Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 350cc Review

A Royal Enfield product is a prized thing to own and as a personal choice bike to flaunt and bike for commuting the 2010 launched Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 350cc can be given a rating of 8.5 on 10 Scale.

The company has been in the realm of bike making for about three centuries now and although Bullets have a modest share in the market the company owns a decent position and competes with premium bikes in the market. Thanks to the engine innovation Bullets lately have become even more sought after machines. Even a used Bullet fetches amazing resale value (probably highest resale value for an Indian bike in the used bike market).



Royal Enfield launched Thunderbird Twinspark 350cc with Twinspark UCE (Unit Construction Engine) engine. Later on the Royal Enfield Classic 500 and the 350 too got upgraded with the UCE engine. And the company promised the Twin Spark UCE engine for Bullet Electra 350. The company kept the promise and re-launched the Bullet Electra 350cc 4S and Bullet Electra 350cc with Twinspark UCE engine.

The first generation Bullet Electra 350cc received tweaks in terms of engineering and ergonomics as well. Royal Enfield Bullet 350 has been reckoned as rugged bike and is a proven machine for four decades now and has nothing to prove to anyone. It has withstood toughest of road conditions delivering always. The new upgrade though has been engineered to feature single front down-tube with a mounted rigid Twin Spark UCE engine. The Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 350cc 4S essentially retained original specifications (of 1955) with few modifications.



As regards looks Bullet Electra 350cc 4S and the 5S have the original styling retained although the upgrades come with front disc brake as well as electric start options. The engine transplant became inevitable option for the company because of BS III emission norms that came into effect from April 2010. Although the cast iron engines were replaced by UCE the thump has remained/retained same (intentionally though) and it certainly is a positive step to give less maintenance woes.

- Amazing black, blue red and silver with gold tones and with the new thumping UCE engine add more royalty to the Bullet Electra 350 and royal presence on roads.

- Bike features big mirrors (I kind of didn't appreciate them much though) and high and wide handlebars (makes seating position and ride very comfortable)

- The exhaust looks way too long but it still enhances elegance of the bike

- The full mudguards add to look up and style while giving better mud protection

- The UCE engine will be the USP of the bike. The engine is eye catchy

- The tank badge retained traditional looks

- Flat single seat (may not impress those who love stepped up seat saddle)

- Gearbox that is distinctive

- Disc brakes and gas shocks

The gorgeous style coupled with bold appeal endears every Bullet lover, although the finish quality of the Bullet Electra is a notch apart from other RE models.

The wheelbase is bigger and so are the tyres to add to the stability and enhance road grip, for making long distance rides more comfortable.

Engine Specifications of the new Bullet Electra 350cc:
Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, OHV, air-cooled, Twinspark UCE engine
Displacement: 346 cc
Bore x Stroke: 70mm x 90mm
Compression Ratio: 8.5 : 1
Maximum Power: 19.8 bhp @ 5250 rpm
Maximum Torque: 28 nm @ 4000 rpm
Transmission: Constant Mesh **4 speed in 350cc 4S Bullet Electra and 5 speed in the 5S Bullet Electra**
Ignition: Digital TCI
Carburetor: BS29 / UCAL

**The gear box in 4S Electra offers 4 speed right foot gear shift and in 5S Electra it's a 5 speed transmission with left foot gear shift. So basically both 4S Electra and the 5S Electra share the same heart, yet the transmission sets them separate. If you feel you can't go for right side gear shift, it is wise to opt for the 5S Bullet Electra.**

Handling and comfort
Handling Bullet Electra 350cc 4S and 5S ensure less maintenance costs and coming equipped with Twinspark UCE engine you can feel the thump and high handle bars with bigger tyres give cool long rides and telescopic, hydraulic damping, stroke 130 mm suspension in the front and swing-arm with gas shocks, stroke 80 mm suspension in the rear help taming the bull well on the roads.

Buy or deny? Last word
Let me tell you about the let downs of the Bullet Electra 350 Twinspark UCE: The electrical connections short way too often which eventually disturbs entire circuit system and until you replace the fuse the bull can't be moved.

Also there is no manual fuel indicator- Come on RE grow kids...we have come past the first decade of the millennium.

Horn is another let down in the Electra 4S and 5S. Come on I hate to give out scooty-like honk with a bull horn. Even the scooters these days come with better horn :(

If you feel you can go customize these things, get your hands on the premium bike. Forking a lakh and a little for a powerful bull isn't one that should deter any Bullet lover.