Hiya
Me and my mate Proper Dave have just come back from 4 days in the Lake District, he on the Honda and me on the Enfield and I thought you may be interested in a comparison of how the bikes faired.
Over the 4 days we covered just over 600 miles with 95% being on B roads or green lanes (more later). Our cruising speed on larger roads was 50 - 55 mph but the majority of the time due to the nature of the roads we travelled we were averaging about 30mph. The Honda returned a staggering average of 90mpg going as high as 96mpg on one particularly slow and twisty day and the Enfield returned an average of 75 mpg going up to 80mpg on the aforementioned slow day.
We climbed Honister, Kirkstone, Wrynose and Hardknot passes and the Enfield was consistently in a higher gear than the Honda pulling like a train the whole time.
We stayed in a 'Hobbit Hole' (luxury camping pod) for one night on The Quiet Site in Watermillock which is thoroughly recommended and a basic camping pod for two nights at Borrowdale Youth Hostel also thoroughly recommended.
Dave was keen to try some proper green laning which we did riding along a boulder strewn lane with rock steps about a foot deep and loose rocks of 4 to 6 inch diameter forming the surface the whole way. Needless to say the Honda handled it better than the Enfield although the Enfield proved to be a tough little donkey and with a few mods (bash plate, re-sited footrests, a tooth off the front sprocket and a serious diet) it would make an adequate green lane tool.
Funniest moment was when we were sat at the side of the road on Wrynose pass making a brew when a car screeched to a halt and a large Hells Angel got out and stormed over to us shouting 'have you just come over the pass on that?' pointing at the Enfield. Gingerly I said yes wondering what would come next and he broke into a huge grin and shouted 'fucking legend'. We then had ten minutes of back slapping and picture taking so he could show the rest of his chapter the proof. Turns out he was on holiday with his mum! both of them travelling in the old car and both flying higher than the kesterls!
Great few days and the bikes were well matched for riding together.
Ian
