Bullet classic? Any good?

[EnergyInducti...]

I have fallen in love with the Royal Enfield Bullet Classic. I can ride it on an A2 license too.
Not after anything sporty, but I've heard that these 500 singles are pretty torquey, What are they like to ride?
Do you think they're worth the 2.5-3k second hand?
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Riding: Yamaha RXS100
Aiming for : RD350 + Test
Dream bike: Suzi RG500 Gamma

[barnhatter]

Get in touch with a dealer and get a test ride, see if you like it.
How it feals and if you like the way ir runs. It is a new old designed bike so it does not behave the same as a modern bike.

[MarJay]

[MaybeGuy]

[chris-red]

There shit, performance wise, any 2t 125 would be quicker but thats not what they are about, remember you are buying 40 year old technology made in India (I think) someof them have disc brakes and electric starts. even though it is a 500 it will be slow as arse, I seem to rememeber Stinkwheel? talking about having a heavily modified one that was putting out decent (ish) power.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[pepperami]

i live near a dealership for them (washbrook in suffolk) and there are a good few around here.
you dont see many second hand ones there so maybe people are keeping them.
surley that must be an indicator that, those who have got them, like them?
i would`nt mind one, but they seem a bit expensive for what they are.
i have not ridden one, but i have talked to a few bods who`ve got them.
they say that the bike is a big improvement on the originals?? but i never rode an original so i cant say.
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[chris-red]

[MarJay]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

For a start, I'd only pay 1.5-2k for one. The 500 is torquey when compared to the 350

If you enjoy working on bikes, they are great. They are easy to work on, and the spares are cheap. They are not a bike you can ignore the maintenance on, so if you think anything beyond checking the oil and tyre pressure occasionally is enough, then it's not the bike for you.

It's an unhurried ride, but speed isn't the point of a Bullet. There's no "brake heavy into the corner, whack it over, pin the throttle coming out" - you'll kill it and yourself if you tried. It's a plodder that will teach you to read the road, as you will (a) not really want to rely on the brakes and (b) want to keep up what speed you do have.

There's a couple of mods that (if not done already) will make life more comfortable on the 500 for modern roads. First off, fit the uprated oil pump. The bottom end of engine is the same as the 350cc, so the oil pump doesn't really keep up with prolonged "high" speeds. Secondly, fit an 18 tooth sprocket on the front if it has the original 17 tooth. This will lower the revs when cruising, so you're not thrashing it on dual carriageways/motorways. If you're not keen on points, then electronic ignition is easily fitted and removes one more thing from the maintenance list. You'll need a selection of spanners and sockets in both Imperial and Metric, I found the Metrinch range that grips on the flat very useful for the Bullet.

The single item that will probably make you want to sell it is the gearbox. As well as being on the right, it goes N-1-N-N-2-N-3-N-N-4-N. Some gearboxes have an extra neutral between first and second. There is a "neutral finder" lever, which does slip you into neutral when you press on it, but it won't let you know which neutral it's selected. Because of this, quick getaways from the lights are a lucky dip. You can't do quick changes, you have to stick with military precision - Clutch (two three) Stamp (two three) Clutch (two three). If you've then selected one of the moving neutrals, you then have to Clutch (two three) Stampstampstamp (two three) Clutch (two three). I understand the gearbox is properly bedded in and smooth after 15,000 miles, but I've not heard of anyone keeping one that long.

Starting is an art, and if you're methodical they will start every time. The later models have an electric start which does make life easier for when you've stalled it at the lights because you didn't try to find neutral and just held the clutch in, only to find out you were in 3rd when you let it out again.

With the sprocket change and a "performance" exhaust, you'll be looking at 80mph top end, with comfortable cruising around 60mph. In reality, they just get louder and vibrate more after that. Ride it like a modern bike, and you'll get 70mpg. Ride it like a 50's bike, and you'll get 90mpg. 0-60 is "eventually". It's possible to grind the pegs, even on the square section tyres. There are Avons with a rounder profile that improve handling, but I haven't tried those.

It's a heavy bike for what it is, but if you're not a lard arse like me (or don't need to take a pillion) then the 350cc is easier starting and less vibey, with slightly better MPG and slightly worse MPH. The 350 doesn't have an electric start option though.

Would I have another? Yes. Probably the 350 this time.
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[EnergyInducti...]

I was actually on about the new EFI model.
It's called the Bullet Classic.
https://www.royal-enfield.com/techdata.html
That's the spec sheet for the new engine.
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Riding: Yamaha RXS100
Aiming for : RD350 + Test
Dream bike: Suzi RG500 Gamma

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Overpriced and pointless. It's lost all its charm and appeal of the original, might as well get a basic 500cc Jap commuter.
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[EnergyInducti...]

=/ I've got a thing for singles...
What other decent singles would you recommend?
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Riding: Yamaha RXS100
Aiming for : RD350 + Test
Dream bike: Suzi RG500 Gamma

[twotakt]

Decent singles

https://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2009/01/16/bikepics-1540806-800.jpg

or

https://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2006/08/02/bikepics-646466-800.jpg
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R.I.P. Tareree Shiimi, 1985-2008

[chris-red]

[twotakt]

Husabang, lol
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R.I.P. Tareree Shiimi, 1985-2008

[EnergyInducti...]

Wont ride crossers or enduros.... I dont get along with the riding style at all! too high up and dont feel stable to me!
Are there any OTHER decent singles?
Was thinking about maybe one of the older british made 350cc singles... But they fetch a LOT of money nowadays =/
____________________
Riding: Yamaha RXS100
Aiming for : RD350 + Test
Dream bike: Suzi RG500 Gamma

[MarJay]

[EnergyInducti...]

