About to take the plunge

[jape]

As you know from other threads I have the Kinlon R/T. The same 200cc engine I think, seems OK, very noisy, good value for money but for a commute of that distance at average 90kph only, it is not very appropriate surely? I have had 250 cc bikes that went a LOT better. You will need to play with sprockets once it is run in.

I have done a few trips of forty km + or so now and I must say it is fun but it is tiring, it will get to 100 kph with a tail wind, even two-up, but the slightest slope to climb or side or head wind and you are doing only 90 kph and the engine is at the limit easily. I don't feel it will last at those revs on such a trip. This is also a very uncomfortable even dangerous speed when all other vehicles are stacking up behind you and getting impatient on country roads, or else making you wobble as they fly past on the freeway. You have no leeway to speed up or overtake or get out of trouble and this makes you mentally tired, always on edge like a fox terrier running with wolves. Vibration is minimal, just blurs the mirrors, engine balancer is noisy and I am hoping all the other rattles are not serious ... needs careful running in to free up the engine, a couple of thorough oil changes and at least 750 km slow work before it starts to pick up and the engine runs freely was my experience. The saddle and frame height is good and comfortable even if you are tall, but like all dirt based bike designs it sits you up and faces you squarely into the wind, you cannot get down in any way to cruise. I cannot find aftermarket racks or good screens but if you are in town you may be able to try a few places and find something, probably have to build them though. Tank is a bit small for commuting too at only 8 litres and fuel econ. not as good as one would hope at those top end speeds.

You obviously have experience and if you get one for $1500 which is possible, plus on roads, well great - but unless you are just negotiating city streets these bikes are not commuters for any distance out of the box - however they look or are sold! A couple of blokes on the forum have the Motard and at least one has changed the sprocket and made a more comfortable commuter out of it so read the old threads and see. Mine is still losing nuts and bolts after more than a year and lots of tightening up on my part, may be best to completely strip and re-assemble, just for safety and certainty. Oh yeah and as a true personal opinion I found the dealers you are going to seemingly very friendly and helpful before I purchased but in reality, short on backup, support, parts, care, honesty. You will be on your own once they have your cash.

Here is a members blog on it: http://kingmarty45.vox.com/

I do not want to seem too negative though! I like this machine and the Motard is basically the same but set up a bit different and prettier so if it suits you it is still good value if it comes cheap enough (mine was $2000 18 months ago and now they are less as you know from the other thread so do NOT pay anywhere near asking price). You do have to have low expectations and some experience.
I would try and get the JH600 imported if I was doing this again ....

I had a look at the Enfield a few times, there was an importer up my way for a while, a very cool machine and a classic, and I thought about it a lot, too many stories of poor steel. I hope yours is good. Can't wait to see your pics of it and the work you have done on it, no-one here will complain that it isn't chinese!