Latest GS competitor....

[milleplod]

Orders now being taken for the first batch of UK-spec ones apparently. Just under £4k otr.

Pete

[Al]

Think I will stick to my GS, But you could have 4 of those for the price of a new GS LC with all the toys on it, that might tempt a few.

Al.

[fontana]

When I spoke to the rep on the stand at the NEC they were not sure if they'd be coming to the UK, due to emissions restrictions, but obviously they've got through them.
It was one of my favourite bikes of the show.
The perfect antidote to all of the other plastic clad blandness that seemed to be the theme of the show.

[exoticices]

I watched the Enfield promo video a few months ago. I think the idea behind it is that it's light (unlike the GS) and mechanically relatively simple (unlike the GS) and relatively cheap (unlike the GS) and therefore better suited to genuine 'adventure' off-road-middle-of-nowhere riding. The GS is a different beast/market - a very competent on-road do-everything tourer.

I like the oddball looks of the Enfield and if the reality lives up to the promo hype (big 'if''?) then it should make a great buy for anyone after a commuter / winter / 'adventure' bike.

[fontana]

I think the idea behind it is that it's light (unlike the GS) and mechanically relatively simple (unlike the GS) and relatively cheap (unlike the GS).

Everything a proper adventure bike should be,

[Grip Fast]

Looks to me like it could be a lot of fun to ride. And at that price you could have fun on it without being too precious about it. If only I had room in the garage... Oh, if only I had a garage...

300 miles on a tank of petrol! Now that is appealing to the Scrooge in me (don't think I'd want to ride 300 miles without a stop, but...)

[Herb]

Quite like that! For £4K it could make a good fun second bike.

[fontana]

I saw one of these today.
It has to win first prize for the most authentic café racer.
It sounded absolutely glorious.
Yes Please

[nab 301]

I saw one of these today.
It has to win first prize for the most authentic café racer.
It sounded absolutely glorious.
Yes Please
8

I thought so too (and still do albeit visually) until I rode one last year... with standard exhaust . Less "grunt" than my Bullet 65 although it does rev a bit more but still feels flat, and initially I though there was something wrong with my eyes , but no, I couldn't read the speedo / rev counter because they were vibrating so much, no harm though , I doubt if it could reach the national speed limit!
In my part of the world any of the new range of Enfields are going to be around 7k Euro and for that I can get a barely used NC700/ 750 or an older one for a lot less that will do at least 80mpg.
In purely practical (read financia)l terms My Fx 650 has more go than a Himalayan, about 20% of the outlay, and no depreciation .

[fontana]

I doubt if it could reach the national speed limit.

I daresay you are right, but I don't believe that comparative performance figures are the forefront of the minds of people interested in buying the RE GT, or any Royal Enfield.
It's a choice of the heart over the head.

[nab 301]

.

I daresay you are right, but I don't believe that comparative performance figures are the forefront of the minds of people interested in buying the RE GT, or any Royal Enfield.
It's a choice of the heart over the head.

Maybe , but for me, something that looks that good at least deserves to generate a little adrenalin when you wind open the throttle rather than just vibration and a change in intake note.

[slparry]

.

I daresay you are right, but I don't believe that comparative performance figures are the forefront of the minds of people interested in buying the RE GT, or any Royal Enfield.
It's a choice of the heart over the head.

Maybe , but for me, something that looks that good at least deserves to generate a little adrenalin when you wind open the throttle rather than just vibration and a change in intake note.

this is why I love my F800GS so much

When Yamaha announced the 1200 Super Tenere people predicted the end of the end for the 12GS & GSA
When Suzuki announced the new 1000 V-strom the same was predicted
When Honda announced the new Africa Twin the same was predicted

despite all of this the 12GS and GSA are still class leading adventure bikes that are capable of far more than the rest of us normal riders can deal with

[fontana]

Maybe , but for me, something that looks that good at least deserves to generate a little adrenalin when you wind open the throttle rather than just vibration and a change in intake note.

There's always more performance to be had.
I daresay someone who rides a Hayabusa would find my R1100RS bland and uninspiring.

[dave the german]

Maybe , but for me, something that looks that good at least deserves to generate a little adrenalin when you wind open the throttle rather than just vibration and a change in intake note.

There's always more performance to be had.
I daresay someone who rides a Hayabusa would find my R1100RS bland and uninspiring.

I don't think uninspiring is the right word here - mate of mine has a Hayabusa - admittedly at the time he had a Fazer thou when he rode my BCR and he is totally anti BMW and he really couldn't believe how deceptively quick and torquey it was

[dave the german]

oh he's a very quick rider and a hooligan to boot (not you Steve!!! )