ENFIELD 350 BULLET (2023 - on) Review

Highlights

  • Reborn British Icon
  • 349cc single
  • 20bhp, 20lb-ft

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Power: 20 bhp
Seat height: Medium (31.7 in / 805 mm)
Weight: Medium (430 lbs / 195 kg)

Prices

New £4,629
Used £3,700 - £4,000

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Royal Enfield have been on a roll recently, producing a raft of good-to-honest, affordable new models designed to pull at the retro heart strings. From MCN’s award winning Interceptor 650 to the go-anywhere, utilitarian Himalayan the Indian firm’s new-generation machines are a laid-back antidote to monstrous power figures, MotoGP-spec electronics and crucially, big price tags.

Now they’ve really have tapped into their history with the reimagining of one of their best-known machines: the Bullet. It’s been around in 350cc and 500cc guise in one form or another since the 30s, back when it was produced in the UK. It never changed much in all that time and always eschewed tech for easy-to-fix ruggedness.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350 - rider on road

The new-generation Royal Enfield Bullet 350’s chassis and ‘J-series’ engine set-up was first used for the 2021 Meteor cruiser, followed by the sporty Hunter 350 and er, classic Classic 350. It’s the priciest of Royal Enfield’s 350 line-up but still a bargain for a quality motorcycle that has genuine ‘big bike’ feel and a suitably evocative tank badge.

They’ve moved the Bullet 350 story on in fine style. It’s still offers the simple thrill of riding and loaded with Brit-popping character, but it’s smoother and more refined than ever. Performance is unashamedly modest, but the power delivery is friendly, there’s lots of real-world grunt and it’s frugal, but you need a positive shift to keep it in top gear. It goes exactly where you point it through corners with little fuss and it’s plush and comfortable on the long haul. Best of all is its superb build quality and attention to detail for such little money.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Spending quality time with the Bullet 350 isn’t a struggle. The riding position is natural, roomy and the plush bench seat only starts to get uncomfortable after four or five hours. Suspension is basic with only preload adjustment at the rear and the skinny CEAT Zoon Plus tyres are 120/90 x 18 at the rear and 100/90 x 19 front, with a tread pattern reminiscent of Avon AM22/23 classic racing rubber.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350 - cornering

For the type of modest town and leafy B-road speeds the Bullet 350 is designed for and a little bit beyond, it rides like a modern retro Triumph, which is about as big a compliment as you can give. That’s no coincidence since many of Royal Enfield’s engineers and test riders used to work at the Hinckley factory. It’s balanced, easy steering, has plenty of grip for what you need and it rides the bumps reasonably well, but above all it’s easy. Pick a line and off you go. It stops smartly, if you use both front and rear brakes is all you need and you only notice its 195kg bulk when you’re hoinking it up on its centre stand.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)

It’s out with Royal Enfield’s old-generation 346cc pushrod ‘UCE’ single and in with the latest 349cc J-series 20bhp, SOHC unit with chain instead of gear driven cams.

Performance won’t blow your hat off, but there’s enough oomph to keep up with traffic and hit around 80mph, flat in top, downhill with your chin on the tank. The very fact it’s happy to just plod along as you enjoy the scenery is the joy of the Bullet 350. Power is delivered smoothly, thanks the new motor’s balance shaft and fuelling is perfect. It’s night and day more refined than Bullets of old, but still has the whispering thud of an old British single.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350 - tank

It might only be as quick as a 125, but the engine has a decent amount of grunt, so you don’t need to shuffle through the five-speed box to make progress. Shifting through the widely spaced cogs is generally precise and the clutch is nice and light, but our test bike occasionally jumps from its overdrive-like fifth gear back to fourth, unless you’re firm with the shift.

