Royal Enfield 500 Classic Chrome - Salen to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
- I rode the Royal Enfield up to the Isle of Mull in August, around 500 miles. Bike performed faultlessly, which you would expect from an 18 month old vehicle. Very impressed with an average of 88 mpg though, with speeds between 60 and 70 mph. Only complaint was a sore bum! While on the island, I ordered a gel seat pad. This is a short ride to try the pad out. It did make a big difference on the ride home.
Respect to you Mark, riding that little beastie all that distance. I noticed a youtube video were the owner put a 19 tooth front sprocket on, and he said it transformed the bike. Made it far more leisurely, and reduced the vibration significantly at motorway speeds. Worth a look maybe. Great video on Mull. Been there a few times.
Really enjoyed a nice relaxing ride on the coast, hard to beat a Royal Enfield 500 on roads like these.
Welcome to Scotland 🏴. I love your videos. Coming along on ride outs on the Enfield is a pure joy. Hopefully it won’t be long until my house sells and I can get my own. Keep up the good work. Ride Safe. Namaste 🙏🏻. P.S. First! 😁
Hi George, thanks very much. I think this one is a bit long but you can always jump forward! I love Scotland and we plan to return again next year. I'm going to have a go at editing the videos I took on the way up. Thanks for your kind comment.
Nice video Mark, glad you're enjoying the RE as much as I'm enjoying mine! It proves that you don't need half a ton of BMW to do some miles on! Yes the seat on mine gives "numb bum" after an hour, I'm thinking of getting it re-done at the local upholsters with a gel pad and memory foam in, that should help a great deal. Keep up the good work!
Hi, let me know how your seat conversion goes. The gel pad helped a great deal but because it made the seat height higher, I found myself putting my feet down a bit further back behind the footrest. This resulted in me melting a hole in my waterproofs and melted nylon on the exhaust pipe. ☹
I have saved your Royal Enfield videos and watch them frequently. Great video's!!
Thanks Ravi, I'm really pleased you like them.
I've subscribed! Your Royal Enfield Classic 500 in chrome looks and sounds amazing! Sold my last bike 13 years ago but getting the itch again! This looks like the perfect re-entry bike for a pensioner like myself!
I'm pleased you've enjoyed the videos. I'd say go for it!
When l can't ride because of rain or just feeling lazy l what you, l enjoyed your relaxed ride thank you
When I hear the name Royal Enfield the picture come to my mind is this bike from my much younger days, and they still look beautiful to this day. Nice Vid., With thanks.
Recently ordered a new Classic 500 (one of the last one's!). Great channel Mark.
you notice that the only time you get several vehicles at once is when the ferry has just disembarked. the great thing about the bullet is youre not always trying to get past the vehicle in front - just chill out and chug along ;)
I must be used to my enfield electra, I can do all day rides with an odd tea break no probs. Just love these bikes glad to get rid of the 1150gs!
Great video Mark. I live nr Narborough in the South of The county. I have a 2006 bullet chrome. Only got about 800 miles on it!! Bought it from an 84year old!. Unfortunately i fractured my knee so haven't been able to put any miles on her this year. I don't think the original RE engine would be up to that journey. I am looking at an Interceptor for next year or maybe a classic . Fabulous video.
Excellent review and on an island we love too. If you do it again may I suggest you turn left at Gretna for Dumfries and head cross country for the ferry to Dunoon. above Ayr. It's a short ferry and a lovely ride upto Oban. It misses that awful A74m and all the tourists at Loch lomond area.👍
Thanks for the comment. I am going up again in June. But this time, I'm going to trailer the bike up because my wife found it hard doing all the driving. But looking forward to riding around the island again and we are staying on the pier again. I take it you are not the broadcaster by the same name. 😀
If I had a pound for everytime I've heard that!
@@googlecontrolled I can imagine.
Hi mark, I've been following your 'Enfield' Progress over the past year or so, thank you for your videos they have been very informative, After nearly 30 years my faithful BMW R80RT has just been sold, only because of a spinal injury (non bike related) means that it is now too big and heavy for me to handle, so after hundreds of thousands of miles I've been looking for a smaller lighter bike that will do what the wife and I need which is now just good days out on quiet (non-motorway) roads enjoying the ride and the country.
