Royal Enfield is undoubtably a major success story in supplying the 'Biker' public with what they want...plus at a reasonable price. Older bikers who want a bit of nostalgia of their youth and the appeal to newer riders who wish to enjoy a Motorcycle for the ride..Both Royal Enfield and Triumph are fore-filling that niche... I
I just went and bought a 1959 AJS instead of buying a modern "replica" of a Brit. 70 to the gallon 350cc Model 16. I do have Jap bikes to for fun like the 30 year old 893cc cbr900n and a gpx750r f1 (classics usual go up in prices while buying a new one drops in value by about 50% the minute you ride it off the forecourt)
@Stuart: I have gone through multiple videos of the new Royal Enfield classic but I have never come across anyone mentioning these minute details. These might not be a big changes but are non the less added values leading to better customer satisfaction and ownership experience. Thanks for highlighting them.
Nice video. Besides my Interceptor, I have a 2015 c500 in military green. I love how primitive it is, that's why I bought it. Strange, it came with pillion pegs but no rear seat. So I removed the pegs. I don't bother locking the steering because two strong men could lift it into a van regardless. But here in Idaho there is little crime because the citizens can carry concealed firearms. No one touches your stuff, I don't even lock my front door.😉
The same system that turns the light on after the engine is been used for many years. My Yamaha majesty 400 maxi scooter from 2006 EFI had the same system. That does not prevent the bike to be nicked few years back 😀 But this is care for the customer .. Small thigs like this makes owners happy. I've got my 350 last week.
If you want your headlight on with ignition, but to be off during cranking, simply earth it on the starter solenoid. That way, it's grounded and on until you crank, at which point the ground is effectively removed and headlight goes out. Finger off the button, ground point returns and so does headlight. Easy peasy!
Across the pond here in the US I'm not familiar with the royal enfield brand until the deluge of videos on their new models. Your video presentations have my interests spirited! Thanks for your hard work on video content and love your channel.
ciao Ferdi, what a great videoove it so much!!! riding the sommelier with a meteor gives me the faith that you can also use a classic 350 for it....the bike i like soo much.... well done and thanks!!!! gracie mille!!! 😘 Wim,Netherlands 😘
My understanding of the 'Choke' from RE interviews was that it was for starting in higher altitudes not as an old time choke for normal start up. I've never had the need to use mine on my 500 tribute in 2 years.
Ever since manufacturers have been producing bikes with 'daytime running' lights that make the headlight come on with the ignition , I've been fitting a switch on my bikes that cut the power between the dip switch and the headlight so that, (for the reasons that Stuart mentions), you can start the bike without the headlight sapping power from the battery, and then flick the switch to power the headlight once the engine has started. I find this works especially well on Harleys that need the full oomph of the battery for easy starting.
I payed for my 350 on Friday and picked it up on Saturday! After riding it during the brake in period ! I first learned on a 58 Matchless g80 , then a 69 650 Bonneville . I can say that RE has in the new Classic 350 , perfected the classic British Single aka Thumper !
@@siddharthaxX when it was re engineered , RE had poached engineers from Triumph and built a facility in England for R&D ! So yes it is English and Indian! Like Harley’s that are built in other country’s
@@samuelstambaugh5181 no you got it wrong Classics have in production since early 2000s while RE approached or should I say acquired an English Firm in 2015 for designing. And not to forget RE India was completely different from RE UK. RE India was licenced by Indian Mardras Motors and was completely independent. This is the reason why RE India continued while RE UK dried out.
Good morning Stu! Hope you're well? Right, now to watch the video 🤗 Thanks Stu, I wondered a few times where you stood with these two bikes but I had the suspicion that each had it's own merits in your mind. To become a truly successful, modern international brand, RE had to up their game and they've done just this. The step change was obviously going to involve more than their previous "upgrades" to the 350 and 500 power unit (unit construction left hand gear shift, and electric start). They bit the bullet didn't they (pun intended) and look at where they are now! An excellent range of truly modern motorcycles offering incredible value and a build quality which seems to improve every time a new model is launched. They really are a contender on the World stage. Well done Royal Enfield 👍. I can clearly appreciate why the 500 is a keeper though ❤️. I've not warmed my bikes up for years as I believe putting gentle load on the motor is preferable (with intelligent application of mechanical sympathy obviously) and getting it up to normal operating temperature as quickly as possible is the best thing for any motor. I think the inclusion of the fast idle lever was just an indication of early - more rudimentary fuel injection systems which didn't have the ability to easily control idle speed over a very wide margin. My R1150RT had one and my VFR800 gen 5 did too and they were both from the same era. Thanks again for the video Stuart, I look forward to Friday's 👍
Having now watched four of your videos I have subscribed. Good honest and sensible reviews. Having just returned to motorcycling after thirty years (and having just retired ) I am finding your videos a great help in finding my next bike.
Great video Stu and very valid points. Three elephants in the room though. Firstly, the Classic 500 is quicker than the all new 350. Faster to 60mph, higher top end and far better torque. There are many TH-cam videos showing the original Classic 500 waving goodbye to the all new 350 with ease... Next, The Classic 500 has a kick start option. If the battery is sluggish, just kick it over. Easy. The biggest elephant in the room though is that the Classic 500 has hydraulic tappets. It's a tank off expensive service with the 350 to adjust those tappets at every service. With The Classic 500, they take care of themselves. Happy days. Just an oil and filter change, lube and spark plug gap check. You could almost do it in your living room! happy days part 2 😊
Wow! I had not realized about the hydraulic lifters. But the kick start and few more horsepower make it well worth it for me. A few years ago I was not in a position to buy one and since then they stopped production of the 500. SO I "settled" for the over-weight and under-powered 350.
Sorry for butting into your conversation. I'm 59 years old. I live in Russia. I have 38 years of professional driving experience. I haven't seen hydraulic tappets on the Royal Classic 500. They have simple rods that are very easy to adjust. P.S. Friends, congratulate me, last week I bought a new dark red "Royal Enfield Bullet 350"!!! My happiness knows no bounds. 😁
Hey Stuart great video as always my son has a classic 500 here in Australia.He bought it new in 2016. I have only ever ridden Japanese bikes and Triumphs and was quiet shocked at the poor build quality etc but he absolutely loves it and is not interested in any other brands.His bike has the old school headlight switch and if he doesn't switch them off after a ride he soon has to kick-start it. The steering lock reminds me of a day in 1985 after leaving the dentist in a rush and forgetting to unlock it on my GSX 250 my pride and some levers got bent out of shape. My son's enthusiasm for Royal Enfield and yours too persuaded me to buy an Interceptor a year ago it was a really good decision.
Excellent video. I don't have nor have I ever owned a classic Royal Enfield. I am interested in the new Royal Enfield classic 350. Knowing they have taken these seemingly small visible steps to improve this line of bikes, gives me confidence they have likely incorporated unseen innovations. I'll be test riding a Classic 350 at demo day tomorrow. I do own a RE Himalayan and love it.
such an excellent analysis and level of detail shows your ex profession only someone with the background of being a professional witness could have made this very useful points thanks old boy roy
Great video, Stu. I sold my Himalayan a few months ago. It was a bit too tall for me. I've almost bought a Classic 500 on several occasions, and I am intrigued by the new 350s, both the Meteor and Classic 350. A friend bought a Meteor and he loves it. I lean more towards the Classics. One of my ongoing gripes is with dash design. While great improvements have been made over the past few years - most bikes now have a fuel gauge standard - manufacturers still don't include things that should be there to monitor the performance of the bike. All bikes should have a voltmeter and self-canceling signals. I can't imagine that either of these would add much cost to the bike. RE could have used that pod on the new Classic for useful information instead of just a logo. From what I've read about the GPS thingy that works with Google Maps, it's less than desirable.