Royal Enfield claims 107mpg, but we record a still handy 79mpg (it hits reserve at 137 miles). That gives it a theoretical range of 226 miles from its 13-litre tank.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

What’s most impressive is the attention to detail for the price: ‘Coke Bottle’ handlebar grips, running lights, rotary switches, chrome handlebars, fuel cap, clock and ignition surround, spoked wheels, a headlight peak, a handhold for the centre stand, a Royal Enfield logo on the headlight and paintwork.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350 - ignition

The Black Gold version (£80 extra) has a hand painted tank and side panel stripes, black engine cases, exhaust and rims, in place of the chrome of the standard black or maroon colour schemes. The Smiths-style clock and lots of chrome gives the Bullet 350 a quality feel. A useful digital display features a fuel gauge, clock, two trips and odometer.  Neat switchgear features chunky, easy to use buttons and detailing extends to engraved rotary switches for the headlights and kill switch/engine start.

Our online Owners’ Reviews of the Bullet 350’s sister bikes report of up any major mechanical problems, other the occasional sticky speedo and messy wiring under the side panels.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
5 out of 5 (5/5)

It doesn’t have many sub five grand rivals, other than its siblings and the slightly more powerful Mash Five Hundred 400 and Benelli Imperiale 400.

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Equipment level is basic, but it doesn’t need much else other than its ABS, analogue/digital dash, USB charger and centre stand.

Royal Enfield Bullet 350 - clocks

Specs

Engine size 349cc
Engine type Air/oil cooled 2v single
Frame type Tubular twin downtube spine
Fuel capacity 15 litres
Seat height 805mm
Bike weight 195kg
Front suspension 41mm telescopic forks
Rear suspension Twin shocks, preload adjustable
Front brake 300m disc with twin piston caliper. ABS
Rear brake 270mm disc with single-piston caliper. ABS
Front tyre size 100/90 x 19
Rear tyre size 120/80 x 18

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption -
Annual road tax £55
Annual service cost -
New price £4,629
Used price £3,700 - £4,000
Insurance group -
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two years (four year deal when new)

Top speed & performance

Max power 20 bhp
Max torque 20 ft-lb
Top speed 75 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range -

Model history & versions

Model history

  • 2023: New generation Bullet 350 launched with J series engine

Other versions

Hunter 350, Classic 350 and Meteor, all using same engine and chassis.

Owners' reviews for the ENFIELD 350 BULLET (2023 - on)

1 owner has reviewed their ENFIELD 350 BULLET (2023 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your ENFIELD 350 BULLET (2023 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Engine: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Value vs rivals: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Equipment: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
5 out of 5 2024 New
18 November 2024 by Dwayne

Version: E5

Year: 2024

Annual servicing cost: £1

Great value for money as comes with 3 years warranty & breakdown assistance

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Still bedding in the front brake, but adequate for the speed Bybre and rear is good

Engine 5 out of 5

Adequate torque once over 1000 miles engine loosens up and if correctly run in, you should be able to get between 70 - 75 mph

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Excellent build quality, just clean, lubricate & ACF 50 regularly to avoid any issues, as if all round commuter like me, the salt on the roads will need to be regularly cleaned off.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Servicing will be around £150 - £200 depending on which garage you use, but as they are simply built, most of the basic maintenance can be done yourself to keep costs down, oil filter around £10 and Oil around £30

Equipment 5 out of 5

Upgraded DNA air filter after 500 miles, which improves 100% and achieves around an extra 1.5 bhp, improves the torque and creates an improved air induction sound. You can also purchase a decat exhaust to improve the noise further from Hitchcocks. You can change the headlamp bulb out to an LED for improved visibility during the winter months, and there are a host of other accessories and modifications that can be purchased, most of which will not interfere with the warranty.

Buying experience: Brought from a Dealer and great communication and experience, I traded in my street triple so that I could enjoy the ride more, and countryside views, I don't miss the speed or power performance as the experience, nostalgic ride, history and ride quality put a smile on my face every time I climb on. The gear change is super smooth, the engine is quiet and relaxing, the suspension is firm but soft and forgiving and the seat is super comfortable, I can ride for hours or all day!

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