So nice to hear someone say that the money you spent on your bike meant something to you. I'm sick to death of hearing folks say that £500-£1000 is cheap when putting parts on their bike. I never forget the hours I had to work to get that money in the first place. The Classic 350 is still one of my favorite bikes. We were down in Marlborough last week and, from a distance, my buddie and I spotted a signals marsh grey Classic 350 - we were straight over to give it a good look-over. Great bike.
Well said Bruce. 👍 My fireball turns 3 years old next month. I bought it without a test ride. I fell in love with it on youtube ! It has been a delight. I sold my R1100 RT 1 month after I took delivery and don't miss it at all. 🥃
Alright Bruce,couldn't agree more,I'm 56,been riding since I was 16...2 months ago bought a 2020 classic 500,love it to bits,puts a smile on my face every time I go out on it....I'm now in the process of selling my Diavel.
bang on with everything you've said there Bruce ! fuel consumption ,servicing , the lot , can't beat this bike for all that ! I just keep getting mine out of the garage , chucking what I need for the ride that day in my Lomo bags and going out in any weather, that's another great thing with them, ,mudguards that actually work! and keep all the road crap off the bike ! I'm also hardly using my other two bigger bikes and am considering selling them as I'm always out on my classic! I've done 7,000 miles now still on original tyres and chain , but will probably fit new ones before long , cheers Mel
yes😃 👍 you can do everything yourself, you can create everything yourself, you can repair everything yourself... …the bike is a great love. Thank you Bruce for all the fun you give us and for answering questions! 😉🤝 Re350 reborn 2years 23000km
Great post, I'm getting a new 350 meteor "Stellar" as it has the only colour I like "Dark Blue Metallic" same colour as my previous HD 883 iron, what a bargain at £3299, have been riding 45 years and now is the time... Tail tidy and rear seat removal will be enough to give it the sportster look and feel I am looking for, at literally a third of the price, looking forward to more of your posts...
Another great and honest review,I’m living in Southern Ireland driving it all year round in shit weather and loving it.gets some admirers plenty power for real world driving,I would have No problem touring on my little Enfield simple stay away from the motorways boring roads anyway .keep up the great vids and safe riding 👋👌👍
Hi John and thank you for taking the time to comment 😁👍 yeah the Classic 350is great for back country roads exploring and touring away from the boring Motorways as you say 😁👍👍 Cheers Bruce
First time I saw one at the show in green I loved it. When I rode it I just wanted to take it home despite the difficulty with the position of the gear lever. I admit I haven’t bought one yet as I need to sell my Triumph triple which is worth very little but I love the sound of.
Spot on Bruce, I've had many bikes in my 51 yrs riding, but I can honestly say there's not many that I return back from a ride on with a big cheesy grin on my face. But this 350 nails it, every, single, time. Thanks for the update,
After a lot of big and small bikes, last year I ended with Hunter. Perfect bike for me, but then I thought I need a classic looking bike. So my Bullet arrives additional tomorrow. That engine is smooth and works in mountains. Yes, it is not a race bike, but makes a lot of fun. Have fun with the bikeand please do not talk always about cheap, these 2 350th are less expensive than for example a R 1250 GS. I love these single longstrokes.
Hi there, great video and salient points made. I'm in the north east and my Hunter is perfect for our Scottish roads. You never feel short of power and just enjoy the ride. Cheers.
Am fortunate enough to have a new big bike earlier this year and tomorrow am picking up a new classic 350 in chrome and red. I've don't think I've ever been as excited about a new vehicle as I am with this one.. They are just so pretty with a exhaust note to put a smile on your face.
