
ENFIELD TRIALS (2009 - on) Review

At a glance
Power: | 28 bhp |
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Seat height: | Medium (31.5 in / 800 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (412 lbs / 187 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe Royal Enfield Bullet Trials EFI is rubbish and brilliant at the same time. Rubbish because it’s slow, under-braked and ill-handling – but brilliant because it offers a unique, charming, easy-going ride you won’t get with any other bike less than 30 years old.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineModern bikes chase chassis rigidity – the Enfield’s steel tube design merely holds the components together and might as well be made of rope. Even riding slowly you can feel the chassis flex as the engine loads and unloads the rear wheel.
Saying that, taking smooth lines, make your inputs progressive and accelerating through bends helps maintain momentum. The knobbly tyres are soft, so leaning over gently doesn’t stress them too much – it’s possible to scrape the centrestand and rear brake pedal.
The ride is a little bouncy – exacerbated by the sprung saddle. It will go off-road – but only gentle green lanes and fields unless you want to bash it in to pieces. It’s a style thing.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityRating the Royal Enfield Trials’ engine is a subjective issue – base the score on performance, and it comes out low. It’s slow revving and is uncomfortable much past 65. But it has chunky single-cylinder torque right from tickover, and although it’s vibey they’re part of the character. As long as you don’t ride for hours flat-out, it’s part of the appeal.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueIt's A 50 year-old design produced in India (converted to trial spec in the UK), so it’s fairly crude up close. It’s solid though – the motor is a piece of cake to home-service, everything is simple and accessible and it’s a tough old beast.
It remains to be seen how the fuel injection will holdup under long-term ownership – it’s the only thing you might ever need to trouble a dealer to sort out.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentJust under £4500 buys you a Suzuki Gladius or a Kawsaki ER-6n – both more practical and better performing. But Enfield buyers are unique – it’s an ownership experience rather than a purchase you rationalise too much.
It’s also the sort of bike you could keep for life – you won’t get the same feeling with the Jap bikes. As long as you truly know what you’re getting, it’s a great authentic experience of classic motorcycling – except with better backup, reliability and a lower price than you might pay for a ‘real’ classic bike.
Equipment
Centrestand, a rear luggage rack, a fuel light and an electric start are the only real luxuries. But they do mean it’s surprisingly utilitarian – it’ll happily commute across town every day, where the tight turning circle and narrow width is useful. But remember: real men learn to use the kickstart, even if the fuel injection makes it slightly easier.
Specs |
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Engine size | 499cc |
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Engine type | Pushrod, 2v air-cooled single. Five gears, fuel injection |
Frame type | Tubular steel cradle |
Fuel capacity | 14.5 litres |
Seat height | 800mm |
Bike weight | 187kg |
Front suspension | None |
Rear suspension | None |
Front brake | 310mm disc, twin-piston sliding caliper |
Rear brake | Drum |
Front tyre size | 100/90x19 |
Rear tyre size | 100/90x19 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 55 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £67 |
Annual service cost | - |
New price | £5,100 |
Used price | - |
Insurance group |
6 of 17 How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 28 bhp |
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Max torque | 30.5 ft-lb |
Top speed | 75 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 150 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
New for 2009.
Other versions
Royal Enfield Bullet Classic: Same basic running gear, but with dual seats, road tyres and road-bike styling.
Royal Enfield Woodsman: New for 2010, the Woodsman sits between the Trials and the Classic. Off-road looks come from unique controls and a high-level exhaust, but it has road tyres. Could be a better bet than the Trials unless you want to hit some gentle green lanes.
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