I prefer the Red and chrome myself, to me the dual seat makes it look like a bigger bike but that’s just my preference, love the sound of those bikes, Happy New Year to you, and I’m glad you decided to keep going, I quite like a waffle vlog now and then.
I like everybody else was disappointed by the release of the 350 Bullet, but I think the point us westerners are missing is it is for the Indian market, where the 350 Bullet is king. So in that context it makes perfect sense.
@@Volcanicbrown1878yes that is why it has that seat so the ladies can sit side saddle along with a sari guard. In the Indian market it also has a rear hub brake to keep the price down as family transport.
Yep spot on, for the Indian market. And I also have an interest now in the bullet that I never had before. So they’re doing something right. Like I’m looking at it over the Classic, I have never done that.
for the Indian company everything stemmed from the Bullet! That is THE icon the company will just not let go! The way it works here in India is that the bullet came first, then the classic was the upgraded version specced for the international market and then the Thunderbird (what is now the Meteor in the J series avataar) So RE has always had these models in play based on the same engine and platform and they know it works. The Bullet is so iconic really that a lot of the population use the word to mean a big bike here in India! So they knew what they were doing. Theory is that they would have liked to keep the UCE engine on as long as possible for the 100 year record, but even in India the bike laws are so stringent now that they had to make this shift which is a shame. But the J series was originally built for these two bikes but released on the meteor first because that was the badge they could risk failure with...it is only when the engine proved itself that they released the Classic and now the bullet...and theyre already selling the bullet in big numbers here!
Love seeing the pair of them running together! I just wish they'd bring out the Redditch Grey on the Classic 350. Think it must have been an Indian only colour?
Classic 350/500 was launched in 2009 as a variation of Bullet with 1960's G2 inspired looks. Both Bullet and Classic have always been one and the same motorcycle with minor styling differences. I don't understand why people see these two as completely different motorcycles!?
The new bullet for me looks fantastic but yes I definitely think they came out the wrong way around. I’ve just discovered your content/ channel and love it.
I’ve had one just over one week ! I got it for my 60th birthday after riding a Vespa for 8 years ( yes , I’m a mod ) but I love classic bikes and I can’t believe that I actually own a Royal Enfield ! I be had loads of bikes in the past before I got the Vespa so I know my bikes… but this RE is the best bike I’ve ever had the pleasure of riding !
Mine impressed me so much, as you can see, I bought 2! You don't have to ride them, they ride themselves! 😁 Do you ride yours with a bulls eye on the back of your Parka?😁 Fair play to ya!
@@DANTHETUBEMAN Funny, I have the 3M marine grade silicone and the 3M tape and the tubeless valves here, ready to do the Interceptor! I had forgotten all about them!
The 350 Chrome Classic in metallic Brown color reminds me of my 1970 BSA 500 Royal Star in almost the same color if not the exact color with the chrome tank sides!! I'm really tempted but I'm waiting for the 500. That Green color bike looks really good too. I think Royal Enfield messed up by making us wait for the 500 and I hope they don't mess up again by overcharging us . It won't cost anymore to make when probably all they'll need to do is bore it out. I really like the new Bullet in dark red, the middle version.Good video!!!
I prefer the Fireball Meteor and the Meteor with the blacked out look and single colour myself. Love the marriage guidance you give, did make me laugh.😂🤣
We all have different tastes in bikes for sure! and that's a good thing. If we all liked the same thing, bike shows would be very boring😂😂 The Marriage guidance? Take my advice, don't listen to me!!🤣🤣🤣
I like the Classic very much. But as I see more videos with the new Bullet, I have to say that I like the Bullet more. I think I will buy one instead of a Classic that I wanted before. And I prefere the Standard Black for the Bullet.
I enjoy your videos. I must be blessed, as my wife doesn't complain about how many bikes I manage to get. At the moment it's at 12, though i do get anxious about the next one!
The first Classic models were built on the same platform as the Bullet at that time. So, the Classic was inspired by the Bullet and shared most all parts with the exception of the same differences on the current model of each. In other words, perhaps RE should have released the Bullet first, then offered the Classic REborn 350. Either way, from the perspective of most of the world it may not matter. But, in India, I think there may be some apprehension as the Bullet name and heritage is much more meaningful. I can say this... I have ridden my 2022 Classic 350 back to back with a 2016 500 Classic. The REborn 350 with the J series engine is a far superior bike in every measurable way. I feel in short order the Bullet will take hold in India and remain dominantly popular.
