Which Royal Enfield Is Right for You?

There's no simple answer to this question. From the classic Bullet look to new age cruisers and even an adventure touring motorcycle in the Himalayan, Royal Enfield has a wide range of motorcycles on offer. For some, it may be the '60s British design, the aura of a retro bike which has been in service for over half a century and for others, it may be a 'do everything' bike; for the daily commute, for leisure riding and even for the occasional long distance ride.

There's no denying that Royal Enfield motorcycles attract a cult following, be it the seasoned 'Bullet lover' or the newbie for whom nothing else but a Royal Enfield would do. The reasons for this following are many - from brand loyalty, street presence and the go-anywhere, rock solid image of Royal Enfield bikes. But which Royal Enfield suits your personality and your requirements? We take a look at the current Royal Enfield bikes on sale, and what each model offers, in terms of performance, fuel economy, and styling.
 

1. Royal Enfield Bullet 350

(Royal Enfield Bullet 350 UCE)

The quintessential Royal Enfield, the Bullet 350 still retains the classic, age-old looks of the original 1950s Bullet, and it still commands a loyal fan following. The Bullet 350 is only available in black with the traditional hand painted gold pin stripes on the tank and the Royal Enfield motif faithful to period-specific looks. A single round headlight with the 'classic' pilot lights in the same casing, triangular side panels with toolkit storage and a traditional rear fender with subframe complete the period look of the Bullet.

The powerplant is a modern unit construction engine - which has a single unit housing the crank and the gearbox. Earlier Bullets had separate housings for the gearbox and the crankcase. Yes, purists may miss the right-hand-side gear shift with neutral finder, contact breaker points ignition, as well as the deep throated thump from the old cast iron block. But the new UCE offers significant advantage - no oil leaks, more reliability and better fuel economy too.

It's the closes to the old Bullet, yet modern in every way. The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 offers nostalgia and a bike with street presence and very good ride quality. It's not a hi-performance bike, and the engine doesn't like being revved, but if you don't mind cruising at 80kmph or thereabouts, the Bullet 350 will make you happy. Fuel economy in the real world is anything between 35-40kmpl, depending on riding style, traffic and road conditions.

Specs

Engine: 346cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke engine

Maximum Power: 19.8bhp@5250rpm

Maximum Torque: 28Nm@4000rpm

Gearbox: 5-speed constant mesh

Chassis: Single downtube

Front Suspension: Telescopic, 35mm forks, 130mm travel

Rear Suspension: Twin shocks five-step preload adjustable with 80mm travel

Kerb Weight: 180kg

2. Royal Enfield Bullet 500

(Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Forest Green)

The Royal Enfield Bullet 500 offers the same iconic, timeless design of the legendary Bullet, but gets a more powerful heart - a 500cc unit construction engine with twinspark ignition. Visually, the Bullet 500 looks quite similar to the Bullet 350 but the 500 is available in three different shades - black, marsh grey and forest green. There are some minor changes like the ribbed seat, different tyre tread pattern and the inclusion of a front disc brake.

As the name suggests, the Bullet 500 gets a bump in displacement - powered by a UCE which displaces 499cc and is fed by a carburettor with throttle position sensor, unlike the fuel-injected Classic 500. The rest of the cycle parts are similar to the Bullet 350, but the 500 gets a 280mm front disc brake and better illumination, courtesy a powerful 55w halogen headlight. Unlike the Bullet 350, the Bullet 500 gets a slightly smaller 18-inch rear wheel.

Performance wise, the Bullet 500 is a step up from its 350cc sibling, offering better pull from low revs, due to the massive torque the engine makes and better cruising speed as well. Whether riding solo, or even two-up, the Bullet 500 pulls cleanly, even in the high mountains and on steep inclines. The 500 will cruise happily around 90kmph and will go up to a top speed of over 120kmph, but the engine doesn't like being revved and maintaining those speeds become stressful, the vibrations creep in and doesn't make it a very pleasant experience. Ridden in its sweet spot and over long hours on the highway, the Bullet 500 returns between 30-35kmpl.

