Why The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is the perfect Gentleman's Touring Motorcycle!

[@flapjackphil4513]

Spot on Sir! Clever marketing tells me I need too big a bike to impress people that I don’t know, offered on easy PCP payments that I can’t afford! Clever marketing also sells me high performance and then lauds the fact that there are in built safety features to slow me down! So I am being asked to pay twice - first for the enhanced performance (that I cannot really legally use) and then second for all the safety features to save me from the performance! Stay safe!

[@STho205]

When we are mature enough to see vehicles as purpose built appliances... Then we make better use of our capital. Women and men we care about are never impressed by big flashy vehicles for long. I need a vehicle that is able to move a 200lb tall man in relative tolerable comfort on 200 mile rides for 3 gallons (2+ imperial) and nimbly handle two lane switchback roads, mountain climbs and a few miles of gravel.... I have found a Honda 250, 20hp does that just fine. Amazingly it only cost $2000, has been rolling for 40k miles, reliable, low maintenance and no need for ABS because only The Hulk could lock up mechanical brakes unintentionally. The casual overlook observer is fascinated by seeing a pure bike in it's native form. Few have ever cast aspersions... Except office yuppies on trendy bikes carrying 700miles or less on the clock

[@flapjackphil4513]

Happy for you! 👍 - bikes can be fun too!!😉

[@agelaonsoikea]

A 300 - 500 cc motorcycle is the perfect motorcycle.

[@mimmousavi8108]

😝😝😝 good points there!

[@CoastalDiariesUK]

Stuart I have watched this too many times that I’m minus 5k. But I do now have a beautiful piece of history that I admire every day.

[@TheChrysler56]

Stuart………..you talk my language. You riding your Mule 500 is like me in my early days of lorry driving, driving a lorry with a manual 10 speed gearbox where you have to use your senses and the sound of the engine to know when to change gear and we all know you don’t need a rev counter to have that special bond with our machines wether on two wheels or 14 wheels spread over six axles. I reckon you’re like me…..a genuine gentleman that doesn’t ask for anything other than the love of a great motorcycle and beautiful places to ride it in and not forgetting an understanding partner i.e. “She Who Cracks The Whip” in my case namely Lynne. Just like to say! I’m getting through your videos at a fair pace now and enjoying them more and more.

[@fernandomagalhaes2957]

The Classic 500 offers a sense of security that others , very technologic ones, can't transmit. It's not romanticism or nostalgy. Driving it is more relaxing than many other powerful bikes, not only because i am never driving in a hurry, but also because: 1-I never feel the need to obsessive and stubbornly overtake every moving object in front of me, as in more powerful machines. 2-I find myself peacefuly in the flow at every moment except when lorryes overtake me in dual carriage main roads. 3- I have a engine with such a retention power that you may dispense high teck and very performing brakes. I use predominantly the engine brake. 4- I hardly aproach cars running in the same sense at very higher speeds than those they practice. 5 I have a engine that accomodates very well with low revs and it complyes perfectely with the smoothness of throttle rotating angles and the little engine speed variations induced by.. 6 I feel a multy task and easy bike to manoeuver, although not being light. 7 I can carry the bike with all my stuff, even without rigid panniers; only saddlebags and other soft bags secured by compression straps. 8. At his prefered speeds and engine revs I can forget the roughness of the great majority of the pavements. 9 The front head lamp is enougth for the ambitions and speeds of the bike in complete darkness. 10 Only by night and with wet vibrating rear mirrors I have some difficulties to distinguish multiple vheicles and their aproaching speeds in other lanes. 11- The fuell tank capacity exceeds by far my interval needs to pee.(note : I am riding for the last 40 years all sorts of bikes In Portugal and Spain).

[@beardypete]

Couldn't agree more. A week ago I got back from a 7 day. 1200 mile camping trip on my Classic 500. I meandered lazily from Glasgow down to Norfolk over 6 days of seeking out the smallest roads before doing the 450 mile return leg in one, just to see how the wee bike coped with it. It never skipped a beat, as usual drew loads of attention wherever we parked up and handled the hundreds of miles of motorway on the final day just fine. I'm not sure riding a Royal Enfield is enough to make me a gentleman though!

[@Johnny-sj9sj]

Legend! Thanks! Bullets rule!

[@carlarthur4442]

The R E looks like a bike that most people would really enjoy 😊 if they left their Egos at home 🏡 just enjoy the bike and ride for what it is , I don't care how big or small a bike is I just enjoy motorbikes. Great video as usual. Thank you 😊

[@Britishshooter]

"Wafting through the countryside" (8.50 TO 11.25) sums up the emotion of riding a bike better than I have ever heard anywhere before. Brilliant job Stuart.

[@markymarknj]

TOTALLY!

[@AndrewSmith-hy8gl]

Perfectly articulated insights, beautifully presented and explored, expertly and eloquently reasoned, timeless and reflective - these are the qualities of a true gentlemen's motorcycling philosophy. So well done Sir, very well done indeed. Thank you

[@andreVE4BK]

Exactly Uncle Stu! That is the reason why I traded my Goldwing for my Black Chrome Classic 500 last year. I have been riding for 48 years and have not regretted buying the Bullet… ever. As we used to say in the Airforce… spatial and situational awareness indeed Stu. Thanks again my friend. 👍

[@zenflowmaster]

You traded your Goldwing!😮 Wow. Big wrap. Love your point re: situational and spatial awareness. 🙄

[@peterprior1]

You said what I have been saying since I bought mine. Love riding mine over Dartmoor with its 40mph speed limit, dodging the ponies, sheep and Highland cattle.

