Royal Enfield. If there ever was a legend in India it would be this brand. Ever since the first thumper arrived in India the bike became an icon. Up until the early 2000’s, Royal Enfields were the ultimate status symbols. The fact is that the bikes they made were always expensive and they brought fairly large engines to a market where 150cc’s were a big deal. The company never really looked at volume sales until the UCE engine was developed. This change coincided with a tweak in the Indian mindset. People wouldn’t think “One lakh! Why wouldn’t I just wait and buy a car instead?”
Leisure motorcycling entered a new era and RE’s timing couldn’t have been better. The thought of owning a legend is what drives people to this brand. Royal Enfields range is a set of derivations as they all use the same engines. The current 346cc engine delivers a peak power output of 19.8 hp (Classic 350, Thunderbird 350, Bullet 350, Electra 350) and the 499cc engine on the Classic 500/Chrome/Desert Storm, Thunderbird 500 and Bullet 500 generates peak power of around 27 hp. The single-cylinder, 535cc engine, which powers the all new Continental GT café racer, develops 29bhp. I happen to own a 2010 Thunderbird 350 myself and while some people think it makes me have a bias, it’s quite the opposite. I am one of my own bike’s biggest critics, because I know exactly what kind of issues it gives me.
Royal Enfield has often been criticized for being slow in catching up to the game. The UCE engines improved performance and reduced transmission loss, but the competitors offer more in terms of practicality. The UCE Enfields are easier to live with, but still have maintenance issues and the authorized service centers are terrible to say the least. Royal Enfields are said to be unique in more ways than one, but unfortunately you cannot switch from an efficient Japanese brand to this British classic and expect the same experience.
Build Quality
Rusting is something that takes place after at least a few months in normal motorcycles. However, owners have reported that parts like the bend pipe, handle bars and panel locks start rusting as early as two weeks from the date of purchase. This is not something you’d expect considering you’re coughing up upwards or Rs 1 lakh for a motorcycle. These bikes are completely exposed and have a rustic classic appeal. The chrome luster is signature RE, but if your bike started rusting before you even got your first service done it’s quite disappointing.
Need For Better Execution
Speedometer cables failing, clutch cables snapping and brake liners needing replacement more often than you change your undergarments. This is all too familiar for a Royal Enfield Owners. The spare parts quality is not up to the mark and components just don’t last long enough. The rear brake on an RE is considered non existent. The brake falls loose in a matter of every 80 kms and needs constant tightening. As a result of your rear brake being weak, you are using the front brake harder and lo and behold, your disk pads need changing soon as well. I have seen the shock of many people when they are told their chain and sprocket kit has to be replaced after 5000 kms of riding as well. The bikes are “Handcrafted in Chennai” and like it or not the human touch comes with its errors.
Electricals
This has to be the weakest point of Royal Enfields. Many riders find themselves stranded with the bike refusing to start or even show the neutral light. Wiring going loose, indicator and head/tail lamp bulbs conking off are a constant hassle. It is an easy fix, but first time riders struggle with it and shouldn’t have to in the first place. The self starter often needs a lot of persuasion as well and you need to be incredibly careful during the monsoons. In a certain case a rider would use his indicator switch, but the bulb never worked. Instead his headlamp would start flickering much to any onlookers amusement.The fact is this rarely happens on most other bikes and if it does, going to man with the proper tools fixes it once and for all. RE’s have been made easy to fix, but with good reason as the little issues often recur and should be given more attention to.
Room For Improved Engineering
The bikes are not performance moguls. Considering their displacement you would expect much better stats, but unfortunately it doesn’t translate on paper. Yes, their low end torque is brilliant and make both city and highway riding a breeze, but is it really too much to ask to make the bike faster or manage higher speeds better? Every “Bulleteer” would argue that these aren’t racing bikes, but no one can deny that 19.8 hp from a 350cc bike is not exactly mind blowing. Stand-alone a Royal Enfield 500 is great for Indian highways. However, with the competition brimming up, it’s not so simple to be just good enough anymore.
Vibration
Granted that the vibrations are major part of the ride experience, but sometimes it just crosses all limits. If you try accelerating too quickly the vibrations get terrible. Rev it too hard and the bike hits a false neutral. Riding above 80 km/h means often unbearable vibrations in prolonged riding conditions which shouldn’t be the case considering their primary use is exactly that. They say that Royal Enfields are most comfortable at 60-70 km/h, but when my bike displaces 350 or 500cc shouldn’t they manage reasonably high speeds with more dignity?
Now you may wonder why anyone would buy a bike with often publicized criticisms. Well it’s something that’s hard to explain. The feel of the ride is a unique experience and is not something you can put on paper. The bikes have a personality of their own. While some see the problems as negligence, others see every visit to the mechanic as a learning experience. The bikes being moody almost makes them seem human and for some that is part of the appeal. They aren’t seen as machines, but as an extension of the riders, explaining the cult status. But RE needs to understand, this novelty will wear off at some point and abysmal product quality will kill the bond before it can be made.
These motorcycles are easy to fix and modify if you’ve had one for long enough. The point in question being, this is not a bike for everyone. They require constant attention and faults are a plenty. Anyone who plans to book one needs to know that there are more practical options out there if not better. The cruiser segment is still quite limited in India, but in the years to come it will expand which is why we can hope for Royal Enfield models to improve greatly.
The brand has found a much larger customer base than ever before and that is leading to more people buying the bikes for their large displacement and regretting it later because they expect it to behave like a bike made with robotic precision like Honda or Bajaj. The problems I have listed are an overview and there are a few more hassles that go with it. However, there are few bikes that last as long as the ones Royal Enfield makes and once you’ve bonded with your bike like I did, you understand why they say “You don’t buy a Royal Enfield with your head, you buy it with your heart”
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