Royal Enfield is the oldest motorcycle name still in operation, and as today’s Nice Price or No Dice Continental GT shows, it still operates the old fashioned way. Let’s see if this history lesson helps in good economics.
One thing that’s stuck with me since elementary school is the trick of remembering when to use the spelling “principle” and “principle.” The trick is that the director is your friend and that he or she has principles. You’re welcome.
Many of you have demonstrated that you are not friends with the seller of the 2007 Chevy Trailblazer SS that showed up last Monday because you basically can’t imagine spending the $17,000 asking for a truck. With his miles and mods, the end result was a drop in 75 percent No Dice loss.
To be fair, the seller of this Trailblazer noted in the announcement that the asking price was just a starting point for negotiations and that “reasonable” offers would be considered. This means it could go easy for a little less good.
We all love a little less, am I right? I mean, getting the best deal possible is a modern take on the caveman who brings home the biggest saber-toothed yak for a family dinner, or in more modern terms, the legendary baseball single-handed treble. That’s why so many of us like to save money by buying nearly new cars, letting some other dumbass take the brunt of the inevitable depreciation.
Today’s 2019 Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 is just such an opportunity. It’s only three years old, although it appears as recently as 2020 it left the parking lot and has currently only driven 1,077 miles. With those tender years and easy runs, this should be a bargain if it can be discounted substantially from new. We’ll see in a minute if that’s the case.
But first, let’s look at the bike. This is one of four models that the English brand Royal Enfield, which is currently manufactured in India, sells here in the US. we’ll see how it goes. This engine puts out 47 horsepower and 38 lb-ft of torque, and since it features a 270° crank (the format featured on this model), that torque is available almost anytime, anywhere.
A one-down/five-up gearbox and chain drive make up the remainder of the traditional transmission. There is nothing exceptionally modern in either the frame or the suspension, as the engine is stress-free mounted on a tubular frame. Dual coil-tube shocks cushion the rear of the swingarm, and there are fairly standard 41mm forks up front. Disc brakes with ABS – a tribute to modernity – are installed on both the front and rear wheels.
The seller claims this Continental is “sweet” and in “perfect condition”. The Café style lends itself well to a bike with a sculpted tank that accommodates tucked-in knees and a factory handlebar that sits just an inch or so above the top of the triple tree. The Café bike lifestyle is typically solo, but this Royal Enfield offers the option of two-man riding with a removable rear end that unscrews to reveal the rear seat.
This is just one of the options this bike has. According to the ad, it also has extra compact engine guards that “don’t stick out like blunt ears” according to the salesperson.
Everything seems to be working as it should, both the break-in and the initial oil change have been completed. The seller recommends another oil change in the near future. There is no shenanigans with the title, and the reason for the sale is the loss of space in the garage and the reluctance to keep the motorcycle on the street.
Okay, with all that in mind, let’s now consider whether this bike fits or not. According to the Royal Enfield website, a new Continental GT 650 will cost you at least $6,199. Throw in an engine guard, a long seat, and a back cover and you’ll probably see something close to $7,000.
This 2019 bike is priced at $5,250, which is a substantial discount from what this hypothetical new one would cost. Of course, the problem is that this bike probably doesn’t have any of its original warranty left – at least the ad doesn’t mention it. The new Continental will come with a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, and that has to be worth something. Maybe a lot of things.
Yes, this creates a compelling mystery, and now I’m going to ask you to answer this question. Do you think this slightly used Royal Enfield is worth the asking $5,250 in light of how much a new one would cost? Or does the idea of a warranty and that “new bike smell” make you spend a little more?
You decide!
Glens Falls, Vermont Craigslist, or here if the listing is gone.
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