Author Topic: Thinking about buying a new Royal Enfield Continental GT (Read 5234 times)

Bankerdanny · « **on:** May 09, 2016, 06:21:27 PM »

Still without a running bike and not sure when I will have the time to get back to the 550 project. My re-intro to motorcycling back in 2006 was buying my dad's almost new 2002 Royal Enfield Bullet 500ES when his Parkinson's got to the point that he couldn't ride any more. It was a great way to get back into it and a lot of fun. Crude as all getout, drum brakes, 4-speed non-unit transmission adapted to left foot shift. topped out at about 65mph. But light and fun to ride.

The Continental GT, which they introduced in 2014 is a really cool retro-cafe bike with modern suspension and brakes and fuel injection. Still slow, but plenty fast for commuting and weekend rides up the winding Sheridan Road along Lake Michigan.

Even better it is very inexpensive, about $6k list, and they are offering 0% interest. So I can buy new without spending very much of my own money up front.

A local dealer has one in yellow, which I think looks pretty sharp (sadly no British Racing Green in the US, just red, black and yellow).

I've haven't had a running bike in 18 months and I don't want to go through another season without one. I keep finding reasons not to do it, but then circling back around. Decisions decisions.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2016, 06:27:39 PM »

pretty neat bike imo...and there apparently are upgrades and aftermarket stuff available.

$6 large buys a lot of used bike though...just about anything you can think of really.

Jeffro93 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2016, 06:40:30 PM »

I would agree on the used bike opportunities. It's harder, if possible, to finance then, though. Just depends. If I had to make payments, I know I'd want a warranty.

I haven't looked in a while, but aren't the GT's a few grand more than the standard R-E's? I like them all...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2016, 07:33:14 PM »

Danny, if you don't want anything fast, you are aware of the traits of the Enfield, then go ahead and buy the GT, looks great, nimble, piles of torque for around town and fun in the twisties. I agree with the others, there are tons of bikes around for 6K but do they have as much soul....

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2016, 07:42:59 PM »

Be sure and at least do some serious showroom sitting. I have seen how tall you are, Danny. And although I have not sat on one, I never really thought of an RE as one for the tall guys, especially the GT with clip ons and rearsets.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2016, 08:00:43 PM »

I've had a couple chances to sit on the at bike shows. They are more spacious than my old Enfield was and I think even a bit better legroom wise than my 550.

I am torn. I should have my scooter flip project I bought last summer up and running and ready for sale within the next 30 days, and it should sell for enough to buy a decent runner to tide me over. I still have the Harley to flip too, but I just feel like I need to at least get it running so I can advertise it as a running project.

dhall57 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2016, 03:44:02 AM »

Should of kept the ol' Wang around Danny

Good luck on the search for another bike

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2016, 02:51:59 PM »

What I should have done was keep my 550 that I sold when I bought the 'Wing. THAT was my big mistake.

Stev-o · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2016, 02:55:30 PM »

Quote from: Bankerdanny on May 12, 2016, 02:51:59 PM

What I should have done was keep my 550 that I sold when I bought the 'Wing. THAT was my big mistake.

Then just buy a 550 runner, you're close to cheap CB's in WI.

The RE looks like a nice bike, but $6K? At least go test ride it...

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2016, 02:57:24 PM »

I think I have managed to fight back the urge. I would definitely prefer to just buy something outright. If I am successful getting my scooter project running next week then I should be able to sell that and use it to fund a cheap runner.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2016, 03:40:15 PM »

Quote from: Bankerdanny on May 12, 2016, 02:51:59 PM

What I should have done was keep my 550 that I sold when I bought the 'Wing. THAT was my big mistake.

Glad it was you that posted that and not me. lol

Stev-o · « **Reply #11 on:** May 12, 2016, 03:58:38 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on May 12, 2016, 03:40:15 PM

Quote from: Bankerdanny on May 12, 2016, 02:51:59 PM
What I should have done was keep my 550 that I sold when I bought the 'Wing. THAT was my big mistake.
Glad it was you that posted that and not me. lol

Ha! me too.....

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #12 on:** May 12, 2016, 07:40:58 PM »

Alternatively http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/mcy/5582489240.html

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 13, 2016, 02:02:27 AM »

sweet...I'd be wayyy into that if I had the money.

DickL · « **Reply #14 on:** May 13, 2016, 03:37:55 AM »

Not sure how well the parts support would be on the Enfield. I believe they are made in India. If you have a problem with it are the parts available? Don't think a board exists that has the knowledgebase of this one.

Good luck on whatever you decide to you do.

Dick

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #15 on:** May 13, 2016, 12:14:59 PM »

Parts support is actually really good. I had one in 2006. The Indian built Enfields have a really strong owner community. Before buying my first SOHC4 in 2011 I was a member of the Enfield forum hosted by the Minnesota based importer of the bikes, who also has a terrific aftermarket business: nfieldgear.com.

