2018 Royal Enfield Classic 500 – The real deal.

Royal Enfield Classic 500

I’ve covered the Royal Enfield 500 before and I’m more than happy to write about it again. This time it’s about why it’s an affordable and special motorcycle and one motorcycle you need to short list this one,

The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is an affordable motorcycle, it’s priced under $8000 AUD in the showroom in 2018 which is perfect as it’s competitors the LAMs bikes and other retro styled motorcycles are in the same price range.  The 500 is an affordable motorcycle! That said you can always get the 350cc  version under $6000 AUD if you wanted something cheaper.

Defining what makes the Royal Enfield 500 special is simple. Just look at the design is genuine continually manufacture of a 1940’s design. Sure it is an evolution of the original Enfield Bullet but I think it has gotten better looking over that time. The engine may not be exactly the same as the original but you need the updates to be saleable in 2018. EFI and now ABS are part of the modernisation of the ancient design. Furthermore it’s not just the look there’s the engine and traditional drive train without balance shafts so expect vibes and it’s mild engine is about enjoying the experience of the ride than cutting corners.

On the street a Royal Enfield Classic 500 looks like an amazing restoration of an old motorcycle to the passerby and those not into motorcycles or not informed which is arguably the point. Think of this way, someone shopping for a new motorcycle that is not sports bike, cruiser style, scooter or adventure motorcycle something a little different that doesn’t come with any negative press apart from being a motorcycle. Bam! and the Royal Enfield 500 appears, it’s retro, it’s not very popular, and known yet unknown model, it’s good brand image and history, it doesn’t appear with many Instagram pictures with traditional old hairy bikers or scantly clad women all over them take note Ducati and Harley Davidson – The Classic 500 has got class.

The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is a genuine Royal Enfield with a direct line to it’s ancestors. It is not a remake a quite the opposite of Triumph and BMW which are just Simulacra.

Royal Enfield Classic 500 Key Specifications (2018)
Engine: 1 cylinder 4-stroke Twin Spark EFT
Capacity: 499cc
Power/Torque: Approx 20 Kw @ 5250 RPM 41.3 Nm @ 4000 RPM
Gearbox: 5 speed manual
Kerb Weight: 190kg
Performance: 0-100kph N/A seconds Approx
Max Speed N/A Kph Approx
Fuel Economy: 13.5 litre fuel tank
Approx 4 litres per 100km
Seat height: 815mm
Dimensions: L2180 X W790 X H1080 mm
Wheels: 90-90-19F 110-90-18R
Recommended Retail Price: Est $8490 AUD (2017)