Honda or Royal Enfield?

[EasternBlocGeek]

I'd like a scooter or bike for the odd 20 mile (each way) commute & for some general errands, running around etc. I like basic functional scooters/bikes, low running costs, low maintenance, around 250-400cc. I've genuinely no preference on whether I buy a twist & go scooter or a bike as although very different from each other, they both offer ME PERSONALLY an equal number of pros/cons. It would be used a day or two a week as I have a car & a pick-up, so really would just be something that sits in my garage to use when I want the convenience of 2-wheels instead of 4.

Was set on buying a new Jap scooter at Easter but my head has been turned by the outgoing RE Himalayan/Scram 411cc bikes as dealers everywhere are knocking them out at sub-£4k.

My cousin says they're sold cheaply because they're poorly built third-world excrement & that buying one is simply taking a punt gambling on getting a Monday morning one instead of a Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri one.

Reliability & low maintenance is important to me. Are the RE Himalayans/Scrams really that bad?

OPINIONS WELCOME

[airsafari87]

Do you have other bikes in the garage as well?

If no then I’d say go for the Enfield as it covers ‘proper bike’ and scooter bases.

If yes then I’d sway towards the scooter, but I’d caveat that buying a Honda / Suzuki / Piaggio offering rather than something Chinese.

[carinaman]

EasternBlocGeek said:

My cousin says they're sold cheaply because they're poorly built third-world excrement & that buying one is simply taking a punt gambling on getting a Monday morning one instead of a Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri one.

Reliability & low maintenance is important to me. Are the RE Himalayans/Scrams really that bad?

OPINIONS WELCOME

A YouTuber has said Royal Enfield had an importer and they've changed that and will be dealing with dealers directly and because of that dealers are selling off their existing Royal Enfield stock.

I had a Meteor 350 loaner in the summer. I've returned to motorcycling after years away so don't have much experience and may be trying to catch up on lost time but I thought it was a hoot to ride. The lack of performance wasn't much of a problem as many 50 limit roads around me and it was nice weather and I wasn't using it to get anywhere in a hurry. I didn't care about the image once riding it and I suspect a Hunter 350 may be more up my street.

I think they may have relatively short service intervals but if that's oil and filters that may be a good thing.

The motorcyclist along the road has just changed their 125 scooter for a 300 one and they're loving it. A PCX or a 300cc Honda or Yamaha would probably cover my motorcycling needs and allow for more practical use for shopping and going places to get things done but I am hung up on the image and trying to catch up on lost time.


With regard to reliability perhaps check out the owners' reviews on the MCN website?

I think one PHer bought a new Royal Enfield classic and returned it due to some major issue with the engine.

Google youtube long term review re himalayan.

Edited by carinaman on Sunday 24th December 22:28

[jumpingloci]

I'd go for the Himalayan. I've had them since they came out and there's been a few niggles over the years but nothing major. Just great no frills motorcycles and the current discounted price is a no brainer. There's a great community around them as well if you join the UK facebook group.

[HairyMaclary]

I'd go for a Himalayan as proper bike and less likely to be targeted by scroats.

I'm trying to pick up a Piaggio MP3 300 3 wheel Dalek scootay for a Land's and to John O’Groats charity ride later this year because it's unusual and will probably end up commuting on it after (hands back my bike licence/ cringes in KTM).

Happy Christmas all.

[spoodler]

I've a mate who, like me, has had dozens of bikes over a forty year period. Everything from old Harleys to modern superbikes. He loves his Himalayan and has put tens of thousands of miles on it, used it as his daily, for long trips and even started a You Tube channel about it. It has rarely let him down, if at all.
I owned an older 500 Bullet for a few years, and I certainly wouldn't describe it as "third world rubbish" - simple and no frills, but never let me down and any spares, and general motoring, were well cheap. Even sold it for more than I paid after putting a good few thousand miles on it. It did feel like a relic from a previous age, but that's one of the things I liked about it.

[MOBB]

If you decide on a used Forza 350, ping me a PM ;-)

[KTMsm]

It really does depend what you want, they're not Chinese, but they're nothing like the build of a Honda

If you find slow, low tech stuff has character then you might like one

Personally I think they and scooters are awful

but I like Guzzis

Try both and see what you prefer

[cjs racing.]