[@punitkhatri3808]

He's always spot on with his narration. It's like listing to a podcast. Royal Enfield Classics are all the love, you expect from a motorcycle.

[@garybrown4854]

About a year ago I went on a Sunday ride out with some friends and with some bikers I didn't know , I didn't asked where we were going , I didn't care , just glad to be out of the house, when I turned up on my Triumph Tbird LT 1700 and saw a lot of RE bullets I thought nothing of it , however the ride turned out to be round the Derbyshire dales similar roads to those you are riding in this video, I still didn't think much about it , but as the ride unfurled I realised I had turned up on a completely unsuitable bike for the occasion , there was uphill hairpin bends , downhill hairpin bends , narrow tracks ect . The guys on the Bullets were making easy work of it , me I was struggling to keep up , the cold had got to my clutch hand and it was getting painful to ride , trying to muscle that big cruiser around with the Mrs on the back as well was not enjoyable at all in the end, I had to stop for a P and get the feeling back in my left hand , those bullets in those circumstances certainly shown me the way , 100hp nil V 28hp one . With hindsight I should have turned up on my Honda Deauville 680 , I would have had a lot easier time of it , sometimes less is defiantly more , proving your point entirely .

[@desperado.1001]

I’m not even sure how I stumbled upon your channel because I’m not a motorcyclist (I somehow had it in my mind that I’d become too old to be one) but after watching two of your videos I suddenly want to become one, and riding the 500 at that. It’s easy to see your passion for riding and your videos were really enjoyable. Keep up the great work, good sir, and take care!

[@DirkGentley42]

you don't say what age you are, but I don't think it's ever too late. Just ignore all those that say it's a mid life crisis. (Actually what's wrong with a mid life crisis? Change the word crisis for re-evaluation.). I've had comments like that after returning to biking after a 20 year break (not that many comments mind), but do you know what, let them live their lives their way, and live yours the way you want. I hope you get a bike and share the experience. Get some training, practice on quiet roads and develop a 6th sense to compensate for declining driving standards.

[@brianperry]

Thank heavens for Stu riding through the Yorkshire Dales.. Sanity in a world of doom and gloom in the media.... Your take on 'sport bikes' was interesting because I too have ridden down that road. I came to Spain about twenty years ago bringing my Triton with me. Riding mostly in concentrations I found the speed just to slow...mostly.. Thirty or so years before I owned a couple of BMWs... the seventies air cooled Boxers...Like you I would ride the country roads, In my case, Southern England for hours with nothing more than the soft burble of the engine to keep me company... it was great and relaxing, no rushing about!. I owned Guzzi Le Mans and Ducati 900SS.... 'Scratching' the the A and B roads was great but intense concentration drains you.... Those of us who survive that period of our motorcycling journey settle down to where we all must go eventually ..Los Motociclists, son los Ultimos Espiritus Libres ... (Motorcyclists, the Last of the Free Spirits) Thanks for the ride Stu...

[@BulletWanderer]

Since December, when I started riding both the Bullet, and motorcycles in general, I've done about 7200 miles on the Bullet and loved every second of it. There's been a puncture here, or an exhaust bolt snapped there, but on the whole, I love the lifestyle of it, and how it seems to just encourage you to go at a leisurely pace wherever you go. My longest 'tour', I suppose, so far was a 300 mile round trip to Dingle, and to me (granted, I don't really know other bikes), the vibrations were never an issue, and only become noticable past 100km/hr, or if you're not treating it right! To me anyways, its the perfect tourer, commuter, and explorer, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Anyways, enough romanticizing the Bullet from me. Will have to try the Yorkshire Dales next summer! Thanks for sharing, Stu!

[@Johnny-sj9sj]

Absolutely agree with all you said! My 22nd two wheeled motorised vehicle and the best yet!

[@jameswaterhouse-brown6646]

Hi So vibrations weren’t a major problem for you? Cheers from Aussie.!!

[@BulletWanderer]

@@jameswaterhouse-brown6646 Not particularly! I usually keep the revs quite low anyways, so its only when I'm really pushing the bike past 100km/hr that I really notice them. The mirrors perhaps are a little vibey themselves, but I find just pulling the clutch in for a split second gives me a clear view behind me if I really needed it, but on the whole, the vibrations, at least on mine, aren't the big deal people seem to make them out to be. That being said, I'm on a different modern bike at the moment, and while its smoother and faster, I'm missing the Bullet's beating heart. Cheers from Ireland!

[@thomasmckenna2218]

​@@BulletWanderer How do you find using a Bullet in Ireland generally?

[@BulletWanderer]

@@thomasmckenna2218 it’s pretty good in the summer! I’ve done about 12000 miles total on Irish roads with it, however, the winter weather has been harsh on the chrome so it’s something to keep in mind . This winter I think I’ll switch to something else and keep the Bullet indoors for a couple months 😅 but other than that, perfect vehicle to get you where you want to go with a smile on your face. Every petrol stop is nearly guaranteed to have someone come up and ask you ‘what year is it ?’

[@hazcat640]

50 years ago when you entered the Pennsylvania Turnpike you were handed a card that listed all of the interchanges and the time was stamped beside the one you used to get on. Then when you got off the attendant would take your card and stamp the time when you got off. If the time was too short they could hand it to the cops and you would get a ticket. (don't ask me how I know)

[@jamesdarnell8568]

I remember those. IBM punch cards. Using computers back in the early 1960s! Amazing technology for the time.

[@peterwest3975]

I’ve had mine for 5 years, my first bike. Love her, and agree totally with your assessment, particularly on the vibration and lack of cowling. This is authentic motorcycling at its finest.

