Re: Royal Enfield Classic 500

Hi Guys,

My DS Clocked 19500Km, Till now no major issues. Only issues i faced were, loosed heat gaurd, loosed chain cover.
From the past one year, no major road trips, only using for office commute.
Mileage, actually i never checked, but i think i am getting around 25km/l.

Below are my some queries...
1) what is stock batteries life?
2)anybody faced with fuel injector failure? if it is yes, please tell at what KM you faced the issue?
3)anybody successfully converted EFI to Carb. From internet i have found out some details. But i want to talk to the person who has done the conversion successfully.

Thanks
Vipin

RE CLASSIC 500 Ownership experience

I purchased my Royal Enfield Classic 500 in the month of July 2014 after test riding Honda CBR 250 two times
and RE's new model bike Cafe Racer (two times ). I did not really know how I suddenly selected RE Classic 500,
but after second time testing it riding in full traffic , I was somehow fascinated with it's behaviour and character as it were.

I read many of horrible stories of RE En field bikes and I had a lot of fear. And as if to prove my fears
It simply stopped in the middle of the traffic after first service while coming back home from RE service station !!
I thought I made a foolish or stupid decision in my life . It was evening and I was talking on phone on
whatever numbers I had with me and finally I talked to someone in the workshop.
Finally one workshop mechanic of Royal en field came to the place on another Bullet
where I was standing with the RE bike with lot of anger and frustration.
He tried to start my RE 500 by checking its fuses etc., and
had to bring a cutting player from some on the road because it was not part of tool kit that came with the bike.
Finally he found out the problem!!
It was simple. There was no petrol in the tank. We both understood that sensor for petrol was not working at all.

I never had any problem at all on 700 km non stop journey to Badrachalam and back to Hyderabad
on the same day. I could trust the bike and I planned for an entire south India journey. I did the journey of 5000
km without any issue at all. I did not face even a single minor issue.

I did the bike servicing in RE service station at TIRUCHCHI on the way during my south India tour because I completed 2000 km by then.
There I told about the sensor story for petrol.
They found that Hyderabad mechanics only changed sensor bulb but the problem remained as it was
without a proper sensor change at all.
Only difference was that I always filled petrol on the way even while only half a tank was empty and by sheer luck
I did not face the same problem.

Tirucchi workshop changed and fixed a new sensor free of cost under warranty. They only asked for my
service manual. The quality of service they did to the bike was far superior to the service at Hyderabad
I returned from 5000 km South India tour after 15 days back to Hyderabad. After that I gave it for servicing.

I never had any issues,problems with bike in all of my regular 300km runs to my native and back Hyderabad
frequently.
So I started on a long journey of Hyderabad to Haridwar solo in 2015 July. My RE Classic 500 never gave me
any problems through out this riding to Haridwar and back to Hyderabad.
Once I started from Hyderabad I stopped only Seoni and then in Agra ( second day) and I stopped in Hardwar in third day.

When I took the bike to RE service station ,Sanathnagar,Hyderabad for a general check up before
start of this journey
I had explained to supervisor there as to why I brought the bike even though bike did not need any service at all.
But casually I mentioned that the bike is not going up to 100 kmph and even to reach 80 it is taking long time.
After checking it he told me that accelerator cable was actually cut off but just holding on in the coiled
position in a loop. I did not understand it completely but I asked about his advice and my tour to Haridwar.
He advised me to carry two spare tubes,brake shoes,clutch cable and a spark plug. The front tire tube will be longer
one and most likely it may not be available in road side shops and so on were reasons he gave for me to carry these
spares.

Finally I returned from Haridwar and completed a 3700 km riding without any problem at all. It never had any starting
problems in the cold mornings or any time later.
RE CLASSIC performance is good and bad ; it is both. It has excellent torque and hence all the areas
where roads were bad for example from Jhansi to Agra up to Gwalior at least and on Chambal bridge
its performance is marvelous to say the least. Up to 80 kmph and to some extent after engine
is properly heated up at 90 kmph it makes very nice musical thump and you would likely relish it.
Your hands will be free of any pressure and shoulder nice and relaxed. You are not bent in any case
so you would not get tired with spring seat. Moreover it is very well recognized and well associated
by the rider during any stops at any place including Chambal area by the local people and strangers.
Your Bullet is respected and you are respected as its rider.

Naturally after reading so many horrible stories on the internet about RE "Bullets" and their so called "not so much -dependable"
nature and horrendous stories about frequent visits to mechanics etc., , I was more worried during my south India journey
than throughout my riding to Haridwar and back to Hyderabad because by the time I began to trust my Bullet.

