Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 EFI
Written by: Yogesh October 10th, 2008At the Intermot exhibition in Germany, Royal Enfield has introduced its first Fuel Injected motorcycle, The Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 EFI. (An update, 500EFI has been launched in India)
The Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 EFI is the most technologically advanced Bullet to roll out of the Royal Enfield factory at Chennai. Featuring a fuel injected, 499cc, single cylinder UCE (Unitary Construction Engine) four stroke engine. The Bullet Classic 500 also happens to be the most powerful Bullet in production, producing 27.2bhp at 5250rpm and a whopping 41.3Nm of torque at 4000rpm.
The new engine is also Euro III compliant, something which Royal Enfield needed to do in order to continue selling motorcycles in the European market.
While the styling of the Bullet Classic has received subtle touches, it still retains the quintessential classic British style that is inextricably linked to the Royal Enfield name.
Bullet Classic would be first launched in Germany next month, followed by a pan European launch early next near. There is no word yet on when it would be introduced in India, though going by Royal Enfield’s record, we don’t expect it to be any time sooner!
Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 EFI Specifications:
Engine: Single Cylinder, 4 stroke, air cooled OHV
Capacity: 499cc
Bore x Stroke: 84 x 90 mm
Compression ratio: 8.5: 1
Fuel system: Electronic Fuel Injection
Ignition: Digital Electronic ignition
Starting: Electric start
Maximum power: 20.3KW (27.2bhp) @ 5250rpm
Maximum Torque: 41.3Nm @ 4000rpm
Clutch: wet multiplate (7 plates)
Primary drive: 3/8” duplex chain (102 pitch) and sprocket
Gear box: constant mesh 5 speed
Battery: 12v, 14 AH
Headlamp: 12V, 60/55W
Frame: tubular steel
Suspension (front): telescopic, hydraulic dampers
Suspension (rear): swingarm with gas filled shock absorbers
Brakes (front): disc brake single 280mm disc with 2 piston caliper
Brakes (rear): drum brake (152mm)
Tyre (front): 90×90-18”
Tyre (rear): 110×80-18”
Length: 2160mm
Width: 800mm
Height: 1050mm
Wheel base: 1370mm
Fuel tank capacity: 14.5liters
Weight (kerb): 187kgs
Bullet is my favourite bike. But unfortunately the service facility at my city is bad and I had to go for Karizma!
Well that is the scenario with majority of the motorcycle companies in India, after sales service needs a major overhaul in order to become satisfactory.
I cant wait to see this model in showrooms in the UK. A big improvement on the old bullet. I might even buy one.
at last bullet has come out as it should be in case of technology and looks.due n/a of spares i hadto sell my two variant bullets and settle for karizma.gangs
any idea when is it coming to India ?
No information yet on it’s launch in India, at this moment this is strictly for Royal Enfield’s European customers.
I think it is utterly disgraceful – after decades they come up with something that looks lovely enough to want to own – with Fuel Injection no less and a nice unit engine with Right Gear shift etc etc – and they dont offer it to Indians ?!?!?! What kind of convoluted thinking would not permit them to accept special orders of low volume and give it to their own people first ?!
Shame on you Enfield. We put up with years of crap from your factories with great loyalty and the best product you have developed you do not provide us with ?
I agree with Nadir ,
You know what i was told why cant we special order it they say because we cant maintain a service and spares. why cant they use the existing service and spares set up ??? RE we want it please make it avaiable.
I want to know the On-road price for Bullet classic 500cc along with its dealer list in Delhi. kindly advice.
I checked with the guys at the factory and this is what they had to say…….”We wish to inform you that the Bullet Classic is currently being made specifically for sale in the European markets. This model is an exclusive design for European countries to meet their specific rules and regulations connected to emissions and safety.
This model is not directly compatible to Indian homologation requirements and is hence not scheduled for release in India for the time being. However, we are working towards a new engine platform for India and we will implement certain design changes from the Bullet Classic. We expect to launch a similar product for India in 2010.”
