Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum
General Discussion => Campfire Talk => Topic started by: Sam Simons on December 10, 2009, 05:05:12 pm
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Has asked me about the production future of this engine(how much longer will it
be made) ,and, how different is it compared to the iron barrel regarding higher
sustained road speeds and the desirable 'thumper" sound and feel......
I'm curious about all of those points myself,but these questions are best answered
by someone that has ridden/owner both......No opinions on these points,please,
jest the facts......Anyone?
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The AVL should be in production for a couple of more years. But even if it stopped today parts would be available for seven more years due to Indian law. So no worries there.
The AVL is more robust than the Iron Barrel, but I still don't recommend it for sustained high speeds. If you are talking freeway riding the AVL will go 20 or 30 miles farther, and the engine failure probably won't be as catastrophic.
The sound and feel are the same. Even the new EFI G5/C5 sound and feel the same, albeit with a little more oomph.
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Owning both between wifey and me I'd say the AVL has it's fine points and the iron lung has it's. I believe the AVL is easier to rejet on the whole and is smoother accelerating. Change the carb on the iron to something post factory and it probably is almost even ground. Although the AVL will still be better on smooth acceleration by design.
I was slightly hesistant about her buying her Electra but it is a pleasant bike to ride. Although I would buy another low mileage iron barrel first. Will.
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Why?
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Sam, my AVL runs fine. But I ride on 1950's style roads.
If I do more then 55mph for too long, I"m going into the trees,rocks, or mail boxes.
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My roads are better but I ride like Poser cause I'm older?, yeah, but it's more fun.
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I chose the Iron barrel because it seemed to me the AVL was in intermediary motor. For the most part the AVL has been reliable, but there is an elderly guy on here, I think he calls himself Uncle Ornery, who has been through 2 sprags, and several other problems. But he seems to beat his bike, taking it down rough dirt roads etc. I am sure a properly cared for AVL would be fine.
I chose the Iron barrel because I wanted the vintage Enfield experience. If i had a choice today between the AVL and the UCE, I'd pay the small premium and get a UCE.
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I chose the AVL because I wanted the "modern" Enfield experience.
The fist sprag went out after I found out you're not supposed to ride it backwards. The second one went out because I tried to adjust my pushrods with my eyes closed.
They're real easy to kick-start, though. Most of the time.
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I guess I can't comment, because I haven't ridden or owned both.
But I think you're getting some pretty good comments.
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In response to Ernie's why on choice of AVL vs Iron Lung. The iron is slightly easier to work on..and nostalgia points. Not that an AVL engined RE is bad. Just easier to work on IMHO. Will.