DANGER! THE LAST CLASSIC 500 KING OF MOTORBIKES Is it the best motorcycle. Better than the Tuono 660, Classic 350 and Ducati Street Fighter V4. @TAYM @royalenfield @RoyalEnfieldANZ Woof
I don't have a classic 500, but I have a 2012 model classic 350... And have ridden more than 1,00,000 miles on it. Have ridden it on almost every kind of roads and terrains, and in worst possible weather conditions. Proud to say that with God's grace, my bike has never, ever failed me. Can easily say that my classic is my pride. 💪🙂
They're a hard bike to describe to those that haven't ridden one, you end up talking about 'character' and 'fun' and they stand there patiently listening with a slight look of pity on their faces waiting for you to finish, but all the words are insufficient to get the message across. This is a bike that you're unlikely to get unless you've ridden one, and to those that have it's a feeling that words can't really convey adequately.
@@goldilocks913 They're ridiculously fun, and I can't take mine anywhere without someone wanting to talk to me about it. It's a hilarious bike, like nothing else I've ever ridden.
@@Biggus63 l rode mine all over the UK, around the highlands of Scotland and over to the inner Hebrides with no problems bar a fuelling problem that was a faulty fuel tank which was replaced a year after warranty ran out due to delays from pandemic. Love the new 350 platform.
I love this! My 500 changed my life. After years and years of thinking bigger, better, faster, more, I realised all you need is 27 agricultural horsepower. Smiles from the off. Great vid, got me subbed 🙂👍🏼
I have a 2011 Bullet, with sidecar. Fun on three wheels. Old fashion motorcycling with modern reliability. Bullet 500 and " performance " an oxymoron, but I tell younger riders the destination isn't always the goal, it's the journey. I have " fast " in my stable.... and fast has its moments... but... there's something classic about rolling along at a blistering 50-55 miles per hour, wave at the farmer and find that perfect cup of coffee and slice of pie. 😎
Having owned a 2012 Classic 500 I had to have a small chuckle when you were worrying about speed cameras. Those things are best ridden at about 80 kph. Plus the speedos are reading about 10% faster then they are doing. I remember riding mine and the speedo reading about 130 kph and the gps was reading 113 kph ( I was in a 110 kph zone at the time) . They are a GREAT bike ( especially if you put a sidecar on them ) just not built for speed. Plus having it start up using the kick starter is so much fun.
No need to go fast. As soon as you sit on it, get the engine going and roll off you'll start singing any motorcycle song from the fifties or any Bollywood song if you happen to speak hindi. As for a sidecar rig I prefer my Ural though.
Enfields are Valium on wheels, there is no way I can be angry thumping around on my Classic 350, it just makes you smile. They are also very forgiving of crap roads and handle way better than they should.
Love your excitement riding this bike. RE 500s are fantastic bikes meant for pure motorcycling. I own three of these Classic 500s. One is 1991 CI Engine model and other two are 2015 and 2016 models.
I think the 500 holds a special niche - a bike that makes you smile every time you are on it - you can putter around on this thing all day. While you can take it on the motorway, this bike lives to own the backroads with its confidence in handling and ability to deal with any surprise that lurks behind the turn. While there are a good few new models and engines coming out, the Classic 500 is - while hugely improved in reliability over the lifetime of the model - firmly rooted into the history of the brand. Its endearment is something most Classic 500 can't really quantify in numbers or stats, it's a bike that has the tendency to turn you in a friendly unhurried driver, enjoying every moment on it.
i was raised in the city that produced these beauties hands on, hand crafted, madras in tamil nadu. i saw the men in my life always revere it growing up and being a motorcycle geek myself , the first thing i bought with my first salary when i grew up was a beautiful 350cc bullet, electra variant because then it was the only electric start. being a girl, i appreciated the electric start more. and let me tell you, it was my fav thing in the whole world. those thumps are majestic. i felt being taken around rather than me riding and exerting, by a lovely strong bull.
