A bike can certainly take you to a different place. Every time I ride my little 1984 GP100, I'm taken back to the late 80s when I was 17 again and it ALWAYS makes me smile. It's so slow that I only really ride it locally these days in 30-40-50mph speed limits - but I can't see me ever selling it. I do a couple of hundred miles a year on it maximum, but I grin from ear to ear for every single one of them! Music is another thing that can take you to another place. For example, I walked into a pub a while back and Coldplay was playing on the jukebox. So I went to a different pub......
I totally understand what you are saying about the connection with the Classic. I love mine. My son didn’t think he wanted one and then bought one and absolutely loves it. He decided to keep his Harley Davidson as well, although the Harley gets very little attention now.
Kidney stones are the worst pain known to man. It must be infinitely worse than child birth, because I've never yet heard a guy say: "I think I'd like another kidney stone."
I know exactly what you mean. Being on my bike also takes me away and puts me in a great place ! The meteor 350 I had was like this also. Being a lower powered machine, although adequate, has you pay more attention to the machine and you’re not racing around as much. A casual experience 👍. Have a great day Will !
Used to have an Fjr 1300 and a Bonneville t100 black '08 at the same time. Although the Fjr was almost perfect for me, it was the Bonneville that put a smile on my face, always. Most enjoyable to ride almost everywhere, except motorways.These classics do have a soul... Now waiting for the RE classic 500 as I think this would be the best version of the Re classics, probably better than the 350...
I personally wouldn't go spending money on chasing performance. I'd save the expense and invest in comfy riding gear and a set of Metzeler Cruisetec tyres. That's what I did and it's made riding so much more enjoyable. Yes, I realise Willie's CEAT tyres are far from worn out, but when the time comes for replacement, a good choice of tyre will make the bike much nicer to ride.
I know exactly what you mean about “the way a bike makes you feel” I’ve owned nearly 100 bikes in the 45 years I’ve been riding and I get the same feeling riding my Harley Davidson Fat boy (and I’ve only ridden Japanese bikes before that) it’s hard to put your finger on what it is that makes it different but it does for me 😊
Regarding your SM In standard form, it's pretty muted. As mentioned before I've put on end cans DNA and a Fuelx, runs sounds so much better. Fitting new headers when available from Hitchcocks, thats really as far as I'm going to go with mine 🙂
Hello Willie's willy 😂. Heartwarming story that about the chap with the Halcyon Black Classic. I've heard that so many times. For me, it's been essential to get out on the bike whenever I can. Most evenings during "soap time" I've had about an hour and a half to just ride to a local spot and sit and contemplate. It's so healing. Sadly, the riding season is closing in apart from the weekends. When I'm out on Ernie, nothing (apart from tailgaters) bothers me. It's a truly special place 😊
Jesus m8🤒🤕🙈🙉🙊 I hope you're feeling better . Totally agree with you. I get the same feeling with the classic 500. I looked at Big Bore 600 kit for it, but it's worth more than the bike, so it's a no-go, unfortunately.
ouch!!! Kidney stones are so very painful. I hope you feel better soon. I can't say I feel your pain, but I have done in the past. Home counties / London water is hard and I believe causes stones. If your Kettle furs up then your kidneys will follow. I now use a Brita water filter and have done for 10 years since my stone was cut out. The stone I had was as big as a baked bean. No Stone since then. T120 I had in 2018 was as lifeless and fun as a park bench. Comfortable at first, but boring and tedius to ride over 50 miles. Single cylinder long stroke engines speak to the soul and I think Royal Enfield should make a 500 version of the classic 350 to replace the Bullet. For me ( yeah a bit weird) it is not the looks of a bike but what it feels like to ride that builds a long and lasting relationship.
Take care mate . I know what that pain is like .I had stones removed whie i was working in Saudi . God i have never had so much pain . Great stream yet again .
I agree completely...I test rode the interceptor 650 which was disappointingly bland, then the scram411 which seemed like nothing in particular, and finally the classic 350 ..I was expecting this bike to be the most disappointing of the three, especially after getting off of the 411 scram onto an even smaller single cylinder engines bike. But was I wrong, from the second I pulled away from the curb I thought wow. I rode the classic for about 40 minutes and literally had a smile on my face the whole time. I can't really explain why this bike did this to me despite trying to put my finger on it the whole time I was riding it. I think it's mainly that this little engine is geared in such a way as to allow you to ride along in a high gear at a low speed without it feeling laboured. You do not feel the urgency to change down a gear so frequently with speed variations, which makes for a very easy and relaxed ride. This is entirely in keeping with the way you'd expect to ride a classic styled bike, and I felt content with plodding around relatively slowly, with no desire to crack the throttle. Coupled with the sweet and thumpy exhaust note from the stock exhaust, it made for a very pleasurable time, and I really could have ridden it all day long. If your idea of a bike is high revs and fast acceleration then you'd hate it, but if you just like to enjoy the ride then you'd fall in love with it. I can honestly say after forty years of riding and more bikes than I can count that this little single had something that set it apart from anything I'd owned or ridden before, and overall is the best bike I've ridden..it's on my wish list!
Thanks for the video. Nice observations on the Classic 350. I'll pass on the kidney stone discussion. Listening to your math on the Super Meteor + Big Bore Kit sounded like that money added up to a Triumph Bonneville. Ride on!
That hospital story was amusing, I can safely say I've never had a hospital experience like that. I also considered big bore for an Inty, I had an Ebay search saved for Interceptor 865 because I thought it would be more economical to buy one done not buy parts yourself. I think at the prices you discussed even though you probably have the only SM865 in the country you might as well have bought the T120 and have 1200cc!
Having long metal objects forced down your throat is not much fun either Willie, especially when your conscious while they're doing it 😳. I had a bronchoscopy a couple of years ago and like you it's not something I want to experience again 😄. I've never ridden one of the new Bonnevilles. I used to regularly ride pillion on a '60s Bonneville in my early teens and that experience definitely changed me, from a shy little boy to a mad biker in no time at all 😄.
I own a meteor 350 which always makes me smile when I ride it but you have to accept it’s limitations. I bought it as a cheap bike having had a good test ride and apart from the touring seat and a new gear change pivot bolt off eBay I haven’t modified the bike. You have said the big bore kit will cost about £4k all in and unless you keep the bike forever you will never either get you money back or make it worthwhile doing even then would you end up with a better bike . Good luck with the kidney stones from experience waterworks problems are never fun .
@@2wheeledwillie395 I also own a Harley streetglide I have known people who have put a small fortune into stage 4 tunes and ended up with a bike that apart from the drag strip is an absolute unreliable pig to ride and is still slower than a Honda blackbird . Long gone are the days of cheap horsepower.
I never had it done so I'm not sure bud...I'm pretty sure it will change yr insurance premium (I had my Z900RS remapped and had to pay a premium on my insurance) not sure about the V5
I can't feel more the opposite. Love the look of the Classic 350 but when I ride it the only place it takes me is back home ASAP. Like you also have the Super Meteor 650, now this puts me in a feel good frame of mind and just love cruising on it. As for the hospital job, I know where you're coming from. 5 years of cameras up after a tumour, and having to look forward to peeing glass. 🥵
Good morning Willie. Sit back, relax, look after yourself and wait for the classic Interceptor which I am sure we will get next year as this could be the answer. In the spy shots so far it looks fabulous and will have sufficient power for some motorway work if necessary. I am very glad that you did not give into the bullies as your videos are honest and entertaining. Best wishes.
OMG ! man that's bloody awful hope you don't have to go through that again any time soon ,I've gotta try one of these Enfield 350's everyone seems to just luv em I'm starting to feel I am missing out in some way or even deprived 😉👍
YOU dont need to ride bikes to make an entertaining vid, just being you seems to work well so i hope you dont give up putting content out over winter...
The kidney stones sound like bloody hell mate. Lucky me, I’ve never had ‘em,,, however, at least you’ve got a garage,,, I am forced to keep two motorbikes in my back passage, no laughing matter I can tell ‘ee.
As soon as the video opened I knew there was a problem: George Clooney is drooping! And daaaang those kidney stones! Why didn't they pulverize the stone with ECSWT? No tubes or embarrassing exposures. Sound waves to break up the stone. Gotta love the NHS, lol.
I’m not medical guru, but take a pint of water with a pub spirit measure of apple cider vinegar in it each day, by my reckoning it keeps the tubes cleared out (maybe worth a quick google- I don’t want to come across as some health fad weirdo) best of luck..
Royal Zenfield😎
Haha!! LOVE THAT!! 😍
Love that! I'm having that. Teeshirts coming lol. Actually, based on that,I've just made a new RE logo. I'll email it to Willie 👍
That's a great idea. XL for me 👍🙂
My classic 350 is helping me through my 2nd cancer battle right now , going for a ride takes your mind off the bad stuff.
Absolutely Graham 👍 hope yr doing ok buddy
Thanks Willi things seem to be going in the right direction for now.
