Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet Electra & AVL => Topic started by: PaulF on March 14, 2008, 12:46:09 pm

Title: Greetings All
Post by: PaulF on March 14, 2008, 12:46:09 pm
I hope this is the right forum for this as I am seriously close to purchasing a new AVL Deluxe.

A little background. I grew up around motorcycles as a hobby. My older brothers and their friends were British enthusiasts with an array of Nortons, Triumphs and BSAs. I had the usual assortment of Asian hardware over the years and I just parted with a Moto Guzzi, but never owned a bike of British heritage though I have always thought the Brits were the most beautiful things on two wheels.

Now, I am giving serious looks at the AVL Bullet. Now with electronic ignition :), and what I am assuming is an aluminum head, (I'll be seeing/riding at the dealer next week), that eliminates a few issues, but I seem to read either glowing reviews or horrifying nightmares regarding maintenance.

My question thus, is what has everyone's experience been with maintenance? How frequently? What issues/what issues recurring? How was your break-in period? How happy in general are you?

I am well aware of British idiosyncracies and I enjoy doing routine maintenance - just not every day. I'm getting to old for that :(

Thanks All!!
Title: Re: Greetings All
Post by: deejay on March 14, 2008, 02:07:15 pm
Now, I am giving serious looks at the AVL Bullet. Now with electronic ignition :), and what I am assuming is an aluminum head, (I'll be seeing/riding at the dealer next week), that eliminates a few issues, but I seem to read either glowing reviews or horrifying nightmares regarding maintenance.

The horrifying stories are most likely about the classic engines (iron barrel), not the AVL. I have the classic and enjoy the maintenance, which isn't bad, just routine and not everyday. The AVL is less maintenance heavy. Or so I've heard.
Title: Re: Greetings All
Post by: HRAB on March 14, 2008, 07:26:05 pm
The AVL Classic bike is well done by the factory. They have managed to put the AVL engine into the classic bike without loosing any of the visual personality. The more robust AVL engine will better serve the US market with our higher speeds than Europe and India.

The cylinder barrel and tappet covers have been painted black so for the average observer it looks the same as the Iron Engine Classic. The turn signals are improved. They are "bullet" shaped chrome and slightly smaller than the ones we have been seeing the past few years.

In all, a very well done change to the newer engine.
jim
Title: Re: Greetings All
Post by: Thumper on March 14, 2008, 10:50:05 pm
I hope this is the right forum for this as I am seriously close to purchasing a new AVL Deluxe.

A little background. I grew up around motorcycles as a hobby. My older brothers and their friends were British enthusiasts with an array of Nortons, Triumphs and BSAs. I had the usual assortment of Asian hardware over the years and I just parted with a Moto Guzzi, but never owned a bike of British heritage though I have always thought the Brits were the most beautiful things on two wheels.

Now, I am giving serious looks at the AVL Bullet. Now with electronic ignition :), and what I am assuming is an aluminum head, (I'll be seeing/riding at the dealer next week), that eliminates a few issues, but I seem to read either glowing reviews or horrifying nightmares regarding maintenance.

My question thus, is what has everyone's experience been with maintenance? How frequently? What issues/what issues recurring? How was your break-in period? How happy in general are you?

I am well aware of British idiosyncracies and I enjoy doing routine maintenance - just not every day. I'm getting to old for that :(

Thanks All!!

Paul,

Welcome aboard!

What about the new MG V7 Classic? That's my next bike if I can scheme it into reality.

The AVL LB engine is great. Put it in a classic frame and body panels and it's exactly what I'd have gotten if it were available last year. Classic looks with a stronger engine.

I cannot say enough good things about the AVL engine (as compared to the Classic engine). It's stronger, more modern and more reliable.

You will do more frequent maintenance with any RE. Like a Ural, maintenance is around every 3000kms. What's that, about every 1864 miles? But as long as you do it consistently, it really is *routine* maintenance. And no points to fiddle with!

As with most modern bikes, these things are fairly strangled in stock form - and I *assume* the new ones are as well. But even in stock form, they have enough power for their purpose. They are just rendered a little sedate...a little pedestrian...a little sophomoric...

Throw on a performance kit (carb or carb tune, exhaust header and muffler) and the roar of the thumper really comes out. Thumper personality.

My maintenance is a little bit of overkill, but you can review what I do on my Electra X following the link in my signature.

Keep us posted on what you decide.

Matt
Title: Re: Greetings All
Post by: PaulF on March 15, 2008, 12:44:07 pm
Thanks Matt. I didn't have a V7, I had a LeMans CX100 which is a de-tuned LeMans with an SP1000 motor. Believe me, I don't think I could own a bike that needed more maintenance than my MG. Fantastic, indestructable motor with really lousy electrics. A mix of Weber-Marelli, Lucas. I love the concept of the Guzzis and today's are vastly improved over my 1979 model. But, she was top-heavy as MG used the same frame for their sport bikes as for the tourers at the time. She handled lousy and she was exhausting to ride. You can imagine what skinny cafe' bars and tires do to the handling of what is esentially, a heavy tourer. Nevertheless, I had her for 15 years. Some say "Never had one break" and others say " Never had one run right". Not my intention to put you off MG at all, just conveying my experience. If you don't mind the maintenance, then no problem, and the V7 is not a cafe' setup, so much better ergonomics.

As I said, I'm at the point where speed is not a factor and I have looked at RE for a long time. I want to get one now before the unitized motors take over and they don't appeal to me at all. I think they look like any universal Japanese twin from the 60's, (minus a cylinder),  and that dissapoints me. Never had a Brit, (no matter where it's built), and really looking forward to it. I should have my new Deluxe in black, home in about two weeks!

Cheers!
Title: Re: Greetings All
Post by: greenie on March 24, 2008, 01:59:39 am
am enjoying an '06 electra. up to 985 miles and look forward to every ride. did breakin by the book, no regret.  did same thing with '95 ural tourist and both bikes run fine. hope you like your new re. paul
Title: Re: Greetings All
Post by: PaulF on March 24, 2008, 12:26:40 pm
am enjoying an '06 electra. up to 985 miles and look forward to every ride. did breakin by the book, no regret.  did same thing with '95 ural tourist and both bikes run fine. hope you like your new re. paul

What was the break-in regimen for the AVL motor on your Electra?
Thanks!