I've been eyeballing the Royal Enfield also. If there was a new (or should we call it New Old Stock) bike that appealed to me, the Enfield would be it. I prefer one of the 500cc versions, probably the new model with disk brake.
The bike has simplicity for ease of understanding maintenance. What could be simpler to adjust than a single carb and two valves. It would be the perfect bike for around town riding and puttting on empty country roads.
Unfortunately, to get to the country roads, you have to go by freeway. This is where the Enfield lacks, power and performance for highways and freeways. That is the reason I have not been able to get myself to purchase one. I can't afford a bike with limited usage.
Still, its a great looking bike which would probably command its share of attention in any parking lot and would be a blast to ride. A great way to return to yesteryear and the true essence of motorcycling.
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grand daddy purple strain
Royal Enfield
i agree with the freeway argument. when i purchase a bike, at least my first bike, freeway riding is a requisite. that said, there are performance upgrades (for a price) which can double it's power output and bring its topspeed up to 120 mph. I don't know if this qualifies the single-cylinder Enfield for freeway use, but it does make me wonder. if only i could find someone in the area who owns one and wouldn't mind letting me take it for a spin. i can dream can't i?