[@nigelcopestake3618]

Obviously you picked some good weather to tour gods own country. I thought Scotland was the place to go, but the Yorkshire dales looks awesome. Yet again a great vlog, you've done it again 👍👍👍

[@dng2607]

Great to here someone else with a view that mirrors my own.

[@michaelhutton3642]

Brilliant article/ video. Maybe it's my age (60+) but I no longer feel the need to 'rush' into my future. I feel instead the need to 'experience' it. I also feel the need for a test ride on one of these. 🙂👍

[@johnnybgood7812]

I’ve just preordered one of the new RE Classic 350’s and hoping it will arrive next spring. I’m not sure it will have quite the character of your 500 but should be ideal for pootling the back lanes here in the Cumbrian/Northumberland/Scottish borders.

[@garycarr2530]

Your boundless enthusiasm for Motorcycling and your Classic 500 makes your video’s a great watch. I also like my mechanical watches, any chance of a video on your collection Stuart maybe when the weather is not suitable for going out on the bike.

[@stuartfillingham]

I do have some new acquisitions to review,

[@adrianroberts6983]

Stuart. Your honeyed words finally did the trick. The idea of getting back on a bike, and more particularly a Royal Enfield has been a persistent itch I've resisted scratching for several years now. However, with retirement and a few quid in my back pocket, I finally "bit the bullet" (sorry!) a month ago, and a Classic 500 now lives in my garage. What a joyous experience it has been so far. Living and riding in North Derbyshire I'm in perfect Bullet territory, and loving every minute. Many thanks for the inspiration to take that leap back into biking.

[@leeward4]

I bought a classic 500 in 2012 and really enjoyed it. People have to accept it for what it is. A great bike. Last year I fell in love with the Interceptor and had to have it. The dual exhaust and styling that reminded me of the 60's bikes did it for me. I still miss the "mule" sometimes but the Interceptor is a thing of wonderment. Thanks Stu.

[@martinowl]

I think you are doing an admiral job promoting the qualities of the Bullet & dispelling some of the repeated alleged issues/short comings of it. Good on yer. If the Bullet suits your requirements for enjoyable riding, then it’s good to tell people. Many motorcyclists are still too afraid of peer pressure or being seen as a lesser rider if they don’t ride the fastest/biggest/desirable model.

[@pilotsproject]

for a German bloke as I am it feels so nice to listen to your authentic british accent ... it reminds me of my good old times visiting GB when I was a t young age 😀

[@tejendhankhar]

Been following you since the start. Love your in depth slow paced details in content. Love from India Mr. Stuart.

[@alexsandovallapostol9998]

Very good ! all so true in my perspective. Here in the Southwestern US everything is open and wide and main roads are actually super highways filled with cars and trucks going a high speed. However, there are blue highways, roads away from the madding crowd where riding machine such as RE 500 classic is absolutely a joy ! I laughed when you made me think of that wonderful scene in the film Hope and Glory when the Dad comes home on Christmas break from some WWII english airfield somewhere, and he's dressed in wool and googles with about two inches of ice and snow covering him....Lol

[@FATBOY692011]

I passed my test on August 25th this year. My bike, Classic 500, was bought new by me in December 2019. It had less than nine miles on the clock, it now has over seventeen hundred. It's been used on everything from single track to motorways and I have complete confidence in the bike (less so my ability). Caught in rain and hail yesterday and I have to say I actually enjoyed it. Very little in the way of vibrations and sits at 70mph no problems. Watching this has just reinforced my view that for me I have the perfect bike. Love the videos please keep making them on the mule. Oh I called my bike HG Wells as it's my time machine.

[@luke1463]

Stuart, I used to have faster bikes before my wife and I started having kids and I never actually did much in the way of touring on them. Then came a mandatory 10 year break, which I finally broke last year when I saw my Classic 500 sitting in a shop. I remember thinking at the time “will it be fast enough or is this just foolish?”, but she wasn’t expensive and she was beautiful so I jumped in without even a test ride. Your views and mine sit very close: there is a joy to manipulating a Classic 500 through a winding scenic road, with the thump and the mechanical life the bike exudes that simply isn’t replicated on bigger machines. The 500 is the closest thing to a bike with a soul that I have ridden. It’s modest HP is a feature, an aspect of its personality, “yes I can do this but you need to help me?” “Let’s take this road rather than that” are all things that add to the sum of the experience, not subtract. And it’s that involvement in the ride that somewhat ironically makes me want to tour on this “far less capable “ machine than any of my previous others.

[@gibb013]

I meant to say, these Royal Enfields are amazing value and look fantastic, they really do take you back in time.

[@frankysworld]

*GASP* There is an actual RE key fob on there - *SHOCKED!*

[@niceviewoverthere4463]

I'll join in the furthest traveled competition. Regards from Tasmania. I do have a newish 1200cc Triumph which is faultless for big and small jobs, but my favourite is the old 1982 Honda CX500 that would have a similar power to weight to the Bullet. So - yes I understand your sentiments.

[@n4zou]

I crossed the USA on a Honda GL500 Silverwing in 1982. I went to Pensacola, FL from San Diego, CA while in the US Navy. To be honest Honda stopped building CX500 and GL500 motorcycles because they were competing with Goldwing sales, which cost a lot more with a higher profit margin for Honda and Dealer's. The GL500 was a factory built light touring bike which was a copy of the CX500 with Craig Vetter touring gear consisting of a Windjammer fairing, bag's, and trunk. When running the Vetter touring gear it was so we'll designed that it could start raining and you would remain dry as long as you were moving. The bag's and trunk were designed to direct air behind the driver and passenger preventing air coming up their backs from behind so no road grime or wet backsides. Just about every Honda GL1000 Goldwing got a complete Vetter touring gear setup. So much so people thought they came from Honda that way but no, CX500 and GL1000 motorcycles were always naked bike's when they arrived at Dealerships.