Finding the RE to be the push I needed to move forward with getting a motorcycle license Was always fascinated by the Kawasaki style but the classic look of RE just caught my eye and boy do I need one 😂
Hi Stuart, the headlight on straight away is a cheaper way for factories. They save a couple of cents on wire and an electrical terminal. A 1997 Kawasaki ZZR 600 I owned had the headlight wired up to the oil pressure switch which allowed the engine to start before the light came on which was a good idea. Cheers from Australia
Another thing for me is the two side panels...sure bests having to take off the seat for the tools, battery, etc. I have my docs inside and the tools and a nice cloth to cleanup any grime that I might get out on a ride. Also, a small First Aid kit. RE have done a great job with the Royal Enfield Classic 350! Ride Safe 🙏🏼
I have a 2013 Royal Enfield Bullet B5 (not the Classic) that I have converted to a proper Amal Concentric MK1 carburetor, and installed a cat free, and much louder aftermarket exhaust to. I bought it new in 2013, and have put just over 21,000 miles on it. That's miles, not kilometers. With the carburetor, I was able to turn the idle down a bit, and along with the louder and deeper exhaust, it both feels and sounds much better than it did to begin with. It now has that THUMP it lost with the switch to EFI and a cat con exhaust. I have no interest in practical motorcycles, to me they are toys, recreational devices, used for fun only, and I can't imagine anything less fun than a smooth quiet motorcycle. Even though it has an electric starter, I almost always use the kick starter. I feel that's the proper way to start a motorcycle. When I installed the carburetor kit, I never even installed the choke. I live in Arizona, U.S., where it rarely ever gets below 40 degrees F, and that's only at 5:00 AM in the winter. The carb has a "tickler" on it, and it has always been easy to start by using that. Plus I absolutely love getting gasoline on my finger while using it. I almost wish the engine leaked a little oil, but it never has. I always warm up my engine for several minutes before taking off, even though the carb is jetted rich enough for it to run fine cold. I was a private pilot for several years back when I was young, and properly warming up the aircrafts engine was one of the most important things a pilot had to do. Not doing so would seriously shorten the life of the engine, and could possibly cause immediate failure, not an inexpensive proposition when it came to an aircraft engine. Both my 2002 and 2006 Harley Davidson Sportsters automatically leave the headlight off until the engine starts, due to the very high amperage required to turn over the large displacement long stroke v twin engine. As soon as the engine starts, the light comes on. However, on every single bike I've ever owned, letting the engine idle with the headlight on will eventually drain the battery, as the stator does not put out enough current to power the ignition and lights at idle. This would be even worse on an EFI bike where the injectors and fuel pump are also powered by the electrical system. I have a total of 6 bikes, and I keep all of them connected to a battery maintainer when not being ridden. I have owned many bikes with rigid mount pegs, and never had an issue. Most dual sport bikes (street legal dirt bikes) have folding pegs, but only a few of my street bikes have had them. Almost all of my street bikes have been of the cruiser variety, and weren't really designed for handling anyway. They work fine in long sweeping curves, but are not meant to be leaned way over. I am not a "sport" rider, I'm the type that likes to get on a nice comfortable bike with my knees at a 90 degree angle, and a good bend in my elbows, and just kick back, relax, and ride a few hundred miles. Only a few times in close to a million miles during the past 46 years have I ever scraped the pegs. I have never owned a bike with a digital display, and never plan to. Such modern things just seem completely out of place on a motorcycle, which, to me should be visceral, crude, primitive machine, a delight for the senses, and should be left for modern 4 wheeled transportation appliances. Two things I have never used on any bike are the steering lock and the helmet lock. I never leave the bike alone, except when it is in my garage, with the door locked. If I need to take my helmet off while on the bike or standing beside it, I put it on the right side mirror. I would strongly advise anyone who wants a Royal Enfield for the usual reasons to get a 2016 or older 500 Classic or B5 Bullet, and immediately get a carburetor kit from Hitchcocks. As for the 350, I would never buy one because of the EFI that cannot be converted to a carburetor, but if you are going to get a 350, I would definitely suggest the Meteor, for one very important reason, which is one improvement I wish Royal Enfield had made on all their bikes, and that is tubeless tires. Tubeless tires are, at least in my opinion, by far the biggest improvement ever made to motorcycles. And they don't involve anything electronic. You don't need cast wheels to use tubeless tires. You could make tubeless wire spoke wheels the way BMW and Triumph have chosen to do it, but to me those are somewhat ugly, and don't look good on a classically styled bike. There is another way. Look at the wire spoke tubeless wheels Honda designed for the 1986-1987 Rebel 450, a small 450 twin only made for 2 years almost 40 years ago. They never used those wheels again, but instead went back to tube type tires. No other manufacturer has ever used that design either. It would be perfect for bikes like the Royal Enfields, and actually make them capable of going somewhere on. During the 21,000 miles I have put on my Royal Enfield B5 Bullet, I have rarely ever gotten further than 100 miles from home, and I usually stay much closer. And during that time, the bike has come back home on a tow truck 4 times, all due to flat tires. That would have been over $1000 worth of towing bills, had I not had a roadside assistance plan. During my riding life I have been stranded at least a dozen times by flat tires on bikes with tube type tires, and almost killed a couple of times, when a tube blew out and the tire went flat instantly at high speed. I don't ride the Royal Enfield over 55 mph, and that fear of having a tire blow out is always there, which really takes a lot of enjoyment out of the ride. In 46 years of riding, I have only had a couple of flats with tubeless tires, they both lost air very slowly, and were easily plugged and reinflated beside the road. Several times I have had tubeless tires punctured, and they never lost air. I found objects sticking in them while inspecting them at home. The same object that punctured them also sealed the puncture. Riding season just started a couple of weeks ago where I live, and will last through the middle of next May. I hope to ride at least 10,000 miles, maybe as much as 15,000 miles, during that time. I used to ride several times more, but at 63, and being partially disabled, things have slowed down. This winter I won't be riding the Royal Enfield. Despite having 6 bikes, I will mainly be riding just 2 of them, my 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 750, and my 2006 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200. I spent all summer (it's 115 degrees F here in the summer) getting them in tip top shape for riding season. They both have tubeless tires, and are capable of long distance high speed highway riding. I can easily manage 400-500 miles a day on them. I will give the others a break, while I do maintenance and some minor repairs on them. I may ride them around town a bit, but not out on the highway. One of my bikes is a Yamaha street legal dirt bike, and while I very much enjoy riding off road, it has tube type tires, and while I can call roadside assistance for a flat if I am on an actual road, if I ride way out into the middle of the Arizona desert and have a flat, I would be unable to fix it, and roadside assistance won't come out there. Many places out there are out of cell phone range. A flat tire could be fatal. I will probably be looking to sell that bike. Keep up the videos. While I don't agree with you on everything, I thoroughly enjoy watching your videos, and am subscribed to your channel.
You are a far, far, braver man than I am. I have never, ever, had any luck with an Amal carb, and usually ended up pitching them for a Mikuni, or a power jet Klein, but hey, to each his own.
Informative as always Stewart. Funny but I've got small hands. That said whenever I bought a second hand or new bike I alway changed the handle bar grips for those old thick ones. On my BAS's, Triumph's, Yamaha's or Honda's I found them more comfortable on long journeys and helped with vibration. Take care and safe riding.
