Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Classically Styled RTW Bike?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warthog (Post 324972)

In other words, yes an Enfield may suck in the sands, but has a lowish CoG and is not overly heavy anyway. Then, when you are on more typical terrain and tracks, you'll enjoy the thumping single, great economy and its disarming looks when mingling with the locals.

my 500 Bullet (2003 UK spec) was great in the soft sand and mud.

the rear sub-frame that holds the mud-guard was a weak point for me (african pistes/washboard). the mud-guard assembly is heavy, and I snapped the sub-frame twice. it's made from thin metal tubing. maybe try and work out how to brace them, or get a stronger set made.

the rear shocks wore out fairly quickly, and I suspect that they caused the subframe problems. so I'd upgrade those too.

however, I'd without a doubt take another one. and I'd recommend one RTW. they are great fun. mine was very reliable engine-wise. two clutch cables snapped. it'd be a rubbish bike if you were in a hurry, or were riding with someone else on a faster bike. but solo it's great.

I had to put up with the occasional chin-less wonder telling me how unreliable enfields were. even sitting in ethiopia having ridden 15,000 km people delighted in telling me how crap and unsuitable the old girl was. however, the majority of people seem to love a scruffed-up enfield.

I think a lot of unreliability comes from poor mechanical sympathy, whatever the bike. Some riders can break even the most robust bikes (the quantity of postings about AT/KTM/GS shocks breaking). you just need to pick something that you enjoy riding, and that suits you. no point riding an enfield if you like racing around and riding jumps.