Royal Enfield Classic 500 EFI

Andrew CR

Member
Jan 11, 2022
7
6
3
Good Morning,

I have just returned to Chiang Rai after an extended post COVID trip overseas. I fitted a new battery and after what sounded like a short circuit at the starter motor the bike went dead electrically speaking. The dealer in Chiang Rai has closed. The Chiang Mai dealership will not come to pick up the bike and take it to CM for repair and I am most reluctant to use an unknown transportation company.

Two questions does anyone on the forum know of someone in CR that is up to the task of fixing my electrics and then providing the TLC it needs or alternatively an experienced and trustworthy transportation company CR to CM ?

Thanks in advance of any suggestions.

Ride safe
Andrew
 

George HuaHin

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Subscribed
Jul 25, 2011
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Hua Hin
Very good service, I had my bike transported with them
 

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DavidFL

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Jan 16, 2003
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Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com

For electrics Kong in Chiang Rai is # 1. The best in the North for electrics,


upload_2019-9-19_22-18-4-png.132289


He does get very busy & overloaded with jobs to do though.

Location: Google Maps
 

Andrew CR

Member
Jan 11, 2022
7
6
3
Thanks. Found a professional delivery service co who delivered the bike to CM at the same price point as the person recomended by George.

Placed bike with the dealer/authorised service centre as felt overall this was best and put bike in for full comprehensive service at the same time as it has sat for the past 4 months whist I was away.

Thank you to both for replying. Appreciated.

IMHO a bike like the Bullet seems just about perfect for days away in Northern Thailand on roads less travelled but thats only my 0.2 cents and I do generally avoid highways.

I have Ianyonlok (sic) to thank for opening my eyes to this style of riding and opening my eyes and ears to Northern Thailand.

Ride safe
Andrew
 

Andrew CR

Member
Jan 11, 2022
7
6
3
Do you have more details please. I might be able to make it and will if I can but am conscious of a full schedule next week with only Tuesday free as it stands.

UPDATE ON THE BULLET

The Bullet has rather more serious electrical problems than the dealer anticipated – he thought it was fixed and called to say that my chariot was ready to be picked up. They tried to fire it up the next morning and the bike was dead. When they went to start it apparently some wires burnt - so it still sits in the shop. I am a bit concerned because getting electrics fixed is often a challenge locally. Its at the dealers and they should have received the relevant training so fingers crossed....but it often depends on the skill of the individual and their understanding of how electrics work and if the repeatedly bodged wiring in the house is anything to go by this could turn into a persistent problem.

I do have the RE GT650 which I can use instead - whilst a wonderful and capable machine with lots of panache (if that's your thing of course) I do miss the Bullet. It is invariably always the bike I go to. It has a reasonably civilised but fruity after market exhaust - nothing like having one cylinder the size of a flower pot going up and down as you thunder through the countryside.

I fear I am beginning to look and sound like one S Fillingham of Royal Enfield You Tube fame. I don't want to knock someone who gives out a lot of good info for free far from it so two big thumbs up for that - but in my humble and respectful opinion he wrongly thinks that the Bullet is the bike James Bond would choose - a person he seems to regards as his alter ego as he does rather appear to align himself with gentleman Bond (can a psychotic trained killer ever be a gentleman !?) ......

Bond is a fictional character existing in a world of make believe - and of course anyone inhabiting that world imagining that J Bond did ride a vintage motorcycle - surely it would be a Black Shadow or a Goldie...Douglas Bader would of course ride a Bullet - in fact and instead of reaching for the skies he would fit a sidecar with a machine gun grab his flying jacket goggles and leather helmet recruit a second in command to man the Vickers, take the next ferry to the Ukraine and become a freedom fighter....
 

DavidFL

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Staff member
Subscribed
Jan 16, 2003
14,455
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Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
Do you have more details please. I might be able to make it and will if I can but am conscious of a full schedule next week with only Tuesday free as it stands.

