Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic Motorcycle Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ต.ค. 2024
- This is a review of the Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic motorcycle. The Royal Enfield Bullet is a great motorcycle, and it is easy to maintain and fairly reliable if you use it within its limits. Keep it under 65 mph and check fluids and tolerances often, and it will run forever. In this video I talk about my Royal Enfield Bullet 500 motorcycle, how it works, and what it's like to ride and own.
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I had a 79 model in india, and loved the sound at the end of the video, its an oil leaking thumper but yes, its a meditation and very satisfying.
Yes. These are instant classics, and they really are beautiful to see and hear and ride.
Great video, thanks. I have a 2014 Classic 500 RE. I didn't know just how truly old fashioned the pre 2009 model was, love it!
Hey! I’ve got a 1990 350cc Royal Enfield and it is one of the best pieces of machinery ever built
@@footprints2324 You find parts easily for that?
Beautiful bike! I want an Enfield exactly like that - British Racing Green, kick start 500CC. I don't care about power, I just want the sight and sounds!
I was reading the comments. Glad to see that you still have yours. Biggest mistake I made was giving mine up. what a mistake that was. so what ever you do don't give up on it! mine was a 07 Deluxe. If I was given the chance to redeem myself myself of course would. I do love these older Iron Barrel Enfield's. They have a soul like no other motorcycle.
+G.Charles Hunt The good news is that you can find yourself another one pretty cheap. My kickstarter stopped working, so I am in the process of changing the kickstart pawl and moving the shifter to the right and the brake to the left. The secret is to have another functional street motorcycle in your garage when you have an Enfield Bullet. I recommend a Harley FXR.
Thanks for all your good works. I have two 1999 Bullets (red/green) so I can usually have one running ;=) I got a real chuckle from your flip-flop starting demo, just like the folks in India. The 6:1 compression is pretty user friendly. I was amazed by the low speed maneuvering with the (I consider) stock tall first gear. It took me awhile to believe it would continue to pull and not stall at walking speed maneuvers. I really like that slow "Humphrey Bogart / African Queen" cadence idle! A gen-u-whine living dinosaur, just like Pete Snidal says. Eventually I plan on converting my red left-side shift machine over to the "right" side as Gawd intended. I hope you're still putting around on this olde beaste from time to time, it'll keep you well grounded. Best Regards - Mitch -
Thanks. Here’s a video I made of the shift conversion. After I did it, I couldn’t get the bike started, and I haven’t had a chance to figure out how to get it started, idea of what’s inside and what the parts look like. Royal Enfield Right Shift Conversion how-to th-cam.com/video/xerifHyM8Bg/w-d-xo.html
Thanks mate for the uploads regarding the Royal Enfield Bullet. I'm here in Australia and how's this... I bought a Bullet today!! Kicker and all! Bloody love it! The how to videos are gonna be a real help in future! Keep them coming. Thanks for the inspiration.
You're welcome. It's a fun little bike.
Motorcycling at its purest, love it :0)
Thanks for the honest review, I am a past triumph rider ,Trident. I fully understand the Zen and the art of motorcycling. which seems to be lost in the new bikes. Its not a weekend trip unless you're fixing yours or some one elses bike.
Took me ages to re-find this video. I first watched it about a decade or more go when I had my own Bullet. Still regret selling it.
your videos have helped me so much! thanks for doing what you love and dont you ever stop!
hoohoohoblin, thanks man! I want to have fun and after about a good year of riding, I want to change to a better tire and louder muffler for safety reasons.
Ride safe man! Happy trails!
another smart way of finding TDC.Thanks a lot for your explanation.wishing you another safe and a nice ride.
Will do, I think the internet is a good sorce of information but youtube is the best of all with the videos explaning and being able to see the work makes a diference thanks for the info and the videos, keep up the good work.....
Just bought mine. 1999 bullet , almost the same bike as yours , color and all. Can't wait to road trip... Slowly of course.
I had a reditch built 350 bullet back in the early 1950,s and I rode it pretty hard in those days my friends had BSA 31 and the preformances was fairly close we used to race one another and both bikes were good for close to 75 mph
That's good speed! I'd really like to take the new Royal Enfield cafe racer for a ride and see what it can do.
