Royal Enfield Bullet 350

autocar.india

•21h

Moving up from a Pulsar 150, you should check out the 350cc Bajaj Dominar 400, which will feel more substantial and comfortable, not to mention head and shoulders above when it comes to performance. Since your ride has a lot of highway stretches, a machine that can cruise comfortably at higher speeds while keeping you comfortable will be a good bet.If you want to look at the adventure bike space, consider the Hero Xpulse 210 and TVS Apache RTX 300. The Xpulse is lighter, which will make it easier to manage at slower speeds, and its smaller engine will also be more fuel efficient. On the other hand, the RTX has a more powerful engine capable of delivering more performance and its seating comfort is better than the Xpulse. Do bear in mind that both of these are tall bikes and will require some skill to manage if you're a shorter person.If, instead, you want a neo-retro machine, then consider proven options like the Honda CB350 models and Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350. These are relaxed and comfortable machines with torquey engines, which will be suitable for long commutes. When ridden sensibly, they also return good fuel economy. These bikes are all very different from one another, and to accurately gauge which is the best one for you, take a test ride of all before you make your decision.

autocar.india

•5h

Since the bike is for your son and he prefers the Honda CB350, it would be advisable to go for the Honda over the Royal Enfield Bullet 350. The CB350 is a lighter machine than the Bullet and also has an easier clutch pull thanks to its slip/assist clutch, both of which are tangible factors in Honda's favour. Fuel economy should be largely similar on both, with perhaps a small advantage for the Honda, although mileage is something that varies based on a multitude of factors. About the chain story on the Bullet 350, that is an old gossip. On the new model, it is highly unlikely to happen as long as the chain is adjusted correctly and lubricated at the recommended intervals, just like any other motorcycle.To be sure, take test rides of the CB350 and Bullet back to back to ensure you go for the bike that suits you better.

autocar.india

•1d

Since you have mentioned that comfort is your top priority, and you also have a rather long daily commute, going for a motorcycle would be our recommendation. We'd recommend you look at options like the Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350 and Honda CB350 models, because these are spacious, comfortable machines with approachable seat heights and torquey, smooth engines. While in terms of overall performance, these bikes will be quite evenly matched, the RE 350s have better low and mid-range torque, which will make city riding more pleasurable than on the Hondas, which are hamstrung by their tall gearing, necessitating more gear changes. That being said, the Hondas are much lighter and also come with tubeless tyres and alloy wheels as standard, as well as a slip/assist clutch, which makes life a whole lot easier. To decide between these models, take a test ride before you go ahead with your purchase.

autocar.india

•2d

Since you have mentioned you've ridden the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 in the past and you are buying this bike to fulfill a dream, we'd recommend the Bullet itself. It is a comfortable machine with a characterful and smooth engine and will fit within your budget too. If you want brighter colours and a slightly more different look, then look at its sibling, the Classic 350. If you want something that won't be as commonplace as either of these aforementioned bikes but still want a machine that can be used daily, their offbeat sibling, the Goan Classic 350 is the right bike for you. It has a lower seat height than both the Classic and Bullet which will make it easier for a person with a shorter frame like yours to manage around town, which is where you're going to be spending most of your time. Take test rides of the Goan and the Bullet and then make your decision based on which one you like more.

autocar.india

•1w

For your use case, we would recommend looking at the Honda CB350 models, Royal Enfield Bullet/Classic 350, and Triumph Speed T4. All of these 350cc machines set a high bar for comfort, but the Bullet and Classic will definitely have a small edge here. When it comes to fuel economy, the CB350s and Speed T4 will likely be more efficient than the heavier Royal Enfield bikes, although mileage varies greatly depending on a multitude of factors. Finally, when it comes to long-term peaceful ownership, it's likely that the Hondas will be the easiest to live with, although maintenance costs for all three will be pretty comparable.These three options are also very different in terms of their riding experience, and to accurately gauge which one will be best for you, we'd recommend a test ride of all before you make your decision.

