[suitcasejefferson]

It looks like 2020 may be the last year for the 500 single. I have a buyer for my 2013 B5 with the carb conversion and aftermarket pipe. I am considering getting a new 2020 model. The ABS can be disconnected (and most certainly would be) I am aware you cannot convert it to a carb, which is too bad, but hopefully it can still be tuned electronically. But what about the pipe. No way am I riding a bike with that huge 35 pound catcon pipe on it. Is there a difference in the exhaust system from 2013? And are any of the parts still available. I have a premium EFI pipe on my 2013, but cannot find them anymore. I got mine from Classic Motorworks, which no longer exists. I get my oil filters on eBay, all other parts have to come from Hitchcocks, and they do not seem to have a pipe like that. It seems like the 500 single has been abandoned, and if so I don't want to invest money on a new one. Anyone have any information on parts availability and what can be done to the 2020 500?

[Ove]

Hi, I dont know if it's a specific looking silencer you want, but there are plenty aftermarket available, except for the Trials version. They are still producing the 350, so common chassis / electricals will still be produced. Usually manufacturers maintain a stock of spares for models up to around 10 years, RE may do that too? Aftermarket spares supplies seem plentiful at the moment. Although not as popular as the 350 by a long way, RE still made a lot of them. Enough for the aftermarket to feed from. I'm pretty confident spares will be around for a while yet. That's my take.

[Richard230]

I thought that the 2019 Royal Enfield 500 singles were the last of the line and that the factory has ceased production?  Will they be making any more 500s this year before they finally throw in the towel and concentrate on the 350cc versions?   

[Farmer_John]

Well.

Hitchcocks has a 32mm Mikuni conversion for the '17 and beyond models.

They also list several silencers and three headpipes for the same (working on putting together a 2020 project).

All is not lost as long as Hitchcock's doors are open.

[suitcasejefferson]

From what I can tell, 2019 IS the last year for the 500. Enfield dealers (and most motorcycle dealers for that matter) rarely know much about what they are selling. I found the exhaust (silencer for the 2017 and later models I want,
PART No. 91080B at Hitchcocks. I also found the Mikuni carb kit, PART No. 90089. So it looks like I could set up a new 500 Classic the same way I have my 2013 B5 set up. 

* Price shown is based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) and is subject to change. MSRP excludes destination charges, optional accessories, applicable taxes, installation, setup and/or other dealer costs.* This is posted on the AZ dealers website. The only legitimate charge on here is taxes. The rest is bogus, to the tune of nearly $1500. Royal Enfield needs to find better dealers

[Haggis]

Why not just keep you old bike? Just wondering. 

[axman88]

What do you folks make of this article?:

https://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcycles/2020/2020-royal-enfield-classic-500

[mattsz]

What do you folks make of this article?:

https://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcycles/2020/2020-royal-enfield-classic-500

Who knew it's a chick bike... I'm selling mine asap!

[Adrian II]

This may or may not be relevant, but the previous UK importer was selling the last iron barrel and AVL engined Bullets in 2008, but only as they had a deraogation to sell NOS models for another year with the Euro 3 emissions regs coming into full force in 0/1/01/2009. Effectively they stocked up in 2007, the last year they were allowed to import, with no new bikes coming into the country until the first EFI models were commercially available. Makes me wonder if the 2020 500 Bullets are last year's imports which are only now being released to the dealers.

A.

[Farmer_John]

What do Y'all think about this?

[Guaire]

What do Y'all think about this?

Dressed up for its own funeral.

[Farmer_John]

Dressed up for its own funeral.

I think it's beautiful, but a mistake by the mothership.

I really hope the do not go on with denying their heritage.

[Carlsberg Wordsworth]

Looks nice. Should limit to 500 builds surely?

[Bilgemaster]

Dressed up for its own funeral.

You're the MAN, Guaire! Well put, sir! Well said indeed!

[swamp2]

I think it's beautiful, but a mistake by the mothership.

I really hope the do not go on with denying their heritage.

I suppose as long as they offer the 350, they're continuing to acknowledge their heritage.  But it's still a drag to see the 500's go away.

[JVS]

I was under the impression that the 500s are being stopped only in the domestic market.

They will continue to export 500s outside IDM based on the articles I've come across.

[Farmer_John]

I was under the impression that the 500s are being stopped only in the domestic market.

They will continue to export 500s outside IDM based on the articles I've come across.

From my conversations with my dealer, that dos not seem to be the case.

I'd like to be wrong.

[axman88]

I was under the impression that the 500s are being stopped only in the domestic market.

They will continue to export 500s outside IDM based on the articles I've come across.

This article seems to confirm what you say.  https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/royal-enfield-to-stop-selling-500cc-bikes-in-india-exports-to-continue-120013100885_1.html

With the poor sales performance of the 500s, especially since the 650s came available, I would guess that production of the BS4s 500s will taper off, especially as Euro 5 requirements come into play.  Over here in the US, apparently BS3 machines can still be sold.

Finally, the time is right to install my coal burning water heater.

[swamp2]

This one seems a bit more dire...

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2020/february/royal-enfield-500cc-engine-discontinued/

[axman88]

Yes, I see that.  Both articles are characteristically devoid of any details regarding the export market.

