looking back at Enfield's history, when they first used swinging arms for the rear suspension, the bikes really did well in the international six days trial, i believe that was the reason the Indian army started buying the original bullet... and due to the demand why Enfield India set up their manufacturing... so off road capability is directly responsible for Enfield survival as a brand...
Hi Stephen, that is correct and the reason why I yearn for a retro scrambler based on this bike 🙂 I know that a truly modern bike would be better off-road but back in the day, bikes similar to these were getting the job done. Some off-road nostalgia to go with the on road nostalgia of the Classic would be absolutely fantastic. Maybe some day I will be in a position to make one for myself. I just need a second Classic, an angle grinder and a shed 😂 Cheers Stephen, good stuff ! ER.
@@economicalrides the bullet and the Classic are still the usual suspects for trips to the Himalayas....so not too much has changed..they still get the job done!
@@romeldias Exactly. But still somebody had a go at me for taking my Classic off-road because that's not what it was intended for. Clearly they have never seen how Enfield's are traditionally used in India !!! This trail taken nice and slowly was a piece of cake for the Classic 350 and as you say, it was easily capable of getting me from one end to the other with no dramas ! Thanks romel dias 🙏 ER.
@@economicalrides any time...even the heritage of the meteor is the same...though both the new meteor and the classic are all new..they both historically come from the bullet! The classic was a straight derivative...and the previous iteration of the meteor - aka the thunderbird was the same albeit with more changes to make it more of a cruiser! They had a problem registering the Thunderbird in various markets and hence decided to bring back the meteor name!
That looked like a walk in the park for Buddy 🙂 Lovely trail, slightly envious. Pram cam worked a treat 🙂 Many thanks for the mentions. Glad the gearshift trick worked. Much love from the Uk to you and Rubita 😊👍🏼🍻
Thanks SB and you're welcome. Yes, I actually thought pram cam added something in this case, because I was talking and you could see that I was talking. So yes, it probably does have its uses and I'm glad to have that option once again. That is a lovely trail and longer and more challenging going the other way. I will definitely be using it as my test trail for any off-roady type bikes I get to ride in the future. Ruby says ta and "have you got any sossidges ?" 😂 Take care buddy and enjoy those Spanish temperatures you are getting over there 👍🏻😂 Cheers, El Otro.
I go crazy with pram cam next weekend 😮 Haha, apologies Ruby. No sossidges here. I was loving the Spanish weather for the two days it lasted 🙂 Cheers El Otro 🍻
Thanks for getting up early to make this enjoyable (for us) video. I changed my gear lever up one notch and it has transformed the riding experience. I removed the front and rear bolts completely and the rider`s foot peg dropped quite a bit making the removal of the gear lever easy. Your video on that was very helpful, cheers.
Thanks Dave, glad you enjoyed it and glad that moving the gear lever has increased your enjoyment of your Classic ! I’m glad to have helped 🤗 Take care 👍 Cheers Dave, ER
Nice ride! I recently took my Meteor out on a gravel road out In the sticks. It was a blast. The bike handled it well. So much fun. Loving your Classic by the way.
Thanks Busywave ! Yes, I love taking Buddy Hauly out on the trails but have to admit that the Classic's plusher ride made it more enjoyable. I am determined to improve the rear suspension on my Meteor but currently I am not hearing of any shock upgrade that is really making a difference. I think softer springs with decent compression damping would improve the ride of the Meteor on and off-road. So that is what I am looking for at the moment. Cheers Busywave, the Meteor is such a great bike, glad to hear that yours is being used properly ! 😜 ER.
I own a Classic 350 “stealth” it has alloy wheels and is tubeless. If it ever gets a puncher. I still then can fix it on the side of the road with a “rope / bacon strips” puncher repair kit. With tubed tires, it’s a whole different story when it comes to punctures ….
Wow ! Thanks for that Sean, I didn't realise that you could get a Classic 350 with cast rims and tubeless tyres. Only available on the Dark Stealth Black apparently. Interesting. Have you ever ridden a Classic with spoked wheels and can you confirm that the cast wheels result in a firmer ride ? A lot of us are really interested to know that because we are looking at ways to bring the Meteor's ride up to the level of the spoked/tubed Classic 350.. Cheers Sean, very interesting ! ER.
Thanks again Sean, I've informed Phil Tucker that the Dark Gunmetal Grey and Dark Stealth Black Classics come with cast wheels from the factory. I hadn't checked the RE website for a while, so wasn't aware that we can get Classics with cast wheels from the factory these days. Hopefully this information will prove useful to Phil. Cheers Sean and enjoy your Sunday, ER.
Great views sir! I love the light and colours in the early morning. Thank you for interrupting the rock and roll lifestyle for us, much appreciated 😊 I can't imagine I'll ever go off roading on my Classic, but nice to know that I could if needs be 😁 On the speedo front, for when my bike is parked up for several hours in the full sun, I devised a cover recycled out of an FFP3 face mask with elastic straps and a piece of silver backed bubble wrap from a bit of online food delivery packaging... for sausages, I kid you not!... to try and keep my speedo cool. It seems to help, but strangely, on our hottest day of the year, I forgot to put it on, and the speedo didn't play up at all on the way home! All very curious. My dealer said he'd replace it no worries, but the replacement is the same part, so could potentially have the same issue. 🤔 So I've held off for now, and will see if RE come up with a proper updated speedo. If it becomes a serious issue and is completely stuck, I'll have it changed as is. It seems odd that if it's just a physical issue of distorting plastic, why does it, in my case, always stick at exactly 5, 10, 20 mph etc? Anyways, thanks again. Lovely to see Ruby. She does love those sausages. Are they a particular type? Safe travels ER, DN 😁
Hi there DN, yes, I will have to go up there on Buddy some morning for sunrise, could make for some spectacular images. It will definitely happen and all summer, if I am going out to film, I will have to leave early, it's just too hot otherwise. I'm sure I'll get used to it (??????) 😂 Not sure really what the problem with the speedos is. I think there are various issues and I think most of them stem from the units not being hermetically sealed. Condensation forms inside and possibly causes corrosion on small parts which are designed NOT to be subjected to moisture. It wouldn't surprise me to find little rusty components inside of my speedo, considering how long it had moisture inside it. Of course these parts won't move as freely as they should. But like you say, it is odd that the speedo parks at different positions every time. I just get the feeling that the whole unit was not assembled in a dry environment and the moisture forming inside causes all sorts of weird behaviours. Ruby is somewhat disappointed that you ordered in sausages and failed to mention the fact to her 🐕 She appreciates that you only did it to construct your speedo protector but thinks you should have asked for her help in disposing of the contents. 😂 With regard to the sausages, they are the cheapest, nastiest ones our local supermarket sells. They are basically Frankfurters. One day I was hungry and made the mistake of nicking one of Ruby's sossidges and I must say, I won't be doing it again. I'm not a big fan of Frankfurters anyway, much prefer Bratwurst but there are certainly better ones available than these !!! But Ruby likes them and they are cheap enough that I can always maintain a supply, so it's all good as long as I don't try to eat one myself 😛 Take care out there DoomNedwob and let's see how our speedo issues develop. Now that mine is working again I am slightly torn over whether to get it changed or not 🤔 I suspect I will but I am beginning to question it ! Cheers and thanks as always for your wonderful support 👍🏻 ER.
@@economicalrides Aww, apologies to Ruby, though it was actually my Mum who ordered the sossages, Italian pork and fennel 🤤 I just pinched the packaging. I'm quite partial to Bratwurst and Frankfurters, and I'm sure Ruby wouldn't hesitate at woofing the lot 🐕😊 Yes, we shall see what happens with our speedos. Something official from RE would be useful, especially with so many people having issues worldwide. I did find it odd though, that it didn't go wrong after 8 hours exposed to the hottest sunshine so far 🤔 It will be interesting to see if yours plays up some more, especially as your temperatures are usually way hotter than here, unless as you say, yours might be down to excess moisture. It was only 32° where I am yesterday when the 40°+ record was broken elsewhere, but plenty hot enough for me! Take care ER and Ruby, safe travels and I look forward to some more early morning views, DN 😀
@@DoomNedwob Thanks DN, you too. Yes, I will try to get up early a few times, however hard I find it 🤘🥃🎸 All the best, ER & Ruby ( who has now forgiven you by the way 👅🐕 )
very enjoyable video Garry,loved the views and the bike seemed so smooth. what you mentioned about tubed tyres being better over rough surfaces, i agree and spoked wheels are always a little more flexible compared with cast ones. hoping to get out tomorrow as its going to be a bit cooler. enjoyed seeing Ruby at the end too.
Thanks John, yes, I think the only way to really improve the rear ride on the Meteor would be to get shocks with softer springs which would then need a fair amount of compression damping to stop them bottoming out too easily. I am sure that an improvement is possible but really not sure which shocks are going to bring the improvement. It's a conundrum. I definitely think that cast wheels and the lack of an inner tube are putting more emphasis on the performance of the Meteor's shock/spring and the shocks don't seem to be quite up to the job of delivering a plush ride with the fitted wheels and tyres. I will definitely be looking to upgrade the shocks, any benefit would be really noticeable when I take Buddy on the trails. The Classic was excellent though, I have to admit that it would be a lovely scrambler with a bit of work. Good enough for my use case anyway, I'm just a dabbling amateur and not going for the World Championship ! Cheers John, stay safe and cool. 🥵 ER.
Rock and Roll lifestyle !?! I knew it! .. it explains much = ) Great video, and greater news that the classic can handle the rough! Stay cool, I know its getting rather hot Euro-side!
Haha, yes, too much whisky, late nights and lie-ins going on here ☺️ I am clearly a night person. I'm tired all day and then at midnight I get my second wind and feel like I could stay up all night ! With the current heat I will have no other choice but to get up earlier if I want to get out and record. In the afternoons, riding in all my gear is not really an option. I did it last year but it is really not very enjoyable. So I am trying to go to bed a bit earlier on the days before filming ( although this usually fails 🤪 ). Cheers Julian, take care yourself, stay cool 😎 👍🏻 ER.
Lovely video…. Just love the sound of that little thumper just doing it’s thing….no fuss! Totally agree with you on the small nimble garden shed classic scrambler. I like the triumph 1200 scrambler because of it’s physical size ( I’m 1.9m) but I don’t like the price and the engine……very good but way too powerful for the type of off roading I like doing, it would be nice if they made something like the Trophy TR 6….I’d buy it!!! Hopefully RE will make a little scrambler but if not it’s time to get a shed and some bits n bobs. Keep safe and well , love from UK ❤️👍🇬🇧
Thanks Edward, glad you enjoyed it ! Yes, honestly, if money were no object I think I would buy a bog standard Classic 350 and set about turning it into an off-road toy. As you say, modern "scramblers" are all far too big, heavy and powerful. ( and expensive ! ). I don't want to go particularly fast off-road, I'd be happy chugging about in second gear and maybe setting myself the odd little climbing challenge along the way. Just an ICE donkey really, something to get me from A to B via the goat tracks and capable of entertaining occasional bouts of silliness should the mood take me 😇 I think a factory scrambler as we would like it, will not be forthcoming. If they removed the indicators and mudguards etc to make it cool looking, it wouldn't pass homologation. That's the trouble these days, their hands are pretty tightly tied. I think it's down to us to mod our bikes post purchase. Since I am not rich, I think I am more likely to buy a second hand bike for off-road exploring, in the next year or so. Or maybe RE could lend me something for a longer term test ? 😜😜😜 Thanks again Edward, you take care too, stay cool 🥵 ER.