[@direktorpresident]

@@n4zou I did UK to Greece and back on my CX500 in 1982! Woman as usual was the motive spring but what a bike! The CX I mean. So much so that I bought a 1983 GL650 and have it in my garage now awaiting restoration. Marvellous machines, and fantastic value for money, which is why you are so sadly right about the discontinuation. My Bullet 500 is perfect for week-end jaunts and hopefully the GL will whisk my arthritic frame along on longer trips....good luck

[@Johnny-sj9sj]

CX500? Another of my favourites, a great bike, coming a close 2nd to my Bullet 🇬🇧

[@MrJulianneave]

Yeah I used to ride my dad's Honda cx500 a bit, also here in Australia (Newcastle). But I think you're remembering it's performance wrong, it's definitely a lot more powerful for its weight than the bullet! The cx500 actually feels a fair bit like my interceptor does, and is actually rated at slightly more peak power than the interceptor (47 vs 50) even though the interceptor likely feels faster due to a more even torque spread.

[@VicariousxD]

In 1999, kawasaki gifted aaron yates and doug chandler 1000cc bikes which they refused to ride just because of safety. While these 1000cc bikes are fast and filled with technology, they are not so practical in many cases. They belong to track more than on roads. While I don't discourage people from buying litre class bikes, one needs to remember what these machines were made for. 650cc and lower bikes fit a lot better on almost any road in the world. Add to that what you mentioned in this video, that motorcycles are a way to "experience" the environment around you, a simple easy to ride machine makes much more sense. A really good video uncle Stuart.

[@sanclewphotographic]

What a wonderful video, beautiful countryside, great narration and commentary it was you Stuart at your best and what came through in spades was your love of the genuine Motorcycle culture and riding this lovely machine, thanks for making this video, it was superb, regards, Colin.

[@hartley383]

I’ve owned 1200/1300 motorcycles for years and still have an XJR1300 and a GS1250. The 130/140 BHP makes touring on these bikes a doddle. Early last year I decided I wanted something that I could take on the odd byway and not be to precious about. I bought a Himalayan. This has become my go to bike. I did an off-road course in Wales with it, I rode back roads all the way from Northampton to just outside Aberystwyth loaded up with my camping year and bits and pieces for a long weekend. At no point did I feel I needed or wanted more than the 23.5 HP the little Royal Enfield had to offer. Several people told me what a slog that would be. What it actually was, was a real eye opener and one of the most pleasant rides I’ve ever taken. I think you’re absolutely spot on with your assessment of the of the Classic. With similar power to my Himalayan but, let’s be honest a far prettier bike it has to be a proper gentleman’s tourer. As for the first adventure bike, In 2019 I rde a bullet in the Himalayas, ( some ropey amateurish vids on my channel if you’re interested) I would not have wanted to do it on anything else.

[@berniebne8243]

My favorite motorcycle ever was a BSA B31 350cc. A previous owner had put in a high compression piston & fitted an Amal Monoblock carburetor. It would cruise all day at 70mph. It went over all the passes in the Lake District & the Yorkshire Dales with ease. I also had Triumph & BSA 650 twins, they were over geared for the narrow backroads.

[@birbeck87]

Thanks stu another very expertly put together and narrated video Common sense is a rare commodity in this day and age so it good top up on your channel. Well done stu 👍

[@MarkASaxer]

Another excellent video! What I‘ve seen was a Triumph Bonville with much more power than my Classic 500 running into issues while „climbing“ a hill on gravel…. My mule just did the job. 👍

[@Oilyhands749]

I think your on to something here uncle Stu !

[@listentowhatihear]

I must say Stu, I have rode 650s throughout my life, and single 1100cc for awhile. I'm now on an Electraglide, and it's very comfortable on rides in northern New Hampshire and Maine. But I am very convinced with your argument and want the smaller engine again. I may get a used Classic for single, reserving the Electraglide

[@littlet-rex8839]

It was rake angle and riding position that put me on a t-100 , and at 500 lbs I can slap it and like a puppy, low speed parking lot stuff is a breeze , also I hit a 20 lb dog doing 70mph and bike did well (stayed up). Planning a trip to Orlando from N Alabama in December, we'll see how that goes (600 miles one way)

[@Johnny-sj9sj]

My other bike is a 1983 Harley Ironhead 1000. It’s quicker, obviously, but in some ways it’s a similar riding experience to my Bullet. I occasionally have to toss a coin to see which one I’m going to take out 🙃

[@stanleyknife1967]

Unfortunately, I still have a piece of oick in me (only small mind you) and I’m working on exorcising it everyday! I’ve ridden a fair few bikes, from small singles to big bore ones and the topic of vibrations and speed always seem to be the ‘issues’. Nearly all large capacity four cylinder bikes will have vibrations, generally because they are solidly mounted to the frame. They appear as a buzz - bikes like the RE only really have ‘bad’ vibrations when pushed to the limits of their rev range, which as you are fully aware, isn’t the point. I rode the Himalayan and Meteor recently and they were great fun - it’s all about maintaining momentum which is far more rewarding that blatting past some poor unsuspecting motorist at 100 mph. I raise my cap to a gentleman biker hoping to join your ranks soon. Keep up the good work.

