Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum
General Discussion => Campfire Talk => Topic started by: boggy on September 25, 2013, 06:25:12 pm
-
On the way to work a cement truck driver leaned out the window and asked what year my AVL was. This happens about once a week. I yelled, through my helmet and over both our engines, "2007!"
He replied, "It's a 70's?"
Without hesitation, I nodded yes.
TECHNICALLY "I" am from the 70's so it's not a massive lie, but I also didn't correct him. Why? I don't know... I guess I've had the conversation so many times I just figured a nod would get me out of it. But I feel as if I need to confess here, at the Church of Enfield, and fully accept whatever karma points deduction the Gods deem just.
I feel as if the weight has already lifted.
-
You are forgiven brother boggy. :)
Besides, it really isn't that much of a lie. If you put your bike next to a 70's Bullet most people couldn't tell the difference anyways. :D
Scottie
-
That's true. To be fair his question may have been, "What year is that styled after?," and I just missed the last part.
-
I tell 'em the first thing comes to mind.Hell with 'em.
-
I suspect my Enfield owners in the US get this question. I was in the Barbershop today and there was an Englishman there discovered I had a RE and he started talking about his and buying it directly from the Birmingham factory. I told him mine was an 2008, but for all practical purposes was just a modified 70's bike. I'm sure the purists will disagree, but it looks old, there it must be old. I get thumbs up where ever go. That's why riding this bike is fun.
-
No harm done. Sometimes I get tired of answering the question about my 2007 iron barrel and I just say "1955." They often glaze over when I explain why it's a 2007 that's mechanically (mostly) 1955.
-
Yup. Or they think it's like a Triumph. Retro. It aint retro if it's actually just unchanged.
I get the thumbs up too. I remember the very first one on Enfield. Now I "give" the thumbs up to sweet rides. Before I wouldn't because I didn't want people to think I was being a condescending jerk, but now I get it. I know that if I give the thumbs up, the owner of the vehicle will actually get it. So like Youtube, I throw out the thumbs up.
The most common site though, is to look over when at a traffic light and see someone just starring. If they see you see them, you get the nod. We've all gotten the nod. That's sweet. No conversation, just a silent acknowledgment that they-know you-know they-think your ride is sweet.
But man, the "what year," question... Maybe I'll just start answering that with a thumbs up too.
-
Lying about the build year would sure make things easier. Having to tell the whole drawn out story about the whole history (yada yada yada) has me a bit worn out. This should be standard operating procedure unless the person is familiar with the brand already. What I hate the most is when someone replies that the bike is a great looking reproduction when you explain to them that it is a newer model. From this point on I am going to lie through my teeth. I feel better already!
-
The most common site though, is to look over when at a traffic light and see someone just starring. If they see you see them, you get the nod. We've all gotten the nod. That's sweet. No conversation, just a silent acknowledgment that they-know you-know they-think your ride is sweet.
A lot of times other bikers will pull up next to me at a stop light, give the bike a once-over, and give me the thumbs up. Then we chat for a second and it's go time.
Sometimes when I'm feeling frisky I'll roll up next a Harley guy, give his bike the once-over, wave my hand and say "meh." They usually laugh.
-
" basically it's a 1955 titled in '06 with some modern parts on it like 12 volt electricals"
-
" basically it's a 1955 titled in '06 with some modern parts on it like 12 volt electricals"
That's perfect!
-
My quick comment to someone who doesn't even know what a Royal Enfield is, is,
"They've been making Royal Enfields for over 100 years and this is basically a unchanged 1955 Bullet with a 2009 engine in it."
That usually satisfies them and gets them into the, "Back in 1964 I had a BSA single......" mode.
-
I was sitting at a stop sign off US290 here in Texas, when a group of 50's Thunderbirds went rolling by. As they passed me they all honked their horns, waved, thumbs up, smiled big toothy grins. I did the same. I would never get that kind of attention riding a Jap bike, maybe not even a Harley. Wish mine were not all dismantled now. I'm getting itchy for some "thumbs up".
-
I was sitting at a stop sign off US290 here in Texas, when a group of 50's Thunderbirds went rolling by. As they passed me they all honked their horns, waved, thumbs up, smiled big toothy grins. I did the same. I would never get that kind of attention riding a Jap bike, maybe not even a Harley. Wish mine were not all dismantled now. I'm getting itchy for some "thumbs up".
Yep Sir! Since mine died and I'm riding a Ricer no one stops and talks my leg off in gas stations and parking lots. It was a little irritating when they did, but now I almost miss it. Almost....
-
I enjoy telling the story of how I have an Indian, but it's not really an Indian, it's a Royal Enfield. But it's an Indian. But I have to admit there are sometimes I'm like "look, I appreciate your comments, but I have shit to do."
Scottie