The problem with this RE Bullet is that even at 100 kmph it makes too much raucous noise so much that
you would not ride at 100 for a very long time. I tested on Bangalore -Hyderabad road and found that it was
reaching a maximum speed of 131 k mph and at that speed I rode it for quite some time.

It is best driven between 80 and 90 k mph for a good musical sound and you will feel you are
extremely stable.
Its balance is admirable ,it can ride on the edge of a road and exactly on the edge of a road as I was
riding it through Vindaya moutain range ( Pench national park) as the road in general was full of pot holes and
splintered while the edge was good. I put my bullet on that edge and rode without fail without quiver and
without a shake. It never overheated though I was riding it 42 degree temperatures in the north throughout
the day.
My problem has been I am a speed lover and that is why sometimes I get bored down with this bike
for its lack of speeds fast enough without making too much disconcerting noise.

I had a Ninja 250 on which I did a North India tour to Laddhak from Hyderabad completing a 9000 km
riding in 31 days( there was a news coverage in TIMES OF INDIA ) . But I did not like its performance in Laddhak.
It was simply weeping in Ghata loops while old RE bikes simply were simply thumping past me.
Indeed I did chase an Israeli rider on a rented RE bike on my Ninja but I was exhausted.
On Ninja 250 , it was true I could over take cars,jeeps ,scorpios etc very easily but I had to wring the throttle until it
reached 10,000 rpm. At 7500 it used to cross 100 k mph mark and sometimes depending on the slop of road
conditions it touched 100 mark only 7000 rpm. Whenever I relaxed without paying too much attention
to wringing the throttle it would stay back at 80 k mph and may be some times even less than that.
In that long riding , from Manali via Rohatang to LEH , I felt my shoulder joints became extremely painful next day.


So I purchased RE Classic 500 cc at 1,85,000/= on road price at Hyderabad in July 2014 after test riding CBR 250
ABS which I wanted to buy at 2,20,000 total cost including extended warranty and some coating for paint protection
etc., . After second test riding of Honda CBR 250 I decided not to buy because it was not picking up even in third gear like my Pulsar 220 ( purchased
in 2011 ,clocked 20,000 km without a single issue or problem ) in slowed down traffic conditions ,
but I had to come down even to second gear to pick up again. And it also lacked glamour of Kawasaki
or a character of Bullet. It lacked something special of its own and when I asked for Repsol model the
showroom people said they do not have it.

The speed freak in me tells me to buy at least 600i Benelli ,because that is cheaper 4 cylinder engine
compared to its competitors at least by 1 lakh rupees. At the same time for long tours which I want to do
to Nagaland from Hyderabad( at present I am planning ) for example, 600 cc may not suit and
moreover Benelli-DSK servicing ability is yet to be proved. Benelli bike wheel rims were bent when it jumped over
a pot hole according to an owner on the internet, he has posted even the photograph and again
, its break shoes, its chain has to prove worthy of the bike in Indian conditions of pot holes etc.,
You only has to see to believe road conditions in Bihar and also in Chambal valley
area through which I went to reach the destination in the pitch of darkness on my riding to Laddhak.

I am a bit confused and tried to buy a used 650 Hyosung but sitting position is not suitable may be even for
150 km let alone a north India tour.
I believe that a bikes performance is very much dependent on it rider. Recently when I went for
Pulsar servicing I had seen
many bikers giving a list of problems. Though my Pulsar 220 is now 5 year old,
it looks spanking new and never give
problems at all.
My RE classic 500 also never gave any problem because I think it is the way I have been riding it.

Re: Royal Enfield Classic 500

On a Carb Engine, I used the Battery for 3 years before replacing. In the EFI engines where basically the Fuel Injection system works on electricity, I would replace the battery at the slightest symptom of battery stress. I can't comment on FI failure yet. EFI to Carb blogs are available over the internet.

Re: Royal Enfield Classic 500

Im no expert, been riding only 5000kms, but my opinion on your queries;
1) It's a hit and miss I guess, but on an avg, 3yrs is to be expected.
2) I have not heard of fuel injector failures, but instead fuel pump failures. There were may reported earlier. I still believe that if you keep enough fuel in tank at all times, thus not allowing fuel pump to run hot, we can avoid sch failures to a large extent. If you are worried about the injector, there are injector cleaners available that can be mixed in small quantities with petrol once in a while. Should be available in the market.
3) There is a kit available from Indimotard. But unless you are facing problems with your EFI, and unless you are a DIY kinda guy who likes to keep fiddling with AFR settings and jet sizes etc, keep to your EFI system itself for peace of mind.

