Team-BHP - 500cc Royal Enfield vs NEW 350cc Enfield

I will be riding around India for 6 months and have 2 options on bike to buy -

1) 2002 Bullet 500cc, re-built with new parts 75,000rs

2) NEW Bullet 350cc from the showroom 75,000rs

Both bikes are the same price but is it worth buying the 2nd hand bike to get the extra 150cc or go to the showroom and get a new 350cc?

I have heard that the 500cc helps if you are carrying someone on the back but would like to hear it from someone who has rode both and has had someone on the back.

The extra 150cc and the added torque will definitely help you while overtaking on our two lane highways and while riding through the hills. Especially when you have a pillion and luggage on board. The 350cc is okay for a single rider with luggage.

I would buy a new bike.
The 500 cc is def a better highway bike but the 350 is not bad either.

With a new bike, you get to do the breakin etc on your terms.
Its better than a rebuilt engine, the reliability of which is suspect.

Well imho go for a 500 as that would be the best machine with luggage +/- Pillion.

The 75K you mention for a 2002 500 is a bit on the higher side. I bought a 2007 500 LB for 65k and spent another 20k to get it to top order (some cosmetic while some mechanical).

I recently toured to Nepal from Mumbai (approx 5000km / 16 days) on my machine it was worry free except for the a blown battery post landing in Mumbai ( the battery was the one that came with the bike in 2007 and was anyhow due for replacement), the other incidents were road casualties like 1 puncture and a broken footpeg.

My partner who is a veteran ontouring and rides a 2008 350 AVL Machismo wants to move to a 500 LB since he feels the 350 is a bit under powered.

Though the 350 is also a good machine but i would still prefer the 500 :D

2002 bullet price seems to be on the high side and you would not get a new 350 cc bike at 75000.

IMO you should get a new or used AVL (Machismo or Thunderbird) and if you can stretch your budget then a AVL 500.

Since you need it for 6 months ride in India, you may want to go for the better and reliable AVL than the Cast iron bikes

Noway should you pay 75K for a 2002 bull.
If the guy is doing this daylight robbery just for the 500cc name, don't get sucked into it.

Maintenance wise 350 will be a breeze compared to 500.

And the additional torque/bhp in 500 is only marginal.

50K for old 500 is more reasonable. Even then I would make a judgement on how much I would have to spend to bring the bike back to original glory.

For 75-80K - get a new 350 one with eyes closed.

PS: as stated above - AVLs (Machismo/TBird) are really maint free. I know that since mine is 2003 TBird.

Scottoe

go for the new bike, since i reckon you are not from india and coming here for holiday.

So anything going bad or any fishy deal should be last thing to happen to you.

there is not much of a difference between 350 and 500 considering that 350 is new and 500 will be old.

Plus new bike will be totally trouble free and will come with a warranty and TOTAL piece of mind.

so dont even think of buying an old bike if you can afford a new one. period

cheers

@Scottoe, what kind of rides are you planning during your six months stay ??
My opinion is that you look for the places you would tour, and the kind of rides and then decide. Buying a brand new Std 350 from showroom and starting a tour the next day definitely is out of question.
The run in routine can/should last around 3k km, and you better watch the terrain you ride during run in. Not only the engine, a few other parts can have some irritating (minor, but indeed irritating) issues during running in, and you might curse yourself midway on tour.
I'd rather you pick up an engine settled with at least 5k on the odo.

Again, 75k for a 2002 500 CI is on the high side.

Scottoe, I also have the same opinion as ashokrajagopal. With a new bike, you will have to take care of the run-in period and other services etc and you might not find an authorised service center in all locations.

So go for a used bullet which is well maintained and in sound condition. Regarding the cost part of the 500cc, the seller is trying to sell a fortune!

Though 500cc is a better option with pillion rider and luggage, I don't think 350 is anything less compared to a 500cc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudheermenon (Post 1519617)

Though 500cc is a better option with pillion rider and luggage, I don't think 350 is anything less compared to a 500cc.

Imho 350 is much lesser if he is intending to tour the country with a pillion and luggage. Power deficit will be felt while overtaking on our highways and riding through ghats.

500cc asking price of 75000 is a tad high. Around 60k would've been more appropriate since you're getting a fully refurbished bike. Do you have a buy back agreement with the seller?

If you opt for a 350 then go for the aluminum engined bikes, performs much better than the CI350. Negative is that you will not get that feel of the iron engined bike which i guess is one of the reasons you had to choose between CI 500 and 350.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayPrashanth (Post 1519677)

Go for the STD350. You will be buying a legend. The days of the CI STD350 are numbered.

Cheers,

Jay

What about the availability of spare parts in the long run?

I agree that it has been there for decades. But knowing the efficiency of RE, I am wondering how long the spare parts would be available once the bike is discontinued. A bullet is considered as a long term relationship compared with other regular bikes out there.

Since I've been to India before, I won't be riding anywhere
further north than New Delhi.

I plan to ride to Kolkata then into Bangladesh, heading south
towards Chennai and then to the beaches - so I won't be
hitting the hills of the north ie. the awesome Manali - Leh road.

I plan on riding by myself for the majority as I don't want to
be responsible for someone on the back, so it will mainly just be
myself and the luggage.

75,000rs for a 2002 500cc does sound a tad on the high side
from what the majority have been saying - cheers for the advice!!