ROYAL ENFIELD 500 BULLET ELECTRA EFI (2008 - 2016) Review

Version: EFI

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £50

Love the traditional look and old school way of going about things . So simple , so frugal. Most annoying thing is the lack of a trip meter (but there is a low fuel light).

Version: Classic 500

Year: 2017

Annual servicing cost: £145

Relaxing ride makes you feel like you're in another era.

Version: Trials

Year: 2010

The lack of a fairing means slogging down a motorway isn't much fun, but when is it? The bike is capable of sitting at 65-70 for as long as you want, but realistically A and B roads are what it was designed for, and where it excels. If you want to tour Scotland for a week, chuck some luggage on and enjoy (and you won't have the "range anxiety" of most Jap bikes with a 3 gallon tank and better than 70mpg), you won't find a better machine for enjoying the scenery and the glorious twisting roads at legal speeds. if you want to hack back and forward to work all year, enjoy the economy, reliability and cheap servicing. If you want to boast about unusable power and eyewatering parts and servicing prices, buy something more mainstream.

Version: EFI

Year: 2010

Annual servicing cost: £250

If you are looking for the performance of a Rice Rocket, this is not your machine. But if you want a solid simple motorcycle this bike has a lot to offer. You basically finish what the people in India started, then ride - remembering that this is a Thumper and running her at sustained speeds of over 60 MPH can vibrate you into a dentist's chair and your machine into a junk yard. But if you live within her designed limitations, you can ride your endurance as far as you want. I have cruised with my 2010 500 EFI for days at a time across the U.S. to see the grandchildren, enjoying the countryside without a blurring perspective and at over 80 MPG, even on the freeway. I've adjusted the chain once in over 6000 miles (white lithium grease is a must), changed one tire that wore out and change the oil regularly, staying to spec @ 50 wt. synthetic. Oh, and occasionally I fill the gas tank. I have a windshield on it now, and have driven it through rain storms that I could "bearly" see through and even my wet weather gear could not completely keep out - and the RE didn't miss a beat. I've picniced with my Wife on beaches and cruised any highway I've felt a mind to - and never had this machine leave me stranded. With the appropriate tires she will claw into the tightest corner like a tiger, and gives you the confidence of more fun to come. She's steady, nimble, and maneuverable - load her light and ride her forever - I have no intentions of ever buying another machine. And mind you, this from a man whose heritage is from family that has rode Harleys since the 30's, myself on a '61 Pan and a '53 "K"; and my sons both still ride their own - not to mention my being over 45 years on everything from the 80 cc, 305 cc and YAS2C 125 Yamaha twin, to dirt thumpers (outran two grizzly bears on a XL250 Honda); and up to the 750 Honda fours, the Suzuki 550 two stroke triple - and more...so with all due respect, I have a few miles on the road. Now, as a retired Law Enforcement officer, well...the rear brakes need work, trace the wiring to make sure nothing is scraping and risking a short, put more powerful headlights on, and change the seat to something that is more comfortable for the longer runs. Like I said, you're finishing what the good people in India started...but believe me, take care of her, and she'll take care of you. Just be ready for a crowd when you pull up to the gas pump...

Version: Bullet Electra EFI

Year: 2015

Annual servicing cost: £100

Indian made quality could be better, however British dealer could not be better, has replaced both wheels, mudguard (manufacturing fault ), fork gaiter clips, broken and rusty, silencer (rattling), speedo gearbox, Chain adjusters (thread problem ), fixed problem with fuel tank paint under fuel cap, Bike is now almost up to my British Standard of quality, It does not take much. One thing though the quality of the GT Continental 535 is second to none, I now wish I had bought one of those.

Buying experience: Bought by phone, OK

I have owned my Electra EFI for a year now and in that time have added 10,000 miles to the 2,000 miles it came with at 3 years old. I use it to commute 75 miles round trip twice a week all year round and for the 400 mile round trip to my head office every couple of weeks. On A roads, dual carriageway and city -it is perfectly up to the job. Not broken down, nothing fallen off, just routine servicing every 3750 miles (which is the same as a Suzuki)which is dead easy, even for a numpty like me. The valves are self-adjusting, so there is no expensive valve clearance check either. 78 mpg gives a tank range of well over 200 miles. Back tyre was chnaged at 9,000 miles, front looks like it won't need to be changed at least until next time I do the back one. It cruises confortably at 60-65, with enough power left for a quick spurt up to 70 and a bit when you need to pull out to overtake. That is all the speed you can actually use on the A1! It is fast enough to have fun on country lanes and fast enought to get past the lines of traffic following trucks on single carriageway A roads. You are aware of the engine working, but the vibration is not intrusive. Mine has trials bars, a small screen and a single seat (not the sprung type) and is comfortable enough for a 6 hour journey. It puts a smile on my face. I look forward to riding it and (occasionally) sprucing it up with a quick wash. I often gets thumbs up from other road users. Strangers (and police officers) come over to chat. Don't dismiss the Enfield as a perfectly practical, usable and fun bike to ride. I keep looking at what I might replace it with when the time comes - but most other bikes suffer from one or more of being designed by the same people who design trainers and robot toys, stupid fuel consumption, stupidly small fuel tanks, origami riding positions, ridiculous service costs or they require purpose made luggage that costs more than my bike did. So I think it will probably be another Enfield - or I'll just rebuild this one.

I have put just over 1k miles on the bike now, all niggles sorted, fitted heated grips for the winter.

Been riding this machine for a couple of weeks now. Found sideways play on the rear wheel after 150 miles had to have the swing arm replaced, then after first service (350 miles) battery acid leaked all over the exhaust after being over filled! it also peppered my jeans leg! got the exhaust replaced under warranty but decided to ditch the battery for a dry cell type at my cost, now at 550 miles oil filter cover is leaking oil, awaiting this to be sorted. Well that's 3 things in quick succession. Hoping that's it?

Just bought a Fury, not listed as a seperate model as yet. Bought it for the looks & old world charm I have a 1200RT for serious work, best at 50-60 along winding A roads, still smiling!