Comments Like Never Before

[2LZ]

I'll make this quick because I can go on forever.

Out of all the motorcycles I've owned over my lifetime, I've NEVER had more comments or compliments like I have with both my RE's.
Just yesterday, I took the Scram to get a pizza and beer for lunch. About half way through lunch, suddenly this old guy plops down at mt table. "Is that your Royal Enfield out front?"
Next thing I know, he and I are in this conversation about old bikes he's had (AJS, Greeves, etc...) and he remembered my BSA from last July's local car show. He also said he had an old RE 500 from the 60's, "back in the day". Told me it was one of his favorite bikes.

Now I get comments on the bikes everywhere I go, like no other bikes I've had. The kicker to this story though was the guy saw my Scram driving by on HWY 88, and TURNED AROUND to come and find me in the pizza parlor, just to talk RE's and bikes. Pretty cool. Small town stuff, I guess. Just love these bikes.

 

[Woodstock]

Puttbutt and I did our own version of One Ride through three states, true and accurate on three states and I had to get it in there, and at one gas station, the Harley riders asked if we shopped at the RE dealership down the road from them. I get more buzz than even a year ago on my Enfield.

 

[Laserman]

I currently live in Yuba City, CA and if one were to do any research on the demographics of said city, one is likely to see this city has one of the largest population of Sikhs outside India proper. There is also many non-Sikh Indians here and I get many incredulous inquiries from gentlemen here once they get a good look at "Toto" because they had left India before Himalayans were introduced. Oh they sure know the Bullet tho.

I always enjoys conversations with any enthusiast regarding my beloved newschool mule. She has Sherpa dreams, but I keep telling her we in friggin Cali lol

Read: 4800-5500-RPM constant slideways between friggin Hyundais

 

[CiscoGoodDog]

I think my bike is pretty sweet, and it gets some second looks. I get comments like, "Nice bike" and "Haven't seen a Royal Enfield in years". I like to park next to Harleys just to see peoples reactions ;-)

Nice leather work. Sweet Harley with side car.

 

[Woodstock]

Parking/storage would be an issue but I sometimes think about a sidecar on my Interceptor if the future holds a bigger Enfield.

 

[DRugerH]

I always get a lot of comments and compliments when I ride the Himalayan. I even get waves from the HD guys when I ride that bike, but never on the other two

Dan

 

[puttbutt]

I guess it's the "exception rather than the rule" saying. I get comments about my bike also, some people question the brand, and then when I tell them, they're surprised. other people mistaken the bike for a different brand. I even had a customer inquire about my bike while I was working, and base on the info. I provided, said he was going to purchase one. Guess until RE bikes become more common, we're the new kid on the block, at least in the states.

 

[Splinter]

Often I stop at lights and taxi drivers wind their windows down to chat about the bike...

 

[fatal]

I currently live in Yuba City, CA and if one were to do any research on the demographics of said city, one is likely to see this city has one of the largest population of Sikhs outside India proper. There is also many non-Sikh Indians here and I get many incredulous inquiries from gentlemen here once they get a good look at "Toto" because they had left India before Himalayans were introduced. Oh they sure know the Bullet tho.

I always enjoys conversations with any enthusiast regarding my beloved newschool mule. She has Sherpa dreams, but I keep telling her we in friggin Cali lol

Read: 4800-5500-RPM constant slideways between friggin Hyundais

We have a large Sikh population here in the UK, this motorcycle club recently featured on a Motorcycle TV show.
Home - Sikh Motorcycle Club UK - Welcome to the Official Website

 

[Alan F.]

 

[smilespergallon]

When I say that I get more attention than usual on my RE...

This is my other bike and my riding gear for it.

 

[Lost in the 60's]

I have to admit I got more compliments on my Mark 2 Interceptor than I have on my T100. Actually the only one I've gotten on my T100 was "I didn't know they still made Triumphs" , which really isn't much of a compliment. I occasionally miss my Interceptor when I am sitting around fantasizing about riding. But not while I'm riding the T100. A lot of it has to do with the torque. 80 newton meters for the T100 vs. 52 for the Interceptor makes for a lot more fun ride.

 

[puttbutt]

When I say that I get more attention than usual on my RE...

This is my other bike and my riding gear for it.

what are those things on the side of your helmet, ear flaps?