In some ways parts are easier to get than they are for our 40 year old SOHC's.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #16 on:** May 13, 2016, 12:24:28 PM »

So, as the reality of not really wanting to commit to making 5 years of payments, even a relatively small one like the one on an RE. I started looking to see what's available around me.

I found a really nice 550F with Lesters in Wisconsin for a reasonable amount, but I can't get to it until Sunday and there is someone supposed to look at it Saturday. At the price the seller wants I don't expect it to last.

There is also this: http://rockford.craigslist.org/mcy/5575504387.html

I talked to the seller today. He doesn't have a title (shocking) and so his price is too high. But my project bike does have a title and I have a spare fork, bars, rear wheel, airbox, and a pristine early K seat. So I could have this back to fully stock in a weekend and plate it with from my existing title to ride it while I go the Vermont route to get this specific bike a title. I could though on the aftermarket 4-1 and muffler that came with my 550F basket case to replace the straight pipes.

He says he started it a few days ago and it ran, but leaked from the float bowls. I also have a set of already refreshed '74 carbs. So I could have a running, licensed, rideable 550 in a couple weekends.

The 550F bike looks very clean and even though the seller wants almost double what the guy in the ad above wants, the Lesters and overall condition make it well worth the extra money.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #17 on:** May 13, 2016, 12:33:02 PM »

Sean, I almost pulled the trigger on an 850 T-3 back in 2007, but I hesitated and someone else jumped.

flatlander · « **Reply #18 on:** May 13, 2016, 12:34:11 PM »

the good thing is that they are pretty simple. in that way, similar to our old hondas.
compared to a second hand bike that enfield is not cheap. on the other hand, you do get a new bike with dealer support.

i visit india regularly. over there, they are much coveted and have an almost legendary reputation. they're a thumper with lots of torque but even compared to our old CBs not great acceleration and top speed. but fun, especially around town.
not sure if i would buy one myself but i can see the attraction... maybe find out how much you'd loose if you decided to sell it on after a few months?

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #19 on:** May 13, 2016, 12:49:47 PM »

They are getting ready to introduce an adventure bike, the Himalaya which is powered by a 100% new 420cc engine. Enfield's first truly new engine literally since the 1950's. The engine parts in my 2002 RE were mostly interchangeable with the parts from the 1953 British made Bullet.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #20 on:** May 14, 2016, 02:27:59 PM »

Seems like the fates are smiling at me. The guy that was supposed to look at the 75 550F with Lesters cancelled. Going to see it at noon tomorrow with cash in hand, so we'll see. http://racine.craigslist.org/mcy/5576705938.html

Stev-o · « **Reply #21 on:** May 15, 2016, 06:09:39 PM »

Ad is deleted, you buy it?

DickL · « **Reply #22 on:** May 15, 2016, 06:15:49 PM »

I spoke to a friend of mine that used to have the Enfield distributorship for North America. He said that they are great bikes and that parts are not a problem. He said the yellow ones are rare. He also said that 6k is full price and you could probably do better.

Dickl

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #23 on:** May 16, 2016, 01:16:30 AM »

I owned a couple of British built Royal Enfields back in the 1970's, I bought a gokart from a guy which was fitted with a RE 500cc engine and gearbox fitted, with a Holden (Aussie GM) carb fitted. It wouldn't idle below around 1500 RPM, but would do 105 MPH. He had some friends follow him one night in their car to see how fast it would go, the only problem (and why he sold it to me) is that it had massive understeer, and didn't like going around corners at speed.

I took the engine out and fitted it into a 350 frame, and "Fonzie-fied" it, and it was a cool cruiser, for sure. I joined the army and my folks moved house, so gave all my RE stuff away, but they were a good solid bike, not fancy, just good working class iron. I'd have a Continental GT, but I'm 6'4" tall, and probably weigh more than the bike, so it's not a good look.

That T3 would be my choice. My mate Pete had one for years and I rode it a lot, the square slide carbs are sh1t, but fit a set of 38mm Dellorto round slide pumpers and a set of "Doctor John" pipes, and unleash the beast! They handle really well (way better than any Jap bike of the era) and same for their Brembo brakes, brilliant! Cheers, Terry.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #24 on:** May 16, 2016, 07:29:04 AM »

I'm a big guy too Terry, 6-4, 235lbs (107kilos) I haven't ridden the GT, but I have sat on a few at shows an it is a pretty spacious bike. I was comfortable on my 2002 Bullet, which is a bit smaller than the Continental GT.

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Author Topic: Thinking about buying a new Royal Enfield Continental GT (Read 5234 times)