Opinions on RE EFI please

[Smithy]

Hi fellas

I'm after some real-experience information about Royal Enfield EFI models please. At present I ride and love my BMW F650, but at 23 years old and 71,000 miles I'm beginning to spend a lot of money keeping it on the road, not to mention time spent in the workshop. I know some of you run older bikes but this is my only transport and gets used every day all year round.

I used to have a 2006 Bullet 350 which I ran for 3 years and 18,000 miles and I have to say it was like the curate's egg, good in parts. Sadly it was also awful in parts. I won't go on as I know some of you are very fond of them but I'm afraid I wouldn't have another.

I ride between 40 and 100 miles most days, usually on B roads with some A roads thrown in. I don't speed and am not a drag racer. I know my way around a spanner and don't mind a reasonable amount of tinkering.

My question is, I'm looking for a simple air-cooled mid-weight bike with an electric start, which will cruise safely at 65mph and climb hills without resorting to 2nd gear, is the EFI what I want?

There is no absolute certainty that I will change, it will depend on finances but I would like sensible opinions please from people who I trust.

Thanks

Ian

[Andy M]

434 miles on mine as of this morning.

I'm impressed. I had a 2004 5 speed and you can tell the EFI has the extra 10 HP.  There are parts you wouldn't get on a Honda. The dealer for example is going to get asked to make sure the loom to the sidestand isn't pulled tight. Its simple, fun, chilled out, hands on motorcycling.

I'm only getting 93 to the gallon ATM! One day I'm going to really try for the ton.

For your spec though I'm not sure. At 60 there is a lot of vibration. It may calm down when its run in and I think it will stand a change of sprockets but at the minute I'd say no to a constant 65. I've seen 70 on the clock (which I swear reads in knots, it certainly isn't mph) but having completed the overtake it did feel like it wanted to slow down. The *****y spoked wheels also give you hassle for a commuter bike, they cone with TL tyres.

There isn't a 10/10 bike out there to this spec. When I commuted the NC 750 was 8/10  but had the charm of a dishwasher and the ability to get you on robo plods tax machine at the slightest twitch of the throttle. No NC400 exists. I'd rate the Bullet 7/10  but may raise the score if it proves to loosen up and drop the vibration.

In action earlier today

http://dai.ly/x5jfl0m

and a photo




Andy

[Smithy]

Hi Andy

Thank you for your honest appraisal of your EFI. You have given me things to think about and raised some doubts in my mind. I think I would miss the performance of the F650 even though it is no rocket ship, the main positive about it is torque and the ability to overtake effortlessly.

Thanks once again for your thoughts.

Ian

[xbally]

I used to run an 09 EFI having traded up from a Bullet Electra.The EFI was imho a much better bike suited to modern riding.I didn't ever use mine for regular commuting though and i'm not sure how it stand up to a lot of use as the build quality was slightly questionable in parts but for the money no worse than a lot of other makes.Mine was never found wanting but it did lead a bit of a pampered existence. Hitchcock's are a great source of spares upgrades and info and they have a good website with a useful and friendly forum- a bit like the Thumper Club.I did change the gearing on mine which made it rev a bit lower at speed and the torque of the EFi meant there was no loss of flexibility .I would certainly have another.I only sold mine to by a Kawasaki W650 which i have always fancied.

[Smithy]

Hi xbally

Thank you for another useful view of the EFI, I particularly take note of your comment that you would buy another one.

I think I may find a dealer offering a test ride and go and see for myself. As I say I love my f650 but in reality I know it won't last forever and I will have to replace it with something younger.

Thanks for taking the time to give me information to consider.

Ian

[CrazyFrog]

I have never owned one Ian, but I know somebody who does. He loves it, but has been a bit underwhelmed by some aspects of the build quality...

[xbally]

Hi xbally

Thank you for another useful view of the EFI, I particularly take note of your comment that you would buy another one.

I think I may find a dealer offering a test ride and go and see for myself. As I say I love my f650 but in reality I know it won't last forever and I will have to replace it with something younger.

Thanks for taking the time to give me information to consider.

Ian

Yes i would strongly recommend as long a test ride as you can get as they are something of an acquired taste.

[timbo]

As per Crazyfrog. I'm currently selling my RE classic, and can definitely see me owning an EFI in the future. I reckon they are a good alround bike, but you will never have outstanding performance or finish.

[Andy M]

Update: due to a yellow lycra infestation here abouts over the weekend     I ended up doing 2 junctions of the M1. The UCE, just ready for the 600 oil change does seem willing enough to sit at 60.

