Royal Enfield is highly popular among classic motorcycle fans in Korea, and the Bullet series, which has been around for 92 years, is back with a new model. The engine and chassis are new, but the Bullet's unique identity, such as the teardrop-shaped fuel tank and one-piece seat, has been retained. On the 25th of this month, we met the real thing at the Bullet 350 launch event in Gwangju Hanok Village, Gyeonggi Province.
Text and photos by Donghyun Seo (dhseo1208@gmail.com)
Royal Enfield's 350 series is particularly recognisable to beginners among classic motorcycle riders. This is because it offers three models in different genres: the Meteor 350 with a short-cylinder 349㏄ engine, the Classic 350 and the Hunter 350. The uncomplicated retro design, modest power, and reasonable price tag of around 5 million won are the main points that attract beginners.
The Bullet 350 is the fourth model in the series. But its history is longer than any other Royal Enfield model. It was first created in 1932 and has retained the name ever since. Over the years, it has served as a military motorcycle in the UK, India and elsewhere, and its powertrain has been continually improved to meet environmental regulations. On 1 September last year, it evolved once again, this time on the latest J-Series platform.
There are three colours. They are Standard Black, Standard Maroon and Black Gold. The Standard colour has glossy paint and chrome parts, while Black Gold features a matte black body, engine and mufflers. The iconic fuel tank pinstripes are hand-painted by a third-generation paintworker.
The exterior is rounder than the previous generation. For example, where the old seats had a sharp rise from the first to the second row, the new ones have a smoother finish. The mortar-like muffler has also been replaced with an identical part from the Classic 350. The instrument cluster is also exactly the same as the Classic 350. A small LCD window has been added below the circular dials to house the fuel gauge, trip computer and clock. It also has a twin downtube frame that bisects the undercarriage in front of the fuel tank.
It's fun to spot the differences from the Classic 350. The Classic 350's rear fender rim is completely round, whereas the Bullet 350's fender and surrounding frame are trapezoidal, like a sphere. The air intake covers are also rectangular instead of oval. The eyebrow-like headlamp top metal covers are only available in black and gold trim. The handlebars are 35 millimetres higher, making the driving position slightly more comfortable.
The seat height is the same as the Classic 350 at 805 mm. The seat shape is different, but the narrow front section is the same, so the footing is similar. Even the kerb weight of 195kg is the same, meaning the Bullet 350 is more fun to handle than the Meteor 350 and easier on the back than the Classic 350. The radical fuel tank design is also quite attractive.
The engine produces a peak power of 20.2 hp and a maximum torque of 2.8 kg-m. It is a long-stroke type with a bore x stroke of 72 x 85.8 mm, and is characterised by its chunky torque from low rpm. It has five gears. The brakes are BYBRE. The front wheel has a 300 mm diameter disc and two-piston caliper, while the rear wheel has a 270 mm disc and one-piston caliper. The front and rear wheels are 19 and 18 inches respectively. The fuel tank has a capacity of 13 litres.
Once again, the price is reasonable. The two standard colours cost 5.18 million won and the Black Gold costs 5.3 million won. This is much cheaper than the Meteo and Classic 350, whose top trims are priced at 5.99 million won and 5.87 million won respectively. Instead, the two models offer a lot of choice. You can choose from a variety of colours and models with tubeless cast wheels. Riders who have experienced tube tyre damage often prioritise tubeless wheels.
The lack of accessories is also disappointing. Even with the Classic 350, there are only a handful of genuine parts available to customise the motorcycle, so I had to resort to overseas dropshipping. The main parts for the Bullet 350 are the touring and low seat, sump guard, headlamp rim, engine guard, black touring wing mirrors and black side panniers. There is still a lack of items to enhance the classic feel. When asked if there are any plans to increase the number of such products, Kang Ki-hyang, General Manager of Royal Enfield Korea, said, "We are in constant communication with our headquarters in India. We are always striving to respond to the needs of consumers, and we plan to introduce various accessories in the future."
Royal Enfield Korea has completed its entry line-up with the launch of the Bullet 350. While there is still some debate among consumers about its warranty and after-sales service policies, it hasn't lost its mantra of being a 'classic motorcycle at a great value for money'. This year, the brand will continue to steal the hearts of new riders with the Bullet 350, the most heritage-rich bike in the brand's history. With the classic genre's popularity waning, we're curious to see if the brand can further increase its share of the quarter-centre market.