I’ve had four Hinckley Triumphs in the past and consider the Royal Enfield easily as well built. If the brand badges were removed and you didn’t know any better most people would think the bikes were made in the same factory. Just got mine and seriously impressed with the quality of such a reasonably priced bike.
Great stuff Keith. Had my Red and Chrome classic for a couple of years. Build wise its not perfect but conversely neither is it lousy. Had no problems other than the common minnor bit of speedo condensation. Chrome is not the best I've had but looked after its still like new. The one thing that for me is top quality is the character and soul of these simple little bikes. Had more pleasure out of it than anything I can remember bike wise. That includes Jawa,BSA,Triumphs, Hondas and Kawasaki's. My old 660 Matchless only was on a par
Very fair. I think they completely exceed any expectations that anyone may have. You have described it very well. Thanks for your thoughts and ride safe mate 👍
Re the quality of Royal Enfield have a look at Glyn Owen rebuilding a crashed 350 Classic, long videos but shows how really well the Classic is built ! 😊
I have a Meteor 350 and its only covered about 1750 miles but those miles have been mostly in the winter as i have ridden it around wales in all weather conditions with salt on the road and because of how wet Wales has been this year and the rural nature of where i live it’s been covered inmud and cows shit for 8 months and has been hosed off on the drive thats it and only polished once and that was a week ago, but happily still looks showroom condition so they can’t be that bad no problems whatsoever with function either its been great and even though its just a little plodder i love it more and more as time goes on
Thanks for showing the pics Keith, there was a brown/chrome available they're all gawjuss bikes but the Red just pipped it for me(silent MUFC fan) another great bimble. Stay safe pal.
I'm a retired factory worker that worked on machinery my whole career. All machinery has broken when age and stress happens. The same with people. 😥😥 All my bikes will outlast me and if I have a broken one it will be fixed and the others will temporarily fill it's place. No worries.!! Nothing is perfect. Congratulations on the milestone. Can't wait for the next one. My Classic is patiently waiting for it's first service. Down to one tech and Spring is not the time to expect priority service. Been raining a lot in my area, so riding whenever I can. "CHILL" --my favorite way of thinking. Lol. 👍👍5🏍🙋♂️
Hi Keith another great video and we'll done again on the 1000 subs !!!!!! As you know my 350 has taken me to work every day for the past 18 months 2 x Winters and have no complaints on the build quality 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 got steady. Matt from Sunny stoke
Hi,I had seen the 2 videos you mentioned and thought Triumph let themselves down badly. Until recently I owned a Bonneville as well as my 2 REs, and I had to let it go as I plain and simple did not enjoy riding it. Yesterday I rode a Shotgun, given it for an hour and I took it back after 40 mins again I just did not enjoy the ride and disappointed as I was about to buy one😮. Final point you demonstrated well with your light test in the tunnel the throw pattern of the light beam, which many owners will not know means that it does not toe to the side as regular headlights do. The history of this is I'm just about to export my Meteor to Portugal and contacted RE customer support to find out the part number for a different deflector/headlight for Europe and this is what they said "The headlight is common and has a symmetrical beam that can be used for both right hand and left hand side driving"
Hi Bob. Thanks for commenting I'm quite surprised you didn't like the Shotgun, I did but we are all different. We understand that what's good for one doesn't necessarily mean it's right for someone else. I too noticed that about the beam but never thought of it as an issue. Clearly R E don't think it is. Thanks again for your thoughts. Ride safe mate👍
Another fun ride along Keith. Your new microphone is working well. I worked for Honda for 37 years. Most of my bike ownership experience has been with Honda until I bought my Classic 350 this year. I am impressed with the build quality this far and I expect it to continue. It has exceeded everything I expected from the Lil' Darlin'. Any manufacturer can have an issue from time to time, it is how the respond to and stand behind it that matters most. Congratulations on the milestone, well deserved friend!
