The New 2018 Royal Enfield Classic 500 Hits the US Shore.

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by HK_User, Oct 5, 2018.


  1. SB21

    SB21 Monkey+++

    Lemons pop up once in a while . That's all I've got is HD's . Pretty much all I've had since the late 70's .
     
  2. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    I wanted a H.D. so bad, I saved and saved and counted the days until I had enough to plop down a wad on the desk and ride of into the sun set on my own brand new bike! Pretty bad when a feller finally gets it all together and buys a brand new bike and its a lemon and both the dealer and motor company will not stand behind it or make it right!
     
  3. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Ah, the HD problems. I had a buddy that owned on, it's all he would ride. Never left the house with out two voltage regulators and a set of tools in the bags. I had to bring him home riding bitch one time, he forgot the spares.
     
  4. SB21

    SB21 Monkey+++

    I hear ya there . Had a buddy good of mine,,,,RIP bro,,,,, rode a '58 Sportster everywhere .He ended up buying a new Superglide,,,one of those Twin Cam models , he liked the bike , but for some reason , he'd be riding down the road , and at odd times , the front end would just drop , like the fork oil just disappeared . It about killed him one time , it dropped on him in a curve , just about sent him into an oncoming truck . He had it back in the shop , they could never find a problem . He finally took it back , raised hell , called corporate and raised hell . They took it back , and refunded most all the money he had in it .
     
  5. SB21

    SB21 Monkey+++

    I've known a few that had those problems . The on thing about them is , they put different amp charging systems on them , and a lot people just buy a regulator thinking they;re all the same , and in a few day's , they burn up another on . I've heard of Stators spiking in amps , and the Stator just slowly going out , and causes regulator problems .Even ground issues .But , I usually carry a small assortment of tools with me as well . Just part of the stigma ,,,,carry tools and oil leaks .
     
    oldawg, HK_User and Ura-Ki like this.
  6. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Knew a HD rider who set up his trip with a map of HD shops on his route. My brother rode a BMW and just went along to enjoy the DRAMA of not if the HD stopped but When it stopped so he could drag it in to the closest HD Shop.
     
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  7. Zimmy

    Zimmy Wait, I'm not ready!

    I had the same thing happen to me in 1990. Since I bought my Sportster at a PX in Germany there was no support whatsoever from the local dealership in Texas. I was told to haul it up to Milwaukee.
     
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  8. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    @Tevin "My current ride is a BMW. Twelve years old and never needed anything except a battery, tires, and oil changes."
    What kind do you have? After reading this thread I got the hots to own another BMW again, think I would want something like the old Daktari that would allow curb jumping and going on some logging roads around here as well as the street. I gotta get another garage built before I can get one...grrrr!

    @ghrit "I was giving serious thought to a ... or Ural side hack."
    Is that the one made in the Ukraine? I got to look it up. I use to see a lot of them in the old former Soviet Union countries...I didn't know they still made them?

    I never care much for Harleys because I am first and foremost looking for reliability but I have heard they've gotten better.
     
  9. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Yup and yup.
     
  10. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Are they any good - meaning - reliability? The ones I saw were very old and still running so...
     
  11. Tevin

    Tevin Monkey+++

    I have a K1200S. It's an inline four, liquid cooled. I never much cared for air cooled bikes, but to each his own. It is insane fast and handles like fighter jet.

    Urals are a BMW clone, literally. Back in the day the Soviets simply reverse engineered a BMW without the build quality and attention to detail. That's why Urals look like Beemers.

    I'm not sure where Ural is made today, but they are considered a very respectable bike. Keep in mind too that even though Ural is a decent motorcycle, like Enfield there is not a strong dealer system.
     
    Bandit99 likes this.
  12. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Here is a list of upgrades on the Urals.

    Ural 2003-2018 Changes & Upgrades
    Most recent changes are listed first.

    2018

    • Spotlight replaced with high visibility LED Fog Lights on Gear Up sidecar.
    • New passenger windshield on cT model.
    • New hydraulic/gas charged steering damper.
    • New reed style magnetic float fuel sensor.
    • Three new standard paint options (Slate Grey, Burgundy Satin, and OD Green).
    2017

    • Electronic speedometer with built-in indicators.
    • New wire harness with combination relay and fuse box under left side panel.
    • Handlebar switch for sidecar spot-light.
    • Handlebar parking brake lever, replaces rider side lever.
    • Reverse / neutral foot pedal instead of lever.
    • New stock 2/3 seat, replaces tractor seat.
    • New sidecar seat with extra storage space under the cushion.
    • Updated Tonneau covers.
    • Numerous redesigned and improved internal components.
    • New colors available in premium colors and finishes.
    2016

    • New starter motor.
    • Introduction of compressible fiber-aluminum gaskets to seal exhaust head pipes.
    • Hydraulic brake switch.
    • Modified wire harness.
    • Modified throttle bodies and flanges.
    • Gas tank with the fuel sensor baffle.
    • Modified hydraulic dampener with increased stiffness and sealing.
    • New trunk lid weather strip.
    • New design of the oil deflector for the breather for 2WD models.
    • Use of liquid paint on all body parts.
    2015