I have 2 500 classic 500's and the two 350's in the video and my opinion, for what it's worth is that the 500's have quite a lot more torque over the 350's. Both handle as well as each other, braking is about the same. The 350's are quite revy compared to the 500's but as to the j engined bikes being superior in every measurable way to the 500's I beg to differ! The 350's have superior finish and paint and are superior in the fact that the are mechanically quieter than the 500 UCE by a good margin! I like both equally, but don't ask me to put my finger on why!😁😁
Totally agree. I bought a new Classic 350 last year (Bronze/Chrome) and love it. Had there been a Bullet option I would have gone for that, just for the heritage. I'm not going to change my Classic now for basically the same bike with a different name and a couple of minor differences. It doesn't make sense for RE to have launched the Classic or the Meteor first instead of launching a new platform as the famous Bullet. If there were to be a new 500 Bullet/Classic then that would be tempting, but it doesn't look likely.
@@Volcanicbrown1878There are no plans of a 500 from RE.What is planned is even bigger.Classic 650 and Bullet 650 have been seen testing on Indian roads.
I'm a first time watcher and new subscriber, TAYM brought me here and the fact you helped him put a new true on Bertie definitely deserved a sub 👍😀 Although both bike fanatics we are in a way leagues apart, with my own bikes ranging from the KTM 890 Adventure R, Kawasaki ZZR 1400 Performance Sport, Triumph Rocket 3 GT Triple Black and Triumph 900 Thunderbird Sport. Still to me a biker is biker, part of the brotherhood sharing the same passion ( apart maybe from BMW riders some of whom seem to think they're part of a separate exclusive club, non reciprocators in nods and waves)
Welcome aboard Mr GW! Yes a biker is a biker tis true but it's not what your riding, it's where your going too that counts. last fast bike I had was a Husqvarna Nuda 900 which I sold on last year. It's capabilities were far greater than mine! BMW riders are ok, until they progress to cars!🤣🤣😁
@@Volcanicbrown1878 Thanks VB only I think most of the BMW riders I've encountered have converted from cars to motorbikes and own both. Up untill today my Rocket 3 GT had a 100% acknowledgment record ( nods, waves etc). No less than three BMW's of different models had their riders stick there noses in the air. How dare they not how to the KING 👑😂
@@greywolf9292 Yes, there is nothing worse than nodding to an oncoming biker and not even getting acknowledged. Now I don't nod unless they nod at me. At the end of the day, who cares? We are all out there, on two wheels, all doing our own thing., going on our own adventures and having our own fun.😁😁😁
Just to let you know, the gopro appears to be good, and so is the audio. Do not worry about your accent we all have one of those. Nice comment about the wife and the shoes, we both have come to an unsaid agreement I do not ask about her shoes, and she does not ask about my bikes. In fact we had been married about a year when she first came down to the shed, and she discovered I was working on a bike. I keep my other bikes in garage. so distance from the house, and every time I appear on a different bike I say to her I have had it for years, you just do not notice. That is what she says were a new pair of shoes or dresses appears. (Reverse thinking Ha) With reference to the Bullet it should be a 500, as other wise they are flogging the same old. Keep the videos coming, looking forward to the road test ones, and if you need an labial give me a shout. Kind Regards Andrew Haley.
Thanks Andrew! I like your thinking! Glad the video quality is better and the audio too! i have to watch each video I make once to make sure it's all there, after that I can't listen to me any more!!🤣🤣
That is perfectly OK! I am sure the new model will be a lot of peoples dream bike. I am very aware that the 350 Bullet in India is legendary, far more so than in the west!😁
I live in the USA & am a proud owner of a 2020 RE red frame 500 Trials Replica. I love my bike & Royal Enfield. However, I am afraid RE is in danger of watering down the 350 line with too many models that are very similar. I was hoping for a new 600 or 650 single bullet to compete with the new BSA Gold Star. I still have hopes.
Evening, new to to the channel and looking forward to watching your videos. I managed to get my collection up to 4, I'd push my luck beyond if I had the space to store em 😁
I checked a bullet at a dealership here in Missouri. The fit and finish was better than the classic 350's meteor or hunter.Every bit as tight as any other bike at the dealership.Including the Indian Chiefs ,Scouts or Harleys. Another thing is that Bullet rear fender does a bettrr job of keeping the bike and you clean.
My initial thought, after getting over my disappointment was, “so what.” Just what the world needs, another underpowered single cylinder 350cc RE motorcycle. RE had the chance to drag itself out of WW2 and join the present age but decided that living in the past is the company’s future. It has the Hunter and the Scram, both of which would sell like hotcakes in North America. I know, I know, the Bullet was intended for the Indian market. Well, if the Indian market is RE’s focus quit trying to sell bikes across the pond. We don’t have lazy country lanes to putter down and if RE is not interested in producing a 500cc single Hunter or Scram then, personally, I’m not interested in RE.
