2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Motorcycles In California

[lucky51762]

You could have said something about the modern disc brake on the front.

It has electric start.

[hoohoohoblin]

@lucky51762 The disc brake is definitely an improvement over the old drum brakes. The 2012 Royal Enfield G5 models still have kick starters. The C5 models don't.

[tonyvargas368]

I'm not really a motorcycle guy but these bikes have intrigued me since discovering them a few months ago. I've considered purchasing a convertible as a second car but maybe one of these bikes with a side car (to bring along my dog) would be more fun. Thanks for posting the vid.

[hoohoohoblin]

@tonyvargas368 You're welcome. They're neat bikes, and you can get sidecars for them, painted in a matching color.

[cuzuman]

Dis you get to ride one? I love the Military model, the Beige Desert color it's amazing.

[hoohoohoblin]

@cuzuman I haven't ridden a new Bullet yet. Mine is a 2001 model, and I'd like to see how different the new ones are. They definitely look great.

[trainlinezoo]

So what's the cruising range on a tank of fuel? Will it maintain 60mph? I still like the MP3 Piaggio - it just seems safer and it's easier to see at night. Love the wide seat though and the shape of the Bullet bike.

[hoohoohoblin]

@trainlinezoo I've ridden the MP3 but haven't reiddne a new Enfield Bullet. Both bikes get lots of attention. The Bullet can maintain 60 mph, but probably can't handle cruising at 80 mph. Enfield claims the Bullet gets 85 mpg, which seems really high to me. My old Bullet gets 60 mpg. I think the new one holds about 4 gallons of gas. The MP3 has an automatic transmission and gets gas mileage in the 40 mpg range.

[trainlinezoo]

@hoohoohoblin The MP3 500 looks so nice - it even has a factory cover tucked away within the storage. I can't get over how good the rear fender looks on the Bullet and then the extra foot pegs to get you guessing --- it just screams "I need a sidecar, I need a sidecar!" How would the MP3 be in the snow with snowtires and do they make snowtires for it?

[hoohoohoblin]

@trainlinezoo Do an internet search for "Piaggio MP3 Winter Accessories" and you'll find the winter package for the MP3. It includes tires, a giant windshield, and heated leg cover, which is a big electric blanket that attaches to the scooter and covers your legs to keep them warm. There are a few companies who make sidecars for Enfield Bullets, including a company called Cozy.

[gordonemoore]

They modernized it and made it look older at the same time. Very pretty machine.

[hoohoohoblin]

@gordonemoore I agree. It's not an easy thing to do, but they kept a lot of the classic look while modernizing it. I hope they sell well here. I haven't seen one of the new ones on the road in California yet, but they must be some riders out there.

[jfnelson61]

The 2011 Bullets sold in Europe have the kickstart back on in addition to the electric starter. But last year's didn't.

I love kickstarting it in the morning.

But heck, I love everything about my red Royal Enfield Bullet Electra EFI 500cc.., so I'm hardly impartial!

[hoohoohoblin]

@jfnelson61 Great news! I guess I'm not the only person who complained about the missing kicker.

[TheTRIAS3]

I ffrom coall in love, that vehicle is that I want.

I am from colombia, and i fall in love of that motor.

Excuse me, I don not how to espeak engish, but love those? motors.

[bangalorebully]

Enfield Rifle and the Enfield Bullet, two nice British legacy pieces in India.

[CimarronPeacekeeper]

Uh... the 2011's are electric start

[KNO3CS]

I have a black one and I get SO many inquiries about it, approving nods from Harley riders and a lot of yells out of car windows asking how old it is. I have found it to be a lot of fun to ride and comfortable. .. so far, no problems.

[hoohoohoblin]

@KNO3CS Cool. Sounds like you made the right choice. 

[themhstrivellas]

@KNO3CS

is it true that an RE has very high maintenance cost?

is the carbuerator version as reliable as the efi?

tnx..

[axxo798]

is this like a motorcycle or more like a scooter ?

[hoohoohoblin]

@axxo798 It's a motorcycle. It has a manual transmission with clutch and 5-speed gearbox, and it is considered a motorcycle by the DMV.  It gets better gas mileage than some scooters, though.

[Desishikamaru]

@axxo798

Does this look like a Fking Scooter to u

[axxo798]

@Desishikamaru i don't mean the looks, but the feeling and everything

[Desishikamaru]

@axxo798

Ride an Enfield For an Hour and u'll leave ur Girlfriend...I promise ...no no....Not kidding....Not kidding bro...It will give u a feeling of Enlightenment....U'll kinda like feel like The guy from Transformers with Bumblebee ;-)

[ABBABeatle]

@punjabdabest Bull crap!, Indian compay maybe.. But its of British origins and the bikes are British style!

So thats why i am Proud to be British!

[Desishikamaru]

@ABBABeatle

Yah the Brits wanted to Shut Down the Company in the 1950...We Indians Kept alive...so be as Proud as u want but dont Diss Us....

[ABBABeatle]

@Desishikamaru Yeah, maybe i wrote it wrong, i dont diss you guys. I actually like the idea of the company and the bikes not dissapearing.

