This is my first ever review on my beast. It has clocked around 500km and is due for first service. I owned a Maroon CL500, arguably first CL500 in Pune. I have named her after a great worrier "Achilles". Its a great bike.
I am a all time bullet fan. Since my childhood I am admiring this great piece of work. When I started my research about a year ago, I came across this classic but was disappointed as it was an export model. I kept myself on hold for about six months because somewhere I was getting this feeling that they will be launching this soon in India.
But my patience couldn’t last long and I went ahead and booked LB500. And to my surprise LB500’s production stopped the day after I booked it. I was all sad but I did not cancel my booking and told the dealer to keep that booking on hold until another 500cc hits the market. AND one fine day dealer called me and said that the Classic500 is going to launch and if I am interested in it? I was like YES MANNNNNN and I got my bike delivered on 7th Dec.
I won’t discuss pros and cons of this bike as everything is positive about this bike. Only problem I faced till date is to keep it safe from the other people. :-P Everyone just wants to ride it or touch it or get a feel of it. It’s still a difficult task for me because I have to give a salesman speech where ever I park my beast. :-D RE people should pay me for that. what’s say?
I’m still in mode of understanding the bike. Few of my observations are as below
1) The engine is more refined, it does feel like a bullet but you don’t get the complete bullet feel because the stock exhaust (bazooka) do not do a complete justice and that is obvious.
2) EFI is awesome, I was worried about those wires hanging from sides but haven’t faced any problems yet
3) This bike looks a little bit small in front of other bullets because of 18" wheels, but I am OK with this as it has improved handling and road grip.
4) Mileage is on lower side, it’s difficult for me to figure out when it goes to reserve. I just fill up whenever the yellow light shows up.
5) It has humongous torque, no other bike in India can come closure to it. (exclude sports bikes)
6) ohh ya.. it does have a Manufacturing DEFECT, the chain touches to the chain cover while riding with pillion over speed breakers and pot holes and it’s really VERY VERY annoying. I have emailed to RE on this and they said that they will be replacing the chain cover, haven’t heard from them yet :-(
So my only worry is after sales support from RE, which is needed for this bike as it is technically advanced.
If you are planning to go for it, I would say GO GO GO. You won’t regret it, believe me.
Please feel free to ask any questions you have.