Royal Enfield Meteor 350 v Bullet 500 - Comparison & Which is Best ?

I have recently ridden the Royal Meteor 350. Would I swap it for my Bullet 500 ?
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Royal Enfield Meteor 350 - • Royal Enfield Meteor 3...
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[@chokdeesam2365]

“Sometimes you need to think with your heart, not your head” ❤ I am in love with my Meteor 350. So much in love, I don’t care about the Super Meteor 650 or other bike with more power. This feeling is so pure, it’s like a gift of life, I just want to preserve it.

[@Plough78]

Feel the same way.. Got my Fireball yellow a couple of weeks ago.. I'm totally smitten. It's ideal for North Thailand... Is yours still with you 6 months on..? How's it going..? Any issues..? *Crap Game*

[@jameshaydon8922]

You and me both, I know exactly what you mean.

[@chokdeesam2365]

@@Plough78 Still nice, some custom parts, and still in North Thailand 🇹🇭 Around Chiang Rai

[@williamnethercott4364]

Your reviews of the Meteor and Classic 350s in contrast with your 500 are very helpful.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thank you William. Much appreciated 👍

[@TheNorfolkThunderbolt]

I own a Meteor 350 and a Bullet 500! I love both of them.

[@manojkarunakaran8604]

Yesterday took the delivery of my Meteor 350 Supernova the top end. It's such a smooth engine......it's runs like a hot knife on butter

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Yes. Well said Manoj 👍

[@jameshaydon8922]

I have one of each in my garage and love them both. They have both.had a mild tune, air filter and cover and free flowing silencer which gives the 500 Classic more top speed as well as faster acceleration. The 350 Meteor has more go in it now but the top speed is governed so top speed remains the same but it's still worth the tune up. Another benefit is they both sound great just like the old British bikes used to. I must admit though if I want to go on a longer journey I will take the Meteor because its more comfortable and smoother. Can't wait for the weather to pick up. Ride safe but above all enjoy the ride.

[@chrisweeks6973]

Nice one Jack, and I understand your perspective. I tried an identical Meteor in West Australia recently and found the seat comfortable, but a bit too low for my 32" legs. The geometry wasn't quite right for my 76yo frame, so I'll try the Classic 350 soon as I think that, with the seat height being a bit taller and the different position of the footpegs, it might be the go - plus I love the looks!

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi Chris. Yes I can understand that. The classic will probably be better 👍. I’m testing one for the channel soon 👍

[@RandolphMaunder]

Exactly the compariion I wanted to see. I have a Classic 500 trials replica and my chum has just bought a 350 meteor. We have plans to tour together next year and I am interested to see how the bikes compare!!

[@kennethgianetti4590]

Great comparison and as a Bullet owner myself I think you truly nailed what the Bullet is about. Thanks.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thank you Kenneth. 👍

[@astro61362]

Nice comparison review. I looked at a very clean 2019 Classic 500 before I bought my Meteor 350.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi David thank you. Yes that Meteor really is a great bike 👍

[@marcinpiak3540]

You're right, Jack, always buy a bike with your heart and not your head. Ride safe.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thank you Marcin 👍

[@wltrlg]

I used to miss my XSR900 after trading it in for the 2021 T120 Black. Now, I never want to go back anymore. These modern classics have so much more character and soul. Only for longer tours I’m a bit hesitant to expose the Bonnie to potential harsh weather but maybe that is just a psychological thing…😀 Great video!

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thank you 👍. Yes I’m the same. Hate taking it out in the rain 🌧with all that chrome. Give the bike and wheels (not tyres) a good spraying with Pro Prep and it will be fine 👍

[@Team-fabulous]

I have a 2002 500 bullet. Absolutely love her. Lots of noise, rattles and vibes but that is part of her charm.. Iv just ordered a Supernova Meteor and can't wait for her to arrive. Plenty of smiles per miles..

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Excellent 👍

[@Plough78]

11 months on how's it going with the Meteor..? She still with you..? Any issues.. 🤔 *Crap Game*

[@Team-fabulous]

@@Plough78 just love the little bike.. Only issue is engine management light keeps coming on. Waiting for a recall to sort that out.

