Royal Enfield Classic 350 / 500 - Now on Sale

Randhawa · 5th November 2009, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by blurust

Classic 500 doesn't come with auto decomp as mentioned somewhere in the forum, they have retained the decomp lever and trust me you cannot kick her into life without using it.

What you think is not what it is. The decompression unit is absent from 500. What looks like a decompression lever is actually for choke

blurust · 5th November 2009, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randhawa

What you think is not what it is. The decompression unit is absent from 500. What looks like a decompression lever is actually for choke

Oh

thanks for the info, i appreciate it bro.

GreaseMonk · 5th November 2009, 18:10

Someone mentioned long-term ownership reports of the Classic 500 from the UK. I couldnt find any. Could anyone point me in the right direction please?

bhasma · 5th November 2009, 18:20

In fact it was launched in UK just about a year back so any reports won't be long term.But most reports are said to be positive.

I have booked the 500 already and the dealer expects to hand it to me next week.

satansvalet · 5th November 2009, 18:25

A proper old school chopper with single seat,struts on the rear fender , new and modern engine, a beautifully designed exhaust.Also a great colour option,the green one.what else does one ask for?

thankyou royal enfield!

Rollin' Thunda · 5th November 2009, 19:03

Yes, the Bullet Classic looks a beautiful machine, but isn't the fuel efficiency a tad low? The advertised FE of 33kmpl (80mpg) is just at the higher end of what AVL 500 Bullets already have -- without EFI (for which RE is asking such a premium). Why is EFI then considered such a big deal? Just Asking.

Rollin' Thunda

Rennjit · 5th November 2009, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randhawa

... What looks like a decompression lever is actually for choke

You sure? EFI & Choke

Seems RE's giving more

saree eee guard, heel shifter,kick lever all as std fitment.

somspaple · 5th November 2009, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rennjit

You sure? EFI & Choke

Seems RE's giving more

saree eee guard, heel shifter,kick lever all as std fitment.

+1

i could not notice anything like that in the showroom today. might be i was too overwhelmed by the beast

Sheshagiri · 5th November 2009, 22:19

Ok - let me try and get some advise on this forum
I have a 1959 Bullet 350, immaculately restored and with all possible period original period parts including long legs, QD hubs, amal carb etc etc.the list is endless.............I have spent over 2 lakhs on this bike.

Until now I was bitten by the Vintage bug but now I want a bike which will help me satisfy my touring requirements. Dont get me wrong, The 59 runs like a dream but I just dont have the heart to trash it. Also the drum brakes and aeging technology makes reliability a bit of an issue.

The biggest problem of all - my wife will not let me keep two bikes. No arguments here....and I dare not even try.

Ever since I have seen the Classic 500, am tempted to sell off the 59 and buy a mordern, reliable machine, but when I look at the beauty in my garage...I get reminded of the pain, money and the effort that has gone in to building her.

Gentlemen - Advise please

Gurpartap Singh · 5th November 2009, 22:26

Why does Classic come with straight exhaust from factory? Cost cutting?

Randhawa · 5th November 2009, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rennjit

You sure? EFI & Choke

Seems RE's giving more

saree eee guard, heel shifter,kick lever all as std fitment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by somspaple

+1

i could not notice anything like that in the showroom today. might be i was too overwhelmed by the beast

Yes indeed it's a choke

Have a look carefully when you get a chance to look at it again. You will see the choke sign next to the leaver.

indian21r · 5th November 2009, 22:55

I am finally getting a mechanical Bull for myself

I booked a classic 500 today in Mumbai , Bandra RE store. Color is not decided yet, but will be green mostly once i get a look at it. The booking is against my dad's wishes, so I told everyone that I am buying it only after I booked the bike. My dad wants me to cancel it and book a swift

but Heart rules over head.

so will continue with the bull for now

Delivery in jan 2010 but no confirmed date. I will remove the back seat, love the single seat look from pics (the showroom guys got a mandate from enfield saying that they cannot display bike with a single seat too weird) , saree guard and get the curved silencer.

Cheers

bmw_m5_titus · 5th November 2009, 23:28

Renjit, Yes even I noticed the choke, Remember I had gone to check if it had decomp lever at the showroom?
Cochin brand store prices:
classic 500- 1.36lacs
classic 350- 1.07lacs
They mentioned booking amount of around 10k and almost 1 month time.

Beast_of_Burden · 6th November 2009, 00:03

Went to the showroom today in B'lore to check out the Classic. Here are some of my observations.

1. Fit, finish and paint is good, impressive even. Attention to detail is quite evident.
2. The red 350 Classic with black chassis looks better than the green 500 with chassis painted same as rest of the body. IMO, body coloured chassis doesnt quite work.
3. 350 with 19" front wheel has more presence compared to 500 with 18" wheels back and front.
4. I thought the 500 clad with 18" wheels looked quite dorky in the pictures, not so in the flesh. Looks quite handsome, the proportions still work with the slightly smaller wheels even with the green colour I like the least. I cant really complain here if it helps the handling.
5. There was a 350 and a 500 with upswept silencers on display, also a black 500 with long silencer. Like black the best followed by the red. Debatable if the upswept silencer looks better than the long one.
6. Wanted to hear the 500's exhaust note, no luck as the batteries werent installed.
7. Test rides arent available as yet, formal launch(whatever that means) is on the Nov 12th here, test rides may be available after that I was told. OTR mentioned for the 500 is 142650 in B'lore.

