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I owned a 350 Enfield when I lived in India, lots of character, lovely noise and a little bit reliable.
Even with the modern 500 version, I wouldn't recommend for the UK especially if you like performance ( outside mpg ).
Great bikes for quiet country road commutes and you get attached quickly but horses for courses IMO. -
Honda CB/CX?
Kawa z600?
So many bikes with more character but ok performance, don't get an antique.
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I'd vote to keep your Duke. Maybe a different exhaust? Or some body mods?
If you're insured on other bikes you can try my Triumph Scrambler. It's now at the same height as a bonne and other than the engine pretty much the same.
IMO if you've only got one bike an Enfield is a bit of step too far.
Otherwise, I'd try out something like an XSR 700 / 900 for a balance of character and street hooliganism.
In the flesh I think all v7 look good, mods or not. Not sure how fast they are though.
This time of year I'd just map out a list of dealers and go for a load of test rides. There's a Yamaha dealer somewhere near Kingsbury I think that also sells Moto Guzzi. You can also ride straight out towards Hertfordshire or Bucks.
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hanford
TM
hugo7
@M_V
I'm having an ongoing dilema.
Current bike, Duke 390.
I love it, its comfy, reliable, cheap to insure and is an absolute blast to ride. It's only 375cc but it really does piss all over a lot of bigger bikes, which is hilarious coz some folk really take the hump at that!
The only things I don't like about the Duke are that it's a bit plastic so lacks in 'character' (but the plastic is light hence why it performs so well I guess) and it sounds like a flipping hairdryer on wheels!
I keep looking at things like,
And I've been very close to putting the Duke up on ebay a few times. I reckon I could sell the Duke for enough that it'd cover the cost of buying an enfield or BSA or something.
But then I go out to the garage, start the Duke first on the first press of the button, rag it around some B roads and forgetall about BSAs and Enfields.
In my head (coz I've never ridden one) a modern Triumph Bonny would be an ideal combination of character, style and performance but I'd be looking at spending about twice as much to get one of them and at that I'd need finance or a loan so might be as well buying a brand new one... Plus I have a mate that has ridden them and he says reckons my Duke is way faster.