Royal Enfield Classic 500?

[Woodi23]

Does anyone have experience or own a royal enfield 500? I am thinking about getting one and I would like to know if they are quality and if they will last. Of s,Rome owns one, please let me know.



Thanks

[r80rt]

Believe it or not, I bought the first C5 Classic that was sold in the USA, I loved it. Quality with the new UCE engine is very good, I put 12,000 trouble free miles on mine, before the economy forced me to sell it.

Go to this forum and these guys will help you with all you need to know.

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/



http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/blog/2009/06/

[andrewsclues]

All i can say is i know someone with a 1998 Bullet... total POS. One problem after another... electrical and mechanical.

[lizrdbrth]

Let's just say that in order to own one it would have to scratch one of those intangible itches that can't be scratched with a better motorcycle.

[r80rt]

Quite true, they are a hands on motorcycle.

[Woodi23]

So they are not a very reliable bike then?

[r80rt]

So they are not a very reliable bike then?

The newer bikes with the UCE engine are much more reliable than the older bikes. But still not up to Japanese standards.

[Landser]

The RE''s are a decent bike for the $$$$.....Overall quality is similar to the Oriental offerings of the early 60's.....I have one,purchased new in '08,and 500 miles later,I re-configured into a 60's retro street scrambler. No regrets whatsoever about owning an RE. That said,I have to remember that it's a 30's/40's period design and requires occasional maintenance and NOT riding it beyond it's design limitations.... It's a great back roads/secondary roads 50-55mph bike.
One of the biggest obstacles for many owners to overcome is the 'soccer mom mentality';that is, to run the piss out of a vehicle not designed for that type of use.... Confirmation of that, lies in the fact that in many underdeveloped countries,machines such as the RE,Ural,etc. soldier on daily where regular oil changes,paved roads,etc., are virtually unheard of.....I have witnessed this first-hand when travelling overseas.
The RE500 is a great bike to own/enjoy IF used properly........

[Polarpilot]

While I like the Enfield idea, please remember that roots are in the British Royal Enfield. When that company succumbed to the Japanesse invation in the early 60's - the factory - lock stock and barrow was moved to India. So you are buying a machine based on technology from just after WWII. Definitely caveat emperator

[liquidsilver]

I just left Mumbai and I think the RE's were the nicest bikes on the road.