Another entertaining and informative video thank you. One the subject of the passed riding season. Mine has also been not good, or not as planned. I live in Deep South (Kent) but my origins and heart of definitely Yorkshire so I usually have at least 4 or 5 bike trips each year back to gods own country. Unfortunately, to stay beautiful and green requires a lot of rain and the Yorkshire Dales usually has that a plenty. Perhaps a little less this year but each one of my 4 bike trips was wet, very wet. Even during the hottest part of the year, 40 degrees in Kent, the moment I turned off the A1 at Wetherby it started raining. And it didn’t stop until later in the week I headed home. My last trip was 3 weeks ago and it rained and blowed the whole trip. Wet rain is a pain when riding a bike but wet horizontal rain is a right pain. So, for me, this year has been a right off. Roll on the Spring!
Great video as usual Stu but scraping the barrel a bit if I might say. The new 350’s are a great bikes for anyone who wants comfort and convenience and maybe doesn’t appreciate or want to experience the heritage and pleasure of riding a truly classic Royal Enfield. My “Mule” is a glorious Bullet Sixty5, pre unit, with carburettor and contact breaker ignition. Now 18 years old I bought it 3 years ago with a genuine documented 97 miles on the clock. Having been stood for so long it did need some serious fettling to get it running smoothly but since then all I’ve had to do in 3500 miles is oil changes and a new plug. Never let me down - yet.
About the rigid footpegs, our 1979 Bullet 350 has been crashed a couple of times because the peg acts like a fulcrum and allows one of the wheels to lift up. This only happens if you push it too hard, though. PS: The steering lock on our Bullet is a padlock! That is how it was from the factory. There is a metal bar with a hole on the lower yoke and one on the steering column. You need to align them and pass the padlock through. It should be more secure than most integrated locks these days!
Another excellent video …love the classic .. I have a Himalayan and just love to … looking to get the 350 Classic..to replace a couple other motorcycles that I have .. well done
Did a test ride of the Classic 350 , Meteor and Hunter back to back but Classic 350 has a totally different and right amount of character although it's the same platform .Classic 350 stands apart.
Stuart,yet another lovely delivered review,your reviews on the classic has always steered me towards making a purchase,but the boss is still adamant that I’m not having one,hence the pleasure in your videos,thank you.
Very intresting Stu , did not really know much about the classics only having the Interceptor but really intresting to see RE making life easier and safer for us riders , Just love the chrome tanks too never thought I would but since having my gliter & dust , I just love the chrome look even more. As for the grips i have only small hands so never an issue for me but good RE have listened too popular feedback.
Most motorcycles use 7/8" diameter handle bars. A few manufactures, such Harley Davidson use full 1" diameter handle bars. It really complicates the after market options available for certain motorcycles.
Hi Stuart. I’ve only just watched this vid. and I’m seriously thinking of getting the hunter. My last bike was a bmw r850r and as I’m getting on a bit and was finding it a tad to heavy I have sold it. The bm was fuel injected and had a choke, or more correctly a idle increase rate lever, I used it as a cruise control.
Absolutely love your style Stuart (video and dressing!). You should do a video on your gear (I'd love to know where you found your neck tube which is really nice for example!). Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the video Stuart , with the clocks being annoyingly altered to herald cold and wet , which from my perspective means less time on my bike , I know that keeping up with your video's will help no end with an enhanced experience over the future trips, stay safe ,
Well done that man...first class...one other thing ..which is your preference the classic cup/mug of tea..or...the modern cup/mug of coffee.. take this with a pinch of sugar not salt..happy riding..
On the "premium" bikes the light goes off during starting, to get max starting power from the battery. Still, in 1985 I built in a relay myself that shut off the light when I started my Yamaha XJ650, to save the battery. And I did not have to use the light switch anymore, it was always on for safety, except when hitting the starter button.
I'm stepping down of a Yamaha Tracer 7 with whom I enjoyed 22000km and was my first -legal- bike ever, for the reason that I'm too passionate of very long distances that it just made sense to get a diesel car which is safer and gets me much better mileage. Still I was looking down on the Classic 500 to buy a smaller but enjoyable bike to do short trips or some smaller routes, as I used to love my grandpa's Mobylette Campera of the 60s, and I was overly concerned that the Classic 350 was just not enough power for me. After seeing this video, you give me an interesting choice between all the hustles of the 500 for the sake of the experience, or a much more convenient bike with easier service like the 350!. I'm probably getting the 350 just for the sake that the Tracer7 was about the same weight, and strip it on a trailer to bring to anywhere I go. Let's all be honest, at the end of the day, you only need to be able to pull 70mph on a decent mileage. Still we are choosing this bikes to enjoy the roads, not the highways. Thank you for being adequately accurate on the videos! You got yourself a new subscriber :)
Yes, love the handlebar grips, plush, comfortable and look really good. They really should put them on the Interceptor. Took me awhile to notice 2nd trip automatically coming in on reserve. Does anyone know how many miles on reserve there are?
Nice list. I was checking out the Scram 411 at the dealer the other day, and I wondered why the headlight wasn't coming on when I turned the key . . . now I know . . . Cheers!
Very reasons I bought the 350 plus more. It's modern classic, or classic modern..... hhmm, yes. Keep the videos coming, winter has set in here in Montana and can only clean the bike so much......
A nice clutch of updates. Being a Meteor-ite I never noticed the daylight riding light either. I often start her up and then look at her for a few minutes from the front. Then get on and ride off. I now worry less about putting the key in and turning it, without worrying so much about the battery.
Another great video Stu , does help people who are of two minds as too which R E to go for , they seem to have a great variety of bikes to choose from in the R E stable , one for every taste and purpose 😀 im hoping to get one shortly probably the 350cc Meteor , but i believe thats the entry class , the Super Nova is the upper spec , but its down to price and style , ive seen older models being more expensive than newer ones, some good deals now on R E . 😊
First comment on your channel. The need to keep choke lever on Classic 500 is due to demand for it. In India majority of owners, replace the EFi with Carburetor whenever there is issue with EFi. Carburetor is cheap and easy to maintain. More gadgets mean more service cost for Royal Enfield.
That's a nice touch to take the load off the battery when starting the bike. My interceptor threw a low battery light after 18 months and after clocking atleast 500miles a month but I guess it's that ways ON headlamp leading to a battery drain. It is possible to order the original switchgear from India to keep the headlamp off but that would render the bike illegal to operate unless you turn on your lights. On the footpegs scrapping the road, on my 96' 500, it was the center stand that scrapped first. You need lean more to scrape the foot rests. Honestly, leaning out that far is not really what this bike is meant for.
Great video thanks Stuart, Im err-ing towards a new 350 classic but im also intrigued by a possible used 500, I am watching and learning by viewing your videos, I havent ridden a bike for over 20 years and this decision will be the last bike I ever buy as the bans are steadily approaching on the sale of new combustion engined vechicles. living in rural Northamptonshire and my lack of experience and sensible head, says to my brain go for the 350 but I also use the A14 a lot to go a little further North to the Motorways or East to the sea on the A14 and Im wondering if the extra capacity is the only sensible choice, Im not a lunatic and saftey is on my mind, I recently purchased a 2019 car and drove it around the local area quite slowley until I got a real feel for it and would treat any machine with the greatest of respect. Im very mechanical minded and have rebuilt car engines and bikes over the years since my early teens so Im not afraid of carrying out maintenance. Ho hum decisions decisions.
