Today I finally bought myself a new 2007 RE Bullet 500 Classic in the British racing green color. I first read about these interesting machines maybe 15 years ago. I couldn't believe they were still making Royal Enfields in India! Since I'm 54 years old and have ridden motorcycles since I was about 8 years old, I was there in the 1960s when the British bikes still ruled the motorcycle roadways.I rode a 1965 BSA 500 twin to high school when all the other guys were driving cars (which I had no interest in since they didn't have two wheels!). So I read about these bikes in some motorcycle magazine of that time, but I don't think they were available in the US back then.
The last few years with the internet and a dealer network being established here in the US there has been lots to read and digest.But until today, I somehow never got a chance to take a Bullet on a test ride. I had the week off, so I drove down to Vince's in Olympia, Wa and took out a nice silver Classic for a ride. First, I was pleasantly surprised in how quiet the engine was. I had read over the years that the Bullets can be a noisy bunch with lots of valve noise etc.This engine was quiet!! It took a little while to warm it up, but that is normal for any modern day carb'd motorcycle engine.Next, I was noting how the transmission shifted.It basically "snicked" into gear like a Japanese trans with no grinding whatsoever (unlike the Buell Blast, which is a great thumper too-but they all seem to grind badly into 1st gear). Neutral was just as easy to find as the 20+ other motorcycles that I have owned-another good thing here.I did miss a few shifts on both my two test rides (one on the silver bike, and one on the green one I bought) and got a few false neutrals.
Vince was careful to let me know that I am not riding bike made for the US freeways, but that its a back road cruiser.I knew that from my research. The Bullets, at least in stock trim, are certainly no powerhouses, but then I new that too going in, and they generally run better after the breakin.
Anyway, though I have some of those post-purchase jitters, I am hoping for a long positive relationship with my new Bullet Classic. I know the engine is being dropped in favor of the newer lean burn engine, and then the newer yet unit construction model.Vince pointed out that in India, they have laws that for 10-15 years they must still make parts available for this bike, and that they have been around for so long that parts should not be a problem.
So now on to the break in.
Jon in Puyallup, Wa.