Royal Enfield Classic 500 - My thoughts so far 

Hey A1! RE’s certainly draw attention don’t they. Wow, that sounds epic, nice one.

dang thats some going

Thank you Tim! Much appreciated. It really is very different to most other motorcycles.

Tim O'Flynn Well said I’ve just bought 500 trials just put 100 miles on it absolutely love it reminds me of being 16 when I had my first Fizzy. I Thinking about buying a car after 42 years of riding motorbikes won’t be by the Cardiff yet make sure you buy one you love it

Neil Shuttleworth I learnt to ride on a fizzy when I was 11 👍🏼 They don’t make 50’s like that anymore.

Saddlebags 73 BSA 175 and Honda 90 at 12 great exciting days

Bert Monroe thanks for your kind words, much appreciated. Yes, it’s certainly different. Great to hear from the other side of the world. I try and do a variety of vids so some won’t appeal to all but there should be plenty involving the Enfield (Ernie) in the future. Ride safe 👍🏼

Sunday Drive I couldn’t agree more 😀 Many thanks indeed!

Hi Daryl. Very nice! The exhaust is on and I did a follow up vid, big improvement. I probably won’t go down the piggy back ecu route, as it’s my second bike just for tootling on, otherwise I definitely would. Thanks for your view and comment 👍🏼

@@Saddlebags73 - I did fit the Power Commander but imo in hindsight, swap the exhaust and leave the rest alone, not a lot of gain and modifying the motor doubles the insurance premium. The bike is fast enough to motorway, provided you don't want to actually accelerate or go over 85, it can keep out of trouble with the lorries. The bike is /very/ nippy to 40 around town - it's still in 2nd gear. It lives on country lanes.

Hi tompas, that sounds great. Definitely need to do something with the number plate hanger. Did you find something aftermarket or fabricate one yourself?

@@Saddlebags73 No, mine is the original one. Strange that yours are plastic.

Sweating Bullet thank you very much! I was out for two and a half hours yesterday, and felt no ill effect from the vibrations. But lots of smiles, as always 😀 Hi to Mumbai 👋🏼

@@Saddlebags73 I've had my 500 from new in 2015. I haven't put huge miles on it but it is fully run-in and bedded-in so it vibrates no more than my Guzzi V7ii. Which is to say you can feel it as a motorbike should but it doesn't vibrate in any bad way, no tingly hands and feet. My 'Smoulder' video explains the process - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6FZPqf3qI3M.html I have tuned it somewhat, it is significantly more powerful but no crotch rocket. I can neither confirm nor deny my Enfield will (only just) go ton-up, my Guzzi thinks that is maybe time to change up into overdrive top. The two bikes are roughly the same size and weight. Rule of thumb 34hp will ton-up, 48hp will do it easy. If you want or need faster get a bigger bike, have both. The Guzzi is fun but I prefer riding the Enfield on the many local lanes.

Very nice! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine. Yes they certainly grab peoples attention 👍🏼

@@Saddlebags73 I enjoy it very much, shame that right now my lc plate not come yet, so I can not take any long trip.

A Scooby blasted away from the lights but we got an actual round of applause as we sauntered rather noisily away and filtered past him.

You’re right J it is satisfying isn’t it. Thank you, yea I’m smitten with it 👍🏼

Hi, thanks for watching. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Wow! You got lucky finding a Tribute this late. They’re stunning aren’t they. I hope it gives you as much pleasure as mine gives me. Not trying to promote my own material, but in case you’re interested, I did a 1’000 mile review. I’m currently around 2’300 and still loving every ride 👍🏼 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ygTrZIuEZvc.html

Your Dad has impeccable taste 😊👍🏼

@@Saddlebags73 that's very true 😁

Thanks ER, yeah I’m smitten.

Ally Burg I bang my shin whenever I haven’t ridden it for a while 🤣 they do seem to be somewhat in the way when manoeuvring in and out of the garage. But perfectly positioned for a comfy ride, don’t you think?

It is rather shiny isn’t it. Like many, I learnt to drive as a kid there. And I taught my son to drive there when he was 10. A few friends and I used to race mini moto’s up there for a laugh. I was going to make a separate vid about the history of Davidstow, but my hands were turning blue so I decided against it. There was actually an F1 circuit there a few years after the war. Cheers Mike, we must find some means of contact to arrange a ride out. Jeff

@@Saddlebags73 What a great bike. I hope the first service goes ok. Put your loud pipe on, ride by Egloskerry (valla azul) and I'll come out and wave at you! It would be great to see a video on Davidstow history. Just reading up on the F1 circuit there. Your videos and knowledge of Launceston area have been very interesting to me, as a recent resident. Please do more of them!