Excellent Stuart Didn’t know these things myself Especially the lighting and load on the battery also the steering lock yes great point there😊 Lovely view of Beverley Westwood there 😊😊 Very good comments 😊😊
Regarding the footpeg touching when cornering - I had the bottom of the brake arm touch down a couple of days ago, it have me a bit of a heart flutter when it did.. I thought I went a bit low.. Good to know the tyres are grippy that far over..
Well done. Interesting. I am considering a 350 Classic. They are one of the most beautiful bikes, currently, being produced. My only hesitation is that I'm not sure it is strong enough to haul my big behind down the road at 65 mph. Living out here, everything is is a bit of a distance and the wind blows a lot. I have other bikes to handle those chores, however, and I believe this little thumper would be a hoot to own.
@@Peter234100 Hi Peter - tanks for the comment. How do you find the bike on the motorway? I've just come back from the dealer for a first 'sit on' and was surprised to hear him say it would barely do 60mph flat out! I'm sure I've heard Stuart say it would get to 80 at a push. Interested in your experience.
My old T120R Bonneville had rigid footrests as all the old Triumphs did. I was late for work one day and was riding rather fast. On the last junction I leaned it over too far and the footrest touched the road and the wheels came off the road and the bike spun on the footrest throwing me across the road. The footrest was bent up at almost 90 degrees but the rest of the bike was undamaged. We used to call them “built in crash bars”. 😂
Morning Stuart It looks like the headlight modification is being rolled out across the range, on my Interceptor, the main headlight comes on with the ignition, just like yours. The new Himalayan I bought has a small Led light that comes on, the main light doesn't come on until the bike starts. For some reason we don't get the military green Classic 350 in the UK or I might have been tempted. I went for the Himalayan as a second bike. Ride safe
Bought Interceptor couple of months back and sadly main headlight comes on with the ignition. It feels like the twins are forgotten kids of Royal Enfield. No Improvements. No new accessories. No alloy wheel options.
Yup, barrel grips on the Meteor and the LED light in the headlamp comes on with the switch and the full headlight only when the engine is running. As the Meteor came out before the New Classic 350 I wonder if the Meteor was the test bed for such "refinements".
So funny - I watched this hoping that the headlight thing was indeed new as I've never had a bike that did it! Indeed, it is a great thing, and while "small", very important. I can't tell you how many times i've put in the key and turn the ignition on, but don't start the bike yet, or the reverse after a ride. Having the headlamp turn off on its own is spectacular. Indeed, one won't lose a battery for being stupid 🤣 Great vid. Thank you... Ride Safe 🙏🏼
I had a 1995 BMW R1100, one of the first of the new fuel injection engines and it had a "choke" lever. It worked well. It must be needed on simpler systems.
Stu, my Meteor's headlight also remains off until the engine actually starts. I like this feature not only for the reason you mentioned; it also makes it a bit easier to start the bike when it's been sitting for a while, as there's less load (i.e. no illuminated headlight) on the battery.
Or better yet.. The bike should be fitted with a headlight switch like they used to years ago.. Give us the choice whether to ride with the headlight on or off, or st least be able to turn it off when starting..
Yep. Even though I've never owned the "older" Classic, I did notice the things you mentioned. And being another "oddball", I have no doubt that I would/could have admired the "eccentricities" of the Classic 500, I must admit that I do really appreciate the modern conveniences of the new Classic 350. On my preferred country backroads, I can't help but realize that it is truly a splendid motorcycle. 🙂 Definitely not a "fast" motorcycle, and yet it gets down the road just fine on the roads I enjoy riding, which all have a maximum speed limit of 55mph. The bike feels unbothered at all running in the 45 to 65mph range. Which, in my opinion, is perfect for what I wanted a bike of this sort to do. 👍 The only thing I can add is, you need to ride MORE! I just picked up my bike weekend before last and have managed to rack up 905 miles as of this past Sunday... 😁
personally I've had the hard mounted pegs scrape once and it really felt awful, like the back end went light mid turn. don't want to think about what could have happened if I'd leaned over any harder haha
Hey Stewart, love your channel just purchased a 350 here recently in the states and was watching some other videos about the catalytic converter bypass. Was wondering what your thoughts on that would be, I guess my concern would be voiding the warranty or possible issues with the mapping. Thanks again keith
Very informative, thank you. I'm curious. What is the purpose of those two small, barely visible, lights above and beside the main headlight? No-one I have watched so far has discussed this feature.
Hi Stuart , great information in this video, I love the detail and thought from both you and Royal Enfield. I’ve riden for a long time too 45 years on going and love Two up Riding . Obviously with the lesser BHP in the 350 taken into account Which of these two does the best job considering the 350 actual seems to not be far off the 500 in real life road power ? I don’t own one yet but it’s on my bucket list too 😁
You're so good with words and expressing yourself. I've got a 2008 Bullet Chrome Classic and a 2018 Pegasus. Love them both. Your videos have me seriously considering a 350 classic. The red and chrome just looks great.
Somehow your videos allways bring me back to my early years watching Postman Pat lol. I don't know why, must be the English countryside and the birds chirping.
Having never seen one of the classic 350s in the flesh (nearest dealers 170 or 260 miles away) my main concerns are the brake and gear pedals. It might just be my size 14 feet but the rear brake does not look in a good position to me and the gear lever looks unusable; yes, it can be raised but it looks too short for my feet. Having bought a Bullet 500 new in '93 the Classic 350 is a huge improvement and I can definitely see myself buying one as my final bike. If I ever bought one I wonder how often I would scratch the right hand tool box when trying to insert the ignition key....
Royal Enfield is undoubtably a major success story in supplying the 'Biker' public with what they want...plus at a reasonable price. Older bikers who want a bit of nostalgia of their youth and the appeal to newer riders who wish to enjoy a Motorcycle for the ride..Both Royal Enfield and Triumph are fore-filling that niche... I
I just went and bought a 1959 AJS instead of buying a modern "replica" of a Brit. 70 to the gallon 350cc Model 16. I do have Jap bikes to for fun like the 30 year old 893cc cbr900n and a gpx750r f1 (classics usual go up in prices while buying a new one drops in value by about 50% the minute you ride it off the forecourt)
I own a 2020 desert storm,can't fault it!
Looking forward to buy me the Classic 350 next season. Done with big bikes! Thanks for your honest videos!
@Stuart: I have gone through multiple videos of the new Royal Enfield classic but I have never come across anyone mentioning these minute details. These might not be a big changes but are non the less added values leading to better customer satisfaction and ownership experience. Thanks for highlighting them.
Have owned many bikes over the years and my current Classic Bronze 350 is the favorite. Spot on review!
Nice video. Besides my Interceptor, I have a 2015 c500 in military green. I love how primitive it is, that's why I bought it. Strange, it came with pillion pegs but no rear seat. So I removed the pegs. I don't bother locking the steering because two strong men could lift it into a van regardless. But here in Idaho there is little crime because the citizens can carry concealed firearms. No one touches your stuff, I don't even lock my front door.😉
The same system that turns the light on after the engine is been used for many years. My Yamaha majesty 400 maxi scooter from 2006 EFI had the same system. That does not prevent the bike to be nicked few years back 😀
But this is care for the customer .. Small thigs like this makes owners happy. I've got my 350 last week.
I quite liked the old fashioned 2 position fuel tap. When the tank was nearly empty it went on to reserve.