 

Andy

[Smithy]

Thank you all for your valuable opinions. I love the looks and overall idea of the EFI and from what you've all said there's nothing too worrisome about owning one. However I had a stonking ride around the backroads of Derbyshire today and did find myself wondering just why I would change from the F650. I guess the answer would be age. The F650 is 23 years old and with age comes {some degree of} infirmity. An EFI would at least have new metal and rubber in it as well as electronics etc.

I think I will postpone further thoughts until I've tried one for myself.

Cheers chaps.

Ian

[Andy M]

Quick update

1300 miles in.
One oil change at home (dealer is hopeless), quite theraputic, takes an hour depending whats on the radio.
Getting the right oil level is a swine. I can now measure out and measure in, but the dealer over filled so I had to fill, adjust, fill, drain....
No faults unless you count ****y routeing of the sidestand switch which I untangled.
Will break any speed limit both solo and two up.
Will cruise at 65 but still happier with a mix of 60 cruise, 70 overtake, repeat.
Two up you know about it, only four proper overtakes in the 100 miles we did on Thursday. I'd do a 200 mile day but not much more two up.
Solo, just keep filling up until you need a nap or bad light stops play.
Averaging just under 90 mpg which dropped to 81 two up.
I may have to get the spanners out before 3000 miles, the chain will need adjusting.
The ABS works (don't ask, this chilled out motorcyling business can end suddenly!).
The Sound Bomb horn is now fitted (I can't believe the peep peep OE toy would do anything in Dehli traffic, unless they stop to laugh at it).

 

Andy

[Smithy]

Hi Andy

Thanks for the update, it sounds as though you are getting on well with your bike. I find your comments quite encouraging.

There is a lovely green 2016 model for sale in my local bike shop which I might just ask for a test ride on as although I have just bought a cheap F650 I really fancy an Enfield.

Cheers Ian

[BrendanO]

You seem to really like yr BMW except it's getting okd. So, why mot just get a newer BMW, say 12 yr old? You know the model well which is an advantage.

Nice thread.

[Smithy]

Hi Brendan

That's a fair point well made. I do indeed like the 650 BMW single and have looked at a few newer ones. The price of 2007 ish F650s is really good for what you get.

I suppose I just, like many motorcyclists, fancy looking around at what else is out there. Maybe a bit of nostalgia too. Anyway I have just bought another F650 {1998} so for the time being it is a moot point, but thanks for the thought provoking input.

Ian

[Andy M]

Update part 1

The Bullet is now on 4000 odd miles, just had a second oil change and already for a day out tomorrow. This will be part 2.

However, Over on HUBB is a report on the MASH; Copy and paste:


Right - the bike

So on delivery the dip beam didn't work - simple ground somewhere I reckon but I don't ride at night so its not actually an issue. I have rewired the bulbs so main is dip and that works grand. There is a oil seep from the cylinder / rocker head so I get a little bit hazed by oil smoke when stopping in traffic. Of most annoyance are the front forks - I had (on order) asked for the fork oil to be changed (its a usual issue) and so when I get it - not done and the front forks don't really rebound as such - a rebuild / new valves (and a seal) will be needed. Its not awful and after being done it will be really good (I hope). Finally, while I thought the front wheel needed balancing, a bike mechanic who looked at it reckoned it was actually buckled (!) I get a shake at 50-65kms but lower and higher speeds its actually fine.
What else - oh yes if you whack it off the (absent) redline on gear changes (done 2 times from 2nd - 3rd) the EMS shuts you down and you have to restart. I practiced a third time just to confirm that was what was happening - its shocking the first time but now I know I don't mind / its avoidable.

Other comments you may have read - yes the side stand is too long.

I got the engine bars and lamp guards from the WK 400 as well as an ally top box.

Previous bikes (there have been many) include Transalp, GS800, DR200, dr650, xt660 and some other things.

Impressions - well, the engine has really loosened up (a lot) and I reckon its perhaps 20% quicker now than when I got it first (and that was at 1500kms!).

I read the reviews and thought it ticked all my boxes (apart from ABS) and still like the look of it.

The funny and pleasant surprise...? It has bronze wheels !

End of Copy and Paste

The Enfield is a bit more lardy, but has ABS and the above has rather made me glad the rust on the MASH demo put me off. There are good and bad examples of all bikes of course, but I wouldn't be as chilled about leaking oil as this chap!

Andy