Royal Enfield: Best looking Retro Standard Motorcycle?

Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500.

Motorcycle Daily.com asks its readers to choose "The Best Looking Retro Standard" motorcycle from among Royal Enfield, Honda, Ducati, Bonneville and Kawasaki.

It's not a poll: they're asking readers to make their choices (some readers are choosing to rank all five in order of desirability) and explain why. So far, at least, the comments are thoughtful and considerate.

Ducati GT 1000.

Most seem to like the looks of the Royal Enfield but think the motorcycle itself too small or too slow. In a contest for "Best Looking," I'd say that is still a victory.

Honda CB1100F.

I think the editors gave Royal Enfield a bit of an advantage in the pictures they chose, since it is the only motorcycle shown without its mirrors. Some of the other pictures seemed to highlight how geeky mirrors can be. So, in reproducing the pictures here I have erased the mirrors to even things up.

Of course you would not ride without mirrors, but, then, we all know severely near-sighted people who vainly remove their eyeglasses for photos.

Kawasaki W800.

It is not my intention to encourage you to rush over to Motorcycle Daily to stuff the ballot box for Royal Enfield. There isn't really any ballot box to stuff.

Triumph Bonneville

But it is an interesting subject. Comments, anyone?

Will the new Classic divide Enfield riders?

The answer is "no." The new Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 will not divide Royal Enfield motorcyclists into two camps.

But why not? It is described as faster, more dependable and relatively maintenance free. Most parts will not interchange with older Bullets. It also is not the motorcycle that has been so famously produced virtually unchanged in India since 1955.

Some old-style Bullet owners could dismiss the new Classic as just another modern motorcycle. Classic owners could be prone to ignore the old thumpers falling behind in their rear-view mirrors.

Not going to happen, at least not in the United States. Royal Enfields of every age are so rare here that riders will do the fist bump when they meet. There will be a lot to admire in each other's bike. Stories to tell. Lies to swap.

One story: awhile back I was introduced to a fellow who had owned Royal Enfields back in the day. He cast a not-too-friendly eye on my 1999 Bullet. All I could think to ask was what his experience had been with Royal Enfields.

"Not too good," he allowed, still staring at my bike: "We always had trouble with the chain cases distorting and leaking."

Imagine! My elderly Bullet, with its "modern" cast alloy primary cover was a monumental improvement over the tin chain cases of pre-war Royal Enfields! I certainly felt like a spoiled poseur.

Can an Enfield be both "New" and "Classic"

I've found myself referring time and again on this blog to the "new Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500." Well, how would you describe it?

It is certainly new, at least compared to the Bullet produced since 1955 in India. Like the original Bullet from India, this new product is a 500cc, single-cylinder two-wheeler made in India that looks like it is straight out of the 1950s. Royal Enfield says that great effort has gone into preserving the famous "thump" of the big single.

Otherwise, everything has been updated.Motor and transmission (now a five-speed) are in one unit. There is fuel injection, electronic ignition, pushrods that never need adjustment and a front disc brake. The frame is improved, the bodywork has gone to beauty school and an attractive silencer is, at least, optional.

Those who have ridden it say it is faster (relatively) and pleasant.

But is it a classic?The original Indian Bullet was built with little change, faithfully, for 50 years, because there was no reason to change it. The world changed however, becoming more concerned about safety and emissions, and India is fast catching up with the world.

Probably the Bullet had to change, too. If it was going to change, Royal Enfield seemed determined that it would change for the better. That is worthy of applause.

This much is true, however. The new Bullet 500 Classic is not an authentic motorcycle from 1955 that someone forgot to quit building. It is a motorcycle from 2009 with classic looks and classic sound. Close your eyes (briefly!) as you ride and you may well imagine it is 1955 still.

That may be just what you're looking for.

The photo above is from the Cycle World review of the new Bullet Classic 500. Click here to read it.

You can buy a new C5 but can't have it yet

A brand new 2009 Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 motorcycle is offered for sale on eBay. You can Buy It Now for $6,970 but it will take a while to actually get it.

One clue is that the pictures with the eBay ad are from the Royal Enfield India web site.

The motorcycle is offered for sale by a dealer in Bellingham, Wash. I asked whether he actually had it in stock. The Bullet Classic 500, referred to as the C5, is the latest thing from Royal Enfield. In fact, you might say that it is the first really completely new thing from Royal Enfield India since 1955! It was introduced to the world just last fall and is just now on its way to the United States.

The seller answered: "The picture is one supplied to us from the distributor, and you are correct that this bike is still waiting to be released to the dealers. We will be shipping as they are released over the next 90 days or so. We will be seeing our first one for technical training this weekend."

Another shopper got this response: "This bike is a new model and is being released to the dealers over the next 90 days or so. Your order would be placed on a list and shipped as soon as it is released. You can call us directly at 866-411-8725 for more detailed info on timing of shipments. Thanks for your interest."

Let the bidding begin.