Hi Lilian, I will tell Ruby that you appreciated her appearance. She will be so proud. She is such a Diva these days ! 🐕 I think we have come to the conclusion that tubed tyres and SPOKED WHEELS are what make the Classic a smoother ride. The cast wheels of the Meteor have no give in them, spoked wheels do. On the Classic a lot of the forces are being absorbed by the tyre and the spokes before they get transmitted to the shock. On the Meteor the forces go through the tyre, the wheel and straight into the shock. Since the shock/spring on both bikes is probably not the highest quality item, the less work the shock has to do the better. So the Classic just feels much plusher than the Meteor because the cheapish shock is not really coming into play to the extent that it does on the Meteor. The Classic really does ride a lot plusher, the longer I have it, the more apparent it becomes. But because I love the Meteor so much, I am going to find a way to improve the rear suspension, then it will be the perfect bike for me ! Thanks Lilian and good luck with your test ride. The two bikes feel very different. Just go with the one which most closely suits your real world use case and which appeals to you from an emotional point of view. Both bikes are great and you won't be disappointed with either one. Which bike to choose just depends on your most likely use case and your own personal taste. Cheers Lilian. Ruby sends you fluffy kisses 👅🐕 for being such a fan ! Let us know how your Classic test ride went 👍🏻 ER.
Early to bed and... 😊 Another excellent video ER and yes we do like to see Ruby. She nearly had your thumb there! Another viewer comments it's the wire spoked wheels with their extra 'give' that improves the ride quality on bumpy ground. I know it's not quite the same but the engineering principle remains that touring and rough stuff cycles have the spokes in a 4 cross arrangement to give an easier ride over the standard 2 or 3 cross. Racing cycles are often not crossed. Cast alloy wheels are rigid. The 'cross' of the spokes occurs at the hub - the more spokes that cross one another, the more of a springing effect. I'd be interested (typical LanesExplorer stuff is this!) to know what crossing RE have used... But neither machine is really designed for the sort of thing you rode over. They did very well, both of them though. LE.
Thanks LE, yes the spokes are definitely contributing to the suspension and I suspect that the shocks are very similar if not identical between the two bikes. Interestingly in India you can buy a Classic with cast wheels and tubeless tyres ( they prefer tubeless for easy repair out in the wilderness ). I'd be really interested to know whether they then end up with a much harsher ride than the standard Classics with the spoked wheels and tubed tyres. I might make a video about it and hopefully some of my Indian viewers can confirm or deny this. But I am increasingly of the opinion that the shocks are not the issue although some shocks with softer springs would almost certainly help. I would definitely consider a shock upgrade for the Meteor, once I find some shocks which are proven to make a difference. It's something I am researching and working on currently. Cheers LE, I really enjoy riding these trails, just don't enjoy how the bikes end up looking afterwards ! 🤬 Stay cool 🥵 ER.
interesting info... respect.. BTW - If you think these machines aren't designed for this type of riding - then I think you need to send a memo to the countless millions of RE riders across India
Thanks Phil, yes, should I ever become more professional with my vlogging then a drone is definitely in my plans. But as I just mentioned, now I need another bike for the trails so the drone might have to wait. But eventually I will probably get a drone, it makes a lot of sense out on the trails because you aren't bothering anybody with it or flying over their houses 🙂And from up there I think I can probably get some great footage of beautiful scenery which will only add to my videos, as you say. Thanks Phil, enjoy your Sunday ! ER.
@@economicalrides yes, and also, I believe if you stay below a certain size/weight of drone you won’t need an operators licence as I believe that can work out expensive..
@@philtucker1224 Hi Phil, yes, it would have to be sub 250g over here or I would need a licence. But I am only considering the Mavic Mini anyway, for that very reason. It delivers video plenty good enough for embellishing RUclips videos. One is on my wish list, but the wish list is quite long 🤬 Cheers Phil 👍🏻 ER
I ride on logging roads and pegs/bars allow standing up in a very controlled manner. Knobby tires would make it hard to stop other than ABS not being able to be switched off.
Hi Todd, so far I haven't really been bothered by the ABS. I've had it come on at the rear whilst descending on sandy stuff and it was pretty unobtrusive, almost helpful. I think ABS would only become an issue if you were really pushing on or riding in greasy conditions. Both instances unlikely to occur in my case 🙂 The Classic did feel like it would make a decent little scrambler if you stripped it right back, particularly impressed by the stability whilst standing, it felt like that's how it wanted to be ridden ! Cheers Todd, ER.
I was thinking how popular this would be as a Steve McQueen style old school scrambler, with a retro bench seat and roadworthy knobbly tyres. It could be the best selling bike ever.
Yes Mr Steve, that's exactly the sort of thing I am imagining. It would be awesome. Probably tricky for a manufacturer to get it through homologation these days though, I suspect we would have to make it ourselves ( preferably in a garden shed ! ). Cheers 👍🏻 ER
hey sir! i finally got my classic 350 as well. im almost at 4k odo, unfortunately had to leave it with my dad while im back abroad for work. anyway, you could try standing up when you expect large bumps on the road to save your back! 😂😂
Hi Kaloy, standing up before big bumps on the road is something I do on the Meteor actually ! It's almost necessary because the rear end is very stiff. The Classic feels a lot softer in comparison. It sounds as though you are enjoying and using your Classic quite a lot, that's good to hear. It's a shame you are now having to take a break from it 😢 Good luck when you get home and can return to riding 👍🏻 Stay safe. ER.
@@economicalrides i use it basically as my everyday commute, so that's around 5-10km daily. But I've ridden it for ~400km in one go (8hrs or so, no expressways). It's such a reliable motorcycle that i wont have to worry about anything. And it can definitely tackle a bit of offroading, just not that much.. lol since i dropped mine when i did a bit of exploration on a beach sand. 😅😅
@@kaloyrelleta5611 Haha 😂 Sand with the standard tyres is definitely not a good idea. I have already experienced that, pretty sketchy, like riding on ice or with slicks in the wet ! Cheers Kaloy 👍🏻 ER
Hi Phil, thanks for watching and commenting ! The trail is in the Los Filabres mountain range in Southern Spain, Almeria province to be precise 🙂 I currently only know two trails up there but there are many more ! So far both trails have been absolutely gorgeous, so much so that I have now decided that I NEED a trail bike just for the purpose of discovering all of them ! From time to time I will take the Meteor up there but I think this was the first and only time with the Classic. The Classic needs to remain nice and shiny 😛 Cheers Phil, ER.
To look at, you'd be forgiven for thinking these are niche bikes. Garage Queens for short country rides on sunny Sunday mornings, followed by copious polishing and TLC. I've been amazed at how versatile, capable and robust mine has been. It now gets more abuse (and use) than my other bikes which are 2 or 3 times more expensive. And despite all the chrome and prettiness, it keeps itself cleaner than any other bike I've owned. I've only washed it twice in 2400 miles but when I have, it's been a doddle to bring it back to showroom condition. Even after a 300 mile day in the rain and mud, following Saddlebags 73 around Dartmoor. It's a fantastic bike.
I totally agree Paul. It constantly amazes me how easy both the Meteor and Classic are to return to showroom condition. Particularly the chrome Classic you would think would be a right pain. But no, mine has been filthy twice and liberal use of a compressor, a garden hose, followed by a normal hand wash has seen it come up again, as good as new. The Meteor is the same, the black finish on the engine washes really easily and comes out looking like new again every time. RE are building beautiful bikes which you do not have to be afraid to use ( for multiple reasons ). It's great having a bike which you are not afraid to use and occasionally abuse. The fact that I don't have a fortune tied up in these two bikes is really liberating and as a result I use them way more than I would any prized possession. Something many more people should be aware of really. I've been there and done the flash expensive bike thing but these two 350s make me happier than any other bike I have ever owned. I just enjoy them so much more with no anxiety attached. It's great to be enlightened Paul, isn't it ? 😛 I think others are slowly beginning to catch on though..... Cheers Paul, ER.
That’s was a nice gentle off road unlike those that are very tiring to watch. I am hoping to get into motorcycling next year spring and hopefully get a RE. Seriously considering this classic or the INT 650.
Hi RonnieB TV, thanks, glad you enjoyed it too 🙂 Both RE bikes you mentioned would be a good beginner's motorcycle. If you need to ride on fast roads a fair bit, I think the INT 650 would be the better choice. From 60 mph onwards you are thrashing the 350 really and it doesn't have much more left to give. The 350s suit my riding very well because I can leave the house and I'm straight onto mountain roads, where the 350 is very enjoyable and doesn't often exceed 50 mph. If I had to ride on a fast road for an hour before the fun could start, I think I would quickly decide that a larger capacity bike is required. So you need to weigh up how often you will be on a fast road with your new bike. If fast roads can be avoided most of the time ( like in my use case ) then a 350 is enough IMO. Cheers 👍🏻 ER
@@economicalrides I will seriously take into consideration your well explained assessment. I think you are very right since I live here in Toronto Canada where there is not really much off roads route. Thank you very much!
Hi K.E.B., thank you very much for watching. Yes, I love these trails and I hope to explore many more, just maybe not with these bikes ! I need to find a more suitable bike for the trails and a way of paying for it ! 🤔 Ruby features in Tuesday's video once again. I am editing that video as I type this 😛 Ruby says hi and welcome to her "fan club" ! 👅🐕 Cheers K.E.B. 👍🏻 ER.
Thanks AR, the bike came up clean a lot more easily than I feared too. Still won't be repeating this though, only with Buddy from now on ! In the end I got the compressor out before washing, blew a ton of dust off the bike and then after that a standard wash brought it back up like new 👍🏻 Both the Meteor and the Classic seem to come up really well, however dirty you get them. Take care and 🤞 for your speedo 😂 ER.
@@Ainsworth-Rider I THINK my dealer has a Himalayan as a demo bike. If they do, I will try to get hold of it and take it down this trail for comparison. Also of interest to me because I am considering a Scram, where the only big difference would be the wheel size. If a Himalayan/Scram is a ton more fun then I will have to seriously think about getting one 🤔 Cheers AR ER.
My speedo had one abberation (needle sticking) around 1200 miles, but having reset it with the ignition cycle it hasn't misbehaved since, even in the recent 35C UK heat. The dealer has ordered a replacement but I'll hold off unless it plays up again.
Hi Beyond The Bubble, yes, I'm slightly torn now that my original speedo is working properly again. I THINK I will still get it replaced to be on the safe side but part of my thinks "if it's not broken, don't fix it !". But overall, for the longer term, it probably should be swapped out 🤔 Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻 Cheers, ER.
ah, seems I am not the only one xD had the issue at 78km and at 172km where it just stick anywhere between 10 and 45km/h instead of returning to 0. Afterwards I need to turn the bike on and off again many times for it to finally set back on 0 >.