I Guess we all will have to wait for an year more at the earliest to see this one on Indian Roads.
I think the bike looks superb and managed to keep its classic look but what are the changes in the bike? anybody?
also yeah. i would still prefer the gear on the right and the all so vintage but necessary nutral finder????
do u think the new bullet 500 classic has a fuelmeter like the thunderbird series n wat is price range will be?
I love this bike and want this bike…in Sydney Australia!!
such a real bike
I do not like the shape of this classic 500 EFI bike, looks like as if some roadside denter has modified it. Still, If one places the original standard 350 Bullet (bike in black) beside it, the new one comes nowhere near to it.
I am an avid enthusiast and riding Enfields since 1974 and have owned half a dozen bullets so far, including 2 five-hundred bullets. Classic bullets sported a Lucas Magnetto until 1957, it wud have added few stars to its classic-built, had it been installed by a Magnetto (or a magdynamo) along with a CV efficient Carb. EFI is uncalled for. My son still uses a 1996 Machismo that I have totally done up and overhauled for him (5 years back) with the end can of DBD34 specs and it is breathing nicely and running superb with reliability.
However, personally, I have shifted my interests to a 1982 – Honda 500cc, water cooled, shaft drive, V-twin – a GL-500 which is a sea change and very pleasant to ride. Every Meter of its ride i enjoy more than my Ninja ZX-12R.
Hi Royal Enfield Guys,
What is the idea behind of not introducing this model in India? Why is that we always get it last. Is foreign market more important than the domestic one? Why could u not introduce as a worldwide release.
I bet you wont reply? Bcoz i am damm sure that u guys care a damm about Indians passion.
I agreed with S Ramesh as they never thought about Indian market even they are selling in large scale in India compare to any other country but as we Indians never thought about our freedom & everytime we followed only western methods so why blame it on them as they are doing the same as other Production Houses. Keep it up you guys as we know that mentally we are not free & we are not in love for our nation.
Hi ,
If anyody knows the way to purchase the Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 EFI from the Indian supplier and import sme to Mauritius island.
bullet is my favourite ride there ever been….
if there is any word that i can get the royal enfield bullet classic 500 anywhere in india,please send me information at akhilbond.007@gmail.com
also send the onroad price.
thank you.
After four months, my new Royal Enfield Bullet Classic EFI will finally be ready for collection this Friday. I will be lucky enough to see it in person as it is taken out of its crate and put together. I will also be taking pictures and possibly a video of it starting for the first time. I will than put it on Youtube.com. So keep an eye out for it in the next two weeks. On another note, I absolutely agree with Indian customers. It is wholly unfair and unjust that Royal Enfield does not provide to its primary base customers in India the same bikes and developments that Europeans get to enjoy. I am sure however, with enough protest that eventually RE India will shape up, after all, RE has survived first and foremost because of its Indian customers. In the meantime however, feel free to contact me if you want to know how the new EFI Bullet Classic is shaping up. mrjcorbin@hotmail.com
Mr.Corbin means well – but I can’t help squirming at the unintended condescending tone he has. I feel like some pre-independence ancestor waiting for throw-outs at the gates of English masters having a party. But then, the insult is thrown at us by our own people. I can’t help being a Bulleteer; thats the only machine in India which has class, road presence and dignity – though I really don’t know how I am putting up with oil leaks and rusting parts and having to carry an entire set of spares on a long ride. I am saying nothing about the atrocious service and spare availability at the authorised dealers across the country, because i might rupture an artery! I think all indian Bullet fans should come together and make a strong protest at Royal Enfield for this ‘racial’discrimination. Why can’t the buggers make bikes for us first and then try them on their colonial masters?