Hey,
I'm from India and gotta admit you've got an incredibly awesome machine.
In India there's more demand for old bullet's than the new one's but at the same time new Classic 500 and bullet's are amazing too.
Anyways nice review.
Cheers. Peace :)
Thanks!
But have they enough power?
Nice video. no rap or headbanger music. thanks
You're welcome.
Got my 1999 Royal Enfield bullet 500 used 1876 miles on her..1700 CASH...Not a bad bar bike..One water hole to the next..55 no problem sweet ride turns heads..
They are modern classics. As long as you don’t rev them up too high, they’ll last a long time.
Nice review
I also bought a 1993 Bullet 350 will restore it soon
Thanks. These bikes are fun, and they will last a while if you don’t rev them too high, and keep up with the maintenance.
@@hoohoohoblin Hi, yes you're correct buddy, when I asked my mechanic what things I should be taking care while going on a long ride he told me that you should take a short break after riding it 50- 60 KM and then move again and do the same again to avoid excess engine heat.
Nice Bullet!! I have a 08' w/electric and ride it daily. Found that it depends on who owned it and who works on it, that it will run right or wrong. In all a great bike for those who love a classic.
I love that British Racing Green and Gold color scheme.
+Steven S. Me too. They do all of the gold pinstriping by hand with a brush.
Steven S. Hmm I
Extremely informative , well done thank you very much
thanks man. love your diy's. cheers!
It's so beautiful!
Thank you! Cheers!
Hi Hoohoohoblin, Really enjoyed the video, I noticed in a comment of yours (not this video) about things catching when cornering, If by this you mean the centre stand there is a partial cure. If you look under the bike at the stand near the pivot at the bike you will probably see a rubber bump stop, Take this off and just fit a thin piece of rubber inner tube or the like. This lets the stand lift further out of the way. Make the rubber as thick or thin as you like. Hope this helps Cheers
I want one of these. It'd look super next to my Morris Minor four door, which dates from the mid fifties.
Ben Summers New ones are $5,999, and used ones are a lot cheaper. If you drive an old Morris, you'll have no problems keeping up with the maintenance and repairs.
Royal Enfield Bullet 350 has always been my dream bike from childhood!
Recently I have created and uploaded a vlog on my Old Royal Enfield on my TH-cam channel. 😍
Royal Enfield Bullet is not only a bike but a class and a Legacy ❤️
Yes. People really love these bikes. It’s a lot like the Harley people feel about their motorcycles.
RE BULLET IS A PART OF INDIAN CULTURE...USED IN MILITARY , POLICE FORCES AND NOWADAYS BECAME A TREND IN INDIA.. PROUD OF AQUISITION OF RE BY COMPANY MAHINDRA . PROUD OWNER :-)
+Ananthakrishnan G They are great machines! I love it that they are popular there, and that they are continuously evolving them. I want a cafe racer, and I hope they build a v-twin soon.
+Ananthakrishnan G It holds great history but it's owned by Eicher Motors, not Mahindra :)
+Varun Kumar yeah my mistake :-)
Royal Enfield Bullet 350 has always been my dream bike from childhood!
Recently I have created and uploaded a vlog on my Old Royal Enfield on my TH-cam channel. 😍
Royal Enfield Bullet is not only a bike but a class and a Legacy ❤️
I have a 1999 Enfield Bullet 350. They did sell the 350 in USA but not many. I believe only a few dozen were sold and around 2003 or so the stopped exporting them to USA. Most were Athena Grey color and used the original fenders and bodywork of the 1955 Bullet.
Cool. I guess most Americans wanted more power. The 350 still goes fast enough and vibrates less than the 500, so it is a good machine.
***** So far have accumulated almost 17,000 miles on the Enfield 350 bullet std. (Purchased new in 1999) Runs excellent. I replaced the long export muffler with the original Bullet shorter muffler and long headpipe. The 24mm Micarb comes from the factory too lean. Stock is a 3.0 slide valve. Hitchcocks R.E in Britain has a 2.5 slide that transformed the bike. When you crack the throttle it no longer gasps. Nice crisp clean acceleration. Also shifts good like it should. The secret to good shifting with the Albion 4 speed is proper adjustment of the shift ratchet dentents. Too many are sold not set up properly which was actually supposed to be the responsibility of the dealer during setup. Top speed is about 73 on the speedo 66mph corrected . Once sorted out and properly maintained these bikes will run forever. They are uncomplicated and simple to service and keep running. However as you mentioned these are not bikes for a 4 lane 80mph expressway. My Enfield cruising "sweet spot" is about 50mph (55 indicated). At that speed it's is not working hard spinning at 3500 rpm verified with a "tiny tach". The final gearing is 5.32:1 on the 350. The 500 has a 5.01 ratio.
