Maintenance has been such an easy affair for me. I would service it at either 10k kms or 1 year interval. I don't use fancy engine oil or additives and stick to what the owner's manual says.

BHPian Phantom 510 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

My motorcycle turned 6 years old today and has covered exactly 32,504.8 kms till date. It has been a very pleasant experience and I will try to share certain key points about my motorcycle and keep the article as short as possible.

So, let us begin with the negatives.

Negatives:

1. Weak 35/35W headlamp.

2. Lacks the finesse of a modern machine.

3. Stock 3.25 × 19 rear tyre looks weedy and spoils the look from rear.

4. Stock 15T front sprocket hampered highway usability. It affected highway fuel economy and also cruising speeds ( had to be kept within 80 kmph) which are crucial aspects especially on those long highway rides.

5. Braking is one sore point. It feels like a drum brake inspite of sporting a disc brake at front. However, one gets used to it as time passes by but still not it's strength.

And, now the positives.

Positives:

1. That evergreen and timeless Bullet design never gets old. Simple and understated look of the ES350 (Electra 350) suited me the best. It was just right. The Magic Black colour also needs a mention here. It looks like a black from distance but actually a very deep shade of green if observed closely. 

2. It suited me much better ergonomically than the other RE 350's of that time. It was neither cramped like that of the Classic's nor overtly laidback like that of T-Bird's. The tall seating and slightly raised handle bars ( as compared to the Classic 350) puts one into a very commanding riding position. 

3. It has sorted dynamic abilities for a chassis that is almost unchanged since it's introduction in the 1950's. It is stable in the straight line ,in the heavy crosswinds on the open roads, maintains good cornering stability (within it's limits) and mid corner bumps does not affect it much. It is a really planted motorcycle.

4. Ride quality (comfort) is one of it's strengths. The chassis (was meant for trail riding) alongwith it's suspension set up is absolutely spot on for our less than perfect Indian roads. At it's stock preload setting, the ride quality is slightly firm at slow speeds but becomes absolutely sublime when it picks up speed. It will flatten even the worst of the Indian roads with ease. There has been instances where it has surprised popular 'Adv' motorcycles with it's ability to smother bad roads.

5. Bullet 350 is extremely manoevrable inspite of it's portly kerb weight of 187 kilos due to it's extremely tight turning circle. It's turning circle is smaller than many popular 150 cc commuters. Hard to believe but true.

6. That long stroke pushrod operated single is one characterful unit. Off the idle tractor like torque is one of it's highlights. It produces most of it's power lower down and never breaks into a sweat when in the low to mid revs when in a slightly higher gear. It will just keep on chugging and eat up distances easily (albeit at slow pace). 

7. Bullet 350 has never been about acceleration or topspeed. But i would like to share few numbers that i observed during my ownership. The top speed has been 120+ kmph on speedo and 114 kmph on Ulysse gps speedometer app. Although, it's happiest @ 60 to 80 kmph in top gear. It is very easy to ride during the traffic infested commutes due to it's abundant low end torque. It will pull from as low as 25 kmph in 3rd without clutch slip.

8. Fuel economy is just amazing. I have been able to clock as high as 54+ kmpl (when i really hypermiled) by tankful to tankful method. But, it delivers 37 to 40 kmpl easily on regular basis (city 30% + highway 70%). Only commutes will fetch me 35 to 37 kmpl and pure highways rides would deliver 40 to 45 kmpl ( if ridden sanely @ 70 kmph). It is so fuel efficient that it puts 150 cc motorcycles to shame.

9. Maintenance has been such an easy affair for me. I would service it at either 10k kms or 1 year interval. I don't use fancy engine oil or additives and stick to what the owner's manual says. RE Bullet 350 UCE is no high strung race bike that needs top grade oil but a very simple and rugged machine with no complex mechanicals. Getting it serviced on time is all it requires.

Few mods over the years:

1. Carberry Vibration Reduction plate - It's a blessing for all the RE UCE onwers. It has transformed my motorcycle. It has cut down the vibes at cruising speeds (50 to 80 kmph in top gear) noticeably. 

2. Front Rubber gaitors from RE Himalayan - I had fixed them after my first fork oil seals started leaking within a year of purchase. After fixing it my fork oil seal has been working well inspite of riding my motorcycle mostly in less than ideal conditions for almost 5 years now.