@@Gc-dl5vy Good stuff mate ..watched a program recently and the Doctor was saying that a positive mental attitude can make a huge difference 🙏
@@2wheeledwillie395I can't argue with that😊
A bike can certainly take you to a different place. Every time I ride my little 1984 GP100, I'm taken back to the late 80s when I was 17 again and it ALWAYS makes me smile. It's so slow that I only really ride it locally these days in 30-40-50mph speed limits - but I can't see me ever selling it. I do a couple of hundred miles a year on it maximum, but I grin from ear to ear for every single one of them!
Music is another thing that can take you to another place. For example, I walked into a pub a while back and Coldplay was playing on the jukebox. So I went to a different pub......
😂😂😂😂😂😂 thanks Steve ,made me laugh out loud!!
I totally understand what you are saying about the connection with the Classic. I love mine. My son didn’t think he wanted one and then bought one and absolutely loves it. He decided to keep his Harley Davidson as well, although the Harley gets very little attention now.
Haha! Love that Paul! 👍 it's funny how they get under yr skin!!
Kidney stones are the worst pain known to man. It must be infinitely worse than child birth, because I've never yet heard a guy say: "I think I'd like another kidney stone."
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I know exactly what you mean. Being on my bike also takes me away and puts me in a great place ! The meteor 350 I had was like this also. Being a lower powered machine, although adequate, has you pay more attention to the machine and you’re not racing around as much. A casual experience 👍. Have a great day Will !
Great comment Brian! 👍totally agree! Ride safe buddy 🙏
Used to have an Fjr 1300 and a Bonneville t100 black '08 at the same time.
Although the Fjr was almost perfect for me, it was the Bonneville that put a smile on my face, always.
Most enjoyable to ride almost everywhere, except motorways.These classics do have a soul...
Now waiting for the RE classic 500 as I think this would be the best version of the Re classics, probably better than the 350...
Always loved the FJR 1300 😍
I personally wouldn't go spending money on chasing performance. I'd save the expense and invest in comfy riding gear and a set of Metzeler Cruisetec tyres. That's what I did and it's made riding so much more enjoyable. Yes, I realise Willie's CEAT tyres are far from worn out, but when the time comes for replacement, a good choice of tyre will make the bike much nicer to ride.
Agreed. If you want performance there are a host of soulless, fire breathing, monster bikes that you could buy for less money.
Thanks Jonathan 👍 yep it's not something I'm going to do
I know exactly what you mean about “the way a bike makes you feel” I’ve owned nearly 100 bikes in the 45 years I’ve been riding and I get the same feeling riding my Harley Davidson Fat boy (and I’ve only ridden Japanese bikes before that) it’s hard to put your finger on what it is that makes it different but it does for me 😊
Great comment Mike 👍 yes it's definitely a kind of magic!
Regarding your SM
In standard form, it's pretty muted. As mentioned before I've put on end cans DNA and a Fuelx, runs sounds so much better. Fitting new headers when available from Hitchcocks, thats really as far as I'm going to go with mine 🙂
Hello Willie's willy 😂.
Heartwarming story that about the chap with the Halcyon Black Classic. I've heard that so many times. For me, it's been essential to get out on the bike whenever I can. Most evenings during "soap time" I've had about an hour and a half to just ride to a local spot and sit and contemplate. It's so healing. Sadly, the riding season is closing in apart from the weekends. When I'm out on Ernie, nothing (apart from tailgaters) bothers me. It's a truly special place 😊
Hello mate...Great comments 👍 thank you! And thanks for the email...amazing!! I wonder what the copyright situation would be like? 🤔
@@2wheeledwillie395 I think we can safely assume they'll be immediately onto us - shame that 🤫😂
@@PhilipBallGarry yep real shame , would have made an excellent T shirt design 👌
Jesus m8🤒🤕🙈🙉🙊 I hope you're feeling better . Totally agree with you. I get the same feeling with the classic 500. I looked at Big Bore 600 kit for it, but it's worth more than the bike, so it's a no-go, unfortunately.
Hey mate..yeah I'm fine thanks bud 👍 yes it's WAY too much money to even contemplate ..hope yr doing okay buddy
ouch!!! Kidney stones are so very painful. I hope you feel better soon. I can't say I feel your pain, but I have done in the past. Home counties / London water is hard and I believe causes stones. If your Kettle furs up then your kidneys will follow. I now use a Brita water filter and have done for 10 years since my stone was cut out. The stone I had was as big as a baked bean. No Stone since then. T120 I had in 2018 was as lifeless and fun as a park bench. Comfortable at first, but boring and tedius to ride over 50 miles. Single cylinder long stroke engines speak to the soul and I think Royal Enfield should make a 500 version of the classic 350 to replace the Bullet. For me ( yeah a bit weird) it is not the looks of a bike but what it feels like to ride that builds a long and lasting relationship.