@@PhilippeJ130 Hi Mayu, it seems to be a very common fault on the Classic 350. Lots of people are having the same issues. Although my speedo is now working again, it is due to be changed when the bike goes in for a service next month because by all accounts, the problem will eventually return. If you check out the comments to my videos on this topic on my RUclips channel, you will see just how many people are having these problems ! We don't really know what is causing it but I think it is probably just a result of the instrument not being properly sealed and moisture forming on components which are not designed to tolerate moisture. But if you check out the comments on my channel, you will see that you are most definitely NOT alone in having speedo problems, there are many of us !!! Cheers, I hope yours keeps working from now on ! ER.
😊Nice ride like allways ,i finely got my bike doing the running inn i have plans fore the bike to go off road looking fore some propper 60/40 ore 50/50 tires have found some candidats ,the bike is light and nibble and have a desent clearens to the ground and weel size is perfekt on and off road ceap on riding stay safe all the best ps: the road your on is like the mountain roads in my country 😊
Sounds great s.k. ! With the right tyres on it, a Classic 350 will get you anywhere I reckon. As long as you keep the speed sensible I think it is unlikely that you would break it by doing so, it feels very sturdy. If mine wasn't so pretty I would seriously think about converting it into a trail bike but I just can't, I like it how it is ! Cheers s.k. ER.
Hi TAYM, they MIGHT but I can almost guarantee that it will be nothing like the one I would like, simply for homologation reasons !!! I think the only way to get my dream scrambler would be to make it myself, in the shed, just like in the olden days 😂 Never mind. If I ever come into money, I would be inclined to buy a bog standard Classic 350 and set about modifying it to be my off-road toy. Or just buy that Bullet 350 you showed us the other week, that was pretty much EXACTLY what I would be aiming for aesthetically ! Cheers TAYM 🙂 ER
@@TAYM I wasn't familiar with the Mutt ( not big over here yet ) until you mentioned it. Just checked them out. That Razorback 250 comes pretty close, yes ! Uuuuuurgh ! I need one ! Naughty TAYM, showing me motorcycles I'd like but can't afford. Honestly, that Razorback 250 is calling me LOUDLY ! Cheers (?) ER
@@TAYM Aha, I think I have found the Mutt you are referring to. Classic looking bike with the headlight guard etc. Yes, pretty much. Just needs a high level exhaust on it, that one looks pretty exposed down there ( as it does on the Razorback too to be honest ). Apparently there are a few Mutt dealers in Spain now ( never used to be available over here ), so definitely a brand worth considering. They are certainly making some pretty sexy looking bikes !
Hi C Larson, yes, it's definitely something I am looking to do but unfortunately over here very few dealers have demo bikes. I would be interested to feel the difference myself because I am interested in getting a bike just for riding the trails around here. If I do get to try a Himalayan, I will make a video about it and you will see it here on this channel 🙂 Cheers, ER.
There's a new RE 350 out in August the Hunter 😳 don't know when it's available in Europe it would make a good scrambler although a high level exhaust might interfere with cooling
True ! I'd forgotten about that one ! Yes, I don't think we will ever get a really nice "factory scrambler", just for homologation reasons. If we want a scrambler based on the Classic 350, I think we would have to build it ourselves unfortunately ! Cheers Julian, I will keep an eye on the Hunter 👍🏻 ER.
Hi Garry, As always, an interesting test. Speaking of suspension, I'm curious to know if the Meteor and Classic have the same rear shock absorbers, or if the Classic is 'softer'. I ask this because, in my opinion, if the Meteor has a flaw, it is the shock absorbers that are too stiff and therefore not very comfortable. Cheers to you and Ruby.
Hi Corrado, this is something I am going to get to the bottom of. I suspect that the shocks are the same on both bikes. The difference in ride quality is coming from the wheels and tyres. Spoked wheels with innertubed tyres = more flex. Cast wheels with tubeless tyres = little to no flex. So with the Meteor's cast wheels the shocks are having to do all of the work and the shocks are not capable of delivering a plush ride. With the Classic, the tyre and the spokes take up a lot of the forces before they get transferred to the shock. So the shock is having to do less work. Since the shocks are probably simple, cheap items, the less work they end up doing, the better ! Stay tuned. I am determined to improve the ride of my Meteor 350, I just need to find the right solution. Take care and love to you and Arthur 🐕 ER
@@economicalrides Hi Garry, It's true, wheel rims and tyres play a certain role. In the meantime, exploring RUclips and various websites, I discovered that the shocks on the (old) Classic 350 and 500 Bullet are nitrogen gas (Nitrox) instead of hydraulic, and those who fitted them on the Meteor claim they are at least 30% softer. The price (around Eur 80 on Ebay) is worth a try, at least. Have a look...
@@corradospagnuolo614 Wow, that is a great tip Corrado. So they fit the Meteor without any modification ? If so I would be tempted to give them a go !!! Cheers 👍🏻 ER
@@economicalrides Check this out: ruclips.net/video/w-ctwZnvNhY/видео.html Just a bushing adjustment, nothing complicated, I think. I decided to give it a try. Cheers!😉
@@economicalrides Anyway, these are my purchases for today: 1: Shock absorbers 2. Side stand extended plate 3. Handlebar 22 mm risers. in a while my Meteor will cost twice the list price. 😂
Wire spoke wheels absorb shock better than the more rigid cast wheel. Off road bikes are always on spoke rims. I doubt, for cost reasons there are different sets of suspension for the two models
Hi xtc2v, yes, I too doubt that the shocks are much different between the Classic and the Meteor. My guess is that the combination of cast wheels and tubeless tyres is making the difference. I believe they do a cast wheel / tubeless option for the Classic 350 in India and it would be interesting to hear whether cast wheels and tubeless tyres also ruin the ride on a Classic 350 when fitted ! Cheers, ER.
Yes, could well be, although I'm surprised that the Classic even feels better on a fairly smooth road. But I think spokes and tyres with inner tubes will definitely make the whole setup more compliant and take some of the workload off the shocks themselves. If the shocks are not the best, then this becomes even more important, hence the relatively hard ride of the Meteor. Cheers LE, ER.
A dirt road is still a road, now if you rode where there is no road, then I would say it can go OFF road. How to go off road, count four trees, and turn right. No road, no problem. Take care, ride safe.
Well actually it’s not a dirt road but a trail, as in Trans Euro Trail. You can’t bomb down it at 50mph like you can a dirt road, too many deep ruts and rocks sticking out. By my definition, it’s definitely off-road but I get your point 🙂 I’m thinking that a standard Classic 350 on standard tyres probably shouldn’t attempt your version of off-road. Well, unless you lend me one, then I’d be happy to give it a go and return the remnants in a small envelope ! 😛 Thanks Paul, take care yourself and thanks for watching 👍 ER.
Aye, if ridden slowly enough it would get you anywhere, you just need to watch the ground clearance. I'd love to have a 50s style scrambler based on this bike. I'd be able to sell my Himalayan then because a Scrambler 350 would be great fun on the trails. Cheers Alastair ! ER.
Hello H-D. There are two types of sossidges. Sossidges in the packet and sossidges in my tummy. I much prefer the sossidges in my tummy. Thanks for asking H-D coz I likes your videos ! Love ❤️ Ruby 🐕
@@HippoDrones "Ruby, have you been on the computer again, talking to Hippo-Drones ?" Sorry H-D but she is an avid viewer of your videos and also an expert on sausages and various other processed meat products, it's an area of expertise that she takes very seriously ! I think she'll leave you in peace now, I've let her out into the garden for a play ! Cheers Pete, ER 👍🏻🍺
yes , good idea = a trail version would sell ;; i would buy one , by having only 20 bhp the bike does not try and stall all the time ,. just watching this to make sure you and ruby are not affected by the fires ,;;; just [ easily said ] keep an eye on wind direction ;;
Hi Simon, so I make that ( including myself ) three or four people who want a trail version ! There you go Royal Enfield ! What are you waiting for ? I've done the market research for you. Build us a 50s style scrambler based on the Classic 350. I think you will sell at least five of them, so just do it ! 😂 Thanks Simon. So far ( touch wood ) there have been no fires in this area but it is always something to think about at this time of the year over here. Don't worry though, whatever happens I'll make sure that Ruby is safe 🥰 Take care yourself and thanks for assisting me in my important market research 😜 Cheers, ER.
Thanks ER , for the info its not come on again 👍 re the speedo it's so hit and mis like you i hope it will settle down but wont hesitate to ask for a replacment thankyou bill taylor
OK William, glad to hear that the ECU light has sorted itself out, the mysteries of modern electronics eh ? Good luck with your speedo. Since my 6 month service is due next month, if they have the replacement speedo there I think I will let them fit it. According to RE Spain the replacement speedo will not have the same issues. Week, allegedly 🤔 Cheers William, ER.
hello there, I know you have sold this bike and change it to Norman but I have a question you might can help me. I'm in the market for a classic 350 And I wondered if you had a similar issue with classic mirrors like you had on your Meteor? thanks!
Hi Ran. No such issues with the Classic and in fact nobody else had the same issue with a Meteor, I was the only one I've heard of ! My bike was one of the first to come to Europe and it was during the pandemic. I think RE fitted sub-standard mirrors to my Meteor, just to get the bikes finished and shipped. My mirrors had no markings on them, whereas the official mirrors have Royal Enfield stamped into the back. So I am sure that my mirrors were just some that RE got in in an emergency to get the bikes finished and they were not up to the quality of the normal mirrors they used. When I sold the Classic, it still had its original chromed mirrors and they were absolutely fine. They vibrated a lot less than the ones I had on my Meteor too. When I sold the Classic, the speedo was also still working correctly, about six months after I "fixed" it by cleaning up the contacts in the connector. So no mirror issues with the Classic ( or everybody else's Meteors !!! ), just the potential for the speedo issue on the Classic, which a lot of people seem to get and I'm not sure that RE has even understood and rectified the problem. But when it happens, try cleaning the connector before letting RE swap out the unit ( because that will mean that your bike goes back to 0km on the counter and that would suck ! ). Good luck finding your dream Classic 350 Ran, Garry
Hi again , my clock does it about twice a week riden every day aprox 30 miles a day , ps i had an engine warning light come on today after a long ride in 30 degrees in england have you ever had that ? Try the early rise again it gets easier, i go to bed at ten pm and rise at 5.30 am , run in my 350 in 4 weeks because of ths 😎 🎸
Hi William, no, the engine warning light was more of a thing on the early Meteors. Seems pretty rare on the Classic so far. I've never had it on either bike fortunately. It just happens when a sensor is registering a value to the ECU which is out of range. The dealer usually just deletes the error and mostly it never reoccurs. I think new sensors can take a while to bed in and are prone to miss the odd cycle or register an incorrect value once in a blue moon. It's usually nothing serious if the ECU light comes on. Are you thinking of getting your speedo replaced William ? If it's true that the new speedos no longer have these issues, it's probably worth doing, just to be on the safe side. You wouldn't want it to fail in a big way out of warranty and then have to pay for a new one yourself. I am torn now, because the old one is working fine again but I think it would still make sense for me to get it swapped out. 🤔 Oh and re the getting up early. Yes, I think in Summer I will have to, if I want to keep making videos. From late morning onwards the heat makes riding in protective gear unbearable. So yes, I am determined to get up earlier more often so that I can keep making videos without ending up being poached 😇 Cheers William 👍🏻 ER.
