Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Other Bikes Tech
Other Bikes Tech For Technical Questions on bikes not listed in the other forums.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 28 Sep 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 839
Enfield info

Hi guys , I am looking for some good tech info regarding the Enfield as I am getting ready for a trip arround India.
any good links or books will be welcome
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 28 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Wink That will be the Royal Enfield

I guess the Indian built machine uses the name, RE, for the market in their country!

Anyway, it will always be known here as the RE, IMO.

There are lots of webpages for the bike; you could start here and take a look:-
royal enfield motorcycles - Ask.com UK Web Search

Hitchcocks Motorcycles -- Royal Enfield and Amal Parts and Kits is one to look at and there are loads more for both the UK and India (There are variations in the models for export to Europe compared to those for the home market).

If you do a search in the HUBB for Royal Enfield you will find some discussion; there has been some recently in the definitive bike thread, for example, in the which bike forum.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
workshop manual

I've just found this - it is probably all that you need!

Royal Enfield Bullet Workshop Manual
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Mumbai, India
Posts: 188
More refined+reliable stuff available

Any particular reason for using wanting to use enfields?

Perhaps you could take the advice of those who rent out enfields AND other bikes as regards what you want out of your ride.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 28 Sep 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 839
Royal Enfield

I am going to India to do a trip arround the country for few month ( about 9000 Miles) I liked the idea to ride a Royal Enfield , I am not going to send one of my bike to India for a trip shorter than 3 month , as far as rental there are tons of Royald for rent , what you go more in detail about what you think about it.

Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 29 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Mumbai, India
Posts: 188
You could contact andy@indiabikes.com - he rents out bikes (mostly enfields), and can also give you an idea as to the problems you may face
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Sep 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by a1arn View Post
You could contact andy@indiabikes.com - he rents out bikes (mostly enfields), and can also give you an idea as to the problems you may face

And/or you could search around the threads in here; there is some discussion about riding long distances on the RE.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 29 Sep 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 839
royal Enfield

Thanks for the advice I will email Andy
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 2 Oct 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lincoln, UK
Posts: 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by a1arn View Post
Any particular reason for using wanting to use enfields?

Perhaps you could take the advice of those who rent out enfields AND other bikes as regards what you want out of your ride.

But there's not much else to choose. Hero Honda 200's or 150's? They maybe more modern but they have no soul. Going on a Royal Enfield is not about the getting there, it's about the journey.

Next year me and a mate are riding from the UK to Mongolia in aid of charity on 350cc Bullets. Mad? Maybe? But it going to be one hell of a journey.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 2 Oct 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 839
Royal Enfield

I contacted Andy and he was not against the 8000 miles on a Royal Enfield, i guess I will rent one and write a report on it at my return , I am aware the this kind of bike are more fragile that our current toys but in India it doesn't look like I am having too much choices anyway. Some rider contacted me directly and they did have long experience on the bike , the fact is that in India finding part or mechanic for Royal Enfield should be pretty easy . I will let you know in May at my return.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 3 Oct 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Mumbai, India
Posts: 188
You are right in that there are not too many choices here. It is the only reason why enfield has survived in India, and certainly, nothing manufactured here makes half the peak torque, which comes in at low rpm. This makes it a fairly effective carrier of two people + heavy luggage at low speeds.

That said, one up, practically all 150cc + bikes will outrun as well as out accelerate the 350 - and will have far lower NVH levels, which means that you get to your destination in perhaps 20% less time, fresher - and not riding like a maniac either.

I'm not talking of the 200cc plus machines which have a perennial parts shortage (that the manufacturers have absolutely no interest in rectifying), but the 150s which can be serviced at far more places than a bullet ( spares are easily available too).

Certainly, if not pushed and treated with more care than other bikes, a bullet should easily do the few thousand odd km without any major mechanical snafu (unless you get a lemon - happens more frequently with bullets for some reason)- it all boils down to personal preference.

Some info for kitting out the bullet + people who you could also talk to regarding precautions to take :

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...503#post151938


"Soul."

Yes, some products do have this thing called soul, most also come with a temperamental nature. Haven't heard of anything that functions quietly, and efficiently and doing what it is supposed to do without complaining or breaking down (or having it's origin in Japan) having this elusive quality.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 27 Jan 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Suffolk,UK
Posts: 11
No need to dout the Bullet.I had one for a few months in India and it was great.She wasn't pretty but never let me down.Just have a short check everymorning to make sure all is ok.One thing is don't ride flat out.In my opinion there made to go slow,and its great as you get to see what you came to see in the first place.

I can recommend a place in Puskar,Rhagastan.A guy called Nero,family buisness great work and cheap.I've also (just lately) come across a firm in nepal,he has been answering some questions for me and has been really helpfull.Heres the website.

http://www.heartsandtears.com/index.html
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 27 Jan 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
If possible get a lean burn engined bike. These are modern bikes although they still have the 'look and feel' of the old bikes. Much of what you will hear is based on the 1949 design bike and may well be out of date. depends which engine you get.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 27 Jan 2008
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Lots of people love Bullets (including me!) but they take more 'character' to ride than a modern jap bike. Having said that they are a unique and fun experience. The other issue in India (or so I've heard) is that the 'jap' bikes are actually manufactured in India with no greater build quality than the enfield. Plus the parts are more expensive and harder to get hold of.
Some people would disagree, no doubt, but given the choice of locally available bikes, I'd definately go Enfield. They are a great laugh to ride and absurdly simple to maintain.

Have fun, I'm jealous!

Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 28 Jan 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 839
Enfield

Thanks to all of you guys, I just finished my tool box for the bike and I am pretty much ready for the ride in India. I have collected a lot of positives information on the Enfield and I think that going arround India on it should be an adventure by itself. I will be in Delhi Marh 11 and 12, if some of you want to have a talk arround a cold drinks are on me.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
bying Enfield in Nepal Frederick West and South Asia 3 30 Jun 2010 13:19
Panama City Contact Info brennan Central America and Mexico 11 12 Nov 2008 01:17
Exporting royal enfield from india to turkey/nepal Plato Trip Transport 3 27 Aug 2006 12:36
Bike Missionary need help! overseas info needed! TresMon Trip Transport 1 1 Mar 2005 05:19
Travellers Enfield for Sale dani&elisa West and South Asia 3 10 Apr 2004 15:02

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:56.