Wow, totally didn’t see that coming. Yes, the ‘tone’ as you say was unintended. Especially as I am not British or even European for that matter. I just happen to be living in Europe, Ireland in particular; another former colony of the United Kingdom. I do agree with your surmise however, that protest is in order, as was clearly stated in my own blog. However, I suggest that such protest and support come from all Bulleteers regardless of religion, nationality or creed. Does one turn away from the support of another simply because of the country ‘you think’ he is from? Part of what has appealed to me about Royal Enfield is the wonderful community that exists amongst Bulleteers. Thank you for reminding me that it takes more than a love of a motorcycle and shared views to be accepted by said community. I shall say no more and keep away from contributing to ‘your’ blogs any further. mrjcorbin
@ Mr.Corbin: please do not be offended or hurt by my words. They are my personal views and nothing to do with the blog/website. I am sorry that in spite of the pains I took not to blame you personally, you seem to have taken offense. Of course, like any other indian bulleteer, I would be happy to have your support, but as the primary victims of RE’s policies, isn’t it natural that Indians ( and they have more access too) should get together to act?
If only you knew how us Indians still fawn over their old European masters! I consider myself above any kind of parochialism, but bitterness still simmer inside me at the way my countrymen grovel at and glorify anything foreign!
Mr.Corbin, do publish your photographs. What could be better than the appreciation of a foreigner on something Made in India? A red wine coloured Classic 500 adorn my desktop. I will be happy to add your photographs too! Best wishes – once again, my apologies for hurting your feelings…
m gonna kill to get one soon
I was looking for a used Enfield Bullet preferably a bit older one as the older one’s actually retain their original looks and the original thumping beat that a Royal Enfield Bullet is all about. While surfing on the net looking for the same, I came across this news article and now I have changed my mind for buying the older one. The new Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 EFI looks exactly like the Old one and it has refreshed my memory of my old Bullet which I used to have. All that I am interested now is when this new Bullet is going to be launched in Indian market? and what Price it would be, though I am not bothered about the Price tag. Can any one let me Know ASAP, when this is going to be launched? you may mail me on ramarao.kandula@gmail.com. I would be greatful for any one who can update me on this.
when bullet classic 500 efi will be launch in India?
Me and my brothers are die hard fan of Royal Enfield. Though living in the outskirts of our country makes it difficult to buy and sell the daily necessaties let alone be bullet. How ever me and my brothers have managed to own all the models of Royal Enfield realeased in India in past decade. This time we have set our eyes on the new Royal Enfield CLASSIC-500 and dead sure we all are in love with it. Sadly it seems it will not be launched in India sooner or later which really breaks our heart. As an old fan of BULLET, is there any possibility to Order and purchase one of this particular models.
Kindly help. We are more than eager to do the follow ups for the matter.
Thanking you,
Johny (Cell: +91 94366 31511)
hi i pavdof u i like now biky efi 500cc
NOW NO NEED TO LOOK FOR OLD RE”S TO GET OLD LOOKS
WITH CLASSIC ON INDIAN ROADS RE WILL REGAIN ITS CROWN IN INDIAN MARKET
After a ride on company`s test bike I was very impressed.I was amazed how smooth,flexible AND oil tight the engine was.I bought 350 Electra 5S in2005.But the bike sold to me leaked oil,blew bulbs,loose wiring,engine over heating piston seized due to lack of oil flow(oil level was ok)and other probs. Even when the bike was in warrenty the service centers were incapable of sorting it(Machless in Andheri & ITEE in Matunga,Mumbai).Finally I had to get it sorted from a local mechanic AT MY EXPENSE.On the RE site I learned that RE makes bikes of higher quality just for the foreign markets.Was that the bike they gave me for test ride?
Its disgusting to know that Royal Enfield has double standards.I realized that I has bought a `kit` bike.
The Bullet does have a soul of its own,no doubt but its time the company gets serious about the domestic market with a better quality(read export)bikes & service station.
RE must be aware that that they are catering enthusiasts market & brand loyalty doesnt come easily.Praise the Indians,we still love the Bullet inspite of all the gremlins! Jai Ho.
