Thanks Rony. Yes completely enjoying driving the DS. Whenever I park somewhere outside and come back from shopping, I will atleast see two or three standing around the bike and discussing abt it. Total headturner. Makes me feel little like a celebrity.

I got my DS booked at OMR RE Brand Store, Chennai and got it delivered from their Adyar RE Brand store.

I see a slight decrease in the pulling power after changing to the upswept silencer but that could be due to dirty air filter and soot in the spark plugs. Not very sure abt it. I have just rode 300kms so far so next week I will be giving for first service and will check with them abt the performance.

Will post the pic soon in the ownership thread )

Amazing link for all BULLET lovers

why enfield is ROYAL - YouTube


enjoy

Hello fellow bulleteers! Happy to say that I got my Desert Storm yesterday! Its amazing. My first impressions of the bullet:
Its got huuuge power. If you are riding in a city you wont need the 1st and 2nd gear at all.. The 3rd gear has enormous pickup. It can take off from speeds of 15-20kmph on the 3rd gear easily.
Its soo smooooth
The throttle response in superb. The default silencer has a great thumping sound. I don't think I'll change it in near future. Whenever I leave my building the whole building is filled with the sound. This bike is not meant to be driven below 60 kmph. Its more smooth if you go above 60. But since its the run in period I can't rev it too much. So control your urge to speed initially and you will have a nice engine for the rest of your life.
Will upload pics and more reviews once I ride the bike for a substantial distance.

Happy Bulleting!

No Battle Green Classic 500 in India

Hi Guys,

Its my first post here. I recently booked a Classic 500 with an RE dealer in Delhi. Had booked the "teal green" color but after seeing the "battle green" color I was completely swept off my feet and immediately called up the dealer to change the color to "battle green"

But to sheer dismay, the dealer said "battle green" color is not offered in India. Is this piece of heart wrenching news true??

Is there any chance that one can get his hands on a "battle green" Cl500???

Cheers

Simply because that color is reserved for army here in India. Only army men are allowed to own a vehicle of that color here in India. Vehicle manufacturers cannot sell them to Mango Man (Aam Admi)

Is it possible that an Army guy buys "battle green" Bullet Cl500 through a CSD canteen and then use it personally??

Just curious.

No I don't think the CSD canteen sells an Army Green color to anyone. I tried the CSD in Pune and they only have the other colours. I think they allot a army bullet to those active in the army or officers and then take it back if you are not eligible for it. Or if you keep it you will have to change the color; that's for sure.

I have a friend in Army, currently posted in Punjab. Can he buy the "battle green" classic in his name and I use the bike in Delhi??

Cheers

Don't know. But generally an Army 2 wheeler has distinct marks (like the broad arrow) making it identifiable as belonging to the army. I don't think army uses the battle green as it is. It normally gets its vehicles custom painted . Also Royal Enfield does not sell Battle Green colour in India. You will have to import it which will be almost impossible as customs won't allow import of the battle green colour.
Which is why the desert storm colour was launched. There are some people who say that the green colour vehicles are allowed; the law states that if the vehicle is registered before the Central motor vehicle Act came into existence only then its allowed which is somewhere in 1969.
I know the green colour is very intriguing but its a sad story that we can't get it. If you do then be prepared for harassment from the police.
Also if you as a civilian use the army vehicle then you would definitely be breaking laws I guess.
Please read this:
The Free Press: Govt to crackdown on olive green uniforms, vehicles

for all those who have doubts regarding buying the battle green colour from csd, the answer is a big no. The reason being tht, csd just acts as a medium to identify a army personell who dosent need to pay the extra taxes which civillians have to do. But the procedure remains the same for the showroom, and only those bikes and colours are available which are available to all. For the army vehicles, the army has a contract with bullet which supplies the army with black 350 cc bullets and then at the workshops, the bike's are painted to dark and olive greens or even green and brick colour patches as per there units. These vehicles stay in the military garage and are not meant for any personal use by jawans or officers, these are used by only the specified drivers, for the army and related works. So no army officer can even keep a battle green bullet as he/she is not allowed to do so when he is off duty , and he has surely to be off duty to ride the bike. So plzz be satisfied with what we can get.

What you say makes much more sense. Thanks for clearing the doubt.
Its true we should be satisfied with the colours available.

Thanks a lot Utkarsh & Viper, for the info and clarification.
I guess I will go with Black Cl500 . "desert storm" is good but to my mind, lacks the punch of "battle green".

Since I'm a novice in field of bikes, need answers to a few more queries:

"Where would I get good riding gear (Jacket and guards) in Delhi??
And does it make sense to buy it from abroad (I am in Dubai and also have friends who visit US) I'm assuming abroad there would be more variety to choose from?"

Cheers

My 1st Bull: Classic 500 Desert Storm

It had been over a year since I had been looking for a new bike. But for quite sometime I was not sure of my requirements. My budget was around 1.25 lakhs. Months passed and I rode almost all bikes available in the market in my budget, but somehow none of them had hit the sweet spot. I had a Bajaj Pulsar 150 and a Yamaha FZ-S and I think I wanted a more powerful bike that could double up as a comfortable highway cruiser too. But still I was confused. I lusted for a Ninja 250R, but it was way beyond my budget.

Bajaj Avenger: My roommate had a Avenger 200. Though I loved the bike, I never had the fascination to own one. No specific reasons though.

