Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: GeorgeE on February 09, 2010, 02:52:35 pm

Title: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: GeorgeE on February 09, 2010, 02:52:35 pm
Sweet new bike. Unfortunately 2 years away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQy05Tr_cTg
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1Blackwolf1 on February 09, 2010, 03:40:27 pm
  That's a neat cafe racer..would be a big seller I believe for the company.  Thanks Goerge for the article.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: ScooterBob on February 09, 2010, 04:19:00 pm
Boy - THAT sure was a jumping off point for the swirling vortex of YouTube video hades .... Hahaha!! I got sucked in for about 40 minutes just watching video's of Classic 500 promotion in India ..... wow
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: UncleErnie on February 09, 2010, 08:35:42 pm
I wish some one would have shoved a chair under the cameraman.
Still- looks like I may need to start saving some money. 
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: JamesC5 on February 09, 2010, 10:56:55 pm
I was trying to figure out if the Cafe was the "more faster" engine they were talking about. It looked like the 500 UCE.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: ScooterBob on February 10, 2010, 05:04:00 pm
From what I've been led to believe, the Cafe bike was strictly a "mock up" to tease the general public with. There are rumours of a 600cc UCE out there - but again - it may just be "Bravo Sierra" from the Factory. They have their hands FULL right about now just keeping up with the orders that they have ...... CMW will likely have developed a Cafe Kit for the C5 before the India one gets off the ground - keep in touch with your good dealer for that one!  ;)
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: REA Member 131 on February 12, 2010, 02:31:20 am
Be still my beating heart!  :o

That is the coolest thing since the invention of sex.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: csbdr on February 12, 2010, 07:34:54 pm
that is B-U-tiffle!!  Man.....
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1 Thump on February 13, 2010, 12:19:43 am
What is also important is the price point. As such the new RE's are overpriced. After all it is a 500 cc engine with limited performance abilities. The quality of construction is also always a question.

CMW and this forum has done an outstanding job, but the fact is, if you are stranded in a town, not every mechanic is going to be willing or able to put their hands on an RE.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: clubman on February 13, 2010, 10:36:11 am
What is also important is the price point. As such the new RE's are overpriced. After all it is a 500 cc engine with limited performance abilities. The quality of construction is also always a question.

CMW and this forum has done an outstanding job, but the fact is, if you are stranded in a town, not every mechanic is going to be willing or able to put their hands on an RE.

Enfield's are no longer cheap, that's for sure. However, as a bike to keep long term it's running costs should be very low. (Yes, I'm assuming long term reliability which is not really proven at this point.) Fuel consumption, tyre wear, service costs, spares prices - all much better than average. The build quality could be better; one winters salt and no cleaning would leave it's mark but that could be said for quite a few other bikes.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: ace.cafe on February 13, 2010, 01:22:37 pm
I personally don't think that "cheap bike" is a good reputation for a company to have.

The sooner they can dump the "cheap bike" designation, the better.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1 Thump on February 13, 2010, 02:04:21 pm
I personally don't think that "cheap bike" is a good reputation for a company to have.

The sooner they can dump the "cheap bike" designation, the better.

Yes I'd go with the reliable bike, which also has value for money.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1Blackwolf1 on February 13, 2010, 02:56:35 pm
  And you can't really buy a bike like the Enfield for the money.  Unless Triumph is willing to reproduce the 500 Thunderbird.  Or you want a cookie cutter from the Japanese companies.  Don't get me wrong I have four of those in the stable but for the money the Enfields are a very good value with some character.

  Sure they need TLC, but that's part of the bike.

  Will.

Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1 Thump on February 13, 2010, 03:53:39 pm
I would disagree. A brand new Yamaha V star 950 cc on sale for 7000.00, is just a tad more than the UCE.  A lot more power, reliability and good styling. Sure they dont look retro.

 Besides, the UCE is available for almost half the price in India, which makes it overpriced, under reliable , but good looking bike.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: r80rt on February 13, 2010, 07:06:11 pm
I sold a Yamaha V Star and a Triumph Bonneville. I ride a C5 and it's just as reliable as either of those two. The RE gives me much more than the other bikes did, it's not all about power and speed.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1 Thump on February 13, 2010, 07:11:56 pm
So its not power , speed or reliability (Japanese bikes/cars have a history of significantly more reliability, This Toyota thing is an exception). So what exactly is it, other than off course it is a rare, retro looking bike, which does require some handy skills.   
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: clubman on February 13, 2010, 07:16:48 pm
I would disagree. A brand new Yamaha V star 950 cc on sale for 7000.00, is just a tad more than the UCE.  A lot more power, reliability and good styling. Sure they dont look retro.