If you want your headlight on with ignition, but to be off during cranking, simply earth it on the starter solenoid. That way, it's grounded and on until you crank, at which point the ground is effectively removed and headlight goes out. Finger off the button, ground point returns and so does headlight. Easy peasy!
Top job Stuart. I absolutely love the hand grips on my classic 350. There are so many reasons to love this bike and your videos.
Across the pond here in the US I'm not familiar with the royal enfield brand until the deluge of videos on their new models. Your video presentations have my interests spirited! Thanks for your hard work on video content and love your channel.
ciao Ferdi,
what a great videoove it so much!!!
riding the sommelier with a meteor gives me the faith that you can also use a classic 350 for it....the bike i like soo much....
well done and thanks!!!! gracie mille!!! 😘 Wim,Netherlands 😘
My understanding of the 'Choke' from RE interviews was that it was for starting in higher altitudes not as an old time choke for normal start up. I've never had the need to use mine on my 500 tribute in 2 years.
Ever since manufacturers have been producing bikes with 'daytime running' lights that make the headlight come on with the ignition , I've been fitting a switch on my bikes that cut the power between the dip switch and the headlight so that, (for the reasons that Stuart mentions), you can start the bike without the headlight sapping power from the battery, and then flick the switch to power the headlight once the engine has started. I find this works especially well on Harleys that need the full oomph of the battery for easy starting.
I payed for my 350 on Friday and picked it up on Saturday! After riding it during the brake in period ! I first learned on a 58 Matchless g80 , then a 69 650 Bonneville . I can say that RE has in the new Classic 350 , perfected the classic British Single aka Thumper !
Enjoy!!!
calling it British might be wrong as this bike was both designed (inspired by bullet) and engineered in India.
@@siddharthaxX when it was re engineered , RE had poached engineers from Triumph and built a facility in England for R&D ! So yes it is English and Indian! Like Harley’s that are built in other country’s
@@samuelstambaugh5181 no you got it wrong Classics have in production since early 2000s while RE approached or should I say acquired an English Firm in 2015 for designing.
And not to forget RE India was completely different from RE UK. RE India was licenced by Indian Mardras Motors and was completely independent. This is the reason why RE India continued while RE UK dried out.
@@siddharthaxX your just looking to fight with someone, I’m not it Pard !
Great video Stuart. You will have all 350 owners rushing out to check their headlights when the ignition is switched on, myself included. 🤣🤣
Good morning Stu! Hope you're well? Right, now to watch the video 🤗
Thanks Stu, I wondered a few times where you stood with these two bikes but I had the suspicion that each had it's own merits in your mind. To become a truly successful, modern international brand, RE had to up their game and they've done just this. The step change was obviously going to involve more than their previous "upgrades" to the 350 and 500 power unit (unit construction left hand gear shift, and electric start). They bit the bullet didn't they (pun intended) and look at where they are now! An excellent range of truly modern motorcycles offering incredible value and a build quality which seems to improve every time a new model is launched. They really are a contender on the World stage. Well done Royal Enfield 👍. I can clearly appreciate why the 500 is a keeper though ❤️.
I've not warmed my bikes up for years as I believe putting gentle load on the motor is preferable (with intelligent application of mechanical sympathy obviously) and getting it up to normal operating temperature as quickly as possible is the best thing for any motor. I think the inclusion of the fast idle lever was just an indication of early - more rudimentary fuel injection systems which didn't have the ability to easily control idle speed over a very wide margin. My R1150RT had one and my VFR800 gen 5 did too and they were both from the same era. Thanks again for the video Stuart, I look forward to Friday's 👍
Morning Garry!
Having now watched four of your videos I have subscribed. Good honest and sensible reviews. Having just returned to motorcycling after thirty years (and having just retired ) I am finding your videos a great help in finding my next bike.
Welcome aboard!
Great video Stu and very valid points. Three elephants in the room though. Firstly, the Classic 500 is quicker than the all new 350. Faster to 60mph, higher top end and far better torque. There are many TH-cam videos showing the original Classic 500 waving goodbye to the all new 350 with ease... Next, The Classic 500 has a kick start option. If the battery is sluggish, just kick it over. Easy.
The biggest elephant in the room though is that the Classic 500 has hydraulic tappets. It's a tank off expensive service with the 350 to adjust those tappets at every service. With The Classic 500, they take care of themselves. Happy days. Just an oil and filter change, lube and spark plug gap check. You could almost do it in your living room! happy days part 2 😊
Wow! I had not realized about the hydraulic lifters. But the kick start and few more horsepower make it well worth it for me. A few years ago I was not in a position to buy one and since then they stopped production of the 500. SO I "settled" for the over-weight and under-powered 350.
Sorry for butting into your conversation. I'm 59 years old. I live in Russia. I have 38 years of professional driving experience. I haven't seen hydraulic tappets on the Royal Classic 500. They have simple rods that are very easy to adjust. P.S. Friends, congratulate me, last week I bought a new dark red "Royal Enfield Bullet 350"!!! My happiness knows no bounds. 😁
…and this video is exactly why I love your channel. Your attention to detail is simply unsurpassed. Keep up the good work!
Hey Stuart great video as always my son has a classic 500 here in Australia.He bought it new in 2016. I have only ever ridden Japanese bikes and Triumphs and was quiet shocked at the poor build quality etc but he absolutely loves it and is not interested in any other brands.His bike has the old school headlight switch and if he doesn't switch them off after a ride he soon has to kick-start it. The steering lock reminds me of a day in 1985 after leaving the dentist in a rush and forgetting to unlock it on my GSX 250 my pride and some levers got bent out of shape. My son's enthusiasm for Royal Enfield and yours too persuaded me to buy an Interceptor a year ago it was a really good decision.
Thank you Stuart for another quality production. I do hope your problems with this platform are well and truly over.
I wish they would make a new 500 classic. The 350 is just a bit short of power for me.
Rock on stu. Great mono, very informative and well narrated.
Fantastic review. I absolutely love the previous instrument cluster. The white background and the clock. So attractive.
Excellent video. I don't have nor have I ever owned a classic Royal Enfield. I am interested in the new Royal Enfield classic 350. Knowing they have taken these seemingly small visible steps to improve this line of bikes, gives me confidence they have likely incorporated unseen innovations. I'll be test riding a Classic 350 at demo day tomorrow.
I do own a RE Himalayan and love it.
such an excellent analysis and level of detail shows your ex profession only someone with the background of being a professional witness could have made this very useful points thanks
old boy roy
6:20 u can use that choke liver as Cruz control.😂
Thanks Stuart for your time and expertise with the video's. I always learn from each and every one one of them :)
Great video, Stu. I sold my Himalayan a few months ago. It was a bit too tall for me. I've almost bought a Classic 500 on several occasions, and I am intrigued by the new 350s, both the Meteor and Classic 350. A friend bought a Meteor and he loves it. I lean more towards the Classics. One of my ongoing gripes is with dash design. While great improvements have been made over the past few years - most bikes now have a fuel gauge standard - manufacturers still don't include things that should be there to monitor the performance of the bike. All bikes should have a voltmeter and self-canceling signals. I can't imagine that either of these would add much cost to the bike. RE could have used that pod on the new Classic for useful information instead of just a logo. From what I've read about the GPS thingy that works with Google Maps, it's less than desirable.
Would really have liked seeing the clock where the emblem is on the new ones.
Thanks!
Thank You Nate!
