If you have not read the review, go here first Part 1 - Review
This is about the GT 500 which is no longer in production.
At the time of writing this, the bike has done 1500Kms and two services done.
Updated at 2000Kms.
Getting used to the weight.
Honestly, I haven't been riding the GT much. So I have not got used to the weight yet. It is heavy and if this is the only bike you ride, then you may get used to the weight. My other regular use bikes are the TVS RTR and the Honda Unicorn (both 150cc commuters) which are light weights, so I still feel the weight of the GT.
Starting.
I had to learn to kick start the bike because the battery was having problems. Ah, kick starting the GT. It is a technique you have to learn thru practice. If you don't do it the proper way, you are just going to injure your knee or ankle. If you do it the right way, it will start without much effort (assuming only the battery is the problem). The following is a video I found which helped me learn how to do it.
Update: The kick start becomes a bit easier as you put more miles. I guess the engine is loosening up.
Heat.
The engine heats up quite a bit. If you ride in traffic for long, you will feel the heat thru your pants.
Seating position:
The seating is like a sports bike. Something like the Yamaha R15. You will feel your body weight on your wrists. Surprisingly, on a recent 2 hour ride, my hands did not pain after the ride. I was expecting it to.
Issues faced:
1. Battery problems, which means no self-start. Bad news for your legs. Still not completely resolved. It will self-start, but when riding at night with the head lights on, the low battery warning light comes on. I have changed the headlights to LEDs. They consume less power and I hope this will help with the battery draining issue. The horn sounds like it has a cold. I am assuming this is also because of the battery. Update: The change to LED headlights has solved the issue with 'battery low' warning coming up when riding with the headlights on. The self-starting works now. I guess the alternator does not produce enough current to charge the battery well. Riding at above 2500 rpm is recommended if you have to charge the battery.
LED headlights. Does not go well with the bike's retro look, but solves the battery charging issue.
2. Seat lock does not work. The seat will come off if you just pull it out. Update: Now fixed.
3. Wheel spoke came off. Luckily, a friend spotted it in time and a disaster was averted.
Keep a lookout for loose spokes. Tighten them regularly.
Thats all folks. Will probably keep updating major events in the life of the GT on this blog.
Some miscellaneous shots:
Notice the deep scratch on the seat cowl. Courtesy, RE mechanics during first service! Mirrors changed to bar end type.
The toolkit. A few tools more than what you would expect.
The legend doesn't seem to like the new kid on the block.
Don't buy it to impress the ladies. School and college going males seem the most interested in the GT.
The panel that covers the side is as heavy as 10 of a regular 150cc motocycle. Could have saved weight here.
Venu, costs of service are not high. Its around Rs.1500-2000. As for any problems, the battery needs to be replaced, but I think it may be because I had kept it unused for a long time which may have drained the battery. Still, I do feel that the GTs have a weak battery and charging system.
i have been doing lot of research and i came across few owners of GT and they have facing problems such as rattling sound, mis fire of engine, battery problem, starting problem including kick and with starter and the service centers have failed to ratify these problems, even if the problems were solved they are solved on temporary basis and issues keep popping up every now and then, after going through blogs and reading issues faced by the owners i am bit worried, kindly guide me.
The Royal Enfield(RE) bikes do not offer the kind of reliability or quality that you get with the Japanese brands. That is the bitter truth, but people who want to buy a RE bike just overlook that fact mainly because there is no alternative. If you want an RE, you buy an RE!