3. Classic 350's (16/38) sprocket set - Once my stock sprocket set (15/38) was on it's last legs at around 30k kms. I decided to go for the ones found in the Classic 350 UCE. It has noticeably improved my highway usability and increased the highway fuel efficiency (by 3 kmpl atleast). I can easily cruise at 90 kmph in top gear without feeling very vibey. Cruising at 90 kmph now feels like 80 kmph with the previous sprocket set. 

4. Upgraded to a slightly wider 3.5× 19 rear tyre- It has not only improved the look but also it's stability.

Breakdowns so far:

Couple of punctures, fused bulbs, rocker cover gasket leakage (once) and a flat battery (once).

Few other points:

Still running on stock accelerator & clutch cable and clutch assy.

In the end i would like to thank you all for going through my article with patience. Kindly excuse if i had made any mistakes. Regards!

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Is Royal Enfield bringing back models like the Bullet 500 and Sixty 5?

Royal Enfield is all set to launch the Bullet 350 on September 1, 2023. However, in addition to this, the bike maker could also unveil three more bikes. A teaser released by the company on its website mentions the Bullet 500, Bullet Electra, and Bullet Sixty 5.

The new Bullet 350 will be based on the J-platform, which is shared with other 350cc models like the Classic and Meteor. The bike is likely to be offered in three variants: Base, Mid and Top.

The Bullet 350 will be powered by a revised 350cc single-cylinder long-stroke engine that develops 20.2 BHP @ 6,100 rpm and 27 Nm @ 4,000 rpm and will be paired with a new 5-speed gearbox. The Bullet Electra could use the same engine and gearbox combination.

Royal Enfield discontinued the Bullet 500 back in 2020, following the rollout of the BS6 emission regulations. However, it is available in the international market even today.

Details about the Bullet Sixty 5 are scarce. It was introduced in the early-2000s. Some say that the new model could be the rumoured 650cc version.

Thanks to Sachin for the heads-up!

The last fuel efficiency was 26 km/l.

BHPian tharian recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The bike has run 1,27,500 kms as of now.

• The tyres were replaced over the last couple of years as was the full exhaust set, a new seat and last week, a new battery. The chain sprocket set was replaced last year and seems to have finally set in with the chain rubbing noise reducing considerably.

• The engine runs fine, even with a pillion although it doesn't have the grunt like before. But it does fine for a relaxed ride in the city, but when I take it once a week in the peak morning hour, I have to wring its neck because of the fast-moving traffic.
• It is nearing the 21-year mark in a couple of months and I was contemplating selling it off when the overall condition is good. The main reason being that I wouldn't have the time especially when the time comes for engine work, to keep going to and fro to my mech to check on things. The second reason is the space. There are three bikes and three cars that include my father's and a fellow member's vehicles spread around the apartment building I stay. When I move out, this will be a problem. Although the sale is not something I am forcing myself to do, I may end up doing it down the line.
• On the flip side, there are many reasons that I want to keep the motorcycle with me. It has been with me since 2002, done plenty of memorable rides and I want to keep it as a bike that my daughter can use eventually and take it for shows years from now.
• This bike doesn't have much demand like the STD 350 as I figured from a couple of my mechs since it is not a CB points ignition, nor a heavy crank. But at the end of the day, it is still a CI with a 4sp gearbox which is special in itself. So I may just keep it at the end of the day if there is a option to do that.

The last fuel efficiency was 26 km/l.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The Interceptor 650 will share the garage with my 20-year-old Bullet Electra that I will use for short city rides.

BHPian tharian recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Finally, bit the Bullet and joined the bandwagon.

My Canyon Red Interceptor '22 make.

Got the sump guard, leg guard, fly screen and premium touring seat fixed from the showroom. Next in line is the backrest and rear footrest grill for the mufflers.

The bike was delivered at home and I rode it just a couple of kms since I am recovering from Covid.

This is my second new bike purchase, the first being my 2002 Bullet Electra which will remain with me for short city rides.

My daughter is as excited as I am. And sharing the garage are member SandeepMohan's 72' FIAT 1100D and my 20-year Bullet Electra in the background.

Here's what BHPian KayEss had to say about the matter:

Congratulations and wish you safe and happy travels on the red beauty!

Loved your daughter's expression. Nothing is ever as delightful as the joy on the face of a kid on a motorbike.

