Royal approval

1.587988-2037121014 — The Classic's vintage styling sets it apart from other motorcycles on the market. Image Credit: Christopher List/ANM

"Beautiful bike!"

"You sure dug up a great pair of wheels!"

"What year is that, mate? You've maintained it really well!"

I've been hearing these expressions and seeing their smiles at every traffic light I've stopped at this past week. That's the Royal Enfield effect for you: turning total strangers into friends, or at least traffic light acquaintances.

In pictures: Royal Enfield Classic 500

Last week, if you happened to spot an incongruity on two wheels — albeit a beautiful one — from a by-gone era, pottering around the roads of space-age Dubai, it was probably me taking the Royal Enfield Classic 500 for a spin.

Don't be fooled by those retro looks, though. Underneath all the chrome, the gleaming paint and the coil-sprung single saddle, the bike you see here is very much a modern production motorcycle — a sort of new wine in an old bottle.

This is the same model that Britain commissioned from the Enfield Cycle Company of Redditch, Worcestershire, for the Second World War, and it ruled the shelled and cratered roads of continental Europe. Later, in 1952, it was tweaked and released in the market.

In 1971 the Redditch company that had helped kaput the Germans succumbed to the Japanese onslaught in its home market and folded up, leaving its Indian subsidiary to produce the Enfield Bullet under licence in Chennai. Enfield India soldiered on, producing first 350 and then 500cc "Bullets".

The last time I rode an Enfield Bullet, back home in India, it felt like a tank in a straight line, as if no terrain you cared to throw at it could shake it. Changing direction was another matter. You coaxed and cajoled it, almost pleading until it finally turned, slowly sliding towards the road's hard shoulder. Understeer was an understatement. In this lay the fun of riding one.

Straight out of the Royal Enfield dealership in Dubai's Al Quoz area, however, the Classic 500 did not seem like the same bike. Visually, it's a replica of the 1952 model, but under the tank is a new unit construction, electronically fuel injected, 499cc engine, producing 27.2bhp. The rear is suspended on gas-filled shocks and the hydraulic telescopic forks in front are firm. While its earlier drum brakes stopped the old bike — eventually — the new 280mm front discs and rear drum combo have enough bite to inspire confidence.

On Dubai's roads, I discovered new levels of enjoyment with the bike. Like an actor that has matured with time, it retains that rough edge and feel of a classic but offers the creature comforts of a modern ride.

The new suspension, lowered saddle height and sticky soft-compound tyres make for easy handling. Flick it and it leans, pick it up and it straightens. Wherever you point the front wheel it follows with an effortless ease that belies its classic appearance.

The gearbox still has to be thrashed, though, and has a tendency to find false neutrals at every shift. A slight understeer remains, but now it's engaging and fun. Combined with the deep, guttural exhaust note of the thumper single, all this retains an authentic classic-bike feel — as much a bike to ride as to be seen on.

It's as if they took it into surgery and fitted it with every prosthetic imaginable for improvement but miraculously left its character untouched. You will love it; the thing is alive.

The Royal Enfield Classic 500 is for cruising along at a steady 80kph. After all, it was meant to be ridden by a gentleman through the country lanes of Ol' Blighty. It's for the dandy about town who revels in being the cynosure of all eyes.

Just a word of caution: do not risk frequent glances at your shop-window reflection as the exhaust note shakes the glass.

Specs & rating