Finding the RE to be the push I needed to move forward with getting a motorcycle license
Was always fascinated by the Kawasaki style but the classic look of RE just caught my eye and boy do I need one 😂
I recently got the interceptor and love it, I’m getting the meteor 350 as soon as I can with those 2 I’ll be happy 😊
Hi Stuart, the headlight on straight away is a cheaper way for factories. They save a couple of cents on wire and an electrical terminal. A 1997 Kawasaki ZZR 600 I owned had the headlight wired up to the oil pressure switch which allowed the engine to start before the light came on which was a good idea. Cheers from Australia
Another thing for me is the two side panels...sure bests having to take off the seat for the tools, battery, etc.
I have my docs inside and the tools and a nice cloth to cleanup any grime that I might get out on a ride. Also, a small First Aid kit. RE have done a great job with the Royal Enfield Classic 350!
Ride Safe 🙏🏼
I have a 2013 Royal Enfield Bullet B5 (not the Classic) that I have converted to a proper Amal Concentric MK1 carburetor, and installed a cat free, and much louder aftermarket exhaust to. I bought it new in 2013, and have put just over 21,000 miles on it. That's miles, not kilometers. With the carburetor, I was able to turn the idle down a bit, and along with the louder and deeper exhaust, it both feels and sounds much better than it did to begin with. It now has that THUMP it lost with the switch to EFI and a cat con exhaust. I have no interest in practical motorcycles, to me they are toys, recreational devices, used for fun only, and I can't imagine anything less fun than a smooth quiet motorcycle. Even though it has an electric starter, I almost always use the kick starter. I feel that's the proper way to start a motorcycle. When I installed the carburetor kit, I never even installed the choke. I live in Arizona, U.S., where it rarely ever gets below 40 degrees F, and that's only at 5:00 AM in the winter. The carb has a "tickler" on it, and it has always been easy to start by using that. Plus I absolutely love getting gasoline on my finger while using it. I almost wish the engine leaked a little oil, but it never has. I always warm up my engine for several minutes before taking off, even though the carb is jetted rich enough for it to run fine cold. I was a private pilot for several years back when I was young, and properly warming up the aircrafts engine was one of the most important things a pilot had to do. Not doing so would seriously shorten the life of the engine, and could possibly cause immediate failure, not an inexpensive proposition when it came to an aircraft engine.
Both my 2002 and 2006 Harley Davidson Sportsters automatically leave the headlight off until the engine starts, due to the very high amperage required to turn over the large displacement long stroke v twin engine. As soon as the engine starts, the light comes on. However, on every single bike I've ever owned, letting the engine idle with the headlight on will eventually drain the battery, as the stator does not put out enough current to power the ignition and lights at idle. This would be even worse on an EFI bike where the injectors and fuel pump are also powered by the electrical system. I have a total of 6 bikes, and I keep all of them connected to a battery maintainer when not being ridden. I have owned many bikes with rigid mount pegs, and never had an issue. Most dual sport bikes (street legal dirt bikes) have folding pegs, but only a few of my street bikes have had them. Almost all of my street bikes have been of the cruiser variety, and weren't really designed for handling anyway. They work fine in long sweeping curves, but are not meant to be leaned way over. I am not a "sport" rider, I'm the type that likes to get on a nice comfortable bike with my knees at a 90 degree angle, and a good bend in my elbows, and just kick back, relax, and ride a few hundred miles. Only a few times in close to a million miles during the past 46 years have I ever scraped the pegs. I have never owned a bike with a digital display, and never plan to. Such modern things just seem completely out of place on a motorcycle, which, to me should be visceral, crude, primitive machine, a delight for the senses, and should be left for modern 4 wheeled transportation appliances. Two things I have never used on any bike are the steering lock and the helmet lock. I never leave the bike alone, except when it is in my garage, with the door locked. If I need to take my helmet off while on the bike or standing beside it, I put it on the right side mirror.
I would strongly advise anyone who wants a Royal Enfield for the usual reasons to get a 2016 or older 500 Classic or B5 Bullet, and immediately get a carburetor kit from Hitchcocks. As for the 350, I would never buy one because of the EFI that cannot be converted to a carburetor, but if you are going to get a 350, I would definitely suggest the Meteor, for one very important reason, which is one improvement I wish Royal Enfield had made on all their bikes, and that is tubeless tires. Tubeless tires are, at least in my opinion, by far the biggest improvement ever made to motorcycles. And they don't involve anything electronic. You don't need cast wheels to use tubeless tires. You could make tubeless wire spoke wheels the way BMW and Triumph have chosen to do it, but to me those are somewhat ugly, and don't look good on a classically styled bike. There is another way. Look at the wire spoke tubeless wheels Honda designed for the 1986-1987 Rebel 450, a small 450 twin only made for 2 years almost 40 years ago. They never used those wheels again, but instead went back to tube type tires. No other manufacturer has ever used that design either. It would be perfect for bikes like the Royal Enfields, and actually make them capable of going somewhere on. During the 21,000 miles I have put on my Royal Enfield B5 Bullet, I have rarely ever gotten further than 100 miles from home, and I usually stay much closer. And during that time, the bike has come back home on a tow truck 4 times, all due to flat tires. That would have been over $1000 worth of towing bills, had I not had a roadside assistance plan. During my riding life I have been stranded at least a dozen times by flat tires on bikes with tube type tires, and almost killed a couple of times, when a tube blew out and the tire went flat instantly at high speed. I don't ride the Royal Enfield over 55 mph, and that fear of having a tire blow out is always there, which really takes a lot of enjoyment out of the ride. In 46 years of riding, I have only had a couple of flats with tubeless tires, they both lost air very slowly, and were easily plugged and reinflated beside the road. Several times I have had tubeless tires punctured, and they never lost air. I found objects sticking in them while inspecting them at home. The same object that punctured them also sealed the puncture.
Riding season just started a couple of weeks ago where I live, and will last through the middle of next May. I hope to ride at least 10,000 miles, maybe as much as 15,000 miles, during that time. I used to ride several times more, but at 63, and being partially disabled, things have slowed down. This winter I won't be riding the Royal Enfield. Despite having 6 bikes, I will mainly be riding just 2 of them, my 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 750, and my 2006 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200. I spent all summer (it's 115 degrees F here in the summer) getting them in tip top shape for riding season. They both have tubeless tires, and are capable of long distance high speed highway riding. I can easily manage 400-500 miles a day on them. I will give the others a break, while I do maintenance and some minor repairs on them. I may ride them around town a bit, but not out on the highway. One of my bikes is a Yamaha street legal dirt bike, and while I very much enjoy riding off road, it has tube type tires, and while I can call roadside assistance for a flat if I am on an actual road, if I ride way out into the middle of the Arizona desert and have a flat, I would be unable to fix it, and roadside assistance won't come out there. Many places out there are out of cell phone range. A flat tire could be fatal. I will probably be looking to sell that bike.
Keep up the videos. While I don't agree with you on everything, I thoroughly enjoy watching your videos, and am subscribed to your channel.
You are a far, far, braver man than I am. I have never, ever, had any luck with an Amal carb, and usually ended up pitching them for a Mikuni, or a power jet Klein, but hey, to each his own.
Informative as always Stewart. Funny but I've got small hands. That said whenever I bought a second hand or new bike I alway changed the handle bar grips for those old thick ones. On my BAS's, Triumph's, Yamaha's or Honda's I found them more comfortable on long journeys and helped with vibration. Take care and safe riding.