I agreed with Hitesh as i also suffered the same experience with my old machismo which i bought in 2000 from Lamba Enterprises, Jail Road,Fateh Nagar, Delhi & from very first day the oil leckage will start & after many visits & complaints to Lamba their Chief Mechanic told me that the chamber has a small hole & he made some jugaar to fix it. I went several authorised service stations of RE in delhi but everybody has a same motive how to earn money & how to make fool of customer by talking more & doing less. AFter 2 years i sold it & now i have electra 4s bought in 2006 august & i have a problem with its pickup I visited several RE authorised Service Stations in Delhi but no body has a solutions to this & i visited – Lamba Enterprises, J.B Auto Palam, John Auto Rang Puri, Ess Aar Motors Karol Bagh,Swarn Auto SHahdara & several Local mechanics but nothing happened so RE authorities have to think about this & start something for domestic market & their domestic customers.
RE THINK ABOUT THIS & WAKE UP…………..
Me and my big brother is die hard fan of this bike. My brother has also a thunderbird, but now he wants a Classic and also i want it.
When it is lunch in india. plz someone tell me.
does royal enfield engine seizes very easily
i just want to know when bullet classic in going to launch in chennai tamil nadu along with price detail, both on road and finance
Hi,
I am looking to buy a Bullet for getting around Delhi and India on extended road trips. What is a good price for a used Bullet 500cc? I am going to look at a 2004 Bullet 500cc this evening. The asking price is 60,000 Rs. What do you think?
Thanks
hi,
i am buying a bullet 350cc,
how to make my bullet new model modyfie
my bullet model is 1995 so u seying
One of my friend is working in Royal Enfield Factory in chennai. he said bullet 500cc Clasic EFI will be launch divali. Expect Price will be 1.45Lks
Hi Corbin & Bala,
Why stopped the argument???
Corbin give some offensive reply to bala and let bala become aggressive and he too can give back more offensive reply….
We can enjoy the blog….
Common yaar….forget about the race…. forget about the materialized bike….
We all are Humans…..
I want to know the on road price for Bullet Classic 500 EFI in delhi & chandighar
I like the shape of this Bike. Its the Baap of all Bikes in India.
But the Colors to be launched in this Bike has only 1 good Colour i.e Bluish. I think Metallic Silver colour would suit best on this model. I m planning to buy this bike and would request u to kindly give some more colour options for this model( preferably Silver). Also let me know when can I go to showroom to get this Bike.
hi i pavdof u i like now bI want to know the on road price for Bullet Classic 500 EFI in PUTTU
Lky efi 500cc,such a real bike
Hi,pl let me know where the side car is available i want 2 purchase one for my 1964 classic enfield i need more spares,let me know da address thanks.
realy dhamaal bike n very magnatise loking bike this bike will dount all others bike pure brave looking n decent there should be one more seat for partn
I really dont why this bike is not yet launched in INDIA & for the information as i know Bullet bike through out the World,If a survey done you will find the highest no of Enfiled lovers in INDIA thats my challenge across , if this read by any responsible person do some actions on the same
I am not great fan of Royal Enfield… But I am great addict to Royal Enfield… I am eager to wait Nov-04 coz am going to buy ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC 500
CONFORM DATE 19TH NOV-AND NOV 4TH IS THE DISPLAY DATE-THE BOOKING STARTS FROM NOV 4
[...] the Enfield 500 EFI has come to India a year after its European launch, we feel it is a step in the right direction and hopefully Royal Enfield would start launching new [...]
this my one of the main part of my life to buy the bullet so only my name also bullet balaji
..my first choise in two whiller is surely royal enfield and classic 500 is an out standing acording to power ,style ,and in impression..
Well folks, I have got the answer for the question which I asked few months back in this forum. The most awaited bike in my life has been launched in my city (Hyderabad) and as I have already promissed to myself, I am going for it now.
Hello All
… Mr Corbin – I am sorry that you have been offended – occasionally we indians get a little fired up and use sentence structures that may sound like we are being aggressive – I assure you that its all in the spirit of debate and nothing personal.
I am sure Mr Bala Chandran did not mean to offend you – so do not take matters to heart.