Specs

Engine: 499cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled four-stroke engine

Maximum Power: 26.1bhp@5100rpm

Maximum Torque: 40.9Nm@3800rpm

Gearbox: 5-speed constant mesh

Chassis: Single downtube

Front Suspension: Telescopic front forks, 130mm travel

Rear Suspension: Gas charged twin shocks, 80mm travel

Kerb Weight: 193kg

3. Royal Enfield Bullet Electra

(Royal Enfield Bullet Electra)

The Royal Enfield Bullet Electra is a Bullet 350 with some cosmetic tweaks and minor upgrades. The silhouette is unmistakably Bullet, but the Electra gets added chrome, in the front and rear fenders and the embossed Royal Enfield on the fuel tank. The traditional hand-painted pin striping is given a miss, as is the tank motif. The taillight is different as well, and the Bullet Electra is available in four different shades - silver, black, blue and red. Both wheels on the Bullet Electra are 19-inch spoked wheels.

The Bullet Electra's engine is the same as that of the Bullet 350, and performance is more or less similar. The Electra though is marginally heavier, but that doesn't translate to any noticeable change in performance. The Bullet Electra offers good ride quality and fuel economy ranges from 35-40kmpl, depending on different riding conditions. Ridden flat out, the Bullet Electra will post a top speed of 120kmph, but it's happiest cruising at around 80kmph. The Electra is for the Bullet lover who desires more chrome and also comes with an optional front disk brake.

Specs:

Engine: 346cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke engine

Maximum Power: 19.8bhp@5250rpm

Maximum Torque: 28Nm@4000rpm

Gearbox: 5-speed constant mesh

Chassis: Single downtube

Front Suspension: Telescopic, 35mm forks, 130mm travel

Rear Suspension: Twin shocks five-step preload adjustable with 80mm travel

Kerb Weight: 187kg

4. Royal Enfield Classic 350

(Royal Enfield Classic 350)

The most popular and highest selling Royal Enfield is the Classic 350; a motorcycle which follows the similar silhouette of the Bullet, but gets a nip and tuck, with redesigned fenders, new taillight section, optional upswept exhaust and a split seat, with a sprung rider's seat. The rear wheel size is an 18-incher while the front retains the 19-inch rim of the Bullet.

The hardware remains the same - the 350cc UCE which powers the Bullet 350, Bullet Electra and the Thunderbird 350, but the Classic 350 gets a front disc brake - the same 280mm disc which is available on the Bullet Electra. Performance is more or less similar to the other 350cc Royal Enfield bikes on offer, but what differentiates the Classic 350 is a more flamboyant design - modern, yet retaining the retro lines and available in as many as six different shades. The Classic 350 returns real-world fuel efficiency figures of around 35-40kmpl depending on riding and road conditions.

This is for the retro lovers - with split seats, with the option of removing the rear seat and flashy colours, yet retaining the simple design of the original.

Specs

Engine: 346cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke engine

Maximum Power: 19.8bhp@5250rpm

Maximum Torque: 28Nm@4000rpm

Gearbox: 5-speed constant mesh

Chassis: Single downtube

Front Suspension: Telescopic, 35mm forks, 130mm travel

Rear Suspension: Twin shocks five-step preload adjustable with 80mm travel

Kerb Weight: 187kg

5. Royal Enfield Classic 500

(Royal Enfield Classic 500)

The Royal Enfield Classic 500 has near identical looks of the Classic 350, following the timeless Bullet silhouette, but with some cosmetic changes. Visually, the only difference between the Classic 350 and the Classic 500 are on the clutch and brake levers; while the Classic 350 gets all-black levers, the 500 gets buffed, chrome finished levers. And of course, the Classic 500 is available in distinct paint schemes, and with several iterations, like the Classic Desert Storm, Classic Squadron Blue and Classic Chrome, the last one with additional chrome treatment on the body.

The major change is in the engine - the Classic 500 gets a more powerful fuel-injected 500cc engine, which offers dollops of torque from very low revs. Needless to say, the Classic 500 offers more tractability and pulling power, especially in climbing inclines with luggage, even with a pillion on board. In terms of performance, the Classic 500 is capable of hitting a top speed of around 130kmph, but is happiest cruising around the 90kmph mark. The Classic 500 also gets marginally more power and torque than the Bullet 500. Like all Royal Enfields, the Classic 500's engine also doesn't like being revved. Anything above triple digit speeds, the Classic 500 hands out vibrations on the handlebars, footpegs and the engine doesn't like being revved at high speeds for long.