You did the right thing putting the black seat on the green motorcycle I'm just thinking about do I need to put the tan seat on the red Chrome someone on the TH-cam has the Halcyon gray and he took off the brown seat and put on the black seat and it looks so much better but I think that brown seat might look good on the red Chrome I don't know what do you think
Morning, first time dropping in. I am still positive that RE will release a new Bullet 500 at some point. The teaser was just that, and it had us all thinking the 500 would be released, and so we were disappointed that it was just a redressed Classic 350. Remember, RE are going for the longest constantly produced motorcycle award, with the previous Bullet still being built, though in small numbers, so it stands to reason they just modified the Classic a bit and rebadged it, so it can continue the quest. It will definitely sell well in India, and I expect it to sell quite well over here too, just as all the other J series bikes have. Not one for me though, not keen on the squared off rear mudguard.
We live in hope for the 500! No, I am not keen on the square mudguard either, it just doesn't look right in my eyes. you can't have everything rounded and then put something square on it!😁
Alot of bikes these days are designed to be round for years & is common to put smaller pistons and thicker sleeves to reduce capacity & power & another is a smaller cam. Triumph did it with 2016-2019 Street Twin & 900cc & Harley Davidson did it with 1200 Sportster reducing to 883cc. So it could be possible that there could be a 500 as there is a cam upgrade available in aftermarket.Also could increase capacity to 440-450cc & badge it as a 500 & RE has a history of making engines across different models & for years too so hopefully happens.Even if it 420cc with bigger cam & air cooled badged as 500cc & 8-9hp more.A 500cc capacity probably be water-cooled. Himmy 411 had a 462cc bug bore kit available too. RE probably do 750cc twin with 650 engine which is sleeved & originally designed to be 750 but probably water-cooled & be last model they do & call it a Constellation 750.Be good if they do a V-twin water-cooled model in future too KX model.They axed a prototype 838 KX V-twin but it was air-cooled & axed cause of emissions standards.
@@ruahinesrider I totaly agree! I am wondering if the ''J'' type engine could be taken out to a 500, but without looking at the cylinder barrel, i can't tell!
I though it was going to be 350 Bullet as RE loves milking there engines in different models.Apparently there's a new Scram coming out a 440cc but we'll see.But I can see more models coming out the 500 Bullet be the last model maybe like 750 Interceptor or Connie to milk the 650 for a few more years. A 650 Scram & the 450 Water-cooled Himmy. I would love to see the J motor taken to 430-450cc etc badged as 500. Also a pity the Carabary V-twin 1000cc made by Australian designer who moved to India to build them didn't make more.Emissions probably killed it had ABS & fuel injection & I think 🤔 sold as kitset like Indian guy who lived in America who made a 750 V-twin & V-twin 1000cc & was on Jay Leno.
I seem to remember reading somewhere, that the vehicle taxation regime in India greatly favours the 350cc max size of engine. Go any larger (500cc for instance), and the costs rise substantially. Hence the much greater interest in 350's rather than 500.
Is that not the case here in the UK too? Road tax rises substantially over 350cc! Although personal income in india is a lot lower than the UK so the effects would have a far greater impact.
@@Volcanicbrown1878 Hi Volcanic, If I remember rightly, ( it was a long time ago), it was more of a punitive purchase tax increase that floored sales above 350cc.
I think the Bullet looks great in the Black and gold with chrome exhaust, less of a tarts handbag. I prefer the seat and rear muguard, shame it isnt a 500.
I did, at one point take the handles off mine but put the nearside one back on to lift the bike on to the center stand. Then it looked odd with just one, so I put them both back on!😁
Great little video and feel similar regards the Bullet. It not different enough to add to the fleet. I very lucky, my wife encourages the bike habit. I understand everything you say and that's from a Scotsman 🤣
I'm with you about the new Bullet. It looks nice enough but it would have been much more interesting for the UK/European market if it had been a 500. (This Geordie has no problem with your accent).
