[Wuwei]

Newby here. Admiring REs from afar and the occasional sighting on the road. Seems like it might be my type of bike, or else I'm the right type for one. In any case, can someone give me a short list of what makes the B5 different or point me to an earlier thread on this? I like the looks, the reported better stability at speed, and the kickstart feature. Also, what is the fuel tank capacity? Thanks!

[GlennF]

The B5 has the new UCE engine with electric and kickstart (pretty much identical to the 2011 C5/G5 engine) in a slightly modified version of the old bullet 350/500 frame. In fact a 1990's indian domestic 350 Bullet looks a lot like the B5.

Like all UCE engines the chain is on the right hand side and it has a 5 speed LHS gearbox and fuel njection. It has 19" wheels with old school square profile Avon tyres.

People like them because:
- they are basically an old school bullet with the new engine
- most accessories for the old iron bullets will bolt straight on
- they cost significantly less than a G5 or C5

They seem very popular though some people dislike the valanced square rear guard and slightly Bollywood metal tank badge. other people love those features.

On mine I fitted an upswept exhaust, removed the dual seat and fitted an unsprung trials style low solo seat and rack and also replaced the original tank badge with a solid brass one.

[Ice]

Seems like it might be my type of bike, or else I'm the right type for one.

A test ride will tell either way 

Welcome aboard Wuwei.

Br. GlennF pretty much nailed it 
 let me add: put a pair of trail tires on one and they handle fire roads and rolling single track as well as a they do the twisties 

[britishbyproxy]

1203 miles on my B5 as of tonight. Did the break in mileage properly, cruise at 65 all day. Put a windshield on mine to cut down on wind blast. Favorite bike of the 40 I've owned. Buy one. Now.

[Wuwei]

Thanks Glenn F for the good summary. I wonder why the price is so much lower? Any idea on the tank capacity? It would be nice to have a 200-mile range before needing to refill as I frequent really back roads where gas is not always readily available. I think I like the idea of old school tires. I find most of the current crop of 17" sportbike oriented tires less than good in the rain or other slippery conditions, compared to the old tires that have more tread pattern. What's routine maintenance like? Anything unusual?

[barenekd]

Thanks Glenn F for the good summary. I wonder why the price is so much lower? Any idea on the tank capacity? It would be nice to have a 200-mile range before needing to refill

The B5 is cheaper because it is assembled with existing 350 spares. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It would've been my bike had the dealer gotten any in when I went to buy one. The tank capacity is the same as the rest, about 3.4 gallons which is more than adequate for 200 mile runs. I have done several. That is, if you fill it on the center stand. You'll lose about a .7 gallon (50 miles) if you fill it on the side stand. Normal routine maintenance; oil  and filter changes, chain adjustments, tire pressure, maintenance, etc. Unfortunately you will find it fun to work on, so you will be inclined to work on it more than you thought you would.
The hardest part is sticking to the break in drill. It's really important to have trouble free running gear. But the best way to do that is to find some twisty roads and ride. It takes the boredom out of puttering around the streets.
I'm not particularly happy with the stock tires, so I'm putting K70s on mine. But the price of tires for these bikes are reasonable enough not to be a burden, as are most of the parts.
Bare

 

[Land Surveyor]

That point was touted in a Brit mag I read on the C5: the low cost of spares & consumables. Pretty important consideration if you think of a bike in terms of its value for transportation and factor in life cycle costs.

[GlennF]

 let me add: put a pair of trail tires on one and they handle fire roads and rolling single track as well as a they do the twisties 

Any suggestions?   I looked around and in classic profile tires there is really only the Mitas H02. Would the Mitas 100/90-19 TT 57T E07 fit ?

Thanks Glenn F for the good summary. I wonder why the price is so much lower? Any idea on the tank capacity? It would be nice to have a 200-mile range before needing to refill as I frequent really back roads where gas is not always readily available. I think I like the idea of old school tires. I find most of the current crop of 17" sportbike oriented tires less than good in the rain or other slippery conditions, compared to the old tires that have more tread pattern. What's routine maintenance like? Anything unusual?

As barenked says 200 miles is no problem if you fill on the center stand. Just do not fill on the center stand and then go park in the sun or on the side stand you will get excess fuel everywhere. Only center stand fill while on a road trip where you are going to use the fuel immediately.