So at 50mph the 500 would be doing about 3300 rpm rather than 3500. But then again the bigger piston of the 500 is using the same bottom end of the 350 so the wear factor is probably the same even though its turning slower.
Thanks for your videos. Very informative.
You're welcome!
Hi Hoohoohoblin.I see you are a fan of the new Enfields good on you
as I said before I was sorry I got rid of mine I do not know if the 350 was better than the 500 but believe me mine got thrashed and yet it never had a spanner on it except for the odd adjutment and oil change. if you look up the trails of the fifties and sixties you will see how well they did. try looking up the Hitchcock trials version looks the works. all the best happy motoring
I have a 2013 model with the UCE (unit construction engine) It is the B5 Bullet model, not the Classic. It looks a lot like that one, but has this really ugly (to me) squared off rear fender, like the Indian market 350 models. I would love to change that to a round rear fender, but so far I have not found a way to do it. Mine is a dark metallic green with gold pinstriping, much like that one, but has different tank badges. Mine came with EFI, but that is long gone. I bought it with the intention of converting it to a carburetor. I used a kit from Hitchcocks in the UK to convert it to an Amal MK1 Concentric. I also installed an aftermarket exhaust that looks a lot like yours. The fat part of the pipe may be a little bit longer, but I removed the rear baffle. It sounds and feels great. Getting rid of the EFI not only solved a ton of reliability problems, but made it run several times better. You can now turn the idle down enough to get the iconic Enfield THUMP THUMP THUMP sound out of it. It is still not what I would call a reliable bike. I have put just over 22K miles on it since buying it new, and have had a few issues, but it has never left me stranded. I usually ride it around 55-60 mph. Any faster and it sounds like it is going to fly apart. I don't know if it actually would or not, but it is still an ancient long stroke design, so it does not like high rpms. 55 mph is it's sweet spot, where it just thumps along at a relaxed pace. At that speed the sound and feel come together to give you an almost euphoric feel. I have ridden 200-300 miles at the time like that. I have also installed a vintage British style front fender license plate, and put British flag emblems on the rectangular black side covers. I would also like to find a way to convert the front wheel to a drum. It can be done using a few iron barrel parts, but would require some expensive machining and fabrication. I would love to get a late '90s or early 2000s model iron barrel. They are very difficult to find in the U.S. because not that many were imported here. Not many even knew they existed.
Unfortunately since this video was made, a lot of bad things have happened. Classic Motorworks, the U.S. RE importer was forced out of business, and RE created RENA (Royal Enfield North America) as the new importer. Then they gave up on the original bikes and started producing modern computerized "retro" bikes. The Classic Motorworks forum still exists, but it is now almost totally dedicated to the new computer bikes. It is getting harder and harder to find information on the older bikes, some IDIOTS are even trying to convert them to EFI. Fortunately you can still get most parts for them from Hitchcocks, but if you are in the U.S., shipping from the uK can be expensive. And don't expect much support from the new "EFI" crowd.
very interesting
Indeed. It's a lot of fun.
hoohoohoblin, that's a great video dude. I'm in the process of buying a 2012 Enfield Deluxe. It'll be my first bike so I'm excited. Do you recommend I garage it during the summer and fall? Btw, lol on the cat!
