Royal Enfield Calssic 500 Review

The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is a model based on the Bullet 500 which can trace its origins back more than 60 years. What happens when you put a sportsbike rider onto one? The bike is actually so much more enjoyable than I ever thought possible with just 27 BHP!
many thanks to CooperB Motorcycles for the loan of the bike.
www.motovlogalliance.com

[@Volgaman21]

I love that sound of the engine, I could listen to that all day. Must be the most relaxed bike to ride, I want one.

[@PhilOsGarage]

Volgaman21 it’s a fantastic machine in the right setting.

[@roopeshmotewar7702]

Use fully sinthetic oil it will reduce vibration more then 50 % I am having this machine since 2012

[@Johnny-sj9sj]

@@roopeshmotewar7702 - Thanks for that! I bought a gallon of fully synthetic for the next service on my 500 Pegasus, but I was reading mixed reviews on the wisdom of using it. Relief! Especially at £52 a gallon! Best wishes from 🇬🇧🙃

[@Johnny-sj9sj]

Upgrade tell-tale lights now available in LED. Nice and bright and easily fitted. Refer to Stuart Fillingham youtube for further advice.

[@NavSihag]

@@Johnny-sj9sj did you try synthetic oil ? Does it really reduce the vibration ? If yes then which brand ? I’m going to change the oil first time soon.

[@NewYorkCityonTwoWheels]

Recently got a 2017 Classic 500 in Classic Black. I'm in love with it!

[@kevindaly5093]

Thank you. This is an honest review and not quite what I expected from a sports bike owner. I've owned my Classic 500 here in The States for three seasons now and I absolutely love it. She just happily chugs through the countryside like an old shire horse. An enchanting ride from another time. The hardest part if ownership is getting used to all the attention it draws when you park it up. Pure riding bliss for town and county rides.

[@PhilOsGarage]

Kevin Daly thanks, that's really appreciated. I try and remain as neutral as possible, truth us the bullet is one of the most enjoyable bikes I've ever ridden- I really wasn't expecting that at all!

[@morrisminor56]

Yeh,I got one of these same colour as you rode,and I'm same hight as you.I find it a very relaxing bike to ride.No stress on an Enfield :)

[@iRidetas]

An excellent, honest review of a bike that is a time capsule and full of character and nostalgia. I test rode one recently and loved it! Well done on your video!

[@PhilOsGarage]

iRidetas thank you so much. The Enfield really took me by surprise, but it's a very enjoyable bike. Glad you liked the video. 😊

[@iRidetas]

It took me by suprise to mate, i was expecting like you for it to be a little toy like but it was taller, heavier and far more torquey and robust than i was expecting. It even handled a lot better than expected. Im a little smitten with it to be honest!!

[@jeffslade1892]

Good summary from a brief test. The vibrations do lessen once it is fully run in and can then be reduced further by changing up later through the gears, using more revs, which pushes the vibrations further up the rev band as bearings bed in further. The engine then produces more power and can cruise on motorway if you have to (I'd rather gnaw my arm off, it's so boring). Just 27bhp but with slightly more torque than a CB500R. The handling is good, and forgiving. The 1948 bike handled well, and although it doesn't look it, this one has modern suspension; more for comfort than sporting. The short wheelbase turns on a sixpence and the narrow tyres mean you don't lean as far to take bends, you just drive round them. For riders with short legs, the springs etc can be removed from the seat and lowered a good 2-inches. Requires some steel brackets made up. Imo this also makes the ride even more comfortable.

[@PhilOsGarage]

Jeff Slade thanks! I was very pleasantly surprised, I always appreciate input from people like yourself who have experience with these bikes, rather than just looking at a spec sheet and mock due to the 'lack' of power. It was absolutely one of the most enjoyable bikes I've ever ridden

[@vikasupadhyay1398]

Great info!

[@splodge5714]

Enjoyed the ride. Thanks for the informative description of what sounds a nice bike.

[@PhilOsGarage]

Trevor Ford thanks for the comment Trevor, it won't be for everyone but if you ride more in the country it could be ideal. They have more powerful bikes in the pipeline, too.

[@retrogazele]

I rented the classic 350 in goa for 7 euros a day for a week ! really fell in love with it ,like you said its a very relaxing ride ! i think i will buy one !

