Modern Royal Enfield review
- Thread starter mean gene
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at Mallory bike festival yesterday, RE had a stand in the paddock staffed by guys from their R and D department: top tip to improve power on 650 twin: bore out inlet tract to diameter of inlet valve( do other details given, and skim head by 1mm, and gives 15-20 more hp.
They also had the flat tracker they use for the UK championship, which has big bore, reworked valve angles ,gas flowing , ( keeps the electric start , so we heard it running) and two stage oil pump with reworked outer cover to supply secondary oil supply to cylinder head for cooling, and a Harris brazed frame, and gives 96hp...!
They also had the flat tracker they use for the UK championship, which has big bore, reworked valve angles ,gas flowing , ( keeps the electric start , so we heard it running) and two stage oil pump with reworked outer cover to supply secondary oil supply to cylinder head for cooling, and a Harris brazed frame, and gives 96hp...!
Fast Eddie
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Wish I’d checked that out !
mean gene
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Ok most know I'm very happy with my modern Royal Enfields, I'd like to add a couple more reasons for my satisfaction. Today I decided to do some routine maintenance, mainly adjust valves. Of course I had to remove seat and gas tank. Fuel lines had quick disconnect fittings- easy peasy!
Then thanks to manual, supplied free from factory, the cam has lines with L and R that you line up to set valves right and left side. Removed o-ringed plug from left side engine cover to access the crank nut to easily index cam for valve setting. When reassembling I noticed controls, relays are Bosch! Everything was easy to access! What more do you want for $7000 out the door! (2020 price)
Then thanks to manual, supplied free from factory, the cam has lines with L and R that you line up to set valves right and left side. Removed o-ringed plug from left side engine cover to access the crank nut to easily index cam for valve setting. When reassembling I noticed controls, relays are Bosch! Everything was easy to access! What more do you want for $7000 out the door! (2020 price)
Hortons Norton
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Might like to see this?
Hortons Norton
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No not me I have enough bikes to take care of.
Reality check on the hotrod 865 kit.
The stock bike + open exhaust made 46 din horsepower ( crankshaft) on dyno, exactly the same number as the manufacturer's claim without aftermarket stinger exhaust.
With the 865 kit fitted+ S&S performance cam + stinger exhaust + Power Commander + dyno tuning the bike made 58 din hp.
Cost without labour was 4,000 euros, not including exhaust.
One could pick up a nice used 865 Triumph for about the same cost as the RE 865 kit parts.
I believe the 865 Triumphs produce 68 din hp in stock form, ten more than the hotrodded RE.
That way you could ride the 650 RE one day and the 865 the next!
On the other hand, some folks just love to hotrod things and I sometimes suffer from that irrational urge as well.
Glen
The stock bike + open exhaust made 46 din horsepower ( crankshaft) on dyno, exactly the same number as the manufacturer's claim without aftermarket stinger exhaust.
With the 865 kit fitted+ S&S performance cam + stinger exhaust + Power Commander + dyno tuning the bike made 58 din hp.
Cost without labour was 4,000 euros, not including exhaust.
One could pick up a nice used 865 Triumph for about the same cost as the RE 865 kit parts.
I believe the 865 Triumphs produce 68 din hp in stock form, ten more than the hotrodded RE.
That way you could ride the 650 RE one day and the 865 the next!
On the other hand, some folks just love to hotrod things and I sometimes suffer from that irrational urge as well.
Glen
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Fast Eddie
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That is more than a 25% increase though Glen, so it’s bloody good bolt on power.
But I agree with your conclusion, a mate of mine looked into this closely, and I did casually, but we both ended up concluding that a large part of the appeal, and purpose, of the RE is its price point. And if you started adding big money to one, you’re simply better off buying a Triumph.
True, it is a big increase. It's 27 % more pep but the displacement increased by 33%, so it makes just a tiny bit less power per cc than the stock bike.
That is strange as he has added a performance cam, special Tec airbox, Stinger exhaust and a Power Commander.
Those items ought to contribute a few hp, but it seems that they aren't helping much.
Perhaps there is a mismatch in there somewhere or a bottleneck of some type.
Glen
That is strange as he has added a performance cam, special Tec airbox, Stinger exhaust and a Power Commander.
Those items ought to contribute a few hp, but it seems that they aren't helping much.
Perhaps there is a mismatch in there somewhere or a bottleneck of some type.
Glen
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I have seen that video before and maybe it is mentioned but that sure does look like a crack at 6:57.
robs ss
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concours
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Spot on.
Those mods will only earn you bragging rights among other RE riders.
Very costly.
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360 crank tho
Yes, love the sound of a bike with a 360 crank. Unfortunately it generally means big vibration unless you are on a Commando. If the 865 Triumph I tried is any indication, the balance shaft works beautifully against the AC Bonnie's 360 crank, it was a smooth runner from idle right on up.
The 270 crank that the RE 650 has gives that different sound, quite nice really. It's the runner up sound to the 360 crank. I was going to say it's the Miss Congeniality sound vs the 360 but it's more of tough sound , not congenial.
Glen
The 270 crank that the RE 650 has gives that different sound, quite nice really. It's the runner up sound to the 360 crank. I was going to say it's the Miss Congeniality sound vs the 360 but it's more of tough sound , not congenial.
Glen
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Vibration with a 360 crank need to be put in the part of the rev range where it does not matter. Most motorcycles are not used for high speed riding, so it is sensible to use a low crank balance factor. For myself, I would always have it high and tolerate vibration at low revs. Vibration represents a pulse which goes down the drive chain - it affects tyre grip. A pulse is better for high speed work than smooth power delivery. In road racing a 500cc Manx is always better than a 500cc twin.