Re: Royal Enfield Classic 500


Battery life depends on the way you would use your bike. I purchased Pulsar 220 in 2011
and I had to change the battery
only in 2016 Jan, recently. It was the Exide with which the bike came but now I have fixed Amco.
If you frequently start and stop the bike , battery life would come down. You must also wait until engine is
properly warmed up before you put it in gear to move.
If you are stopping for a brief period for a small chat, you should not switch off the engine.
However if the engine has to be idle for half an hour or more in neutral , you must switch off the engine because
all air cooled engines do have a forced cooling system which means air flow must be with some speed for effective cooling
of the engine. Hence, you must switch off the engine if you were to keep it idle for a longer time.

You should always fill petrol to avoid fuel pump failures. Change brake shoes ( for RE) if you feel brakes are not
working for your satisfaction.

Re: Royal Enfield Classic 500

Thanks Man for your reply.
I never felt any symptom of battery stress. From the day One on-wards, while using self start a very minute movement of accelerator is required.
I read the same from some other forums also. I think it is common in CL500.
What is your opinion on this regard?

Thanks
Vipin

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Nice write up sir.
I have very few trip with DS
1) from Trivandrum to Alleppey ( Total Around 420 Km)
2) Trivandrum To Bangalore ( Toatal around 750 KM)
3)Bangalore to Goa (total around 1700 KM)
4) Trivandrum to Bangalore-Honeymoon trip ( around 1000 Km , 7 days)
5)Bangalore to Hassan,Chikmangalore( total around 700 Km)
I never faced any issues with my DS.
to keep my DS in top condition, i am doing oil top up in every 500Km, Chain cleaning with Kerosene and lube with chain lube.
And in every 2000 Km , giving service to Service Center.
Till now no issue..

thanks
vipin

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Thanks for your reply Man.
I heard about Kits from indimotard, in facebook page review seems to be good.
yes, i am always filling the fuel, whenever that fuel indicator glows while braking.

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I am switching off engine, whenever at traffic signal more than 20sec.

Re: Royal Enfield Classic 500

No,you should never switch off the engine at traffic signals. That much I can tell for sure.
If I stop for 10 minutes to take take tea on road side, I do not switch off the engine and keep it running
in neutral.

Re: Royal Enfield Classic 500

Hi,
Can you please tell me why?
i read from some other forums, even for cars it is advisable to turn off the engine at traffic signal, if it is more than 30sec.

thanks
vipin

Re: Royal Enfield Classic 500

My dad's Classic Chrome was parked under the complex. Some idiot has reversed his car into the beast.
Total damage :
Bent Crash guard
Bent side stand
Saree guard and rear bumper


The crash guard can be changed FOC (Dad has a spare), the side stand is fixable. The problem is the bumper. It's badly dented.

Anyone have an idea of how much it costs to replace the rear bumper of a Classic Chrome?

Re: Royal Enfield Classic 500



Very sad to hear this news, please get in touch with your Royal enfield Showroom/Service center for the price and all.
whether insurance will cover this expenditure?

Re: Royal Enfield Classic 500

Thought I'd ask here in case anyone had the misfortune of something like this happening with them. Will enquire at the ASC as soon as possible.

Thanks VJdesert sir.

Re: Royal Enfield Classic 500

No,turning off the bike's engine quite often for a few seconds or minutes is not advisable.
First about the engine heat, A bullet (RE)
bike runs better when it is heated well. Stopping or killing the engine so often serves no purpose. However you
should not raise the engine beating in idle condition and you should not keep the engine on for an hour or more etc.,
because air flow or "forced cooling" is required for an RE bike. As for cars it should generally be stopped after 3 hours of non-stop
running including the time it kept in neutral or idle condition.

Analogue fuel gauge for Royal Enfield Classic 500 efi

I am not satisfied with the stock fuel indicator of RE classic500 efi. I feel that if it were like that the one of classic 350 or standard bullets , it would help in maintaining the fuel at a level which is sufficient to check overheating of fuel pump.
Can someone please tell me how to replace the indicator?

Re: Royal Enfield Classic 500

Can you please suggest how to replace the fuel indicator of RE classic500 with a old school fuel gauge of classic 350.? It helps to keep the fuel at a level which is sufficient to check overheating of fuel pump.

Re: Royal Enfield Classic 500

Thank you very much Venu


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