Author Topic: Things my enfield has tought me. (Read 5568 times)

catastrophe · **on:** July 04, 2010, 04:29:06 pm

1. It makes noises and I shouldn't worry about it.
2. People like it more than Harleys
3. Everyone thinks it old.
4. I have to tell a long story why its not a kit or replica.
5. People will point and honk not because parts are falling off but, because it cool.
6 Its a guy magnet not a chick magnet.
7. It takes a lot longer to wash and wax than it looks.
8. People will touch it.
9. Add an extra 5 - 10 min for talking
10. No matter whats going on riding my Enfield make me feel good.

Ice · **Reply #1 on:** July 04, 2010, 04:38:39 pm

11 A new appreciation for the road less traveled

j byrd · **Reply #2 on:** July 04, 2010, 04:47:21 pm

Yep, it is amazing how folks are fascinated by these things. What is more amazing is that there is almost no one that has heard of the brand. Guess that tells how old I am, but seems like bikers would at least read or look at pictures about all things cycle related. 10 minutes usually won't do it for me, but it is enjoyable to watch them and listen to the different comments/questions. Sometimes I am approached as " the guy with that old restored bike?" Mine is an 05 Classic. FUN is an Enfield. JB

r80rt · **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2010, 04:50:26 pm

It's a time machine, it takes me back to a better day.

2bikebill · **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2010, 05:21:09 pm

Full agreement with 1 -11 above. But over here, everyone has heard of Royal Enfield - and it seems pretty much everyone over a certain age used to have one! R.E. is embedded in the culture, the bike for everyman.
And if I park up in town, any town, ten minutes isn't anything like enough time to allow for chatting to nostalgic enthusiasts. A bloke in his seventies, still riding, but Japanese bikes, asked if he could sit on the G5 to try it for size. He went off misty eyed with the dealership phone number in his pocket.
Happy to help. One more of us and one less of them.

GreenForce82 · **Reply #5 on:** July 04, 2010, 05:42:42 pm

#462... When it does attract an attractive single woman... MARRY HER!!! She is a rarity and something to treasure as much as the bike!

1Blackwolf1 · **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2010, 09:50:33 pm

I recently sold my '81 Silverwing to make room in the garage. Everyone that came to look at it noticed the military in the garage. Had three guys offer to buy my trailer on the spot. 1 guy tried buying the whole rig. One lady in her 30's decided against the Honda after hearing the Enfield run and called the dealer looking for one.

Honda sold to the 6th guy who came to look at it. And all he could do was eye the Enfield up and down. Great conversation pieces they are.

ace.cafe · **Reply #7 on:** July 05, 2010, 01:51:32 am

I'm convinced that the Bullet is one of the nicest bikes out there.
One of the most beautiful bikes ever, IMO.
And also is so versatile to be able to do so many different things, and you can customize it to all different styles.
It's a dream bike.

Bullet.wagon · **Reply #8 on:** July 05, 2010, 02:53:51 am

The Bullet is a true magnet,I've actually had people follow me home to ask questions.I even double backed once and they still caught me!

scoTTy · **Reply #9 on:** July 05, 2010, 04:40:24 am

helps me forget

Slider · **Reply #10 on:** July 05, 2010, 09:04:03 am

12. People will take pictures of it in the Burger King parking lot.
13. You will be asked at least once a day if you restored it yourself.
14. When someone asks who makes it and you tell them it's a Royal Enfield, they will reply "But who makes it?"
15. People will ignore the 'Royal Enfield' in big gold letters on the tank and ask you if it's a Triumph or Norton.

single · **Reply #11 on:** July 06, 2010, 04:43:36 am

Some more patience,I guess.I look at it a lot.Question time is ok.

clamp · **Reply #12 on:** July 06, 2010, 09:35:13 am

Things my Enfield has tought me?

   Well lets see.

   Dont buy Indian
   Indian engineering is way crappier that you could have possibly Imagined.
   Indian bulbs are funny like no one has ever seen before.
   Indian bulbs last about as long as a candle.
   Royal Enfield means nothing to no one but me.
   No one will buy it or even steal it.
   Old is cute only not necessarily good,
   Not the fastest bike from the lights by any means.
   How to change clutch cables and keep a spare parts inventory.
   Dont ride with other bikes they will go over 80KMH
Why the British motorcycle industry failed.
Why people would prefer a Honda

The Garbone · **Reply #13 on:** July 06, 2010, 02:05:39 pm

Your wife will eventually stop being surprised that she has to come get you with the truck, just like this morning...

PhilJ · **Reply #14 on:** July 06, 2010, 02:39:25 pm

Quote from: The Garbone on July 06, 2010, 02:05:39 pm

Your wife will eventually stop being surprised that she has to come get you with the truck, just like this morning...

And the story ended there?