We are a passionate lot here – our frustrations do come out from time to time because we get upset WITH OUR FELLOW INDIANS behavior toward “export” markets versus local markets.
I remember about a year and a half ago I ripped “another one” into Royal Enfield for the very reason Mr Bala was trying (perhaps unsuccessfully) to express – the fact that for decades Indian bullet fans put up with utter junk thrown at us from RE – leaking bikes, rusting parts, lousy spares, terrible service, nauseous build – quality, foul electrics, and overall expensive junk.
It is the maniacal support from Indian riders that kept RE afloat all those trying years …. yet, I noted with considerable hurt, they chose to deliver the first presumably quality product to the Export market and not to us.
That was the cause of the angst – please do not feel it was targeting you.
Having said as much – can ANYONE please give me an accurate account of an actual owership experience of either of these new bikes ? I am tempted to buy my first RE in decades – having substandard experiences in the past; but am very very worried to have a white elephant on my hands
please – anyone ? oil , seizures, rust, gremlins in the electrics, gearbox with its own mind, failures of parts – you know, the normal RE experience thus far …. does UCE really address all this
iam sure that i will bye bullet because it is my one of the part of my life
hi,every bull (et) rider,all folks who can afford it pls buy it, only machos ride it, don’t wait the 500 classic is here iam loving it,iam buying it, all other poor bikers will envy it.oh iam really excited soon i will be joining the BULL CLUB
I saw new model classic500 model.but double seat need very good.
“All I can say about the 500 EFI is, Oh Gosh, enjoyed & booked it!”….
‘Its the FOOD FOR THE POWER & PERFORMANCE HUNGRY’
Post Owning it i say “I Live my life as an Exclamation, not an Explanation.”
Cheers,
Rahil Shariff
I think that if you want to go ‘Classic”, go out and get yourself a real ‘Classic’ be it an Enfield or any other of a vast cross section of classic bikes which are still available in India. They leak oil like any other(new) Enfield but they have a ride and a charisma like no ‘retro’ Enfield on the market today and as far as an investment goes-it’s money in the bank, because old classics appreciate unlike a brand new leaky Enfield which depreciates the minute you buy it! Cheers.
Greetings from sunny Australia! A bit of background info…I’m 54 years old and last June I had a nasty accident (highsided off my Ducati while accelerating round a bumpy corner) that left me with a shoulder blade in 17 pieces, shattered collar bone, 8 broken ribs, a ruptured spleen, torn liver, bruised brain, severed little finger and crushed ring finger. Round about Xmas time I was well enough to start looking for another bike and my thoughts were running towards getting an old 1960’s or 70’s Triumph to restore and ride.In a stroke of good fortune the only classic bike dealership is also the states Royal Enfield distributer. Gazing through the window I saw the C5 Classic and I just went “WOW!!!”. In my opinion they are one of the most beautifully styled bikes I’ve seen, up there with a ‘69 Bonneville, a 916 Ducati and the MV Agusta. I took it for a test ride, build quality looked good, the paint looked thick and lustrous, it started straight away and the fuelling from the EFI was faultless. Needless to say I left a deposit and ordered one in burgandy! I pick it up next Tuesday and I can’t wait!! I’ll post again after I ride it home.Cheers!
Good choice Charley – I am going for a burgandy one too
Love the bike
love the look
yeehaawh ! a classic lives again !!!!
Can I know the mileage of this bike……..
Picked up the C5 last week and am most impressed. I rode it the 200km home from the dealers and it was problem free. The sun was shining , the engine was purring and I was grinning like a fool. It’s a very comfortable ride, at the modest speeds I was doing there was no vibration and that sprung saddle works really well. It appears to use sod all fuel, I got nearly 300km out of the tank (14.5litres) and the fuel warning light still hadn’t come on before I filled up. I’m very happy with my Enfield and hope to have a lot of fun with it.
Hey Charley
Thats fantastic !!
I am happy for you man .
