ENFIELD 500 BULLET (1992 - 2003) Review

Rides nicely suspension is Comfortable and it feels nice and solid on the road

It goes well. Just use really good oil, keep on top of carb tuning. I always use 99 ron super unleaded. It does run better.

Its well made. It takes looming after to look good. Mine is ridden and enjoyed. It doesnt look new, it just looks right in my eyes.

Very cheap parts, i do not ride it hard so service is oil, plug, filter and check over.

It looks stunning.

These were considered a 'Mans Bike', basic motorcycling, cheap reliable transport, which were very satisfying to own. I've owned a BSA Gold Star DBD34, and a 90 bore 498cc Manx Norton, both very nice and fast bikes to ride but required a high level of mechanical skill to keep them on top form. The Bullet doesn't require anywhere near the skill level to maintain it.

If you don't like fettling with old classic's don't buy one!

The ideal machine to learn motorcycle maintenance on. If you don't like a challenge, or getting your hands dirty, don't buy one!!

Do it yourself!!

Owning a Royal Enfield single is as much of a hobby as riding them.

Get ready to drag them boots! There are some brakes, in a 1950’s fashion, they will slow you down on the day. I say they, front one will, back one is kinda there for show and not rolling off when stationery on a hill. A comfy bike though, sprung saddle on my Trials, whilst the knobblies create a very wayward ride quality / handling which is all part of the character and if you love her as I do, will get used to.

Fantastic fun and sounds absolutely amazing through high level trials pipe. Like a steam punk fantasy to behold, just wipe the oil off once in a while and it’s a work of art. Pulls fantastically well, basic in the extreme, sounds amazing, you need no more.

Ooh, some electrical issues, leaks from a few gaskets, a few nuts / bolts shake emselves loose......all good fun! Wouldn’t trust her for winter use, would feel though I was finishing her off, which it probably would do. Make sure you are happy to have as a second / third bike and that constant fettling will be part of ownership. Once you accept this, ownership pleasure will increase even more. If this basis of ownership is not for you, don’t buy one.

Fantastic on fuel and cheap on parts. However, if you use her a bit, you will be buying replacement parts cos of reliability issues.....but they will be cheap.swings and roundabouts.

Speedo, lights, wheels, tyres, seat, tank, it’s got what you need! And nothing more. Favourite feature after the. Engine is the hilarious sprung saddle.

Back brake is kinda there, front ok when used with foresight and ride is hilarious fun. Again, yer missing the point if looking at numbers. Do you want enjoyment? Stick amazing brakes on her and you’d lose the involvement of riding a real motorcycle.

Looks lovely, amazing character, plenty of torque, sounds divine.

Simple but things will go wrong and she requires constant care and maintenance. Just as it should be!

See above, it’s relative, how many miles do you do? Very, very cheap parts though.

The little running lights either side of the headlight are cute, a Bullet mainstay. Exhaust on my Trials sounds divine. But ‘equipment’, nah, doesn’t have any of that unnecessary malarkey.

If you do not mind a few vibes

Single Cylinder creates a great sound, good pulling power

It is hand built what can I say

Depends on mileage

Very basic but that is what I wanted

braking is a bit slow but I have a chair on

does what it says on the tin very reliable

solid as a rock

easy to service

My 500 runs smoothly and without undue vibrations (unlike my mates bought the year before mine?) In standard gearing it is happiest at 55-60 mph and once did 10 hours straight up to Scotland, and yes I could still walk straight and without tingling extremities. For daily travel to work I upped the gearbox cog by 1 tooth to raise top speed to 70 after three years. To help the acceleration and braking I ditched the double seat and passenger foot rests, along with other cosmetic bits.

Bomb proof (what more can I say). A regular oil change and filter check is all this beauty needs! Over revving will make your bits tingle but it will never blow up.

Be prepared to keep it clean or watch it corrode and review or service on a monthly basis. The clutch cable used to snap at the lead ball in the gearbox selector every 6 months until I changed supplier (to Hitchcocks). If your are a old school spanner man you can you'll be ok with this bike, but if not a specialist shop may be required. The only major problem I have had was a cracked frame weld courtesy of a north Yorkshire pot hole aspiring to be a cave!

I do my own servicing so the £60 is an estimated average over the last 15 years (for annual oil and filters, brake pads, odd cables, bulbs, tyres, etc.).

As standard my bike was great for me but the favourite bits were those I dumped for more speed/handling/braking. Also, dump the square edge rear tyre and cornering becomes effortless at all but "screwing the balls off it" speed. Avoid every bolt-on or stainless steel add-on or a purist will take the piss and don't go mad on the mods or the local plod (or MC) my get a bit too interested.