Hi Jay ! Yes, it was a lovely bike. Great looking and with an epic classic thumper exhaust note. Probably a bit too shiny for the off-road stuff though 🙂 I did think that I'd never get it clean again after this ride but fortunately the dust was unable to resist the mighty power of the hosepipe and it came off easily enough ! Cheers Jay, Garry
Thanks Nigel, really glad that you enjoyed it. I did too. And the Classic came up like new again after a quick wash, which was the best news of all 🥳🥳🥳 Oh, that and the fact that the next day I was able to have a nice long lie-in 😂 Cheers Nigel, ER.
I’m so unsure about which one to have! I’m an older guy now and I love the paintwork and chrome on the classic (and the symmetrical dashboard layout) but I do not like wire wheels. Despite the apparent “less good ride” with the alloys, I much prefer the look. If I could have a 350 with chrome, and alloys AND a symmetrical (plus tachometer?) dash I would be in seventh heaven! Any ideas?🤔
The Classic 350 is actually available with cast rims in India because they prefer tubeless tyres over there ( easier to repair out in the wilderness ! ). Unfortunately RE seems to have no plans to offer that option in foreign markets, which doesn't surprise me really. Most people will want spoked rims on a classic looking roadster. Even if you could get hold of a pair of cast wheels from India, you'd still be stuck with the factory fit speedo and since it mounts inside a nacelle, I think it would be nigh on impossible to fit anything else without throwing away the nacelle and finding a new way to mount the headlight and the clocks etc. I think that is going to be extremely difficult. Well, too difficult for me anyway ! If you can live with the speedo as it is and can do without a rev counter, I think you should look into how hard it would be to get the Classic 350 cast wheels shipped to you from India. Then you could buy a Classic 350 in standard export spec and swap the spoked/tubed wheels and tyres for the cast wheels with tubeless tyres. Have a think about that possibility and if it would be ok for you, maybe look into it. Cheers Phil 👍🏻 ER.
Hi Phil, it was pointed out to me that ( over here in Europe at least ) the Classic 350 can be bought with cast wheels and tubeless tyres. Currently cast wheels are only available on the Dark Gunmetal Grey and Dark Stealth Black versions but they are available from the factory. So if you can get these colours where you are, you do have a factory option with cast wheels. So then you'd just have to deal with the speedo situation ( if you don't like the factory one ). So there you go, Gunmetal Grey and Dark Stealth Black Classic 350s already come with cast wheels. Thanks to Sean B for the heads up, I hadn't checked the RE colour options lately, so was unaware that certain newish colours come with cast wheels ! Hope this helps Phil, ER.
Just about time to take the pullover off then William 😜 If you imagine that for 8-12 weeks, that's pretty much what we have here every summer. You get used to it. It's just difficult to ride in your protective gear in those temperatures and feel comfortable. But I do it anyway. Everybody else seems to ride around in shorts, T-shirt and flip flops but I can't bring myself to do that. Take it easy, eat ice cream and you'll be fine 🥵 Cheers William, ER.
Hi Jubei, I think the combination of tubeless tyres and cast wheels on the Meteor just means that the bike is set up too hard. The shocks and springs don't really feel is if they are doing very much. The shocks could do with softer springs to compensate but then you would need some compression damping to stop them bottoming out too easily which then probably makes the shocks too expensive for RE to consider. I am considering doing a shock upgrade on my Meteor to improve the ride at the rear. If it happens, it will be on this channel. But so far, most people are reporting that changing the shocks makes little difference. I suspect that the cast wheels and tubeless tyres are making the ride firmer than on the Classic, the shocks are probably more or less identical, I would imagine. It's going to be interesting to see if I can improve the rear suspension on my Meteor. I believe in India they have a cast wheel / tubeless tyre option for the Classic 350. It would be really interesting to hear whether or not they also "ruin" the Classic 350s ride, as I suspect they do the Meteor's. Cheers Jubei, ER.
@@jubei6802 No, I think that's going a bit too far for me. Hopefully somebody from India can answer the question for us ! The Meteor just needs some softer springs and shocks to deal with the softer springs. That would give it the compliance that it is missing. Apparently there are some gas filled shocks for Bullets which fit and are 30% softer. They sound ideal, so I will look into them ! Stay tuned Jubei because I am looking into ways of making Buddy Hauly's back end a bit softer 😛 Cheers, ER.
@@economicalrides I hope it'll not end being a thing they 'hid'. Meaning they might have chosen this setup for a reason.. excited to see where this ends up.✌️👍
Hi, if you are worried about punctures, go for the alloy wheels with tubeless tyres because they are easier to repair “on the road”. Otherwise go for the spoked wheels with inner tubes because they give a nicer ride ! I hope this helps, if not, just let me know. Cheers 👍 ER
Well it had to be done 🤗 After I took the Meteor off-road there was “peer pressure” to do the same with the Classic and it actually performed better than the Meteor. If it wasn’t so pretty, I would probably off road it a fair bit. But as it is, this will probably remain a one off 🤞 Cheers Spike 🍺 ER
Hi Fa Zi, unfortunately making subtitles for RUclips is very time consuming. I have made subtitles in German and Spanish before but it takes many hours and I do not have the time, so I stopped doing it. I also don't know any Polish at all, so subtitles in Polish would take me weeks and they would be terrible anyway. Would English subtitles help you ? You might find what I am saying easier to understand if you can read the English on the screen. Cheers, ER.
😂 Mine was a lot better than I thought it would be to be honest. It went back to the shop after 13 months still looking brand new. That matte black RE uses on some models' engines is good stuff though. That comes clean with minimal effort 👍🏻 Cheers Alastair Garry
Yes, it would be awesome. But we all know that it wouldn't be what we want it to be. For homologation reasons. I think if somebody really wants to replicate a 50s scrambler with a Classic 350 they are going to have to go full on old school and make it in their shed ! It's the most authentic way after all ! Cheers Jeff 👍🏻 El Otro.
@@Saddlebags73 You mean that thing with the olive green frame ? No not really. Saw one at the dealership in Granada and thought it just looked odd. I much preferred the Hitchcock's conversion kit for the Bullet over the factory version. Maybe in a different colour scheme I might have liked it better but I thought the green ( and red ? ) colour scheme was hideous ( although I believe it has heritage for RE, hence why they chose it ). Chrome tank, nobblies, chrome wheels and everything else black. All superfluous bits like indicators and mudguards in the bin. High level exhaust, thick protective guards where it makes sense. Job done. I need a shed, another Classic 350 and an angle grinder to make this happen 😂 Cheers SB, El Otro & Rubia
I admit, that colour scheme isn’t very attractive. A friend has a silver with red frame, and that’s quite nice. But I would very much like to see your version 👍🏼
I'd love one ! Just strip down the Classic 350 to the bare bones, throw some nobblies on it, add some tasteful upgrades like a headlight grille, high level exhaust system, heavy duty sump guard and it's job done. I'll probably end up buying something second hand for the trails though, I feel sorry for these two bikes every time I take them on a trail. And I hate getting them dirty. With a second hand bike I wouldn't feel the compulsion to wash it immediately after every ride 😂 Cheers TAYM, ER.
@@TAYM I wouldn't rule it out. They made the Conti 535 after all. Actually it would be a smart move to make one, it could sell well. Maybe once sales of the Classic start to slow down, they'll bring one out. A cafe racer has nothing about it to make homologation difficult, it can be homologated and still look the part. If they ever did a factory scrambler though, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't look like what I would call a scrambler. But they could design a nice cafe racer on this platform. I always thought the Conti 535 looked quite delicious but I was put off by the quality of the castings I saw on the one they had in the dealership. I've no idea if they turned out to be reliable or not, they seem to have disappeared without trace, nobody mentions them anymore. 🤔 Post RE 350 I think the Conti 535's agricultural power plant would probably annoy me a little bit too 😬 Cheers TAYM ER
That's not offroading. Those tracks are better than many asphalt roads: compacted earth, without loose stones, without gullies, without any difficulty. That's where I would even ride a GP motorcycle.
Not sure why you would want to venture off pavement on a bike made for it and not made for anything else. Yes, it will travel on said dirt road, but why? It’s a street cruiser not an adv bike. Ride it where you want but don’t try to convince normal thinking peeps r=that it was anything but doable, not preferable.
Thanks for your comment even if I don’t understand why you felt the need to post it. You totally miss the point. It’s my bike, on my channel and I take all of my bikes off-road to see how they cope. I have a tip for you. Whatever you do, don’t watch any Indian Classic 350 videos, they might cause you to have an embolism ! Cheers.
There's a new RE 350 out in August the Hunter 😳 don't know when it's available in Europe it would make a good scrambler although a high level exhaust might interfere with cooling
looking back at Enfield's history, when they first used swinging arms for the rear suspension, the bikes really did well in the international six days trial, i believe that was the reason the Indian army started buying the original bullet... and due to the demand why Enfield India set up their manufacturing... so off road capability is directly responsible for Enfield survival as a brand...
Hi Stephen,
that is correct and the reason why I yearn for a retro scrambler based on this bike 🙂
I know that a truly modern bike would be better off-road but back in the day, bikes similar to these were getting the job done.
Some off-road nostalgia to go with the on road nostalgia of the Classic would be absolutely fantastic.
Maybe some day I will be in a position to make one for myself. I just need a second Classic, an angle grinder and a shed 😂
Cheers Stephen, good stuff !
ER.
@@economicalrides the bullet and the Classic are still the usual suspects for trips to the Himalayas....so not too much has changed..they still get the job done!
@@romeldias Exactly. But still somebody had a go at me for taking my Classic off-road because that's not what it was intended for. Clearly they have never seen how Enfield's are traditionally used in India !!!
This trail taken nice and slowly was a piece of cake for the Classic 350 and as you say, it was easily capable of getting me from one end to the other with no dramas !
Thanks romel dias 🙏
ER.
@@economicalrides any time...even the heritage of the meteor is the same...though both the new meteor and the classic are all new..they both historically come from the bullet! The classic was a straight derivative...and the previous iteration of the meteor - aka the thunderbird was the same albeit with more changes to make it more of a cruiser! They had a problem registering the Thunderbird in various markets and hence decided to bring back the meteor name!
That looked like a walk in the park for Buddy 🙂
Lovely trail, slightly envious. Pram cam worked a treat 🙂
Many thanks for the mentions. Glad the gearshift trick worked.
Much love from the Uk to you and Rubita 😊👍🏼🍻
Thanks SB and you're welcome.
Yes, I actually thought pram cam added something in this case, because I was talking and you could see that I was talking. So yes, it probably does have its uses and I'm glad to have that option once again.
That is a lovely trail and longer and more challenging going the other way. I will definitely be using it as my test trail for any off-roady type bikes I get to ride in the future.
Ruby says ta and "have you got any sossidges ?" 😂
Take care buddy and enjoy those Spanish temperatures you are getting over there 👍🏻😂
Cheers,
El Otro.
I go crazy with pram cam next weekend 😮
Haha, apologies Ruby. No sossidges here.
I was loving the Spanish weather for the two days it lasted 🙂
Cheers El Otro 🍻
@@Saddlebags73 😂
I shall look forward to it 👍🏻
Cheers Jeff,
Garry.
Thanks for getting up early to make this enjoyable (for us) video. I changed my gear lever up one notch and it has transformed the riding experience. I removed the front and rear bolts completely and the rider`s foot peg dropped quite a bit making the removal of the gear lever easy. Your video on that was very helpful, cheers.
Thanks Dave, glad you enjoyed it and glad that moving the gear lever has increased your enjoyment of your Classic ! I’m glad to have helped 🤗
Take care 👍
Cheers Dave,
ER
Nice ride! I recently took my Meteor out on a gravel road out In the sticks. It was a blast. The bike handled it well. So much fun. Loving your Classic by the way.
Thanks Busywave !
Yes, I love taking Buddy Hauly out on the trails but have to admit that the Classic's plusher ride made it more enjoyable.
I am determined to improve the rear suspension on my Meteor but currently I am not hearing of any shock upgrade that is really making a difference. I think softer springs with decent compression damping would improve the ride of the Meteor on and off-road. So that is what I am looking for at the moment.
Cheers Busywave, the Meteor is such a great bike, glad to hear that yours is being used properly ! 😜
ER.
I own a Classic 350 “stealth” it has alloy wheels and is tubeless. If it ever gets a puncher. I still then can fix it on the side of the road with a “rope / bacon strips” puncher repair kit.
With tubed tires, it’s a whole different story when it comes to punctures ….
Wow ! Thanks for that Sean, I didn't realise that you could get a Classic 350 with cast rims and tubeless tyres. Only available on the Dark Stealth Black apparently. Interesting. Have you ever ridden a Classic with spoked wheels and can you confirm that the cast wheels result in a firmer ride ? A lot of us are really interested to know that because we are looking at ways to bring the Meteor's ride up to the level of the spoked/tubed Classic 350..
Cheers Sean, very interesting !
ER.
Thanks again Sean,
I've informed Phil Tucker that the Dark Gunmetal Grey and Dark Stealth Black Classics come with cast wheels from the factory. I hadn't checked the RE website for a while, so wasn't aware that we can get Classics with cast wheels from the factory these days. Hopefully this information will prove useful to Phil.
Cheers Sean and enjoy your Sunday,
ER.
Great views sir! I love the light and colours in the early morning. Thank you for interrupting the rock and roll lifestyle for us, much appreciated 😊
I can't imagine I'll ever go off roading on my Classic, but nice to know that I could if needs be 😁
On the speedo front, for when my bike is parked up for several hours in the full sun, I devised a cover recycled out of an FFP3 face mask with elastic straps and a piece of silver backed bubble wrap from a bit of online food delivery packaging... for sausages, I kid you not!... to try and keep my speedo cool. It seems to help, but strangely, on our hottest day of the year, I forgot to put it on, and the speedo didn't play up at all on the way home! All very curious. My dealer said he'd replace it no worries, but the replacement is the same part, so could potentially have the same issue. 🤔 So I've held off for now, and will see if RE come up with a proper updated speedo. If it becomes a serious issue and is completely stuck, I'll have it changed as is. It seems odd that if it's just a physical issue of distorting plastic, why does it, in my case, always stick at exactly 5, 10, 20 mph etc?
Anyways, thanks again. Lovely to see Ruby. She does love those sausages. Are they a particular type?
Safe travels ER,
DN 😁
Hi there DN,
yes, I will have to go up there on Buddy some morning for sunrise, could make for some spectacular images. It will definitely happen and all summer, if I am going out to film, I will have to leave early, it's just too hot otherwise. I'm sure I'll get used to it (??????) 😂
Not sure really what the problem with the speedos is. I think there are various issues and I think most of them stem from the units not being hermetically sealed. Condensation forms inside and possibly causes corrosion on small parts which are designed NOT to be subjected to moisture. It wouldn't surprise me to find little rusty components inside of my speedo, considering how long it had moisture inside it. Of course these parts won't move as freely as they should. But like you say, it is odd that the speedo parks at different positions every time. I just get the feeling that the whole unit was not assembled in a dry environment and the moisture forming inside causes all sorts of weird behaviours.
Ruby is somewhat disappointed that you ordered in sausages and failed to mention the fact to her 🐕
She appreciates that you only did it to construct your speedo protector but thinks you should have asked for her help in disposing of the contents. 😂
With regard to the sausages, they are the cheapest, nastiest ones our local supermarket sells. They are basically Frankfurters. One day I was hungry and made the mistake of nicking one of Ruby's sossidges and I must say, I won't be doing it again. I'm not a big fan of Frankfurters anyway, much prefer Bratwurst but there are certainly better ones available than these !!! But Ruby likes them and they are cheap enough that I can always maintain a supply, so it's all good as long as I don't try to eat one myself 😛
Take care out there DoomNedwob and let's see how our speedo issues develop. Now that mine is working again I am slightly torn over whether to get it changed or not 🤔 I suspect I will but I am beginning to question it !
Cheers and thanks as always for your wonderful support 👍🏻
ER.
@@economicalrides Aww, apologies to Ruby, though it was actually my Mum who ordered the sossages, Italian pork and fennel 🤤 I just pinched the packaging. I'm quite partial to Bratwurst and Frankfurters, and I'm sure Ruby wouldn't hesitate at woofing the lot 🐕😊
Yes, we shall see what happens with our speedos. Something official from RE would be useful, especially with so many people having issues worldwide. I did find it odd though, that it didn't go wrong after 8 hours exposed to the hottest sunshine so far 🤔 It will be interesting to see if yours plays up some more, especially as your temperatures are usually way hotter than here, unless as you say, yours might be down to excess moisture. It was only 32° where I am yesterday when the 40°+ record was broken elsewhere, but plenty hot enough for me!
Take care ER and Ruby, safe travels and I look forward to some more early morning views,
DN 😀
@@DoomNedwob Thanks DN, you too.
Yes, I will try to get up early a few times, however hard I find it 🤘🥃🎸
All the best,
ER & Ruby ( who has now forgiven you by the way 👅🐕 )
@@economicalrides 😊🐕🌭🎉
very enjoyable video Garry,loved the views and the bike seemed so smooth. what you mentioned about tubed tyres being better over rough surfaces, i agree and spoked wheels are always a little more flexible compared with cast ones. hoping to get out tomorrow as its going to be a bit cooler. enjoyed seeing Ruby at the end too.
Thanks John,
yes, I think the only way to really improve the rear ride on the Meteor would be to get shocks with softer springs which would then need a fair amount of compression damping to stop them bottoming out too easily. I am sure that an improvement is possible but really not sure which shocks are going to bring the improvement. It's a conundrum.
I definitely think that cast wheels and the lack of an inner tube are putting more emphasis on the performance of the Meteor's shock/spring and the shocks don't seem to be quite up to the job of delivering a plush ride with the fitted wheels and tyres. I will definitely be looking to upgrade the shocks, any benefit would be really noticeable when I take Buddy on the trails. The Classic was excellent though, I have to admit that it would be a lovely scrambler with a bit of work. Good enough for my use case anyway, I'm just a dabbling amateur and not going for the World Championship !
Cheers John, stay safe and cool. 🥵
ER.
@@economicalrides thanks Garry.
Rock and Roll lifestyle !?! I knew it! .. it explains much = )
Great video, and greater news that the classic can handle the rough! Stay cool, I know its getting rather hot Euro-side!
Haha, yes, too much whisky, late nights and lie-ins going on here ☺️
I am clearly a night person. I'm tired all day and then at midnight I get my second wind and feel like I could stay up all night !
With the current heat I will have no other choice but to get up earlier if I want to get out and record. In the afternoons, riding in all my gear is not really an option. I did it last year but it is really not very enjoyable. So I am trying to go to bed a bit earlier on the days before filming ( although this usually fails 🤪 ).
Cheers Julian, take care yourself, stay cool 😎 👍🏻
ER.
Lovely video…. Just love the sound of that little thumper just doing it’s thing….no fuss! Totally agree with you on the small nimble garden shed classic scrambler. I like the triumph 1200 scrambler because of it’s physical size ( I’m 1.9m) but I don’t like the price and the engine……very good but way too powerful for the type of off roading I like doing, it would be nice if they made something like the Trophy TR 6….I’d buy it!!! Hopefully RE will make a little scrambler but if not it’s time to get a shed and some bits n bobs. Keep safe and well , love from UK ❤️👍🇬🇧
Thanks Edward, glad you enjoyed it !
Yes, honestly, if money were no object I think I would buy a bog standard Classic 350 and set about turning it into an off-road toy. As you say, modern "scramblers" are all far too big, heavy and powerful. ( and expensive ! ). I don't want to go particularly fast off-road, I'd be happy chugging about in second gear and maybe setting myself the odd little climbing challenge along the way. Just an ICE donkey really, something to get me from A to B via the goat tracks and capable of entertaining occasional bouts of silliness should the mood take me 😇
I think a factory scrambler as we would like it, will not be forthcoming. If they removed the indicators and mudguards etc to make it cool looking, it wouldn't pass homologation. That's the trouble these days, their hands are pretty tightly tied. I think it's down to us to mod our bikes post purchase.
Since I am not rich, I think I am more likely to buy a second hand bike for off-road exploring, in the next year or so.
Or maybe RE could lend me something for a longer term test ? 😜😜😜
Thanks again Edward, you take care too, stay cool 🥵
ER.
Awww Ruby is back again
Hi Lilian,
I will tell Ruby that you appreciated her appearance. She will be so proud. She is such a Diva these days ! 🐕
I think we have come to the conclusion that tubed tyres and SPOKED WHEELS are what make the Classic a smoother ride.
The cast wheels of the Meteor have no give in them, spoked wheels do. On the Classic a lot of the forces are being absorbed by the tyre and the spokes before they get transmitted to the shock.
On the Meteor the forces go through the tyre, the wheel and straight into the shock.
Since the shock/spring on both bikes is probably not the highest quality item, the less work the shock has to do the better. So the Classic just feels much plusher than the Meteor because the cheapish shock is not really coming into play to the extent that it does on the Meteor.
The Classic really does ride a lot plusher, the longer I have it, the more apparent it becomes.
But because I love the Meteor so much, I am going to find a way to improve the rear suspension, then it will be the perfect bike for me !
Thanks Lilian and good luck with your test ride. The two bikes feel very different. Just go with the one which most closely suits your real world use case and which appeals to you from an emotional point of view. Both bikes are great and you won't be disappointed with either one. Which bike to choose just depends on your most likely use case and your own personal taste.
Cheers Lilian. Ruby sends you fluffy kisses 👅🐕 for being such a fan !
Let us know how your Classic test ride went 👍🏻
ER.
