Royal Enfield's Bullet Classic


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350Z

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Royal Enfield launches Classic 500 and Classic 350

Royal Enfield has relaunched the legacy of Bullet Classic with the launch of the these bikes. Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 and Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 350 is here for the hardcore tourers and cruisers. Classic 500 is the first fuel injected Bullet to be launched in India and the classic 350 is a cheaper carburreted bike. The Classic 500 powered by 500cc UCE engine develops 27.2bhp of max power @ 5250rpm and a max torque of 41.3Nm @ 4000rpm. The Classic 350 churns out 19.8bhp of peak power at 5250rpm and 24Nm of peak torque at 4000rpm. The Classic 500 and Classic 350 will be available in four colours – Red, sky blue, silver and black.

Royal Enfield Classic 500 is priced Rs1,24,000 (ex-showroom Delhi)
Royal Enfield Classic 350 is priced Rs98,800 (ex-showroom Delhi)

Source: Vicky.in

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Price is slightly on the higher side, but if RE compensates that with quality and engineering of modern bikes, then i'd be happy.
 
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The recently launched Bullet Classic C5 motorcycle has won this year’s trophy for Best Bike (Metric-Stock) at the Bearly Cruzin Classic Car and Motorcycle Show in Arizona. Check this for more.

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Thread Starter #23

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Royal Enfield aiming at 50000 units’ sale in 2009

Royal Enfield has projected sales of 50,000 units in 2009 which is a 15% increase compared to last year. The company has been quite stable in this period of slowdown and has recently launched Bullet variant Classic 500.

The company has shown a steady growth of 15-18% in the past few years and there hasn’t been much impact on it even in this slump period.

Shaji Koshy, head of sales and marketing -

Our aim is to touch 1 lakh bikes by 2013. Sales are growing in the metros with more people with disposable incomes, particularly from the IT sector, keen on riding Bullet for long drives.

Source: IAB

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Ya!!

Lot of guys who are joining newly in IT wish to buy Bullet & have it for their weekend Getaways.

Suprising to see the 15% increase.
 
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Ya!!

Lot of guys who are joining newly in IT wish to buy Bullet & have it for their weekend Getaways.

Suprising to see the 15% increase.
That's good to read. Hope RE now concentrates more in our market. If improves quality and engineering like the modern Hondas and Yamahas, it can perform pretty well in our market.
 
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I think the other reason could be that, apart from being a powerful bike, its good for couples / family uses who like to be on bike.

I recall that when I was staying Banaglore (BTM Layout) my neighbor and her hus used a ThunderBird (both where in IT). I was always amazed with easiness she drove Thunderbird with her us sitting in the back seat [:D]
 
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A small comparison between ZMR and Classic 500!!

Hero Honda's original Karizma set the sports touring ball rolling with its good blend of performance, refinement, reliability and comfort. The Karizma quickly earned its stripes as a reliable companion for adventurers yearning to escape from the confines of city life.

While steady sales from Karizma loyalists allowed it to soldier on for very long, an upgrade was overdue and Hero Honda introduced the Karizma ZMR late in 2009.

Royal Enfield's Bullets have always been synonymous with touring, thumping forward virtually unchanged from the 1950s. If anything, the venerable Bullet's old world charm grows with each passing year. Yet the Chennai-based manufacturer has recently rolled out the Bullet Classic 500, a model that keeps pace with the times and employs a relatively modern, fuel-injected engine.

Both bikes are tourers and their styling screams out their respective pedigree. The Karizma ZMR and the Classic 500 look as apart from each other as day and night. The ZMR is about sharper lines and modern cues as seen in its large, angular headlight, full fairing and chiseled tailpiece that features contemporary LEDs. Hero Honda's flagship model also sports visor-mounted mirrors for better rear vision, a meaty exhaust and well-finished, split alloy grab rails.

The Classic 500's on the other hand is retro to the core. Everything on this Royal Enfield including wire spoke wheels, capped headlight, teardrop fuel tank, spring-loaded riding saddle through to its simple tail-light looks vintage and does total justice to its ‘Classic' moniker.

The ZMR's striking and comprehensive all-digital instruments are in sharp contrast to the 500's minimalist instrumentation that includes a chrome-ringed dial for its analogue speedometer and another for the low fuel and system check beacons.

In terms of overall quality, the ZMR is rattle- and squeak-free even after many hours of hard riding. Sure, the Classic 500 may be better built than most Royal Enfield models, but it's got some catching up to do.

The ZMR is powered by a revamped version of the trusty four-stroke, single-cylinder, 223cc engine first seen on its predecessor. While the ZMR's engine benefits from Honda's PGM-FI fuel-injection, it also sees the addition of an oil cooler to improve cooling. Peak power is up slightly to 17.6bhp at 7000rpm, while max torque is now 1.87kgm, available at 6000rpm. The ZMR is refined and stays unstressed even when pulled into the upper reaches of its power band. Its strong mid-range makes highway overtaking a cinch and allows the ZMR to cruise at speeds close to 100kph without as much as breaking into a sweat.

