Royal Enfield Bullet 350 2023 review, first ride

The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is a motorcycle of various personas. It is a motorcycle that takes to the streets as comfortably as it takes on the Himalayas. It has a huge fan base which passes through generations. While purists like to Google and find out “how to restore an old Royal Enfield Bullet”, youngsters prefer to head to the showroom and buy a new one that comes with all the modern features. But one thing remains common, which is all of these guys are in love with the essence of the Bullet. While fans will throng showrooms to get themselves a Bullet, it is a big challenge for the company to get a newer legion of followers. So simply put, the Bullet 350 has a big task up its shoulders. So is it ready? We find out.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350: Looks matter the most

The silhouette of the Bullet 350 is something that even Royal Enfield dared not change. It is what brings the crowds to the showroom. So the new Bullet at a passing glance looks identical to the older version. But look closely and one will spot numerous small elements that set it apart from the outgoing model. The front mudguard remains to be a big metal unit that covers the tyres to a certain degree to give it a classic look. The headlamp too harks back to the past with the signature Tiger Eye lights sitting proudly atop. The change comes in form of the instrument console which has been borrowed from the recently launched Classic. Hence it gets an analogue speedometer along with a digital fuel gauge and a trip computer. Nothing snazzy here, but just what one requires. The console area also comes with the key fob which now locks the bike directly. On the right side though, there is a blank which is covered with a chrome bung. It is here where one can install the Tripper navigation system on the Classic 350 and we are sure the same can be done on the Bullet as well.

The 13-litre fuel tank continues to look old-school and what purists will love is the fact that the pinstripes continue to be hand painted rather than being a sticker. The seat too is a single-piece unit that offers ample space for two. Further, the seat height at 805mm is also rather comfortable for most Indian frames. The rear mudguard is new too and so is the tail lamp console. What we would have liked to see here is a different tail light unit which would help the Bullet 350 differentiate itself from its cousin the Royal Enfield Classic 350.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350: Engine and platform

The new Bullet 350 is based on the new J-Platform from Royal Enfield. Hence, it is powered by the 349cc air-oil cooled single-cylinder engine that also powers the Royal Enfield Meteor, Royal Enfield Classic and the Royal Enfield Hunter. Fuel-injected, it produces 20.2bhp at 6,100rpm and 27Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. When it comes to cycle parts, the Bullet 350 rides on 41mm forks up front and a twin shock absorber set up at the back. Royal Enfield has also given the Bullet 350 disc brakes both up front and back. While there is a 300mm unit up front, there is a 270mm unit at the back. Dual Channel ABS is also offered. The spoked wheels are fitted with a 19in front tyre and an 18in unit occupies the rear. However they are the tubed type.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350: How is it to ride

The Bullet no longer gets a kick starter and hence one has to use the new switch gear to start it up. The engine idles at a low 1,000rpm and there are barely any vibes to complain about here. The thump is there but it is not as prominent as before. However, one sure still feels to be commanding a Bullet. Talking about performance, the new engine allows the Bullet 350 to attain high speeds with ease. 90kmph is no big deal and cruising at 100kmph is also possible without much fuss. The good news is that, much like the Classic 350, the Bullet 350 too remains relatively vibe-free at these speeds.

Now if you are a purist and expect the new Bullet 350 to be able to cruise at 40kmph in top gear, it is not going to happen. It is a new engine and as a result, it has its modern traits. So now the Bullet 350 can cruise at 50kmph in top gear without any fuss. It actually feels brilliant to cruise on the Bullet as the riding position is rather comfortable and this also means that the long rides are going to be effortlessly enjoyable.

On the braking front, thanks to the advent of modern technology (read disc brakes), the Bullet 350 stops well. The breaks offer a good bite and haul the 195kg motorcycle with relative ease. Around corners, the Bullet 350 loves to dance and is extremely enjoyable to ride. Needless to say, the ride quality is good too and the Bullet 350 will keep the rider and pillion comfortable.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350: Verdict

There is little doubt that the Bullet 350 has emerged as a brilliant upgrade. It is smoother to ride, still looks retro, and yet offers most of the modern amenities. It is also priced right with the range starting from Rs 1.73 lakh to Rs 2.15 lakh (ex-showroom). So where is the problem? Well, the problem is that the two brands namely the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 and the Royal Enfield Classic 350 are nearly identical now. What we would have preferred is the Bullet being a little more retro in terms of the look and features. That would have given the bike a lot more individuality.