Would you recommend this for a first motorcycle?. I'm getting my license soon and as I would love a 50's bike I love this. I only want it for small rides, no days of riding so I don't need a cruiser. Thank you?
i love this
Great bike. Looks awesome. I love riding my bullet. @
Good looking bike buddy. post more videos of the bike
i have really enjoyed the knoweledge of some repairs through vedios. because most of the Indian mechanics dupe the customer in reapairs.the vedio helps actual repair area. which is a must for every bullet mobike owner. i am having a 1985 model 350 cc . but many a times i was duped for over charges by the machanics inhyderabad. in the year 2009 i came accross a mechanic (mr.Davis) whio was a stallwert in this field and amde many a mechanics in this Hyderabad . when i first met him in 2009 he was 71 yrls old. just limping with poor sight.but very economical in advises to the mo-bile pwners.reasonable in his charging after the relevent repairs.befor him and after him whoever the mechanic was n is are forund to be avercious n greedy for money.me relation with mobike riding is very deep and hobby also.unfourtunatlismr.Davis uncle expired early 2014,due to cardiac arrest. really its a great loss for me . i pray god to rest hissoul in peace.but recently my suspenssion bush of royal enfield workedout.really i am scared to approch other people.but while iam watching the vedio i was feeling very,very comfort.my thanks for the vedio and the participents.problem i edicted to the ''bullet''.god to show the way to meet a sencible mechanic for my assistence ever.
You're welcome. I hope you can find a good mechanic.
god bless you .because you have prompted me in this humanitarian jungle for my feel.
Really Appreciate you bro........nice video
Thanks!
nice..lazydays, putting around..good riding there
Love this bike of yours and the other videos you have on it.
I also have a Le Pera seat but obviously it wont bolt straight on. Where did you get your mounts for it? Thanks!
great review, thanks for sharing
This bike, owns so hard.
thanks for your reply yes the india bike is better since it was taken over by a different company, so why are so many secound hand india Enfields with little milage on them for sale.also Classic Bike did not give them a very good write up
Have you tried one of the new EFi model? i've got one of them, a 2010 (got it in april 2011) DLX modified (the new exhaust is horrible and i've got a new 2seats), it's my first motorcycle :)
Really love all your vids ^^
Cool... Classic ❤️
Thanks
Thanks for the informative overview and review with tips.
I have failed to find the seat height spec for this motorcycle. As such, can you get your feet down properly at traffic lights, and would it be a struggle for a person of smaller stature such like me(I am ~5'4" with an inseam of about 27.5")?
The seat height is 31.5 inches. Here is a review. @19/7186/Motorcycle-Article/2010-Royal-Enfield-Bullet-Classic-C5-Review.aspx
Thank you, kind sir.
Nice bike. Beautiful cat as well.
Thanks.
I enjoyed your video of your Bullet. I've been riding a 2012 Desert Storm C5 for a few years and just had the opportunity to buy a 1999 Bullet 500 at a good price. The 1999 came without any turn signals, ("trafficators" by RE parlance) and I'd like to install something that has styling which is harmonious with the "tombstone" taillight. I like the ones on your bike. You mention a kit in your video. Was that purchased from Hitchcocks?
They were on the bike when I got it. The Nfieldgear website used to sell a kit like this, but I think they’re out of business now. You could try eBay. There is a lot of infield stuff really cheap on eBay shipping from India.
Thank you for your review. I’m an ex pat retired in Colombia. In my Citi you have choice of Japanese bikes from 100-200 ccm, or the Indian bikes, of the same size. I haven’t ridden since I was young and want to start again. I have found a company selling the New Classic 350. Would you recommend this bike for someone like me. I just think they’re beautiful, but haven’t found any reviews to give me an idea. It would be like my beginning bike all over again. Thanks in advance.
Randolph Harrison go for a test ride, if you like it then buy it ...
I think a new one would be a good bike. They have made a lot of improvements since mine was made. Keep in mind that you can’t go very fast on it. I don’t know how fast people drive on the roads there, but in Los Angeles it’s really hard to drive such a slow bike when everybody is driving way too fast.
The speeds are slower here... just would like to see the country in a relaxed ride, without headaches of constant maintenance . Thank you for your reply and your videos.
@@SJ_new up on by boo h it by a up to up up up up up no later no no by by ear Tuhgu78
Add a little more research to the 4eas
Great videos matey!
Can I ask a question about your exhaust?
On my enfield classic, the exhaust header pipe fits directly into the cylinder with not collet.
Sometimes the thing vibrates free and I've never been able to seal the thing properly so it doesn't blow a little.
Have you had the same problem and if so, how have you managed to seal the headder?
I only ask coz yours goes straight iinto the head too.