I've been drawn to the Enfield classic 500, so a couple of weeks ago we looked at Cooperbs and last week took a test ride and ordered a black Chrome one! now just waiting for the delivery........................
we live in Wigston, Leicestershire, so we may have to meet up and compare notes at some time!!.
once again thanks for your videos
Hi John, I had an R80 (not the RT) for a number of years in the late '90s. I hope you enjoy the Royal Enfield, you'll find Cooperbs are very good. I'm sure we will be able to meet up. There is a Facebook page called Everything Enfield, which I'm on and is centred around Cooperbs. Mark
I really enjoyed that ride. Thanks.
How long does it take to break this engine in and service intervals. Am looking to get one of these next year and do a 4000 mile European trip. I don't fancy doing 40mph for 4000 miles.
These are the recommended running in periods 0-500 kms (0-300 miles) 50-60 km/h (35-40 mph); You should change the oil and filter; 500 - 1000 kms (300 - 600 miles) 80-90 km/h (40-50 mph) and then over 1000 kms (600 miles) avoid prolonged full-throttle operation. So for your 4,000 mile trip I would have at least 600 miles or more on the clock. The first service after the oil and filter change is at 3,750 miles, which would be towards the end of your trip. I hope that helps.
Break-in has little to do with mph(speed), but with how many RPM's you're riding with and how your accelerate.
If you drive 20mph constantly in 1 gear, that will ruin your engine really quickly. But you can drive 50mph in 5th all day because you will keep the RPM's low. Ideally for a break-in you would want to:
First 25 KM.. Idle for 5-10 minutes before going on your first ride. Check nothing is leaking and no weird sounds. Then drive around for another 5-10 minutes on a parking in figure 8's. Putting a little wear on the tires on all sides.
Then go on a 25 km ride with VERY low RPMS.. After you reach 25km, park the bike, let it cool down. Repeat.
After 50 km you can start reving a bit more and more when you accellerate but then quickly let it cool down in low rpms.. basically gradually increase this process until you hit 1000km on the clock. It's important that you teach the engine to rev higher and higher during acecllerations, but never KEEP the RPMS high in the breakin.
I notice each year on any of my machines the first long journey always make me want a better saddle, but after a months or two my butt must of work hardened as suddenly the same seat is OK.
Was she ok on the long runs? I'm currently West of Loch Lomond looking to ride to Devon, if I took the A & B roads south will she hold up alright?
Hi Davy, absolutely. She held 70 mph on the motorway but I couldn't say it was a pleasant ride. So A and B roads would be find and 60 mph very comfortable. I wouldn't worry about reliability, provided your bike has been maintained correctly, but then that's true of all vehicles. You can ride anywhere on any bike. When I was 17 I rode my Suzuki AP50 sports moped from Hertfordshire to Devon in a day, bearing in mind she wasn't allowed on a motorway (not that there where any then down to the West country). I overtook the rest of the family in the car in a traffic jam outside of Exeter.
@@MarkESBuckmaster many thanks Mark I appreciate the reply :) normally I wouldn't be worried and would've just gone for it but hearing everyone say online it's not a bike for a long distance trip had me slightly worried about doing many miles on the bounce without stopping but the more I look into it and speak to other western owners views on the 500 platform the more it refills the confidence meter haha! Many thanks again Mark look forward to more vlogs you've got another sub here 🤘
@@davymac9866 I'm planning on a trip to France this year, can't wait. Would I say the Classic is designed for touring? Of course not. Can you tour on it? Of course you can!
Hi Mark I'm glad you enjoyed Mull.I took my 22 year old Road King across in may this year, just across for the day as staying in mull as a base. I took a ride down the other coast also, taking the B8073 at Tobermory. Quite a challenge on such a big bike but lovely scenery.I've now thought about getting a smaller bike as I do tend to go places I shouldn't with the Road King. Always loved the looks of the Enfield classic so a bit disappointed to here the seat is not that comfy for long rides.How tall are you? as wondering if my 6ft height would also be an issue for riding position and comfort. Any tall riders comments would also be appreciated. Thanking you! I shall now take a look at your other videos.
