Royal Enfield release Classic 500 ‘Tribute Black’
Royal Enfield have signed off their Classic 500 with a limited-edition ‘Tribute Black’ model. To mark the end of an era, 1,000 units of the Tribute Black will be produced out of Chennai, which has been Royal Enfield’s home in India since 1955.
Long-running Single
A 500 single has history with Royal Enfield in India stretching back to the 1960s, but in 2008 that engine was modernised with the introduction of the UCE (Unit Construction Engine) long-stroke 499cc single with EFi instead of a carburettor. This saw the long-running model rebadged as the 500 Classic.
Further modernisation of the 500 came in 2017 with changes made to meet Euro 4 emissions regulations and the introduction of ABS.
Since then, Royal Enfield’s march to modernisation has seen the introduction of new 650cc twins in 2018 and an all-new 350cc single this year. These all-new engines have shown the age of the “old” 350 and 500 singles, leading to the discontinuation of the 350 and now the 500.
Limited Tribute
To sign off on production of the Classic 500 with the UCE single, the Tribute Black will not only be limited in numbers, but defined by upgraded detailing and hand finishing.
Each Classic 500 Tribute Black will feature an all-black livery (naturally), broken by tank pinstriping in gold that’s laid down by hand.
Complementing this are gold rim stickers, gold pinstriping on the mudguards and gold ‘Classic 500’ identification on the tool box lid.
Premium rider and passenger ‘touring’ seats in real leather with a quilted finish are standard, while each Classic 500 Tribute Black will carry its individual build number on a special plaque on the battery box.
Standard Features
Identifying features of other classic Royal Enfields, like the casquette headlamp and slim mufflers, carry over to the Classic 500 Tribute Black, but are finished in black like the rest of the tinware.
In other respects, the Classic 500 Tribute Black is unchanged from the standard Classic 500, meaning an air-cooled 499cc single producing 20.3kW and 41.3Nm. The Classic 500 is also one of the last road bikes to offer a kick starter, but an electric starter is also standard.
A 5-speed gearbox, tele fork front end with 130mm travel and twin shock rear with 80mm travel are other features. Braking consists of a 280mm front disc with a two-piston caliper and 240mm rear disc with a single-piston caliper, backed by ABS.
A 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel, 90/90-19 and 110/80-18 tyres, 13.5-litre fuel tank, 804mm seat height and 193kg weight completes the basic specification.
Limited for Aus
Of the 1,000 units of the Classic 500 Tribute Black being produced, 200 have been allocated for Australia and 40 for New Zealand. Australian pricing is $9,590 ride away, which is a $400 premium over the Classic 500.
Like all Royal Enfield models, the Classic 500 Tribute Black is LAMS legal and is backed by a 2-year warranty and two years of 24/7 roadside assistance.
This last-of-the-line special is guaranteed to be a sell-out, so see your Royal Enfield dealer or go to:royalenfield.com.au to confirm availability and get more details.