Finally gave in to the itch...

[Gromit]

Red chrome green orange by Boxertrixter, on Flickr

Back at Haywards for its first (300 miles) service yesterday - I can do 50-55 mph now.

First service time by Boxertrixter, on Flickr

20 bhp of utterly charming, smile-inducing joy.

[ianc53]

Well done Richard. It looks perfect weather for it.

All the best

Ian

[dave the german]

My mate has just bought the 450 Himalayan and absolutely loves it.

[Gromit]

It's a delightful little thing - took various bikes out on test rides, nothing of any significance performance-wise (Speed Twin 900 was the most powerful) but none made me smile in the way the 350 does. Within their own niche, RE are knocking it out of the park at the moment.

Pretty as a picture by Boxertrixter, on Flickr

Classic in Thorney by Boxertrixter, on Flickr

[RiceBurner]

Nice! I've seen the photos on FB too.

Good to see you out and about again mate!

[Paul]

Welcome back to the world of two wheels with an engine Richard.

Cheers,

Paul

[Gromit]

Thanks fellas.

Not been out on the bike for nearly 2 weeks but when I have, it's been thoroughly enjoyable. It's a very different take on motorcycling - there's not enough power to feel any dynamism in performance (although it will nip along) so forget any rush of adrenaline.

On the flipside, it steers and handles beautifully - this has been a huge, and very pleasant surprise. The rear suspension is clearly over-sprung and under-damped but some better shocks will help there. The best thing is that it's just great fun - and that brand new J Series engine is wonderfully smooth and sounds rather nice with it. Added the Hitchcocks' de-cat pipe a few weeks ago which has helped.

These motors are recognised as being very tight straight out of the factory and benefit from careful running-in - I can vouch for this - but every 100 miles or so it seems to go through a change in feel, becoming more responsive. Getting upwards of 100 mpg isn't such a chore either.

Classic 350 by Boxertrixter, on Flickr

Classic at Cadwell by Boxertrixter, on Flickr

In England's green and pleasant...

Royal Enfield Classic 350 by Boxertrixter, on Flickr

[Gromit]

A little over 10 months now since picking up this lovely little beastie. 2500 miles, the motor still continues to loosen up (wondering if this might be down to it being an under-square config?) but gets better with every ride out.

Do I miss the power of previous bikes? Yes & no. Yes, because you can forget overtaking other traffic if it's doing more than 50-55mph. No, because once you 'get it' there's an almost Zen-like calm to riding a bike like this. 'What's the rush?' etc. Saying that, the bike handles so well it'll travel at a fair clip on back roads. The rear shocks are still pretty poor, being unyielding but bouncy through insufficient damping control; 2-up they're fine though, something the bike copes with surprisingly well. There's b*gger-all power to lose in the first place.

Mods have been the aforementioned Hitchcock's de-cat pipe, now with DNA filter intake and FuelX Lite fuel controller - the latter makes a noticeable difference in smooth fuelling - the bike is great in standard form, but I'm not sure there's enough latitude in the system to allow for all the mods. It doesn't run lean on std fuelling, just gets a bit jerky when recovering from the overrun. It's now perfect. Sounds fabulous too.

Also, people always smile at the bike when I'm out & about on it, and lost count of the number of times folk have come and asked about it (not all of them over 70 yrs old either!).

First time passenger by Boxertrixter, on Flickr

Classic in the Wolds by Boxertrixter, on Flickr

A ride on the mild side by Boxertrixter, on Flickr

First spring ride by Boxertrixter, on Flickr

[f90x]

It's a great looking bike. Perfect back road tool. I'd like one myself. Is your daughter going the two wheeled route?

[Gromit]

It's a great looking bike. Perfect back road tool. I'd like one myself. Is your daughter going the two wheeled route?

Thanks Steve - hope you're well.

Emma's been nagging me for ages to go out on the bike (she's 14 now) so just a few weeks ago we took a trip to Sportsbikeshop in Boston to get her some gear to wear. Being a teenager, she didn't give much away in terms of enthusiasm (that would be uncool, apparently!) but seemed to enjoy the trip out. We did around 25 miles on local back roads, the bike's natural habitat.

We were supposed to be going to a bike meet at Woodland Waters (a local beauty spot near us) this evening but it's p*ssing it down today. Could do with a 2nd, rough weather bike to be honest...couldn't I dear? <looks at wife, look returned is not positive>

[f90x]

Haha, ah the 2nd bike conversation... 14, wow. I'm sure I remember you posting a pic when she was a baby!

[Gromit]

I'm sure I remember you posting a pic when she was a baby!

Indeed - it's scary!