Select Royal Enfield dealers have begun taking bookings for BS6-compliant models of the Bullet 350 range. Dealers tell us that the official launch for this model is slated for next month and so are the deliveries. However, the dealer we spoke to does have on-road Mumbai prices for the bikes – Rs 1.53 lakh (X - Kick Start), Rs 1.61 lakh (Standard - Kick Start) and Rs 1.72 lakh (X - Electric Start).
In comparison, the BS4-spec models’ on-road Mumbai prices were Rs 1.40 lakh (X - Kick Start), Rs 1.48 lakh (Standard - Kick Start) and Rs 1.58 lakh (X - Electric Start). This means the BS6 models cost around Rs 13,000 more than the BS4-spec bikes. This is a substantial increase and among the highest we have witnessed in the two-wheeler industry in India.
As to what will be different on the BS6 bikes, they will use a fuel-injection system instead of carburettors and the exhaust will most certainly have an additional catalytic converter. We’ve seen Royal Enfield do this with the BS6 Classic 350 models. Since the motor on the Bullet 350 and Classic are identical, we expect power figures to be similar as well. For reference, the BS6-compliant Classic 350 makes 19.1hp/28Nm, which is slightly lower than the 19.8hp/28Nm the BS4 model made.
The main difference between the standard 350 and the X variants comes in the form of a blacked-out theme that replaces much of the chrome. On the 350 X ES, the engine block is now finished in black, as are the crank cases. There’s also a bit of silver finish on the top of the engine, as well as on its crank cases.
Another change comes in the form of the X variants getting a simpler, differently styled fuel-tank logo – a decal instead of the 3D emblem on the standard 350.
Vishal Venugopal
Ved Janve
Azaman Chothia