Very nice video.thanks. I am an ex B 31 man and looking forward to buy one of these.All the bikes I had no Amp meter as they were with magnetos.I am curious to know whats happening to Amp meter after TDC. Pl explain this if you have few minutes.I know that you have got millions of comments.Thanks.
Wow I'm in love. Do you know if the newer models are fast enough to go on the freeway?
very rare motorcycle
@hoohoohoblin :) Thank's! Just had to order a part, but it's still running w/a temp fix, till the part comes via ups. Pesky cam screws!!
How to place this model order now in 2023??? Please reply
Good video nice bike.The number place looks great,but their was a reason they were removed.How is it legal today.
I don’t know if it’s legal. I know they used to call them pedestrian slicers.
Thanks for reply can wait to buy one myself,You right i sure in Ireland you be stopped having it attached stickers here in Europe for Health and safety.But time was when it was a free for all,and that no good in the long run.
Very nice video :)
@hoohoohoblin Your right on waiting for parts on these bikes, but from India? I get mine from the main dealer in Minnesota since most times my main dealer doesn't carry the part/parts I need. Wow they started selling them that late in Cal? Your lucky to have a second bike to ride, this is the only one I have to ride.
Do you get foot numbing and hand numbing at 60 mph? Big Thumper~~ bet has big difference in feel than a twin or quad. Thanks.
It isn't too bad. It is a lot less than I thought it would be. I had a 1960s triumph 650 twin that vibrated a lot more.
I have a 1974 Bullet 350 B1 Model
I love the design,,,how much is this kind of model??
thanks my dear for information I will get my royal enfield 350cc this Friday its 2001 modal hope I will get kit in India thnks
You're welcome.
Hi enjoyed your videos great help thank you, I have a Royal Enfield Bullet Electra X 2006 and my front forks seem to sag when I apply my front brakes on even when I'm going slow I think the oil or springs are not good I don't know, would you have a video on how to change the oil or springs on the front forks or could you suggest something I could do.....many thanks Joe
I had a 350 bullet as a youngster back in 1954 great bike sorry I traded it in for a Velocette Scrambler allways regreted it,I had many a race with my friends 350 Bsa,s and can I say according to the speedo we were doing a good 75 mph, sorry england no longer make them as the India ones are not very good
Hi, Did you manage to solve the problem you had with the bike? Tell me what the problem finally was. I am leaving for Cambodia in 10 days and sold my Enfield here. Cheers
I have one, Its been not driven for the last 2yers but setting it back! about our motorcycle, it leaks oil if parked, can it be cured !!??
Mine does 80 mph but the clutch slips and won't allow it to go any faster but it has the cheap clutch plates
Correction. I went from a stock 2.5 slide on the 350 to a richer 2.0. The 500 uses a 3.0 slide and 2.5 one range richer.
Good info. Thanks.
Good bullet cc500 uk
The newer models are fast enough. They can go around 85 i think
Old models can go 75+ ,i have one ,it is for more fun to ride old model than to ride new one
no tenemos talleres de reparacion de esa moto no la conocen en Peru .
@hoohoohoblin wow, those are some awesome bikes.
I’m waffling in interest between this and the Interceptor. I know we’re talking two entirely different animals here, and I’m guessing about $3K in price difference, but I haven’t been on a bike in so long I’m really not sure the riding experience I want. Into my sixth decade, it’s gonna be a relaxing ride either way, and probably well under 100 miles on a sunny Sunday would be typical, so I’m kind of thinking I might enjoy this bike more than the interceptor. I’m gonna have to find a dealer and ride them both. Wife’s gonna be pissed either way.
The Interceptor is totally fake, just like the new Triumphs and Japanese "retro" bikes. They are computers on wheels, with garbage like EFI, ABS, and even cat con exhausts. They are smooth and quiet. No character, no personality at all. They may look good, but there is nothing behind the looks but computers and emissions crap. RE hasn't made these bikes since around 2008. However, you can do what I did, and get a 500 single made up to 2016, replace the trash EFI with a carburetor and put an aftermarket exhaust on it, and get the same riding experience, and most of the looks. The 500 singles were made through 2020, but ones newer than 2016 cannot be converted to a carburetor, so I have no interest in them.
