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Intrested in Royal Enfield, Gettysburg Pa.

Morgan60

Well travelled
Location
USA
Hello LoneWoolf and welcome to this forum. I’m in my med 60s myself. My 80 year old riding buddy just bought a 650 Intercepter and lovers it. We both own several HDs. What model of RE are you thinking about?
 

LoneWoolf

Total noob
Location
Gettysburg, PA
Morgan, thanks for the welcome. The local HD dealer, Battlefield Harley Davidson, is also a RE dealer, as well as Vespa. I've had my eye out for a Continental GT, but the dealer only has Himalayan, Intercepters, and Meteor's.
 

Morgan60

Well travelled
Location
USA
I bought a 650 Continental GT the end of 2019. I have close to 3k on it now, I really like it. It has got to be the best well balanced bike strait out of the box I have ever ridden. I would highly suggest you test ride one first before you buy one because it is a more aggressive riding position over the Intercepter and after a three hundred mile ride you will feel it so.
 

LoneWoolf

Total noob
Location
Gettysburg, PA
Thanks for the heads-up on the riding position. I think the Continental is the best looking of the RE's but maybe an Intercepter would be better. Overall, are you happy with the fit, finish, function, and reliability of the bike? Any issues? Parts and service redly available? When Triumph resurfaced there were no issues. Thanks Morgan.
 

Morgan60

Well travelled
Location
USA
Royal Enfield has been the most reliable marquee I’ve ever owned and I’ve had them all. Fit and finish they get better every year. 2018 and up I would say they are as good if not better then as any metric marquee out there, HD bar none is still is the best. I have to say though I saw my first 350 Meteor yesterday and I was expressed. The the fit and finish is beautiful. As for function I would say they are one of the best if not the best in that department.

The 650 Continental GT handles just a little bit better because of the riding position there is a little more weight on the front end. Again best to take both RE 650s out for a test ride and you decide what’s best for you.
 
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LoneWoolf

Total noob
Location
Gettysburg, PA
Royal Enfield has been the most reliable marquee I’ve ever owned and I’ve had them all. Fit and finish they get better every year. 2018 and up I would say they are as good if not better then as any metric marquee out there,
Wow! That's great info. I will be visiting the dealer this week.
 

John in Texas

Well travelled
Location
Granbury, Texas
Royal Enfield has been the most reliable marquee I’ve ever owned and I’ve had them all. Fit and finish they get better every year. 2018 and up I would say they are as good if not better then as any metric marquee out there, HD bar none is still is the best. I have to say though I saw my first 350 Meteor yesterday and I was expressed. The the fit and finish is beautiful. As for function I would say they are one of the best if not the best in that department.

The 650 Continental GT handles just a little bit better because of the riding position there is a little more weight on the front end. Again best to take both RE 650s out for a test ride and you decide what’s best for you.
Are there any events in your area that will allow you to do test drives on various makes and models? I'm 70 and don't like the riding position on many of the new bikes.
 

RetroRider

Total noob
Location
Payson Az
Old rider considering a RE. Many Triumphs along the way, currently riding a 2008 HD XL 1200.
I'm 72 and just bought an Intrceptor a couple of weeks ago. It's a vastly improved version of the British twins I lusted for, but couldn't afford in my youth. It handles great, but I found that after about an hour or so in the saddle, my old back was bothering me. Based on experience with another bike (Suzuki DL650), I decided I needed to bring the bars up and back slightly. I have installed risers that bring them up 1" and back 1". Doesn't sound like much, but I definitely feel the difference. I really love this bike.
 

John in Texas

Well travelled
Location
Granbury, Texas
I'm 72 and just bought an Intrceptor a couple of weeks ago. It's a vastly improved version of the British twins I lusted for, but couldn't afford in my youth. It handles great, but I found that after about an hour or so in the saddle, my old back was bothering me. Based on experience with another bike (Suzuki DL650), I decided I needed to bring the bars up and back slightly. I have installed risers that bring them up 1" and back 1". Doesn't sound like much, but I definitely feel the difference. I really love this bike.
I used to live in Show Low and Pinedale up until 7 years ago.
For me it isn't my back but back side that hurts after about an hour. I'm looking at one of the "touring" seat to see if that improves the comfort level. But I will look into raising the bars too. Any issues with raising the bars? Cable or switch problems?
 

Jon_98

Well travelled
I'm 66, test rode both 650's and decided on the INT due to arthritis in my back. I love the cafe style of the GT but it hurt after 20 minutes in the saddle. I bought my INT a year ago and live in the twisties in the mountains of western North Carolina and the bike handles the hairpins with ease. I upgraded the seat for comfort and dialed 2 notches in on the rear shocks which helped the cornering feel more linear. I also put a 16 tooth front sprocket on for fuel economy and taller midrange gearing, as I found myself shifting a lot on the back roads between 2nd and 4th. Now I can pretty much live in 3rd gear on the curves.
 
I had some back pain after riding as well and then I tried the Copper Fit waistband and I can now ride all day with no pain at all. It also gives you more confidence as it forces you into a better riding position with less chance to strain your lower back. To me its the best investment I've made so far. Putting the bike on the center stand is now also much easier.

 

John in Texas

Well travelled
Location
Granbury, Texas
I'm 66, test rode both 650's and decided on the INT due to arthritis in my back. I love the cafe style of the GT but it hurt after 20 minutes in the saddle. I bought my INT a year ago and live in the twisties in the mountains of western North Carolina and the bike handles the hairpins with ease. I upgraded the seat for comfort and dialed 2 notches in on the rear shocks which helped the cornering feel more linear. I also put a 16 tooth front sprocket on for fuel economy and taller midrange gearing, as I found myself shifting a lot on the back roads between 2nd and 4th. Now I can pretty much live in 3rd gear on the curves.
Thank you for sharing. Which seat did you get?
 

John in Texas

Well travelled
Location
Granbury, Texas
I had some back pain after riding as well and then I tried the Copper Fit waistband and I can now ride all day with no pain at all. It also gives you more confidence as it forces you into a better riding position with less chance to strain your lower back. To me its the best investment I've made so far. Putting the bike on the center stand is now also much easier.

Wonder if they make one for my back side?
 

Irishguy

Well travelled
I'm 66, test rode both 650's and decided on the INT due to arthritis in my back. I love the cafe style of the GT but it hurt after 20 minutes in the saddle. I bought my INT a year ago and live in the twisties in the mountains of western North Carolina and the bike handles the hairpins with ease. I upgraded the seat for comfort and dialed 2 notches in on the rear shocks which helped the cornering feel more linear. I also put a 16 tooth front sprocket on for fuel economy and taller midrange gearing, as I found myself shifting a lot on the back roads between 2nd and 4th. Now I can pretty much live in 3rd gear on the curves.
We love riding in the Western North Carolina mountains. Roll on brother...
 
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