In recent years Royal Enfield has made great improvements in the quality and reliability of their motorcycles. Yet the brand still has a bit of a stigma from its past reputation for unreliability. One of their newer models, the Cruiser 650, is frequently picked apart in regards to build quality and long term reliability. Some riders question whether the improvements are enough to give Japanese and European manufacturers a run for their money when it comes to reliability. In this discussion, we talk about personal experiences with maintenance, how often you have to go to the dealership and how reliable a bike is in general given the kind of riding you do. It also explores the trade off between a bike’s attractive price point and future ongoing ownership costs.