If you are really intent on epic long rides without a toilet break you will need to fit an aftermarket  tank which you can pick up cheap enough from India online. As an example the one in the photo below is about 6-1/2 US gallons giving about a 350 mile range.




Maintenance is straightforward as we have hydraulic lifters, electronic ignition and fuel injection. Basically change the oil, adjust the chain as necesessary and occasionally check the spokes and any accessible bolts, nuts and screws to make sure nothing has vibrated lose.

[Wuwei]

So is 65 mpg a reasonable average? Is there some sort of warning light for low fuel, and when does it typically come on? Like the idea of the big tank. I commute about 35 miles each way and it is nice not to have to fill up every other day. I love driving and riding so for me 200 miles at a clip is pretty moderate--I have been known to do 400+ in a car without stopping.

[Arizoni]

I've been averaging 75 mpg on my 2011 G5.

All of this includes the initial 300 mile 40 mph max break in thru my present 1300+ miles  and 65 mph speeds.  Most of my riding has been in the 45-55 mph range.

On the headlight nacelle to the lower right of the speedometer is a round faced multi light gage.
It includes the check engine light that glows for about 4 seconds while the computer boots up and a Low Fuel light.
The low fuel light on my bike flickers during braking after about 150 miles but at this distance it is normally off.  This 150 mile distance requires about 2 gallons of fuel to fill the tank.

Somewhere I read that the light really comes on after 3 gallons of fuel has been consumed so that would be at about 225 miles.
The tank holds about 3.8 gallons but RE recommends filling it before that is reached because the gasoline is the coolant for the fuel injectors fuel pump.

If you have a 400 mile butt you will just have to convince it that it needs to take a break and have a walk around every 150-200 miles.  
There is no way my butt could sit on a motorcycle without a break every 100-150 miles and besides, IMO one cannot compare riding a motorcycle with driving a car.

Not only can you not move around much on a bike but for me, the mental concentration required while traveling at freeway speeds requires a rest too.  Besides, when riding, getting to some distant place is not the goal.  The pleasures and excitement of the ride is the goal and this includes stopping at places I would zoom past in a car just to have a look around.
  Reaching the place I'm headed to is nice but it also is the end of the fun of getting there.
More than once I've found that the thought of the ride home would be more fun than sitting around with my relatives.  

[Wuwei]

I agree it's best to take a break every few hours when riding, but it's nice to know you've got near a 200-mile range when you need it!

[barenekd]

Filling with the bike on the center stand, the light comes on between 190 an 200 miles usually. Occasionally I get over 200. I generally get about 70 mpg, sometimes more. Although the owners manual lists the fuel capacity at 3.8 gal (14.5 liters) I read someplace else that it holds 3.4-3.5 gallons, which i use for my range calculations.
The reason starts with the fact that the Owners Manual is derived from the old Owners manual from the old iron barrel days and much of the info never got updated. Putting the fuel pump in the same old tank cost you that extra .4 gallons. Even the break in procedure is iron barrel based and should be updated for the different gearing and materials in the ECU engine. There are other anomalies in that manual that I can' think of off and.
65 MPH has proven to be a nice cruising speed for me.

Bare

[GlennF]

Just throwing up a photo of my 2011 B5 to give an idea what they look like with a solo seat, rack and engine bars ... just to give an idea how the valanced guards and 19 " wheels look with a solo setup.

I also fiited a screen but I unbolt it around town unless its raining (2 sec job to refit).

[prof_stack]

Just throwing up a photo of my 2011 B5 to give an idea what they look like with a solo seat, rack and engine bars ... just to give an idea how the valanced guards and 19 " wheels look with a solo setup.

I also fiited a screen but I unbolt it around town unless its raining (2 sec job to refit).

Yeah, that looks really sweet.  If I were buying today, the B5 would be the one!

[ryanof]

Just throwing up a photo of my 2011 B5 to give an idea what they look like with a solo seat, rack and engine bars ... just to give an idea how the valanced guards and 19 " wheels look with a solo setup.

I also fiited a screen but I unbolt it around town unless its raining (2 sec job to refit).

Hey Glenn.
Can we see a better picture of  that rack on back?
Thanks