Tweet
Re: To "Enfield" or not to "Enfield"
Eight months back, my brother-in-law was in the same dilemma as you are in. He is having a FZ(2009) model and has done 70K km.s on her till date. That includes several rally to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal etc. And he wanted to upgrade. He was completely satisfied with his FZ(he still is as the FZ graces the entrance of his house).
Now, he wanted an upgrade and specially wanted the Bullet. He was no more a bachelor and in his FZ, the pillion seat was on the shorter side. After a lot of chai-pani-sutta-arguments, he zeroed in on the Electra 350. After a lot of negotiation on the waiting period(RE is notorious in this department) he bought his second bike home one and a half months after booking. Till now, feedback is good. From a rider who has done so much km.s on a FZ, here are the pointers :
1. Smoothness is nowhere close to the FZ
2. Low-end torque is way better than the FZ
3. Handling is average compared to the FZ(all Yamaha bikes are known for immaculate handling btw)
4. Pillion comfort and headlight is better than FZ
5. Tyres(CEAT) and brakes were better in FZ(MRF)
6. Suspension is on the stiffer side
7. Vibrations are there
8. And the thumping sound and exhaust - well, this is an Enfield after all!
9. And last but not the least - maintenance is on the higher side as compared to the FZ. FZ is almost a zero maintenance bike. Even after maintaining his Electra in the best possible manner, she has betrayed him twice on road. Once the battery got discharged out of nowhere. After pushing the bike for 2 km.s, the battery taken care of for around 2 hr.s. After 10 minutes of riding after that, the same thing happened. The other time was when the engine seized due to no apparent reasons. So be prepared for such things.
Still he loves to ride the Electra as the feeling is somewhat different as compared to any other bike.
Hope this helps!
Eight months back, my brother-in-law was in the same dilemma as you are in. He is having a FZ(2009) model and has done 70K km.s on her till date. That includes several rally to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal etc. And he wanted to upgrade. He was completely satisfied with his FZ(he still is as the FZ graces the entrance of his house).
Now, he wanted an upgrade and specially wanted the Bullet. He was no more a bachelor and in his FZ, the pillion seat was on the shorter side. After a lot of chai-pani-sutta-arguments, he zeroed in on the Electra 350. After a lot of negotiation on the waiting period(RE is notorious in this department) he bought his second bike home one and a half months after booking. Till now, feedback is good. From a rider who has done so much km.s on a FZ, here are the pointers :
1. Smoothness is nowhere close to the FZ
2. Low-end torque is way better than the FZ
3. Handling is average compared to the FZ(all Yamaha bikes are known for immaculate handling btw)
4. Pillion comfort and headlight is better than FZ
5. Tyres(CEAT) and brakes were better in FZ(MRF)
6. Suspension is on the stiffer side
7. Vibrations are there
8. And the thumping sound and exhaust - well, this is an Enfield after all!
9. And last but not the least - maintenance is on the higher side as compared to the FZ. FZ is almost a zero maintenance bike. Even after maintaining his Electra in the best possible manner, she has betrayed him twice on road. Once the battery got discharged out of nowhere. After pushing the bike for 2 km.s, the battery taken care of for around 2 hr.s. After 10 minutes of riding after that, the same thing happened. The other time was when the engine seized due to no apparent reasons. So be prepared for such things.
Still he loves to ride the Electra as the feeling is somewhat different as compared to any other bike.
Hope this helps!
Comment