[@alanmurphy9231]

Odd how things come to the fore! Your video has just epitomised the situation I find myself in. I brought my Sprtster roadster here to where I live in Andalucia, in the Alpujjara mountains. The more I ride out here the more I have realised that the Harley is just too big and grunty for the never ending winding roads here! Nothing wrong with the Sportie, just horses for coarses! Great for the roads in the Cotswolds before I moved to Spain. Upshot of it is that I am definitely going to get a Royal Enfield single cylinder in the coming November just trying to make up my mind which?? Decisions decisions... Great videos Stuart Thanks. Look forward to the next.. Hope to see you at the Green Dragon next year! Alan. PS. Im 73!! I do believe I'm growing up!!

[@Johnny-sj9sj]

D’accuerdo absolutamente! I often have to toss a coin to decide if I’m using the Ironhead or the Bullet! I am so jealous of you being in Andalusia. Wonderful part of the planet!

And now a brand new Classic 350 is comeing.

[@sam.H45]

Solid video as always mate 👍 I haven't got my license yet, but everything you have explained is the reason I want a bike!

[@Vedicking]

It sounded almost poetic, Shakespeare like description for the Royal classic beast, plus the British accent was like a icing on the cake. Great job, it's indeed a gentlemen's motorbike. Cheers 🥃

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Fantastic Review of the Classic 500, Bullet, Mule, Gentleman’s Tourer. Well Done 👍🏻

[@silastanner3803]

Man…yeah. You’re a big reason why I’m a classic 350 owner…thank you so much. It is exactly the smooth ass thumper it needs to be. I feel like a lucky caretaker.

[@DirkGentley42]

Well said. I'm slightly younger than you i think, but i never got the rush for increased performance at every turn back in the 80's. Even then i knew that the figures didn't tell you what the bike was like to live with. My contemporaries dismissed my love for Bonnevilles as either eccentricity or hopelessly out of touch, but then we're astounded at how well it moved. On a weekend trip involving 4 people camping overnight, nearly all the gear had to be strapped to the Bonnie as there was no real capacity on my friends suzuki. But that's what old school bikes are about, utility. I had a 20 year break from biking and was pleased to see in the intervening years there were now "retro" bikes. Excellent, i could now be trendy instead of just some misguided throwback. I bought a 2nd hand Ducati instead of my first choice, a motoguzzi V7. An excellent bike in many respects but with more power than i need and the way it kicks in at the merest hint of throttle is disconcerting. It weights little more than a Honda superdream 250, but has 8 piston double disks up front, great in the dry but you need to concentrate on all aspects where on the Triumph you just got on with riding. I was thinking about an interceptor as the next bike, but now you've got me seriously considering a 500 classic. Perhaps keep the Ducati, get a Classic and see if i miss the Ducati. I guess the other thing is having so much performance, handling and braking available you always feel you aren't using the bike to its intended purpose, it encourages you to go faster (plus it sounds happier).

[@leehart1498]

Hey Stewart, just bought a one owner 2018 classic 500 here in the USA. Less than 3,000 original miles. Runs perfect and is loaded with character. Have always loved big singles, and owned several over the years. Will pick up bike 5/28/24. Planning to tour this summer. Chug chug chug.

[@davericketts9101]

Totally agree Stuart and I have, this year, bought a Honda CB500X to do similar trips, including a 1200 mile trip to Scotland, avoiding any motorways. It gives me the same satisfaction as the Royal Enfield gives you, for all the same reasons and a comfortable tank range of over 250 miles.

[@MrJulianneave]

I was very surprised to turn up at a raging party at a friend's house one day to find that she had bought a second hand classic 500 that was sitting in her garage! Not what most would consider a typical bike for a girl in her late 20s to own. I had been out on my interceptor that day, and she asked if I'd like to take the 500 for a quick spin. I quickly said yes and took it out for 10 minutes around the coast here in Newcastle, Australia. I don't think I'd swap my interceptor for one since I like the extra power due to me doing a lot of two up riding, but I was really impressed. Granted I only had it up to about 60 km/h (approx 40mph) but I can see why people worldwide love the torque and sound. Opening the throttle at low speed in high gear and hearing it DUG-DUG-DUG you up to speed is pretty cool, and low speed handling felt surprisingly good. I always thought the interceptor was an upright seating position until I rode the 500, but now it feels a lot more sporty. I have organised an overnight trip to Gloucester with my partner on my bike, her on her classic 500 and her boyfriend on his T100, just gotta wait for lockdown to end! I think touring on the classic 500 would be great from my very limited experience on it, but the interceptor also does an excellent job. Did 1,800 km (bit over 1,000 miles) in a week on mine and had no complaints.

[@Bavenbushcraft]

Very well said! And, I tell you what.... I avoided the Himalayan for years because all I heard was 'underpowered' 'underpowered' 'underpowered'.... Then I tried one.... And discovered it was absolute tosh... It has a lovely low down punch, not life and licence threatening high end power, but that lovely bit of shove to get you off and away from the lights that bit quicker or away from the idiot that hasn't seen you. Sadly had to sell due to age and seat height, now after a Bullet Chrome, but they just make so much money now!

[@carriebacon4175]

Must say, from watching your videos I believe a 500cc size would suit me well. Being 19 stone, 5’10” woman, I prefer a motorcycle in the mid weight range. The 350cc is a tad small and my 1,560cc Harley Davidson is becoming a bit much at 70 years young. I do hope, as you’ve alluded to, Royal Enfield will release a new and improved 500cc Bullet! L❤️VE your reviews!