Thankyou Wally. I'm not so sure about the Mic. I'm still experimenting. I agree, I think build is fine, it was just the result of a throw away comment. I think I must be more careful on future. Not sure I can be. Ride safe mate👍
Morning Keith, another cracking vlog buddy, as you know I am fortunate enough to have both a modern Triumph and a modern Royal Enfield and I love them both but I do have to say that the Triumph is definitely more authentic,,,, the Enfield doesn’t have a oil leak 😮😂😂😂 just my personal experience. Have to say that your production is getting very slick,, though the presenter is still a lost cause 😂😂😂 All the best buddy 👍
Thanks mate. I have to say that the presenter is a lost cause, I am Advertising for another but most of the applicants around here have the mental capacity of a Peanut. Thanks for your support mate. Ride safe 👍
Another good video Keith, I remember FortNine did a video testing particulate levels at the first oil change, this showed the R.E. engine machining is right up to standard. As for total build quality, I guess we won't know that for another 20 or so years when we see how they fare in the long run. Though the emissions laws will probably make us all outlaws by then!
Absolutely. You know, I don't know about you but I have an Electric Car and I absolutely love it. If Bikes go the same way, and I don't know if they will perhaps we have nothing to worry about. My only worry is lasting that long! Ride safe mate👍
I've been amazed at the quality of design and build quality of both my Meteor and now my Hunters. But I've no experience of other modern bikes. Certainly mine are very reliable - how long they will last of course, only time will tell. Probably last me out!! 😂😂
Beautifull ride and environment! Yeah, maybe the finish on triumph is little better but comes with a price. Both the enfield and triumph are Beautifull bices. At the end its all about how you take care of the motorcycle. I am not the Berry you did mention. Going on a ride now on the royal Berzan, my little friend the classic 350. Hope i can go to Schotland one Day, what a Beautifull land it is. Ride save and regards from Holland
Hi Berry. Yes make sure you do, go to Scotland. Beautiful place particularly the West Coast. But so many great places Thanks for commenting. Ride safe mate 👍
Nice video, with some lovely scenery, thank you. Can I just say that, even if the quality is slightly off what we have come to expect from the likes of all the big manufacturers, you are only paying a fraction of the price of those other manufacturers. I am more than happy with the quality of my Classic 350 (sorry Keith, another red/chrome one), especially as I only paid £3,400 for a year-old bike with 2,000 miles on the clock.
To me, the mark of quality is reliability. I’ve not heard of one single major reliability problem with the Classic 350, yet there are plenty well documented problems with retro Triumphs
Thanks. Not just me then. I tried it in early March a few years ago. Brand new Kawasaki Z900 rs. First Ride out, went real slow and down it went. Can you imagine! 😭 I'm glad you can confirm it's a horrible one. Thanks mate. Ride safe👍
Personally I think it's horses for courses about the build quality etc. My Triumph didn't have the problems Stuart Fillingham complained about, and none of the front brake squealing either - lots of people moaned about that one. After seeing his video on the gearbox fault I was always expecting mine to play up, but it didnt. Yes the cable going to the headlamp was sorted out under warrantee and a problem with the antilock braking sensor was changed, however there are no complaints from me. Except how heavy it was. But at well under half the price of a Bonneville who am I to complain about the quality of my Classic 350 and so much more manoeuvrable than the Bonnie. BTW the bikeshop has now got a bronze model in stock, but I still prefer the red and chrome model 🤣 I do like your riding scenery, very green.
Hi Keith, you want to own an old Ducati went through sprag clutches like something else, due to a under charged battery. Royal Enfield have come leaps and bounds. People say these bikes are cheap ? They are cheap compared to other manufactures but remember they are priced accordingly, old technology. Don't get me wrong all the technology that are on other bikes are not really required. I use own an Royal Enfield Himalayan that had problems: Blown head-gasket, twice, headstock bearers and rust. I sold it in the end. I now own a 350 classic, so different on quality, no problems so far covering 4000 miles.