Can you mail me some pics on falconhill@mac.com
Also I would like to follow the bike’s ownership experience through you before I finally sell my 250 (which currently rocks but is a small bore Honda Karizma and lacks the big bike feel that I love) and spring for one
Cheers mate
ride safe
Ocean
G’day Ocean
Thanks for the interest,no worries about the pics, they’re on their way! Just got back from a 100km ride this arvo . Our roads are pretty crap but the bike just rolled along , the suspension and sprung saddle soaking up the bumps without any fuss. When I got back home I ran the spanners over the nuts and bolts just to check but everything has stayed tight. I thought I had an oil leak but it was just a bit of oil that had come off the chain. I’ve done nearly 500 km now and the motor is running in nicely. Everything feels much less tight and you can really feel the torque pulling you along. I’m really enjoying the Bullet experience, the bonding process between man and machine is proceeding just fine!
Hello Charlie,
I am so happy for you that you own one of these Classic 500. I went to India in Dec 09 for 10 days but cant stop myself from buying one of this.
If possible, could you please email me some pictures of your Enfield to me at paul@dayatransport.com
I am in Canada and we are expecting these Motorcycles here sometime in March 2010.
Thanks
this time im riding of royal enfield classic500 when i happened to my bike riding on the hiway rialy classic gives me smooth n perfect balencing after all u will feel like lion with u this bike’s engin volcano of magma i like it my road partner
Hello, I want to thank Nadir for emailing me and for his kind words and encouragement! I am very appreciative. With regards to the Bullet Classic, I am still enjoying this machine as much as I was the first day that I picked it up! Three months after having collected the bike the first 1100 released bikes were recalled due to a fault in the clutch! It seems that the wrong size sproket was used and thus,some of these bikes were experiencing near fatal seizures! My bike’s serial number was on the list and despite having experienced no major problems thee was a persisting whizzing sound that came and went. Once my bike even lost power as I was joining traffic on the highway and I had to pull into the hard shoulder. Royal Enfield Ireland collected my bike for me and changed the clutch entirely and then delivered it back to me! Great service if only they hadn’t damaged my bike whilst trying to fix it! I received several scratches and they didn’t even return some of the wiring into its rightful place!To make matters worse, the stock battery supplied with the bike was returned (he hadn’t put it on the first time because he had no acid for the battery)but didn’t fit so the store owner JAMMED the battery cover back on twisting it and wrecking the top rubber mount! Suffice it to say I have not gone back to him anjd have been doing my own servicing since. Since changing the clutch the above noise has gone completely and the bike itself is as always a real show winner and rides like a dream! I did experience recently only a brief moment when the bike suddenly lost power, but it was so brief that I don’t know what to attribute it too. On another note, I bought a second hand Harley Davidson Motorcycle last week. It is a 2008 Nightster Sportster with only 2000 miles on the clock. The stock two up seat on the Harley is so bad I cannot bare to use it! So now I am waiting for my new seat to arrive. It goes to show you doesn’t it, that Royal Enfield is doing something right because I have never once been uncomfortable on its sprung saddle! The Royal Enfield is a bike I would love to keep for the rest of my life…and hopefully that will be a very very long life indeed. Someone else who I believe frequents this sight, Radhey, recently collected his RE Classic EFI too. His came with a kickstand! You ared very lucky to have the kickstand. The bikes supplied here in the EU do not even have the provision neccessary to add one! Anyways, I wish you all the best and safe riding! Cheers, M. Corbin
dear re,
U guys launched 500 classic for kids….re stands for keep out of kids n nw u thrown it to kids….re means not a child’s play…bt nw ery tom dick n harry can use it…the old right hand side gear,choke starting all made clear dat its only for machos….but now even a kid can use it…der is no usp now for re….guys like me requires bullet gear system n starting sytem in d old ways…tough guys liked dat way….u made a wonderful bullet….bt kids can use dat…Dats y am staying out f 500classic….
hi guys i am one of u royal enfield fans and when i saw that beast my hearttt started pounding with the gravi of having it
with all my effort i hve convinced my parent to but it but unforunately the service is slow and bad so it will take atleast 5 months