The extra power and extra torque make it a very good touring motorcycle and it delivers fuel economy of between 30-35kmpl, with worst fuel economy going down to around 25kmpl in high-altitude conditions and in difficult terrain. For those looking for extra grunt, whether in-gear acceleration or in the high mountains, the Classic 500 offers more performance and more riding pleasure, but at the cost of low fuel economy.

Specs

Engine: 499cc single-cylinder, four-stroke engine, Twin-spark

Maximum Power: 27.2bhp@5250rpm

Maximum Torque: 41.3Nm@4000rpm

Gearbox: 5-speed constant mesh

Chassis: Single downtube

Front Suspension: Telescopic, 35mm forks, 130mm travel

Rear Suspension: Twin shocks five-step preload adjustable with 80mm travel

Kerb Weight: 190kg

6. Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350

(Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350)

The Thunderbird 350 is the entry-level cruiser from the Royal Enfield stable. For cruiser fans, the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 offers classic cruiser styling, and is the first Royal Enfield which was marketed as a true cruiser-adventure bike all rolled into one. The engine is still the same as the Classic 350, but the Thunderbird gets more features; a 20-litre tank for extended range, a digital meter console, split seats with removable rear seat which can be used as a luggage carrier and an LED taillight.

The Thunderbird 350 is powered by the familiar 350cc engine and is fed through a carburettor. Like all Royal Enfield bikes, ride quality is its biggest strength, and the Thunderbird 350 also sails through all kinds of bumps, road undulations and terrain. Yes, it's equally at home in the urban jungle, during the daily commute as well as the occasional long ride. The bike cruises steadily at around 90kmph and offers a comfortable riding posture for those long hours in the highway. The only thing missing - is the extra torque the Thunderbird 500 provides, and the fuel injection. But for that, you have to shell out more. Top speed is around the 120kmph mark and fuel economy ranges from anything between 35-40kmpl. If you like the cruiser-ish looks and extra features of the Thunderbird 350, go for it, but for some more grunt, take a look at the Thunderbird 500.

Specs

Engine: 346cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke engine

Maximum Power: 19.8bhp@5250rpm

Maximum Torque: 28Nm@4000rpm

Gearbox: 5-speed constant mesh

Chassis: Single downtube

Front Suspension: Telescopic, 35mm forks, 130mm travel

Rear Suspension: Twin shocks five-step preload adjustable with 80mm travel

Kerb Weight: 192kg

7. Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

(Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500)

The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 is the bigger, more powerful sibling in the Thunderbird duo. Bigger doesn't mean in size, it's identical to the Thunderbird 350, but the engine gets the 500cc powerplant and it gets electronic fuel injection. Many Thunderbird owners use their bikes for the most part within the city, and if this is the primary usage area, then it is better to stick with the 350, primarily because it offers better fuel economy.

For those seeking to head out on the highway often, the 500 makes more sense, the extra torque helps climb inclines, even with a pillion on board, and the 500cc engine offers a marginally higher cruising speed as well. The EFI helps in high altitude terrain and overall the Thunderbird 500 offers more pull and power. But if price is a constraint, and fuel economy a worry, it's better to stick to the Thunderbird 350. For everything else, the marginal power increment and the extra torque really helps.

Specs

Engine: 499cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke engine

Maximum Power: 27.2bhp@5250rpm

Maximum Torque: 41.3m@4000rpm

Gearbox: 5-speed constant mesh

Chassis: Single downtube

Front Suspension: Telescopic, 41mm forks, 130mm travel

Rear Suspension: Twin shocks five-step preload adjustable with 80mm travel

Kerb Weight: 195kg

8. Royal Enfield Continental GT

(Royal Enfield Continental GT Black

The Continental GT is the café racer in the Royal Enfield stable. It offers a '60s café racer design harking back to an era where café racers were quite the rage in Europe. The engine is also a stroked out version of the 500cc UCE, and the Continental GT gets a displacement bump to 535cc, the largest displacing engine on any Royal Enfield on sale right now.

