In this month's oVc Chronicles we have a feature from happy Royal Enfield owner, Christine. Since picking out her "Bridget" late last fall, Christine who has put over 3,000 kilometers on her 2016 Royal Enfield Classic 500 and is having a great time exploring the small towns of southern Ontario.

A Royal Enfield Rider’s Story

As a little girl in Guyana, motorcycles were simply a way of life and it seemed that everyone in our neighbourhood rode. Even after my family came to Canada while I was still quite young, my father continued to ride so it seems that while I was growing up, I was always around motorcycles. Still, I never really had the urge to ride myself. That is, not until many years later when my husband decided he wanted to get back into riding and I thought I would give it a try as well.
 
To get started on my motorcycle journey, I wrote the M1 exam and we found a lovely little Suzuki 250 Marauder to serve as my starter bike and I instantly fell in love with her. I can also attest to the robustness of the clutch on these little bikes as I really had no idea at first as to what I was doing – I’d never even driven a standard transmission car before so the whole clutch and shifting thing was a completely foreign concept to me.
 
With a lot of patience on my husband’s part, I was soon zipping around our neighborhood and thoroughly enjoying our little evening rides. I also registered for the M1 exit course at Durham college but the weather that weekend, was atrocious! It rained non-stop and it was cold. Still, I made it through the course and at the end of 2 rain-soaked days, I was officially an M2 license holder!
 
It was also around this time that I saw my first Royal Enfield Classic 500 and I was, in a word, smitten. I have always loved retro-styled vehicles and one look at the Classic 500 and I was instantly reminded of the BSAs and Triumphs my father rode in the 60s and 70s when I was growing up. I knew then, that at some point, I would have to have one to call my own.
 
That time finally came last fall when I picked up my brand new tan and cherry Classic 500 from Old Vintage Cranks. Ken was extremely helpful and recommended some key accessories including a rack and “butterfly” engine guards. Being a little on the shorter side, Ken also had “Bridget” lowered by an inch and this has helped immensely when backing up and maneuvering in parking lots.
 
So, what can I tell you about my Royal Enfield experience? For starters, I love the look of my bike and it is just so much fun to ride. Over the years, I have owned several bikes including an 800 cc Suzuki C50 but I have to say, the Royal Enfield remains my favourite. True, it not the fastest bike I have ridden, but that big single cylinder makes it so easy to ride and with so much torque available, it cruises effortlessly in the 80 – 90 km/hour range. This suits my riding style perfectly and our favourite rides are heading north of the city to cruise the back roads on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
 
A few weeks ago, for instance, we left from our home in the east end of Toronto early on a Sunday morning to ride up to Sutton on the shores of Lake Simcoe taking advantage of the secondary roads the whole way. There was next to no traffic and for much of the way we rode beside each other just enjoying the sensation of the wind and warm sun as we rode.
 
A word of warning, however, if you are serious about getting your own Royal Enfield, be prepared for a lot of questions about your bike. No matter where we go, whenever we stop for lunch - sometimes even at a stop light - people want to know more about my "old-fashioned" bike.

It’s a small price to pay and if I’m honest, the attention is rather fun. But don’t take my word for it; go see Ken and get your own Royal Enfield and see for yourself!

Thank you Christine for sharing your story with our readers. Here’s to many happy rides for you and Bridget.

Follow this link to watch a short video of Christine and Bridgette on oVcTV.

Customer Corner

It's been a busy month at oVc with several happy customers taking home their new rides. We'll start this month with Paul who was very pleased to get his own Royal Enfield Classic Military. This model can be difficult to find but Ken still has one 2017 model in the showroom but you'd better act fast!

Here's something a bit different! Ken has owned this vintage Kawasaki KH100 for over thirty years and he finally decided it was time to make some room in his garage. New owner Peter was thrilled to find this little beauty in like-new condition!

oVc Classifieds

1992 BMW K750 and Sputnik Sidecar - $8,500 plus HST

Powered by BMW's revered water-cooled, inline 3-cylinder powerplant, this rig is a well-mannered combo with enough zip to stay with any traffic. The sidecar is a clam-shell style that opens for easy entry and exit.

With just over 65,000 kms, this bike has been fully serviced by oVc and will be sold certified.

2013 Ural Patrol - $13,500 plus HST

There is only one word to describe this beautiful rig - immaculate. With less than 3,000 kilometers on the clock, this Ural is in like new condition and at just $13,500 plus HST, it's a great bargin. This rare colour combination is simply gorgeous and at this price, it is sure to go fast so don't delay!

2014 Ural Patrol - $11,900 plus HST

This black and silver Patrol has travelled 30,000 kms but only 20,000 on a new replacement engine. oVc knows this machine well and has serviced it for several years and can attest to the fact that this rig is in top mechanical shape. Options include extra driving lights, driver fairing and windscreen, passenger windscreen, and two Rotopax fuel containers. Sold certified.

1981 Dnepr - $9,500 plus HST

This is likely the finest example of an early 80s "wheat bike" that you're likely to find anywhere. This rig has been upgraded with over $4,000 in options including LED lighting (sidecar spot light, headlights, and side makers), front bumper, luggage rack with spare tire, Keihin carbs, and C5 electronic ignition.

The motor, rear end, and transmission have all been fully refurbished by the experts at oVc and will be sold certified to the new owner.

Ural Northern Cruiser Custom Bobber - $6,500 plus HST

OK, let me set the stage on this one. Originally a Ural Northern Cruiser, the oVc gang - obviously with too much time on their hands over the winter - decided the Northern Cruiser would be the perfect platform for a custom bobber! Yeah, I know, you weren't expecting that, but in all seriousness, it does have lovely lines and the Ural engine produces a ton of usable torque across the entire power band.

Oh, and it still has reverse so if you really want to impress everyone at your local bike night, imagine their shock when you actually back your custom ride into its parking spot.

Fully reconditioned by the Ural experts at oVc, you can have this unique machine for just $6,500 plus HST. Take my word for it, you really need to check this one out in person.