Good update, Bruce, and in total agreement .....'less is more'!!! I've had my Hntr 350 almost 18 months and I think it's an absolutely brilliant little machine. I've done nearly 7000 miles and it's still returning between 110 and 120 mpg on E5 ...... awesome!! Like you, I've done ALL my own servicing and, unbelievably, I haven't needed to adjust the chain since it's first adjustment over a year ago but I do oil it regularly with Scottoil (Blue) These 350s are one hell of a lot of bike for the money! Here's to your next 15000 miles! All the best, Phil (Somerset)
Thanks Phil! , great to hear you to are enjoying your bike as much! 😁such a satisfying bike own, from riding and diy servicing and the people you meet who as about them 👍😁
Spot on regarding tuning extras, you definitely don’t need them. Mine has been standard for the last two years and I love this bike more now than when I first bought it. I have enjoyed this bike more than any bike I have owned over the last 54 years of riding. 😊
Just returned from a couple of hours riding around on my 2 1/2 yr old meteor and you are the second youtuber in as many days to say similar about the upgrades. Looks like I could end up saving myself £800... 👍
A great video young man, I’m 72 now and have two KawasakiGPZ550 D1s. But I think you’re bike looks fantastic and it’s practical, I’d have one tomorrow.
I could not agree more Bruce... I want to enjoy the ride, the scenery and the smells of the countryside. My little Hunter 350 is the perfect bike for that. I love the videos. Ride Safe
Hello Bruce, I'm just back today from a short 5 day trip to Willingen Germany 950 mile road trip on the Harley with some friends which I really enjoyed, got back home opened the garage and my Classic looked deprived of biker loving😉 so before I emptied my luggage I jumped on the 350 for a half an hour ride just to experience the wee thumper again😃 As you can imaging different ride but still a great feeling having a Royal Enfield 350 classic. Good summation of your two year anniversary, thank you fella
Glad to hear Bruce that you like your RE, I have a hunter and 12 months on £800 spent on gizmos, don’t regret a moment love it only done 2k mls but love the RE , I also have a 350 bullet 07 love that also, only stick local due to my age but the Lake District is good, thanks for the time you take to do all this vid stuff, like your style, I would still like a drone and to get more vlogging but stuggle as yet getting there, take care stay well Ted N w biker dude, Alias bay Bimbler
Thanks Ted, i paid £250 for my DJI mini 2 with3 battery pack from a friend and he hardly used it - like new!, not alot if it goes into the sea from a bird strike! 🤞
Bought new and now 1 year and 4236 miles, I agree totally. Like many, bought from rider experience from youtube. Yours were the most helpful. Ride with Harley ( owned a few myself ) guys in the USA and they let me lead. Top speed "problem" solved.😊 Your Channel (in the words of a Scotsman) is brilliant.
You said it, so right. I just bought a second hand V7 to go with the classic, it goes faster and is more comfortable however for the shorter journeys or through the country lanes the classic is unbeatable. The classic is my go to bike and will only be sold to be replaced. Best bike I ever owned.
Agree Bruce, great honest review. Add mine for two years. Just returned it to stock and much happier. Felt it was missing something. Total joy. Keep safe
Absolutely, totally agree with your summary of this bike. Mine has only done 5,000 miles in the two years and I have only fitted a heel / toe changer but otherwise, completely standard. It goes so well and has been a delight to ride since it passed 1,000miles. Had to have 2 new speedos but, apart from that no problems of any kind.
@@Coastriderscotland Yes, my red / chrome is still my favourite but I do like what you`ve done to yours and I also like the Halcyon Green. I am getting to like the new Bullet too.
Over 6000 miles on Biscuit now. She has exceeded every expectation I had and so the expected upgrade to a middleweight tourer hasn't felt necessary. She looks fab, feels special, does over 100mpg and has taken me lots of places between Edinburgh & Kent with further horizons yet to be explored. Love the J series 😊
Great sensible vlog, I feel the same with my 2018 Honda CB 500 X. Get to work quick and make sure the course is perfect for our local Oban lad Bob Mcintyre.