I came away thinking RE has finally come up with a substantive effort. The only unkown now is the engine, hope that checks out too.

I hope this bike does well, I wish them all the success this effort deserves.

Shashank.A · 6th November 2009, 00:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by indian21r

but Heart rules over head.

so will continue with the bull for now

Thats the Bullet spirit dude, welcome to the brotherhood.

5th November 2009, 18:10	#573
GreaseMonk BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 289 Thanked: 94 Times View My Garage	Someone mentioned long-term ownership reports of the Classic 500 from the UK. I couldnt find any. Could anyone point me in the right direction please?
	() Thanks

5th November 2009, 18:20	#574
bhasma BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Shimla Posts: 52 Thanked: 0 Times	In fact it was launched in UK just about a year back so any reports won't be long term.But most reports are said to be positive. I have booked the 500 already and the dealer expects to hand it to me next week.
	() Thanks

5th November 2009, 18:25	#575
satansvalet BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: mumbai Posts: 65 Thanked: 2 Times	A proper old school chopper with single seat,struts on the rear fender , new and modern engine, a beautifully designed exhaust.Also a great colour option,the green one.what else does one ask for? thankyou royal enfield!
	() Thanks

5th November 2009, 19:03	#576
Rollin' Thunda BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: now Hyderabad Posts: 288 Thanked: 94 Times	Yes, the Bullet Classic looks a beautiful machine, but isn't the fuel efficiency a tad low? The advertised FE of 33kmpl (80mpg) is just at the higher end of what AVL 500 Bullets already have -- without EFI (for which RE is asking such a premium). Why is EFI then considered such a big deal? Just Asking. Rollin' Thunda
	() Thanks

5th November 2009, 22:19	#579
Sheshagiri BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 80 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	Ok - let me try and get some advise on this forum I have a 1959 Bullet 350, immaculately restored and with all possible period original period parts including long legs, QD hubs, amal carb etc etc.the list is endless.............I have spent over 2 lakhs on this bike. Until now I was bitten by the Vintage bug but now I want a bike which will help me satisfy my touring requirements. Dont get me wrong, The 59 runs like a dream but I just dont have the heart to trash it. Also the drum brakes and aeging technology makes reliability a bit of an issue. The biggest problem of all - my wife will not let me keep two bikes. No arguments here....and I dare not even try. Ever since I have seen the Classic 500, am tempted to sell off the 59 and buy a mordern, reliable machine, but when I look at the beauty in my garage...I get reminded of the pain, money and the effort that has gone in to building her. Gentlemen - Advise please
	() Thanks

5th November 2009, 22:26	#580
Gurpartap Singh BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chandigarh — PB Posts: 209 Thanked: 4 Times	Why does Classic come with straight exhaust from factory? Cost cutting?
	() Thanks

5th November 2009, 22:55	#582
indian21r BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 964 Thanked: 808 Times	I am finally getting a mechanical Bull for myself I booked a classic 500 today in Mumbai , Bandra RE store. Color is not decided yet, but will be green mostly once i get a look at it. The booking is against my dad's wishes, so I told everyone that I am buying it only after I booked the bike. My dad wants me to cancel it and book a swift but Heart rules over head. so will continue with the bull for now Delivery in jan 2010 but no confirmed date. I will remove the back seat, love the single seat look from pics (the showroom guys got a mandate from enfield saying that they cannot display bike with a single seat too weird) , saree guard and get the curved silencer. Cheers
	() Thanks

5th November 2009, 23:28	#583
bmw_m5_titus BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kochi/Kuwait Posts: 179 Thanked: 4 Times	Renjit, Yes even I noticed the choke, Remember I had gone to check if it had decomp lever at the showroom? Cochin brand store prices: classic 500- 1.36lacs classic 350- 1.07lacs They mentioned booking amount of around 10k and almost 1 month time.
	() Thanks

6th November 2009, 00:03	#584
Beast_of_Burden BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 169 Thanked: 105 Times	Went to the showroom today in B'lore to check out the Classic. Here are some of my observations. 1. Fit, finish and paint is good, impressive even. Attention to detail is quite evident. 2. The red 350 Classic with black chassis looks better than the green 500 with chassis painted same as rest of the body. IMO, body coloured chassis doesnt quite work. 3. 350 with 19" front wheel has more presence compared to 500 with 18" wheels back and front. 4. I thought the 500 clad with 18" wheels looked quite dorky in the pictures, not so in the flesh. Looks quite handsome, the proportions still work with the slightly smaller wheels even with the green colour I like the least. I cant really complain here if it helps the handling. 5. There was a 350 and a 500 with upswept silencers on display, also a black 500 with long silencer. Like black the best followed by the red. Debatable if the upswept silencer looks better than the long one. 6. Wanted to hear the 500's exhaust note, no luck as the batteries werent installed. 7. Test rides arent available as yet, formal launch(whatever that means) is on the Nov 12th here, test rides may be available after that I was told. OTR mentioned for the 500 is 142650 in B'lore. I came away thinking RE has finally come up with a substantive effort. The only unkown now is the engine, hope that checks out too. I hope this bike does well, I wish them all the success this effort deserves.
	() Thanks