Royal enfield has rolled out its flagship Classic series since Nov'2009 and Classic Desert Storm 500 is one of the best model we have till date.
If you are a bike enthusiast then the brand called Royal Enfield needs no introduction.
Desert Storm 500 launched with wearing a stunning pre war era 'sand' paint job and retains its typical old world charm like round lights all around including twin tiny pilot lamps .
The build quality is still not upto the mark in few places which is quite disapointing as some blisters in the surface, the irregular joints and the rust prone metal.
Desert Storm 500 comes with 499cc, air cooled, 4 stroke single cylinder new generation engine. Twin spark plugs combining with Keihin fuel injection ( called as EFi) , are very reliable for cranking the engine during cold start.
It thumps out 27.2 bhp of raw power so it accelerates very brisky to reach a top speed of around 130 kph. Most inresting fact that I feel, until I look at the speedo I never realize the speed of that beast.
5 speed gearbox is pretty smooth for shifting with universal 1 down 4 up pattern.
The seating position is very comfortable and high. You can easily rely on this bike as it can take you cross on any type of surface. You just dont feel any irregularities in the road as the sockers are very absorbent in nature. Speed stability of this bike is excellent and you feel like a king while cruising at 100 kmh in an open highway and you also feel very comfortable while drive in the city.
Braking is the area which needs to be upgarded and RE should introduce much needed ABS technology in their motocycles. Also build quality of these bikes needs to be upgraded in terms of metallurgy as metal parts are very rust prone if special care not taken by the rider.
Despite all the odds, Classic Desert Storm 500 is a great motocycle with unbeatable highway characteristics and matte sand finish does well to embellish this.
So, being a proud owner I suggest all the riders .
Crank the engine up to fill the surroundings with royal thump, isolating you from other disturbing noises around.