It looks great, and the bump in displacement with the slight increase in power and torque does make it slightly quicker than any other Royal Enfield 500, but the issue of the vibrations from the engine is ever-present. Needless to say, the Continental GT may look the part of the period café racer, and the double cradle chassis also aids in making it a good handler, but the nature of the engine remains the same. It doesn't like being revved and is happiest at around 100kmph. The jump in displacement also means the Conti GT is more thirsty so, fuel economy is rated at anything between 25-32kmpl.

Specs

Engine: 535cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke engine

Maximum Power: 29.1bhp@5100rpm

Maximum Torque: 44Nm@4000rpm

Gearbox: 5-speed constant mesh

Chassis: Single downtube

Front Suspension: Telescopic, 41mm forks, 110mm travel

Rear Suspension: Twin shocks five-step preload adjustable with 80mm travel

Kerb Weight: 184kg

9. Royal Enfield Himalayan

(Royal Enfield Himalayan)

This is the newest from the Royal Enfield stable and it breaks new ground - quite literally. The Himalayan is the first purpose-built adventure tourer from Royal Enfield and its development is actually borne out of something Royal Enfield owners have been doing with their bikes for quite sometime now. Almost every Royal Enfield owner desires to go on a long ride - whether it is from city to city, state to state, and some even wander on a pilgrimage of sorts to the highest roads in the world in the Himalayas.

And so, the Himalayan was born; to cruise highways and take in relative comfort those who seek to explore and thirst for adventure. The Himalayan gets an all-new 411cc engine, called the LS, or Long Stroke 410. It's still air-cooled, but gets an oil cooler and a counterbalance for more refinement. The engine still feels vibey at high revs and the Himalayan is happiest cruising at around 90kmph.

But the Himalayan also gets equipment which gives it its 'go anywhere' personality. Long travel suspension, high ground clearance and a monoshock rear shock with long travel (the first mono shock on any Royal Enfield) give it tremendous versatility, to take on all kinds of terrain when the road ends. For the adventure seeker, the Himalayan is the perfect Royal Enfield, it's got comfortable ergonomics and ride quality, and even has a seat which is comfortable for the pillion. It just misses out on high-speed cruising capability. Revved hard, the Himalayan displays a top speed of over 130kmph, but the engine feels stressed out and the vibrations start at high revs. But where the tarmac ends, there is no other motorcycle in India which comes close to the Himalayan. As an affordable adventure tourer, the Himalayan still is the best bet.

Specs

Engine: 411cc single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke engine

Maximum Power: 24.4bhp@6500rpm

Maximum Torque: 32Nm@4000-4500rpm

Gearbox: 5-speed constant mesh

Chassis: Single downtube

Front Suspension: Telescopic, 41mm forks, 200mm travel

Rear Suspension: Monoshock with linkage, 180mm travel

Kerb Weight: 182kg

(The Royal Enfield Himalayan is a capable off-roader)

The last word

So, that brings us back to the question - which Royal Enfield should you choose? Now, there are several things which are likely to influence your buying decision - looks, price, running cost, performance and usage. If you are besotted with the retro look, you should look no further than the Bullet, and with some added styling, even the Classic series. They offer decent ride and fuel economy for city riding and your daily commute, but should you feel the need for a long ride, then no problem either. The cheapest among these is the Bullet 350, but you miss out on additional chrome and a disk brake.

If cruiser looks are your thing, the Thunderbird will appeal to you, and for a sporty Royal Enfield, the Continental GT. The 500s offer more power and performance, and if you are inclined to tour a lot, you should look at the 500cc engine, but it also guzzles more fuel, and the 500s also cost more, so keep those things in mind, if budget is a constraint. If adventure is on your mind, you want to venture out to the back of beyond, but your ride should also double up as the daily commute, the Himalayan will do all these things. And it is the most comfortable Royal Enfield, offers a plush ride, for you and your pillion, if you are inclined to have company in your adventures. Still confused? Drop us a line and we will try and address your concerns.