Nice review. I have covered 13,000 km around Brisbane, Aust, on my GT, 2 yrs old this week, albeit with some dramas. However I am still enjoying the bike. I've fitted a sealed, gel type battery, and use an intelligent trickle charger if not riding every day. I've noticed I haven't had the problem of the battery charge light coming on since fitting the new battery. The original lead acid battery appeared to be in good condition, and I had no problems using the electric start, except it always takes three goes to start from cold (no problems once warmed up), however it (the battery) must have lacked "oomph", as I had problems of misfiring above 3,000rpm. An experienced mechanic friend suggested a new battery (I didn't believe him as I thought the alternator supplied all the electrical power needed once the engine was running), however he said he'd had similar problems with other modern EFI bikes, requiring a healthy battery in good condition to run the electronics. It turned out he was correct! I'm having problems with "pinging" under load at around 3,000rpm in 4th and 5th gears mainly. We are hoping this is due to the engine still being new and tight, so I ensure I change down a gear rather than risking labouring the engine. Time will tell if it improves (N.B. I had a new engine supplied under warranty by the factory, as the original dropped an exhaust valve.....cause unknown but I suspect a mistake by a local dealer not experienced in these engines. Has since closed their business). I am wondering if the alternator on the new engine is charging more efficiently, and could be another reason for the battery light problem disappearing. It is all conjecture and theoriseing I am afraid. I've seen criticism of the exposed, untidy, electrical cabling etc, forward of the battery. I purchased a neat cover supplied by Hitchcock's (U.K.) and it looks pretty good. Regarding the "choke": I think it's only a fast idle device, not a choke in the old, carburettor sense of a choke. The cable on mine has a lot of slack, so I've purchased one with an adjuster, again from Hitchcock's. Not yet fitted. This bike is so much fun, and draws admiring comments from people whenever I am out on it. I have had some large capacity, much more powerful bikes over the years, but the GT is so easy to ride, comfortable on long or short trips, sounds great with the factory sports pipe, handles brilliantly on twisty roads, and is perfect in so many ways for me now (I am in my late '60's, and whilst I hate to admit it, I think a bike with less power is more sensible for someone lacking the reflexes of a 25 year old!). Thanks for your review.....it is helpful to read of others' experiences. RE's are not so common here, but the GT has generated a lot of interest.
Barely 2K+++ kilometers on the bike yet there are already so many problems with the RE Continental GT. It's as if I bought a third-hand bike and not a brand-new one. And the after-sales service here in he Philippines sucks big time. I'd highly recommemd not buying this bike. Getting rid of mine asap.
I have owned my GT for about a year now, put about 1,000 miles on it (I live in the US) I still have trouble kick starting it. Thankfully the electric start works every time or I would be in trouble. I have had zero issues otherwise with the bike, I commute on it daily. Thanks for the write up, It was a good read.
I bought a GT in 2015 as a pleasure ride. I also got the factory kit with the sports exhaust and double seat and fitted an iridium plug. I fitted two small but bright LED lights on the front and two red one as additional break lights on the back.
I love to ride this bike as unlike the author I’m used to heavier bikes so the GT to me is light and versatile but again compared to my other bigger bikes is much less powerful but nevertheless real fun and effortless to ride. It cruises at 70 down the dual carriageway but there’s not much above that. And when decelerating she pops a bit but I like that.
With headlights and additional lights on charge light comes on when ticking over. But soon goes off when it starts moving again although it did cause a problem when it was mot’d as tester thought it was an electrical problem. But explained and demonstrated and he was happy.
I use the kicks to start from cold and from centre stand parking find it easier. With the right technique imthe GT starts first time. Trick is to get it to the compression stroke but before full compression. You can feel the difference. Unlike the older British bike I can’t kickstart the GT from the seat and have to start it from standing at the side which I have to say I don’t like. The reason for this is the the kickstart hast to bend outside the foot peg making it very awkward to start from the seat.
If anyone has a mod for this I’d be happy to hear about it. Also interested in the wiring cover from Hitchcocks. Have you a part no or other details?
I use the electric start When I need it to start quickly eg a fuel stop.
Essentially I love this bike. Being brought up in the cafe racer era it’s perfect for me. It a comfortable effortless bike. Yes it lacks the power of the Jap sports style license losers but I’m not a speed merchant I like to ride!!
Oh I’ve fitted a front headlight cowell (Guvvi) sets off the front end and looks really good.
great review, soon ill be buying one.
ReplyDeleteHave fun on the GT.
Deleteby the way any problems relating to bike and what are the charges for servicing, cost for maintaining the bike
ReplyDeleteVenu, costs of service are not high. Its around Rs.1500-2000. As for any problems, the battery needs to be replaced, but I think it may be because I had kept it unused for a long time which may have drained the battery. Still, I do feel that the GTs have a weak battery and charging system.
DeleteThank you.
Deletei have been doing lot of research and i came across few owners of GT and they have facing problems such as rattling sound, mis fire of engine, battery problem, starting problem including kick and with starter and the service centers have failed to ratify these problems, even if the problems were solved they are solved on temporary basis and issues keep popping up every now and then, after going through blogs and reading issues faced by the owners i am bit worried, kindly guide me.
DeleteRegards
The Royal Enfield(RE) bikes do not offer the kind of reliability or quality that you get with the Japanese brands. That is the bitter truth, but people who want to buy a RE bike just overlook that fact mainly because there is no alternative. If you want an RE, you buy an RE!
DeleteNice review.
ReplyDeleteI have covered 13,000 km around Brisbane, Aust, on my GT, 2 yrs old this week, albeit with some dramas.