I went through Egloskerry yesterday...so it’s obviously too quiet. Very kind of you to say. I certainly intend to do more along those lines.

@@Saddlebags73 I don't just wave at anyone without fair warning, Jeff! You'd be most welcome to stop on by, if you get a chance tho.

Yes I agree on all accounts. Although the brakes feel good now, even with the cold tea 😂 Now I have some mileage on the bike the vibrations have lessened considerably (barely worth mentioning). I have scraped the brake pedal, but not the centre stand yet. It isn’t on my list of goals either 😊👍🏼

@@Saddlebags73 - at the first MoT we discovered practically no oil in the front forks but there was no leak - go figure. Putting the correct amount of pukka SAE.5 fork oil in - progressive springs and dual-rate damping - wow!

Ah nice! They’re great bikes aren’t they 🙂👍🏼

@@Saddlebags73 I love it! Mine has the Hitchcocks stainless steel free flow exhaust. My Meteor (Peggotty) also has one fitted!

2Timone7 you’re welcome, and thank you!

Basin Great bike the GT, I love that style. I have a normal (ish) bike too. Powerful, smooth mile muncher, but the character doesn’t compare to RE Ride safe 👍🏼

Better hurry up because they're being discontinued, prolly Euro5.

Thanks! Yes I’m pleased I picked this colour. They’ve stopped building the 500’s altogether. Great shame ☹️

@@Saddlebags73 here in India the 500 are available in the classic black and white colour, and some channels were saying there's rumours they are working on new 500.... hopefully they are true and hopefully the chrome 500 returns🥵

@@Itachi_Uchia1 It would be nice to see the 500’s return. Many thanks 🙏🏻 🙂

Luis Fernando Murillo thank you, yes I’m really happy with it.

Thank you! 👍🏼

Hi Chriso, nothing wrong with that. If you’re happy as is, you get to spend your money on something else. Out of interest is it the same exhaust as the 2019?

Not sure. It looks the same. It's been on from new and should last a good while yet. The extras I have on it are rack, leather panniers, chrome crash bars, screen. I find the original mirors ok. - Chriso.

@@ChrisJohnson-pd4hh My standard exhaust is staying on my 2017 c5 classic aswell. Cannot see the point on spending extra money when the exhaust has a pleasant note.

There’s no conversion kit to my knowledge. It would be a case of cutting them off and welding a fresh set to the frame I think. For me it wouldn’t be worth it. You can reach a fairly good lean angle before they touch down.

Thank you! That’s a good idea. I have considered that. Although I have found the rear brake pedal (where it curls under the exhaust) scrapes before the foot peg. Keeps life interesting 🤣

Hi! Yes that’s a good point. Perhaps they aren’t too bothered as their bikes are selling so well as they are. Most upgrades people make are using after market parts and not RE products, so they are missing a trick really. Most people would probably be willing to pay a little more for better mirrors etc to start with.

@@Saddlebags73 Agree Totally if they also making money on the upgrades,you hit the nail on the head.I plan to buy one next year,It would be great to have the bike fitted out to spec,rather then taking the spanners out.I pay the extra as long as not total rip off.

@@johnroddy8756 RE have to build bikes that conform to EU standards, hence the long and heavy silencer and mirrors, yes even mirrors have a standard to meet.

@@guysmith3146 Good point i am no expert,But They seem to viberate a lot,and vision it seems restricted .

@@johnroddy8756 I found the mirrors on my 2017 C5 classic to be useless, within 100 miles from new I had ditched them and fitted a bar end mirror.

The dealer recommended I change as soon as the first service was complete. I have changed it, but only ridden a few miles with it. Do you know what harm it could cause? It wouldn’t be too much trouble to swap them back.

