Besides the nostalgia for loyal fans, the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is also about the twinspark technology, better engine and a composed ride, says Abhijeet Hingway

Last year, Royal Enfield launched the much-awaited Classic 500cc bike on the Indian road. It is a unique bike, with unique colour and a fantastic performance. Along with that, Royal Enfield also introduced the 350cc variant with a twinspark technology. Something that a hardcore ‘Bullet lover’ was waiting for. Performance with classic looks is what this Bullet is all about.

A look at the bike gets you nostalgic: be it the the front number plate, the logo, the split seat or the  classic look of the 1950s. It definitely looks like coming out of World War II. All the gadgets and stick ons emphasise a typical classic theme. The round headlamps with young guard, analog valves, individual semi with visible steel springs and deep-drawn fenders of the rear tyre gel well to make a style statement of yesteryears.

The front and rear mudguards almost look the same, including the fuel tank that has the typical rubber padding on both sides. Head lamp, exhaust and headlight casing are typical classic style, and are plated in chrome. Distinctive spoked wheels with bulky 18-inch tyres and air filter box with 350 logo retain the classic characteristics. The speedometer remains analog to maintain its classical theme all over the instrument panel.

The bike houses the proven 346cc engine that serves the Thunderbird Twinspark. The powerplant generates 19.8Bhp at 5250 rpm with a useful 28Nm of maximum torque. What is really new in the Royal Enfield Classic is a Unit Construction Engine (UCE). In the Classic’s engine, the clutch and gearbox are situated outside, and are integrated into the crankcase. Royal Enfield claims that the UCE construction gives the Classic less moving parts, less transmission loss and less maintenance issues that were observed in the previous models. Additionally, the EFI engine is coupled to a five-speed gearbox that provides a wide range of rpm.

A familiar heartbeat welcomes you on this bike; a prominent refinement of the engine is striking. At idle, the engine behaves well but emits vibrations at higher rpm. Shift the bike in first gear and it pulls with a firm pick-up. The bike reaches the 60-km mark in eight seconds and takes good 22 seconds to reach the three-digit mark. Considering the bulk of the bike, these figures are welcome. On a run, there is nothing that can match the road-holding and handling of the Bullet. The bike is always glued to the road no matter what speed and terrain you are riding on. Spring-loaded ‘saddle seat’ is another element that gives a composed ride.

 With the 350 Classic, Royal Enfield had tried to relive the old memories and Bullet fans won’t mind it at all as this edition comes with a better engine that demands less maintenance. Introduction of power bikes has not really dented the demand and fan following of the Bullet. There is a dedicated class that still wants to restore old machines and this variant has much more to offer to such fans. Priced at Rs 99,000 (ex-showroom), Royal Enfield will always find lot of fans for this Classic edition.