I am going to answer this from my experience with Royal Enfields so far.
I have extensively ridden royal enfield classic 500s and have some experience riding classic 350s as well.
In my opinion owning a a royal enfield is more about the experience.When u buy a royal enfield you are not buying merely a motorcycle, you are buying into an experience, so it would be better to make a buying decision regarding royal enfield by evaluating whether you would be some one who would love experience that a royal enfield classic offers
As with almost all people who love Royal Enfields, I cannot really put a finger on what make us love this motorcycle, but i will try to summarise the experience that royal enfield classis bikes can offer(being a first time writer, i am not sure how much i can convey but i will try my best);
1) It doesn't not make a ton of power but its enough to keep you cruising around 80-100 kmph with out much vibrations.This, in combination with the 'thump' of the engine(and good scenery sometimes) often takes you to state that could be termed as a comfortable meditative state.
I have extensively ridden royal enfield classic 500s and have some experience riding classic 350s as well.
In my opinion owning a a royal enfield is more about the experience.When u buy a royal enfield you are not buying merely a motorcycle, you are buying into an experience, so it would be better to make a buying decision regarding royal enfield by evaluating whether you would be some one who would love experience that a royal enfield classic offers
As with almost all people who love Royal Enfields, I cannot really put a finger on what make us love this motorcycle, but i will try to summarise the experience that royal enfield classis bikes can offer(being a first time writer, i am not sure how much i can convey but i will try my best);
1) It doesn't not make a ton of power but its enough to keep you cruising around 80-100 kmph with out much vibrations.This, in combination with the 'thump' of the engine(and good scenery sometimes) often takes you to state that could be termed as a comfortable meditative state.
2) the process of kickstarting a royal enfield feels like a ritual.Being someone who looks at motorcycling as if its a way to find a bit of solitude,having a ritualistic kickstarting process adds to the experience. In my experience every enfield has some little quirk associated with kickstarting, that you have to work around. Small things like this makes your bike a little more personal to you, not many people can start it as easily as you do.
3)although you will never be able take corners at warp speed and drag your knees while at it, Classic enfields handle reasonably well and with experience you will learn the limits of the bike and will learn to take corners with moderate lean angles and speeds and the torquey engine will also help you do that even when you are climbing uphill. The thing is, its not an easy motorcycle to ride fast, and as someone once said" its much more fun to ride a slow motorcycle fast than ride a fast motorcycle slow."
4)shifting gears on a royal enfield feels very mechanical, you can feel the gears change and is unlike the butter smooth shifts on most Japanese bikes. I found that I kind of started liking this over time.
5) the beautiful curves and classic design cues are worth spending money for, its a joy to look at especially after you have spent half an hour washing and polishing it. Its just simply beautiful.
3)although you will never be able take corners at warp speed and drag your knees while at it, Classic enfields handle reasonably well and with experience you will learn the limits of the bike and will learn to take corners with moderate lean angles and speeds and the torquey engine will also help you do that even when you are climbing uphill. The thing is, its not an easy motorcycle to ride fast, and as someone once said" its much more fun to ride a slow motorcycle fast than ride a fast motorcycle slow."
4)shifting gears on a royal enfield feels very mechanical, you can feel the gears change and is unlike the butter smooth shifts on most Japanese bikes. I found that I kind of started liking this over time.
5) the beautiful curves and classic design cues are worth spending money for, its a joy to look at especially after you have spent half an hour washing and polishing it. Its just simply beautiful.
6) The enfield community: enfield organises lot of events and rides for its customers and there are enfield clubs in most cities. Its a great way to socialise and meet people if you are so inclined.
7) But enfields are not with out faults, It demands care and will most likely run into problems easily when you don't take care of it and does not brake very well either.But if u take good care it will serve you well for years,you have to be receptive to the bike and take care of problems as soon as possible. If you can take care of an enfield well then in tells something about your character---might even win you a few good friends.
8) overall, i feel it is a great is great teacher as well in terms of riding, if are ready to learn, the mediocre braking teaches you to judiciously use engine braking and learn to rev match, relatively slow acceleration teaches you to carry just the right speed into corners. I used to over look these finer skills wen riding more modern Hondas and Yamahas. I feel that riding enfields have contributed to making my riding better.
Now, if u still want to take a decision based on practicality I can say this in favour of Royal enfield classic;
1)if you are from india, Royal enfield will have excellent resale value if and wen u decide to sell it.
2)UCE engines on the new bikes are pretty reliable and classic 350s give around 35/40 kmpl and classic 500s give around 20-25 kmpl---these are pretty good figures considering the engine sizes
3) Relatively loud exhaust note will make other drivers take notice of you at intersections and traffic....making it a much safer compared to silent smaller engine capacity motorcycles.
4) if you are in India, you are not gonna have to go very far to find people who can repair your bike if something happens.
5) being quite heavy, Enfields are much more stable when you encounter cross winds, this really helps a lot when touring.
6) they are comfortable touring bikes with just a few additions like luggage racks and better handle bars.
7) But enfields are not with out faults, It demands care and will most likely run into problems easily when you don't take care of it and does not brake very well either.But if u take good care it will serve you well for years,you have to be receptive to the bike and take care of problems as soon as possible. If you can take care of an enfield well then in tells something about your character---might even win you a few good friends.
8) overall, i feel it is a great is great teacher as well in terms of riding, if are ready to learn, the mediocre braking teaches you to judiciously use engine braking and learn to rev match, relatively slow acceleration teaches you to carry just the right speed into corners. I used to over look these finer skills wen riding more modern Hondas and Yamahas. I feel that riding enfields have contributed to making my riding better.
Now, if u still want to take a decision based on practicality I can say this in favour of Royal enfield classic;
1)if you are from india, Royal enfield will have excellent resale value if and wen u decide to sell it.
2)UCE engines on the new bikes are pretty reliable and classic 350s give around 35/40 kmpl and classic 500s give around 20-25 kmpl---these are pretty good figures considering the engine sizes
3) Relatively loud exhaust note will make other drivers take notice of you at intersections and traffic....making it a much safer compared to silent smaller engine capacity motorcycles.
4) if you are in India, you are not gonna have to go very far to find people who can repair your bike if something happens.
5) being quite heavy, Enfields are much more stable when you encounter cross winds, this really helps a lot when touring.
6) they are comfortable touring bikes with just a few additions like luggage racks and better handle bars.
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