ENFIELD 350 BULLET (2023 - on) Review

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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