It’s amazing how all the “defects” of the Bullet 500 make it the bike to purchase. As an owner, I wouldn’t trade my Classic 500 for anything in the world. You didn't just buy a bike. You bought a companion. Congratulations!

@5dTraveller

10 ай бұрын

Your absolutely right Helbert, and my Bullet won't be going anywhere either unless I'm with him. Thanks, Mick

@estanileon

Ай бұрын

exactly !

Brilliant ! Just three weeks ago I bought a 500 bullet without the chance to validate my thoughts. You have done that for me. Thanks. 😎

@5dTraveller

9 ай бұрын

You're welcome and you won't regret it. The more I ride mine the more I love it, it's like riding the first bike I ever had over and over again 😊. Cheers, Mick

Great comparison and evaluation. This answers a lot of my questions. Thanks

@5dTraveller

9 ай бұрын

Thanks Pav, you're welcome and I'm glad it was helpful. Sounds like you're thinking about getting one or the other. Cheers, Mick

Really enjoyed this, Mick - it's been a very long time since I pushed a motorcycle... my heart went out to you there. Lovely looking bike and so pleased you found such a nice one. Look forward to many more meanderings with you on Bobby.

@5dTraveller

9 ай бұрын

Thanks Peter, and I had to pick one of the warmest days of the year to do it! 😄 At the same time, literally, I was very lucky, not only finding Bobby but also getting the old Deauville. When Kevin came to rescue us in the van I mentioned to him I would be looking for a winter bike and he said he was taking a Deauville in part exchange the following week, and that's the exact bike I had in mind having had one as a winter bike 12 years ago! Sometimes things just fall into place.

A very nice and interesting ride,i wish you luck with your Bobby and many miles of joy.Thank you 🍀🍀🍀

@5dTraveller

10 ай бұрын

Thank you very much @copper6600. I'm at 1000 miles already and enjoying every one of them 😊. All the best, Mick

I rode a Bullet 500 for the first time last weekend as my friend just bought one, a 17 plate Classic and i loved it! Torque and Character, I also love my Classic 350 so I guess I need to find a nice EFI 500 at a good price and have best of both worlds! 😁👍 Cheers Bruce

@5dTraveller

10 ай бұрын

They're quite different bikes, and both great in their own way. I'd love to have bought both of them but the 350 will have to wait until I can find a used one I can afford. If you get the chance of a good 500 don't pass it up, they're going to get harder to find as more people realise what they're missing 😉.

A 2016 Bullet 500 with 1300 miles just came up for sale a couple miles from my house and couldn't resist. I have been curious about the 500 Bullet for a few years and am happy to report I enjoy it quite a lot. I have had loads of more powerful bikes over the years, but it is nice to slow down and enjoy the ride. The Bullet has a special quality that is hard to describe. What year is your Bullet?

@5dTraveller

22 күн бұрын

Hi Dave, well done finding a Bullet with low miles that close to home! Mine is a 2020 that was in storage at a dealer for three years and it'll be staying with me until the inevitable... They are brilliant bikes but most of us have to reach a certain stage in our motorcycling lives before we can properly appreciate them, a genuine classic bike without all the associated classic maintenance. I've covered 3000 miles in the first year, my only concern is I'll wear him out too soon! Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy many happy miles on your Bullet 👍

I have a 2002 iron barrel 500 which is probably even less refined as your Bobby! I had at the same time a 2022 classic 350 reborn which I bought second hand,in the end I moved the 350 on as I much preferred the character and extra power of the 500.

@5dTraveller

8 ай бұрын

Yes, there's quite a big difference. I just took Bobby fully laden with luggage over The Lecht and he did most of it in 5th gear. Cheers, Mick

It's a shame these bikes aren't ridden with say, 1,500 mls on them, because they are horribly tight until then, after this you get a much more accurate picture of their character. I own a 350 signals, which is run in, I added the upgrade air filter, very happy with that, won't bother with any other tinkering. The Royal enfield line up is large, something for everyone, at a decent price. Thanks for the video.

@5dTraveller

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and I'm glad you're enjoying your 350. The one I rode had about 1800 miles on it and felt much looser than the Bullet, which only had 163 on it when I started. In the end I chose the Bullet because it has a bit of extra pulling power on the hills, there are a lot of those around here, and the 500 is getting hard to find with low miles, whereas I can easily buy a 350 later. There is no doubt the J Series engine is more refined than the old 500 and I was planning to get a Hunter 350 when I have the funds so I can reduce the number of miles I'm putting on the Bullet, the Himalayan 450 is quite tempting though. Cheers, Mick

i own a classic 350 and wouldve loved to try out a classic 500! but the prices were significantly different where i live, due to the rarity of the 500 now. So im really stunned you found this low mileage one, i hope it treats you well. theres something charming about the older (maybe more rugged) feeling 500.