[@Intbel]

Spot on! With you every step of the way, every word, colon, semi-colon, comma and full stop. Especially re superfluous bells an' whistles. A fan of the Beemer Boxer, had to quit motorcycling a couple of years ago and after a few operations am back in good health, ready to ride. Because many of us much prefer the classic Boxers to the new ones, second hand prices have shot throught the roof and are beyond my meagre means and this 500 thumper perfectly suits my needs and after all, I am a perfect gentleman.

[@davidmacgregor5193]

Hello Stuart, Forty years ago I used to tear arse around on a 1980 Laverda 1200 triple, it was beast to ride, lofty with a 33" high seat and the beautifully sculptured tall motor made the whole plot rather top heavy. It also had a heavy clutch and throttle action that kept snapping the top nipples off the cables, wimps need not apply, you need forearms like Popeye to ride an early Laverda triple. It wasn't the best handling machine available at the time, but it was fast, furious and very tall geared it would pull up to 90 mph at the red line in first gear, mainly due to the bank of three big Dell 'Orto pumper carburettors, 27 mpg from 4-star wasn't unusual from that big beastie. With it's unique 180 degree crank, those early Laverda's sounded like no other motorcycle on earth, a sort of 4-cylinder missing on one of it's cylinders, it had a real off beat tone. Travel forty years on to today and at 65 years of age, I own a 2011 H-D Iron 883, like the Laverda my Iron isn't not the best handling machine around, but unlike the Laverda it has a nice low slung seat height of 25.7", it's not very fast, it's fuel injected and I regularly get 52 mpg from premium unleaded petrol. Yes we do mellow with the passing years, it's a fact of life.

[@iivaridark6850]

Yes! As a boy, I always dreamed of Laverda, that was the ultimate bike for me. But later, when it became possible, I actually did not make it to reality. I once was very close of buying one. I think it was the best decision. Some dreams are at best as dreams.

[@davidmacgregor5193]

@@iivaridark6850 Thank you for your reply, I basically bought my Laverda as a mile muncher to do a weekly commute from West Yorkshire to Shropshire, it was a distance of 125 miles which I covered in 90 minutes, thankfully there were no speed cameras in the early 1980's. I remember one Sunday evening the top nipple on my clutch cable snapped off, I was the M6 just north of Knutsford at the time. I used a jubilee clip to hold the outer cable to the handlebar and another jubilee clip held the inner cable to the throttle grip. That bodge got me down to Telford where I was working at the time. Laverda's are great motorcycles, but with most European motorcycles the owners have to be prepared to work on them to keep them running sweet. The reason that the Laverda triple seats are so high is because Massimo Laverda was 6' 6" tall, that's very tall for an Italian, he had the bikes designed to suit his own lofty frame.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

I got you beat I love riding my C15 bs250 single as well as my 250bh a dirt bike they are full size motorcycles and on my C15 I can take two people if they ride all day at 60 miles an hour and I wave at people as they kept their speeding tickets as I go by cheap cheerful economical simple to repair it is a point of Praise that might be sa-250 singles that they make more horsepower than a Royal Enfield 350 single I just got another 250 Starfire from a yard sale they were gotta throw it out with the Y with the yard furniture got it for 250 pound and English money $500 in American money everything was there everything works I just put a battery in it change the fluid and she fired up on first kick I don't care what they say they were great bikes then and they were great bikes now

[@fredzuccarelli]

An ex-copper here too.....and agree with you on everything mentioned! Another awesome vid!!!!

[@MrSpooky60]

Captures the old spirit of what m/cycling is all about... just riding with little & no fixed plans on secondary roads taking in the sights/ smells / bugs / pot holes and what not.. Am in my sixty's and riding a small capacity bike that gets me to places as I have time is on my side ...Life is Good. Thank You Sir for capturing of that spirit in your video..

[@themoog3889]

To me anything over 650cc is too much , both my bikes are that capacity . My Versys handles 2 up touring with luggage and the Interceptor is just a beautiful bike to ride & sit in the garage looking with a cuppa . She'll be even prettier with the Halcyon mirrors YOU made me buy ! 😃 Nice roads you were on there ! 👍

[@mad-reaper]

Uncle Stu cast the same evil spell on me. The Halcyons look fantastic.

[@TheConvertidordepar]

It will make me cry !!! Three years and 18,000 km with a Bullet 500 left a mark on my heart. I defended it like you, its virtues and capabilities, how much a classic machine is enjoyed. The roads of northern Spain are very similar to the ones in this video and they bring back great memories with my Bullet. After several serious breakdowns and with the intention of making trips without having to intervene frequently in the mechanics, I ended up changing it for a fabulous and efficient Honda NC750X with which it shares the long-stroke engine. I miss her, a lot. Thanks for the video.

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Nice commentary and scenery. I enjoy these videos. I was lucky enough to find a nice used 2016 Classic 500 Lagoon a couple weeks ago. 1179 miles. I've been looking for one in that color for quite a while.

[@Johnny-sj9sj]

Cheers Stu! Best yet! I bless the day I bought my 500 Pegasus: the first motorised vehicle I’d ever bought from new. Three years in it’s a joy to ride and it’s never missed a beat! Thanks again for all your stuff 🤡🇬🇧

[@rishabhmalhotra1542]

I am on market to buy a new bike and its tragic how RE classic 500 just got discontinued. I really liked how the bike looked and the extra performance of 500 cc engine.

[@petertate5741]

Love listening to your blogs Stuff,waxing lyrical about your times and experiences with this truly amazing motorcycle.This is a true definition of a man and machine from the 30's,40's or 50'.s

[@stuartfillingham]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@peterk6077]

Very timely video for me Stuart and well said. I bought my Interceptor to experience a different pace and style of motorcycling to the one I left behind 15 years ago. I did love sports bikes but I needed something that is actually suitable for the roads where I live 🙂

[@philipphilip2174]

My classic 500 is my therapy machine. What more can I say.

