Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum
Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: prof_stack on July 02, 2011, 10:05:54 pm
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Today I rode the new B5 at Ducati/RE Seattle. It was the first of the two they got in. I think the second will be bought by a fella in Virginia who will fly into Seattle and ride it home. That's a trip worth noting!
Anyway, I put 14 miles on it, and got a good idea of the differences between it and my C5.
- It seemed quicker off the line than the C5, this with only 14 miles on when I started. I think it has a lower front sprocket that might account for some of that. The other could be the increased back pressure from the OEM torpedo that helps produce more acceleration from lower revs. This is compared to the upswept muffler.
- The frame is stiff compared to the C5. But part of that it the rigid dual seat, unlike the solo spring seat on the C5. I could quickly tell that it would be better for higher speed traveling than my sometimes-twitchy C5.
- The handlebars are narrower, which seem correct for the frame.
- It sits higher than the C5. My 32 inch inseam was about the smallest needed to get both feet on the ground.
- I did a Jay Leno and was not able to kick-start the motor. :D
- The 5-inch headlamp sure looks wrong on the bike. I'm used to the 7-inch version.
- I stopped at home and took the pictures. When my wife saw the B5, she said it looks ugly. Maybe she meant it looked like a frumpy old Englishman.
- Dave Roosevelt, the shop owner, was surprised at the old-school gas cap. He thought the USA required all m/c to have locking caps. He was more than happy to let me test-ride it. He wasn't nit-picky about my route like other dealers.
- The tank badge really looks nice and REALLY looks cheap. I can envision a rider snagging something in the gap and bending it.
- I'm really not sure why this one costs $500 less than the G5, unless there is a discount for frumpy rear fenders. :D
All in all, I liked the bike and would likely have been as happy buying and riding it as the C5. Here are lots of photos to enjoy:
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB501.jpg)
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB502.jpg)
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB503.jpg)
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB504.jpg)
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB505.jpg)
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB506.jpg)
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB507.jpg)
This bike came from a CA warehouse, hence the cannister.
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB508.jpg)
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB509.jpg)
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB510.jpg)
Construction outside the shop has put dust over all the bikes. Yuck.
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB511.jpg)
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB512.jpg)
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB513.jpg)
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB514.jpg)
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Perhaps the reason for the non locking gas cap is the motorcycle you tested is a California Model with the charcoal canister.
It has the same gas cap and canister as my California G5.
The configuration inside the gas tanks filler neck is also identical to mine.
Perhaps the non California models will have the locking gas cap?
With gasoline at $3.00+ per gallon I wish mine did. :(
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Looks nice! My brother Kevin and I stopped in there last Saturday and saw that same bike back in the shop area. I like them quite a bit. I think the main reason it's cheaper than all the other bikes is that it uses the same chassis as the old iron barrel bikes. It is pretty much the same bike as the iron barreled 350's they've been making forever, but with the new fuel injected motor. That means all the accessories for the old bikes will probably fit. :)
I didn't realize the C5 had wider handlebars. I wonder if the B5 has the same ones as my iron barrel...
It sounds like you like the 19" wheels. I have to say, 19" wheels just look right to me!
Eamon
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I have the same frame on my "Classic AVL Bullet".I like it allot.
If I ever wear out my current RE, I will be looking at a B-5 next.
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The narrower bars is a nice idea. No doubt from India where the ability to weave through congested traffic is held in high REgard ;)
Thanks for the review.
Scott
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Yeah I love my B5. There certainly is a ton of torque off the line, and going into all five gears. I have the solo seat on mine and I love the way it rides.
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Definitely a California emissions bike. No locking gascap because the cap is special and has a one-way valve in it.
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I may be the only one that finds the tank badge to look out of place on the B5. Though I have not had the pleasure to see one in person-I find them distracting looking on a motorcycle that normally has a gas tank that is beautiful in its understated essence. The Classic RE gas tanks, along with the original Triumph Bonneville tanks, and the Sportster "peanut" tanks, at least in my opinion, are as good as it gets.
And now, after that poetic outburst, I will return to my normal blathering.
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I hate to say it but I do agree with birdmove. I dont like that tank badge, not even a little. I guess Im partial to a painted tank and the nice flowing unbroken line of the tank itself. But you know what opinions are like, dont cha. Other than that, would love the B5! Sounds like it is turning out to be the most bang for the buck. Congrats on all you guys who have landed one so far! ;D
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I may be the only one that finds the tank badge to look out of place on the B5. Though I have not had the pleasure to see one in person-I find them distracting looking on a motorcycle that normally has a gas tank that is beautiful in its understated essence. The Classic RE gas tanks, along with the original Triumph Bonneville tanks, and the Sportster "peanut" tanks, at least in my opinion, are as good as it gets.
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With apologies to those who own the B5, I liken the B5 tank badge to cheap costume jewelry. It looks nice at first, but grates after awhile.
Kind of the opposite of the frumpy rear fender, which I now like. :)
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I think you like the badge or you don't. It's a bit gaudy but has character. I agree, it's thin metal and might get damaged easily. Luckily, others bolt right up. There was another thread where someone bolted up a solid brass one. I'm sure being Enfield parts they're not too expensive.
