04:03:08 pm

Welcome!

Please do keep us apprised of your progress toward purchase, and your impressions and enjoyment of your new bike!

Cabo Cruz · **Reply #2 on:** April 10, 2009, 04:21:23 pm

Welcome, Br. Rusty! And, yes, please keep those letters and postcards coming, as well as pictures... in particular of the red "in the flesh" under natural light conditions if at all possible!

Marrtyn · **Reply #3 on:** April 10, 2009, 04:32:46 pm

Oh how enjoyable to be wheeling round those leafy lanes of Oxfordshire.
Take care not to overdo (underdo) the running in though, I'm still in the process, and I am finding it a might tedious. Dont forget the REOC.
Welcome.

Frenchy · **Reply #4 on:** April 10, 2009, 09:21:00 pm

Let me add my welcome Rusty, and congratulations on your impending purchase. I too will be ordering soon.

r80rt · **Reply #5 on:** April 10, 2009, 10:24:24 pm

Rusty, Congratulations. I agree with you on trading up and down at the same time, I sold a '05 Bonneville to buy a C5, can't wait till it gets here. Let us know when you get it.

Frenchy · **Reply #6 on:** April 10, 2009, 11:11:51 pm

Where are you located in Arkansas, r80rt?

r80rt · **Reply #7 on:** April 10, 2009, 11:39:48 pm

I'm in north central Arkansas, near Hardy on Spring river.

Frenchy · **Reply #8 on:** April 10, 2009, 11:49:41 pm

I'm not too far away...Lake of the Ozarks. We may have to get together when I get my C5.

r80rt · **Reply #9 on:** April 11, 2009, 12:06:56 am

You bet, we both have some great roads for these bikes. Maybe one day this summer we'll find a spot to meet up.

Frenchy · **Reply #10 on:** April 11, 2009, 12:19:42 am

Works for me...I'll keep in touch.

bob bezin · **Reply #11 on:** April 11, 2009, 01:50:15 am

you guys arn't too far from the rally on the river hint hint.

r80rt · **Reply #12 on:** April 11, 2009, 01:57:50 am

Yeah, I've been thinking about that, I did order my C5 from Interstate Motorcycles.

Frenchy · **Reply #13 on:** April 11, 2009, 02:05:19 am

Quote from: r80rt on April 11, 2009, 01:57:50 am

Yeah, I've been thinking about that, I did order my C5 from Interstate Motorcycles.

That's where I'm ordering mine from. they're 45 miles from me.

Quote

you guys arn't too far from the rally on the river hint hint.

I'm planning on it!

r80rt · **Reply #14 on:** April 11, 2009, 02:16:11 am

They are about 150 miles from me, so my first ride on the C5 will be a nice one.

Frenchy · **Reply #15 on:** April 11, 2009, 02:23:42 am

Quote from: r80rt on April 11, 2009, 02:16:11 am

They are about 150 miles from me, so my first ride on the C5 will be a nice one.

Through some real pretty country, too.

r80rt · **Reply #16 on:** April 11, 2009, 02:51:24 am

Yeah, I'll take HWY 72 down to Salem then hit 19 on to the Arkansas line, last time I went through there the traffic was lite and the roads were pretty nice, I hope they still are.

r80rt · **Reply #17 on:** April 11, 2009, 01:25:23 pm

Rusty, sorry for h-ijacking your thread, please keep us informed on your C5.

UK-Classics · **Reply #18 on:** April 13, 2009, 09:09:57 am

Rusty - welcome from another Brit, I guess your local dealer must be Bruce, a very helpful & knoweldgable dealer if it is!
I've been away for a bit & was wondering if they had the blue C5 in, I'll wait till he gets the red in & compare together - I've only seen the black one up to now.
If not I'll be at the 29th Classic bike show in Stafford in a couple of weeks time - I think RE will have a stand there!
Cheers & keep us posted on the C5 progress

Rusty · **Reply #19 on:** April 13, 2009, 05:02:44 pm

Quote from: UK-Classics on April 13, 2009, 09:09:57 am

Rusty - welcome from another Brit, I guess your local dealer must be Bruce, a very helpful & knoweldgable dealer if it is!

Yes it is Bruce and he's been very patient with me. I know dealers need to accomodate potential customers but there aren't many who'd gladly let you out on anything you wanted to ride.

I spoke to him last Saturday and apparently he'll have a red bike at the end of the month, not this week

He does have the blue and black ones in stock.

r80rt · **Reply #20 on:** April 13, 2009, 05:04:29 pm

Rusty, when you get that red bike put up some pictures!

Cabo Cruz · **Reply #21 on:** April 13, 2009, 05:10:29 pm

"Rusty, when you get that red bike put up some pictures!" r80rt

Yes, please, Br. Rusty, do post some pictures of the red and green (blue) bikes and, if at all possible, under natural light... thanks!

JamesC5 · **Reply #22 on:** April 14, 2009, 07:41:05 pm

I'll third that! Looking forward to seeing a red in person.

Someone asked me for a side view:

Cabo Cruz · **Reply #23 on:** April 14, 2009, 08:09:02 pm

Br. James, that's a really puuuurty C5!!! And, you took the picture under natural light, which is the only way to tell what a color looks like out in the real world.

r80rt · **Reply #24 on:** April 14, 2009, 10:59:33 pm

James, that bike is Beautiful! The black is very nice on these bikes.