[@stebor2997]

Once again a Super Video ,.greetings from Austria and bow Sir....sorry for my Bad English

[@paulhoughtonhhoughton9188]

Stu, have just replaced the dash bulbs on the bullet, their spot on, thanks for the tips and videos

[@carlarthur4442]

Just been reading an article in Classic bike magazine this months , a man running tours on small capacity machine , say 175 cc , Three moors run . Makes quite interesting reading .

[@chrisvredenbregt5952]

Your video brings back memories from times that I rode those routes myself. My age and physical state wont bring me there again england is too far away not in the last place because of the expesive ferry so I picture me now in your place on these fantastic roads.although I must say that I ride my royal enfield classic 500 of 2020 with the same pleasure as you here in the netherlands and sometimes in germany.

[@gibb013]

i recently subscribed and it has quickly become my favourite Chanel. Intelligent conversation and very well informed reviews. After more than 10 years on youtube it’s rare to get a Chanel that gives you this much information about your favourite subject, MOTORBIKES.Love the sentiment of riding the countryside and taking in your surrounds rather than blasting through it and hoping you can stay alive and seeing nothing but blur. Less cc and horsepower gives you more time to enjoy the trip, who wants to get there before you’ve even started, it just means you have less riding time. I have just bought a bmw scrambler though, which i adore. Safe riding Stuart and if you have time, keep them coming.

[@johnratcliffe4105]

Another addictive, easy to watch vid Stu.. You have a really good eye with that camera, great work.. Please don't give it up..😉

[@wolfhalupka8992]

Hi "Uncle Stu"- spot on, that's exaclty the kind of bike travel I like. I don't have to ride on motorways anymore, that's reserved for my everyday car or the XK8. the bikes are used mostly on the small, almost empty roads north of the Harz mountans.i I have to admit, I like the effortless way the 1 litre BMW or the big 1100cc California go about their business, almost noiselessly gliding through small villages in 4th or 5th, than exiting the village in 4th with a good twist oft he right hand, back in 5th at 50mph, cruising speed being 50-65mph. but, most surprisingly.. the Bullet doesn't seem to lack in power. she'll put-put-put quietly (no, we don't scream for attention, why should we?) through said village, than add some throttle and it doesn't take long and we are back at 45-50 crusing along. all without effort or undue show. vibrations are present, but now she's got a few miles, nothing to get exited about. so... yes, the 500cc Bullet is completely capable of handling reasonable requirements and doing so in a very relaxed and confident was. obviously a gentleman's way of riding.... and watches: of course rubbish, I' wearing pratically only mechanical watches (incl one Orient, thx for that hint) and no matter if riding the Bullet, smooth ;) BMWs, high freq Honda four or rumbling Harley Davidson. no watch has ever minded.

[@hughdemorville5864]

Absolutely correct Stu 👍

[@mondo2417]

Again Stu i thank you for your invaluable experiences, to guide us in a more enjoyable time spent on our machines.

[@taoofsteve6039]

Sir: Most enjoyable, as are all your videos. I should like to add my experience to your list as an owner of a 1996 Enfield Bullet (they had yet to acquire the rights to use the name :"Royal Enfield) from new. I've currently got 18,000+ miles on mine and love riding it more now than ever. This from a multiple Ducati owner and racer. The original engine blew a piston at 5,000 miles and the lower end exploded at around 11,000. I replaced the engine with a newer 5-Speed at that time and the metallurgy is much better! It is actually a pleasure to look after and I've enjoyed making many updates and modifications over the years. Keep on sharing the "knowledge" that only a truly experienced rider can understand.

[@jlh2701]

Well said Stu, I too was motivated to ride by reading (and hearing first hand) of the exploits of those early riders, those pioneers you could say, and love my RE for the same reasons as you do, I ride with a pillion and luggage and avoid motorways as much as I can and it's fantastic at what it does well, it has rekindled my love of riding which had waned a little over the past few years.

[@kghwanadoo]

Your commentary makes so much sense. I’ve just come back to motorcycling after 20 years and was not swayed into buying a hyper powered ugly. Instead I decided to restore a bike that I always wanted with modest power. That job is now done. Honda VF750f will do very nicely, thank you!

[@kennethgianetti4590]

Well said. I've been riding for over 47yrs. all kinds of bikes and I have the exact same feelings about my classic 500. Enjoy your videos and narrations. Keep up the good work.

[@T100Bonniville]

Thanks for the video Sir. Another eloquently argued rationale for the joys of motorcycling as more than just performance.

[@robertpearce2244]

Great video, great story. I agree with you. Started biking in 1985 when I turned 16, on my 1977 Gilera 50 Touring. Moved up through the CCs and the years, I’ve had a Hyabusa, I’ve had several Harleys, a Goldwing, RD500 and about everything in between. But now I’m 52, I’m looking at smaller, slower bikes, taking me back to where I first started. Keep up the good work sir!

[@davispurce8791]

Love your channel, from Arizona USA.

[@asiaasia2157]

Couldn't be said better, and with breathtaking landscapes.

[@BlakesPipes]

I agree from Virginia in the US. Own two bikes. W800 and Concours. W800 is my days where I want a day to enjoy the day and the Concours for the day to day to maintain safety as I must ride at highway speeds of 75 mph plus to ensure my safety as I ride 22 miles to work. It is stressful to ride on rain groves at that 75 mph that is not fun. I love you videos. Keep it up.

[@josemathew3916]

Beautiful video dear Stuart Sir

[@mohammadrazamarfani5697]

My favorite motorcycle Royal Enfield Bullet 500cc my favourite choice

[@sergemoreillon1236]

I totally agree with you Stuart! I am super frustrated with my GSX1400 on today's roads. I feel it suffering, breathing on half a lung, desesperate to rev around 6000... I keep it because I love her for 17 years now 😍and it is the perfect bike with a passenger (don't feel the difference 🤣). So I really need a 2nd bike but I want very good suspensions too for the bad roads or white lanes... The single cylinder is a great engine (I had a XT550 and a XLR600 in the 80's), but I try to find something more modern and OK with the Euro-things Royal Enfield makes bikes that "speak to my heart", they have this something special that a chinese bike will never have... So I was thinking of a Himalayan or a scram 411... Now the 450 is at the SAME PRICE in Switzerland and is a very great bike... I tried it for 50km only, but I couldn't find that soul ... They don't make the 500 any more I believe, so I have to find one to try rapidly... This engine sounds sooo great ! The classic/bullet 350 seems "better", but I like vibrations, sensations... Another must try ? Thank you for the video

[@gerryloughran1676]

Great comment ...''no motorcycle feels at home on a motorway'

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

I suppose the Classic 500 performs the same function for you as my XT500 did for me. My XT was fine on motorways. I understand exactly why you like this bike. I owned two Citroen 2CV6 cars and one Dyane, the four-wheeled equivalents. Very interesting video.

[@Johnny-sj9sj]

Ha ha! Out of all the four wheeled vehicles I’ve owned I miss my 2CV 🇫🇷 the most! Now it’s just bikes for me, including my Bullet 🤡🇬🇧

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

@@Johnny-sj9sj Another former 2CV man!

[@michaelfirth1075]

Keep them coming Stuart.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

'Visceral'... Word of the day. Nailed it Stuart. 👍

[@laurenblodgett7197]

Just watched this video thru for the 2nd time. That’s how much I enjoy it. I bought my ’09 at an auction 2 months ago. It had 1,492 miles on it and sat in an airplane hanger ever since. I put a new battery in it and it started right up! I drained the old gas, gave it a thorough cleaning & polishing. It looks pristine. The seating position is ideal for me. Different than my other bikes, in a good way. I’ve watched so many of your riding videos I think I have a good grasp on riding on your side of the road now, if I should ever have the opportunity to get to the other side of the pond. Thanks, keep up the grand work.

[@Andy_ATB]

Absolutely!! In this world were everyone seems to be in a rush - it's a relief to hear people enjoying a more relaxed attitude. Enjoy the ride. take in the scenery, and ride a motorcycle best suited for this. When plenty of people tour UK/ Europe on pedal powered bikes, then a low powered 500cc Bullet is more than powerful enough.

[@danielmcneil3004]

A perfect summation of what many of us believe is the true essence of motorcycle riding; relaxed civilized riding through the beautiful countryside on capable classic bike. RoyalEnfield has really hit the bullseye with their current lineup of great looking machines, and the Classic 500 really has everything needed for the type of riding you described. Thanks once again Stuart for the leisurely video ride through the Dales. Made my day. Stay safe. Cheers, Dan 👍🏍🇨🇦

[@stuartv-e8161]

I too love my Bullet 500 ... Thanks for your video it's made me very happy. Keep up the good work it's a treat listening to you. Bye Stuart 😊

[@terrycavender]

Lovely video.... 👍I must have missed this one while I was traveling between Merida and Ajijic. Completely agree with you on this subject. I love this type of bike, the relaxed pace on country lanes, it feeds your senses, and soul.

[@scottminshall6420]

You hit the nail on the head! I always tell all of my friends that 75% of the adventure is the ride to get there!

[@adrianrosenlund-hudson8789]

Nice. Lovely scenery, and beautiful bike. I wish they'd build some more. People who use safety as an argument for speed 🧐 got 'em here in Sweden. According to some of my younger colleagues, the best way to avoid colliding with a moose is to get your foot down. Yeah...

[@mad-reaper]

My biggest gripe about motorways-- "freeways" in the US-- is not the speed or the wind, or even the wackos who take the speed limit as a mere suggestion, are the rain grooves. Unsettling in that the bike tends to shimmy on the straights and slips a bit in the curves. You get used to it, but never comfortable.

[@ianbarnett980]

One of if not the best motorcycle videos I have ever watched thankyou now where’s my MZ 250!

[@tonydenial1485]

Hey up Stu, it's very clear you have that enviable talent of voicing what's in the back of a lot of people's mind, picture this, I woke up this morning in Spain at the crack of, to an overcast and surprisingly chillier day, rather than take the dogs out before it gets too hot as usual, on seeing a notification from your channel I watched the latest vid, I was listening with a big smile on my face and chuckling sporadically and thinking of my ride yesterday, everything you say is true and you know what? I ride my old giffer around the country lanes at 40-50 , when the opportunity arises to 'nail it' and do 70-75 on the A-roads it's remarkable how rewarding it is, producing huge grins inside my helmet, an extra boost is on encountering roadworks seeing these huge modern SUV's like BMW'S/Mercedes/Maseratis, sat in an orderly line while you creep past to the front of the queue, there must be a God up there somewhere. Cheers and thanks for your time ✌️

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

High horsepower motorcycles and cars have no place on English roads that are barely a lane and a half wide English roads were made for 500 shingles and 650 Twins and Ural sidecar outfits of course England used to make 500 shingles and 650 Twins and sidecar seems to be everywhere but not anymore people cramped up in cars they don't know what they're missing I feel sorry for them except when they run us over because they're so bad in there driving