Thanks David, truth is I have no idea what a sprag clutch is🤔 I'm with you on The Royal Enfield Classic though, It punches above it's weight in my opinion. It wasn't good for me to ride the Shotgun though the other day because I suddenly remembered what having a bit more power felt like. I liked it. I need to regain control of my senses, quickly. There's nowt wrong with my little Classic Ride safe mate👍
😂sorry bud you going through that ford you sound like me on gravel, l bloody hate gravel. That was great seeing Butterton and Wetton Mill again after nearly 30 years 👍
Hi Mark, I'm sorry, I'd forgotten all about that. Glad to be of service! Lovely little place. I couldn't afford to live up there I guess it's quite expensive. Thanks for commenting mate👍
What's all this chrome fixation about? Mine's Halcyon Black and I chose that, because it's understatedly Classy, and easy to clean! Just saying, Cheers, DINO, Let's get another 1000!
Hi Keith, great vid, my classic is the same as yours and I love it, only had it since March an have already done a few light mods, talking of which the 1st one was to change the miserable front lights which were like candles, tigers eye bulbs worked out at 30p each and the headlight at 4.50,the best thing is motorists can now see me coming, highly recommended from a certain auction site, keep up the good work, safe riding
Thanks David, Ive had mine since Feb. Do you really think the original bulbs are that bad? Are the new ones a big improvement? Never crossed my mind really🤔 Ride safe mate 👍
Hi, defo improvement, like I said more about being seen in the daylight than seeing in the dark, I suppose if you want to keep the vintage feel then stick with Halogen, Horses for courses.
Thanks for including my photos on this one. Looks a great route, keep wishing there was a map with it though to go exploring. Recognised it when you got to the tunnel, coincidentally That Bloke On A Motorbike went through on his latest video on same bike as yours th-cam.com/video/VMGgFp2xWPY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=pSUw7SSXXwsD_f-d
I can find videos of just about every make of bike ,some where the owners praise their bikes and some where they curse the bike and its maker . I've been operating machinery all my life and have developed an ability to identify quality engineering. What I can say is that both RE and Triumph make good bikes . Triumphs are a little better finished that's all . But like all machinery , some will fail from time to time and for unusual reasons , it just happens . You can't expect a manufacturer to repair a bike for free when its years out of warranty . I know of one RE that had a catastrophic engine failure , but it was fixed by RE because it was under warranty . My own Triumph had a fault which was fixed under warranty without quibble . So what does that tell you ? Not much really . I have given up reading sob stories on the internet . The reason being that the author only tells you what he wants you to believe . We cannot know all the facts and therefore shouldn't condemn a bike or it's maker on the word of just one person with an axe to grind.
Very well said indeed, sums up the reality of the internet. A number of RE 650 engines have had 'catastrophic' damage due to oil pump failure , breakdowns with electrical issues due to poor quality relays are so commonplace , and apart from replacement relay's Hitchcocks have actually gone to the effort of making proper quality replacement valves for the 411 engine because they often wear prematurely or even snap ....
@@WyreForestBiker A chance you could point me in the direction to read about the oil pump failure. I have a 650 and thought I was up to date on any potential issues but have not heard about this one. Cheers
I’ve had four Hinckley Triumphs in the past and consider the Royal Enfield easily as well built. If the brand badges were removed and you didn’t know any better most people would think the bikes were made in the same factory. Just got mine and seriously impressed with the quality of such a reasonably priced bike.
Excellent. Thanks for commenting Keith.
Ride safe mate👍
Great stuff Keith.
Had my Red and Chrome classic for a couple of years.
Build wise its not perfect but conversely neither is it lousy.
Had no problems other than the common minnor bit of speedo condensation.
Chrome is not the best I've had but looked after its still like new.
The one thing that for me is top quality is the character and soul of these simple little bikes.