However I am still enjoying the bike.
I've fitted a sealed, gel type battery, and use an intelligent trickle charger if not riding every day. I've noticed I haven't had the problem of the battery charge light coming on since fitting the new battery.
The original lead acid battery appeared to be in good condition, and I had no problems using the electric start, except it always takes three goes to start from cold (no problems once warmed up), however it (the battery) must have lacked "oomph", as I had problems of misfiring above 3,000rpm.
An experienced mechanic friend suggested a new battery (I didn't believe him as I thought the alternator supplied all the electrical power needed once the engine was running), however he said he'd had similar problems with other modern EFI bikes, requiring a healthy battery in good condition to run the electronics.
It turned out he was correct!
I'm having problems with "pinging" under load at around 3,000rpm in 4th and 5th gears mainly. We are hoping this is due to the engine still being new and tight, so I ensure I change down a gear rather than risking labouring the engine.
Time will tell if it improves (N.B. I had a new engine supplied under warranty by the factory, as the original dropped an exhaust valve.....cause unknown but I suspect a mistake by a local dealer not experienced in these engines. Has since closed their business).
I am wondering if the alternator on the new engine is charging more efficiently, and could be another reason for the battery light problem disappearing.
It is all conjecture and theoriseing I am afraid.
I've seen criticism of the exposed, untidy, electrical cabling etc, forward of the battery. I purchased a neat cover supplied by Hitchcock's (U.K.) and it looks pretty good.
Regarding the "choke": I think it's only a fast idle device, not a choke in the old, carburettor sense of a choke.
The cable on mine has a lot of slack, so I've purchased one with an adjuster, again from Hitchcock's. Not yet fitted.
This bike is so much fun, and draws admiring comments from people whenever I am out on it.
I have had some large capacity, much more powerful bikes over the years, but the GT is so easy to ride, comfortable on long or short trips, sounds great with the factory sports pipe, handles brilliantly on twisty roads, and is perfect in so many ways for me now (I am in my late '60's, and whilst I hate to admit it, I think a bike with less power is more sensible for someone lacking the reflexes of a 25 year old!).
Thanks for your review.....it is helpful to read of others' experiences.
RE's are not so common here, but the GT has generated a lot of interest.
Hi thanks for the info. I’m interested in the wiring cover you mention any details?
DeleteBarely 2K+++ kilometers on the bike yet there are already so many problems with the RE Continental GT. It's as if I bought a third-hand bike and not a brand-new one. And the after-sales service here in he Philippines sucks big time. I'd highly recommemd not buying this bike. Getting rid of mine asap.
ReplyDeleteI have owned my GT for about a year now, put about 1,000 miles on it (I live in the US) I still have trouble kick starting it. Thankfully the electric start works every time or I would be in trouble. I have had zero issues otherwise with the bike, I commute on it daily. Thanks for the write up, It was a good read.
ReplyDeleteI bought a GT in 2015 as a pleasure ride. I also got the factory kit with the sports exhaust and double seat and fitted an iridium plug. I fitted two small but bright LED lights on the front and two red one as additional break lights on the back.
ReplyDeleteI love to ride this bike as unlike the author I’m used to heavier bikes so the GT to me is light and versatile but again compared to my other bigger bikes is much less powerful but nevertheless real fun and effortless to ride. It cruises at 70 down the dual carriageway but there’s not much above that. And when decelerating she pops a bit but I like that.
With headlights and additional lights on charge light comes on when ticking over. But soon goes off when it starts moving again although it did cause a problem when it was mot’d as tester thought it was an electrical problem. But explained and demonstrated and he was happy.
I use the kicks to start from cold and from centre stand parking find it easier. With the right technique imthe GT starts first time. Trick is to get it to the compression stroke but before full compression. You can feel the difference. Unlike the older British bike I can’t kickstart the GT from the seat and have to start it from standing at the side which I have to say I don’t like. The reason for this is the the kickstart hast to bend outside the foot peg making it very awkward to start from the seat.
If anyone has a mod for this I’d be happy to hear about it. Also interested in the wiring cover from Hitchcocks. Have you a part no or other details?
I use the electric start When I need it to start quickly eg a fuel stop.
Essentially I love this bike. Being brought up in the cafe racer era it’s perfect for me. It a comfortable effortless bike. Yes it lacks the power of the Jap sports style license losers but I’m not a speed merchant I like to ride!!
Oh I’ve fitted a front headlight cowell (Guvvi) sets off the front end and looks really good.