    • Updated standard roller bearing used in the crankshaft.
    • Updated welding for hydraulic damper mount.
    • 3M Self adhesive kick start bumper.
    • New rear brake hose and cable mounting bracket.
    • Relocated master cylinder with universal link rods.
    • Redesigned rear brake pedal that is higher and more comfortable.
    • New H4 headlight with housing.
    • New tonneau covers, standard Sunbrella and vinyl for cT model.
    • Plastic wheel hub covers for front and sidecar wheels.
    • Introduction of Universal spare wheel.
    2014

    • Introduction of new EFI engine.
    • Introduction of new cT model.
    • New airbox with branch pipes.
    • New hydraulic steering dampener.
    • New aluminum triple clamps.
    • Disk brakes on front, rear, and sidecar wheels.
    • Redesigned wheel hubs.
    • New final drive housing.
    • Pre-formed fuel lines, breather, and brake reservoir hoses.
    • New front brake reaction link.
    • New Ural gas tank badges.
    • New tank knee-grips with logo.
    • Redesigned ignition key.
    • New dashboard with updated indicator lamps.
    • Front engine cover now featuring Ural logo.
    2013

    • Improved clutch plates.
    • New mirror design.
    • New diamond sidecar step plate.
    • New sidecar floor mats.
    • New military hardware fasteners on all tonneau covers.
    • Improved tire pump.
    • 3M seam sealers for improved protection.
    2012

    • New piston rings with tighter tolerances.
    • New camshaft with improved materials and bearing surfaces.
    • Improved 2 piece design for sidecar drive shaft yokes.
    • New 2WD gear hubs for final drive and sidecar swing arm drive.
    • New 1 piece intake branch pipes that eliminates center coupler and clamps.
    2011

    • New paint options including more powder coated colors.
    • New Aluminum rims on all models.
    • Trunk locks standard all models.
    • New Cordura (canvas) tonneau covers and aprons.
    • New aluminum upper fork bolts.
    • Improved high strength final drive ring gear bolts.
    2010

    • Aluminum alloy rims for Patrol and Tourist models.
    • Rocker arms with needle bearings.
    • Bearing instead of bronze bushing on the camshaft.
    • Polished ports of the cylinder head.
    • Stainless steel on all tubular parts (bumpers, clips, handles etc.)
    • 40mm Marzocchi forks for Retro model.
    2009

    • Stainless steel exhaust pipes and mufflers
    • Newly designed removable plate under the driver seat
    • Standard (7/8′) handle bar size and removable risers.
    • Bottom out travel limiter on sidecar swing arm.
    • New NAK seals and SKF bearings.
    • High quality 8.8 hardware used throughout.
    2008

    • Complete new valve train including 7mm stem valves, sealed valve guides, hardened valve seats and stiffer valve springs
    • New clutch springs
    • Shock absorbers from Sachs
    • Pivot bearings installed in place of bushings in both front and rear swing arms
    • Tapered steering head bearings (SKF)
    • Steel braided brake hoses
    • New tool kit
    2007

    • Ducati ignition system
    • Herzog precision cut timing gears and oil pump gears
    • Surfaced clutch plates for smooth operation
    • Herzog shafts and precision cut gears for gearbox
    • Reversed style drive shaft with larger spline surface area
    • Improved 2WD engagement rod with UNI balls
    • Improved front sidecar mount to allow more adjustment and negative camber
    • SKF sealed wheel bearings
    • Brembo floating disc on all models
    • Improved sidecar truck hinges and handle
    • Standard (7/8′) handle bar size and removable risers
    • Bottom out travel limiter on sidecar swing arm
    • NAK seals
    • SKF bearings
    • High quality 8.8 hardware used throughout
    2006

    • New header fastening system for exhaust pipes
    • Type V ignition (one-piece rotor)
    • Floating disc on Retro/Troyka front brake
    • Clutch linkage, different thrust bearing
    • Mechanical rear drum brakes on Retro
    • Petcock mounting on the tank without adapter
    • “Upside-down” type of air filter
    • Ducati ignition (late 2006)
    • Neutral indicator off when reverse is “on”
    • Drive shaft with longer splines
    • Different style speedometer cable
    2005

    • Front bumper for Patrol
    • New bench seats
    • New wire harness with power outlet in the sidecar
    2004

    • Denso alternator
    • Type IV ignition (outside location, two-piece rotor)
    • Improved 2wd engagement lever (with fixing plate)
    2003

    • Brembo disc brake
    • IMWA 750 engine (different valves, camshaft, pistons)
     
    Tevin and Bandit99 like this.
  13. Merkun

    Merkun furious dreamer

    "The Word" on the street is that they are markedly improved, but stlll need to carry tools. I will say this, if there were a dealer within anything approaching a reasonable ride, I'd have one, far in preference to a Harley.

    That said they are NOT interstate speed machines. There are some on line reviews, or at least used to be, on the 2016 model, a guy took his young daughter on a multi day tour and had no problems.
     
    Bandit99 likes this.
  14. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    Went to Austin Tx a while back. Saw a Guy with his dog on the way. Made contact in Austin and found he had driven from Lubbock and took fastest way. No problems, not a 80mph cruiser but 70MPH was in reach and the Bitch Seat occupant was happy.
     
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  15. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    This Ural Gear-Up looks really quite interesting, 2WD and built for off-road...but I'm a bit leery of parts availability and, of course, reliability. I need to do more research...but I really like the idea of a off-road 2WD bike with side car.
     
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