A tale of two bikes.

[oldbmw]

From 1961 until the late 1980's I rode Triumphs. By this I mean bikes made in Meridan. I loved them. When I moved to France I bought myself a bmw (R80RT). Mostly reliable although for the first time in my motorcycling career I was stopped on the road with an electrical fault. The bike was basically reliable but I can't say I really enjoyed riding it. Eventually I sold it and bought an Enfield (500 cc AVL ) engine. Chosen carefully because it had the option of a RH gear change and electric start and my old knees aren't as good as they used to be. Loved that also not quite the same as my Meriden Triumphs but after the BMW it was a joy to ride. On a trip to Poland via Italy and Austria and back through Germany, Nederlands and Belgium The big end started to rattle. Rode it into a garage in Uk and after it was fixed rode it ever since. Interestingly I unexpectedly found I averaged significantly more miles per day on the Enfield than I did on the BMW. since the late 60's I had always wanted a Triumph three cylinder bike so bought myself a 900cc thunderbird. In 3 or 4 months all the love and affection I had for Triumph evaporated. I couldn't live with this so eventually rationalised it this way. To me Triumphs were bikes made in Meriden by engineers and motorcyclists. Hinkley machines are made by accountants. As their own manger said, "The new company has nothing whatsoever to do with the old company".

Here are the figures,
distance run on Hinkley 1200 miles
costs 2 x alternators at £850 each
1 x speedo at £800
1 x headlamp at £200
forgetting tyres, oil insurance etc. thats £2.25 per mile for repairs.
plus another £1000 when I sold it.

Distance run on Enfield 13000 miles
1 by new bigger big end and battery installed £600
2 x rear chains at £28 each £56
1 x clutch cable and mechanism £30
forgetting tyres, oil insurance and the fact it does twice the mpg = 5.27 pence per mile for repairs.

If I had needed a speedo, one for an Enfield is £35, but they seem more reliable than the Hinkley ones.

The Enfield is a keeper.

[brclarke]

I had a 1995 Bullet 500 for about 4 years. It was actually not a bad bike if you knew its limitations upfront. Cruising speed was maybe 50-55 mph, so it was fine for quiet roads, though it would be near suicidal to take it onto a busy interstate/motorway. I did a few modest weekend trips on it and used it as a daily commuter in town.

It definitely required more fiddling and maintenance than a modern machine, but then again it was very simple and easy to work on. For example, although the valves needed to be checked frequently, you could easily do this in about 10 minutes sitting by the side of the bike with a wrench and a screwdriver.

I've heard the newer versions are more reliable; maybe I'll check one out someday.

[oldbmw]

Originally Posted by brclarke

I had a 1995 Bullet 500 for about 4 years. It was actually not a bad bike if you knew its limitations upfront. Cruising speed was maybe 50-55 mph, so it was fine for quiet roads, though it would be near suicidal to take it onto a busy interstate/motorway. I did a few modest weekend trips on it and used it as a daily commuter in town.

It definitely required more fiddling and maintenance than a modern machine, but then again it was very simple and easy to work on. For example, although the valves needed to be checked frequently, you could easily do this in about 10 minutes sitting by the side of the bike with a wrench and a screwdriver.

I've heard the newer versions are more reliable; maybe I'll check one out someday.

Yes they need small mechanical tasks fairly frequently. for me the bug bear on a long trip is shaving to oil the chain each day courtesy of them being oiltight without venting to the chain to comply with emissions. On the other hand with the bmw (and Hinkley) I had to stop twice a day to fiddle with it putting in fuel. only needed to do this once a day on the Enfield, so the extra five to ten minutes oiling the chain can be taken from the time to stop and refuel an extra time each day. Also somewhat cheaper The Avl engine will run for 3,750 miles (6000 KM) or so between any needs for servicing. these days that equates to about once a year for me.

my bike is happiest at about 50-60 mph which is great for French D roads, Also no problems crossing Germany a few times on the autobahn. Hairy early mornings around Antwerp, but that is because you can't see past lorries to know which of 18 lanes you need to be in same in the car.