[@wimperelly]

I own a meteor 350 now and love it. My former bikes were aaallll, like you said, Honda smooth, even the BMW R9T pure I've owned is rather smooth. I loved the R9T but I even love the meteor 350 more for several reasons. Cheaper in every way, the meteor is lovely to drive slow and can't go fast. The BMW for example kan be a real beast. For you the bullet is the real classic because you have it. For me, in comparison to all my other bikes, the meteor is a very classic bike. Also I love the gear system. Finished putting your toes under the gear lever is passed away. My both shoes remain the same clean shoes on the top of it 😁 And as you said. The meteor is a perfect bike to ride in and around town. Highways no go but to be honest. Haven't got much bikes where I love to ride it ok the highways. A VFR, a Varadero and a 500cc motorscooter with windprotection were okay but all the other bikes, including a R9T, Duke 390/690, and many more were not. Nice review 🙂

[@denisg4288]

Hi Jack I tested one last week but I found it uncomfortable (lower back ache). I have seen some reviews that found similar. I asked the dealer how the Classic 350 ergonomics were and he gave me the keys and go find out. To be honest, I found it so much better. I was/am tempted but I am set on a Bonnie. My wife even said, get the Bonnie now and save the Classic for when you want a lower capacity, lighter bike. at 61 that made sense 🤔

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi Den. Yes your wife is right. Or get a interceptor and a classic, 🤔, but then you would miss the bonnie. Decisions decisions 🤔🤣🤣. Try the bonnie and interceptor then you will know but if I remember correctly you have already done this 👍

[@DaveBoatBuilder]

I use my kickstart on my 500 classic all the time!

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi Dave. Yes so do I and it saved me a while back when the original battery was playing up 👍

[@devsharma2166]

Yep, I also still like bullet 500.., its position and sitting style, riding be like a man, so much energetic when it's riding with that sound and vibration, still love bullet500 haha..,😀

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Yes well said Dev 👍

[@marcr8968]

As to which bike requires more maintenance, I would argue that the Classic 500 requires less, mainly because you never need to adjust the valves. This seems to be overlooked by many reviewers.

[@JohnTanner61]

My two C5s cruise at 75mph+ easily all day long, often at and indicated 80. And I thrash them to the limiter in every gear great fun. Still want a meteor though😁

[@mikepopelka2349]

Still waiting for REs to hit my dealer's floor, which I am assured, is only a week or so away. Looking forward to trying both the Classic 350 and the Meteor. Enjoyed your comparison why not try a comparison with the Classic as well?

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi Mike. Ha. It’s on for next week 👍. 👍

[@michaelstanley7742]

I have a 2002 Bullet Sixty-5 which I love but am consider a newer model, really fancy the Meteor but can't help thinking it may lack the charm and feel of the 500, this video is giving me a positive nudge in the Meteor's direction 🙄

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi Michael. Try the classic 350 also. Meteor is good but I prefer the classic 350. It keeps some of the charm of the 500. 👍

[@TheArchmage100]

My sister's crazy about cruisers. And we have planned to gift her favourite Meteor 350 on her 22nd birthday which is in coming 3rd December. She has no clue and no expectation that she's getting a bike. 😃 Here in India, Riding a meteor is a big challenge considering the traffic in Bangalore. She's gotta get a hang of it as it's heavy. How did you find the handling of meteor 350? Especially from a 22 year old college girl perspective?

[@markb3180]

Now I know why you own a Bullet 500, enjoy it Jack.

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Hi Mark. Yes I do love that Bullet 👍

[@sagarmeena0210]

beautiful country.........love from India

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thank you Nikola 👍

[@stevethackery9853]

Having moved from a 500 Bullet to the 350 Meteor, I completely disagree with the presenter about performance. I can only speak subjectively as I haven't stop-watched either bike, but subjectively my Bullet was much more punchy and accelerative in the low-to-mid-range than the Meteor. You'd expect it, surely - the Bullet is rated at 41.3Nm, a good 50% higher than the 27Nm of the Meteor. Why does no KZbin reviewer ever mention the horrible knock from the balance shaft drive in the Meteor 350? Most bikes - regardless of manufacturer - use a lashless drive (split, sprung gears) from the crankshaft to the balance shaft to eliminate the inevitable gear rattle. RE have eschewed that for a simple cush-drive, which means the gear teeth rattle against each other. The cush drive presumably protects the gear teeth, but the knock is still clearly audible and can even be felt through the footpegs and handlebars. Incidentally, Triumph have also decided to move away from a lashless gear drive to the balance shaft. Apparently it results in less friction and lower manufacturing costs. Triumph have uprated the tolerances to remove the backlash as far as possible. I wish RE had done a better job. Nevertheless, I absolutely love my Meteor. It's just great in every way as a pottering about bike, and the build quality is on a different plane from the Bullet. Apart from the rattle, the Meteor engine is a joy. I only have one wish (which I'm sure won't come true): I wish RE would make a 500 version of that new engine. It would have a useful amount of extra performance with no downsides. If you enjoy "pottering about" on a bike, buy a Meteor. Mine was less than four grand (UK pounds) and it's brilliant.

[@sasfore]

A voz de documentario

[@alain7338]

👏👏👏👍✌️🇨🇵

[@JackBonhamMotorcycles]

Thank you Alain 👍

[@kanderson4417]

Just don't like the style of the 500.