mean gene
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2020
- Messages
- 858
Ok someone asked for my experience with the modern Royal Enfield's. What's not to like, alloy wheels' great breaks and strong engines. I have two, a 2015 535 Continental GT and a 2020 650 Continental GT.
The 535 was bought used on e-bay, cheap, had a oil leak at the head gasket. Contacted Royal Enfield for parts and service manual. The parts were delivered quickly and a complete shop manual at no charge, every thing you ever wanted to know about the bike was in the manual! Fun Bike handles well. Down side is if the battery is slightly low on voltage the electric starter solenoid won't allow starter to work. Supposedly to protect starter sprag. It does have a kicker. Have heard of some with lifter-valve noise. Would be easy to replace push rods with adjustable push rods from a Harley and adjust valve lash. Mine is fine no need for customizing.
Bought the 650 new, again what's not to like? Three year bumper to bumper warranty with road side assistance. Never used it but nice to have. Alloy rims, great breaks and a very strong engine. Asked dealer if I changed exhaust if it would effect the warranty "No the fuel injection will make adjustments". Exit the cat mufflers in favor of louder reverse cone mufflers. Runs great could be a little rich with the new mufflers. The only thing I have done is change oil and install new spark plugs. Sat all winter and started right up! As an after thought it doesn't have a kicker I miss them especially on a "retro bike". Again I asked royal Enfield for a shop manual and they sent me a complete, every part, wiring, torque specs shop manual. Down side is the dealers. Mine sells several makes and it seems to be lacking in service. At the time there were not many dealers to go to, now I believe there are more. S&S are making big bore kits, Ive worked with them on Harleys, they claim the bottom end is plenty strong and will handle the over size bore, if I recall it is 861cc. Power Commander makes a high performance system controller. The bore and controller gives 60 rear wheel hp stock is around 40.
Again what's not to like?
The 535 was bought used on e-bay, cheap, had a oil leak at the head gasket. Contacted Royal Enfield for parts and service manual. The parts were delivered quickly and a complete shop manual at no charge, every thing you ever wanted to know about the bike was in the manual! Fun Bike handles well. Down side is if the battery is slightly low on voltage the electric starter solenoid won't allow starter to work. Supposedly to protect starter sprag. It does have a kicker. Have heard of some with lifter-valve noise. Would be easy to replace push rods with adjustable push rods from a Harley and adjust valve lash. Mine is fine no need for customizing.
Bought the 650 new, again what's not to like? Three year bumper to bumper warranty with road side assistance. Never used it but nice to have. Alloy rims, great breaks and a very strong engine. Asked dealer if I changed exhaust if it would effect the warranty "No the fuel injection will make adjustments". Exit the cat mufflers in favor of louder reverse cone mufflers. Runs great could be a little rich with the new mufflers. The only thing I have done is change oil and install new spark plugs. Sat all winter and started right up! As an after thought it doesn't have a kicker I miss them especially on a "retro bike". Again I asked royal Enfield for a shop manual and they sent me a complete, every part, wiring, torque specs shop manual. Down side is the dealers. Mine sells several makes and it seems to be lacking in service. At the time there were not many dealers to go to, now I believe there are more. S&S are making big bore kits, Ive worked with them on Harleys, they claim the bottom end is plenty strong and will handle the over size bore, if I recall it is 861cc. Power Commander makes a high performance system controller. The bore and controller gives 60 rear wheel hp stock is around 40.
Again what's not to like?