Thanks buddy 👍 great comment 👏👍
Yup. My Classic 350 does it for me too. As does my T100. I feel very fortunate to have these two.
What a perfect pair! ( * )( * )
Take care mate . I know what that pain is like .I had stones removed whie i was working in Saudi . God i have never had so much pain . Great stream yet again .
Thanks for the kind words buddy 🙏
I agree completely...I test rode the interceptor 650 which was disappointingly bland, then the scram411 which seemed like nothing in particular, and finally the classic 350 ..I was expecting this bike to be the most disappointing of the three, especially after getting off of the 411 scram onto an even smaller single cylinder engines bike. But was I wrong, from the second I pulled away from the curb I thought wow. I rode the classic for about 40 minutes and literally had a smile on my face the whole time. I can't really explain why this bike did this to me despite trying to put my finger on it the whole time I was riding it. I think it's mainly that this little engine is geared in such a way as to allow you to ride along in a high gear at a low speed without it feeling laboured. You do not feel the urgency to change down a gear so frequently with speed variations, which makes for a very easy and relaxed ride. This is entirely in keeping with the way you'd expect to ride a classic styled bike, and I felt content with plodding around relatively slowly, with no desire to crack the throttle.
Coupled with the sweet and thumpy exhaust note from the stock exhaust, it made for a very pleasurable time, and I really could have ridden it all day long.
If your idea of a bike is high revs and fast acceleration then you'd hate it, but if you just like to enjoy the ride then you'd fall in love with it.
I can honestly say after forty years of riding and more bikes than I can count that this little single had something that set it apart from anything I'd owned or ridden before, and overall is the best bike I've ridden..it's on my wish list!
Agree 100% Andy!! 👍
Thanks for the video. Nice observations on the Classic 350. I'll pass on the kidney stone discussion. Listening to your math on the Super Meteor + Big Bore Kit sounded like that money added up to a Triumph Bonneville. Ride on!
Thanks Rich 👍 yep there's no point in the bigbore kit...for me anyway
Spot on . Just got the 350 meteor. It's like meditation every time I go out. 👍👍👍
100% 👍👍👍👍
That hospital story was amusing, I can safely say I've never had a hospital experience like that. I also considered big bore for an Inty, I had an Ebay search saved for Interceptor 865 because I thought it would be more economical to buy one done not buy parts yourself. I think at the prices you discussed even though you probably have the only SM865 in the country you might as well have bought the T120 and have 1200cc!
I think the T120 is calling my name Sean!! 😂
It's not missing, the 350 is a single Pringle. The extra cylinder adds and takes away.
Haha! Love that! 😂
Having long metal objects forced down your throat is not much fun either Willie, especially when your conscious while they're doing it 😳. I had a bronchoscopy a couple of years ago and like you it's not something I want to experience again 😄. I've never ridden one of the new Bonnevilles. I used to regularly ride pillion on a '60s Bonneville in my early teens and that experience definitely changed me, from a shy little boy to a mad biker in no time at all 😄.
Yeah that sounds like no fun at all buddy! 😫 A shy little boy to a mad biker!! Love that! 😂
@@2wheeledwillie395 Cheers Willie, didn't make me any taller though, so I was a mad very little biker 😬.
@@5dTraveller 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
I love you humour and the stories. thanks
Thanks buddy 👍 Appreciate the comments
It feels like it has a heart.
Spot on ! ❤️
I have the exact same color Classic 350. If you ride it the way it was designed, it is a beautiful experience. Good for Mind, Body & Soul...
Absolutely!!! 👍👍👍
Sorry to hear about the kidney stones and hope you are feeling better.
Thanks David 👍
Try drinking cranberry juice on a regular basis to help with the kidney stones.
Thanks Simon 👍
Lol!! Yr so funny Willie , "HELLO WILLY!!"😂😂😂😂 and yes my T120 definitely DOES have soul 👍
Have you DEFINITELY left it to me in Yr will?? 😂
I own a meteor 350 which always makes me smile when I ride it but you have to accept it’s limitations. I bought it as a cheap bike having had a good test ride and apart from the touring seat and a new gear change pivot bolt off eBay I haven’t modified the bike. You have said the big bore kit will cost about £4k all in and unless you keep the bike forever you will never either get you money back or make it worthwhile doing even then would you end up with a better bike . Good luck with the kidney stones from experience waterworks problems are never fun .
