My Bullet 500 Classic Deluxe 5 speed

This is my fourth Royal Enfield in 10 yrs. I have had a 1965 , 1997 and 2003 Classic Deluxe which are all 500's and 4 speeds. My latest is a 2007 Classic Deluxe 5 speed.

When I was thinking about getting another Enfield I wanted to get the Classic Deluxe 4 speed again because it was the closest to the 1950's models.

Trevor (the Director of RE NZ) said "why don't you take this Sixty Five for a week, you will really like it." I replied, "to be honest I am sure it is a great bike and rides really well but it just doesn't have the historic look I am after." Any way I took it for a few days, and it was really nice but the look of it was to much on the modern side for me. I was however impressed with the 5 speed gear box which was proved itself around town and up hills.

After thinking about it over night I decided to go with the Bullet Classic Deluxe 5 speed. Along with period correct paint, body work schemes comes the newly designed 5-speed transmission. The new transmission shifts 'as smooth as silk' and makes for a very reliable engine/transmission combination.

The new 5-speed gear box includes a lower first gear and 5 well spaced gear ratios making better use of the Bullets horsepower. While 5th gear has the same ratio as high gear in the 4-speed models it uses a "taller" drive sprocket on the transmission for a better cruise speed and reduced RPM's.

This is very much suited to my riding style. Personally I am very impressed with the whole package. I must say the 4 speed did feel like I was riding a much older bike and I am sure the purists will say what a sell-out (Mark) but at the end of the day the bike has to fit the rider. This baby fits me like a glove.

Dion

click here to view more photos of the 5 speed