[@PhilOsGarage]

retrogazele I know EXACTLY what you mean, I was caught completely off guard by how enjoyable they are, it’s a totally different kind of motorcycle. Glad you enjoyed your experience, hope you purchase one, I’m sure you won’t regret it. 😁👍

[@tpv59]

You are VERY EASY to listen too. Thank you. GREAT review. Greetings from 'OZ'. (Australia)

[@PhilOsGarage]

Thank you, that is appreciated, glad you enjoy the videos. 🙂

[@tompas11A3n52KkX]

Thanks for a nice review. I have recently bought a 2018 RE Classic 500. I will make a short review of the bike in the near future on my channel. And I have recently just done the first service on the bike wich is done at 500 km. I think the vibs already has fallen quite a bit.

[@apexxxx10]

*Outstanding!. Thanks. Royal Enfield is a smashing success here in THAILAND. Thirty sales & service points including a Flagship showroom in Thonglor, Bangkok's upscale Knightsbridge. Next year 2021 Royal Enfield factory to open in the Thai Kingdom. Here our RE Continental GT 650 trial in BKK suburbia. Keep on Ridin' - Bangkok-Johnny*

[@PhilOsGarage]

Hi, thanks for the comment. It sounds like the biking scene in Thailand is booming, great to hear. 😁

[@stephenphillip5656]

A couple of points of order from the video- the engine is a 499cc single not a 535 as stated. The 535cc engine is used on the Continental GT "cafe racer" version. Also your "Headline" stated that it is a "CALSSIC" 500. Hmm- a bit of proof reading needed methinks! However, I really enjoyed the review- I am the proud owner of one of these fine machines and have just completed the 1st 500 miles on it. It is my 1st non- Japanese bike in 47 years of motorcycling and I LOVE it. It does belong on "A" roads and by-ways rather than motorways- it all settles down at 50-60mph and I would be in the way of trucks trying to do 60-70mph on a motorway. Whatever you ride, it should be about the journey rather than the destination. Ride safe and enjoy the comradeship of all bikers.

[@PhilOsGarage]

Stephen Phillip this model is sold here in the UK as the classic 500 - it’s a more ‘retro’ version of the bullet 500, and as such has a spring saddle and more chrome. Since this video was shot about a year ago the models have been further segregated, this spec would now be called the classic chrome. These model names vary in other markets.

[@otterchen]

I ve stopped motorcycling 30 years ago. With your review and thoughts about the Enfield 500 i will start again to do motorcycling.. that bike seems to bring all that back what i want from motorcycling. I used to have a Yamaha XT 500 and maybe the Enfield, even with a kickstarter can bring me that feeling back. Thanks for your video .

[@PhilOsGarage]

Thank you for the kind comments, yes, it would be an ideal 'comeback' bike

[@UdirleyVeiga]

I love this road of England is beatiful and this motorcycle.

[@PhilOsGarage]

Thank you 🙂

[@balajisundarrajan9684]

I have got the matte blue version of it . The vibes settle down after one puts on some kms on it . Thoroughly enjoyable bike at very safe speeds...

[@PhilOsGarage]

Balaji S I was very impressed with the bike, and even as new as that one was the vibration wasn't excessive.

[@roycspary8923]

thank you for not adding music. what you used the audio track for was perfect. I wanted your opinions and observations, now I know I should get a test ride when my funds finally come through, from your description i doubt i would find the vibration a problem, just wondering how it keeps up with traffic on hills, I live in a country similar to Scotland in that regard, being tailgated by 40 tons of truck is no fun, have no wish to end up as road kill. thanks for the helpful review

[@PhilOsGarage]

Roy Cspary thanks fir the comments. I really don’t think the vibration is intrusive as it’s very ‘natural’ feeling. I didn’t get the opportunity to try it on hills but suspect it would cope well as it’s more about torque than bhp with this bike, which is exactly what you need.

[@guysmith3146]

Owned one since Sept 2017, last of the euro 3 models with no ABS. Done two tours down to Spain staying off M ways. Now showing 13000 miles plus,they settle down with mileage. The only failing for me is what you mentioned in the review, a weak indicator warning light. I solved this by wiring in a buzzer/bleeper into the indicator wiring.

[@PhilOsGarage]

I absolutely get why you would take it on a longer journey, they are deeply satisfying bikes to ride. Bet the tours to Spain were amazing. Thanks for commenting 😁👍

[@NoahJJCoolClips]

Great video. We can lane split here in Queensland Australia. Do you think it will be able to beat the average car off the mark or is it too slow? Something I need to consider. Mike

[@PhilOsGarage]

Mike Hunter thanks. I'm not sure it would be ideal for beating traffic away from the lights, it's more an easy way to ride a 50 year old bike but with modern brakes electrics and reliability.

[@MannyTamayoPhoto]

Hi Mike. I ride in perth and lane split with it easily. What it lacks in speed and Hp it makes up for in torque. You can feel that when it goes off the line. You’ll out accelerate the average car for sure. It’s only in the freeway where I’ve felt limitations in the speed, primarily just because of the vibrations.

