Royal Enfield Cafe Racer

FlyFifer

FlyFifer

FlyFifer

Associate
Joined
17 Aug 2013
Posts
33
Location
Fife, Scotland
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!!
 
This Norton for £8K or the RE Cafe Racer for £5.2K?

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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!!
 
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).

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My winter riding days are over now, I have a fibreglass bodied classic car for those, the bike I'm considering will be for high days & holidays only then tucked away in the garage under a breathable cover until Spring so no worries about any winter salt etc.
 
Monies available for a bike diverted to another classic with a twist, will post pics elsewhere on forum. Will be selling my GT6 in new year to release funds for a Spring/Summer bike purchase, meanwhile will keep options open & try to get some road tests once weather picks up again (lot of bike shops not keen on a road test at moment unless committing to buy).
 
W!ll said:
Wish I had seen this thread earlier, if you had the choice between the new enfield and a commando there is only one way to go and that is commando without a doubt. I've never ridden an enfield but have ridden a few classic singles, twins and triples and have definitely ridden a commando!
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Cheers for that. Last Commando I rode was back in late 70's built by an engineer with own workshop as a cafe racer. No kickstart & no battery but boy could it go & handle. This guy also owned a racing Norton 500 which was raced by the late Jack Gow & I often seen this machine in action at Knockhill in the early 2000's.

The new'ish Commando (had 1 owner but still as new) not going out of showroom until late Spring unless a confirmed purchase so I may as well wait & try that & the Enfield at same time.

My 1st "big" bike after passing my test back in "75 was a Tricati, 250cc frame with Triumph 3TA engine built for racing. Amazing how back then a Log Book was given to me from a friends elder brother who's Triumph 350 was used as a scrambler & was never going back onto the road. Life was so much simpler back then & ignorence was bliss! This bike actually turned up a few years ago in a local custom bike builders shop for some engine work & I recognised the glassfibre fuel/oil tank which was unique to this bike.
 
I would agree that once a biker there's always that hankering to have another bike later in life once the kids are up & the mortgage is more manageable or paid off if lucky enough to have reached that stage.

I gave up Jap bikes 5 years ago now but would love a restored classic or a new "classic" styled bike to take to shows & be part of the biking era I remember from the 70's when big Jap bikes were starting to make their mark but big Brit bikes were still plentiful & cheap.
 
Pic of my fully refurbished "73 T120R with 750 conversion & every updated engine mod available to make it as reliable & usable as possible. The headlight brackets were changed for silver but I don't have any photos. Bike had to be sold to assist with "war fund" around 7 years ago. God I miss that bike!!


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