Thanks mate. Nice to get a glimpse of the simple, old fashioned way of life in less developed parts of the world. Here in the northern hemisphere we use a method we call "counter steering" when cornering above about 10 mph.
All these 350s, but I would really love nothing more than a brand new 500 classic. I was lucky enough to find a second hand 500, but unfortunately wasn't able to get a new because they discontinued it. It was a sad day to learn that. Would love a classic 650 or another 500.
I love the way you was lyrical about the big single thumping up the hill, I have a 1950 Enfield Bullet and believe me there is no comparison to the thump from my 1950's machine to the new Bullet which to me sounds more like a scooter, with it 4ft long euro compliant exhaust system.
Joe Bean from Maine used to ride to Alaska every year. He would leave on a stormy day and aim for a couple days of wet riding from the start. "It only gets better after that", he would quip.
I have the 650, it make me Happy every time I hop on it, from going to higher gears without giving gas just letting off the clutch to the noise it makes when you are engine breaking after heating it up, to sharing the "acceleration experience" with my friends, it's delicious
The Classic 500 is the first bike I learned driving on, in Goa, India almost 10 years ago. Of course, I did not have a driving license of any sort, but they happily rented it to me. I trained the clutch on a sandy parking lot and off I went, with a crew of Australian bikers, for a week of riding in the beautiful Indian seaside. Since then, I have always dreamt of going back for a proper bike trip. Fast forward to present day, I still do not have a motorbike driving license but am very tempted to get one and relive the bumpy yet comfy rides and the deep exhaust note of the Royal Enfield.
Dull day! Ride through Dewsbury (or any small northern town of your choice) on a wet Monday morning. Dull, depressed etc. Nice bike. I have a Himmy and a Lightning 535.
I've got an interceptor which I love but I really wanna pick up one of these aswell.... as per the idea of putting the 650 engine in the 500 frame, that would be amazing if RE bought out something like that
Wrt "Every middle-aged bloke with a pot belly owns a BMW" ... whilst admittedly perhaps a bit more than middle-aged, I found myself raising my right hand at that one... "Guilty as charged !" (what with a GSA in the stable... and it's probably best not to mention my tricked-out KTM 1190 Adventure R that's also in the stable... indeed the less said about that beast the better)... but, luckily, as I race towards my dotage, I've also got a RE 500 Classic (Black) and, very interestingly, it's that one that (always) puts the biggest smile on my face. :) I'd sell the GSA and the 1990R but they'll bury me with my RE500... it's a fabulously engaging ride.
Hehehe. I wouldn't mind a beemer. There was a GS rider at the side of the road who lost a oil cap that I stopped to aid (how does that happen?) He was middle aged but no belly.i was disappointed
Mate. You guys get double the amount of rain than us and it's humid and there is FA to do up there 🤌😉. Just kidding at least you have Ash and Nora from head of tech RU-vid channel I love Melbourne winters. The best time of year I reckon and our summers are dry 🔥
Hi I’m thinking of buying a classic 350 but I like the classic 500 but not sure if the vibration will be too much for me, yours looks gorgeous can you advise me as I want to do slow touring thanks?
Had a 350 Classic. Good fun, but I wondered how they made a modern version of a fifties bike about 20 mph slower with all the advances in technology. Measured the compression ratio and found it to be about 6 to 1! Fitted a piston from a Continental GT which took it up to 8 to 1 or so. Changed the exhaust, carb slide, bigger main jet and widened the ignition timing arc to allow 7/16” BTDC timing without the damn thing kicking back. Would pull an indicated 75 mph on the flat after that, or 80 downhill with the wind behind. And you could rev the proverbial off it, without serious vibration. Sadly got rid of it as too many bikes. Still miss it although my old G80 Matchless compensates a bit.
I had a 1954 G80 Matchless. I loved the way it handled but it was down on power compared to the Norton ES2, even so I got it to 88mph electrically timed. The ES2 engine in the G80 frame would have been magic.
Is that around Nar Nar Goon North area, I wonder. Used to ride there on my BSA in the early 70s . The cops sat out there then too in their white Holdens, lol.
Oh, that thump. I do like my new Classic 350, it's a really well made modern motorcycle with much the same performance as the 500s on the flat. But I _loved_ my carbed 500 Electra, despite its exploding sprag-clutch and three different oils. I won't say that I regret switching, but just occasionally, I might whisper it, quiet like.
I finally got on my 2018 Classic 500 after having it for 2 years; I couldn’t ride because of a knee injury. It’s my first motorcycle, I fricking love it, but it gave me about 3 days of joy before the battery started dying continuously. I have a bad regulator/ rectifier, just ordered one from India, now I have to wait another 2-3’weeks to ride again 😤. I can’t get it to kickstart, so if anyone has any suggestions, I’d greatly appreciate it (I have it on the center stand, in neutral, auto start in the off position)!!
They won't let you. It's because of the environmentalists and their ridiculous emissions targets. Econazis and Klaus Schwab don't want you to have a fun motorbike, too much personal freedom.
Mid North South Oz here. Got a '95 RE 500 from new. Not exactly reliable, mainly due to my habit of screwing with the works. But I did get it to the point that it will sit on a genuine 140 (90 in the old money) My next rebuild I will have to do something about the oil pump/lubrication system design, the original worm driven pump shaft has died twice under my careful loving abuse. My mate Lizard has been hotting the shit out of his Enny 500 for the Lake Gardiner salt races for years now but he hasn't quite got to Burt Munro's level yet either. This is one aspect of Enfield 500's that few RU-vidrs seem to address about this classic Indian motorcycle. It isn't just the most fun bike to ride, it is also way fun to modify... PS, check out Aniket Vardhan and his Enfield Musket.
I had a 2011 Classic 500, it was, I am sad to say it was a pile of rubbish, in 10,000 miles the electric start failed, the kick start failed, the wiring failed, the valve ripped out of the rear tyre, the chain gave up really early, the plug was always fouled with oil and the towards the end the engine ran very roughly. An absolute dog - never again!
Hi mate I recently bought a Classic 500, only done 1300kms. The check engine light seems to turn on when I turn on the fuel pump switch (not the key ignition). It then turns off after I start the engine whether it be kickstart or electric. Does this happen with your bike? Should I be concerned?
I recently moved house and sold my 1989 Harley custom and my 1958 AWO Simson 425s and I never thought i would buy another bike, having owned bikes since 1975, rice rockets, BM's, Triumphs the list goes on... but I thought it was time to hang up my helmet (I'm 66 now) BUT I was walking past a local bike dealers and in the window was this Red RE500 Electra EFI, I kept looking at this bike and the urge was getting bigger that I had to have it... Walking past one day with my wife and I said come and look at this bike in the window.... it wasnt there !!!! but she spotted a red bike at the back of the shop and said is that it ? It was... So she said lets go see it, walked in and she said is that bike sold and the guy said no its just getting a service ready to be sold... Then she said... YES then its sold now when can my husband have it !!! I was gobsmacked and took delivery that week.... reason she said yes was, It's not a speed machine and she knows I need two wheels to enjoy being out on it, I absolutly love my thumper, back to basics and gives me the thrills needed.
