The last of the Royal Enfield 500 Bullets

[Richard230]

This long Revzilla article describes the history of the Royal Enfield Bullet 500, which will be finally discontinued this year and the ones already in the U.S. are likely the last new ones we will see here. This one shown in the attachment has been at the shop where I purchased my KTM 390 Duke for at least the past three months with no takers:
https://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...ends-a-classic

[notacop]

I test rode an Enfield in Arizona. 2 actually since the dealer rode along with me to be sure I was a good boy. Both shook so hard that it put me off on the idea of owning one.
A couple friends are now owners of the new 650 and see to be happy with them.

[Richard230]

My 2011 RE Bullet 500 is pretty smooth, for an unbalanced, rigid-mounted single. I installed foam grips and what vibes there are are low frequency and not bothersome. However, I apparently got lucky. Other owners have had Bullets that vibrated badly. Everyone of those things is different and it just depends upon who assembled it and the luck of the draw when it came to picking parts off of the shelf at the factory. Definitely not BMW or Japanese quality.

[OX-34]

I've only owned one Bullet 500 and it was a heap of fun and good enough for a 1000 mile day. I rode them on trips to Bhutan and they were perfect for the roads over there.

My one had no problems, but as you say they are not BMW or Japanese quality. More variable, like Jeep products, I suppose.

[shahrkster]

The simplicity and power (although a little more could be desired) is what made them awesome. In India the 500 could be bought for less that $2000 and ran forever while holding its value well. I think they are trying too hard at times because the new ones are missing a tad of their essence but they have to keep up with the new bike offerings in both India and market tastes abroad. Rode one in India and Vietnam. I dont think they are worth the $5000 here because a used Japanese bike is hands down better any day of the year. Definitely a cult following here in the US.