I found the 350 revs its nuts off on a dual carriageway and feels like it might explode while still not keeping up with the traffic. The 500 on the other hand copes a lot better for short distances. While neither of them are designed for sustained high speed riding, there is always a time when the bigger roads cant be avoided. If you dont want to own half a dozen different bikes for different journeys, then the 500 would be my choice.
Great news that you’ve got an official link with RE. I was drinking coffee from a Speedshop mug yesterday up at Cooperb, and your fliers were on display (I was up there having their lift kit fitted to my Himmi).
Very cool :) and congrats on the tie in with Royal Enfield. I'm one of the ones that would miss the kickstarter having said that I'm riding a 1920s Norton all the time now so probably the exception to the rule ace video as always.
Very useful info thanks Nathan. I ride a V Strom 650 at the moment, tempted though I am with the Classic 350 which I think looks sublime (back seat off please!), I believe there's a Classic 650 (twin) coming down the line. If & when it does I don't think I'll be able to stop myself. Conti GT650 almost did but not quite. Roll on Spring...
Really interesting, have a 500 tribute and just started it today after Its winter nap. I have been wondering and the new one does look very nice. I suppose I like the old 500 as it's just such a different experience from my Transalp or any otger modern bike. Can't wait to hear more as you get a feel for both 😊🖖🏼 have a great weekend all
I am just as dubious about official weight specs. Interesting notion of old bhp v modern bhp. I remember after riding an XT500 through the '80s, I moved to Tokyo for a few years. My new mount over there, a DR250SH put out around the same bhp at the crank [29 bhp] and despite being only a 250 and obviously having less torque, it felt about as quick as the XT. It was extremely light, though. It will always be a bike I wish I'd shipped back to England along with a later acquired XRV750 when I came home. Alas I sold it as I needed the money.
i honestly wrote off the 350 before riding one, and was proved wrong. i still like my classic 500, but these 350s are so rideable, smooth, laid back, its just a matter of time before i succumb to their charms.
As you moved gently between the two, I couldn't help but think, what will the new 350cc Trials feel like? If Enfield don't make one, you can bet there's already little old men in a shed working out how to do it.
Ditch the ABS... not sure about the electrics an carb conversion on these new 350..some say it can be done...but its got good potential.. a guy converted a meteor.. its on UA-cam somewhere
One bike has more travel .One bike has a kickstarter.One bike can be converted to carb. One bike is much more refined . One bike has a very important 10 ft.lbs. more torque enabling a sidecar to be attached.
The only real difference is the riding position so I think it'll come down to which you feel most comfortable on. Will hopefully find out tomorrow when I take the Classic out to run it in.
@@nathanthepostman Thank you. I’m torn between the meteor and the classic. I have a BMW R1200R and to be honest, I rarely go over 70! I bought the new Honda forza 350 to commute on and I’m VERY impressed with it - it has more than enough ‘go’ with 27nm of torque and 27bhp. If I thought the Meteor came close to that - I’d jump on it! I really like your channel and I’ve reached the age where top speed is getting less and less important, so Royal Enfield have caught my eye. (I’ll have to keep the BMW however so I can keep up with my mates!) I live in Belfast but I’m over in Wales in June so might take a spin out your way. Keep up the good work! (And thanks for your reply)
Sounds promising, I’d love it if they did a 500cc modern version with 25-30bhp. Would slip in nicely under their 650 twin. Perhaps I need a ride but 20bhp slow revving horses does sound marginal for anything but the gentlest of back road bumbling. Sure looks pretty though.
the colour of the engine on the 350 looks a bit bla and you need a kick start on an enfield cos the batteries are shit ! out of three years owning a himalayan i can honestly say it has been three months at the dealers !
@@RideWithRen When or if they start to lock on normally the rear you will have to remove the pads until you get to a dealer, Good luck and watch the black ice !
I found the 350 revs its nuts off on a dual carriageway and feels like it might explode while still not keeping up with the traffic. The 500 on the other hand copes a lot better for short distances. While neither of them are designed for sustained high speed riding, there is always a time when the bigger roads cant be avoided. If you dont want to own half a dozen different bikes for different journeys, then the 500 would be my choice.
Really tempted by the 350 as all reviews are saying good things! Will test ride the Interceptor also..
Great news that you’ve got an official link with RE. I was drinking coffee from a Speedshop mug yesterday up at Cooperb, and your fliers were on display (I was up there having their lift kit fitted to my Himmi).
Brilliant bike by the sounds of it , reckon the 350 Trail would be a seller
Very cool :) and congrats on the tie in with Royal Enfield. I'm one of the ones that would miss the kickstarter having said that I'm riding a 1920s Norton all the time now so probably the exception to the rule ace video as always.
Very useful info thanks Nathan. I ride a V Strom 650 at the moment, tempted though I am with the Classic 350 which I think looks sublime (back seat off please!), I believe there's a Classic 650 (twin) coming down the line. If & when it does I don't think I'll be able to stop myself. Conti GT650 almost did but not quite. Roll on Spring...
Really interesting, have a 500 tribute and just started it today after Its winter nap. I have been wondering and the new one does look very nice. I suppose I like the old 500 as it's just such a different experience from my Transalp or any otger modern bike. Can't wait to hear more as you get a feel for both 😊🖖🏼 have a great weekend all
7 ft lbs more torque .That means a lot
I am just as dubious about official weight specs. Interesting notion of old bhp v modern bhp. I remember after riding an XT500 through the '80s, I moved to Tokyo for a few years. My new mount over there, a DR250SH put out around the same bhp at the crank [29 bhp] and despite being only a 250 and obviously having less torque, it felt about as quick as the XT. It was extremely light, though. It will always be a bike I wish I'd shipped back to England along with a later acquired XRV750 when I came home. Alas I sold it as I needed the money.
i honestly wrote off the 350 before riding one, and was proved wrong. i still like my classic 500, but these 350s are so rideable, smooth, laid back, its just a matter of time before i succumb to their charms.
Get a 21" front wheel built by Hitchcocks on that 500T man!
Crying out for one.
Awesome bud 👍🏻
As you moved gently between the two, I couldn't help but think, what will the new 350cc Trials feel like?
If Enfield don't make one, you can bet there's already little old men in a shed working out how to do it.
I have been thinking about such a bike too. I want a minimal 'something' with a good suspension not a tarted up road bike. Would be awesome.
Ditch the ABS... not sure about the electrics an carb conversion on these new 350..some say it can be done...but its got good potential.. a guy converted a meteor.. its on UA-cam somewhere
One bike has more travel .One bike has a kickstarter.One bike can be converted to carb. One bike is much more refined . One bike has a very important 10 ft.lbs. more torque enabling a sidecar to be attached.
Lincs or Notts accent ?
How does the Meteor compare to the new 350 classic (and the old 500)??
The only real difference is the riding position so I think it'll come down to which you feel most comfortable on. Will hopefully find out tomorrow when I take the Classic out to run it in.
@@nathanthepostman Thank you. I’m torn between the meteor and the classic. I have a BMW R1200R and to be honest, I rarely go over 70! I bought the new Honda forza 350 to commute on and I’m VERY impressed with it - it has more than enough ‘go’ with 27nm of torque and 27bhp. If I thought the Meteor came close to that - I’d jump on it!
I really like your channel and I’ve reached the age where top speed is getting less and less important, so Royal Enfield have caught my eye.
(I’ll have to keep the BMW however so I can keep up with my mates!)
I live in Belfast but I’m over in Wales in June so might take a spin out your way.
Keep up the good work! (And thanks for your reply)
If the weight is up high then it's going to feel heavier
Sounds promising, I’d love it if they did a 500cc modern version with 25-30bhp. Would slip in nicely under their 650 twin. Perhaps I need a ride but 20bhp slow revving horses does sound marginal for anything but the gentlest of back road bumbling. Sure looks pretty though.
the colour of the engine on the 350 looks a bit bla and you need a kick start on an enfield cos the batteries are shit ! out of three years owning a himalayan i can honestly say it has been three months at the dealers !
Not my experience of a Himalayan at all🤔
I have two Himalayan and have only been to the dealer for a loose exhaust nut.
@@RideWithRen Its at the dealer now for its second set of brake callipers !
@@antonyross9957 that sucks. I'm currently in Korea where Royal Enfield issued a recall for the brake calipers.
@@RideWithRen When or if they start to lock on normally the rear you will have to remove the pads until you get to a dealer, Good luck and watch the black ice !