Had more pleasure out of it than anything I can remember bike wise.
That includes Jawa,BSA,Triumphs, Hondas and Kawasaki's.
My old 660 Matchless only was on a par
Very fair. I think they completely exceed any expectations that anyone may have.
You have described it very well.
Thanks for your thoughts and ride safe mate 👍
Re the quality of Royal Enfield have a look at Glyn Owen rebuilding a crashed 350 Classic, long videos but shows how really well the Classic is built ! 😊
Thankyou Peter. Indeed they are.
👍
I have a Meteor 350 and its only covered about 1750 miles but those miles have been mostly in the winter as i have ridden it around wales in all weather conditions with salt on the road and because of how wet Wales has been this year and the rural nature of where i live it’s been covered inmud and cows shit for 8 months and has been hosed off on the drive thats it and only polished once and that was a week ago, but happily still looks showroom condition so they can’t be that bad no problems whatsoever with function either its been great and even though its just a little plodder i love it more and more as time goes on
Thanks for showing the pics Keith, there was a brown/chrome available they're all gawjuss bikes but the Red just pipped it for me(silent MUFC fan) another great bimble. Stay safe pal.
A pleasure thanks for sending them in.👍
I'm a retired factory worker that worked on machinery my whole career. All machinery has broken when age and stress happens. The same with people. 😥😥 All my bikes will outlast me and if I have a broken one it will be fixed and the others will temporarily fill it's place. No worries.!! Nothing is perfect. Congratulations on the milestone. Can't wait for the next one. My Classic is patiently waiting for it's first service. Down to one tech and Spring is not the time to expect priority service. Been raining a lot in my area, so riding whenever I can. "CHILL" --my favorite way of thinking. Lol. 👍👍5🏍🙋♂️
Hi John.
No arguments here on any of that.
Ride safe mate👍
Hi Keith another great video and we'll done again on the 1000 subs !!!!!! As you know my 350 has taken me to work every day for the past 18 months 2 x Winters and have no complaints on the build quality 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 got steady.
Matt from Sunny stoke
Hi Matt, thanks.
Can't argue with any of that, it's even Sunny today!
Ride safe mate 👍
Hi,I had seen the 2 videos you mentioned and thought Triumph let themselves down badly. Until recently I owned a Bonneville as well as my 2 REs, and I had to let it go as I plain and simple did not enjoy riding it. Yesterday I rode a Shotgun, given it for an hour and I took it back after 40 mins again I just did not enjoy the ride and disappointed as I was about to buy one😮. Final point you demonstrated well with your light test in the tunnel the throw pattern of the light beam, which many owners will not know means that it does not toe to the side as regular headlights do. The history of this is I'm just about to export my Meteor to Portugal and contacted RE customer support to find out the part number for a different deflector/headlight for Europe and this is what they said "The headlight is common and has a symmetrical beam that can be used for both right hand and left hand side driving"
Hi Bob. Thanks for commenting
I'm quite surprised you didn't like the Shotgun, I did but we are all different. We understand that what's good for one doesn't necessarily mean it's right for someone else.
I too noticed that about the beam but never thought of it as an issue.
Clearly R E don't think it is.
Thanks again for your thoughts.
Ride safe mate👍
Another fun ride along Keith. Your new microphone is working well. I worked for Honda for 37 years. Most of my bike ownership experience has been with Honda until I bought my Classic 350 this year. I am impressed with the build quality this far and I expect it to continue. It has exceeded everything I expected from the Lil' Darlin'. Any manufacturer can have an issue from time to time, it is how the respond to and stand behind it that matters most. Congratulations on the milestone, well deserved friend!
Thankyou Wally. I'm not so sure about the Mic. I'm still experimenting.
I agree, I think build is fine, it was just the result of a throw away comment.
I think I must be more careful on future.
Not sure I can be.
