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[25Tom]

Hi, I've just ordered a 500 Classic in Battle Green (very excited). It's mainly for pottering around town or runs into the country, but I do occasionally want to carry pillion or do longer trips, e.g. 200 / 250 miles to the seaside and back. Whilst the dealer are offering to fit bits for free on the new bike, I'm tempted to go for a minor performance upgrade, but don't know if I should leave it for now and see how I get on. Our hosts have recommended: UK exhaust system (91130), K&B Filter (AMFilter21) and 19 tooth gearbox sprocket (90175). They say power-commander not required, but should see significantly stronger performance with this set up. Anyone got any experience or advice?

[25Tom]

Sorry - typo - obviously, K&N filter.

[Boxerman]

I have a 2009 Electra EFI. Bog standard exhaust, air filter ect.. and it's fast enough for me - in fact, I traded in a faster, more powerful bike to buy it.
Interestingly enough, I don't seem to have the problems that other people, who have 'upgraded' their bikes have.
Frank

[Rattlebattle]

I'd take advantage of the free fitting of the larger gearbox sprocket. Re air filter and exhaust I'd run it in then decide because fitting these is very simple. I don't believe you can just fit a free flowing filter and exhaust and expect it to run properly without either fitting a PCV (expensive) or a carb, which is the best thing I've done. Mine still has the standard exhaust and goes quite well, certainly better than stock EFI.

[Rattlebattle]

BTW when you collect the bike don't forget to ask for the spares that should come with it. I got throttle, clutch and "choke" cables, two rattle cans of paint (mine is an LE Despatch,so is finished in two colours), a reflector (interesting one this - the C5 light has no reflector, which is a statutory requirement. I guess the reflector is supplied to address this. The trouble is that there isn't anywhere suitable to put it other than on the number plate). I would buy an NGK BPR6ES spark plug. The original Indian Bosch clone is rubbish. Be very careful how you run it in and be sure to have the first service carried out at 300 miles. I'm sure you'll be delighted with your new C5 as log as you accept that they are all a bit different and not necessarily as trouble free as a Jap bike.

[Jack the Lad]

I have done over 20,000 miles including a few 400 mile day trips on my standard 2010 Electra EFI without feeling the need for more performance or noticing any of the fuelling problems others claim. It cruises at 65 on multi-lane roads with enough in hand for faster overtaking when needed. I suggest leaving well alone until it is fully run in (at least 5k miles!) and, if then, you are not enjoying riding slow and relaxed,use the money you have saved to buy a faster bike - Guzzi V7 or Bonnie are the obvious alternatives.

[jefrs]

I have the C5 with added pillion 597447, 91130 exhaust, K&N and PCV. The pillion seat is good but maybe narrow and I had to cobble a pair of Electra racks to carry panniers nicely (for buckets and spades at the seaside). I ran the bike with 91130 before adding the PCV, it looks better and made more noise but little else (no significant performance improvement). When I added the K&N I added PCV 92018/2 "for free-flow exhaust and K&N" and yes, it makes a lot of difference (very significant improvement, maybe +25%). This gets the olde beast into Velo Venom territory with less revs but more torque. Even with just 91130 you could tell the mix was not right, it does really need the PCV if you change exhaust /and/ filter. Or use the carb conversion kit. The bike is more than a trifle under-geared with the 18T, it will easily pull away in 2nd, so the 19T will give it slightly longer legs. If the dealer will fit a performance kit and retain warranty then great; the bike will still need running-in at 30-45mph (NB) so you may want to hold off on performance goodies until after first service at 300 miles.

[Trev]

I've been running an efi that was standard but on which I switched to a free flow exhaust as the original looks hideous and I wanted a slightly fruitier sound. I added a K&N as part of initial service along with a BPR6ES plug and the bike definitely pulls better, not hugely but for a few quid I have a bit better performance and a nicer looking and sounding bike (IMO of course).

The best single mod though was swapping to a 19 tooth front sprocket, as another poster said, the bike will easily pull it even as standard and with the tiny bit more pep the larger sprocket makes even more sense. Makes 4th more usable for an overtaking gear (yes I do get to overtake things sometimes) it still pulls 5th up most inclines, even two up, and cruising at 65/70 when occasionally needed is much more comfortable.

I would recommend you take it as standard and get them to fit the upgrades at the first service, that way you will get to feel the difference. Enjoy your new bike, nice choice ; )

[jefrs]

Pulling away in 2nd with 18T - the pair of us, well I'm 100kg and wife ain't sayin' but we're prolly over the official maximum load - no problem at all on the level and only a little hesitant uphill.



The PCV though was a bit OMG! The PCV can be turned off, result rather tame. By comparison a Velo Venom is 33.9bhp and 44.3Nm http://www.velocetteowners.com/techinfo ... efull1.pdf - So we already have 41Nm on the C5 and with the PCV that goes up, a lot (est 50+Nm). With an even wider power band. It won't turn it into a Velo Thruxton or a DB34 but it does turn very sedate performance into interesting and enjoyable.



We can't fit the 20T without attacking the casing with an angle grinder but another way of doing it is to fit a 120/80-18 rear tyre in place of the 110/80-18, the extra diameter is equivalent to about another half a tooth on the cog.

[Deanobats]

I really liked the 500 classic in battle Green, but in the end went for a forest green B5 bullet which inexplicably is about a grand cheaper for essentially the same motorbike bar a few small changes to the frame, forks, seat and paint job (oh, and some crappy tank decals), but the battle green Classic does look the dog's bollocks.

I was very keen to alter and update parts but in the end thought I'd live with it for a bit to see how I got on. Bar some leather luggage and a clock from our hosts, plus better tank transfers, it's as it came out of the factory. The first change I considered was the 91130 exhaust. The existing one is a bit of a lump, but it is quiet, and as my bike needs some considerable warming in the winter I feel I owe it to the neighbours not to change it just yet.

See how you get on with the acceleration and speed. I find I can cruise happily at 60-65 with plenty left to take it up to 70 or more if I so wished, though the vibration gets you after a while. Note that the vibration does start to subside once run in well - I'm up to about 1,000 miles now and it's definitely starting to ease off. Run it in carefully and watch the new tyres, they bed in after a while but are a bit slippy when new.

The acceleration is a bit lumpy, it's all or nothing to start which can take you by surprise, but once up to mid revs it's pretty well behaved. There is bags and bags of torque which leaves you with a big smile on your face.

I'd read up on here about oil levels in the EFI engine, they're a buggar to read properly.

Enjoy your new bike, they're hilarious, but in a good way.