The bike has the classic round gas cap because it's a Cali bike. There are more vents, etc. so it uses something more like a standard screw in car cap. I don't know if there's a law for locking caps, probably just something they started doing in the 70s when people were stealing each other's gas.
Hey, how did it ride compared to the C5? I rode the C5 and the G5 and I remember the C5 feeling comparatively lighter and more nimble, the G5 feeling very steady and taking a more decisive had to turn. Where does the B5 fall?
Scott
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Nice looking bike - not sure about the tank badge. I'd be very surprised if it's getting better acceleration with the stock silencer compared to an open pipe. The exact opposite is true on my G5.
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The badge is the Bollywood-touch. I bet the Indians love it! No matter if it looks cheap, it' s another thing no other bike has to offer. Unique, just like the rear fender.
I have to say that I really apprechiate RE's courage in terms of design. They're so far behind any kind of fashion it's almost modern again. ;D
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The badge is the same one fitted to the basic Indian domestic bikes for many many years. Thin enameled sheet metal.
The badge DESIGN however, is lifted straight from British Royal Enfields of the mid 1950's ... (the old school british ones were chromed solid brass) :
(http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/royal_enfield/images/Royal_Enfield_1958_Clipper_350.jpg)
(http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/royal_enfield_1955/images/Royal_Enfield_1955_Meteor_700.jpg)
1954 British built bullet :
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3878517429_c32acf17d7.jpg)
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Now that's style!
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Hey, how did it ride compared to the C5? I rode the C5 and the G5 and I remember the C5 feeling comparatively lighter and more nimble, the G5 feeling very steady and taking a more decisive hand to turn. Where does the B5 fall? Scott
The B5 is definitely closer to the G5 in ride/handling. I thought of it as a $500 discount off the G5.
The suspension was stiffer. The springy solo seat is nice plus for us C5'ers.
Styling-wise, for my old eyes the C5 is MUCH better looking. My wife agrees (although she hates when I get a new bike...).
(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/b5-c5.jpg)
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(http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k409/prof_stack/RoyalEnfieldB509.jpg)
"The World of Motorcycles" section on the Royal Enfield shows a photo of a 1953 Meteor that seems to have a very similar tank badge on it.
Although the age of "Art Deco" had pretty much ended in the 1940's, IMO this tank badge is a fine example of that style of decoration.
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I have been folowing this forum for years. When the UCE came out I was hoping for a iron barrel with the new engine, not so. Much later I saw a picture from the NY. motorcycle show of the B5. The next morning I was at the dealer an hour before he opened and ordered one. I am still in awe of the classic looks of the motorcycle.
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The reason the B5 is less than the others is because built out of NOS parts! It is the most genuine of the old style REs because it is using the old frame and such. I really don't expect it to be available very as they run out of parts for them. It was the one I wanted originally, but they weren't available when I was. Went for instant gratification and got a G5, instead.
Wasn't disappointed, though. But I wouldn't have been disappointed in the B5, either. Nice bikes.
Bare
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Thanks for the review. I agree with the sentiments about the badge. I prefer the brass or chromed ones. As for the acceleration, I'm sure it is due to the smaller front sprocket. I felt the same way going from my C5 to a G5 test ride.
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I really don't expect it to be available very as they run out of parts for them.
I think they're still making the 350 in India and it's still doing well, I think it's their top seller. So long as that's true it should stay in production and stay cheap. The more of the same frame they make, the cheaper is is to do so.
Scott
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I hope my bike doesn't hear me in the garage, but I have to admit if they had the B5 when I got mine, I would have gone for it over the G5. Mainly for the rear subframe and especially for the toolboxes/battery and airbox covers. I've really grown to not liking the little chromed ovals on the G5, hoping to one day figure out a way to fit a setup more like this on mine. Will probably be quite a hassle though...
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Learn to love the hotdog holders. Nobody else does. We don't want your bike getting upset. It makes it stand out in a crowd of sameness that is the C5.
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Is there any reason to go on producing the G5? The B5 is cheaper to produce, there could be a chrome version without much efford.
So maybe the G5 will become rare, in. a distant future when we all are pushing daysies ;D
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Is there any reason to go on producing the G5? The B5 is cheaper to produce, there could be a chrome version without much efford.
The B5, to my understanding, is built from leftover OEM parts, (350 frames, panels,etc), which is why they are cheaper. When those run out that will be the end of the B5s. They are going to be the rare ones.
Bare
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Why do they have leftover 350 parts? Are they not selling the 350 any more?
Also, part of the reason it's cheaper is it only comes in black. Don't hold your breath for the B5 Deluxe model ;)
Scott
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One of the reasons I bought a B5 right off the bat was that it was announced as a limitted edition.
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I love this machine. Looks fantastic.
I understand the sentiments towards the badge and I know that it has British roots, but it just screams INDIA to me. In a good way. I dig it.
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I will admit I am surprised at myself and really like the looks of the B5 over the C5 and G5. Add chrome fenders for a possible little bit more visibility for the auto drivers around here. Very nice. In an ideal world, a 350 cc would also be available. But in an ideal world, I'd weight 160lbs, be rich, handsome and smart. So I won't be holding my breath on the 350. But...must....pay....university....tuition X2, first!....MUST....pay....university....tuition X2, first!....MUST...PAY......
:)
Still waiting until December.
Elwood