Hi David, I have a Road King as well, and there's a video of a ride I did after it had been off the road for 9 years. I bought her new in 2001 and I just don't get to ride her but can't sell her.
We are back to Mull in June for 2 weeks, but this time I will trailer the Classic up. Not because I wouldn't want to ride her up but my wife isn't happy driving all the way there and back. But it is the ideal bike for the Mull roads.
I'm 5' 11" and so not much shorter than you, although I have shorts legs for my height. The Road King is a perfect fit!
The Classic isn't the ideal bike for long rides, some people find it fine but I did find it a challenge. I ordered a gel pad for the trip home from Mull and that did help a great deal.
If you are looking for a smaller lighter bike and fancy a Royal Enfield, try out the Interceptor. I did a trip of around 300 miles in a day on mine and wasn't sore at the end of it. Or you could try the Himalayan, check out Itchy Boots TH-cam channel. About a young lady Noraly who travels around the world on one solo.
Thanks for your comment and I hope you enjoy my other videos.
@@MarkESBuckmaster Hi Mark,thanks a lot for the quick reply.I'm actually the opposite being all legs.I think you were really confirming my thoughts which is a shame. Yes I've now watched and enjoyed all of your videos,so watched your Road King return. Yes I agree it would be a hard bike to sell, pure personality on my fifties style 1998 classic limited edition. Thanks for the advice, I shall take another look at the Interceptor and check out itchy boots.Enjoy your next stay in Mull.I regularly use the west coast ferries as live in Prestwick.If you haven't already done so I think you might also enjoy the Isle of Arran.It's just 56 miles around the enjoyable coastal road.Named Scotland in minature as it has great hills for walking and lovely beaches if you get the weather.All the best.
Hi there, really enjoying your videos. I picked up my Bullet 500 standard 7 weeks ago. I've already clocked up 3000 Kms, I can't stop riding it. I love it. This is coming from a Fazer 600. What's the screen you have? There are so many available. By the way I'm averaging 2.9 litres for 100kms. Cheers. A RE addict.
Wow, you're putting the kms on, well done. If I've got my maths right 2.9 litres per 100 kms is equal to 98 mpg (Imperial gallons). That's remarkable. Where are you?
@@MarkESBuckmaster Hi Mark, I'm in the south west corner of France. I use the RE for my daily commute 65 Kms per day and I work shifts so I m often off in the morning or afternoon or all day. For example the local shops are 6 Kms from where I live. I set off this morning for some shopping and put another 40 Kms on it. Taking the back roads, dirt tracks and across fields. It's the best fun I've had for years.
@@spacky1969 , actually at the moment I'm not too far from you. We have a house near Parthenay in Deux-Sevres and that's where we are until 6th September. The bike is ideal for your daily commute, it's not surprising you are racking up the mileage. You wanted to know what screen I had. It is an MRA Highwayshield, which is a German brand.
@@MarkESBuckmaster ok thanks for that I'll look into it. Do you have your bike with you in France?
@@spacky1969 not on this occasion but I will bring it over at some point. How far are you from us?
Hello, i watch all your videos and I love them. I’ve bought a Classic 500 and if I take my hands off the handle bar the bike goes to the right, I asked Royal Enfield and they say it’s normal because of the weight of the exhaust. Do you have the same problem? Thanks in advance!
Hi Alfa, thanks for your compliments. I must admit I haven't ever taken both of my hands off the handlebars and haven't experienced the bike going to the right. What will make the bike vear off centre, would be the camber of the road. Here in the UK, we drive on the left and the road cambers (slopes down to the edge, to aid rain drainage), so if I took my hands off the handlebars or off the steering wheel in a car the vehicle would start vearing off to the left. If you drive on the right side of the road, then you would vear off to the right. I don't where you live, but if you drive on the right, that might be the reason you go to the right. I hope that helps.
Thanks Mark, yes we drive on the right and tested it on different roads without cambers and it goes a lot to the right. Thanks a lot (I love the places where you ride, so beautiful).
