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What is the general opinion on all Royal Enfield 500CC bikes becoming EFI ?

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  • What is the general opinion on all Royal Enfield 500CC bikes becoming EFI ?

    So with the recent BSIV enforcement, Royal Enfield has apparently updated the Bullet 500 model with EFI. That makes all 500CC engined bikes from RE EFI fueled. Now I'm not sure about the situation of 2017, but I've heard and have had firsthand witness about some nasty experiences with RE EFI in the past. Mainly because the fuel pump can fail without warning. which is a complete breakdown, the majority of the mechanics including some RE service center experts lack the knowhow of the EFI internals, and suggest a straight up replacement. This is an expensive ordeal if you're out of warranty, and the parts may not be available everywhere. To me this decision seems like a step back in terms of reliability.

    I myself fancied the Bullet 500 over Classic 500/Desert Storm solely because of it's better seats and the relatively simpler carbureted engine, and was in fact saving up for it. Now I'm not so sure about whether I should go ahead or not, and have decided to delay my decision and observe as events fold out.

    Saying that, even with my anxiety about EFI, I would probably be willing to go for a EFI RE, only if they introduced the rear disk brake and dual channel ABS it launched in the UK in January, even with a moderate price increase. but from what it looks like, the Indian market will be getting the short end of the stick, and no proactive improvements will be made other than the EFI and a minor tire upgrade, which is probably just to conform with the BSIV norms. I think any experienced rider would agree with the statement that 180kg+ motorcycles like the REs need to have proper brakes, and as it stands, the existing RE bikes have a bad reputation about braking.

    So here I am, with questions and doubts, asking you guys about the ground reality of the situation. I'd really appreciate the general opinion on this matter, and any advise directed towards me. Thanks in advance.

  • #2
    Re: What is the general opinion on all Royal Enfield 500CC bikes becoming EFI ?

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    • #3
      Re: What is the general opinion on all Royal Enfield 500CC bikes becoming EFI ?

      I had Desert Storm, not faced any FI issues. Completely agree on the braking part, RE must introduce ABS or at least as an option.
      Hodibaba (Caliber 115)
      Pulsar 150 (2008-2016)
      Chevrolet Beat (2010-)
      Desert Storm (2013-2017)
      Yamaha Rayz( 2016-)
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      • #4
        Re: What is the general opinion on all Royal Enfield 500CC bikes becoming EFI ?

        Originally posted by reeavees View Post
        I had Desert Storm, not faced any FI issues. Completely agree on the braking part, RE must introduce ABS or at least as an option.
        Before ABS, they need to introduce brakes which actually work.

        Regards.

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        • #5
          Re: What is the general opinion on all Royal Enfield 500CC bikes becoming EFI ?

          Originally posted by PrinceCruise View Post
          Before ABS, they need to introduce brakes which actually work.

          Regards.
          Ha ha ha ha.. true that..
          wishing ABS in a RE is like wishing India to win the soccer world cup (You have to qualify and participate in it first).
          I would like to thank my legs for supporting me, my arms for being always by my side and my fingers; I could always count on them.

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          • #6
            Re: What is the general opinion on all Royal Enfield 500CC bikes becoming EFI ?

            Originally posted by PrinceCruise View Post
            Before ABS, they need to introduce brakes which actually work.

            Regards.
            Originally posted by Ankey View Post
            Ha ha ha ha.. true that..
            wishing ABS in a RE is like wishing India to win the soccer world cup (You have to qualify and participate in it first).
            The thing is, it's not like RE doesn't have the technology. The recently launched UK versions of Classic 500 and Bullet 500 has both front and rear disk brakes, plus dual channel ABS. Heck, even the Indian Thunderbird 500 model has rear disk. How hard could it be to use the TB 500 swing arm, and rear wheel+hub+disk+caliper in the Classic and Bullet 500 models ? They increase price each year anyway.

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            • #7
              Re: What is the general opinion on all Royal Enfield 500CC bikes becoming EFI ?

              Originally posted by anindyameister View Post
              The thing is, it's not like RE doesn't have the technology. The recently launched UK versions of Classic 500 and Bullet 500 has both front and rear disk brakes, plus dual channel ABS. Heck, even the Indian Thunderbird 500 model has rear disk. How hard could it be to use the TB 500 swing arm, and rear wheel+hub+disk+caliper in the Classic and Bullet 500 models ? They increase price each year anyway.
              How hard was it for them to provide a leak free engine for decades while every Tom, Dick and Harry did so?

              Its not about having the technology, every manufacturer has it since decades now. Its about the mindset and attitude towards providing good engineered product to masses when you have the chance. Heck, I've been a RE lover even though never having own one, I hail from a Punjabi area where Yejdis, Rajdoots and Bullets were the real motorcycles growing up. However what I observed over the years was- RE literally has been taking public for a ride. Why are their bikes so overpriced, what engineering or innovation is going on in there to justify it? Do you know conversion of FI bullets to carb is a well known thing? What is RE doing about it?

              I almost was sold on GT even with the ridiculously high price due to the first time quality for an RE, good thing I didn't buy it. Now the spares as sparse for the best bike RE could produce in India, that's the situation of them.

              Give me a twin cylinder FI liquid cooled RE with quality components used in GT, I'll pay the premium in spite of Yamaha for my next bike I swear. (Also pigs would fly)

              Regards.

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              • #8
                Re: What is the general opinion on all Royal Enfield 500CC bikes becoming EFI ?

                Originally posted by PrinceCruise View Post
                How hard was it for them to provide a leak free engine for decades while every Tom, Dick and Harry did so?

                Its not about having the technology, every manufacturer has it since decades now. Its about the mindset and attitude towards providing good engineered product to masses when you have the chance. Heck, I've been a RE lover even though never having own one, I hail from a Punjabi area where Yejdis, Rajdoots and Bullets were the real motorcycles growing up. However what I observed over the years was- RE literally has been taking public for a ride. Why are their bikes so overpriced, what engineering or innovation is going on in there to justify it? Do you know conversion of FI bullets to carb is a well known thing? What is RE doing about it?

                I almost was sold on GT even with the ridiculously high price due to the first time quality for an RE, good thing I didn't buy it. Now the spares as sparse for the best bike RE could produce in India, that's the situation of them.

                Give me a twin cylinder FI liquid cooled RE with quality components used in GT, I'll pay the premium in spite of Yamaha for my next bike I swear. (Also pigs would fly)

                Regards.
                Well in my opinion RE purposefully does not update it. IMO if it does it will be in the same boat as Tom, dick and Harry. It will loose it's retro look.

                Regarding conversation to FI i have different veiws
                1. Old generation bikes don't have FI, may be RE still wants to live up as a retro bike and so doesn't upgrade.
                2. Cost increase.
                3. Already their bikes are not reliable, why further complicate the issues.
                4. You can limp home on a carburated bike but not on a FI one.
                5. Chal raha hai, chalne do.
                Although I admit that the quality of RE bikes have improved. The attitude of manufacturer towards Indian junta must change and so the attitude of junta towards manufacturers. The junta should be adamant on quality and safety so that manufacturers cone up with these like they way they do abroad. Of course this comes at a price which ordinary junta is not ready to pay



                Carburated or FI has its own advantage and disadvantage.
                Srinivas

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