2bikebill · **Reply #15 on:** July 06, 2010, 07:06:43 pm

"" Dont buy Indian
   Indian engineering is way crappier that you could have possibly Imagined.
   Indian bulbs are funny like no one has ever seen before.
   Indian bulbs last about as long as a candle.
   Royal Enfield means nothing to no one but me.
   No one will buy it or even steal it.
   Old is cute only not necessarily good,
   Not the fastest bike from the lights by any means.
   How to change clutch cables and keep a spare parts inventory.
   Dont ride with other bikes they will go over 80KMH
   Why the British motorcycle industry failed.
   Why people would prefer a Honda""

So you've not tried the UCE bike then?

billy2sheds · **Reply #16 on:** July 06, 2010, 07:59:37 pm

Quote from: WillW on July 06, 2010, 07:06:43 pm

"" Dont buy Indian
   Indian engineering is way crappier that you could have possibly Imagined.
   Indian bulbs are funny like no one has ever seen before.
   Indian bulbs last about as long as a candle.
   Royal Enfield means nothing to no one but me.
   No one will buy it or even steal it.
   Old is cute only not necessarily good,
   Not the fastest bike from the lights by any means.
   How to change clutch cables and keep a spare parts inventory.
   Dont ride with other bikes they will go over 80KMH
   Why the British motorcycle industry failed.
   Why people would prefer a Honda""

So you've not tried the UCE bike then?

RBHoge · **Reply #17 on:** July 07, 2010, 07:06:25 am

Quote from: clamp on July 06, 2010, 09:35:13 am

Things my Enfield has tought me?

   Well lets see.

   Dont buy Indian
   Indian engineering is way crappier that you could have possibly Imagined.
   Indian bulbs are funny like no one has ever seen before.
   Indian bulbs last about as long as a candle.
   Royal Enfield means nothing to no one but me.
   No one will buy it or even steal it.
   Old is cute only not necessarily good,
   Not the fastest bike from the lights by any means.
   How to change clutch cables and keep a spare parts inventory.
   Dont ride with other bikes they will go over 80KMH
Why the British motorcycle industry failed.
Why people would prefer a Honda

   Clamp,

Why do you bother trolling our forum? You seem to have a problem with America, Americans, and our love for this antiquated British design. You also seem to have some difficulty with the English Language.

trees · **Reply #18 on:** July 07, 2010, 05:42:34 pm

Patience.

singhg5 · **Reply #19 on:** July 07, 2010, 11:56:46 pm

Quote from: Slider on July 05, 2010, 09:04:03 am

12. People will take pictures of it in the Burger King parking lot.
13. You will be asked at least once a day if you restored it yourself.
14. When someone asks who makes it and you tell them it's a Royal Enfield, they will reply "But who makes it?"
15. People will ignore the 'Royal Enfield' in big gold letters on the tank and ask you if it's a Triumph or Norton.

Slider:

I loved what you wrote. It makes me laugh when I remember how people ignore and ask you AGAIN "who makes it ?" and you told them "Royal Enfield". Your #14 and #15.

One day I was at a bank and the bank manager saw that I was on a motorcycle. He came over to find out what I rode. Told him "Royal Enfield". There is blank on his face mixed with curiosity and he asks again "What ?" I showed him the ignition key, that has Royal Enfield imprinted on it. He looks carefully and then keeps talking with me until someone shows up to meet him. He would have continued his conversation otherwise.

Then there was the guy on Bonneville at a traffic light......, a group of friends sitting outside a cafe .... a BMW rider in a parking lot of hardware store..... OH ! here is a rare one - a lady loading her groceries in her SUV.... She wanted to know how can I fit my grocery bags on my RE ? She waits, watches, smiles and admires how Little gas RE uses

clamp · **Reply #20 on:** July 08, 2010, 10:16:19 am

Come on bill liten up a bit, Lts ave a laff and wots up with my Eenglish anyway.

You cant look for the worst in people all your life . You cant see my insurance or my license, and my tyres are legal (English Tyre).

So its my English you are having a go at and my eyes are too close together? Its Ok Im not a dodgey duck and dive geyser, straight an narrow, honest as the day is long mate.

We don't need Dr Freud here,-- this is all too easy.

Tell us about your policeman days again, did you have an Indian with the throttle on the left so you could shoot at stuff with your right?

single · **Reply #21 on:** July 08, 2010, 04:11:32 pm

Yeah,Clamp,whatever.Just don't go away.

RBHoge · **Reply #22 on:** July 08, 2010, 09:11:18 pm

Quote from: clamp on July 08, 2010, 10:16:19 am

Tell us about your policeman days again, did you have an Indian with the throttle on the left so you could shoot at stuff with your right?

No, We were issued Honda 750's with Wixom Ranger fairings, and Harley Davidson Saddlebags. The fairings were great for wind and weather protection. The Harley bags never fit right and rattled constantly. The only "Indian" part on my bike was an ancient "Growler" siren which was powered off the rear wheel. Thank God it finally fell off and was replaced by an electronic "Yelper" which would not work unless the battery had been fully charged, and/or the lights and radio were turned off. I never really liked the 750, it felt very top heavy, not balanced well at all.

Anyway, we were trained to shoot well with either the right or left hand.

B.T.W. I love England, and the English language. (I went to school at the University of London, Birkbeck College.)