[mollydog]

Yea "... SOMEDAY"

A buddy in UK bought an Enfield, a more modern generation one. He bought new in around 2002? His has been pretty good but he's never taken it too far and it does require lots of fiddling.

He's very handy and keeps up with everything, so his is OK. I never rode it. For use on back roads or just putting round town, sounds OK.

I want more out of a bike. Just IMHO.

[mollydog]

My 60's era Meridan Triumph's left me stranded many times, both on the road and in the Desert
('65 TR-6 Desert Sled) All sorts of problems, some my fault but MOST not.

My last Meridan Triumph came 20 years after the ones in my youth. It was a
1979 Bonneville Special I bought used in 1985 with 1200 miles. This bike produced near the end of Meridan's production run. (I think the works closed in '82 or '83?)

The Special was a beauty, very reliable, disc brakes, MK111 carbs. Wish I had not sold it, but at the time had too many bikes and with an injury, could not work on all of them. So the Bonnie went.

Early Hinckley Triumph's had some serious problems. I owned a 1st generation 885cc 1995 Tiger. Biggest fault (IMO) was poor air filter design ... having to REMOVE Carbs to clean or change air filter. A disaster and major PITA to do.

Also, valves tightened up and beat into head within about 20,000 miles. Mine ran out of adjustment, sold it off very cheap. But always ran well! It was a delight to ride and tour on, loved it. Certainly not an off road bike but I did take mine on some dirt roads, fully loaded.

I bought two more Hinckley Tigers after that first '95. Next was 2nd generation
Hinckley Tiger, also 885cc in 2000. All new bike adding F.I. better suspension, all new frame, bodywork and electronics and speed triple motor. A fabulous bike, never left me stranded but only put 20K miles on it touring Europe. loved it, but heavy and top heavy.

Final Tiger was 3rd generation Tiger 1050 in 2007. Great bike, no problems at all. Just a bit too TALL and heavy for me. It did run a bit HOT but I think there was an air leak in the system so was letting air in to sealed system. Did 20K miles on it, sold for good price.

I've visited the Hinckley factory twice, 2001 and 2003. All engine parts are from A.R.T. of Japan. Japanese components throughout. By 2003 most all of Triumph's (save engines) were made in Thailand. Fabulous quality. I witnessed Beautiful Alu chassis', swing arms being unpacked and hung up on assembly trolly's.

In Hinckley techs measure and match and build engines from parts boxes labeled A.R.T. of Japan (I saw this in person) They fully document the build as they go. A very nice, organized arrangement, each Triumph is hand built like an F-1 Race car.

[mark manley]

I have a similar history and also went from 20 years on a Meriden Triumph which I still have to a BMW R80GS which I think is one of the best alround bikes ever made and is still my everyday transport, I have yet to own an Enfield but an Indian friend is working on me on that one.

[xfiltrate]

Very interesting posts, thanks.

Years ago rosa del desierto and I rode into Laboulaye, Argentina,
on our kitted out NX400 Honda Falcons.

To our amazement we found a Royal Enfield factory/agency.
Web Site:
Royal Enfield Argentina

Since then, this operation has expanded beautifully...., upgraded the web site and continue creating side cars for Royal Enfield and other bikes.

An Idea for those who want to tour Argentina,

1. order/purchase a Royal Enfield from Royal Enfield Argentina with a buy back clause,

2. tour Argentina on your brand new Royal Enfield - under warrantee,

3. return /resell your Royal enfield to Royal Enfield Argentina,

4. or park your Royal Enfield in Argentina for as long as you wish for it will not be restricted by a TVIP (temporary vehicle import permit) since it will be registered in Argentina!

This might be a good plan for those who want a bike in Argentina for future visits. Or, for those who want to tour for months/ up to the time the warrantee is about to expire and wants to return home with the bulk - - say 75 - 80% of the purchase price after resell in pocket.
Or, work the same deal, for an XR 250 or NX 400 with an Argentine Honda agency.

Enfields available: Bullet Classic 500, Electra EFI 500, Electra Classic 500 and Side Cars

xfiltrate Eat, Drink and ride Argentina on a Royal Enfield