How to Buy a Used Royal Enfield...

Buying a used Royal Enfield motorcycle can be a bit trickier than buying an ordinary motorcycle. Dealerships are rare and, outside of India, where they are still made, Royal Enfields are so few in number that dealers are unlikely to have used ones on hand. In this case, you may need to buy from a private party.

1. Try to find out if the motorcycle has been abused before taking the time to go see it.

   This may require a bit of psychology. Ask the seller if the motorcycle "is fast." If he replies "I've had her up to 121 km/h all the time," you have your answer. Consider why people sell Royal Enfields, often with very low mileage. It may be because they didn't realize stock Royal Enfields cruise best under 89 km/h. The seller may have abused the motorcycle by trying to keep up with friends on faster bikes.

2. Listen to the motor run.

   Royal Enfield valves can be heard opening and closing but they should not clatter. If the seller explains excess noise by saying "Oh, they are just out of adjustment," suggest that he adjust them for you right there and then, "so you can learn how." It is a bad sign if he won't do it, or can't. If he suggests you "take it to the dealer" for that, ask "can we take the cost of that off the price, then?"

3. Look carefully at the back sprocket.

   If the teeth show any sign of narrowing it will have to be replaced. You can't see the front sprocket, but it will be just as worn and reaching that one is a tough, messy job if you do it. It is several hundred dollars if you pay a mechanic to do it. If you see wear here (and you will if the bike is near or beyond 48,000 km for sure) figure that into the price.

4. Ride the motorcycle.

   If it starts, stops runs and rides the way a motorcycle should there are only two special things to check for while test riding a Royal Enfield. Any "pinging" on acceleration is a bad sign. It is easy to adjust the timing to get rid of that. The danger is that the seller may have been riding the motorcycle with pinging, potentially damaging the piston. Listen, too, for a slight knocking noise in the motor that comes only when you are riding and let off the throttle. If it's consistent and unmistakable it could mean a bad main bearing, a very expensive thing to repair.

5. Operate the controls and feel for binding or weakness in the cables.

   Cables are not extremely expensive to replace but Royal Enfields are notoriously hard on clutch cables and a broken one can strand you. Ask the seller if he has a spare cable he can "throw in" to help make the deal. He won't need it anyhow.

Tips

• A Royal Enfield that has been cared for and well sorted out by a previous owner could be a better machine than it was when it left the factory. The break-in procedure is over. Better yet, most owners add expensive accessories like single seats, bar-end mirrors, nicer turn signals and tail lights, custom exhaust systems and extra chrome items. The seller may expect a higher price because of these but he can't expect to recover their full cost if you bought them new.
• Because many owners replace the stock seat, turn signals and exhaust system, don't be impressed if these "extra parts" are included in the sale. So many of these removed parts are on the market that their value is very low.

Warnings

• Royal Enfield motorcycles are still made in India and they cost only half as much there as they do in the United States. It is very tempting to try importing one yourself or buying "a bargain" motorcycle someone has snuck in, perhaps one part at a time, and assembled. If you buy a motorcycle that did not come through the official U.S. importer, Classic Motorworks, you could experience problems registering it. Even properly imported Royal Enfields can be difficult to register in California. One way to help avoid trouble is to get the seller to accompany you to transfer the title and register the motorcycle with your state. Avoid disappointment.