Displacing more than twice the Hero Honda's cubic capacity, the Classic's four-stroke, single-cylinder 499cc engine also comes with fuel injection. This long-stroke engine produces 27.2bhp at 5250rpm while its peak torque is an impressive 4.2kgm at 4000rpm. The Classic 500 packs a solid punch low in its rev range, allowing riders to rocket away from rest with disdain and keep pace with practically everything highways. And its stylish, optional exhaust belts out the loudest of thumps, ensuring there are only a few who don't make way for this bike on their own. As with all Royal Enfields, vibrations are a cause for complaint. Still, think of the Classic as a moving massage chair and you are good to go.

Both bikes employ five-speed gearboxes, shifting in a one-down and four-up pattern.

The ZMR's riding position is comfortable and calls for a little lean onto its clip-on handlebars. The Hero Honda bike's ergonomics are spot-on and there's ample space for the pillion to stay comfy over long stints. While the Classic's combination of an upright seating posture and wide handlebar still wins it many admirers, the riding seat isn't comfortable over long rides and pillion riders will find their seat a bit too narrow.

In terms of handling, the Karizma is light, easy to manoeuvre and always game for a bout of cornering. Straight-line stability is appreciable. In the twisties, the heavier Classic feels reluctant with the rider having to coerce it around a corner. Get out on a straight road and the bike feels like a road-going locomotive, rock-steady and easily able to hold its line.

While both tourers come equipped with disc brakes up front, the ZMR also offers a rear disc unit. Despite this omission, the Classic manages quicker stops.

The Karizma ZMR and Bullet Classic 500 are two means to the same end when it comes to enjoying open roads. Both have their strengths and are likely to appeal to users for various reasons.

The ZMR is a bike for those who value reliability and are looking for a workhorse that is as much at home in the city as on a highway. Feature-packed and smartly styled, the ZMR (Rs 91,000, ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Classic on the other hand delights with its old-school design and powerful engine. The 500 is a motorcycle that makes more sense to wanderers willing to live with the quirks of owning a Royal Enfield and with pockets deep enough to digest its hefty (Rs 1,24,000, ex-showroom, Delhi) price. And going by the response to this new Royal Enfield, there are quite a few who belong to this breed.

Source:Hindu
 

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Pretty unnatural comparison, I mean the selection of the bikes for comparison, would you not say?
 
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Hero Honda's original Karizma set the sports touring ball rolling with its good blend of performance, refinement, reliability and comfort. The Karizma quickly earned its stripes as a reliable companion for adventurers yearning to escape from the confines of city life.
I am too stupid to live! I was not aware that Karizma is a touring bike [lol]

While steady sales from Karizma loyalists allowed it to soldier on for very long, an upgrade was overdue and Hero Honda introduced the Karizma ZMR late in 2009.
This is true !

Royal Enfield's Bullets have always been synonymous with touring, thumping forward virtually unchanged from the 1950s. If anything, the venerable Bullet's old world charm grows with each passing year. Yet the Chennai-based manufacturer has recently rolled out the Bullet Classic 500, a model that keeps pace with the times and employs a relatively modern, fuel-injected engine.
I think this guy missed to see earlier model from RE. FE injection was there for quiet some time now!

Both bikes are tourers and their styling screams out their respective pedigree.

The Karizma ZMR and the Classic 500 look as apart from each other as day and night. The ZMR is about sharper lines and modern cues as seen in its large, angular headlight, full fairing and chiseled tailpiece that features contemporary LEDs. Hero Honda's flagship model also sports visor-mounted mirrors for better rear vision, a meaty exhaust and well-finished, split alloy grab rails.

The Classic 500's on the other hand is retro to the core. Everything on this Royal Enfield including wire spoke wheels, capped headlight, teardrop fuel tank, spring-loaded riding saddle through to its simple tail-light looks vintage and does total justice to its ‘Classic' moniker.
Why don't we talk about Suzuki Hayabusa and Suzuki Hayabusa instead ! Or even better, kill me [frustration]


In terms of overall quality, the ZMR is rattle- and squeak-free even after many hours of hard riding.
Nice way to find out the quality. LOL !!!!

Sure, the Classic 500 may be better built than most Royal Enfield models, but it's got some catching up to do.
Yeh, yeh, its production line is still not completely automated.


The Karizma ZMR and Bullet Classic 500 are two means to the same end when it comes to enjoying open roads.
Oh Really !!

The 500 is a motorcycle that makes more sense to wanderers willing to live with the quirks of owning a Royal Enfield and with pockets deep enough to digest its hefty (Rs 1,24,000, ex-showroom, Delhi) price.

And going by the response to this new Royal Enfield, there are quite a few who belong to this breed.
So, we have lot of wanderers willing to live with the quirks of owning a Royal Enfield !

Source:Hindu
What was the whole intention behind this report !!??
 
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Yes actually its a baseless comparison , there is no way these two bikes can be compared! One is for street smart riding and other can be used for cruising! One is muscular while other is sporty!

Besides the comparison a true bullet enthusiast will go for Bullet anyday and others will opt for a ZMR or a P220!!
 

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