Early to bed and... 😊
Another excellent video ER and yes we do like to see Ruby. She nearly had your thumb there!
Another viewer comments it's the wire spoked wheels with their extra 'give' that improves the ride quality on bumpy ground. I know it's not quite the same but the engineering principle remains that touring and rough stuff cycles have the spokes in a 4 cross arrangement to give an easier ride over the standard 2 or 3 cross. Racing cycles are often not crossed. Cast alloy wheels are rigid. The 'cross' of the spokes occurs at the hub - the more spokes that cross one another, the more of a springing effect. I'd be interested (typical LanesExplorer stuff is this!) to know what crossing RE have used...
But neither machine is really designed for the sort of thing you rode over. They did very well, both of them though.
LE.
Thanks LE,
yes the spokes are definitely contributing to the suspension and I suspect that the shocks are very similar if not identical between the two bikes. Interestingly in India you can buy a Classic with cast wheels and tubeless tyres ( they prefer tubeless for easy repair out in the wilderness ). I'd be really interested to know whether they then end up with a much harsher ride than the standard Classics with the spoked wheels and tubed tyres. I might make a video about it and hopefully some of my Indian viewers can confirm or deny this.
But I am increasingly of the opinion that the shocks are not the issue although some shocks with softer springs would almost certainly help. I would definitely consider a shock upgrade for the Meteor, once I find some shocks which are proven to make a difference. It's something I am researching and working on currently.
Cheers LE, I really enjoy riding these trails, just don't enjoy how the bikes end up looking afterwards ! 🤬
Stay cool 🥵
ER.
interesting info... respect.. BTW - If you think these machines aren't designed for this type of riding - then I think you need to send a memo to the countless millions of RE riders across India
@@CosmicSeeker69Quite right. They can handle the rough as well as the smooth 👍
(Where you stopped at 19.50) That view was stunning! The view from a drone would be so very good from there 🤔
Thanks Phil,
yes, should I ever become more professional with my vlogging then a drone is definitely in my plans. But as I just mentioned, now I need another bike for the trails so the drone might have to wait.
But eventually I will probably get a drone, it makes a lot of sense out on the trails because you aren't bothering anybody with it or flying over their houses 🙂And from up there I think I can probably get some great footage of beautiful scenery which will only add to my videos, as you say.
Thanks Phil, enjoy your Sunday !
ER.
@@economicalrides yes, and also, I believe if you stay below a certain size/weight of drone you won’t need an operators licence as I believe that can work out expensive..
@@philtucker1224 Hi Phil,
yes, it would have to be sub 250g over here or I would need a licence. But I am only considering the Mavic Mini anyway, for that very reason. It delivers video plenty good enough for embellishing RUclips videos.
One is on my wish list, but the wish list is quite long 🤬
Cheers Phil 👍🏻
ER
I ride on logging roads and pegs/bars allow standing up in a very controlled manner. Knobby tires would make it hard to stop other than ABS not being able to be switched off.
Hi Todd,
so far I haven't really been bothered by the ABS. I've had it come on at the rear whilst descending on sandy stuff and it was pretty unobtrusive, almost helpful. I think ABS would only become an issue if you were really pushing on or riding in greasy conditions. Both instances unlikely to occur in my case 🙂
The Classic did feel like it would make a decent little scrambler if you stripped it right back, particularly impressed by the stability whilst standing, it felt like that's how it wanted to be ridden !
Cheers Todd,
ER.
I was thinking how popular this would be as a Steve McQueen style old school scrambler, with a retro bench seat and roadworthy knobbly tyres. It could be the best selling bike ever.
Yes Mr Steve, that's exactly the sort of thing I am imagining. It would be awesome. Probably tricky for a manufacturer to get it through homologation these days though, I suspect we would have to make it ourselves ( preferably in a garden shed ! ).
Cheers 👍🏻
ER
hey sir! i finally got my classic 350 as well. im almost at 4k odo, unfortunately had to leave it with my dad while im back abroad for work. anyway, you could try standing up when you expect large bumps on the road to save your back! 😂😂
Hi Kaloy,
standing up before big bumps on the road is something I do on the Meteor actually ! It's almost necessary because the rear end is very stiff. The Classic feels a lot softer in comparison.
It sounds as though you are enjoying and using your Classic quite a lot, that's good to hear. It's a shame you are now having to take a break from it 😢
Good luck when you get home and can return to riding 👍🏻
Stay safe.
ER.
@@economicalrides i use it basically as my everyday commute, so that's around 5-10km daily. But I've ridden it for ~400km in one go (8hrs or so, no expressways). It's such a reliable motorcycle that i wont have to worry about anything. And it can definitely tackle a bit of offroading, just not that much.. lol since i dropped mine when i did a bit of exploration on a beach sand. 😅😅
@@kaloyrelleta5611 Haha 😂
Sand with the standard tyres is definitely not a good idea. I have already experienced that, pretty sketchy, like riding on ice or with slicks in the wet !
Cheers Kaloy 👍🏻
ER
Wow that was such a beautiful woodland trail, where were you actually?
Hi Phil,
thanks for watching and commenting !
The trail is in the Los Filabres mountain range in Southern Spain, Almeria province to be precise 🙂
I currently only know two trails up there but there are many more ! So far both trails have been absolutely gorgeous, so much so that I have now decided that I NEED a trail bike just for the purpose of discovering all of them ! From time to time I will take the Meteor up there but I think this was the first and only time with the Classic. The Classic needs to remain nice and shiny 😛
Cheers Phil,
ER.
To look at, you'd be forgiven for thinking these are niche bikes. Garage Queens for short country rides on sunny Sunday mornings, followed by copious polishing and TLC. I've been amazed at how versatile, capable and robust mine has been. It now gets more abuse (and use) than my other bikes which are 2 or 3 times more expensive. And despite all the chrome and prettiness, it keeps itself cleaner than any other bike I've owned. I've only washed it twice in 2400 miles but when I have, it's been a doddle to bring it back to showroom condition. Even after a 300 mile day in the rain and mud, following Saddlebags 73 around Dartmoor. It's a fantastic bike.
I totally agree Paul. It constantly amazes me how easy both the Meteor and Classic are to return to showroom condition. Particularly the chrome Classic you would think would be a right pain. But no, mine has been filthy twice and liberal use of a compressor, a garden hose, followed by a normal hand wash has seen it come up again, as good as new. The Meteor is the same, the black finish on the engine washes really easily and comes out looking like new again every time.
RE are building beautiful bikes which you do not have to be afraid to use ( for multiple reasons ).
It's great having a bike which you are not afraid to use and occasionally abuse. The fact that I don't have a fortune tied up in these two bikes is really liberating and as a result I use them way more than I would any prized possession. Something many more people should be aware of really. I've been there and done the flash expensive bike thing but these two 350s make me happier than any other bike I have ever owned. I just enjoy them so much more with no anxiety attached.
It's great to be enlightened Paul, isn't it ? 😛
I think others are slowly beginning to catch on though.....
Cheers Paul,
ER.
@@economicalrides Haha! "Liberating" is another word I use for mine. The joy of not being too precious. Totally agree.
That’s was a nice gentle off road unlike those that are very tiring to watch. I am hoping to get into motorcycling next year spring and hopefully get a RE. Seriously considering this classic or the INT 650.
Hi RonnieB TV,
thanks, glad you enjoyed it too 🙂
Both RE bikes you mentioned would be a good beginner's motorcycle. If you need to ride on fast roads a fair bit, I think the INT 650 would be the better choice. From 60 mph onwards you are thrashing the 350 really and it doesn't have much more left to give. The 350s suit my riding very well because I can leave the house and I'm straight onto mountain roads, where the 350 is very enjoyable and doesn't often exceed 50 mph. If I had to ride on a fast road for an hour before the fun could start, I think I would quickly decide that a larger capacity bike is required. So you need to weigh up how often you will be on a fast road with your new bike. If fast roads can be avoided most of the time ( like in my use case ) then a 350 is enough IMO.
Cheers 👍🏻
ER
@@economicalrides I will seriously take into consideration your well explained assessment. I think you are very right since I live here in Toronto Canada where there is not really much off roads route. Thank you very much!
Hi ER. Thank you very much for a great video👍What a great place to ride🤘Rubi at the end❤️nice. Best regards K. E. B. Norway🇳🇴
Hi K.E.B.,
thank you very much for watching.
Yes, I love these trails and I hope to explore many more, just maybe not with these bikes !
I need to find a more suitable bike for the trails and a way of paying for it ! 🤔
Ruby features in Tuesday's video once again. I am editing that video as I type this 😛
Ruby says hi and welcome to her "fan club" ! 👅🐕
Cheers K.E.B. 👍🏻
ER.
Well done you ER 2nd gear is lovely you will have us all putting nobbles on are classics next 😃😃👍
Thanks AR,
the bike came up clean a lot more easily than I feared too. Still won't be repeating this though, only with Buddy from now on ! In the end I got the compressor out before washing, blew a ton of dust off the bike and then after that a standard wash brought it back up like new 👍🏻 Both the Meteor and the Classic seem to come up really well, however dirty you get them.
Take care and 🤞 for your speedo 😂
ER.
@@economicalrides morning ER I wouldn’t have tried on a Himalayan but then I don’t have one ? 🤔
@@Ainsworth-Rider I THINK my dealer has a Himalayan as a demo bike. If they do, I will try to get hold of it and take it down this trail for comparison. Also of interest to me because I am considering a Scram, where the only big difference would be the wheel size. If a Himalayan/Scram is a ton more fun then I will have to seriously think about getting one 🤔
Cheers AR
ER.
@@economicalrides Yes I’m thinking Saturday in Lake Blue 😊
And that’s between me and you 😃😃👍
My speedo had one abberation (needle sticking) around 1200 miles, but having reset it with the ignition cycle it hasn't misbehaved since, even in the recent 35C UK heat. The dealer has ordered a replacement but I'll hold off unless it plays up again.
Hi Beyond The Bubble,
yes, I'm slightly torn now that my original speedo is working properly again. I THINK I will still get it replaced to be on the safe side but part of my thinks "if it's not broken, don't fix it !". But overall, for the longer term, it probably should be swapped out 🤔
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻
Cheers,
ER.
ah, seems I am not the only one xD had the issue at 78km and at 172km where it just stick anywhere between 10 and 45km/h instead of returning to 0. Afterwards I need to turn the bike on and off again many times for it to finally set back on 0 >.
@@PhilippeJ130 Hi Mayu,
it seems to be a very common fault on the Classic 350. Lots of people are having the same issues. Although my speedo is now working again, it is due to be changed when the bike goes in for a service next month because by all accounts, the problem will eventually return.
If you check out the comments to my videos on this topic on my RUclips channel, you will see just how many people are having these problems ! We don't really know what is causing it but I think it is probably just a result of the instrument not being properly sealed and moisture forming on components which are not designed to tolerate moisture.
But if you check out the comments on my channel, you will see that you are most definitely NOT alone in having speedo problems, there are many of us !!!
Cheers, I hope yours keeps working from now on !
ER.
