Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 500 Review

The Royal Enfield Bullet Trials Works Replica 500 is a throwback in the purest sense of the word. Inspired by trials legend, Johnny Brittain, you’d be forgiven for thinking this special edition Bullet 500 was actually built in the 1950s. Of course, EFI, ABS and an electric start motor bring it back to the future, but it still very much looks and rides like a vintage bike.

Let’s not beat around the bush, there is nothing ground-breaking about the Bullet 500. The Bullet moniker was first introduced in 1931 and any changes have been out of necessity rather than any major desire for modernity. The Bullet 500 is, for all intents and purposes, an old bike.

The Bullet 500 is a tad slow, very heavy and devoid of any modern creature comforts. But it isn’t pretending to be something that it’s not. And that is why the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 500 is so brilliant – it makes your forget that you’re living in 2020 and takes you straight back to the halcyon days of British motorcycling. With that said, here is a quick history lesson.

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History lesson

Royal Enfield was once a major player in the world of reliability trials – a discipline of motorcycle racing that combined elements of modern day enduro and trials competition. The reliability trials tested both man and machine, with bikes derived from standard road bikes. The most famous event was the International Six Day Trial (ISDT) – now known as the International Six Day Enduro.

When the Bullet was launched in 1932 it was touted as the perfect trials machine and it won countless competitive events. After the war, the Bullet 350 became the focus of Royal Enfield’s sporting endeavours, incorporating revolutionary swinging arm suspension with oil damped shock absorbers for the first time on a production motorcycle. Many opponents initially dismissed the technical innovation, believing a rigid rear-end to be more suitable for trials.

Royal Enfield debuted the Bullet 350 at the 1948 Colmore Cup – an odd move considering new bikes were usually unveiled at the famous Earls Court Motorcycle Show. The bike didn’t win, but it achieved plenty of publicity.

All hail King Johnny

Two years later, Royal Enfield signed 18-year-old Johhny Brittain, son of trials legend, Vic Brittain. Riding his Bullet 350 trials machine (named HNP 331) Johnny won countless events over the next decade or so, including the Scottish Six Day Trial, the Scott Trial and the British Experts Trial. He also had success in the ISDT winning 13 gold medals

Brittain was particularly impressive in 1956 and 1957. He won a large number of major events and claimed the ACU star championship in ’56. To celebrate, Royal Enfield released a replica of his 1958 machine – the 350 Trials Works Replica. It gave amateur riders a good base level trials machine to compete on. It had a number of modifications from the standard Bullet 350, to make it more suitable for trials competition.

A new era

By the end of the 1950s, the days of heavyweight trials machines were numbered. Many manufacturers began to move towards lighter and smaller capacity machines, but the Bullet 350 had already left its legacy through Brittain’s success. During that period, the Bullet was exported all around the world. Notably, it was exported to India after the Indian Army made a sizable order. This led to the creation of Enfield of India in 1955, the same company that bears the Royal Enfield name today.

Johnny Brittain died in March 2019 – seventy years after he first joined Royal Enfield. To celebrate the golden era through the ‘50s, Royal Enfield decided to resurrect the Bullet Trials Works Replica in the form of a Bullet 500. The Trials Works Replica takes the Bullet 500 and wraps it in a bundle of ‘50s trials nostalgia.

Looking good 

The first thing of note with the Bullet Trials 500 is its looks. The bike is definitely a head-turner. Its blend of silver and red brings back memories of a moment in time I wasn’t even alive for. The regal-looking Royal Enfield badge on the tank is attention grabbing and reminds you of the brands storied history. Royal Enfield has also done-away with the pillion seat, replacing it with a rear luggage rack, increasing the rugged trials look.

A simple analogue dash does away with a tachometer and fuel gauge, with the fuel light and ABS warning light the only remotely modern features. The lack of the tacho and fuel gauge is a little frustrating at times, but it also reminds you of the bikes classic persona. A kickstart (don’t worry, there is an electric start too) is another classic touch.

While many ‘modern classics’ mix old and new, the Bullet Trials 500 truly looks like an old bike. If it wasn’t for the fact it looked so fresh and new, you could easily mistake it for Johnny Brittain’s actual bike from the ‘50s.

Classical gas

The Trials 500 feels like a classic bike too. Ergonomically, it isn’t terribly comfortable, but it was better than I anticipated. The single seat is old-school, but after a day of riding I didn’t have any issues. The upright and relaxed riding position is very off-road like, with the handlebars at a good height and the pegs allowing for plenty of leg room. Standing is possible, but it is very awkward (especially if you are tall).

