500cc Royal Enfield vs NEW 350cc Enfield

scottoe · 7th October 2009, 11:42

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.

Sankar · 7th October 2009, 12:26

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.

jkdas · 7th October 2009, 12:28

A new 350cc will cost more than 75k on the road. And 75k for a 500 is pricey IMHO.

bblost · 7th October 2009, 12:29

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.

MumBiker · 7th October 2009, 13:13

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

rrahul_2778 · 7th October 2009, 13:52

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

alpha1 · 7th October 2009, 14:06

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.

simply_sunny001 · 7th October 2009, 14:22

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

ashokrajagopal · 7th October 2009, 18:34

@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.

sudheermenon · 7th October 2009, 20:21

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.

JayPrashanth · 7th October 2009, 20:48

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

Cheers,

Jay

Sankar · 7th October 2009, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudheermenon

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.

PatienceWins · 7th October 2009, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayPrashanth

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.

scottoe · 8th October 2009, 01:27

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!!

Sankar · 8th October 2009, 08:18

In that case a 350 would be more than enough!

Happy touring!!

7th October 2009, 11:42	#1
scottoe Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 6 Thanked: 0 Times	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. Last edited by Jaggu : 7th October 2009 at 11:58. Reason: Please preview post before submitting, especially while cut pasting from external font editors. Thanks
	() Thanks

7th October 2009, 12:26	#2
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,766 Thanked: 9,053 Times	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.
	() Thanks

7th October 2009, 12:28	#3
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,492 Times View My Garage	A new 350cc will cost more than 75k on the road. And 75k for a 500 is pricey IMHO.
	() Thanks

7th October 2009, 12:29	#4
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,000 Thanked: 15,305 Times View My Garage	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.
	() Thanks

7th October 2009, 13:13	#5
MumBiker BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 89 Thanked: 12 Times View My Garage	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
	() Thanks

7th October 2009, 13:52	#6
rrahul_2778 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 250 Thanked: 13 Times	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
	() Thanks

7th October 2009, 14:06	#7
alpha1 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: LandOfNoWinters Posts: 2,092 Thanked: 2,602 Times	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. Last edited by alpha1 : 7th October 2009 at 14:07.
	() Thanks

7th October 2009, 14:22	#8
simply_sunny001 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London & Rohtak Posts: 1,340 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	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
	() Thanks

7th October 2009, 18:34	#9
ashokrajagopal BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 169 Thanked: 797 Times	@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.
	() Thanks

7th October 2009, 20:21	#10
sudheermenon BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Queen of Arabian Sea Posts: 115 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	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.
	() Thanks

7th October 2009, 20:48	#11
JayPrashanth Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore/Goa Posts: 1,302 Thanked: 2,074 Times	Go for the STD350. You will be buying a legend. The days of the CI STD350 are numbered. Cheers, Jay
	() Thanks

8th October 2009, 01:27	#14
scottoe Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 6 Thanked: 0 Times	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!!
	() Thanks

8th October 2009, 08:18	#15
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,766 Thanked: 9,053 Times	In that case a 350 would be more than enough! Happy touring!!
	() Thanks

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