17 500 C.C Royal Enfield Bullet Classic EFI to be on sale in Europe in 2009..!! [Wallpapers]

Royal Enfield shows its latest 500 C.C Bullet Classic EFI at the 2008 Intermot Motorcycle Show.. to be on sale in Europe in 2009

Royal Dilemma:

The following was one of the comments made by a visitor from the U.S.A on his thoughts on the new UCE engine platform of Royal Enfield.

"First off I am an American and a former Biker so I know of that which I speak. The new engine is an eyesore, an insult to the great name Royal Enfield. Whatever the reason for this change it is WRONG and should be undone immediately!

The reason for the surge in popularity of the Enfield was the "classic" styling. The bikes took us back to a time when life and times were simpler and there is nothing cooler than to be riding a classic piece of history.

Now this new engine and "styling" have undone all that and the wonderful Royal Enfield name is attached to a McClone, a generic "cruiser" of nondescript origin that could come from anywhere and is considered just as disposable as a no-name television or computer that goes out of date.

Remember this, classics endure centuries but clones are forgotten almost overnight.
Do the right thing! Restore the Royal Enfield to its original form or face mediocrity, obscurity and eventualy the dust bin of history...

Bruce,
Jacksonville, Florida, USA"

And the following is the comment of First_Synn (aka Sandeep) on Royal Enfield’s non – show at the 2008 New Delhi Auto Expo 2008 (where it did not show any new models).

Spirit of riding my brown @#$...

When at a MOTOR Show, show MOTOR CYCLES. Leave the "spirit" elsewhere.

Sorry for the harsh words, but I am sick and tired of this company treating indian customers as third class citizens. The UCE is good for Birmingham but not for New Delhi, eh?

Bollocks.."

The challenge for Royal Enfield is to march towards the future by managing to keep its Vintage Flavor intact..

According to me, these two comments vividly paint the paradox that Royal Enfield might be finding itself today. On one hand it seems that a few admirers of the brand (particularly from foreign shores) might not totally approve of its efforts of trying to modernize its export models. On the other hand, bikers from India might be feeling left out at being treated like a stepchild. The challenge for Royal Enfield is to march towards the future by managing to keep its Vintage Flavor intact.


The Solution:

350 C.C Thunderbird Twinspark for India and 500 C.C Bullet Electra EFi for Europe

Bikers from India now have a reason to rejoice, since Royal Enfield has finally launched its new UCE Twinspark Engine in India (as the new “Thunderbird Twinspark” model). Bruce should try to understand here that due to ever tightening European emission norms Royal Enfield doesn’t have any choice but to start incorporating modern clean burning technology.

2009 onwards all its export models (for UK) will have the 500 cc U.C.E with Fuel Injection...

The U.C.E meant for Europe model is a bit different than the one currently on duty in the Thunderbird Twinspark. The European UCE has an engine capacity of 500 C.C (compared to the 350 C.C for India) and is fuel injected (compared to the carbureted for India). Royal Enfield has in fact stopped exporting the 350 cc models to U.K. and from 2009 onwards all its export models (for UK) will have the 500 cc U.C.E with Fuel Injection.

One of the export models is the 500 C.C Royal Enfield Bullet Electra EFi. The news about the 500 cc Bullet Electra EFi was first published in TBCI on 15 November 2007. Check out the test ride review of the Bullet Electra EFi by MCN here..

Enter the 500 C.C Bullet Classic

The other model meant for sale in the U.K (and Europe) was shown at the Intermot Motorcycle Show at Cologne Germany (on Oct 8, 2008). Posted below is the photo of the “Bullet Classic”..!!

When I first saw the pic of the 500 cc Bullet Classic, my first words were, “WOW..!!”.

I was honestly never convinced that this (Thunderbird model) was the way ahead for Royal Enfield..

I personally feel that the 500 C.C “Bullet Classic” epitomizes the Royal Enfield Brand in 2009...

Although the Royal Enfield has been successful in selling the “Thunderbird” brand in India, I was honestly never convinced that this was the way ahead for Royal Enfield. Royal Enfield models might not be anything like the light and slick Japanese models and definitely not like the American styled true blue cruisers. Royal Enfield’s unique brand appeal is in fact in its 100 year old British motorcycle history (60 plus years in India), which is one of the oldest in the world of motorcycle manufacturing. Not many motorcycle brands can boast of a 100 plus year old legacy.