Yamaha R15: The R15 was brilliant. I loved the sharp handling and light weight of the bike but I was a bit confused if I really wanted to own it.

HH Karizma ZMR: The Karizma ZMR was not to my tastes and I was sure that I didn't wanted it. No offence to anybody.

Bajaj Pulsar 220: I own a Pulsar 150 UG3 (2008 model) so I didn't wanted to buy another Pulsar, not even a Pulsar 220.

Confusion prevailed and then news was out that the Honda CBR250R's launch was around the corner. I waited for the launch desperately fingers crossed.

Honda CBR250R: The bike looked good, had a great spec sheet too. I was expecting something in the league of the Ninja 250R, but still the CBR250R was great for its price. Shortlisted.

Yamaha R15 V2: Brilliant but again I was not sure if I wanted one as the CBR250R non-ABS was a way better bike even though it was priced at 40K's over the R15 V2.

I had almost decided to go for the CBR250R but then one day I rode my friend's 1998 Bullet Electra. It was the first time i rode a Bullet and it was then that the bug had bitten me. Next day I went straight to a RE dealership and wanted to test ride the Thunderbird 350 and Classic 350.

RE Thunderbird: Perfect. But somehow I prefer the flat handlebars. The TBTS was shortlisted but then I became a fan of a Classic 350's looks. Confusion again.

RE Classic 350: I loved the retro looks. The bike was very good and although the charm of the good old Electra was missing, I had decided that I will buy this one.

The waiting period in Bangalore was around 8-10 months. I was in no hurry and I was still deciding between the CBR250R and the Classic 350. I read that RE launched the Classic 500 Chrome and the Classic 500 Desert Storm, but anyway they were above my budget.

One fine day I was crossing the RE showroom in Lalbagh Road, Bangalore when I saw something. Went closer and saw the Classic 500 Desert Storm. It looked amazing. I touched it and yes I was confused again.

Days passed and I was busy with my graduation exams. I intended to keep the bike in Ranchi, my hometown. The RE dealership in Ranchi did not deal with 500cc bikes till then. So finally on 29th December 2011 I booked the Classic 500 Desert Storm from the RE dealership in Shakespeare Sarani, Kolkata. The waiting period was 5 months and I was promised a delivery date by May 15th.

I was happy with my decision and yes till then I didn't even did a TD of the Classic 500. Later by February 2012, a new RE dealership opened in Ranchi. So I cancelled my booking from the Kolkata showroom and booked it from Ranchi on 20th March 2012. I was promised a delivery date by 20th May.

Fast forward to 11th May 2012. I got a call from RE dealership Ranchi and the SP told that a Desert Storm is available and I can take delivery of the bike by paying the remaining amount. I was ecstatic, but at that moment I was in Chennai. I rushed to Kolkata the same day and then to Ranchi by 12th May morning. Logged on to Team-BHP to know the procedure to decode a VIN number of an Enfield and also to double check the things on the PDI list.

Completed all the document work, got the Demand Draft and rushed to the showroom. There were 2 Classic 500 Desert Storm's available. One was a January 2012 make and the other was a March 2012 make according to the VIN numbers. I staright away demanded the March 2012 bike. PDI done, I got the upswept exhaust fitted too. Finally got Desert Storm'd !!

The details are:

Model: Royal Enfield Classic 500 Desert Storm
Price: 1.56 lakhs OTR Ranchi
Accessories: 2900/- for the upswept exhaust

The Desert Storm is such a looker. People do ask about the bike as this is one of its kind in a place like Ranchi. I have clocked up 2070 kms on the odo till date and the fuel economy I have been getting is around 28-30 kpl.

My mom thinks I got the bike straight out of a battlefield from Iraq.

First Impressions

LOOKS

The Desert Storm is a looker. Its very attractive in the flesh and the matte finish is unique so it turns more than just a few heads. People stop by to inquire about the bike and I also get many thumbs-up's in traffic.

COMFORT

The saddle is adequate for city runs. On the highways too its good, not too sure about the pillion comfort though. The seat is better sprung than the early Classic 500's.

PERFORMANCE

With so much power and humongous torque, performance is more than adequate. The Bull has terrific initial response from the throttle and I am sure highway riding and overtaking will be pure bliss.

BRAKES

The brakes are good. The front disc has a good bite. Hopefully the future C5's will feature a rear disc too.

GEARBOX

A bit notchy and takes time to get used to it. But not much of a concern.

RIDE AND HANDLING

The Classic 500 doesnot feels as heavy and the handling is actually good for its size and weight. The ride is great on most surfaces.

FUEL ECONOMY

I am getting around 28-30 kpl currently.

OTHER ISSUES

1. Vibrations at low speeds. Tends to smoothen up as speed builds up.
2. Inconsistent paint job around the edges.

Thread Approved and Merged

Re: Royal Enfield Desert Storm!

hey guys.
one quick question, i know i may find the answer if I go through all 66 pages. but stilll i need a quick answer, so here is the Question...
. Is there any change between royal enfield desert storm 500 cc, September 2012 model and current desert storm model. if Yes then What is the Difference ?
(Actually i was going to book 500 cc and i don't have a problem with 5-6 months waiting as i already have an electra 350 now. so i was about to book a new bike then i found someone selling desert storm, its 2012 September model and only 650 km done. so pretty new.. so just wanted to know is there any company made difference now as compared to their earlier models.
Plus one more thing i saw some rust thing started on battery cover, on the top part around the edge, what is the solution ?)