 Besides, the UCE is available for almost half the price in India, which makes it overpriced, under reliable , but good looking bike.

Why do think they are unreliable? The UCE I mean? This forum hasn't shown up anything other than loose electrical connections to my knowledge and I'm here a lot. No major issues at all with this bike to date. OK, I said myself build quality could be better but with TLC it will hold its finish. As 1Blackwolf1 said, that's part of the experience.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: r80rt on February 13, 2010, 07:25:35 pm
My bike is utterly reliable, and if I need to explain the riding experience you'll never understand.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1 Thump on February 13, 2010, 07:27:16 pm
1. The enfields have a history of being unreliable. The UCE has not stood the test of time, yet. UCE already had a recall on the transmission. The issues with electric starter is ongoing. It probably is better than the prior models, but I ll wait to be sure about that.

2. I was at a dealer recently who would not bring 2009 UCE for the same reason. He sold his demo UCE with less than a 100 miles at a huge discount with a huge disclaimer.

Bikers always tinker with their bikes, Japanese or Indian. I am one of them. Like Wolf said, its a part of the experience. But, there is a difference between tinkering to maintain or enhance performance Vs. tinkering to just keep it running (older models off course).
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: r80rt on February 13, 2010, 07:28:59 pm
What do you ride?
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1 Thump on February 13, 2010, 07:30:17 pm
My bike is utterly reliable, and if I need to explain the riding experience you'll never understand.

Its encouraging. I want to get  G5 myself. And I agree, emotional experiences are difficult to explain in words, especially the head-turning thump thump. Performance numbers on a dyno speak for themselves.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1 Thump on February 13, 2010, 07:31:14 pm
What do you ride?

Have a history with 350 iron barrels back in India. Waiting for my electra to arrive any day.  An RE for 7000.00 just does not make sense to me. I could buy a Yamaha v Twin 900 cc for the same, or even a Harley sportster for a little more.

I know I am comparing apples and oranges, but the are both fruit, and good for you too.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1Blackwolf1 on February 13, 2010, 07:42:11 pm
I would disagree. A brand new Yamaha V star 950 cc on sale for 7000.00, is just a tad more than the UCE.  A lot more power, reliability and good styling. Sure they dont look retro.

 Besides, the UCE is available for almost half the price in India, which makes it overpriced, under reliable , but good looking bike.

  Yes on sale it's that price..what does it normally list for?  I found a price of 8100-8300 hundred on it.  Kind of an unfair comparison.  You could throw lots of machines into that price range.  But at list you'd have to use the 650 Yamaha.  

  A lot of this bikes allure is it's history.  If you want Japanese/European reliability you have to go that way.  I have a rock solid  '81 Honda Silverwing with 45000 plus miles on it.  Love the bike but it's still a plastic laden, uninspired model, cookie cutter from Honda.

  And every manufacturer has it's growing pains..ever hear the saying never buy ANYTHING the first year it's produced?  I say give Enfield the time to work out the bugs on the Uce.  Have to admit they did the right thing when the transmission had a problem..didn't wait to be forced into a recall.  They just did it..no media hype..no delays.
I know Yamaha was having valve train problems a few years back, can't say they were quite as responsive as Enfield.  Vmax owners were not happy.

  Guess it's all in what you want out of life.  I know the limitations of all the ponies in my corral..from the Sachs Moped to my 1500CC Drifter.  I still prefer the relative simplicity of the Enfield.  Will it ever be a Honda Silverwing?..No.  Is that what I wanted?..No.

  Will.


  
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1 Thump on February 13, 2010, 07:49:45 pm
 Yes on sale it's that price..what does it normally list for?  I found a price of 8100-8300 hundred on it.  Kind of an unfair comparison.  You could throw lots of machines into that price range.  But at list you'd have to use the 650 Yamaha.  

  A lot of this bikes allure is it's history.  If you want Japanese/European reliability you have to go that way.  I have a rock solid  '81 Honda Silverwing with 45000 plus miles on it.  Love the bike but it's still a plastic laden, uninspired model, cookie cutter from Honda.

  And every manufacturer has it's growing pains..ever hear the saying never buy ANYTHING the first year it's produced?  I say give Enfield the time to work out the bugs on the Uce.  Have to admit they did the right thing when the transmission had a problem..didn't wait to be forced into a recall.  They just did it..no media hype..no delays.
I know Yamaha was having valve train problems a few years back, can't say they were quite as responsive as Enfield.  Vmax owners were not happy.

  Guess it's all in what you want out of life.  I know the limitations of all the ponies in my corral..from the Sachs Moped to my 1500CC Drifter.  I still prefer the relative simplicity of the Enfield.  Will it ever be a Honda Silverwing?..No.  Is that what I wanted?..No.