Thanks for the info.. you’re obviously a loyal retro kind of guy, as am I. I’ve not yet made a move on a bike, but another option has developed. My brother left his ‘77 Bonnie to my nephew and it is complete minus exhaust. I don’t think my nephew is gonna have any interest in it, so resto may be an option.
@@melodymakermark Yes I am not a believer in mixing machines and computers. A motorcycle is supposed to be a machine, at least to me. A vintage British bike would be an excellent choice, especially a Triumph, Norton, or BSA. I had a 1966 Bonneville back in the mid '80s, and it's what got me started in that direction. I realized bikes didn't have to be smooth, quiet, boring, and hard to work on like the Japanese bikes I had been riding before. Just look for a model that parts are available for. Some you can get almost any part for, some are impossible to find parts for.
@@geraldscott4302
Since your are on an old bullet website-think about getting one. They ride well and are truly wonderful.
Some people refer to their favorite wine as an old friend. You can have one in the garage. Mine is a 2002 500 Bullet E. You will find yourself a friend
I didn't liked the rear fender.... Rest are👌
How many bikes do you have? what are they?
I am in vermont and I imported a 1995 bullet 500 from canada (the one with the gears on the right side). How the hell do i find out a value on these things?
I can't decide between the Yamaha xv250 star or a Royal Enfield 350. It's gonna be my first bike, i'm a short girl and i'm in love of these two. Anyone could help me?
The Yamaha is probably more reliable, but the Bullet is cooler.
u r shot ,darling buy a scouty plzzzz
Plzz Send me any details about this bike, like Price where they available Plzz bro tell me
It is a 2001 Royal Enfield bullet classic. Depending on what country you are in, they are pretty easy to fine. In the US, people sell them pretty cheap now.
Where did u buy this bike? I would also buy the same one .
Somebody abandoned it in Los Angeles, and the city auctioned it off. You can still find them on craigslist in the United States in some cities.
The royal enfield bullet is insanely popular in india.
Yes!
Guy royal Enfield company was started in India for the first time
I have a 1976 model 350 cc bullet and am looking to mate it with a 5 sped gearbox. Where can I find for this conversion in Mumbai.
+Rollin Gonsalvez I don't know, but I bet there are a lot of Enfield experts nearby.
how much do one of these cost nowadays?
How come the gear lever and brake are the “ wrong” way round,my 350 has gears right and brake left?
All british bikes were loke that
@@coffinman5007 did you read what I wrote?
@@martytoal6547 sorry thought you were saying your 350 is wrong.
what other bikes do you have mamn??
What seat is that ?
Damn the video was too short! Stoped right after it started.
Royal Enfield is Indian motorcycles...got it bro
Correction at present India owns royal enfield
hi can you tell us how you shift gear right to left and break left to right
You can buy a kit to do the conversion. I am going to do it someday, and when I do, I will make a video. You can buy a kit for $300 to $400 depending on the model of Bullet. nfieldgear.com/enfield-store/right-hand-shift-kit.html
Why whats the problem with it?
Can you not adjust to it?
I want this bike Plzz
How much this bike
I Paid $1500 for it.
Bro is it sold????? If no contact me
hei was this motorcycle made in world war 2 and i think i have buy this in norvegen in 1964 from man some he say this bike whas from som "40 and 1 cyl end i will be thankeful if somone andsvar me if you know somthing and few photos from this old bike
Smári Guðmundsson Take a look at the Royal Enfield wikipedia page. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Enfield
tengo una Royal Enfield bullet 500 con inyeccio de gasolina pero pasa demaciado
y se para el motor cual es el problema ??. 2013
+Jorge Perea
Hombre utiliza un tratuctor en ingles, si quieres que algunu te da una respuesta !
How can i buy this bike please tell me sir
Search craigslist for Royal Enfield Bullet.
so not really a road bike , you cant take on the highway, if it will only 65 , I had a 71 triumph 500 cc had it up 90 mph`s, it would do more but I got scared had my girl friend on back, it was a scrambler , best bike I ever owned
albert costello Mine is the old design. New ones can handle a little more speed and are built of stronger parts. Here's a video I made of what it's like to commute on a Royal Enfield Bullet. th-cam.com/video/W8JKk84gGDg/w-d-xo.html
I just kept hearing its gonna blow up lol.