😊Nice ride like allways ,i finely got my bike doing the running inn i have plans fore the bike to go off road looking fore some propper 60/40 ore 50/50 tires have found some candidats ,the bike is light and nibble and have a desent clearens to the ground and weel size is perfekt on and off road ceap on riding stay safe all the best ps: the road your on is like the mountain roads in my country 😊
Sounds great s.k. !
With the right tyres on it, a Classic 350 will get you anywhere I reckon. As long as you keep the speed sensible I think it is unlikely that you would break it by doing so, it feels very sturdy. If mine wasn't so pretty I would seriously think about converting it into a trail bike but I just can't, I like it how it is !
Cheers s.k.
ER.
A guy on the Bike World channel made a trials bike from a Meteor 350 and did the Lands End 24 hour trial on it.
Thanks Thimbur,
yes, I think I saw some videos of the build. I will try to check the channel out later. Thanks for the heads up 👍🏻
Cheers,
ER.
I like the new intro.
Thanks Thomas,
I thought that after nearly a year I could probably freshen things up a bit !
Thanks for watching, take care 👍🏻
ER
Marvellous, I wonder if RE will make a trials version? 😊
Hi TAYM,
they MIGHT but I can almost guarantee that it will be nothing like the one I would like, simply for homologation reasons !!!
I think the only way to get my dream scrambler would be to make it myself, in the shed, just like in the olden days 😂
Never mind. If I ever come into money, I would be inclined to buy a bog standard Classic 350 and set about modifying it to be my off-road toy. Or just buy that Bullet 350 you showed us the other week, that was pretty much EXACTLY what I would be aiming for aesthetically !
Cheers TAYM 🙂
ER
@@economicalrides sort of a cross between the Classic 350 and the Mutt?
@@TAYM I wasn't familiar with the Mutt ( not big over here yet ) until you mentioned it. Just checked them out. That Razorback 250 comes pretty close, yes !
Uuuuuurgh ! I need one ! Naughty TAYM, showing me motorcycles I'd like but can't afford. Honestly, that Razorback 250 is calling me LOUDLY !
Cheers (?)
ER
@@TAYM Aha, I think I have found the Mutt you are referring to. Classic looking bike with the headlight guard etc. Yes, pretty much. Just needs a high level exhaust on it, that one looks pretty exposed down there ( as it does on the Razorback too to be honest ). Apparently there are a few Mutt dealers in Spain now ( never used to be available over here ), so definitely a brand worth considering. They are certainly making some pretty sexy looking bikes !
@@economicalrides they do look the business don’t they😊😂😂
If you could get ahold of a Himalayan to compare on on the same trail, it might be interesting.
Hi C Larson,
yes, it's definitely something I am looking to do but unfortunately over here very few dealers have demo bikes.
I would be interested to feel the difference myself because I am interested in getting a bike just for riding the trails around here. If I do get to try a Himalayan, I will make a video about it and you will see it here on this channel 🙂
Cheers,
ER.
@@economicalrides don’t be cheap. You need to buy a Himalayan for your viewers :)
There's a new RE 350 out in August the Hunter 😳 don't know when it's available in Europe it would make a good scrambler although a high level exhaust might interfere with cooling
True ! I'd forgotten about that one !
Yes, I don't think we will ever get a really nice "factory scrambler", just for homologation reasons. If we want a scrambler based on the Classic 350, I think we would have to build it ourselves unfortunately !
Cheers Julian, I will keep an eye on the Hunter 👍🏻
ER.
Hi Garry, As always, an interesting test. Speaking of suspension, I'm curious to know if the Meteor and Classic have the same rear shock absorbers, or if the Classic is 'softer'. I ask this because, in my opinion, if the Meteor has a flaw, it is the shock absorbers that are too stiff and therefore not very comfortable. Cheers to you and Ruby.
Hi Corrado,
this is something I am going to get to the bottom of.
I suspect that the shocks are the same on both bikes.
The difference in ride quality is coming from the wheels and tyres.
Spoked wheels with innertubed tyres = more flex.
Cast wheels with tubeless tyres = little to no flex.
So with the Meteor's cast wheels the shocks are having to do all of the work and the shocks are not capable of delivering a plush ride.
With the Classic, the tyre and the spokes take up a lot of the forces before they get transferred to the shock. So the shock is having to do less work.
Since the shocks are probably simple, cheap items, the less work they end up doing, the better !
Stay tuned. I am determined to improve the ride of my Meteor 350, I just need to find the right solution.
Take care and love to you and Arthur 🐕
ER
@@economicalrides Hi Garry, It's true, wheel rims and tyres play a certain role. In the meantime, exploring RUclips and various websites, I discovered that the shocks on the (old) Classic 350 and 500 Bullet are nitrogen gas (Nitrox) instead of hydraulic, and those who fitted them on the Meteor claim they are at least 30% softer. The price (around Eur 80 on Ebay) is worth a try, at least. Have a look...
@@corradospagnuolo614 Wow, that is a great tip Corrado. So they fit the Meteor without any modification ? If so I would be tempted to give them a go !!!
Cheers 👍🏻
ER
@@economicalrides Check this out: ruclips.net/video/w-ctwZnvNhY/видео.html
Just a bushing adjustment, nothing complicated, I think. I decided to give it a try. Cheers!😉
@@economicalrides Anyway, these are my purchases for today: 1: Shock absorbers 2. Side stand extended plate 3. Handlebar 22 mm risers. in a while my Meteor will cost twice the list price. 😂
Wire spoke wheels absorb shock better than the more rigid cast wheel. Off road bikes are always on spoke rims. I doubt, for cost reasons there are different sets of suspension for the two models
Absolutely! It's the wire spokes what does it! 😊
Hi xtc2v,
yes, I too doubt that the shocks are much different between the Classic and the Meteor.
My guess is that the combination of cast wheels and tubeless tyres is making the difference.
I believe they do a cast wheel / tubeless option for the Classic 350 in India and it would be interesting to hear whether cast wheels and tubeless tyres also ruin the ride on a Classic 350 when fitted !
Cheers,
ER.
Yes, could well be, although I'm surprised that the Classic even feels better on a fairly smooth road.
But I think spokes and tyres with inner tubes will definitely make the whole setup more compliant and take some of the workload off the shocks themselves. If the shocks are not the best, then this becomes even more important, hence the relatively hard ride of the Meteor.
Cheers LE,
ER.
A dirt road is still a road, now if you rode where there is no road, then I would say it can go OFF road. How to go off road, count four trees, and turn right. No road, no problem.
Take care, ride safe.
Well actually it’s not a dirt road but a trail, as in Trans Euro Trail. You can’t bomb down it at 50mph like you can a dirt road, too many deep ruts and rocks sticking out. By my definition, it’s definitely off-road but I get your point 🙂
I’m thinking that a standard Classic 350 on standard tyres probably shouldn’t attempt your version of off-road. Well, unless you lend me one, then I’d be happy to give it a go and return the remnants in a small envelope ! 😛
Thanks Paul, take care yourself and thanks for watching 👍
ER.
Look at the roads in India, this bike will go almost anywhere.
Aye, if ridden slowly enough it would get you anywhere, you just need to watch the ground clearance.
I'd love to have a 50s style scrambler based on this bike. I'd be able to sell my Himalayan then because a Scrambler 350 would be great fun on the trails.
Cheers Alastair !
ER.
Interesting to hear which you thought was better and why... Does Ruby prefer one over the other, or are all sausages equal in her eyes?
Hello H-D.
There are two types of sossidges.
Sossidges in the packet and sossidges in my tummy.
I much prefer the sossidges in my tummy.
Thanks for asking H-D coz I likes your videos !
Love ❤️
Ruby 🐕
@@economicalrides That is a very valid point re types of sausage! :D
@@HippoDrones "Ruby, have you been on the computer again, talking to Hippo-Drones ?"
Sorry H-D but she is an avid viewer of your videos and also an expert on sausages and various other processed meat products, it's an area of expertise that she takes very seriously !
I think she'll leave you in peace now, I've let her out into the garden for a play !
Cheers Pete,
ER 👍🏻🍺
@@economicalrides :D
yes , good idea = a trail version would sell ;; i would buy one , by having only 20 bhp the bike does not try and stall all the time ,. just watching this to make sure you and ruby are not affected by the fires ,;;; just [ easily said ] keep an eye on wind direction ;;
Hi Simon,
so I make that ( including myself ) three or four people who want a trail version !
There you go Royal Enfield ! What are you waiting for ? I've done the market research for you. Build us a 50s style scrambler based on the Classic 350. I think you will sell at least five of them, so just do it ! 😂
Thanks Simon. So far ( touch wood ) there have been no fires in this area but it is always something to think about at this time of the year over here. Don't worry though, whatever happens I'll make sure that Ruby is safe 🥰
Take care yourself and thanks for assisting me in my important market research 😜
Cheers,
ER.
Thanks ER , for the info its not come on again 👍 re the speedo it's so hit and mis like you i hope it will settle down but wont hesitate to ask for a replacment thankyou bill taylor
OK William, glad to hear that the ECU light has sorted itself out, the mysteries of modern electronics eh ?
Good luck with your speedo. Since my 6 month service is due next month, if they have the replacement speedo there I think I will let them fit it. According to RE Spain the replacement speedo will not have the same issues. Week, allegedly 🤔
Cheers William,
ER.
hello there, I know you have sold this bike and change it to Norman but I have a question you might can help me. I'm in the market for a classic 350 And I wondered if you had a similar issue with classic mirrors like you had on your Meteor? thanks!
Hi Ran. No such issues with the Classic and in fact nobody else had the same issue with a Meteor, I was the only one I've heard of ! My bike was one of the first to come to Europe and it was during the pandemic. I think RE fitted sub-standard mirrors to my Meteor, just to get the bikes finished and shipped. My mirrors had no markings on them, whereas the official mirrors have Royal Enfield stamped into the back. So I am sure that my mirrors were just some that RE got in in an emergency to get the bikes finished and they were not up to the quality of the normal mirrors they used.
When I sold the Classic, it still had its original chromed mirrors and they were absolutely fine. They vibrated a lot less than the ones I had on my Meteor too. When I sold the Classic, the speedo was also still working correctly, about six months after I "fixed" it by cleaning up the contacts in the connector.
So no mirror issues with the Classic ( or everybody else's Meteors !!! ), just the potential for the speedo issue on the Classic, which a lot of people seem to get and I'm not sure that RE has even understood and rectified the problem. But when it happens, try cleaning the connector before letting RE swap out the unit ( because that will mean that your bike goes back to 0km on the counter and that would suck ! ).
Good luck finding your dream Classic 350 Ran,
Garry
@@economicalrides Thank you Garry!
Hi again , my clock does it about twice a week riden every day aprox 30 miles a day , ps i had an engine warning light come on today after a long ride in 30 degrees in england have you ever had that ? Try the early rise again it gets easier, i go to bed at ten pm and rise at 5.30 am , run in my 350 in 4 weeks because of ths 😎 🎸
Hi William,
no, the engine warning light was more of a thing on the early Meteors. Seems pretty rare on the Classic so far. I've never had it on either bike fortunately. It just happens when a sensor is registering a value to the ECU which is out of range. The dealer usually just deletes the error and mostly it never reoccurs. I think new sensors can take a while to bed in and are prone to miss the odd cycle or register an incorrect value once in a blue moon. It's usually nothing serious if the ECU light comes on.