UPDATE ON THE BULLET

The Bullet has rather more serious electrical problems than the dealer anticipated – he thought it was fixed and called to say that my chariot was ready to be picked up. They tried to fire it up the next morning and the bike was dead. When they went to start it apparently some wires burnt - so it still sits in the shop. I am a bit concerned because getting electrics fixed is often a challenge locally. Its at the dealers and they should have received the relevant training so fingers crossed....but it often depends on the skill of the individual and their understanding of how electrics work and if the repeatedly bodged wiring in the house is anything to go by this could turn into a persistent problem.

I do have the RE GT650 which I can use instead - whilst a wonderful and capable machine with lots of panache (if that's your thing of course) I do miss the Bullet. It is invariably always the bike I go to. It has a reasonably civilised but fruity after market exhaust - nothing like having one cylinder the size of a flower pot going up and down as you thunder through the countryside.

I fear I am beginning to look and sound like one S Fillingham of Royal Enfield You Tube fame. I don't want to knock someone who gives out a lot of good info for free far from it so two big thumbs up for that - but in my humble and respectful opinion he wrongly thinks that the Bullet is the bike James Bond would choose - a person he seems to regards as his alter ego as he does rather appear to align himself with gentleman Bond (can a psychotic trained killer ever be a gentleman !?) ......

Bond is a fictional character existing in a world of make believe - and of course anyone inhabiting that world imagining that J Bond did ride a vintage motorcycle - surely it would be a Black Shadow or a Goldie...Douglas Bader would of course ride a Bullet - in fact and instead of reaching for the skies he would fit a sidecar with a machine gun grab his flying jacket goggles and leather helmet recruit a second in command to man the Vickers, take the next ferry to the Ukraine and become a freedom fighter....

Kong is the man. #1 bike electrician in North Thailand.


For electrics Kong in Chiang Rai is # 1. The best in the North for electrics,


upload_2019-9-19_22-18-4-png.132289


He does get very busy & overloaded with jobs to do though.

Location: Google Maps
 

Andrew CR

Member
Jan 11, 2022
7
6
3
Broken brackets - I would have said the RE dealer in CR but they have closed. There is a highly regarded off road place near Singha Park about 15 clicks outside CR that I hear good things about. Untried personally.

That said assuming that the same mechanics/staff that worked in the RE deal ship in CR now simply work in the Triumph side of the business that's where I would go. No doubt expensive but high quality good looking and reliable fabrication work.
 

Andrew CR

Member
Jan 11, 2022
7
6
3
Royal Enfield dealership in Chiang Mai

If staff from the shop are reading this and I hope they are....your work was of a poor standard and as a main dealer IMHO unacceptable. As your customer I am prepared to pay the price of going to an authorised dealer and the expertise and quality that I feel you should provide as opposed to the local bike shop using guys (no doubt capable) who learn on the job. You did not secure the battery in place and it was pulling on its terminals and would have fallen out on the first corner as the cover was not secured......Considering that you were doing electrical work and trouble shooting the system this was astonishing frankly. You did not repair the front headlight despite a request you do so. This was pointed out twice. Your approach to the electrical system was strongly suggestive that you did not really know what you were doing - repeatedly telling me that you need to check the bike over a few days to see if it would start again in the morning after your repairs. As I commented this is a very odd approach its either fixed or it isn't. You did not seem to know either way. Did you really change all the fluids ??...Bike returned dirty.

My experience with the now closed service centre in CR was excellent in comparison - they always cleaned the bike as part of the service and verified replacement of all fluids and always talked through with me what was done. I wont be coming back to CM dealer. I will be writing to the main dealer in BKK because this sort of things brings down the brand and I brought into the RE brand because of the dealership/service network. Id like to think you care about this but honestly who knows....Not a good experience. Not good at all. Id love to be surprised by hearing back from that you take these points on board and see this as constructive criticism not just expat bile.....
 

Andrew CR

Member
Jan 11, 2022
7
6
3
Not a good experience with RE dealer in CM as you may have read. Does not detract from our enjoyment of the bike. The Interceptor 650 is now up for sale as we find ourselves always using the Bullet. My wife prefers it which made the decision to sell the 650 painless. Id far rather see someone using this wonderful bike rather than see it gather dust and only taken out for the occasional ride to move fluids around. The Interceptor 650 is every bit as good as the reviews suggest IMHO - simply not the bike for my wife and I to enjoy together we need something rather more sedate.
 
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