Royal Enfield Motorcycles.
Date: Mon, April 24, 2006
Ok, so this isn't strictly a DIY project link, but stay with me for a bit, and you'll get the connection.
Like most of the british motorcycle companies, Royal Enfield went out of business in the late 60's/early 70's, when the japanese bikes took over the market. However, when they went out of business, an Indian subsidiary soldiered on, and they still make basically the same motorcycle today. It's hand made, and very very british.
The cool thing is; they sell them in the US, and they pretty much say, "buy one only if you want to work on it...". A very clever marketing tactic. They openly state that it's unreliable (at least in comparison to modern japanese bikes), and you'll end up working on it yourself. So, buy the shop manual, and a copy of The Zen of Motorcycle Maintenance, and you have the perfect combination for the tinkerer.
Like most of the british motorcycle companies, Royal Enfield went out of business in the late 60's/early 70's, when the japanese bikes took over the market. However, when they went out of business, an Indian subsidiary soldiered on, and they still make basically the same motorcycle today. It's hand made, and very very british.
The cool thing is; they sell them in the US, and they pretty much say, "buy one only if you want to work on it...". A very clever marketing tactic. They openly state that it's unreliable (at least in comparison to modern japanese bikes), and you'll end up working on it yourself. So, buy the shop manual, and a copy of The Zen of Motorcycle Maintenance, and you have the perfect combination for the tinkerer.
Travis:
Which model did you like?
Cecilia:
Plus they are so very cool looking :)
Dave:
Oh, I'm not sure, I think I have to see them in person.
The Electra maybe? it's got a disk brake on the front which is nice.
The Electra maybe? it's got a disk brake on the front which is nice.
Jim:
Most definitely the Electra. Looks the most comfortable. The Bullet models look way too much like you'd have to sit bolt upright to ride them.<p>
I prefer to lean forward.
I prefer to lean forward.