If the Bullet Trials 500 looks like a classic bike and feels like a classic bike, you can bet your bottom dollar that it rides like a classic bike too. With a push of the electric start button (or kicking it over, if you’re that way inclined) the machine fires into life with a classic rumble. It is a little finicky when cold – you need to keep those revs up. When it gets going however, it provides a visceral riding experience.

Cruisy ride

The LAMS-approved engine only puts out 27.2hp and 41.3Nm, but the power is smooth and linear, making it great for beginners and those who just want to cruise. It chugs along at a decent pace, with most of the fun coming in the mid-range. If you’re looking for top-speed and bottom-end grunt though, perhaps look elsewhere.

The suspension is basic but capable. The 130mm front and 80mm rear travel is short, but it makes for a smooth enough ride, and the bike felt very planted most of the time. While it is a heavy machine, the Bullet 500 handles okay. It ducks and weaves without too much hassle, and actually makes for a fun ride on twisty roads. Don’t expect too much on the dirt though (I’ll get to that in a second).

With a single-cylinder engine, some vibration is expected, but the Bullet Trials 500 escapes with a pass mark here. It's not too bad. The only issue is the shaky mirrors which make rear vison a little difficult. Shifting gears is very mechanical and sometimes clunky, but the gearbox presented no major issues.

Living in the 50s

Yes, the Bullet Trials 500 is far from perfect, but the raw, rugged, and rumbling ride is what makes it so special. When I headed out to meet our photographer in the Dandenong Ranges, the rain was bucketing down, and the chilly wind reached my core, but somehow the bike made me enjoy a ride that would be otherwise unpleasant. It was as if I was riding to compete in a British trials event on a cold winter day. The problem is, despite its links to Royal Enfield’s off-road past, it isn’t a dirt bike.

A lot of Royal Enfield’s marketing campaign has shown the bike on off-road terrain, but while it will handle smooth gravel roads with ease (thanks to its adventure-style tyres and spoked-wheels), the bike is not cut out for extreme conditions. The low suspension travel, low ground clearance and awkward standing position don’t lend well to off-road use. Yes, it is true that riders would have competed on bikes like this back in the day, but there is a reason why they don’t anymore – technology has come a long way.

Nostalgia trip 

It is better to look at the Bullet Trials 500 as a glimpse of the past. It is a heap of fun on the road and is very pleasing on the eye. If you don’t expect too much, you won’t be disappointed. There are loads of genuine accessories to add to the bikes vintage aesthetic too – a headlight grill, racing number plate and bash plate all hark back to the days of Johhny Brittain.

The biggest downfall of the Bullet Trials 500 is its price. At $9,190, it is little expensive for what it is. For around the same price, you can buy one of Royal Enfield’s brilliant 650 Twins; bikes with more power, slightly more advanced tech, and very bright futures.

So who is the Bullet Trials 500 for then? Personally, I see it as an exercise in nostalgia that will appeal to Royal Enfield fans, British motorcycling fans and reliability trials fans. Or maybe some people might just want an old-school bike with ABS and EFI. If anyone wants to buy one, customise it and enter it in the 24 Hour Reliability Trial in South Australia, let me know – it will make a ripping yarn.

Great changing is sweeping through Royal Enfield at the moment. After years of focusing primarily on the domestic market, the Indian company now has its sights set on global domination, but it is still determined to maintain strong connection to its heritage. That is why the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 500 works so well – it is a direct link to the past. It doesn’t pretend to be a high-tech, high-performance machine. It’s simply a bike that makes you feel good and reminds you why we ride motorcycles – to have fun.

Specs: 2020 Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 500

ENGINE
Type: Single-cylinder, air-cooled, twin-spark
Capacity: 499cc
Bore x stroke: 84mm x 90mm
Engine management: Electronic fuel injection

TRANSMISSION
Type: Five speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Single downtube, using engine as stressed member
Front suspension: Telescopic, 130mm travel
Rear suspension: Twin gas charged shocks, 80mm travel
Front brakes: 280mm disc with twin-piston caliper, ABS
Rear brake: 240mm disc with single-piston caliper, ABS
Tyres: Front 90/90-19, rear 110/80-18

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed kerb weight: 192kg
Seat height: 800mm
Ground clearance: 135mm
Length: 2080mm
Fuel capacity: 13.5 litres

PEFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 27.2hp at 5250rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 41.3Nm at 4000rpm

OTHER STUFF
Price: $9,190 ride away
Test bike supplied by: Royal Enfield Australia