Is the new Bullet 350 J series a real Royal Enfield?
The new Bullet 350 features a J series engine than has greatly reduced vibrations and overall refinement as compared to the older UCE engine. Fans of Royal Enfield have been debating among themselves whether or not the bike has lost some of its classic character and charm. It is smoother riding and has modern features, making it a better daily rider for some, others say it has become too 'commuter like' and lost the raw, vintage feel that made Bullets iconic. From discussions about why the signature 'thump' is so important to the value of modern reliability over classic aesthetics and whether or not Royal Enfield is alienating its core fanbase or bringing new riders into the fold with these changes.
Having owned both the old UCE Bullet and the new J series, I can say the new one is still a 'real' Royal Enfield. It’s smoother, sure, but that classic Bullet DNA is still there. It also means I can ride it more often without worrying about breakdowns.
No way, man. So the new Bullet is nothing but a fancy commuter bike with an RE badge pasted on it. Where's the character? Kickstarting on a cold morning? Those vibrations that tell you you’re riding something special? It’s been sanitized right out of the soul.
I do believe it is a great evolution of the Bullet. It’s the same iconic looks and feel with it being opened up to more riders. Not everyone wants to constantly maintain and deal with vibrations that numb your hands. It's still the new one, it's just more refined.
It's a tough call. While the improvements make it a much better bike overall, especially on one hand. But the other of the Bullet's charms were its quirks and imperfections. It’s objectively better in almost every way, but I do miss the raw feel of the old one.
I've been a RE fan for a long time, and was sceptical at first, but riding the new Bullet has convinced me that it still has the soul of why it is so special. There is the "thump," just more controlled. RE has sort of grown up a bit, and that's not a bad thing.
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Discussions and Questions Is The New Bullet 350 J Series A Real Royal Enfield
Is the new Bullet 350 J series a real Royal Enfield?
07 January 2025 11:25
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