[@NoahJJCoolClips]

Thanks Manny. I will rarely ride this bike on the freeway and no more than 100-110km/ph.. Maybe once every three months and I would certainly take breaks. How id the build quality? Is any paint flaking or rust setting in?

[@jojn5433]

You looks serious and professional, soo I ask you: Is this a bike can be happy too own ? Not for race, but small tours. Vibrations through handlebar you say, but try ride in more high speed then u do then sure more vibrations. Thanks if u answer.

[@PhilOsGarage]

Hi, thanks for the comments. It would depend on the speed you ride at, for 55 - 65 mph it would be absolutely lovely, I must admit I think about this bike regularly and will not rule out purchasing one.

[@jojn5433]

@@PhilOsGarage Thanks..😁👍

[@herohero3279]

Love from India 😀

[@PhilOsGarage]

Thanks 😊

[@TheFusion1966]

Would you know if the motor tuning industry has embraced this particular model? Does the enthusiast seeking more power from the motor have any options?

[@PhilOsGarage]

I don't believe it's an engine which is widely catered for by the after market. While it's in a low state of tune as standard and could produce more power, the same money spent on a bigger engine would yield better results. If you wanted to tune it I'm pretty sure some porting work, a little ignition advance and a head skim would yield results.

[@kitjonok]

Darren Taylor, your local dealer might offer you much more options, but if you look up Hitchcocks motorcycles performance kits you will get the idea what is possible. Tuning up seriously will mean get the 535ccm or 612ccm kit. So that would get quite costly.

[@gsalinas400]

What can and mic are you using?

[@PhilOsGarage]

Hi, the camera is a Drift HD 1080p (quite old now, but still good) at the time of this i was recording the audio in camera, but now use a Tascam DR-05. I just use a cheap ebay lavalier mic

[@whotoinfinity]

Would you ride it around Lake Superior?

[@PhilOsGarage]

I'm not familiar with the area, but I don't see why not!

[@gsalinas400]

What camera and mic?

[@PhilOsGarage]

The camera is a Drift HD1080 and the audio is a Tascam Dr-05, just using a cheap ebay mic in the helmet.

[@sci-shastraq1429]

You don't ride this bike. You just sit and it rides you like you're the king of the road.

[@PhilOsGarage]

Mak Q it does feel very 'royal'

[@NoahJJCoolClips]

I can lane split here in Australia. How would it go off a red light? Could it do well against an average car?

[@PhilOsGarage]

Mike Hunter I'd suggest it's not really ideal for that, it's more for relaxed back roads riding. Having said that, you see quite a few of them in London 🤔

[@NoahJJCoolClips]

Thanks a lot. My reflexes are still good. I will take one for a test ride and see how I go. Just love the look of this bike. All my mates are into sports bikes but I want to stand out from the crowd.

[@PhilOsGarage]

Mike Hunter I think you will find it very enjoyable. Not fast, but hugely enjoyable

[@NoahJJCoolClips]

I have narrowed my choice down to either a Honda Grom or Enfield 500. Would the Enfield accelerate faster than a 125cc Grom?

[@PhilOsGarage]

Mike Hunter oh yes, without a doubt.

[@viswasrujith8426]

If there are some of you people interested in RE classic 500cc and 350cc now is the last chance as they are going to be discontinued next year because R&D expenses and production costs increase exponentially inorder to meet the BS 6 emission standards.

[@PhilOsGarage]

I guess it was only a matter of time, i wonder if they will carry on with a more modern engine?

[@sanketradde4487]

Bro make review on new RE 650 twins 😍😍😍😍😍

[@PhilOsGarage]

That is in the pipeline

[@kyotosal]

That bike will go 70-80 mph and has a top speed of 86 mph!!!

[@jeffslade1892]

In stock form they will reliably go 70-75mph all day, topping out around 80 if you're patient. They're actually /very/ nippy up to 40mph and thus, along with being so nimble, very good in town. Where they excel however is on small country lanes.

[@petersattler3454]

The fastest thing about this bike is the Speedo. Check it with a GPS you find quite a noticeable difference.

[@PhilOsGarage]

Absolutely agree, the country lanes are exactly where it shines. It's a very enjoyable bike

[@segarsegar7913]

H hmm

[@davemurphy2020]

So all you ever ride is a balls alight crutch rocket.? Your not gonna say anything useful about a low hp high torque thumper

[@PhilOsGarage]

It's a very different type of bike, and I loved it, while my preference is sportsbikes it's certainly not my only interest. There is another Royal Enfield review coming soon, I can't wait to ride it.