@5dTraveller

5 ай бұрын

Hi Rhys, I was very lucky to find Bobby and he's treating me very well indeed, we did a very cold 1800 mile trip the length of the UK and back together last November and he never missed a beat. It was probably the most relaxed trip I've done since I was very young back in the 1970's. I would have been happy to own the 350 if I hadn't ridden the 500 with it's genuine old bike feel, its a shame they've stopped making them. Thanks for watching, Mick

@ChancellorBeeHaw

5 ай бұрын

@@5dTraveller blimey that’s quite the trip! glad to hear it was a relaxing and enjoyable time for you and bobby, thanks for sharing!

@5dTraveller

5 ай бұрын

You're welcome Rhys, if you want to follow the trip its on my channel, look for Bobby The Bullet Goes To Cornwall. I've just started on Day 2 of 6 so it'll be a while before its completed. Be warned though these are long format videos covering almost every mile of the trip. Cheers, Mick

Absolutely brilliant 😊

@5dTraveller

10 ай бұрын

Thanks Mr TAYM, I feel like I have a gold star from teacher, and I never got many of those!

@TAYM

10 ай бұрын

@@5dTraveller 😂😂😂😂😂 me neither 😂😂😂

The 500 has nostalgic magic to it. I am 68yo. ridden since I was 10. so Ive seen and had a few bikes. My last few bikes were big, heavy and hardcore, Copper/Silver '99 Hayabusa had it 21 yrs done warp speeds of over 300km/h. Then finally succumbed to a '09 Harley Night Train (1580) Loved it but after 10 yrs started getting heavy and cumbersome. So where to go? I went back to the beginning. The RE Bullet intrigued me, its old style and dates back to 1932 with a rich heritage. None to even test ride, I bought one blind the 2021 500 Tribute model. There was only 1 available interstate (new) bought it on the phone and had it transported to me. Riding it a year and half now 7.5k on the clock and have loved every minute of it. It has its own character and magic. Considered a classic 350 too but its smaller capacity frightened me off with our wider fast roads here downunder in Oz. Consider yourself fortunate in finding a low mileage as you did. Im considering a second one in Chrome/Black that I have my eyes on. Theyre special but as yet unappreciated, so can still be had at a reasonable price. Enjoy! yea vibes and all.

@5dTraveller

10 ай бұрын

My situation exactly, 69 and too old for big bikes. I talk about this in my first motovlog video (Mick's Meanderings #0.1). I agree entirely with what you say, I'm at 1000 miles now and have been smiling inside all the way. Definitely very lucky to find it and I'm not letting go of it! Thanks, Mick

In the old days of singles 350 were preferred over500 because they were easier to kick over as well as being smoother.

@frankmarkovcijr5459

8 ай бұрын

That bike is almost brand new. Like a rehomed dog 🐶 it has found a good home 🏠.

@5dTraveller

8 ай бұрын

Thanks Frank, he's definitely staying with me for the rest of the journey. You're right about the old singles. I'd never have been able to kick over a 500 when I was young, I had a race tuned Norton Dominator for a while in 1972 and the only way I could start that was to bump it! Cheers, Mick

@frankmarkovcijr5459

8 ай бұрын

@@5dTraveller That's why I like my 250's and don't ride my 441 Victor because it's too hard to kick it over.

I was shouting at the screen, when you were attempting to kickstart the bike with front brake pressed and no throttle.

@5dTraveller

6 ай бұрын

I'd like to know what you were shouting Harry 😁. I had no experience with the Bullet before this and the kick was more a token gesture, I had no expectation it was going to start. The charging system was obviously not working and the battery was flat so the fuel pump wasn't going to give any fuel anyway. I still bought the bike though, it had already worked it's magic on me 😊

@harry-cee

6 ай бұрын

​@@5dTravellerLooks like my shout-o-meter needs recalibration. I forgot for a moment, that unlike my old iron barrel 500, EFIs need power supply for the fuel mix. Big thumbs up for choosing the 500cc Bullet over reborn. Looking forward to seeing more of your adventures with it! Happy riding!

@5dTraveller

6 ай бұрын

Thanks Harry, I'm happy to admit I'm a novice Bullet rider with a lot to learn. I've put 3000 miles on the clock already and enjoyed all of them except the one when I was pushing instead of riding 😁. Cheers, Mick

I have both. 500 much more torque and long legged . Superb classic feel. 350 better bike and slick. But I prefer 500. Get both. 2 shocks for a bmw gs are over 3k. 😁 For once someone nailed it. Amazes me how folk think putting a bigger sprocket on means s engine working less hard. Maybe on a bike that is under geared . But 350 I think you would be having to drop back to 4th a lot. Gearing is right as standard. Now the 500 has the grunt to pull a taller gear but it's fine as standard. For motorway work get a bigger bike. 😂

@5dTraveller

10 ай бұрын

I prefer the 500 too. I'd have taken both if I had the funds but I still have to do the odd long trip for work so I need to keep my K1600 for now, and I've had it for 11 years so it would be hard to part with. I've just past 1000 miles on the 500 and it's running well, it's definitely a keeper too. Cheers, Mick

@zedcharlie

10 ай бұрын

@@5dTraveller Mine is a trials replica. The sprung seat removes vibes from bum and obviously helps on rough roads. Had it 4yr and its not going anywhere. Had 3 inj 500. 3 pre unit iron barrel. And and interceptor. But 6gears and heavy ish clutch plus discomfort made me part with interceptor. Good bike though. I.m 6ft4. Despite that I have a honda .monkey which is comfy. Done 5 k in 1i months. 50mph bike so b roads and lanes. Good ride quality and astronomical fuel economy at av 161mpg!