autocar.india

•1w

Since you have the budget that permits you to venture into the 300-400cc category if you so wish, you can look at the Royal Enfield Hunter / Classic / Bullet 350, any of the Honda CB350 models and even the 350cc Triumph 400 models like the Speed T4 and Speed 400. These bikes are premium machines with larger engines than normal commuters, which means fuel economy will range between 30-40kpl most likely, although mileage can vary quite widely depending on multiple factors. If you want to prioritise fuel economy and instead settle for something more frugal, like a 160cc commuter will be our recommendation. Options like the Bajaj Pulsar N160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Honda Unicorn / SP160 are our picks in this class. The Apache and Pulsar are more powerful and feature-rich machines, while the Unicorn and SP160 are straightforward, no-nonsense commuters. Make sure to decide which segment you want to shop in and then take a test ride of all the options in that class before you make your decision.

autocar.india

•2w

Since you have had a long and drama-free stint with your Shine, the logical next step to make would be the Honda Unicorn. For your use case, which is mostly inside the city with short weekend leisure rides, the Unicorn makes for a good fit. It will offer a noticeable step up in performance and comfort compared to the Shine with only a small drop-off in fuel economy. The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is lovely if you want a relaxed bike with new-age reliability and old-school feel, but since you have mentioned you are on the slimmer side of the spectrum, its weight could be a problem at slower speeds and its fuel economy will also be noticeably lower.If your landlord and the building you reside in, don't have a problem with you installing a charging solution at home, you can consider electric scooters like TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Ather Rizta and Vida VX2. If not, stick with a petrol-powered bike for now.To decide between the Unicorn and Bullet, we'd recommend a test ride of both since they are very different machines.

autocar.india

•5w

Since you've said you prefer cruisers and commute in heavy traffic, of the three bikes you've shortlisted, the Honda CB350 will fit your usage the best. With its low seat, light clutch action and surefooted yet easy handling demeanour, the CB350 makes for a wonderful city companion. Its engine is smooth and torquey, and when ridden sensibly, it returns very impressive fuel economy for a 350cc machine. Plus, seating comfort for both rider and pillion is also quite nice, although if you carry a pillion frequently, it would be prudent to invest in a backrest - it should be a relatively inexpensive option to purchase.The Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 is a beautiful motorcycle, but to achieve its gorgeous form, there are some functional compromises. It is by no means a horribly uncomfortable machine, but in comparison to its more conventional siblings - Classic and Bullet 350 - it is surely a step down. Pillion accommodations, too, are mediocre at best, and the main draw here is its unique design. The TVS Apache RTX 300 is the odd one out here and will feel very different to the other bikes you've shortlisted. It has a modern, liquid-cooled engine making substantially more peak output and a 6-speed gearbox. Outright comfort will be another strong point on the RTX, and this is likely to be the most comfortable machine of the lot, owing to its form factor. We'd recommend a test ride of all these bikes before you make a decision, and you should also decide what sort of bike you want before you do so.

autocar.india

•5w

Since your usage is mostly going to be inside the city, we'd advise choosing between the Honda CB350RS and 350cc Triumph Speed 400. Both bikes have smooth, torque-focused engines, light clutch action, manageable seat heights and good weight management, which should make them easy to use in the city. Out on the highway, both feel quite unstressed as long as you keep the speeds between 100-110kph at the most in top gear. The Speed 400 will feel more sprightly than the CB350RS owing to its higher output and lower weight but the Honda's engine has a little more character than the Triumph's.The Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 is a gorgeous and eye-catching bobber but comfort and highway capabilities aren't exactly its strong suits. If you do want an option from the 350cc Royal Enfield lineup, we'd recommend taking a look at the Bullet / Classic because these bikes are excellent at city duties and if you don't mind carrying a sedate pace on the highway, they'll do the job just fine. These options are very different from one another, so we'd advise you to take proper test rides of each to see which one suits you best before you pull the trigger on your next purchase.

autocar.india

•6w

If you want the highest level of comfort in this price bracket, there are primarily two options to look at - the Hero MotoCorp Xpulse 210 and the Royal Enfield Bullet 350. The Xpulse will, of course, have the better ride quality of the two with its long travel suspension, but it's actually the Bullet which has the better rider's triangle and seat comfort. There are other factors at play here, too. The Xpulse is taller but lighter, while the Bullet has a lower seat but weighs nearly 200 kilos.A test ride of both will help you decide which is the best option between these two for you.