A Few Mods for the Enfield

(Page 2 of 2)

September/October 2006
By Richard Backus 
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Fun, but can it be a commuter?
Until recently, I’d limited my rides on the Enfield to short jaunts around town, so I decided to see what it’s like to live with the 500 Bullet as a daily rider.

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My daily commute covers 60 miles, most of it via secondary back roads, and a couple weeks of riding the Enfield proved a few basic points.

First, it’s relatively frugal, returning about 55mpg. Second, the new Amal carb has transformed the Bullet. It fires up instantly, settles into an idle quickly, and responds crisply to twists of the wrist. It’s no powerhouse, and never will be, but it seems vastly more inclined to get out of its own way than it used to. Third, as Perkins noted, the solo saddle looks cool, but it’s too firm. I find it downright uncomfortable. Fourth, the Bullet was made for the back roads. In the brief sections where I have to share the road with metal boxes hustling along at an average of 70mph, the Bullet is out of its element. It’ll do it, but it’s hardly big fun. But get it on a lonely black top, puttering along at 50-55mph, and it’s lovely. The exhaust note is quite audible, the single-cylinder pumping out a melodic tune through the shorty muffler.

Better yet is how it works for short jaunts around town, where it’s the perfect bike for running quick errands or making the scene at the local brewpub. It’s a nimble handler that corners well and is easy to maneuver. I love the exhaust note, and you can’t believe how many thumbs up and smiles the bike gets from riders and non-riders alike. Whether they know it’s new or not, everyone notices the Enfield.

It may not be fast, and we’re a little concerned about the oil leak at the head gasket, but its old-school charm is so complete it’s easy to forget any of its shortcomings and just go out for a ride.

Details
Who: Classic Motorworks, 1220B Fourth St. NW,; Faribault, MN  55021; www.enfieldmotorcycles.com 

 
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  • David in Fort Lauderdale 9/18/2008 7:43:25 PM

    Your experience mirrors my own 7 years of commuting on a Royal Enfield Bullet 500. Nothing better for anything short of the expressway. I enjoyed the reactions of drivers around me to the classic looking motorcycle and I feel they were more courteous and cautious around me because they were interested in it. On the Interstate, the rules change. It's dog-eat-dog up there and the many-ton semis give no quarter. I racked up 40,000 miles on my Bullet before it needed any serious work. If you can get to the job without hopping on the Interstate, I recommend it. Not sure of the rules here. May I give you a link to a story I wrote about communting by Royal Enfield, on my blog?
    http://www.royalenfields.com/2008/08/royal-enfield-riders-enjoy-doing-it.html

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