Royal Enfield will not be updating their 500cc UCE to meet the BS-VI norms, which means an end of production of the Classic 500, Thunderbird 500, and the Bullet 500. RE will bid goodbye to the Classic 500 in style with a special Tribute Black Limited Edition, which will be launched on 10th February
As the 31st March deadline for the shift to BS-VI compliant vehicles comes closer, manufacturers are rapidly bringing in cleaner iterations of their existing models. Unfortunately, some may not make it through to the other side. Royal Enfield has just announced that their 500cc UCE is amongst such vehicles. The Chennai-based bikemaker recently brought in the BS-VI versions of the Classic 350 and the Himalayan. But the manufacturer has now revealed that its 500cc UCE will not be updated. This will mark an end of production for the Classic 500, Thunderbird 500, and the Bullet 500.
Royal Enfield has decided to bid adieu to the Classic 500 in style. It has taken the wraps off the Tribute Black Limited Edition, which the company will launch online on 10th February between 2 and 5 pm. Registration for the sale has already commenced on the company’s official website. The Classic 500 Tribute Black Limited Edition will continue to feature the same 499cc single-cylinder long-stroke motor in the exact same tune. But to set it apart, Royal Enfield has given it a special dual-tone matte and gloss black paint scheme. Each motorcycle will feature a unique ‘End of Build’ serial number.
Ever since its launch in 2008, the Classic 500 has been the company’s most successful models. Over the past decade, the Classic 500 continued to be powered by the same 499cc motor. With the exception of meeting the emission standards, Royal Enfield hasn’t quite updated the engine in all these years.
The Classic 500 is currently priced at Rs 2.02 lakh (ex-showroom), making it less than Rs 50,000 cheaper than the Interceptor 650. An update of the 500cc UCE would mean reducing the price difference between the two motorcycles even further. Keeping in mind, the Interceptor’s superior refinement and performance, it would get harder for Royal Enfield to justify the existence of the 500s.
In the official statement, Royal Enfield assured that spares and service will remain available for current owners across all dealerships in India. Although RE won’t sell the 500s in India, production of the motorcycle will continue for the export markets.
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