New Enfield

[robG]

Ahhh! Raj Thumper 2012 .

I like it !

[Julian217]

I have to say that we really should go there one day. I reckon it has to be feasible to fly to India, buy a bike and ride the damn thing up there. Sell the bike after the ride and fly out again.

GC

Its feasable, there is a small cottage industry in flogging dodgy old or preferably ( equally dodgy) brand new India market Enfields to foreigners. Selling it again there might be a problem, getting there can cost £300 or less.

[guest27]

Its a bit ambitious for the annual rally though

Mmmm maybe a week camping trip?

R

[robG]

Weak camping trip ?

Anyway , just spent some time looking over one of the new Enfield Classics at the local cafe this morning . It really does look very nice and will pull from 30 in top ,so I was told . I was quite suprised by how nice it did look .
However the proof will be in the ride .

Rob .

[guest7]

Simon, I saw one of those nice little CCM flatracker/streetscrambler bikes the other day, they like ideal for your needs, but is 400cc too little for your globe-trotting ambitions?



GC

[Steffan]

I love the SR, tank too small and no luggage capacity, but right nonetheless what motor are they using these day?

Steffan

[002]

The latest CCM are using the DR400 engine.I think it is the Enduro engine,so therefore a little more lively than the standard DR motor.

Performance wise it would be quicker than an Enfield,and with Simons track record would need less maintenance.


And no dig intended !!!

Jethro

[steveD]

Quite frankly a load of crap. When they first came out I inctited them to our annual rally at Dent and they let me down, what with free advertising and the such. Overpriced and not very travel orientated, there are more obvious alternatives.

[guest7]

To go down another route, surely a well restored (or well-looked after) XT500 would be a nice option? I get the impression they are very reliable and easy to live with.

The looks are lovely too:


I know they are an old bike, but surely a good 'un would be up to the job?
GC

[robG]

Sorry GC , I would disagree . Nice photo of an XT mind you . I think it's the first model , XT500d circa '76 ,but I stand to be corrected .I took one of these to the TT in '87.Only one with a low level pipe I think. Any how ,having lived with a couple of XT's they can be tempermental if not looked after and they will bite you if you turn your back . I know of a number of incidents that have sent people hopping to casualty .{I just went on the sick for five days with a bruised shin }
They are happy to run all day 60/65 but are more of a traditional single so if you expect it to run above that for long periods then I would venture this is not the right bike.Yes I know people have and still ventured all over the world on these ,but not without regular tinkering.
Don't get me wrong I loved my time on an XT ,and would gladly have another .However for what Simon wants,I personally don't think an Xt 500 is the answer .Besides ,there are a lot of people out there ,with these ,who think they are sat on a nice little earner . The reality is an overpriced pile of tat .The oldest of these is coming up to 34/35 yrs old now and an old bike is only as good as the previous owners.

Why not a bonnie scrambler ? {Alright one pot too many ,but.............}

Rob .

[002]

Dont forget the XT is 6volt and with all the Gubbings that Simon would want to run a 12volt conversion would not kick out enough juice to run it all.


Jethro

[guest7]

The funny thing is, given all his requirements, what he actually needs is a DR650 that is a bit lower. However (and I hope you don't mind me repeating this Simon) I talked to him about altering his linkage and he's worried about doing it for two reasons:
1. insurance
2. the chance of the part failing

It's a conumdrum. I can't think of much else that would be suitable made in the last few years.

Mind you, if he can find an Enfield rolling chassis, I can give him an XBR engine (and all the ancilleries) to transplant into it 

GC

[robG]

Xt 660 as in Steve D , Mt03 if seat height is an issue ?

What do you think ?

Rob

[002]

1. insurance
2. the chance of the part failing

1. I wouldnt worry about insurance..! In my experiance not many,if any,insurance people would notice the differance.Or Plod for that matter.
2. There are several companies out there making lowering kits.Mind I have come across genuine factory parts failing,you pays yer mony and takes yer chance.

  OR....Get a decent bit of material and make your own ! If needs be with the aid of a friendly engineer.



Jethro

[Andy M]

Why not a bonnie scrambler ? {Alright one pot too many ,but.............}

Prices are mad and that exhaust plus the 270 degree engine costs you 10HP. Probably better to get a Bonneville black and buy your own exhaust and knobblies. 99% of Scrambler accessories fit the Black, so bash plates and so on are no problem.

Andy