  Will.


  

7000.00 is the advertised price on a 900cc, not the 950 that you are quoting. I drove past the dealer today. Stil listed for the same.

There is no argument against an emotional experience. None. My friends could not believe it when I ordered my electra. Now they are lining up for a ride when it shows up.  Just for the thump thump.

Check this out though :

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php/topic,6774.0/all.html

I do not want to generalise anything with this post, but its just an example of inefficiency.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: r80rt on February 13, 2010, 07:52:10 pm
Well, if buying a RE dosen't make sense to you, don't do it. My bike is worth every penny I paid for it, I've owned around 75 motorcycles in the last 40 years and the C5 is what I've been looking for all my life. I can't explain it better than that
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1 Thump on February 13, 2010, 08:02:06 pm
I think you are missing my point here. Back in India they say, " Shauk da koee mull nahee !" Meaning : Their is no price for passion/taste. It is one of those things. I already own one, cant wait for it to show up at the door. Already ordered a ton of accesories for it. Thats where my heart is. My brain, however, is another story. And, thats is behind this rant.

I am sure you would not sell your RE if it had more juice in the engine, a higher cruising speed, and the reliability of a Honda, with the retro look, fell and thump, for the same price. There is the difference between a niche market and the mainstream market (here goes my brain again).
 
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: r80rt on February 13, 2010, 08:09:40 pm
I give up.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1 Thump on February 13, 2010, 08:12:29 pm
I encourage you to read the blog I posted.

Somebody said, " Ambivalence is ubiquitous". There in lies the irony. Conflictual it is. I dont see the logic, but what about the heart that beats thump thump.

Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1Blackwolf1 on February 13, 2010, 08:39:43 pm
   Forget what the head says sometimes..use your Zen here.  Karma man, karma.  I can't wait to have the funds set aside for a G5 military.  Does trrue passion make sense?  In any situation you can think of 100 negatives to 1 positive, go with that the rest is a non-issue.

  Will.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1 Thump on February 13, 2010, 08:48:50 pm
   Forget what the head says sometimes..use your Zen here.  Karma man, karma.  I can't wait to have the funds set aside for a G5 military.  Does trrue passion make sense?  In any situation you can think of 100 negatives to 1 positive, go with that the rest is a non-issue.

  Will.

With a Smile and a giggle :

Passion and sense are polar opposites.

Wolf, my man, someday I ll write a book about what I had to do to get my RE and the accesories. My wife remarked that she has never seen me so patient. I can assure you it will be an interesting read.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1Blackwolf1 on February 13, 2010, 09:16:44 pm
  I really on my Inuit blood most of time in making major decisions.  The few times I didn't trust the heart I really paid the price (thank God the divorce went as well as it did).

  We could probably compare chapters in a life story and most of them would be the same titles/subjects.  That's life man..that's life.

  Will.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1 Thump on February 13, 2010, 09:42:58 pm
Will talk over a beers and tandoori chicken some day.

On another note, from a novice: Does removing restrictors out of the stock muffler produce the same benefit as a short muffler.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1Blackwolf1 on February 13, 2010, 10:36:52 pm
  IMHO removing the baffles totally from a muffler just makes it louder, might lose low end torque..and you'll probably have some other performance issues if it's a non UCE model.  Supposedly the ECU on those remap the injectors as the engine runs..don't know for sure.

  With a short muffler you are reducing the restrictive area of the original muffler w/o lowering the torque greatly.  Also saving weight along the way.  And should notice a gain in HP.  I can explain it better for Japanese bikes with fuel injection that I've changed the air cleaner/exhaust on to open them up..but also had to remap the fuel injection system to compensate for lean burning conditions.

  But I can sasy if I run the mufflers on my 2000 Drifter w/o the baffles I lose performance (torque)  and increase noise.  So there's my 2 rupees' worth of knowledge onthe subject.

  But Tandoori chicken sounds excellent..get the curry ready.

  Will.

 
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1 Thump on February 13, 2010, 10:43:04 pm
Can you tell by just looking inside the muffler if the baffles are there or not. I just picked one up on my trip to India for my Electra, dont know if it has the baffles. The opening appears to be partly covered by a crescent shaped thing which appears like mesh. Will take it out in the sun for better look. Do you think that might be the baffle.
Title: Re: Have you guys seen this?
Post by: 1Blackwolf1 on February 14, 2010, 12:35:31 am
  Could very well be.  Some of the cocktail shaker type mufflers simply have two restrictor plates in the end.  Thats about how the output end of mine looks, sort of like around screen with holes.

  Would almost have to see what you are looking at to be sure.  But you probably have the baffle in it.

  Will.