Here's what BHPian Rahulkool had to say about the matter:

Congrats on the new bike, wish you many happy miles on it.

Here's what BHPian jomson13 had to say about the matter:

Many congratulations, the bike looks smashing.

Wish you many happy miles on it.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The bike is exclusively used for trips with minimal city riding. Due to this and Covid, usage over almost last 2 years has been very low.

BHPian warrioraks recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The backdrop:

I have an RE Electra. The bike has served me well over the last 7 years - 50k kms and has been a fantastic companion on road trips. Few of the these are captured in this thread.

[Note to self - Need to update the thread with a few other memorable trips]

The bike is exclusively used for trips with minimal city riding. Due to this and Covid, usage over almost last 2 years has been very low. Recently, I took the bike for service in anticipation of a trip. The FNG told me something's wrong with crank shaft assembly and gave me a quote of Rs 20k to fix it. Although the guy is super-reliable, I still took the bike to RE service center for second opinion. Got the same diagnosis and unsurprisingly got a much higher repair quote from them.

The dilemma:

Considering this is a 7 year old bike, I see two options in front of me:

• Option A: Give the bike to my FNG for an overhaul (including the engine). Thinking of getting a new seat, better headlamps, maybe a paint job. Tyres were already upgraded few months back to the maximum possible size within stock setup and I am super happy with the performance.
• Option B: Sell this bike and buy something newer. Rode my friend's Meteor recently and although the refinement stumped me, I did not get the same feel as I get from my bike. Might be because of the emotional connect or I maybe because I am still stuck in the 90s. If I had to pick something today, most probably would buy something like a Himalayan, KTM ADV 390, GS 310. I have been very happy with my current bike and don't track new launches a lot. So practically I am not even sure of what I should be upgrading to. But I think it's a good problem to have considering the options available in the market today.

The monkey mind analysis:

• Option B is going to cost me atleast 6-10X of option A.
• Option B provides me with a modern bike and would require lesser trips to the garage.
• Option A allows me to hold on to my dear bike for longer. It can also give me a flavor of owning something custom with minimal downside. Both my FNG and RE mechanic confirmed that the bike is in good shape except for the engine crank shaft assembly [I never change things from stock setup in my cars and bikes except a few functional accessories here or there]
• Option A saves significant money.

The catch:

There is an imminent relocation (within India) lurking for me once we are past the pandemic and my bike trips might actually reduce as I move to a new city. My riding let's say 2022 onwards will depend on whether I am able to find folks who are equally interested in bike trips and at the same time ride bikes that shoot as slow as my Bullet Electra.

The decision:

Need to finalize on what to do in this situation. At this point, I am inclined towards Option A. Primarily because of less cost and ambiguity around the future trips.
What do you guys think? Is there another option out there that is not considered? Thanks in advance.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Would go for repairs, since you clearly love your bike. More reasoning in a thread I wrote for cars, but the points are applicable here as well.

Here's what BHPian tharian had to say on the matter:

Go with option A and keep the bike since you enjoy riding it and later down the line, pick up a faster bike and keep the Electra for city use.

From the looks of it, I think the main bearing or the big end bearing is what they are referring to as crankshaft repairs. It is not a big deal from what I know of the same work carried out on few AVL's and CI 500's. The engine should be good for a long while after that is fixed.

Here's what BHPian abhishek46 had to say on the matter:

Option A, Eyes Closed. Just look at the prices of new RE bikes currently!

Get the engine overhauled, and enjoy the ride.

I would personally prefer the service center for engine overhauling (original parts, warranty on the work etc.).

Here's what BHPian SidharthaN had to say on the matter:

Repair and keep the Electra. The push-rod, long stroke is a gem and legacy. They just keep running. I have a UCE TB 2015 running strong at 1,17,000Kms with the engine untouched. I would say as long as you don't think something is wrong, something might actually not be wrong. I never ask the mech if something is wrong, unless I feel personally there is an issue. Hence my TB still marches on and does 90kmph with ease. Give a thought to what makes you think the engine needs work.

And any day the old school RE's can tour the world, yes a bit slow, but definitely with confidence. So to think you actually do not need a new bike for touring, if you are okay to chug along at 80kmph, it will keep munching the miles. I am keeping the TB till it falls apart in the next 9 years...which I know it wont since the old RE's just keeping running.