Love your videos Mark, very relaxing and enjoyable to watch. I'm slowly catching up on them all as I seriously contemplate buying an RE500 - Bullet or Classic. The Bullet interests me because of the dual seat, but it doesn't look all that comfortable for the rider, as compared to the sprung seat of the Classic. Anyone with experience or advice on which would be the better option? Ideally, the bike should be comfortable for my wife and I. Regards, Mitch
Hi I have sat on both ..a the seat bullet is very comfortable because of its contour and thick foam ..the lack of spring does not make it any less comfortable . So you can safely pick it up .
Great video. I was pleasantly surprised that you could cruise at 70 on the motorway. Where did you get the gel seat from ?
Hi Chris, top speed is an indicated 85mph and she will cruise at 70 mph, the screen made a lot of difference. This is where I got the gel seat Motorcycle Gel Seat Cushion www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CYMV1KC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_-qGwCbMGM42Y0. Only issue was you had to be careful where you placed your feet at a standstill. I burnt my waterproof trousers on the exhaust.
Have you noticed, on an enfield you are not constantly trying to get past traffic...… just back it off and cruise the view!
You're right, the bike has limited performance but it doesn't matter, just relax and enjoy.
stevee bee because it forces you to experience pure motorcycling. You ride and enjoy everything that surrounds you, like the beautiful tank between your legs, the sound of the engine , the road and everything that is happening around you.
Hi .a great enjoyable video ..what speed did you maintain ..say in around the 21 min. Of the video .what is the max comfortable speed you can keep on this bike ?.
vikas upadhyay I’ve got a classic 500 & find its sweet spot is 50/60mph, it will go faster but doesn’t like it much
Mark, where are your bar end mirrors from?
Hi Brooke, they are from Classic Bike Shop www.classicbikeshop.co.uk/chrome-handlebar-end-mirror.html
I always thought Tobermory was just the name of a Womble,never knew it was an actual place.
:)
i just realized your measuring in miles
Yes, we use miles and we still measure fuel consumption in miles per gallon, even though we buy fuel in litres! I think I said I had averaged almost 90 miles per gallon, that equates to 3.14 litres/100 km. An Imperial gallon is 4.54 litres (US gallon = 3.75 litres). 70 mph = 112 kph
@@MarkESBuckmaster huh the more you know that's pretty interesting
If you'd had a louder soumd of the engine with that beautiful countryside sliding by...it would have been perfect.
Well I'm back up there next year, see what I can do!
Add an engine mic and mix in that audio later. It's so soothing.
@@cabotcovecode3927 I'll have a go at that, thanks.
Typical Englishman goes to Scotland and talks about the country meaning the whole of the UK. He is old enough to understand that the UK consists of three countries plus Northern Ireland.
I normally don't bother replying to comments such as these but this time I have decided to do so because Timothy, your comment is inaccurate. Of course, I'm old enough and educated enough to know that the United Kingdom is made up of 3 countries, England, Scotland and Wales and also the territory of Northern Ireland, none of which are independent in their own right. But I also know that the United Kingdom as a whole can and is referred to as a country as well. Therefore is it quite legitimate for me to say that Salen Point "is the only pier in the country that has accommodation on it" if that is the phrase that has offended your sensibilities.
@@MarkESBuckmaster You have a beautiful bike but I don't think it is correct to refer to the UK as a country. The Uk is a political entity consisting of three countries and Northern Ireland not dissimilar to the old Soviet Union
not in terms of politics but geography. Being independent is irrelevant. The fact is that more English people define themselves as being British and those from the Celtic nations are more likely to define themselves as Irish, Scots or Welsh. As a result I and many others are not comfortable when Britain is refers to as the country. Just out of interest try informing any passing Scot's man or woman that the country they were born in is not Scotland but Britain and see what response you get. You'd better keep your bike running.
It would be the same most of the time in Wales and I am sure in Northern Ireland.
@@timothyphillips5043 I'm not going to get drawn into an argument over this. The term UK and country are interchangeable, instead of just guessing, why don't you check what you think is correct. That's what I did, before replying to you. Here is an example from a government website that uses the word country when referring to the whole of the UK
www.parliament.uk/about/how/role/parliament-government/
Oh yes the British government you mean the one in England. Try looking at the same thing from the Scotish government, or Welsh Senedd. Let's end it here your attitude just high lights the need of some English people to hang on to a British identity
timothy phillips how small minded of you we are all humans living on planet earth