I rode one of these the other day, i love them but after 20mins i was ready to get off, it felt like i had 2 orbital sanders, one in each hand lol. My hands were numb after 20 mins and all tingly. I actually think the new classic 350 is a better ride, much smoother, just wish it had a bit more oomph. I'm a middle aged biker and own a V-strom and a hyosung GV250. I think the 500 will be worth good money in years to come, but i think the 350 will be the more reliable and better for a longer ride
A classic with a 650 twin engine would be nice but that cant replace the 500 cc single cylinder thump The norton 650 would be closer maybe once its out
The only thing dangerous about it is its tube type tires, but it is not something I would own. And it's not because I have a problem with the Royal Enfield 500 in general. In fact I own one. A 2013 B5 Bullet I bought brand new. I have just over 14K miles on it. I have converted it from EFI to an Amal Concentric MK1 carburetor using a kit from Hitchcocks Motorcycles, and installed a louder, non cat con exhaust on it. It is one of the most fun bikes I have ever owned, out of almost 50. It is not fast, I generally ride it around 55 mph, which is where it seems happiest, and where you can hear and feel that thump thump thump from that unbalanced long stroke single. It is a very comfortable, relaxing ride. I can ride it all day. It gives you a wonderful, almost euphoric feeling. The carburetor actually has a "tickler" on it, and when starting it cold, you actually get some gas on your finger while tickling the carburetor. It also has a kickstarter. It is Forest Green with gold pinstriping, and there is no black on it that wouldn't have been on a mid '60s British bike. It's chrome and polished aluminum. Because of its tube type tires, I don't ride far from home, and have already had several flats on it. Sadly the bike you have there, which although beautiful, is NOT purely mechanical. In fact it has almost as many computer parts on it as motorcycle parts. It has both EFI and ABS, both of which are controlled by complicated and anything but mechanical computer systems. The Hitchcocks carburetor kit only fits models through 2015. Hopefully someone will find a way to replace the trash EFI systems on later models with a carburetor. I've heard someone has already succeeded in converting a Meteor 350 to a carburetor. The 650 twin has NO character. It sounds and feels like a Honda CB500, which has no sound or feel of any kind until you hit a bump. They even put a balancer in it to make it as boring as possible.
I would like to see the Himalayan engine with a factory big bore kit in a Classic 500 frame. It is almost impossible to find a Classic 500 for sale here in the States.
@@thefika We get the Classic 350 and the Meteor 350, but they are electronically limited to 75mph/120kph, which makes them totally useless as all around bikes on our motor system. A cheap 250cc Chinese dual sport will outrun them.
Well there is one thing that is also dangerous, leaning hard on the right because of the way the brake pedal support is routed, under the exhaust. Don't ask me how I know... Hello fellow special editioner.
I am deeply insulted by your “pot belly bloke must own a BMW”. In fact, I sold my BMW K1600 last month and now ride a Bonnie T120. Strangely, my pot belly hasn’t gone away!! Like the vids. Keep it up!
The 500 is just at end of life in terms of manufacturing, India and Europe have much stricter standards than Australia and US, they're presumably struggling to keep the 500s legal and there would be a gap in quality between the modern 650s and 350s and the ancient 500. So would be cool if they can redesign the 500 but they're already looking at water cooling for the Himalayan 2, so if it does appear might be water cooled or reduced power. They are releasing a 650 meteor though which will be pretty cool and I imagine people will be modding them into."classic" bobbers immediately
@@thefika yeah slightly regretful I didn't get one of the last models here I'm the UK but there are still loads on the used market and parts won't be a problem any time soon.
True story: A man in Europe got a speeding ticket in the mail... There was a photo taken by one of those hidden traffic cameras.. There was a photograph of his face behind the steering wheel and the front of his car showing his license plate… the photo was stamped with the date/date/time/his speed. The letter instructed him to mail in the amount of the fine.. The man wrote out a check for the correct amount, he took a photo of the check, and mailed the photo in.. A few days later, he received a photo from the Police with a photo of handcuffs.. The man then mailed in the actual check..
Have the cameras but stop raising revenue with them. Demerit points and real punishment in court. Impound vehicles. They give you a big fine here for going 3km over. If it's so bad. Why are you giving me a fine? Send me to court and fine me then if I have done wrong. I suspect the court will be F right off with your 3km over cases.
I haven’t bought a classic 500, my cousin who has an Aprilia rs50 says I’m certifiable for doing this but I got a bullet 350 a 2003 one of the last true bullets with the right foot gear change and drum brakes front and back that are horrendous I think some high friction brake shoes are needed big time 😂
@@thefika the vibration is unreal, I have 2 re tighten the footpegs and various other nuts and bolts every couple hundred miles or so 🙈 but absolutely love it its like nothing anyone my age rides which is cool
I had the chance to buy a Tribute version like the one you have, but went for an ex demo Interceptor (for the same price) instead. Both are great bikes, but there's something about the big thumper that makes it have more character
