Do you ride a Royal Enfield? Quite a few people do, probably far more than you think and the folks up at Classic Motorworks in Faribault, Minnesota are having a picnic and open house next weekend, June 23-25. Classic Motorworks imports the Royal Enfield into the U.S.
We want to show off our new facility and give us a chance to meet more of our customers. The picnic will be held in our home town of Faribault Minnesota. This event will include tours, a great ride in the Mississppi river country, technical information, contests, food and great discounts on our parts and accessories. The antique motorcycle club will also be having a large swap meet about 30 minutes away.
You don’t have to ride a Royal Enfield to go there, but after seeing how neat they are, you might want to get one. The Royal Enfields are a brand new vintage motorcycle, sort of like riding a Ural, only there are a lot more Royal Enfields around.
If you think you might want to go, give them a call and let them know you’re coming. There will be food on Friday and Saturday night, plus, camping and lodging is available in the area.
Link: Classic Motorworks
The Kneeslider: Royal Enfield for sale
aaron says
I’d love to take a spin on the new lean-burn engined bike….are those coming over to north america yet? I still can’t believe they don’t market a cafe bike….(a conversion kit doesn’t count!)
kneeslider says
That’s the engine in the Electra X and yes, those are here now.
aaron says
“The Electra X will inspire you with its 1970’s styling, electronic ignition and 5-speed transmission.” wow – big leap forward! I also like that they didn’t increase the power, though I remember reading that the new motor has the POTENTIAL for dramatic increases – I guess they’ll sell that as an accessory kit too – but if you want to run the cafe bodykit with your hot engine kit, no doubt they’ll require you to buy the adapter kit!
they look cheap, but after making it look the way you want the price is a little silly for what you get….
grumble. you would think that the indians got a history lesson after watching the british bike industry die….
Earl says
The Indians did get a history lesson – that’s why Enfields are reliable. Okay, so they will need a little more care than an SV650, but they’re a lot better than an old Brit bike. I know a few people with them, swear by them for commuting. But any more than 180cm/5’11” and you’re way too tall.
kneeslider says
Like Earl said, they already had a history lesson when the original British company died and the Indian production carried on.
Actually, I think going forward with a newer design may not be their best move. The Bullet is a continuing production of the 1955 Bullet, giving people a chance to have a reliable, new, vintage bike. If they want to expand, why not build an example of one of the old Royal Enfield twins? Fill out their line with more examples from the original Royal Enfield company.
Royal Enfield makes a mistake if they start building modern bikes, then they quite rightly get compared to every other company building modern bikes and they would be in a bad spot.
aaron says
I think the history lesson I refer to is “sell the customer what he wants” – funny that as the british makes were dying (with huge funding behind them) small companies like dunstall and rickman were able to survive by essentially selling people nortons and triumphs…their designs weren’t groundbreaking, market research could be done by taking a drive to the track or the ace cafe.
are enfields reliable because of a concentrated effort to improve the product and keep pace with the leaders in the field? more likely that after 40years of production the wrinkles are ironed out, and modern materials have solved some problems. Care to put a showroom fresh enfield against a colorado norton works interstate or one of dreer’s bikes? a well sorted freshly rebuilt britbike is much better than an original, most likely due to being built by someone who cares – see AMF era harleys for details….I would think a large measure of their success is due to sitting around for 40 years before returning as “retro”.
not that I hate the bike. I want one, just not as delivered (well, maybe the classic 500 in black, as delivered by fritz egli… “swiss finish” indeed!) and I’m suprised that they recognise the appeal of the cafe style, and sell a cafe conversion, but don’t even offer a small run of cafe bikes (or the trials versions) without requiring the customer to buy 2 tanks, 2 seats, 2 bars, labour charges…
and the final response – regarding building “modern bikes” – the spirit is the same, the lean burn engine would have not looked too out of place in a 50’s privateer TT bike. and if you were given the choice of a lean burn bullet or no bullet, what would you choose? no way the old engines could continue to be sold in the U.K. or north america with its emissions…
aaron says
oh – to clarify – yes, I know the kit is “aftermarket”. but to be featured parallel to factory bikes on the uk and usa distributers sites indicates awareness and involvement on their part. history lesson? the only production laverda model to become immortal was the jota. the first jota was an aftermarket special cooked up by a UK dealership. if laverda hadn’t picked up on it, today the triple would be regarded as a heavy torquey bike that was only produced for half a decade…and laverda motorcycles (in its first form) may not have survived as long as it did.
Dan Luoma says
I get a kick out of people commenting about Enfields not being comparable to their more modern competition. That’s exactly why they are selling. Why do you think Triumph is having such great success with their classic Bonneville line? I ride on roads with speed limits, and in normal traffic conditions, I get where I’m going just as quick as any other bike on the road. And, when I need a valve adjustement, I don’t go to the dealer. I take out two wrenches and do it myself in less time than an oil change. I DID put my bike up against newer Jap models. Not in a drag race, but while sitting in a parking lot. Guess what? The Jap riders were all gathered aroung the Enfield. When we rode together after that, two of the monster hondas had machanical problems, but not the Enfield. Not too bad for five grand.
Pravin Dave says
The Royal Enfield Bullet Is a Classic Bike..Its The oldest selling Brand on Earth today and It will continue to sell…Both the 350cc And The 500cc have Good Power and Great Torque..The Torque Makes up for the Less power..And the great thing is The Bullet Has Great Power to weight and Power to torque ratios so at high speeds it can easily overtake an Suv or An Muv…It has Great Comfort and reliablity.My Uncle’s Bullet 350cc is more than25 years old and going great guns..Comparing this bike to todays modern Bikes Is not good Because this bike has got the technology of the 50s But still It stands out as one of the Best bikes even if you compare it with the bikes of today…That is why it is the oldest selling brand..IT is the best bike..I like both The 350cc And the 500cc Royal Enfields..and It also Gives A Very good Milage Compared to the bike in its Segments..Only A Strong And Brave Hearted Man Can Ride An Royal Enfield