Here's what BHPian ashwinprakas had to say on the matter:

Even before taking the plunge myself I always used to admit that a Pushrod engine is legendary in its own right, when even traditional brands like Harley Davidson is shifting to OHC and EV only RE is offering the privilege of owning a OHV in 2021! And that too for peanuts in comparison.

After you've clocked a couple of lakhs the CC fanaticism goes for a toss and you start to appreciate the finer things in life and that is when one really appreciates a pushrod.

So trust you me, DO NOT SELL THE PUSHROD! Especially not for a OHC that is like trading in a Citizen Eagle 7 for a Modern Retro Casio, only the less informed participate in such blasphemy!

P.S. Are you really sure your motorcycle needs a rebuild? I would not trust any mechanic, best to consult with a fellow BHPian who knows his motorcycles and isn't hesitant of getting his hands dirty.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

During the ride, I covered around 425 km and got a fuel efficiency of 28 km/l while maintaining an average speed of 50 km/h.

BHPian tharian recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Finally, crossed the 1,25,000 km mark during a nice long ride. The odo now stands at 1,25,080 km.

Headed out early on Saturday, still unsure where to go. Decided to hit Tumkur road and figure it out on the fly. Being a weekend, the traffic was dense with a few bikers riding in groups and one or two, like me, doing solo. Most of the traffic went towards Hassan and I headed straight towards Tumkur and decided to hit the Shimoga road and head back after I have covered some distance.

One surprise was that the Tumkur bypass is finally completed. It is now a proper 4-lane, divided road. This road had always been in a bad condition during all the years I have used it. The second surprise was the conversion of the Tumkur-Shimoga road into a 4-lane road. A good number of short stretches have been completed and has transformed the route. The last time I did a good part of this stretch was 4 years ago.

I headed up to Coffee Day just outside Arsikere, which is hidden now because of a flyover that is coming up next to it. The last time I was there was when I did a similar one-day ride to Chikamagalur on my 500, 7 years ago. The place, like the road, has completely transformed. I cut off a little further ahead towards Halibeedu, which was a good two-way road, and then from Halibeedu to Hassan and came back via Kunigal.

Covered around 425 km in total and apart from a seizing feeling from the engine every time I crossed 70 km/h, the motorcycle performed fine the entire way. Got a fuel efficiency of 28 km/l while maintaining an average speed of 50 km/h. Didn't bother pushing it on some long down gradients this time as I was afraid of seizing the engine for good. The usual oil leak increased from the head gasket and a bit more from the PCV which drains onto the chain. The last oil service was done 2,500 km ago, so will be giving it for the next service in another 2,000 km.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

According to a media report, Royal Enfield has recalled the Bullet and Bullet Electra models for a faulty brake caliper bolt. Nearly 7,000 motorcycles manufactured between March 20 and April 30, 2019 have been affected by this recall.

According to the company, the torque maintained on the brake caliper bolts fitted on the aforementioned models was not as per its standards. Royal Enfield is said to be reaching out to owners of the affected bikes to get the issue rectified.

The Bullet 350ES is powered by a 346cc, single-cylinder engine that produces 19.8 BHP @ 5,250 rpm and 28 Nm @ 4,000 rpm, while the Bullet 500 comes with a 499cc, single-cylinder engine that puts out 27.2 BHP @ 5,250 rpm and 41.3 Nm @ 4,000 rpm. Both bikes come equipped with a 5-speed gearbox.

Source: Economic Times

Royal Enfield appears to have silently pulled the plug on the Electra nameplate from its range of motorcycles. Though the Electra moniker has now been taken off from the company's official website, the bike is now listed under the Standard Street range. Hence, while the 'Electra' name has been discontinued, the model lives on with a different badge - the Bullet 350.

Royal Enfield is offering an ES variant of the Bullet 350, where ES refers to Electric Start. This variant also gets disc brakes at the front. Hence, the Bullet 350 ES is essentially the Royal Enfield Electra, albeit with a different brand name. It is being offered in four colours: Black, Silver, Maroon and Blue. Meanwhile, the standard Bullet 350 (without the electric start and disc brake) is still only available in the Black colour.

After discontinuation of the Electra nameplate, the manufacturer's portfolio now consists of the Continental GT, Himalayan, Classic, Thunderbird and the Bullet.