Another entertaining and informative video thank you. One the subject of the passed riding season. Mine has also been not good, or not as planned. I live in Deep South (Kent) but my origins and heart of definitely Yorkshire so I usually have at least 4 or 5 bike trips each year back to gods own country. Unfortunately, to stay beautiful and green requires a lot of rain and the Yorkshire Dales usually has that a plenty. Perhaps a little less this year but each one of my 4 bike trips was wet, very wet. Even during the hottest part of the year, 40 degrees in Kent, the moment I turned off the A1 at Wetherby it started raining. And it didn’t stop until later in the week I headed home. My last trip was 3 weeks ago and it rained and blowed the whole trip. Wet rain is a pain when riding a bike but wet horizontal rain is a right pain.
So, for me, this year has been a right off.
Roll on the Spring!
i think we should start paying you Stuart for your valuable content
Great video as usual Stu but scraping the barrel a bit if I might say. The new 350’s are a great bikes for anyone who wants comfort and convenience and maybe doesn’t appreciate or want to experience the heritage and pleasure of riding a truly classic Royal Enfield. My “Mule” is a glorious Bullet Sixty5, pre unit, with carburettor and contact breaker ignition. Now 18 years old I bought it 3 years ago with a genuine documented 97 miles on the clock. Having been stood for so long it did need some serious fettling to get it running smoothly but since then all I’ve had to do in 3500 miles is oil changes and a new plug. Never let me down - yet.
There is only one "mule" and she belong to me! As for scraping the barrel I personally think all my videos fit in that category!
About the rigid footpegs, our 1979 Bullet 350 has been crashed a couple of times because the peg acts like a fulcrum and allows one of the wheels to lift up. This only happens if you push it too hard, though.
PS: The steering lock on our Bullet is a padlock! That is how it was from the factory. There is a metal bar with a hole on the lower yoke and one on the steering column. You need to align them and pass the padlock through. It should be more secure than most integrated locks these days!
Another excellent video …love the classic .. I have a Himalayan and just love to … looking to get the 350 Classic..to replace a couple other motorcycles that I have .. well done
Did a test ride of the Classic 350 , Meteor and Hunter back to back but Classic 350 has a totally different and right amount of character although it's the same platform .Classic 350 stands apart.
Another subtle winner, Uncle Stu.
Hopefully, that dodgy foot will be sorted by Spring.
Stuart,yet another lovely delivered review,your reviews on the classic has always steered me towards making a purchase,but the boss is still adamant that I’m not having one,hence the pleasure in your videos,thank you.
Brilliant video as always Stuart and those little tweaks really do make a difference 😃👍🏻👏🏻
It’s about time you bought one 😉👍🏻
Thank you.
Very intresting Stu , did not really know much about the classics only having the Interceptor but really intresting to see RE making life easier and safer for us riders , Just love the chrome tanks too never thought I would but since having my gliter & dust , I just love the chrome look even more. As for the grips i have only small hands so never an issue for me but good RE have listened too popular feedback.
Most motorcycles use 7/8" diameter handle bars. A few manufactures, such Harley Davidson use full 1" diameter handle bars. It really complicates the after market options available for certain motorcycles.
Hi Stuart. I’ve only just watched this vid. and I’m seriously thinking of getting the hunter. My last bike was a bmw r850r and as I’m getting on a bit and was finding it a tad to heavy I have sold it. The bm was fuel injected and had a choke, or more correctly a idle increase rate lever, I used it as a cruise control.
Absolutely love your style Stuart (video and dressing!). You should do a video on your gear (I'd love to know where you found your neck tube which is really nice for example!). Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the video Stuart , with the clocks being annoyingly altered to herald cold and wet , which from my perspective means less time on my bike , I know that keeping up with your video's will help no end with an enhanced experience over the future trips, stay safe ,
Stewart! Another great video about the Enfield’s. I had a 07 Bullet. It was the biggest mistake I made was selling that back to the dealer.
Another great review. I wish I had room for a RE Classic. Glad you’re healing up. Great weather here in Texas as well…🏍
Well done that man...first class...one other thing ..which is your preference the classic cup/mug of tea..or...the modern cup/mug of coffee.. take this with a pinch of sugar not salt..happy riding..
I have to say I really like the looks of the Hunter. Appreciate the tubeless tires.
Good one Stu. Still debating a switch from my classic Bullet to a new 350 classic. Your videos like this one help. Thanks!!!
On the "premium" bikes the light goes off during starting, to get max starting power from the battery. Still, in 1985 I built in a relay myself that shut off the light when I started my Yamaha XJ650, to save the battery. And I did not have to use the light switch anymore, it was always on for safety, except when hitting the starter button.
I'm stepping down of a Yamaha Tracer 7 with whom I enjoyed 22000km and was my first -legal- bike ever, for the reason that I'm too passionate of very long distances that it just made sense to get a diesel car which is safer and gets me much better mileage. Still I was looking down on the Classic 500 to buy a smaller but enjoyable bike to do short trips or some smaller routes, as I used to love my grandpa's Mobylette Campera of the 60s, and I was overly concerned that the Classic 350 was just not enough power for me. After seeing this video, you give me an interesting choice between all the hustles of the 500 for the sake of the experience, or a much more convenient bike with easier service like the 350!. I'm probably getting the 350 just for the sake that the Tracer7 was about the same weight, and strip it on a trailer to bring to anywhere I go.
Let's all be honest, at the end of the day, you only need to be able to pull 70mph on a decent mileage. Still we are choosing this bikes to enjoy the roads, not the highways.
Thank you for being adequately accurate on the videos! You got yourself a new subscriber :)
Edit: Royal Enfield Classic 650 is out. Scratch this. 270 twin is comming back.
Love these bike, I agree that is a keeper in the modern world, I am currently looking for an old 350 classic just to potter about on 👍
I to never knew that about the headlight thanks so much for pointing it out stu👍🏻
Yes, love the handlebar grips, plush, comfortable and look really good. They really should put them on the Interceptor. Took me awhile to notice 2nd trip automatically coming in on reserve. Does anyone know how many miles on reserve there are?
Nice list. I was checking out the Scram 411 at the dealer the other day, and I wondered why the headlight wasn't coming on when I turned the key . . . now I know . . . Cheers!
Very reasons I bought the 350 plus more. It's modern classic, or classic modern..... hhmm, yes. Keep the videos coming, winter has set in here in Montana and can only clean the bike so much......
A nice clutch of updates. Being a Meteor-ite I never noticed the daylight riding light either. I often start her up and then look at her for a few minutes from the front. Then get on and ride off. I now worry less about putting the key in and turning it, without worrying so much about the battery.
Thanks Stuart, another informative and engaging video!
Another great video Stu , does help people who are of two minds as too which R E to go for , they seem to have a great variety of bikes to choose from in the R E stable , one for every taste and purpose 😀 im hoping to get one shortly probably the 350cc Meteor , but i believe thats the entry class , the Super Nova is the upper spec , but its down to price and style , ive seen older models being more expensive than newer ones, some good deals now on R E . 😊
First comment on your channel.
The need to keep choke lever on Classic 500 is due to demand for it. In India majority of owners, replace the EFi with Carburetor whenever there is issue with EFi. Carburetor is cheap and easy to maintain. More gadgets mean more service cost for Royal Enfield.
That's a nice touch to take the load off the battery when starting the bike. My interceptor threw a low battery light after 18 months and after clocking atleast 500miles a month but I guess it's that ways ON headlamp leading to a battery drain. It is possible to order the original switchgear from India to keep the headlamp off but that would render the bike illegal to operate unless you turn on your lights. On the footpegs scrapping the road, on my 96' 500, it was the center stand that scrapped first. You need lean more to scrape the foot rests. Honestly, leaning out that far is not really what this bike is meant for.