Cheers Bruce, I’m with you regarding spending the money on modifications. I’ve got a Meteor & put quite a few on mine. The thing is I could! My previous bike had very few to choose from, were difficult to fit, basic & very expensive, for what they were. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve done & I can still revert to ‘stock’ whenever I want on my bike. None of what I did was to increase top speed, just to see if it improved overall performance & simply see if I could do it! I’m completely happy now with what I’ve done & when you compare what we spend against, say, what you might spend on a holiday or any other hobby, it balances out for me. Through it all my Meteor has still been a joy & returned 115 MPG. I’ve followed you through your journey with your bike, from new & think you’ve done a cracking job & learned so much along the way! Thank you 👍
Hi Bruce, 15000 miles in 2 years. Thats a bike which has been used fully and fit for purpose. Ive watched many of your video's both motorcycle and bicycle and you have been an inspiration. Like you i haven't ridden a bike for years and bought my classic 350 end of July 2022. Its now got over 7500 miles, I always run it on E5 and the bike definitely gets better as you put on the miles. I have been always pondering over the idea of trying to improve the bikes sound/performance, but to date kept it stock. I will take your advice and keep that £800.00. Thanks again Carl 😊
😁 yeah the owners say they are better apparently but i never remember my old 70s Jap bikes that were 10 years old when i owned them being as good to own ride and work on as the Classic 350 😁
Great video. Completely agree with you. I love my 350 classic, I just hate the busy roads and potholes around here!! Might trailer 'Ruby' up to Scotland!! Thanks for your thoughts. 15000 miles wow! Well done. Keep enjoying and keep safe!! P.S. Yes, less is more fun! The only other bike i have is a1955 Francis Barnett 125, a Kestrel 66. I show her from time to time, not perfect but she's beautiful to me! 😂
Hi Peter, oh we have some bad potholes here too!, but a lot of our A roads have been resurfaced in the last year, so they should be with the increase in population as villages and towns have been expanded, luckily most of these folks don’t use/know of the miles of quiet country roads we enjoy on our bikes! 😜😁👍 Cheers Bruce
Had the same thoughts myself, I will have a couple of bikes, have had a 2002 cb 500 for 15 years and also thought lets try a big tourer so got the chance of a K100LT , great on the motorway and for runs to Cornwall from.Glasgow. Had it a year , too heavy , loved it and hated it, sold it and have decided the CB 500 is all I need , similar to your experience, pads 15 quid, wheel bearings 6 pounds oil filter 6 quid air filter ten plus, I always think bikes ahould be economical to run in every way, insurance, fuel parts etc. I do love the Enfield ethos , though discs instead of drums is one thing I would be very happy of, rode a 59 Bonneville on occasions and did not enjoy drums at even slow speeds, though my car still has them , on the back , good old Dacia MCV, enough said nearly gets as much mpg as the Honda. Great vid , cheers.
Like you Bruce I ride the same roads around the borders and my meteor is spot on for them. The only upgrade I did was the free flow air filter but being partially deaf ( ex gunner in the Artillery)I couldn't tell the difference in the sound 😮.
great update (as usual). Im just finishing tidying up a 2019 Himmy and Im defo not planning on too many upgrades. It was so nice to take my first ride the other day. I dont think my 650 will ever get used again. Maybe I should swap it for a 350?. Why is one bike never enough!
Hi Bruce, one off the advantages off a second hand one is, a lot off people put the extras like racks or panniers on the bike for you result all round 🥃 SS. 😎
My wife and I toured the Outer Hebrides and the NC 500 from Ullapool. I think we had beautiful weather although it was a bit windy on North and South Uist. We were riding a 2012 bmw gs so weren’t thrown about much. Got home to Australia and bought a 2020 Classic 350 though not the Reborn. It had done 440 km in the first 4 years and I have added 360 km in the last two days! Still have to complete the running in period so am taking it easy.
