Royal Enfield Classic 500

The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is one of those motorcycles which have withstood the tides of time without losing out their original appeal. The motorcycle is a perfect blend of retro design cues as well as modern bits. The motorcycle still continues to be powered by the same four stroke, single cylinder, air cooled, twin-spark, 499cc engine, which develops 27.3PS of power and 41.3 Nm of torque and comes mated to a five-speed gearbox. For making it a motorcycle of today’s era and age, Royal Enfield equipped the motorcycle with front disc brake, fuel injection, contemporary switchgear with engine kill switch and many more.

The Classic 500 sits at the topmost position of the Classic range of Royal Enfield, which has Classic 350 below it. Starting at Rs 1.70 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi), the Classic 500 offers you a much more valuable package for the appeal it possesses. The Classic 500 is available in an all-new range of colours which include Classic Tan, Classic Black and Classic Silver. Apart from the standard version, the Classic 500 also comes in five different exclusive versions – Desert Storm, Squadron Blue, Classic Chrome, Battle Green and Stealth Black – each of which comes in a single but exclusive paint shade, and roughly carries a premium of almost Rs 3,500 over the standard colours mentioned above.

For a long time, the Royal Enfield Classic 500 didn’t have a direct competitor in the 500cc segment. Though, when it comes to direct pricing and retro-modern appeal, the UM Renegade Classic now gives it a tough fight. Despite having a smaller engine almost half the size of that of the Classic 500, the Renegade Classic produces an equivalent amount of performance and has a sheer visual appeal which makes it look as fantastic and captivating as the Classic 500.

At one glance, one may get deceived for the fact that the Classic 500 looks entirely similar to the Classic 350, save for the badges, bigger engine and a couple of mild but noticeable changes here and there. This means that the basic design is completely same, with a big round headlamp at the front, garnished with a small cap made of chrome. The front and rear fenders have been sourced from the Classic 350, but unlike on the latter, they do get striping job.

All the major highlights of the Classic 350’s side profile such as tear-drop shaped fuel tank with black coloured knee pads and elliptical side body cowls with triangle-shaped storage compartments behind them have been retained for the Classic 500 as well. Also, the chrome bathed exhaust pipe, as well as the split seats, have been shared with the Classic 350 as well.

And finally, even the rear profile of the Classic 500 is the same as Classic 350, with the round tail lamp surrounded by a blackened housing, with this whole assembly mounted on the rear fender. In a true retro fashion, the round turn indicators are bathed in chrome at both the ends.

Even the basic all-analogue instrument console has been shared with the Classic 350 as well, with the unit comprising of speedometer, odometer and battery level indicator. The absence of fuel gauge still haunts the Classic range, even on this Classic 500 as well. Other than that, the quality of switchgear feels premium, with the motorcycle getting modern touches like engine kill switch as well.

The bike is equipped with a powerful headlight that offers a good vision at night. Further, it is fitted with a disc brake at the front that offers superior braking power even under difficult conditions. The two rear view mirrors reduce the chance of any mishaps and keep the rider aware of the vehicle coming towards to him. The above-mentioned safety features make Royal Enfield Classic a safe yet fun-filled riding machine. 

This is part where the Classic 500 feels like an upgrade over the Classic 350, as the basic design of both the motorcycles is same. The Classic 500 gets a four stroke, single cylinder, air cooled, twin-spark, 499cc engine, which unlike the Classic 350, is fuel injected, and produces 27.3PS of power and 41.3 Nm of torque. Paired to a 5-speed gearbox, this engine is basically a bored out version of the Classic 350’s 346cc mill, and thanks to the fuel injection technology, this engine feels much more responsive and eager to ride.

The engines of Royal Enfield are known to have an impressive amount of torque down the rev range as well as in the midrange, with the Classic 500’s engine proving it in the highest manner. The engine welcomes you with a wide surge of torque as soon as you pull off the throttle in the first place. The vibrations have been controlled extremely well in the lower revs, but as soon as the revs rise or once you ride it past 80kmph, the vibrations start creeping in. The 5-speed gearbox isn’t the best unit out there – it feels slightly notchy and might irritate you at times with its false neutrals.

The one thing which hasn’t gone wrong with all the Royal Enfields is the plush ride quality they offer, with the Classic 500 being at the top of the range in this regard. Being one of the most comfortable motorcycles to ride in today’s times, the Classic 500’s basic chassis isn’t too modern – it has got a basic single downtube frame under the skin with 35mm hydraulic telescopic forks at the front and gas charged 5-step adjustable hydraulic coil springs at the rear. The overall ride quality doesn’t feel bouncy – it is a bit firm when you compare it to that of its other stable mates. But since the suspension has been tuned for adjusting it to the additional weight of the engine, it feels slightly heavier and stiffer.

In terms of braking, the Classic 500 has got the traditional setup of 280mm disc brake at front and a 153mm drum brake, and this is where the motorcycle disappoints, as it is high time that Royal Enfield should now offer a rear disc brake as standard on such a large motorcycle. The brakes, in themselves, lack that bite which should have been there on a bike this heavy.