@5dTraveller

10 ай бұрын

You've been riding 500s for a while then. I was tempted by the Interceptor, I had a Bonneville back in the 70s, but I wanted something small, light and efficient. The 500 EFI is a good compromise between classic looks and feel and modern reliability (hopefully). I bet 6ft4 on a monkey bike is a sight to see!

@Tonyv1951

9 ай бұрын

Well said on the gearing. I reckon the engineers who put the classic 350 package together thought plenty about the gearing before setting it up to make the most of the engine's power and torque. I can never understand the way people mess on with these arrangements and think they have made things better. I have a bike that had been messed with before I got it. I very quickly put it back to spec.

@5dTraveller

9 ай бұрын

Thanks Tony. The only way a bigger front sprocket is going to work is if the engine is modified, but I don't think any changes you can make are going to add another 5HP, which is what I think it would need. Anyway, if you have to go to all that trouble and expense to make it into the bike you want you've probably bought the wrong bike, just change it for a 500. Cheers, Mick

My 77 fx has the same regulator it came with .

@5dTraveller

10 ай бұрын

Hi Jack, I'm just happy I was on a short test ride and not in the middle of nowhere! That's the thing with electricals though isn't it, they can last a lifetime or suddenly fail with no warning signs at all. Didn't put me off buying the bike and in the end we decided to leave the Suzuki part in there. Cheers, Mick.

Stick with the Suzuki part. Much better quality.

@5dTraveller

9 ай бұрын

@bluesman3794 Your may well be right, and I've still got a Royal Enfuki. Not much point swapping out a working part for one that might not, although to be fair I can't say I've heard of Royal Enfield regulator-rectifiers failing more than any other make. Some other parts though, like the spark plug they provided, are definitely rubbish. Cheers, Mick

Give me the 500 any day I have a 2020 500 efi there's just no comparison plus you don't have to fiddle about with tappets as valves are hydrolic don't get me wrong the 350 is a nice bike but lacks low end torque which the 500 has bags of had mine for three years never let me down mine was one of the last off the line just love it

@5dTraveller

4 ай бұрын

Hi James, Bobby is a 2020 too and I knew within a few miles I would be buying him. Since then I've done 3000 miles including an 1800 trip to Cornwall at the end of November and he's been brilliant, chugged along fully laden over some very steep hills without any trouble. I do have a dilemma though because they're not being made any more, so I want Bobby to last as long as possible and might end up getting a 350 to share the load. Cheers, Mick

@hardburke4910

4 ай бұрын

​@@5dTraveller I own a 350 and thinking about buying a 500! It's really interesting to watch this video and hearing Your reaction on the differences of the two bikes! Until now I never had the chance to try a 500 but I'm really looking forward to this!!

@5dTraveller

4 ай бұрын

Thanks Hard Burke, they're very different bikes and I'm sure you'll enjoy riding the 500. If you get the chance to buy a good one I recommend you grab it! I liked the 350 too and I'm hoping they do a scrambler version of it at some point, either that or I'll get a Hunter and modify it myself. Cheers, Mick

@hardburke4910

4 ай бұрын

@@5dTraveller I'll do my very best to get a liw mileage one! For the rough stuff I have a 22 himi. A J series scrambler is a pretty cool idea!! 😀

@5dTraveller

4 ай бұрын

I regularly have to ride to the west on some very rough roads so a himi is another good option. I had a test ride on a second hand one, before the 500 and 350, and liked it but it had too many miles and a noisy pipe on it. I've seen a few scrambled Hunters online and one as it was going the other way, they look good and I like the extra efficiency of the J series engine over the 411. We'll see.

If these bikes haven't been run in, you shouldn't be doing 60.

@5dTraveller

8 ай бұрын

I agree Jez, the 350 had 1800 miles on the clock so well run in. After 200 miles the Bullet went to an indicated 45 mph (40mph real speed) briefly, the rest of the time it was never above an indicated 40mph.

overhead cam,the difference.

@5dTraveller

9 ай бұрын

Hi Mike. Yes, there no doubt the 350 engine is technically much better than the 500 and the whole bike is better made. The 500 feels like an old bike and that character, along with the extra grunt, made it the choice for me. After all, I'm an old man trying to recapture my youth😊. Cheers, Mick

@deltabluesdavidraye

6 ай бұрын

None in a low rpm engine