Thanks for the comments John 👍 yes I have no intention of getting the bigbore kit...as u said I'd never get the money back
@@2wheeledwillie395 I also own a Harley streetglide I have known people who have put a small fortune into stage 4 tunes and ended up with a bike that apart from the drag strip is an absolute unreliable pig to ride and is still slower than a Honda blackbird . Long gone are the days of cheap horsepower.
Yeah careful with the 650 customisation. We don't want to end up in a missenden flyer type rabbit hole do we;)
😂😂😂😂 You have no worries there Simon!!... That whole saga with the TMF was shocking 😳
@@2wheeledwillie395 Agreed…he did try to put a 'brave' face on it...😎
I’m curious does the expansion of the bore involve changes to the V5 and insurance?
I never had it done so I'm not sure bud...I'm pretty sure it will change yr insurance premium (I had my Z900RS remapped and had to pay a premium on my insurance) not sure about the V5
I can't feel more the opposite.
Love the look of the Classic 350 but when I ride it the only place it takes me is back home ASAP.
Like you also have the Super Meteor 650, now this puts me in a feel good frame of mind and just love cruising on it.
As for the hospital job, I know where you're coming from.
5 years of cameras up after a tumour, and having to look forward to peeing glass. 🥵
Isn't it weird how bikes do different things for different people 🤔
Good morning Willie. Sit back, relax, look after yourself and wait for the classic Interceptor which I am sure we will get next year as this could be the answer. In the spy shots so far it looks fabulous and will have sufficient power for some motorway work if necessary.
I am very glad that you did not give into the bullies as your videos are honest and entertaining. Best wishes.
Thanks so much for the kind words Stephen 😊 🙏
We have a reverse osmosis water filter on our drinking water feed. I have had a couple kidney stones with this, but nothing that was all that painful.
😂I bet the doctor went home and said she's seen George Clooneys willie😂🇬🇧🙂🏍👍
She more than saw it Ken!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂
OMG ! man that's bloody awful hope you don't have to go through that again any time soon ,I've gotta try one of these Enfield 350's everyone seems to just luv em I'm starting to feel I am missing out in some way or even deprived 😉👍
You definitely DO need to try one Mal! They are incredible 😍
Rather than spend the money on the big bore kit on the super meteor, put the money towards a T120
That's probably what will happen Stephen!!
That single has soul ❤ Enfield
I'm sorry for your pain but I couldn't help but laugh. Sorry 😅
Lol!! I try to see the humour in everything buddy so laugh away!! 😂
YOU dont need to ride bikes to make an entertaining vid, just being you seems to work well so i hope you dont give up putting content out over winter...
Thanks so much for the kind words buddy🙏, yes I'll definitely be sitting in my Garage doing videos over the winter months 👍
The kidney stones sound like bloody hell mate. Lucky me, I’ve never had ‘em,,,
however, at least you’ve got a garage,,,
I am forced to keep two motorbikes in my back passage, no laughing matter I can tell ‘ee.
😂😂😂😂😂😂 that must be some back passage Jon!!😂😂😂
I like your photo exibition!
Thanks buddy 👍 they are all subscribers bikes!! 😀
You are in my prayers. Friend.
Thanks buddy 🙏 I'm fine now 👍
As soon as the video opened I knew there was a problem: George Clooney is drooping! And daaaang those kidney stones! Why didn't they pulverize the stone with ECSWT? No tubes or embarrassing exposures. Sound waves to break up the stone. Gotta love the NHS, lol.
Lol! Yes didn't realise that George had given up the ghost! Cheers James 👍
I’m not medical guru, but take a pint of water with a pub spirit measure of apple cider vinegar in it each day, by my reckoning it keeps the tubes cleared out (maybe worth a quick google- I don’t want to come across as some health fad weirdo) best of luck..
That's actually very helpful 👍 many thanks buddy
If I want to go faster - I buy a faster bike.
It's more about getting more speed out of the bike you already own....people do it all the time with cars
So you aren't suggesting the tar painting exercise on a first date?
Probably not the best type of foreplay 😂
Wishing you well.
Thanks Kamil 👍
So what you are saying going by the length of your stent is that you are hung like a tankers mooring rope 😂
😂😂😂😂😂 Big Willie by name......😂
@@2wheeledwillie395 😂