[Desishikamaru]

@ABBABeatle

ha ha ha...it's k bro...Enjoy ur Enfield 

[abh3092]

@ABBABeatle --so what if it has british origins, it is 100% INDIAN, jaguar is indian,land rover is indian. You whites can't go and claim just about anything

[ABBABeatle]

@abh3092 I don't give a shit if its indian, regardless of where it is made its still a beautiful bike. The point i was making is that its styling is derived from the British ones, So say what you like.. the Origins of the bike AND the company are from britain.

[knut761]

@ABBABeatle I think you meant to say. "derived from the English ones" they were made in England.

[ABBABeatle]

@knut761 Yay.. someone understands me :D Thanks for the correction.

[knut761]

@ABBABeatle No problem mate, your welcome. (:

[neilashley573]

Awesome bike... I have the Old skool 73, the Anniversary Thunder Bird and the New Classic 500. Truly Thump wise -Old Skool, Performance - Classic 500 is a monster.

[hoohoohoblin]

@neilashley573 They're great fun motorcycles. I think the new one does a good job of retaining the classic look with some modern improvements in reliability and performance. I do think they should have included a kick starter though.

[JeraldRJ1]

I have a friend who owns a 2008 Deluxe Enfield. This was around the last year of the carborator engines before EFI. He claims the new bike feels like a 'scooter' and rust like there's no tomorrow. Is this true or not?

I'm currently on a payment plan to get an Enfield and he warns me not to buy the EFI Deluxe. He said to buy an older model.

[hoohoohoblin]

@JeraldRJ1 The new ones haven't been around long enough for there to be much information about engine or EFI failures. The new engine is supposed to be more durable and capable of higher sustained speeds than the old one. I like the look of the older models better, but it would be nice to be able to ride on the freeway sometimes.

[RobXakaRedLiner]

this bike is best for lefty. brake on the right; kickstarter on the left.

[Sanjeevkhatoi]

This is a dedicated blog/website on Royal Enfield motorcycles containing interesting articles, useful maintenance tips, expert tips on cleaning, washing, upkeep of your Royal Enfield Motorcycles, latest news, road test/reviews of Royal Enfield Motorcycles, interviews, important events, rallies,

[GT01Mustang]

my dad have 1969 bullet 500 from his college days and still has it

[roadyrider]

I don't care if it is made in India, it's still a great bike that enjoys a loyal following there and elsewhere! My understanding is that they're dependable bikes that can withstand those rough Indian roads. They still need to install a kicker though!

[hoohoohoblin]

@roadyrider I think of my Royal Enfield as an Indian bike after seeing how much the Indian people love it, and how they have kept the factory open all of these years and made it the most popular motorcycle in India. I admire their passion, and am impressed with all the improvements they've made in the 2011 models. The new model does need a kick starter though. Search YouTube to see the video of the man in the Enfield factory doing the pinstriping by hand. Impressive craftsmanship.

[archerdood444]

@hoohoohoblin : I Agree with you.. To others who call it British, let me put it this way. Then first man is said to have existed in Africa. And the race spread from there to other continents.. So do we call ourselves African? Royal Enfield has come a long way from its British roots.. Its Indian whether you like it or not.

[MrCherubhair1]

@archerdood444 A lot of classic american motorbikes and cars are not made in america, and are made in other country's, but people still call them american cars. So why can't they call these british?

[MrCherubhair1]

@hoohoohoblin Really? in my eyes its like this, A lot of classic american motorbikes and cars are not made in america anymore, and are made in other country's, but people still call them american cars. So why can't they call these british?

[hoohoohoblin]

@MrCherubhair1 It's a global marketplace now more than ever. BMW is making their 650 motorcycles in China now! Kawasakis are made in Thailand! It's confusing. I suppose the parent company doesn't care where it's actually made as long as their customers like the bikes and the brand. Enfield India kept the brand along for half a century after it went out of business in England. I guess it's an Indian/English hybrid, but the Indians are in charge now and making great bikes.

[MrCherubhair1]

@hoohoohoblin Yeah, i like your comment, Thanks for the vid.

[RatNekk]

lol, broken kickstarter....

[yusha33]

this bike is awesome. i have got one from the year 1995 and it has became like my shadow now. i cant think without it. i hate all those cosmetic japanese todlers. UK bikes are the best.

[yogeshjsyable]

@yusha33

In 1995 the company didn't exist in UK dear. Your sweetheart is made in India.

[yusha33]

@yogeshjsyable it's of course a brit bike. not any plastic toddler

[satheeshIBM]

@blackhand1818

Bullshit... have u ever heard abt this bike... you sucker... Try it first...

[blackhand1818]

That right, its an Indian Company and nothing "Royal" about it. If your a sucker for punishment, go for it...some old world charmm

[joeyhundal]

awesome ...

[MultiCamo]

The modern Royal Enfields that are exported don't have a kickstarter. I think it's because it didn't work so well for their new tech

[dtmbcorp]

Single cyl thumper eh? I sure like that olive one.

Going to try to buy another motorcycle tomorrow >:)

[hoohoohoblin]

@dtmbcorp It's a great time to be buying a motorcycle. Everyone is willing to make a deal in January. If you buy a Royal Enfield more than a year old, be sure you know what you're getting into, learn how to do the maintenance, and keep it under 60 mph.