Royal Enfield Cafe Racer

FlyFifer · 9 Dec 2013 at 21:02

Hi all, 1st time posting on the biker forum but, after giving up bikes for the nth time 4 years ago (kept all the gear though) am really liking the new Royal Enfield Cafe Racer. My 1st road bike at 17 was a Triumph Tiger Cub 200cc in cafe racer style & approaching my 56th birthday in February I'm harking back to those halcyon days!!! Anyone seen or ridden the RE or know how they rate?

Have owned around 90 bikes in my day trying everything from a Honda 50 step through to a GPZ900R & that Tiger Cub to a ZX6R with lots in between including cruisers. Cafe Racers are just my thing hence asking the question plus I love the thought of a modernised classic.

Bill.

Dogbreath · 10 Dec 2013 at 10:06

My uncle had one of the limited edition MCN Enfields. It was a great looking bike, and sounded lovely but he ultimately got a bit frustrated by the lack of power. It's fine if you just want to potter around at 40-50mph but if you wanted to do something challenging (e.g. pulling the skin of a rice pudding) you needed plenty of notice and a long run up

To be fair the new one seems to have a reasonable bit of extra power.

dangermouse425 · 10 Dec 2013 at 12:14

Have you considered the Triumph Thruxton?

I have a Bonnie, and they're awesome. I would thoroughly recommend.

FlyFifer · 10 Dec 2013 at 20:08

Cheers for that, the Thruxton may yet get my vote (my 2nd last bike was a "73 Bonnie which cost around the same as a new Thruxton to renovate around 8 years ago!) it certainly has that 60's/70's era look that I really like.

Watch this space methinks.

PieEater · 11 Dec 2013 at 07:35

You could also consider the Guzzi V7 Racer which to my eye looks a lot nicer than the Triumph but its looks don't match it's performance, if that's important. If you have the means then the new Norton 961 Cafe Racer would probably get my vote as it has the looks and performance along with quality parts.

Dogbreath · 11 Dec 2013 at 09:44

PieEater said:
You could also consider the Guzzi V7 Racer which to my eye looks a lot nicer than the Triumph

No question about it, the Guzzi is a beautiful looking machine.

FlyFifer · 11 Dec 2013 at 19:51

Garage fairly local to me has a 2nd hand Norton (they have Scottish Franchise & sold it from new) & found another garage about 50 minutes away with a Guzzi, off tomorrow & Friday to check them both out. Speed no longer of any importance prefering that large twin grunt meaning rolling throttle on/off all that's required rather than dancing on a gear change to make progress. Reckon both of above should suit & that RE Cafe Racer just a passing thought now.

PieEater · 11 Dec 2013 at 20:06

Keep us posted, be interesting to know what you think of them.

FlyFifer · 14 Dec 2013 at 14:52

The Norton was really nice but also expensive being double the price of the Guzzi which, in size & looks, I preferred.

Going to Glasgow next Thursday to look at new RE Cafe Racer, Norton dealer also a RE dealer but doesn't have a cafe racer in showroom. May as well see them all & try for size before deciding on the Guzzi!!

ShakenNstirred · 15 Dec 2013 at 04:28

Dogbreath said:
My uncle had one of the limited edition MCN Enfields. It was a great looking bike, and sounded lovely but he ultimately got a bit frustrated by the lack of power. It's fine if you just want to potter around at 40-50mph but if you wanted to do something challenging (e.g. pulling the skin of a rice pudding) you needed plenty of notice and a long run up

To be fair the new one seems to have a reasonable bit of extra power.

still only 29 bhp though
bike looks nice enough

FlyFifer · 17 Dec 2013 at 17:27

This Norton for £8K or the RE Cafe Racer for £5.2K?

ShakenNstirred · 17 Dec 2013 at 17:55

for 5.2k there are a lot better out there

FlyFifer · 17 Dec 2013 at 19:41

The Enfield it is then. Brand new, full warranty, dealers throghout Britain & it's genetically linked to the bikes I was weaned on from my teens in early 70's. Who cares about BHP or top speed, had that in bucket loads with previous bikes owned but now I just want a bike that relates to my youth which can ride on torque within legal limits. Living up in Fife, Scotland I have an abundance of A & B roads on my doorstep which suit the type of riding the Cafe Racer delivers.

Arranging a test ride on a demo bike before taking the plunge, just in case the nostalgia doesn't meet the reality!!

Dogbreath · 17 Dec 2013 at 20:05

I have to admit the Enfield is a great looking bike. I'm quite envious really as I have a bit of a hankering for a thumper

There are loads of tuning options for Enfields as well.

Out of interest did you not get on with the Guzzi, or was it just over priced?

PieEater · 17 Dec 2013 at 20:37

Also interested in what happened to the Guzzi as this looked to be favourite a few posts up. Did you get to see one of the new Norton's? Personally not that keen on the restored one above.

FlyFifer · 17 Dec 2013 at 22:37

Guzzi - was told it's like Marmite & have to admit on reflection that, though it ticks most of my boxes it's still not "British" enough for what I'm aiming for. I viewed the one owner year old Silver Norton but again just wasn't what I had in my mind once I had time to think about it.

Being honest with myself I ain't the tallest at 5'6" & all things considered I keep coming back to the Enfield as my best bet for the type of usage I envisage. Another considersation is I can still wear my Italian made one piece leathers that are just as red as the RE & I still fit into them (just)!!

Know it's not everyones cup of tea & price isn't inconsiderate but, having gone through an awful lot of bikes from an awful lot of manufacturers over past 40+ years the next purchase will likely be my last (said that before - often) & I can attend Classic Bike meets & shows on the RE & be accepted. Reckon I've just talked myself into it now.

As an aside, 10 years ago I had a fully renovated & upgraded 1973 Triumph Bonnie 650 (converted to 750cc) & enjoyed it immensely sold only to help with "the war fund" 2 years later. Back onto Jap V & parallel twins after that until last one sold on 2009. I prefer a torquey motor nowadays to an inline 4 across the frame screamer (must be an age thing).

PieEater · 18 Dec 2013 at 08:12

Bike magazine had a quick spin on the RE Cafe Racer a few issues back, they had quite a few positive things to say and thought that the changes to the base spec on this model made it stand out as the better one in the range. Main negatives were of course the meager power but they also found that the engine produced a lot of vibration, more so than the other models they have tested. Personally I think a test ride would be essential, before being able to confirm this was the one you've been looking for, but it seems to tick all the right boxes so far.

Souleh · 18 Dec 2013 at 12:09

Saw loads of them in India (theyre built in Chennai) and theyre cool as cucumbers. Would love one

SPG · 18 Dec 2013 at 16:21

Give it a UK winter and i would imagine it would just a be a some tyres and little bit of chrome.

Sooner have a thruxton.

Dogbreath · 18 Dec 2013 at 18:31

SPG said:
Give it a UK winter and i would imagine it would just a be a some tyres and little bit of chrome.

Sooner have a thruxton.

Neither the Enfield, nor the Thruxton are the kind of bike you would plow through salty roads on and then leave it to it's fate without cleaning etc. Even Jap bikes don't take kindly to this.