Are you thinking of getting your speedo replaced William ?
If it's true that the new speedos no longer have these issues, it's probably worth doing, just to be on the safe side.
You wouldn't want it to fail in a big way out of warranty and then have to pay for a new one yourself.
I am torn now, because the old one is working fine again but I think it would still make sense for me to get it swapped out. 🤔
Oh and re the getting up early. Yes, I think in Summer I will have to, if I want to keep making videos. From late morning onwards the heat makes riding in protective gear unbearable. So yes, I am determined to get up earlier more often so that I can keep making videos without ending up being poached 😇
Cheers William 👍🏻
ER.
I'd buy it!
Hi Jay !
Yes, it was a lovely bike. Great looking and with an epic classic thumper exhaust note.
Probably a bit too shiny for the off-road stuff though 🙂 I did think that I'd never get it clean again after this ride but fortunately the dust was unable to resist the mighty power of the hosepipe and it came off easily enough !
Cheers Jay,
Garry
Fabulous
Thanks Nigel,
really glad that you enjoyed it. I did too. And the Classic came up like new again after a quick wash, which was the best news of all 🥳🥳🥳
Oh, that and the fact that the next day I was able to have a nice long lie-in 😂
Cheers Nigel,
ER.
I’m so unsure about which one to have! I’m an older guy now and I love the paintwork and chrome on the classic (and the symmetrical dashboard layout) but I do not like wire wheels. Despite the apparent “less good ride” with the alloys, I much prefer the look. If I could have a 350 with chrome, and alloys AND a symmetrical (plus tachometer?) dash I would be in seventh heaven! Any ideas?🤔
The Classic 350 is actually available with cast rims in India because they prefer tubeless tyres over there ( easier to repair out in the wilderness ! ). Unfortunately RE seems to have no plans to offer that option in foreign markets, which doesn't surprise me really. Most people will want spoked rims on a classic looking roadster. Even if you could get hold of a pair of cast wheels from India, you'd still be stuck with the factory fit speedo and since it mounts inside a nacelle, I think it would be nigh on impossible to fit anything else without throwing away the nacelle and finding a new way to mount the headlight and the clocks etc. I think that is going to be extremely difficult. Well, too difficult for me anyway !
If you can live with the speedo as it is and can do without a rev counter, I think you should look into how hard it would be to get the Classic 350 cast wheels shipped to you from India. Then you could buy a Classic 350 in standard export spec and swap the spoked/tubed wheels and tyres for the cast wheels with tubeless tyres.
Have a think about that possibility and if it would be ok for you, maybe look into it.
Cheers Phil 👍🏻
ER.
Hi Phil,
it was pointed out to me that ( over here in Europe at least ) the Classic 350 can be bought with cast wheels and tubeless tyres. Currently cast wheels are only available on the Dark Gunmetal Grey and Dark Stealth Black versions but they are available from the factory. So if you can get these colours where you are, you do have a factory option with cast wheels. So then you'd just have to deal with the speedo situation ( if you don't like the factory one ).
So there you go, Gunmetal Grey and Dark Stealth Black Classic 350s already come with cast wheels.
Thanks to Sean B for the heads up, I hadn't checked the RE colour options lately, so was unaware that certain newish colours come with cast wheels !
Hope this helps Phil,
ER.
@@economicalrides That helps brilliantly! Thank you so much 🙏
Moin Mucker 😛
33c right now (19:22) here in North Germany 🥵
Just about time to take the pullover off then William 😜
If you imagine that for 8-12 weeks, that's pretty much what we have here every summer. You get used to it. It's just difficult to ride in your protective gear in those temperatures and feel comfortable. But I do it anyway. Everybody else seems to ride around in shorts, T-shirt and flip flops but I can't bring myself to do that.
Take it easy, eat ice cream and you'll be fine 🥵
Cheers William,
ER.
@@economicalrides Thank's 😀
Dude u made me sleep 🥱❣️❣️....it should be asmr vdo🌚....i like it tho✌️
Thanks, I get that a lot.
Glad to have been of service 😛
My videos tend to be quite "relaxing" 👍🏻
Cheers,
ER
So the difference in suspension is not only due to the difference if the seating position? More weight over the front wheel could go a long way..
Hi Jubei,
I think the combination of tubeless tyres and cast wheels on the Meteor just means that the bike is set up too hard. The shocks and springs don't really feel is if they are doing very much. The shocks could do with softer springs to compensate but then you would need some compression damping to stop them bottoming out too easily which then probably makes the shocks too expensive for RE to consider.
I am considering doing a shock upgrade on my Meteor to improve the ride at the rear. If it happens, it will be on this channel. But so far, most people are reporting that changing the shocks makes little difference. I suspect that the cast wheels and tubeless tyres are making the ride firmer than on the Classic, the shocks are probably more or less identical, I would imagine.
It's going to be interesting to see if I can improve the rear suspension on my Meteor.
I believe in India they have a cast wheel / tubeless tyre option for the Classic 350. It would be really interesting to hear whether or not they also "ruin" the Classic 350s ride, as I suspect they do the Meteor's.
Cheers Jubei,
ER.
@@economicalrides 🤔interesting.. and r u considering changing the wheels?
@@jubei6802 No, I think that's going a bit too far for me. Hopefully somebody from India can answer the question for us !
The Meteor just needs some softer springs and shocks to deal with the softer springs. That would give it the compliance that it is missing. Apparently there are some gas filled shocks for Bullets which fit and are 30% softer. They sound ideal, so I will look into them !
Stay tuned Jubei because I am looking into ways of making Buddy Hauly's back end a bit softer 😛
Cheers,
ER.
@@economicalrides I hope it'll not end being a thing they 'hid'. Meaning they might have chosen this setup for a reason.. excited to see where this ends up.✌️👍
Would you recommend alloy wheels or spoke wheels for the classic 350 reborn?
Hi,
if you are worried about punctures, go for the alloy wheels with tubeless tyres because they are easier to repair “on the road”.
Otherwise go for the spoked wheels with inner tubes because they give a nicer ride !
I hope this helps, if not, just let me know.
Cheers 👍
ER
@@economicalrides Thanks, that helps a lot. Spoked wheels it is! xD
😎😎😎😎😎😆😆😆😆👍👍👍👍👍 taking it off road!!!
Well it had to be done 🤗
After I took the Meteor off-road there was “peer pressure” to do the same with the Classic and it actually performed better than the Meteor. If it wasn’t so pretty, I would probably off road it a fair bit. But as it is, this will probably remain a one off 🤞
Cheers Spike 🍺
ER
Hello Friend . Could you please add subtitles in Polish to your films ... Regards.
Hi Fa Zi,
unfortunately making subtitles for RUclips is very time consuming. I have made subtitles in German and Spanish before but it takes many hours and I do not have the time, so I stopped doing it.
I also don't know any Polish at all, so subtitles in Polish would take me weeks and they would be terrible anyway.
Would English subtitles help you ? You might find what I am saying easier to understand if you can read the English on the screen.
Cheers,
ER.
If you worry about dirt don't buy a crome version, simple.
😂
Mine was a lot better than I thought it would be to be honest. It went back to the shop after 13 months still looking brand new. That matte black RE uses on some models' engines is good stuff though. That comes clean with minimal effort 👍🏻
Cheers Alastair
Garry
PS. I think a 350 Classic trials should be a thing.
Yes, it would be awesome.
But we all know that it wouldn't be what we want it to be. For homologation reasons.
I think if somebody really wants to replicate a 50s scrambler with a Classic 350 they are going to have to go full on old school and make it in their shed !
It's the most authentic way after all !
Cheers Jeff 👍🏻
El Otro.
Are you not keen on the Classic 500 trials replica?
@@Saddlebags73 You mean that thing with the olive green frame ? No not really. Saw one at the dealership in Granada and thought it just looked odd. I much preferred the Hitchcock's conversion kit for the Bullet over the factory version. Maybe in a different colour scheme I might have liked it better but I thought the green ( and red ? ) colour scheme was hideous ( although I believe it has heritage for RE, hence why they chose it ).
Chrome tank, nobblies, chrome wheels and everything else black. All superfluous bits like indicators and mudguards in the bin.
High level exhaust, thick protective guards where it makes sense. Job done.
I need a shed, another Classic 350 and an angle grinder to make this happen 😂
Cheers SB,
El Otro & Rubia
I admit, that colour scheme isn’t very attractive. A friend has a silver with red frame, and that’s quite nice. But I would very much like to see your version 👍🏼
Ha, there you go, same thought 😂😂😂🤔
I'd love one ! Just strip down the Classic 350 to the bare bones, throw some nobblies on it, add some tasteful upgrades like a headlight grille, high level exhaust system, heavy duty sump guard and it's job done.
I'll probably end up buying something second hand for the trails though, I feel sorry for these two bikes every time I take them on a trail. And I hate getting them dirty. With a second hand bike I wouldn't feel the compulsion to wash it immediately after every ride 😂
Cheers TAYM,
ER.
@@economicalrides I want them to do a cafe version 😂😂😂
@@TAYM I wouldn't rule it out. They made the Conti 535 after all. Actually it would be a smart move to make one, it could sell well. Maybe once sales of the Classic start to slow down, they'll bring one out. A cafe racer has nothing about it to make homologation difficult, it can be homologated and still look the part. If they ever did a factory scrambler though, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't look like what I would call a scrambler. But they could design a nice cafe racer on this platform. I always thought the Conti 535 looked quite delicious but I was put off by the quality of the castings I saw on the one they had in the dealership. I've no idea if they turned out to be reliable or not, they seem to have disappeared without trace, nobody mentions them anymore. 🤔
Post RE 350 I think the Conti 535's agricultural power plant would probably annoy me a little bit too 😬
Cheers TAYM
ER
@@economicalrides 😂😂😂
That's not offroading. Those tracks are better than many asphalt roads: compacted earth, without loose stones, without gullies, without any difficulty. That's where I would even ride a GP motorcycle.
Awesome comment. Love you ! 💋
Not sure why you would want to venture off pavement on a bike made for it and not made for anything else. Yes, it will travel on said dirt road, but why? It’s a street cruiser not an adv bike. Ride it where you want but don’t try to convince normal thinking peeps r=that it was anything but doable, not preferable.
Thanks for your comment even if I don’t understand why you felt the need to post it. You totally miss the point. It’s my bike, on my channel and I take all of my bikes off-road to see how they cope.
I have a tip for you. Whatever you do, don’t watch any Indian Classic 350 videos, they might cause you to have an embolism !
Cheers.
That was a Dirt road not offroad.
👏👏
There's a new RE 350 out in August the Hunter 😳 don't know when it's available in Europe it would make a good scrambler although a high level exhaust might interfere with cooling
Another reply for you 😛
Yes, I'd forgotten about the Hunter. Worth seeing how that turns out, definitely !
Cheers Julian,
ER.