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**Karthik Mathur (Orange)** · 03-07-2012, 05:55 PM

Cool choice! CL500 is really good. And with the up-swept exhaust the exhaust note is nothing lesser than pure unadulterated music.

Just be careful about its brakes though, not the most efficient but not bad too. It has the tendency to skid more and it being heavy difficult to control once it skids. But on getting used to it, even that is solved.
I would advise u to not speed too much on this even though it is capable coz of the thing mentioned above.

**aRun@bH** · 03-07-2012, 08:50 PM

Originally posted by Karthik Mathur (Orange) View Post

Cool choice! CL500 is really good. And with the up-swept exhaust the exhaust note is nothing lesser than pure unadulterated music.

Just be careful about its brakes though, not the most efficient but not bad too. It has the tendency to skid more and it being heavy difficult to control once it skids. But on getting used to it, even that is solved.
I would advise u to not speed too much on this even though it is capable coz of the thing mentioned above.

I will careful with the brakes and speed. But with 500cc and 27.2 bhp on tap, hope it won't be too difficult to keep the Bull in sane speeds.

**antz.bin** · 03-07-2012, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by aRun@bH View Post

I will careful with the brakes and speed. But with 500cc and 27.2 bhp on tap, hope it won't be too difficult to keep the Bull in sane speeds.

Practically speaking, you don't have a choice on this matter. Thats how you ride bulls always, in a sedate manner. Best of luck on the buying experience, hope it will lead to a smooth and long ownership.

**Enthusiastic** · 03-07-2012, 10:01 PM

Originally posted by aRun@bH View Post

Btw good to see a reply by a fellow member from Ranchi.

Same here

**Karthik Mathur (Orange)** · 03-07-2012, 10:14 PM

Originally posted by aRun@bH View Post

I will careful with the brakes and speed. But with 500cc and 27.2 bhp on tap, hope it won't be too difficult to keep the Bull in sane speeds.

Maintaining high speeds is hardly an issue, it is very stable and never feels strained, issue is if u have to drop speed in a jiffy.

My 220 may reach 100kmph a little quicker than my bro's CL500 but dude, the feeling of acceleration on Classic is something else!

And i forgot to mention CL500 in Desert storm colour, seriously cool man!

Btw u could consider the Indore silencer instead of the up-swept one. Doesn't look as good but sounds way better.

**aRun@bH** · 03-08-2012, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by antz.bin View Post

Practically speaking, you don't have a choice on this matter. Thats how you ride bulls always, in a sedate manner. Best of luck on the buying experience, hope it will lead to a smooth and long ownership.

Thank You antz.bin

Originally posted by Karthik Mathur (Orange) View Post

Maintaining high speeds is hardly an issue, it is very stable and never feels strained, issue is if u have to drop speed in a jiffy.

My 220 may reach 100kmph a little quicker than my bro's CL500 but dude, the feeling of acceleration on Classic is something else!

And i forgot to mention CL500 in Desert storm colour, seriously cool man!

Btw u could consider the Indore silencer instead of the up-swept one. Doesn't look as good but sounds way better.

I have seen that silencer, short and loud. But somehow the upswept exhaust looks stunning to me. I have not decided yet which silencer to buy, but the upswept one has an upper edge as of now.

**Karthik Mathur (Orange)** · 03-08-2012, 05:28 PM

I don't think u and i are talking about the same exhaust. May be u are talking about the Punjab one. That is way too loud!

That is for sure, up-swept looks stunning. But some wire-mesh or something in my brother's bike's up-swept one got broke a little due to unknown reasons and it makes an irritating noise.

**aRun@bH** · 03-08-2012, 07:07 PM

Originally posted by Karthik Mathur (Orange) View Post

I don't think u and i are talking about the same exhaust. May be u are talking about the Punjab one. That is way too loud!

That is for sure, up-swept looks stunning. But some wire-mesh or something in my brother's bike's up-swept one got broke a little due to unknown reasons and it makes an irritating noise.