WOAHOH! I love the look of the Duke!
Would it take okay to being restricted though? =/
____________________
Riding: Yamaha RXS100
Aiming for : RD350 + Test
Dream bike: Suzi RG500 Gamma

[MarJay]

[EnergyInducti...]

Nice! I'm lookin at spending around 3k after passing my test, and I'm after a bike that will last seeing as it would probably be loaned money lol
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Riding: Yamaha RXS100
Aiming for : RD350 + Test
Dream bike: Suzi RG500 Gamma

[stinkwheel]

Yamaha SRX600. SZR660

Honda XBR500.

SR500.

MZ 660 Skorpion.

I suspect what you really want is a Honda GB500 but they are like rocking horse poo.

EDIT: The CB250RS was a superb little bike but finding a good one might be tricky these days.

Re: the Enfields. There is a kit that takes a 500 bullet from 16bhp to 40bhp. A 40bhp bullet will top out at around 120mph. The kit itself (without the bike or the fitting) is £1900+VAT.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[BorderHooner]

I've ridden lots of the older Royal Enfields. I've ridden lots of bikes. I've ridden in lots of different environments. All over the world. Looking for grin factor. Looking for fun.

I now own a new unit construction EFI model. I own this because it is so much fun.

Biking is about fun. Right?


The Bullet Classic 500 produces 30.5 ft-lbs/41.3 nm at 4000rpm.

Max BHP is 27.2 @ 5250 rpm. With the sport silencer - probs take that up to maybe 28.5.... take the silencer off, slash cut your down... fucking brilliant.

Doesn't sound like a lot does it? well let's look a little closer to see where the fun is with this bike.

The bike weighs 187kg with oil and fuel.

To put it into perspective the 1976 superbike Kawasaki Z1 peaked with 53lbs of torque at 7000RPM and was around 50kg's heavier without fuel and oil.

So - this bike is lighter, get it's peak torque sooner, that torque is accessible in every gear right up to 60mph.

I pretty much overtake all traffic on this bike except on the dual carriageways where I stay around 70 to keep the engine temp down.

Now I know about fast bikes - so OK this isn't a speed demon - but from standing start to 50mph this is pure grin factor. It has so much character. And let's be real - with a small bike like this with a piss pot lid and shades on with flies in your teeth - it's just not about top speed.

What you have to look at is the whole combination of the involved ride - the feedback from the suspension and steering - the thump of the single, it feels faster than it is. It's basically the same as riding at 90 on a jap bike on the same B road - you're getting the same experience - only at a slower speed. So... more time to look around and chill.

And - lets look at - reduced chain and sprocket wear. Reduced tyre wear. 80+ MPG etc etc = biking with a grin for less cash. Less likely to get speeding tickets and points. Less likely to crash.


The new bike is defo noticeably quicker than the old bikes.

It is very torquey for what it is imho - the peak torque doesn't last long in each gear granted but there is enough torque to hustle without thinking of peak torque specs - in fact who cares about torque specs - I care about how the bike feels and how much fun I'm having - So we have 5 gears - clever eh you just knock it up and fully open the throttle again and whooosh away you go again. So you have to use the gearbox - which is without problem.

Put it into perspective my Busa does 90mph in second gear - but where's the fun in that? A monkey can open a throttle. But a monkey can't thump through gears on a Royal Enfield and pile it into a corner and pin it out of the corner, so a monkey can't have fun.

I can knock this bike into second with enough revs and the front lifts.


What you have to do with a bike like this is forget about speed and waving your cock around. Speed is not what this bike is built for. This bike is built to convey to the rider a sense of being part of the machine - it's a very involved ride. This bike is built for torque. This bike has torque. You have to know how to ride it to access the torque - you have to work the bike - you have to be involved.

And tales of it not cornering are bullshit - I've piled this into corners on country lanes at 60 in 4th and accelerated out of the corner, knocked it into 5th and seen 80 mph on the speedo and have to brake for the next corner. This is fun. It's like something out of a beano comic with marmalade sandwiches and lashing and lashings of ginger beer.

In an age where bikes are getting more and more technological and faster with more and more power - it seems a lot of people have forgotten two simple factors. The roads in this country haven't really changed for best part of 40 years. And people are pretty much the same - we don't get upgrades.

The last thing i'm going to say is - looking on the internet at a specification list is fucking retard useless - get out there and ride the fucking motorbike in the real world Every bike has a purpose - designed for a particular experience - buy the bike to suit the purpose, enjoy the experience and have FUN!




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Benelli. Happy as a pig in cacky.

[G]

How about the CCM CR-40 if you can find one:
https://www.ccmmotorcyclesuk.com/images/stories/cr-40-large.png
Based on a DRZ engine, though the E model I suspect, so will be a little over 33hp (but not much at all.)

Oh and for Chris, no THIS is properly:
https://www.motorbikes.be/motorbike/4218/full.jpg


(Though the older model berg is worthy of consideration if it has the 750cc kit, or a turbo, or both ).

Oh and for the OP - as I was saying to someone at work today - when you first start riding, it tends to feel very different to ride other style bikes. The more different styles you ride more often, the more you get used to it.
As I have a reasonable range of bikes (not from a c90, to a superbike to competition enduro bikes) I tend to not notice, but even after a couple of years of riding it still felt odd to swap between styles.

[BorderHooner]

That CCM is a cracking bike
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Benelli. Happy as a pig in cacky.

[MaybeGuy]

pff. LC4?

exc you mean

https://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs507.ash1/29953_10150168954380517_666620516_12050580_1083012_n.jpg
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith