I have seen many companies on the intenret that import Indian models and also heard of people riding back on the bikes and being able to pass its MOT and meet legilsatoin by just fitting correct tires, indicators and mirrors.

How do they meet EU legislation ? and why would they be in business if it was a lot of money and hassle when UK spec models are being built for the UK market ? Im not saying you are wrong mearly questioning your post. As I myself am planning to buy a Enfield, albeit a Nepalise Enfield (as currently it not possible to ride a bike back from Inida legally diue to the inablity to obtain a carnet de passage to go through pakistan, iran and turkey).

Other costs, I believe you have to pay registration fees and 22% tax of the value of the bike.

Hi Spiritwalker,
Some posts just get lost if the right people don't see them first time round.

I can agree with much of what has already been said about Enfields. The export models are aparently of a much higher standard than the 'home market' ones.
I have a 2002 '350 Classic' export model and think it's great fun. You do have to be aware of the limitations of these bikes though. As has been said before they are effectively 50 year old bikes so can't be thrashed like a modern Jap/german machine. You have to keep fettling them and tweaking them, it's a real 'hands on' bike. Having spoken to the numerous old boys who come up and go "I/my brother/mate had one of those back in the fifties!" they seem to require no more care than was usual back in those days though.
Many people buy them expecting it run without maintenance and care in the way a Jap bike would and to zip along with equal modernity. These people are dumb (sorry no other expression fits).
Personally I wouldn't use one to commute or as an adventure tourer, but for weekends away, short chugs on summer evenings etc. it's a right laugh. No other 'modern' bike I know makes you feel like you've escaped from Stalag Luft 3 and are making a dash for the swiss frontier. And in that funny way, people (including the lasses ) pay them way more attention than they would a BMW 1200GS Adv.
If I was you I'd look around for a second hand one, they are EXTREMELY cheap second hand as many people buy one and find it too much for them. According to a recent internet valuation I did, my 2002 bike with 10,000km in excellent condition and a reliable runner is worth just 400 pounds. Look around and you'll get a real nice one I'm sure.
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!

These dudes are the no.1 Enfield accesory dealers in the UK (some of their stuff is ridiculously cool, almost too nice to stick on a bike the value of an enfield!) but they also have a good message board with some really informed blokes and enthusiasts. It might be an idea to read some of the stuff on here to decide wether or not a Bullet is for you:

http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/

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!

this used to be the case, but these bikes are not now tuv approved. without type approval you cant register them for the road. only the 'export models' are approved. My personal beleif is that thsi is more marketing ploy than build quality. Enfield will not type approve a non export model.

get a uk bike ( or whatever your country is) once registered you can pretty much do what you want with it, ( keep the original chassis number)

Im sorry to diverge somewhat of topic.

oldbmw - If you dont mind I would like to know more about what TUV approved means ? I am in the middle of planning my dream travelling experience and flying to Nepal and buying a bike then riding it back to the UK.

Once back I would like to tax and mot it and carry on use of the bike. Is it possible to work on the bike to make it tuv approved?

If not is it possible to buy a older Enfield and be exept from the legislation ?

Please help, thanks very much in advance for any info

I may have got the terminilogy wrong, but basically as from jan 2006 all the eec have got together with regards licencing vehicles. Only those vehicle models which are certified by the manufacturer to conform in every respect with eec regulations can be licensed for road use. vehicles manufactured before this have a difficult time getting registry, except for veteran ( here again may not be exact term) vehicles. For the UK this means 1972 or before.

My advice would be to get a post 2000 enfield already registered here. once you have that registered get the carnets etc, and ship the bike to Nepal or somwhere close where you can ride it into India with comparative ease. There you could fit whatever mods/improvements you like for little money. and ride it home without any problems. My own choice would be for the new electra. and not bother with many mods ( maybe a bigger tank ) I do not beleive that the export bikes are much dissimilar from the home market ones... but for each export market they have to comply with loads of regulations. eg Australia has its set, as does the USA. so importing a vehicle into or between any of these economies is now very difficult.

I think the above idea of transporting your bike to India or Nepal then riding home might be a good one, at least logistically. Although it may be expensive. The great benefit of buying one here (apart from the simplicity of re-importation) is that you will have the opportunity to get to know your bike. Enfields are very simple and easy to work on but the opportunity to strip it down and service the bike in the comfort of your own home should not be underestimated.
You would also be able to fit some european made after market parts which are of far higher quality than the Indian originals. For example a power box in place of the dodgy regulator rectifier units and electronic ignition. The Hitchcocks website I mentioned before has loads of performance and reliability related parts (most of which are unessecary for your purposes though!). Although I suppose there is nothing stopping you buying the parts here and fitting them to a bike over there. Of course many people have simply bought a stock bike and ridden it home!

If I was adapting a Bullet for overlanding I'd:

Fit a power box. Fit a freer flowing air filter and exhaust, and re-jet the carb (any extra power is nice on a Bullet!). Fit some nice wide handlebars. Put a sheepskin on the seat. Build a rack to take some soft luggage. Beef up the rear sub-frame. Fit a halogen headlight bulb. Fit a better horn. Depending on roads taken fit two front 19" Continental Twinduros front and back if you see what I mean! (Otherwise just use standard Avons, they are fine). Fit a side stand. (Getting a fully loaded Bullet up on its centre stand is a bitch!) Get an open face helmet and spitfire pilots goggles.

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!

Thanks very much for your help on this. Certainly regards to eec regulations this is new news and helpful to me and many others wanting to do the same trip.

However for me I dont have much money and the trip was for me a way I could travel around on a motobike and travel to countires I really want to go to without forking out too much money. Of course payment for the carnet de passage (x%) would be refundable and the bike itself was an investment in itself considering it would be something I could (or perhaps envisigned) on using in the UK when I got back.

For someone who has more money I think defo exporting and re-importing is the hassle free and easiest way to travel.

Im going to try and find out more information about if its possible to make modifications to a indian made Enfield to meet thease new requirments. Perhaps its possible to make modifications to the bike in india/Nepal. I will try and contact Enfield and perhaps the RAC or AA to at least get a better understanding on the options avaliable.

I will post back here any information that comes to light.

Fingers crossed.

I do not think you will get any help from Enfield. there are thousands of tests to get type approval... and if you building from scratch you might have to make several the same for the crash tests.... simply is uneconomic to do that.