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Finally gave in to the itch...
Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 10:12 am
by 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.
Re: Finally gave in to the itch...
Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 6:25 pm
by ianc53
Well done Richard. It looks perfect weather for it.
All the best
Ian
Re: Finally gave in to the itch...
Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2024 3:29 pm
by dave the german
My mate has just bought the 450 Himalayan and absolutely loves it.
Re: Finally gave in to the itch...
Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2024 11:34 pm
by 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
Re: Finally gave in to the itch...
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2024 8:53 am
by RiceBurner
Nice! I've seen the photos on FB too.
Good to see you out and about again mate!
Re: Finally gave in to the itch...
Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2024 3:01 pm
by Paul
Welcome back to the world of two wheels with an engine Richard.
Cheers,
Paul
Re: Finally gave in to the itch...
Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2024 8:27 pm
by 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
Re: Finally gave in to the itch...
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2025 11:34 am
by 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
Re: Finally gave in to the itch...
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2025 11:50 am
by f90x
It's a great looking bike. Perfect back road tool. I'd like one myself. Is your daughter going the two wheeled route?
Re: Finally gave in to the itch...
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2025 1:32 pm
by Gromit
f90x wrote: Mon Apr 21, 2025 11:50 am
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>

Re: Finally gave in to the itch...
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2025 1:48 pm
by f90x
Haha, ah the 2nd bike conversation... 14, wow. I'm sure I remember you posting a pic when she was a baby!
Re: Finally gave in to the itch...
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2025 2:09 pm
by Gromit
f90x wrote: Mon Apr 21, 2025 1:48 pm
I'm sure I remember you posting a pic when she was a baby!
Indeed - it's scary!