 

[Wintrup]

The latest compliment I heard about was from a friend who heard someone say, "now that's what I call a proper motorbike", on seeing my Himalayan parked up. I know what he means. The absence of plastic and the traditional look is what attracted me to the Himalayan in the first place. And I suspect it's what's made Royal Enfield's sales sky rocket.

It's the plastic used everywhere they find a space and the ongoing trend by designers to make bikes that look like they have faces and bodies, rather than designing for function before such iffy aesthetics (I want to ride a motorbike, not a wasp or dragon or whatever fantasy the designer had in mind) .

I was reading a post in the Honda NC750 forum recently complaining about the NC's led lights lacking focused throw and that the move away from parabolic reflectors is likely causal. I don't know, could well be. It's such a pity the Japanese, who once made handsome, aesthetically pleasing machines, like the YDS7, the Z1 etc., have lost their way so badly.

 

[smilespergallon]

what are those things on the side of your helmet, ear flaps?

It is an authentic fold for the brim of a colonial era tricorn hat (french protestant 1690-1750) that just happens to give the wearer tail fins. I've been known to ride with thigh length boots and a museum grade captain's coat over my jacket (with period accurate clothes beneath) if I'm going somewhere special like Blackbeard Festival, RennFaires, etc. and wish to arrive in style. The nautical (pirate) types call the bike my 'Fast Packet' and it's amazing how organizers and police will wave you past barriers to park wherever you like when you show up looking like that.

 

[StefArmstg]

I imprinted (like a baby duck) on the bikes of the sixties. I stopped paying attention to the new bikes twenty years ago.

Most of the people who stop to admire my Interceptor are older. Many rode Triumphs and BSAs back in the day (but haven't ridden in years).

I wonder how many young people are buying retros, or motorcycles in general? Around here they seem to be riding scooters and electric bicycles. Most of the motorcyclists I see on the road are middle aged and riding cruisers.

 

[Woodstock]

I'll make this quick because I can go on forever.

Out of all the motorcycles I've owned over my lifetime, I've NEVER had more comments or compliments like I have with both my RE's.
Just yesterday, I took the Scram to get a pizza and beer for lunch. About half way through lunch, suddenly this old guy plops down at mt table. "Is that your Royal Enfield out front?"
Next thing I know, he and I are in this conversation about old bikes he's had (AJS, Greeves, etc...) and he remembered my BSA from last July's local car show. He also said he had an old RE 500 from the 60's, "back in the day". Told me it was one of his favorite bikes.

Now I get comments on the bikes everywhere I go, like no other bikes I've had. The kicker to this story though was the guy saw my Scram driving by on HWY 88, and TURNED AROUND to come and find me in the pizza parlor, just to talk RE's and bikes. Pretty cool. Small town stuff, I guess. Just love these bikes.

Pls tell me 2LZ, why the Scram over the Himalayan? Just curious. Tnx.

 

[2LZ]

Pls tell me 2LZ, why the Scram over the Himalayan? Just curious. Tnx.

Simply because I wanted a Scrambler. I currently have a DRZ, which is a super nice bike, but it also takes a ladder to get on. I wanted something shorter but can handle dirt roads. I don't ride off-road anymore and the wider, 19" front wheel works better on the paved twisties. The most I see off-road now is gravel roads. The Scram was a perfect fit. The thing corners amazingly. I scrape my shoe tips all the time. It can get WAY over.

 

[Woodstock]

Simply because I wanted a Scrambler. I currently have a DRZ, which is a super nice bike, but it also takes a ladder to get on. I wanted something shorter but can handle dirt roads. I don't ride off-road anymore and the wider, 19" front wheel works better on the paved twisties. The most I see off-road now is gravel roads. The Scram was a perfect fit. The thing corners amazingly. I scrape my shoe tips all the time. It can get WAY over.

Thank you, sir! Yes, that explains it. I've ridden with two Himis now so I know the engine is solid and both guys love their Himis, but the Scram is a nice looking ride.

 

[psychobry]

Often I stop at lights and taxi drivers wind their windows down to chat about the bike...

Same. lots of admiring comments. Indian guy at the lights wound his window down and started asking me allsorts. My boss started a chat - hardly speaks to me and not a biker as far as I knew, but seemed to know all about REs, Indian built stuff and that sort of chat. Very uncomfortable........... Only had it just over 2 weeks.......