After the crank bearing went in my Bullet 500, at just 2,410 miles, I wouldn't touch another RE.

[gareth_r]

cjs racing. said:

After the crank bearing went in my Bullet 500, at just 2,410 miles, I wouldn't touch another RE.

There seems to be a big difference in quality between those old models and the current 411s and, particularly, the 350s.

[gareth_r]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You wouldn't buy the Honda?

[phatmanace]

Royal Enfield would be my choice.

I have an interceptor 650… it’s a great bike. I have a couple of other bikes too, but the Enfield is normally my choice for anything < 50 miles. Comfy, quick enough, sounds great, super reliable and makes me smile every time I ride it.

… its also good for longer journeys , I did the Malle alps rally on it in September, 1500 miles!

[gareth_r]

gareth_r said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You wouldn't buy the Honda?

I thought that you probably meant to write that you wouldn't buy the former.

[Biker9090]

EasternBlocGeek said:

I like basic functional scooters/bikes, low running costs, low maintenance, around 250-400cc.

Reliability & low maintenance is important to me. Are the RE Himalayans/Scrams really that bad?

OPINIONS WELCOME

This isn't even a debate. Buy Japanese.

EVERY non Japanese bike I've owned has in some way been a pain in the arse. The Hondas I've owned have been almost perfect (only almost due to my "tinkering" or making them do stuff they shouldn't like way too much heated clothing).

Yes, Enfield may have moved on but they're nowhere near Japanese quality.

[KTMsm]

Biker9090 said:

Yes, Enfield may have moved on but they're nowhere near Japanese quality.

Some would argue that gives them character

Although define character - whilst you're stuck at the side of the road

[NorthernSky]

Honda all the way! CB500x will return 80mpg ridden gently, will never fail, and is a very upright and comfortable machine.

A forza 350 will give you nearly 100mpg when ridden gently and will also never fail.

Resale values will also hold. I sold a CB500x 4 years ago for a fair price, and equivalent age/mileage bikes now are exactly the same kind of prices. Buy at £3500 and you won't have an issue selling it many miles later for 3k or more.

[marcella]

I've owned 3 RE's as well as some Italian and Japanese sports/naked bikes.

Love RE, had a 500 Classic first, then got a himalayan to sit next to it. Ended up selling both and currently on a super meteor 650 but eager to try the new himalayan when it comes out.

The himalayan is a perfect bike, although lacks a little poke but it depends on what you use it for. Very simple bike but has character and super cheap to run and maintain as most of the work you can do yourself on it.

Never had any issues with any of my RE's and I love my 650. I got leant a Honda NC750 (I think) when my 650 was in for a service and I couldn't wait to get back on my 650 which I was super surprised about. My air cooled 650 was so much smoother than than the liquid cooled 750 which I was not expecting at all.

Best advice is just try them, for the money they are fantastic and would recommend them to anyone.

[SteveKTMer]

Friend of mine commuted on a Honda 500x and thought it was fantastic for that purpose. another mate has a large scooter and thinks it’s perfect too !

I’ve ridden the Himalayan and the scram and the build quality was perfectly good for the price, they are very durable, but I’d want more power for commuting in the uk. In India they were perfect but on the A40 I think I’d struggle to keep ahead of traffic and ride as defensively/swiftly as I’d like. For a weekend bike I think it would be great.

[EasternBlocGeek]

KTMsm said:

Biker9090 said:

Yes, Enfield may have moved on but they're nowhere near Japanese quality.

Some would argue that gives them character

Although define character - whilst you're stuck at the side of the road

You've both nailed it. I think the 'character' of the RE appeals, however I've subsequently realised that dealers are thin on the ground here in central Scotland. Two of them are unknowns to me & are 70 & 110 miles away & the large one nearest me is one I wouldn't go near. A characterful bike would be awesome but 'character' wears off very quickly when you have to contend with crap dealers. Not that Honda are much better in terms of number of dealers or quality but hopefully a Honda is less likely to require dealer attention.

I've got a Ford Ranger that I could easily use to transport a bike but I want to sell it at Easter when I no longer need it. If I went for the RE then maybe I'd be better keeping it on stand-by.

[808 Estate]

Unless you were considering any off road riding, I would get the Scram 411 over the Himalayan. Lots of good reviews on these.