That quote ""Since 2009 the Royal Enfield 500cc motorcycles have proudly set the stage for the middleweight motorcycling segment," said Mr Vinod Dasari, CEO of Royal Enfield."  makes one wonder how RE felt about the 500s for all those years they produced the CI variants. 

[swamp2]

I guess this line kinda summed it up for me...

"Royal Enfield have officially confirmed that they will cease production of their 500cc engine currently used in the Classic and Bullet models."

Doesn't matter if it's home market or export if they discontinue the engine.  There won't be any for anybody.

[GlennF]

It does seem like the UCE 350s are still going to be sold.

[swamp2]

I've read a lot of stuff that suggests the mods (EFI, 2nd cat converter, etc) to the current UCE on the 350's are just a stopgap so they can sell BS6-compliant bikes until an all new engine is ready for production.  So I think the UCE as we know it is on the way out.

[Carlsberg Wordsworth]

Does that mean the Trials version as well then?

Can't they whack the Himalayan lump into them?

[JVS]

Well, straight from the horse's mouth:





That being said, it is a matter of time probably when crazy regulations will kill the UCE even in the export markets.   

Attached is a PDF of the press release.

[swamp2]

Can't they whack the Himalayan lump into them?

I'd agree this would make the most sense, take the 410 engine and put it into a classically styled bike.  Maybe modify the engine styling a little to be more in character.  But it would only be 1 engine they'd have to keep in compliance as the future unfolds (ok, 2, counting the 650).

[swamp2]

Well, straight from the horse's mouth:


That being said, it is a matter of time probably when crazy regulations will kill the UCE even in the export markets.   

Attached is a PDF of the press release.

Interesting press release, thanks for posting.  That would indeed suggest our 500's aren't going away.  But... the next paragraph on the next page reads...

The launch of the 650 Twin motorcycles was an obvious progression for Royal Enfield and a natural
upgrade option for millions of Royal Enfield owners. A higher powered twin cylinder motorcycle, with
excellent road manners and a characterful engine, the Interceptor INT 650 and the Continental GT 650
instantly captured the imagination of motorcycling audiences across the world. Given their success and
quick acceptance by global audiences, the 650 Twin motorcycles have become a natural upgrade option
for Royal Enfielders progressing from 350cc or even for motorcyclists upgrading from 150cc or 200cc.

I read that, and to me it says the 500 doesn't have a useful place in their product line for long.  They can't legally sell the 500 in India past end of March, so that's definitive.  But as for the rest of the world, no legal constraints yet.  So I'd guess  they'll keep pumping them out until their current supply chain/purchase obligations wrap up - and then announce discontinuance for the export markets.  I'll be surprised if there are any new ones being built past mid-year.

Of course, I have no factual basis for this.

[ace.cafe]

At this point, RE is simply just another Asian manufacturer with essentially no real ties to the previous Brit history. I wonder if anyone will even care what they make anymore. What would be the draw to the brand,...cheap price?

[Adrian II]

The 350 still has... the leading axle front fork.

A.

[Arizoni]

I'm sorry to see the official comment about ending the 500's production but it wasn't unexpected.

I wonder if they will do the BMW thing where BMW boldly announced that the flat, 2 cylinder air cooled engine was dead in the 1980's and sold a bunch of the "Last of the air cooled twins" for a tidy sum.
and, they turned around and brought out basically the same motorcycle making the "Last" ones not the last ones?

[GlennF]

Indian 500cc domestic sales are down around 4000 a month these days:

https://www.rideapart.com/articles/396559/royal-enfield-sales-plummet-january-2020/

It is not surprising they are dropping it domestically.

They are probably reserving any left over engines for the much more lucrative export marker.

[9fingers]

I haven't read every posting in this thread, but it seems that they are discontinuing the "current 500 engine". I have, and I figure most of you have, seen the NEW 500 CC single test mule bike, but I don't remember where the pic was. The engine looked more modern, but not modern, and I was unimpressed with the overall styling of the bike. They are not just going to give up on the 350 and 500 class. Whether is is to be exported or not, I have no idea. I doubt if there are enough lunatics like us in the USA to make much of a dent in sales. Even with a counter balancer in the new 500, how many Americans, Brits, Aussies .....pick your favorites....want an old school 500 single that is not very fast? I know I do, and I know you do, but we are odd.................at least I am.
9fingers

[Narada]

Odd??? Me??? Ha ha ha!   actually, I'm sure you're right 9 Fingers, but it seems to me that they are the odd ones!  Afraid that if they buy the most gorgeous bike on the planet, they might have to put forth a little "elbow grease", or actually feel a vibration...OMG!!! 

I have to say too, these things get 75-85 mpg easy, I think mine still gets something like that even after many mods. Still not good enough? Oh well... I guess I'm just odd, what do I know? 

[Markus Oz]

Hi, I recently bought a 2019 500 Classic Chrome, and have now done 800km. I realize it's not a fast bike, but I'm enjoying the lazy riding style. I have replaced the heavy standard muffler with an aftermarket one. Cannot tell you the name of it but the dealer recommended it. It's the same style, but shorter, much lighter and sounds great. Not too loud. I have also had installed the Carbery plate, which has made a bit of difference, together with the front sprocket increased by one tooth. I love the Classic Chrome, but I also like the look of the all black very last model as shown in this thread.