Thank You for the information. I will check out the exhausts available. The Goldstar exhausts are loud. Not sure if the short exhausts will compliment the Desert Storm's paint shade. The bike is still 2 months away so I have ample time to decide on the accessories and riding gear too, depending upon the budget though.

**Karthik Mathur (Orange)** · 03-08-2012, 09:03 PM

The Indore silencer isn't short. My cousin has got it on his TBTS and it covers almost the whole length.
Btw i confirmed now, the up-swept wasn't the problem, it was the pipe which connects to the engine which will remain the same for all the exhausts.

**aRun@bH** · 03-12-2012, 08:07 AM

Well in that case I have not seen the Indore silencer yet. Googled it but still want to see it personally. Hope someday very soon.

**Karthik Mathur (Orange)** · 03-12-2012, 09:22 AM

Yeah check it out. The RE dealership there keeps all this?

**aRun@bH** · 03-12-2012, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by Karthik Mathur (Orange) View Post

Yeah check it out. The RE dealership there keeps all this?

Probably not but these can be fitted aftermarket. So I may not opt for them directly from the showroom. The accessories will be retro-fitted one after the other depending upon the dough I have to spare.

**skantsoni** · 03-19-2012, 09:20 PM

Cl500

Hey Arun, i own a CL500 (2010). i m myself 6'3". and yes it fits well for us guys who are above avg height. The bike's motor i would say is really good, has much better power than the 350. In terms of reliability i am sure Duke would be pretty reliable considering its international brand value. But for indian roads and touring you cant beat RE. I ride to office everyday and clocking around 2k per month. Overall maintenance is not so much and is more reliable than the older models.

though be prepared for small problems like bad service centers, false neutrals, overall poor finish despite paying around 1.6 lac, fuel indicator and light switches failing without any reason

**aRun@bH** · 03-20-2012, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by skantsoni View Post

Hey Arun, i own a CL500 (2010). i m myself 6'3". and yes it fits well for us guys who are above avg height. The bike's motor i would say is really good, has much better power than the 350. In terms of reliability i am sure Duke would be pretty reliable considering its international brand value. But for indian roads and touring you cant beat RE. I ride to office everyday and clocking around 2k per month. Overall maintenance is not so much and is more reliable than the older models.

though be prepared for small problems like bad service centers, false neutrals, overall poor finish despite paying around 1.6 lac, fuel indicator and light switches failing without any reason

Yes the RE needs care and attention, but I think the way it rides makes up for all these issues. It may trouble you and throw tantrums, but at the end of the day it brings a smile to your face. And for touring, indeed nothing beats a 500cc Bullet. I just hope the initial niggles of the 2009/2010 models would have been sorted with time. The 2012 models should be more reliable I suppose.

Well I am glad to find another wanderer in you. Also I am glad that you chose this thread for your first post. Congrats for your CL500 buddy !!

Happy touring.

**aRun@bH** · 03-20-2012, 10:53 PM

UPDATE:

I have cancelled my CL500 DS booking from Kolkata and have booked it in Ranchi, my hometown. This is done as there's a new showroom up in Ranchi which did not existed when I booked my bike from Kolkata. Plus the OTR price in Ranchi is around 3-4 K's less when compared to the OTR price in Kolkata. Also I can save cash by not travelling between Kolkata and Ranchi with my bike for the free services (the Kolkata dealer told that I must get atleast 2 free services done there, else my warranty will become void). The cash saved in the process can well go into buying some riding gear.

Details of the bike:

Model: RE Classic 500 Desert Storm
Price: 1.53 lakhs OTR in Ranchi (1.57 lakhs OTR in Kolkata)
Booking Amount: 1,000 rupees
Waiting Period: Only 60 days in Ranchi for a CL500 DS (as the dealership is new)

I had booked the bike from Kolkata on 29th December 2011 and was promised a delivery date in mid-May around 15th May. Now with the booking in Ranchi today (20th March 2012), I have been promised a delivery date around 20th May. So anyway I will get the bike in May 2012. And yes I have started getting sleepless nights and daydreams about the upcoming CL500.

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