According to me, the 500 C.C “Bullet Classic” epitomizes the Royal Enfield Brand in 2009. It is the perfect blend of modernity along with the authentic appeal of a vintage motorcycle. To me the “Bullet Classic” appears like a bottle of perfectly aged wine. . on two wheels..!!


What is Unique about the “Bullet Classic”..??

Vintage Royal Enfield

The Vintage Appeal: The 2009 “Bullet Classic” has styling inspired from the Royal Enfield models dating back to the 1930’s. The front and rear fenders, the spring loaded single seat, the headlamp, the side panels, the round tool box, the simple speedo dials, the vintage styled logos all give the “Bullet Classic” a truly classic and unique identity. The upswept exhaust pipe shown here in the pics is an aftermarket fitment meant for off road use.

The “Bullet Classic” shown in the pics do not have a Kick Lever..!!

The Modern Touch: The 500 C.C Unit Construct Engine even though has the looks of a vintage “British Single”, features modern fuel injection. From departure of the original Royal Enfield design, the gears on the “Bullet Classic” are now on the universally accepted left side. The rear shock absorbers are modern gas filled units and the “Bullet Classic” also features a modern Disc Brake for the front wheel. The wheel size of the Bullet Classic is now 18” (Royal Enfield models have had 19” wheels so far).

One feature which all websites that have carried a report on the “Bullet Classic” till now have missed is that the “Bullet Classic” shown in the pics do not have a Kick Lever..!!


When can we have the “Bullet Classic” in India..??

So far there hasn’t been any official news from Royal Enfield on the “Bullet Classic’s” launch in India. A 500 cc, Fuel injected engine will surely cost a small fortune in Indian Rupess. Maybe Royal Enfield is keenly watching the response of the 350 cc, Thunderbird Twinspark in India.. Anyway in a few years time, emission norms in India will make it necessary for motorcycle makers to switch to Fuel Injection.. one can hope that at least by then we can get the “Bullet Classic”.

Personally I am in no real hurry and can definitely wait for some time.. let me enjoy my plastic bikes just a bit longer. By the way, a 350 cc, Fuel Injected “Bullet Classic” would do just fine for me..!!

The real test for Royal Enfield would be to know how satisfied is "Bruce" and "First Synn" by the Bullet Classic EFI..

A few Bullet purists might sneer at the idea that any wannabe biker would be able to pick up a bullet and call himself a Bullet Lover.. that they will never have to learn the “Art of Kick Starting a Bullet”.. Or learn how to perfectly tune a bike’s air fuel mixture.

But then I say, “Why Not..??”


But the real test for Royal Enfield would be to know how satisfied is "Bruce" and "First Synn" by the Bullet Classic EFI..




Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500 EFI Specifications:

Engine: Single Cylinder, 4 stroke, air cooled OHV
Capacity: 499cc
Bore x Stroke: 84 x 90 mm
Compression ratio: 8.5: 1
Fuel system: Electronic Fuel Injection
Ignition: Digital Electronic ignition
Starting: Electric start
Maximum power: 20.3KW (27.2bhp) @ 5250rpm
Maximum Torque: 41.3Nm @ 4000rpm

Clutch: wet multiplate (7 plates)
Primary drive: 3/8” duplex chain (102 pitch) and sprocket
Gear box: constant mesh 5 speed

Battery: 12v, 14 AH
Headlamp: 12V, 60/55W

Frame: tubular steel
Suspension (front): telescopic, hydraulic dampers
Suspension (rear): swingarm with gas filled shock absorbers
Brakes (front): disc brake single 280mm disc with 2 piston caliper
Brakes (rear): drum brake (152mm)
Tyre (front): 90×90-18”
Tyre (rear): 110×80-18”

Length: 2160mm
Width: 800mm
Height: 1050mm
Wheel base: 1370mm
Fuel tank capacity: 14.5liters
Weight (kerb): 187kgs



500 C.C Royal Enfield Bullet Classic Wallpapers:

Tech Specs and Walpapers from BulletClassic.Com

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Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.