Good video. Well reasoned. There’s been a lot of chatter about the mods lately. I trust your opinion more than others as you actually ride the bike, and not just rambling through the countryside on a Sunday afternoon. I do believe that they do what they’re supposed to but the problem is that the numbers are too small to feel significant. 20% hp increase on a low power bike doesn’t feel the same as going from 100 to 120 for example. That said, I’m still convinced the VB’s mods were installed wrong, not just the timing being off with the cam. But you’re probably right that they aren’t worth it in the end. I also tell people not to buy one if they aren’t going to do all the service themselves. Unless you live in a country where mechanics are paid slave wages a couple trips to be serviced can almost double your cost of ownership. Cheap motorcycles don’t come with cheap labor costs.
Thats a good point about the sane mods would probably be more noticeable on a larger CC bike, my friend John bought a cheap stainless de cat full pipe from India and the cheaper Hitchcocks on copy stage 2 end cap for box and his bike has a lovely noise with some induction roar and he only spent around £150, to me a more sensible thing to do cash wise, meanwhile friend Bobs desert signals 350 is stock and runs fine alongside my bike 😁
Thanks Bruce. I've got a Himmy. I live in rural location in UK, like yourself. Similar road conditions. Work as a gardener and farm worker. It suits me fine, but the Mrs is expressing an interest in little rides out on the back. Just into town, that sort of thing. The Himmy really isn't suitable. She won't get on it easily bring, how shall we say tactfully? Short and apple shaped😅. A mate has a 350 classis reborn as his only transport (riden continuously all his life. 64 now). Says its the best bike he's ever had 😄. He goes past mine most days. I need to have go on his i think and maybe swap my Himmy?😄 We'll see... I now leaning more toward the 350 classic.
Spot on comments Bruce.😊 There is a lovely community of Riders. No pretensions etc. If I had an other one, think I just put on the basic accessories. It’s like back in my hi fi days. Upgrade the turntable, the amp, speakers……it’s a bug. I love it. lol. I never ride it flat out. I sit back and enjoy the bike, the experience and country side. Biggest waste would be the throttle body, I guess. Tried once, with gps app, to see what, I would get. You are testimony to the fact that it can be used daily and cover the miles. I love the B roads.😊😊😊.
Thanks, i fitted the black show plates painting the white reg in using stencils 👍😁 the rear is quick release with yellow plate underneath for if i go into town/ main roads 👍
@@Coastriderscotland And from what I've seen, this bike seems comparatively easy to maintain over more "modern" bikes. Thanks for the encouragement, sir.
I plan to buy one every 3 years if i can! A black Bullet just for the Bullet history, maybe a red and chrome? Will never sell war horse but it could get a stable mate one day! 😁👍
Watching your channel inspired me, in part, to get back into biking and buy a Classic 350. I was originally going to get a Signals but I ended up buying one of the new Bullet 350s instead. What fabulous little bikes they are - just perfect for bimbling around on. I even created my own channel I enjoy it so much. What model helmet is that Bruce and do you like it?
Hi I've had loads of high capacity bikes (2000 miles for a rear tyre on zzr1400) and now have a classic 350 and my thoughts are simple.. when i ride it it just makes me happy What more do you want 👍😄
Bruce, are you still running on the Heidenau trail tyres? If so, has it been worth it? I haven't hit 1k miles yet, but am starting to slightly lose my nerve on our bloody awful Nth Cumbrian roads. I don't know if it's me, the bike or the tyres, but occasional sideways wobbles occur, and I'm suspecting the Ceats aren't able to handle the gravel, tramlined, raised patched, over-cambered and tractor damaged surfaces of our A&B roads. £250 for a pair is a chunk of dosh but if it keeps me safer on the bike, then that's what's got to be bought. Cheers
Hi Niall yeah still on the K60s, front has done 12,000 miles you should just need a couple of rears to each front replacement 😁 They are confidence inspiring when you hit gravel and they track a lot better, and tramline less on crap road surfaces
Hi i have not had vibration issues with the parts you mention, though my sump guard was a cheap India eBay one and i used rubber tap washers between the guard and mounts having heard someone say the same thing as yourself, thats the cheap fix for a few pence way to sort the issue! 😁👍 Cheers Bruce