Ride safe mate👍
Morning Keith, another cracking vlog buddy, as you know I am fortunate enough to have both a modern Triumph and a modern Royal Enfield and I love them both but I do have to say that the Triumph is definitely more authentic,,,, the Enfield doesn’t have a oil leak 😮😂😂😂 just my personal experience. Have to say that your production is getting very slick,, though the presenter is still a lost cause 😂😂😂 All the best buddy 👍
Thanks mate. I have to say that the presenter is a lost cause, I am Advertising for another but most of the applicants around here have the mental capacity of a Peanut.
Thanks for your support mate.
Ride safe 👍
Another good video Keith, I remember FortNine did a video testing particulate levels at the first oil change, this showed the R.E. engine machining is right up to standard. As for total build quality, I guess we won't know that for another 20 or so years when we see how they fare in the long run. Though the emissions laws will probably make us all outlaws by then!
Absolutely.
You know, I don't know about you but I have an Electric Car and I absolutely love it.
If Bikes go the same way, and I don't know if they will perhaps we have nothing to worry about.
My only worry is lasting that long!
Ride safe mate👍
I've been amazed at the quality of design and build quality of both my Meteor and now my Hunters. But I've no experience of other modern bikes. Certainly mine are very reliable - how long they will last of course, only time will tell. Probably last me out!! 😂😂
And me. Ride safe👍
Beautifull ride and environment! Yeah, maybe the finish on triumph is little better but comes with a price. Both the enfield and triumph are Beautifull bices. At the end its all about how you take care of the motorcycle.
I am not the Berry you did mention. Going on a ride now on the royal Berzan, my little friend the classic 350.
Hope i can go to Schotland one Day, what a Beautifull land it is. Ride save and regards from Holland
Hi Berry.
Yes make sure you do, go to Scotland. Beautiful place particularly the West Coast. But so many great places
Thanks for commenting.
Ride safe mate 👍
Nice video, with some lovely scenery, thank you.
Can I just say that, even if the quality is slightly off what we have come to expect from the likes of all the big manufacturers, you are only paying a fraction of the price of those other manufacturers. I am more than happy with the quality of my Classic 350 (sorry Keith, another red/chrome one), especially as I only paid £3,400 for a year-old bike with 2,000 miles on the clock.
Absolute bargain.
Completely agree with your thoughts.
Ride safe mate 👍
To me, the mark of quality is reliability. I’ve not heard of one single major reliability problem with the Classic 350, yet there are plenty well documented problems with retro Triumphs
Thanks for commenting 👍
Another enjoyable video ride!
Thanks for your support Thunderbolt.
Look after yourself 👍
That ford at worlds end is a bloody nightmare. Nearly came off my 500 classic there last year. Foot down saved me.Insanely slippy and on a sharp bend
Thanks. Not just me then. I tried it in early March a few years ago.
Brand new Kawasaki Z900 rs.
First Ride out, went real slow and down it went. Can you imagine! 😭
I'm glad you can confirm it's a horrible one. Thanks mate. Ride safe👍
Personally I think it's horses for courses about the build quality etc. My Triumph didn't have the problems Stuart Fillingham complained about, and none of the front brake squealing either - lots of people moaned about that one. After seeing his video on the gearbox fault I was always expecting mine to play up, but it didnt.
Yes the cable going to the headlamp was sorted out under warrantee and a problem with the antilock braking sensor was changed, however there are no complaints from me. Except how heavy it was.
But at well under half the price of a Bonneville who am I to complain about the quality of my Classic 350 and so much more manoeuvrable than the Bonnie.
BTW the bikeshop has now got a bronze model in stock, but I still prefer the red and chrome model 🤣
I do like your riding scenery, very green.
Agreed on everything. Except the colour.😉👍
Hi Keith, you want to own an old Ducati went through sprag clutches like something else, due to a under charged battery. Royal Enfield have come leaps and bounds. People say these bikes are cheap ? They are cheap compared to other manufactures but remember they are priced accordingly, old technology. Don't get me wrong all the technology that are on other bikes are not really required. I use own an Royal Enfield Himalayan that had problems: Blown head-gasket, twice, headstock bearers and rust. I sold it in the end. I now own a 350 classic, so different on quality, no problems so far covering 4000 miles.
Thanks David, truth is I have no idea what a sprag clutch is🤔
I'm with you on The Royal Enfield Classic though, It punches above it's weight in my opinion.
It wasn't good for me to ride the Shotgun though the other day because I suddenly remembered what having a bit more power felt like.
I liked it.
I need to regain control of my senses, quickly.
There's nowt wrong with my little Classic
Ride safe mate👍
😂sorry bud you going through that ford you sound like me on gravel, l bloody hate gravel. That was great seeing Butterton and Wetton Mill again after nearly 30 years 👍
Hi Mark, I'm sorry, I'd forgotten all about that.
Glad to be of service!
Lovely little place.
I couldn't afford to live up there I guess it's quite expensive.
Thanks for commenting mate👍
What's all this chrome fixation about? Mine's Halcyon Black and I chose that, because it's understatedly Classy, and easy to clean! Just saying, Cheers, DINO, Let's get another 1000!
Dunno, as you say it takes some cleaning.
Ride safe mate👍
Hi Keith, great vid, my classic is the same as yours and I love it, only had it since March an have already done a few light mods, talking of which the 1st one was to change the miserable front lights which were like candles, tigers eye bulbs worked out at 30p each and the headlight at 4.50,the best thing is motorists can now see me coming, highly recommended from a certain auction site, keep up the good work, safe riding
Thanks David, Ive had mine since Feb. Do you really think the original bulbs are that bad?
Are the new ones a big improvement?
Never crossed my mind really🤔
Ride safe mate 👍
Hi, defo improvement, like I said more about being seen in the daylight than seeing in the dark, I suppose if you want to keep the vintage feel then stick with Halogen, Horses for courses.
Thanks for including my photos on this one.
Looks a great route, keep wishing there was a map with it though to go exploring.
Recognised it when you got to the tunnel, coincidentally That Bloke On A Motorbike went through on his latest video on same bike as yours
th-cam.com/video/VMGgFp2xWPY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=pSUw7SSXXwsD_f-d
Pleasure, It's a small world.👍
I can find videos of just about every make of bike ,some where the owners praise their bikes and some where they curse the bike and its maker . I've been operating machinery all my life and have developed an ability to identify quality engineering. What I can say is that both RE and Triumph make good bikes .
Triumphs are a little better finished that's all . But like all machinery , some will fail from time to time and for unusual reasons , it just happens .
You can't expect a manufacturer to repair a bike for free when its years out of warranty .
I know of one RE that had a catastrophic engine failure , but it was fixed by RE because it was under warranty . My own Triumph had a fault which was fixed under warranty without quibble .
So what does that tell you ?
Not much really .
I have given up reading sob stories on the internet . The reason being that the author only tells you what he wants you to believe .
We cannot know all the facts and therefore shouldn't condemn a bike or it's maker on the word of just one person with an axe to grind.
Fair enough. Thanks for commenting
Ride safe👍
Very well said indeed, sums up the reality of the internet. A number of RE 650 engines have had 'catastrophic' damage due to oil pump failure , breakdowns with electrical issues due to poor quality relays are so commonplace , and apart from replacement relay's Hitchcocks have actually gone to the effort of making proper quality replacement valves for the 411 engine because they often wear prematurely or even snap ....
@@WyreForestBiker A chance you could point me in the direction to read about the oil pump failure.
I have a 650 and thought I was up to date on any potential issues but have not heard about this one.
Cheers
Idiotic question.R.E. makes the better bike.All around better than anyone else.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Ride safe👍
Great video Bud , keep them coming.
Thankyou, Ride safe mate 👍