Bullet 500 vs Classic 500 Comparison Review
Published on: Feb 14, 2017
Royal Enfield Classic 500 vs Bullet 500 Comparison:
Pricing & Features Comparison:
The Bullet 500, retails for 1.75 Lakh Rs on road Delhi, which is 12,000 Rs. cheaper, than the Classic 500, costing 1.87 Lakh Rs.
Both bikes miss out on a much needed rear disc brake. However, the Classic is equipped with fuel injection, whereas the Bullet has stuck with a carb.
Performance & Tractability Comparison:
Power-to-Weight Ratio (PS/ton): Classic 500 - 145, Bullet 500 – 137
Torque-to-Weight Ratio (Nm/ton): Classic 500 - 217, Bullet 500– 212
Power (PS@rpm): Classic 500 – 27.6@5250, Bullet 500– 26.5@5100
Torque (Nm@rpm): Classic 500 – 41.3@4000, Bullet 500 – 40.9@3800
Kerb Weight (kg): Classic 500 – 190, Bullet 500 – 193
Displacement (cc): Classic 500 – 499, Bullet 500 – 499
Gearbox: Classic 500 – 5 speed, Bullet 500 – 5 speed
Reliability & After Sales Service Comparison:
It is no secret that Royal Enfield makes the least reliable motorcycles in the market. Worse still, they have been making essentially the same vehicle for over 50 years and still haven’t succeeded in sorting out some of the major issues on their bikes. Apart from the excessive vibrations above 80 kmph, other issues like rusting, starter motor and other electrical failures, chain sprocket wear out, oil leakages, loosening of spokes, brake wear and wobbling continue to haunt RE to this date. There is no logical linkage between these reliability issues and the charm of a 500cc long stroke thumper and the fear of losing that charm as an excuse for not sorting the issues out, can only be believed by low-IQ people.
Fuel Efficiency Comparison:
The Classic 500 was consistently just over 1 kmpl more efficient than the Bullet 500 in our back-to-back tests.
Test Mileage (kmpl): Classic 500 – 27, Bullet 500 - 26
Fuel Cost (for 60,000 km): Classic 500 – 1.70 Lakh, Bullet 500 – 1.80 Lakh
Resale & Cost of Ownership Comparison:
Resale Value (after 5 to 7 years):
Classic 500 – 90,000 Rs.
Bullet 500 – 85,000 Rs.
Total Cost of Ownership: (Price + Fuel Cost - Resale Value)
Classic 500 – 2.67 Lakh
Bullet 500 – 2.65 Lakh
Handling & Ride Quality Comparison:
Wheelbase (mm): Classic 500 – 1360, Bullet 500 – 1370
Ground Clearance (mm): Classic 500 – 135, Bullet 500 - 135
Tyre Size:
Front: Classic 500 - 90/90R19, Bullet 500 – 90/90R19
Rear: Classic 500 – 120/80R18, Bullet 500 – 120/80R18
Comfort & Ergonomics Comparison:
Verdict:
Royal Enfield Classic 500 vs Bullet 500 Comparison:
Pricing & Features Comparison:
The Bullet 500, retails for 1.75 Lakh Rs on road Delhi, which is 12,000 Rs. cheaper, than the Classic 500, costing 1.87 Lakh Rs.
Both bikes miss out on a much needed rear disc brake. However, the Classic is equipped with fuel injection, whereas the Bullet has stuck with a carb.
Performance & Tractability Comparison:
Power-to-Weight Ratio (PS/ton): Classic 500 - 145, Bullet 500 – 137
Torque-to-Weight Ratio (Nm/ton): Classic 500 - 217, Bullet 500– 212
Power (PS@rpm): Classic 500 – 27.6@5250, Bullet 500– 26.5@5100
Torque (Nm@rpm): Classic 500 – 41.3@4000, Bullet 500 – 40.9@3800
Kerb Weight (kg): Classic 500 – 190, Bullet 500 – 193
Displacement (cc): Classic 500 – 499, Bullet 500 – 499
Gearbox: Classic 500 – 5 speed, Bullet 500 – 5 speed
Reliability & After Sales Service Comparison:
It is no secret that Royal Enfield makes the least reliable motorcycles in the market. Worse still, they have been making essentially the same vehicle for over 50 years and still haven’t succeeded in sorting out some of the major issues on their bikes. Apart from the excessive vibrations above 80 kmph, other issues like rusting, starter motor and other electrical failures, chain sprocket wear out, oil leakages, loosening of spokes, brake wear and wobbling continue to haunt RE to this date. There is no logical linkage between these reliability issues and the charm of a 500cc long stroke thumper and the fear of losing that charm as an excuse for not sorting the issues out, can only be believed by low-IQ people.
Fuel Efficiency Comparison:
The Classic 500 was consistently just over 1 kmpl more efficient than the Bullet 500 in our back-to-back tests.
Test Mileage (kmpl): Classic 500 – 27, Bullet 500 - 26
Fuel Cost (for 60,000 km): Classic 500 – 1.70 Lakh, Bullet 500 – 1.80 Lakh
Resale & Cost of Ownership Comparison:
Resale Value (after 5 to 7 years):
Classic 500 – 90,000 Rs.
Bullet 500 – 85,000 Rs.
Total Cost of Ownership: (Price + Fuel Cost - Resale Value)
Classic 500 – 2.67 Lakh
Bullet 500 – 2.65 Lakh
Handling & Ride Quality Comparison:
Wheelbase (mm): Classic 500 – 1360, Bullet 500 – 1370
Ground Clearance (mm): Classic 500 – 135, Bullet 500 - 135
Tyre Size:
Front: Classic 500 - 90/90R19, Bullet 500 – 90/90R19
Rear: Classic 500 – 120/80R18, Bullet 500 – 120/80R18
Comfort & Ergonomics Comparison:
Verdict: