Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic - BEST USED BIKES

Genuine 1950s simplicity.

Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic.Courtesy of Royal Enfield

YEARS SOLD: 1999–2008

MSRP NEW: $4,495 ('99) to $4,995 ('08)

BLUE BOOK RETAIL VALUE: $1,675 ('99) to $2,730 ('08)

BASIC SPECS: Featuring decades-old architecture, made-in-India Royal Enfield Bullets sold Stateside around the turn of the century are powered by a 499cc air-cooled four-stroke single characterized by non-unit construction utilizing a chain-drive primary feeding power to a separate gearbox. Electric start was added in 2002 with a five-speed gearbox (replacing the previous four-speed) two years later. Iron-barrel Bullet models (Classic, Deluxe, and Military, differing in paint and trim) all had points ignition and drum front brakes. The Electra introduced in '06 has an alloy cylinder, CV carburetor, electronic ignition, and disc front brake.

WHY IT'S DESIRABLE: The Bullet's most fundamental attraction is genuine 1950s simplicity. It's a motorcycle best suited to an owner who likes to tinker yet requires only basic mechanical knowledge and skill to maintain. With affordable and available parts, very little added cost is typically required to get a non-running used Enfield back on the road. With the current trend for all things retro from vinyl LPs to vintage-inspired riding gear, the Enfield Bullet offers a genuine cool factor at a price most anyone can afford.

THE COMPETITION: Aside from the Ural sidecar rig, the Bullet 500 really had no peers in the ready-made retro sense. Affordable single-cylinder bikes like the Buell Blast and Suzuki Savage may have steered more than a few bargain shoppers out of the path of the venerable Bullet.

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