Hello from Dorset! I ride a 50cc as well as keeping a car but want to move on to something a little bigger. I have seen the bike to which I have given a link below; do you think it would suit a beginner? I am 22 and looking for something simple and fun to ride with few creature comforts- would this fit the bill? Is £2200 a fair price?
And at 25 bhp and 350cc what sort of performance am I looking at, bearing in mind I am used to a 30 mph 50cc scooter so might find even a little excess in power quite surprising!
Thanks!
Here it is:
http://www.royal-enfield.com/images/Bullet%20350%20classic.JPG
2007-10-29 23:15:54 · 14 answers · asked by DaveyMcB 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Here's a link to the whole page; it's the 350 Classic, top left:
http://www.royal-enfield.com/bullet-classic.htm
2007-10-29 23:17:04 · update #1
What are my alternatives, then, around this price range? Cheers.
2007-10-29 23:35:11 · update #2
Unless you're an experienced and enthusiastic
'wrench`, stay away from the 'classics`.
They need a lot of attention.
Drum brakes, for instance, have to be well adjusted
indeed to approach disc brake performance the first
time you apply them . (They degrade after that.)
A classic won't handle as well as a modern machine,
and will be a lot heavier than a 'modern` of equal
performance.
In going up in performance, the thing to remember
is that it's your hand on the throttle. Go easy.
2007-10-30 14:58:59 · answer #1 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow! I'd love any one of those! 350cc is a fair size bike though and you will find quite a difference between riding that and riding a 50cc scooter. Enfield, BSA, Norton, Triumph; they are all lovely British bikes, and any bike fan would be proud to own any of them. There is something about a British bike; the sound, the look, everything!
Go out somewhere quiet; little or no traffic; to get the feel of it before you decide to go and do your "Easy Rider" bit; not only the difference in power/speed, but it will be much heavier than your scooter!
If you know any "bikers", have a chat to them about the bike you are considering buying and ask their opinion. If it's a dealer/shop you are considering buying the bike from, have a good chat with them first. If you are buying the bike privately, take someone with you that knows about bikes - they will not only know what to look for, but what to listen for also! British bikes even sound different from their Japanese counterparts - usually "deeper and sort of throatier", a sort of "throbbing" sound as against the higher-pitched "angry wasp" sound! Well, that's the way I describe them anyway!
I do hope you get your bike, and enjoy it. I envy you!
Note: I don't know what kind of protective clothing you wear when riding your scooter, but "leathers" are always worth the expense, along with the best helmet you can afford! My head, butt, knees and elbows all bear testimony to that - they are all pretty much intact; even after a few "a..e and elbow" trips along the gravel!
Happy Riding. And Dorset is a beautiful county to be doing it in!
Christine
2007-10-29 23:58:23 · answer #2 · answered by CHRISTINE O 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldnt personally get a Royal Enfield as they are made in india now because nobody actually wants them over here since the 60's... but realistically it would be a very expensive bike to run and if this is your first bike you dont want to be fixing it all the time.
A good choice would be anything Japanese preferably a Naked style bike such as the Suzuki Bandit 600 or Honda Hornet 600 as they are quite easy to access when repairing them (also if you drop it theres no fairings to replace)
With regards to the increase in power I think that the bandit has around 70BHP but its delivered in a very controllable way as both me and my friend went from 125CC bikes up to a Bandit and a Kawasaki ZZR and they are not that much different, good examples of these can be found for £2000 easily.
And in the end a bike only has a much power as you want to twist the throttle....
Ride Safe...
Danny
2007-10-30 08:53:45 · answer #3 · answered by Danny R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Triumph make a good 250cc bike, I would stay with a smaller bike around the 200/250cc range, obviously if you had a 50cc and it worked for you then a small cc bike will work just as well. Also you are not really used to the power a 350cc can give out, so start small and maybe get a bigger bike later. Any good luck in your endeavour.
2007-10-29 23:28:32 · answer #4 · answered by terryandrheawebb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would tend to avoid your chosen choice. It is old technology with some modern updates and the biggest drawback in my view is that it is manufactured in India and along with Chinese manufactured bikes may prove to be unreliable and if it is going to fail you, you can bet £ to a penny that it will be in the dark, pouring with rain and in the middle of nowhere. Also consider if it does need any repairs etc is there a local dealer for this particular make. As regards to performance 25bhp isn't a great deal and you could find yourself in a overtaking situation and find there isn't enough power to get you out of a "sticky" situation. Compared with your scooter this will feel like a rocket on wheels.There are better bikes available to you. Take your time and have a good look around before you decide. I went from a scooter straight to a Ducati sports bike with no problems. I'm not advocating that you should do the same but don't be too afraid of extra power as it could get you out of trouble should it arise.
2007-10-30 00:51:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
not to be a snob but this is an indian bike made by bajaj the same people who make the indian vespa. if it is anything like the indian vespa and I believe it is, worked on one or two, not many mind. there is a lot of bajaj only parts and they are not the most reliable of bikes/scooters. I have to agree with some of the previous. by a modern bike. if its an auto you want i have to recommend the burgmann 400. if your more like me and prefer gears. then a baby fireblade 400 cc or a bros or ntv. or even a bandit 600 which is a great bike. good luck.
2007-10-30 02:44:16 · answer #6 · answered by scooterboy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A very cool retro look but in that size range I like a duel sport bike. So many more things you can do. Going off road is the best and you learn alot riding on dirt. I really like a Honda xl or xr.
2007-10-30 03:43:21 · answer #7 · answered by ninebadthings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you any good with diy motor repairs? If so then the enfield is ideal. In comparison to modern bikes the level of preventative maintenance is relatively high. However in comparison to the out the box mass produced modern bikes the Enfield has a touch of class.
2007-10-29 23:28:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jumping from a 50cc to a 350cc is quite a jump. Heres one -http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/cruiser_standard/model.asp?ModelName=Rebel&ModelYear=2007&ModelId=CMX250C7 If new British bikes are like old British bikes its not going to be anywhere as reliable as a Jap bike. However the bike you picked is good looking. Whatever you do, buy an 07 leftover.
2007-10-29 23:42:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
for £2200 you could get a fireblade lol
if i was you i'd look for a cheap bandit 600cc for my first big bike
have you got a licence ?
a 3 day course would cos around £600
2007-10-30 00:06:19 · answer #10 · answered by eddie j 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