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Royal Enfield 500 Classic Royal Enfield 500 Classic
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 5 May 2017
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Royal Enfield 500 Classic
Hi

What are your opinions on a 2013 (EFI) royal Enfield for a trip from Oz - UK

The bike is stock, I was wondering if would be OK to do the trip and if so what mods would one do. I a assuming rear shocks to cope with extra weight

Charging points etc heavy duty tubes.

Other than that I'm hoping not to do many more, if so i might as well buy a jap bike.
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Old 5 May 2017
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People have ridden all over the world on fairly standard Enfields and apart from luggage racks/panniers, I would add a bash plate for the engine and replace the shocks if they are getting knackered, the standard ones cope with Indian roads so can cope with most things. Assuming the rest of the bike is mechanically sound you should be good to go.
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Old 5 May 2017
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Just running mine in. If its a bike you like and understand go for it. Has enough power, great efficiency, simple or maintenance free mechanicals.

You'll need to sort the tyres. They come with TL on spoked rims. TT tyres are easy enough to source, but you'll need a bead breaker to get the TL off. LED running lights and a headlight switch give a bit of spare power.

Andy
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  #4  
Old 6 May 2017
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There is a dutch couple riding the same route that you plan to do on two RE classica. I belive theyre come as far as Nepal now. Maybe you could get some advice from those? They post a bit on the facebook site of Horizons and call themself "Royal Mavericks"
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Old 7 May 2017
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If this is a bike you already own, know and love, then why not?

But if you are just toying with a romantic idea, you need to experience the bike first hand for a while first. Enfields are not the bike of choice in India; Indians prefer the cheaper, lighter, faster, more reliable 160cc bikes such as the Honda Hero.
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  #6  
Old 25 Aug 2017
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Hiya.

I would have to agree with Tim above. A fine romantic notion when your in a highly populated country with lots of mechanics and spares. But once you are out of India that bike will break your heart.
We met two Berliners in Azerbaijan on those Efi's with luggage and they struggled to keep morale up regarding the machines. Every single day something broke or needed attention. The spokes cracked the sprockets lost their teeth. It was a thorn in the side of the whole trip for them.
Why anyone would choose a bike made of cheese to cross half the world is beyond me.
Just my opinion. But air cooled single cylinder Japanese bikes are tried and tested in lots of conditions.
What about an xr400 or 600 or an xt or ttr?
All available in Oz.

The enfields are pretty ill agree but that is all.
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  #7  
Old 25 Aug 2017
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I owned an Enfield 500 for 4 years, and used it for weekend trips. It was a fun bike, and the reliability was better than some make it out to be - but it was not as solid as a good Japanese bike.

If I were riding halfway around the world on a bike through some very remote areas, an Enfield is not the bike I'd choose. YMMV.
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Old 30 Aug 2017
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The next time your uncle tells you about some poor benighted soul his manicurists cousins brother once met in a pub be sure to point him at this

https://www.flickr.com/photos/145968...57679514081504

Its the notes I'm writing about running one.

The 2017 cruises 20 mph faster than the 2004 I had, so tales about iron barrels need not apply. They should have changed the name to ditch the baggage.

Andy
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Old 30 Aug 2017
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62 bordercrossings and counting.....

https://www.facebook.com/rmavericks/
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Old 31 Aug 2017
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Martyn hasn't posted since May which makes me wonder if;

a) he bought an Africa Twin and is having too much fun to post, or;
b) is sitting in the jungles of Borneo staring forlornly at his Enfield wondering why it wont start
c) he is happily chugging away around the world on it

.
.
.
.
.
.
..

Seriously though. As a mechanic I work on my brother in laws 500 and its quirky to say the least. Weird stuff goes wrong like the charging. Sometimes it charged, sometimes it didn't. The stator was oval shaped from the factory - weird. Sometimes it would blow white smoke, sometimes blue smoke. Sometimes it would leak oil from the engine casing, sometimes not. But it was consistent in the area of vibrations.

If I was after an adventure and the bike was a part of it I would say go for it. If I was after an adventure and I expected the bike to behave like a modern mechanical Timor Pony I would grab something from the land of the rising sun for similar money.

Have fun now. But call home Martyn - we miss you..
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