Deep Purple.
The Mule.
Fireball album.
Great video thanks Stuart, Im err-ing towards a new 350 classic but im also intrigued by a possible used 500, I am watching and learning by viewing your videos, I havent ridden a bike for over 20 years and this decision will be the last bike I ever buy as the bans are steadily approaching on the sale of new combustion engined vechicles.
living in rural Northamptonshire and my lack of experience and sensible head, says to my brain go for the 350 but I also use the A14 a lot to go a little further North to the Motorways or East to the sea on the A14 and Im wondering if the extra capacity is the only sensible choice, Im not a lunatic and saftey is on my mind, I recently purchased a 2019 car and drove it around the local area quite slowley until I got a real feel for it and would treat any machine with the greatest of respect. Im very mechanical minded and have rebuilt car engines and bikes over the years since my early teens so Im not afraid of carrying out maintenance. Ho hum decisions decisions.
Excellent Stuart
Didn’t know these things myself
Especially the lighting and load on the battery also the steering lock yes great point there😊
Lovely view of Beverley Westwood there 😊😊
Very good comments 😊😊
I have found that the fuel light comes on when I have around 4 litres of fuel left. Other than that I can’t fault the bike.
Regarding the footpeg touching when cornering - I had the bottom of the brake arm touch down a couple of days ago, it have me a bit of a heart flutter when it did.. I thought I went a bit low.. Good to know the tyres are grippy that far over..
Well done. Interesting. I am considering a 350 Classic. They are one of the most beautiful bikes, currently, being produced. My only hesitation is that I'm not sure it is strong enough to haul my big behind down the road at 65 mph. Living out here, everything is is a bit of a distance and the wind blows a lot. I have other bikes to handle those chores, however, and I believe this little thumper would be a hoot to own.
@@Peter234100 Hi Peter - tanks for the comment. How do you find the bike on the motorway? I've just come back from the dealer for a first 'sit on' and was surprised to hear him say it would barely do 60mph flat out! I'm sure I've heard Stuart say it would get to 80 at a push. Interested in your experience.
My old T120R Bonneville had rigid footrests as all the old Triumphs did. I was late for work one day and was riding rather fast. On the last junction I leaned it over too far and the footrest touched the road and the wheels came off the road and the bike spun on the footrest throwing me across the road. The footrest was bent up at almost 90 degrees but the rest of the bike was undamaged. We used to call them “built in crash bars”. 😂
Morning Stuart
It looks like the headlight modification is being rolled out across the range, on my Interceptor, the main headlight comes on with the ignition, just like yours.
The new Himalayan I bought has a small Led light that comes on, the main light doesn't come on until the bike starts.
For some reason we don't get the military green Classic 350 in the UK or I might have been tempted.
I went for the Himalayan as a second bike.
Ride safe
Bought Interceptor couple of months back and sadly main headlight comes on with the ignition. It feels like the twins are forgotten kids of Royal Enfield. No Improvements. No new accessories. No alloy wheel options.
Love the details that others miss out on. Thankyou
Greetings from NYC. Thanks again for a great vid. My eye on the "New Classic" has become even more single
If you still want to ride with an injured foot don’t forget scooters. I own a Triumph and a Suzuki scooter and both are a blast to ride.
Yup, barrel grips on the Meteor and the LED light in the headlamp comes on with the switch and the full headlight only when the engine is running. As the Meteor came out before the New Classic 350 I wonder if the Meteor was the test bed for such "refinements".
So funny - I watched this hoping that the headlight thing was indeed new as I've never had a bike that did it!
Indeed, it is a great thing, and while "small", very important. I can't tell you how many times i've put in the key and turn the ignition on, but don't start the bike yet, or the reverse after a ride. Having the headlamp turn off on its own is spectacular. Indeed, one won't lose a battery for being stupid 🤣
Great vid. Thank you...
Ride Safe 🙏🏼
My 2022 Himalayan utilises the same headlamp delay
I had a 1995 BMW R1100, one of the first of the new fuel injection engines and it had a "choke" lever. It worked well. It must be needed on simpler systems.
Looks like a great fun bike and excellent value for money enjoy
Stu, my Meteor's headlight also remains off until the engine actually starts. I like this feature not only for the reason you mentioned; it also makes it a bit easier to start the bike when it's been sitting for a while, as there's less load (i.e. no illuminated headlight) on the battery.
Or better yet.. The bike should be fitted with a headlight switch like they used to years ago.. Give us the choice whether to ride with the headlight on or off, or st least be able to turn it off when starting..
It's a simple "voltage sensitive relay".
Spot on Stuart 😊
Yep. Even though I've never owned the "older" Classic, I did notice the things you mentioned. And being another "oddball", I have no doubt that I would/could have admired the "eccentricities" of the Classic 500, I must admit that I do really appreciate the modern conveniences of the new Classic 350. On my preferred country backroads, I can't help but realize that it is truly a splendid motorcycle. 🙂 Definitely not a "fast" motorcycle, and yet it gets down the road just fine on the roads I enjoy riding, which all have a maximum speed limit of 55mph. The bike feels unbothered at all running in the 45 to 65mph range. Which, in my opinion, is perfect for what I wanted a bike of this sort to do. 👍 The only thing I can add is, you need to ride MORE! I just picked up my bike weekend before last and have managed to rack up 905 miles as of this past Sunday... 😁
personally I've had the hard mounted pegs scrape once and it really felt awful, like the back end went light mid turn. don't want to think about what could have happened if I'd leaned over any harder haha
Hey Stewart, love your channel just purchased a 350 here recently in the states and was watching some other videos about the catalytic converter bypass. Was wondering what your thoughts on that would be, I guess my concern would be voiding the warranty or possible issues with the mapping. Thanks again keith
Very informative, thank you. I'm curious. What is the purpose of those two small, barely visible, lights above and beside the main headlight? No-one I have watched so far has discussed this feature.
Great information and wish you a speedier recovery!
Hi Stuart , great information in this video, I love the detail and thought from both you and Royal Enfield.
I’ve riden for a long time too 45 years on going and love Two up Riding . Obviously with the lesser BHP in the 350 taken into account Which of these two does the best job considering the 350 actual seems to not be far off the 500 in real life road power ?
I don’t own one yet but it’s on my bucket list too 😁
Helpful observations, thank you.
I remember, in the fifties and sixties, Triumph footrests were bent upwards, almost universally !!
Is that watch at 12:48 aftermarket add on? Its looking beautiful on this bike.
Some good changes they have made.
Thanks again Stu. Greetings from Canada. Btw, I could see that English politicians Jacob Rees -Moog getting one of those to learn on lol
You're so good with words and expressing yourself.
I've got a 2008 Bullet Chrome Classic and a 2018 Pegasus. Love them both.
Your videos have me seriously considering a 350 classic.
The red and chrome just looks great.
Somehow your videos allways bring me back to my early years watching Postman Pat lol. I don't know why, must be the English countryside and the birds chirping.
Having never seen one of the classic 350s in the flesh (nearest dealers 170 or 260 miles away) my main concerns are the brake and gear pedals. It might just be my size 14 feet but the rear brake does not look in a good position to me and the gear lever looks unusable; yes, it can be raised but it looks too short for my feet.
Having bought a Bullet 500 new in '93 the Classic 350 is a huge improvement and I can definitely see myself buying one as my final bike.
If I ever bought one I wonder how often I would scratch the right hand tool box when trying to insert the ignition key....