@@Saddlebags73 Running a single in, especially an old school one, is more critical than a Japanese multi, you only have that one lung to depend on, when you fit an open pipe the ECU will alter fuel/air ratios to suit and you'll alter back pressure, so for the sake of a nice sound and 1300 miles there's a lot more to it. It's your call and your bike bud, no doubt other people will argue my point, but I can't say if it may do harm or may not, google it then decide for your self, but it most certainly won't hurt to wait in my view. Lovely bike BTW and ride safe man.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. I may well refit the original. Oh and thanks for watching 👍🏼

@@rollingthunder45 I agree, standard procedure in India is to run the motorcycle in for at least 5000 kms before putting the aftermarket exhaust on. In fact, all Bullet owners would notice a remarkable change after 10,000 kms which is when the engine is truly run in, although most people might not have the patience to ride the bike for that long on stock pipes - I didn't myself ;)

@@Saddlebags73 They take 1500-2000 miles to bed-in completely. The entire bike needs to be run-in, gearbox, frame bolts, etc etc, the chain will stretch but do not overtighten it. Which is why around 800-1200 miles you need to go round the bike with the torque wrench. By then the bike will be mostly run-in and time to change the exhaust. The ECU in the ABS model is far more accepting of exhaust and filter changes than the previous ones (mine). The only thing not needing running-in is the piston, they did that at the factory. During running-in, change the oil regularly, as soon as it goes dirty, not wait the full service interval. Once it stops going dirty (it will) cease short period oil changes and return to service schedule changes

Hahaa that's brilliant! Just so you know, I actually love Devon, it's just a bit of banter going back to my cream teas vid. That's so cool, I know how excited you must be. How strange, you must have seen me while I was shooting my last review. I got my slip on from Hitchcocks. Certainly not the cheapest but sounds lovely I think. Bear with me and I'll find the link. You may also want to consider an AEW Goldstar if you can find one. iRidetas (youtuber) runs one and I think it's half the money. brb!

accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/accessory-shop/Silencer-EFI/36021 This is the one I have. New stock arriving 1/7/20.

@@Saddlebags73 Thanks for that. I'm guessing it will be about £200 when in stock but it is British made and I assume you are happy with yours. It will give me time to run in and service before I receive it.

Stephen Cresswell mine was £170 including the little heat shield. Yes I’m delighted with it 👍🏼

Had I known that, I probably would have. Good shout sir 👍🏼 and thank you!

Many thanks! I have changed it for one off a thunderbird, which to me is better, but can still be improved upon. I show it in a video linked below. I’m probably going to alter it so I can use the original rear light on this housing (eventually). But now you have me thinking about relocating the plate 🤔 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VzSkXeuIknE.html

rahul yadav Hello! It’s strange, I have been asked that several times. They are the original bars. I assume the European models are different to others.

@@Saddlebags73 I guess its the stock handle you get in Europe, we have a different type oh handlebar in our royal enfield classic in India. Nice to know the difference bos also let me know how useful the bar end mirrors are.

The mirrors are great, very little shaking. Slightly obstructed by my arms, but would probably be better mounted over the bars rather than under. Much better than the original mirrors in my opinion.

I tend to stick to B roads. Sustaining 70mph might be a bit much for the Classic. Although a 19 tooth front sprocket would solve the issue. As it’s a second bike for me, I’m happy to leave it as it is.

Hi! Yes still have it and wouldn’t want to be separated. I did a 1’000 mile review which goes into a bit more detail. If you aren’t concerned about high power, and like a bike with character, you won’t be disappointed 👍🏼

@@Saddlebags73 no not looking at high speed just slow and steady , seems they only have army and black colours now so not keen on them but have little choice, love the graphite chrome

@@stanleylawson9015 I quite like the black ‘tribute’. It’s a real shame they ceased production. It would be quite hard to find a chrome I expect, unless you look for secondhand.

@@Saddlebags73 thanks yes will be looking at that one for sure , seems very very few sell their RE once they have them

No, by 1’000 miles I didn’t find the vibrations bad at all. I think they vary bike to bike. I test rode an older one that vibrated horrendously.

@@Saddlebags73 just curious. I just installed it on mine and it was a huge improvement.

@@Saddlebags73 mine is a 2012 desert storm

If mine vibrated anything like the one I tested, I probably would have fitted one. It’s great that it’s helped yours. They’re cracking bikes and it would be a shame for the vibes to spoil it for you.

Oh I absolutely love it. Such grins I get riding it. I have a 03 honda vtx1800r that has huge amounts of power and is so much more comfortable to ride, but unless I'm going long distances I'd rather ride the enfield everytime.

Did I call Ernie a thing? 🤦🏻‍♂️ Shame on me. Best bike I’ve ever owned 😍

@@Saddlebags73 I’m adding to my 157HP stable with one of these.Time to see things on a Sunday morning or when the SHTF.Be thankful and laugh at the world.If it’s not broke don’t fix it dude👍

@@pauloakes5718 Big bikes are a thrill, no doubt about that. But these little beauties open up a whole new world. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂

I couldn’t part with the 500 now. We have a bond 😊

🤷🏻‍♂️