I said the same as yourself about the new Bullet being just a rebadged Classic with a tweaked seat, rear mudguard and gold pin striping! And about folk hyping up pre launch who had no inside info and we’re just guessing! 🤣 then everyone was disappointed 😂 Your totally spot on with your views on The J series should have started as a new Bullet, then the Classics released later I love how your cats hijack your films every time! 🤣😁😁 Cheers Bruce
RE doesn’t seem to have any concrete plans to release a 500 as they have a well made and successful 350 J series platform and now also testing classic 650. There isn’t much space to position a 500 between these two in terms of pricing and to some extent power as well. The significant drop in UCE 500 sales after the release of 650 twins also is a thing to note especially in India. May only do it for the craze it still holds especially in western countries and those who have ridden both 350 J series and UCE 500 say their isn’t much difference in power and the make is far better now. Yes it will be good to have one as a variant for sure.
I would now be surprised if RE brought out a 500 as the 350 has always been king in India. I don't think there would be enough market for a 500 worldwide.
@@Volcanicbrown1878 American markets will love it, The USA is really the market for 750/850 engines. I no Royal Enfield has plans for those displacements. 🤠
@@DANTHETUBEMAN Yes it could take off in the US but the cruiser market is pretty dead here in the UK with no cruisers being listed by Honda, Suzuki or Kawasaki But the Meteor has sold well!
I've just bought a Bullet 500. I had the chance to ride that and a 350 Classic back to back and could have bought either but chose the 500 for two reasons. First was the little bit of extra power in the 500, very useful in the Highlands, and second was the old bike feel of it. Even if there had been a J Series 500 I think I'd still have bought the old one. Looks never came into it for me but I can see plenty of people preferring the 350 Bullet over the Classic, and there'll be a few who'll have both.
I like the 350's and the 500's! The 500 has a load more torque over the 350's and also a certain rawness, slower revving too makes for a nice relaxing ride!
R.E. has a long history of using different names to denote different colour schemes and accessories packages. It's nothing new to the motorcycle industry. Many other manufacturers do it as well.
This is crazy you remind me of me I bought the Chrome bronze and then fell in love with a chrome red so I bought the Chrome red then I bought the Interceptor the downtown drag love all three of them now I think I have to get the dark stealth classic 350 the all black one that's the one I need I'm in Las Vegas Nevada and I ride them through the desert in the middle of the night when it's hundred degrees it's just heaven
That's spooky! I bought a Honda VT1300 Interstate from a lady just outside Vegas, Then shipped it over here, Still got it! i know it can get seriously hot in your part of the world. Do you ride Death Valley?
I’ve got two Nortons, two BSAs, two Enfields, I did have three but sold one 😢, two Guzzis, an Ariel, a Hardley, a Yamaha and I’m probably going to get a Meteor. Or an Interceptor. Or a Hunter ( which is a bit naughty because Hunters are Ariels) Or all of them. I’m still married but my lovely was pretty, um… agitated?😮 when I bought my latest Norton
As long as she hasn't got to the point of staying with her mum for a week, Then you could possibly get away with squeezing another bike into the collection!
You miss a massive point. The old 350 Bullet is RE's biggest seller. It can't continue due to emissions. So a new 350 Bullet is needed. In its biggest market the RRP saving over a Classic is significant. In its biggest market RE sell more bikes in a day than RE UK sell in a year.
The Indian home market is 20 times the size of ours for sure and Most of their home market don't go for chrome models, They go for function over form and are quite happy with base models as a primary means of transport. I think I didn't present the video as I meant to, I was really talking about the UK market. I still don't think it will sell in great numbers here in the UK.
I totally agree, there going to use that j platform for all it's worth. The 500 bullet was never going to happen , they would of had to redesign a new engine or reconfigure the 350? Which would of cost them alot of money, and what other models would it of gone in ? There obviously spending a fair amount on the new 450 liquid cooled himilayan which we will probably get nxt year , so nodoubt that will also bring new models to fit that engine into.
They are doing it with the 650 motor too. Interceptor, Continental GT, and now the Super Meteor. I hope that Hitchcocks bring a 500 big bore kit out for the ''J'' engines. Maybe wishfull thinking on my part!😁
I reckon a Hitchcocks big bore kit for the 350 J is a distinct possibility, as we know the 350 Classic is pretty over engineered anyway so it is an excellent candidate 🙂@@Volcanicbrown1878
That would be yet another 650! Either sleeve the 650 down to a 500 or take it out to a 750 and whilst they are at it Bore the 350 out to a 500! Just my wishful thinking!!😁😁
Due to take my test soon and planner to get a classic 350. The release of the bullet hasn’t changed my mind. I prefer the look of the classic, especially with the pillion seat removed. Definitely a strange decision by RE!
There's no replacement for displacement. Dropping HP makes no sense for many markets around the world. Certainly not in the USA. I LOVE my Classic 500 but would not consider less HP/torque especially at high elevation where I live.
When l married julie i told her that i will decide when i give up my bikes not her ,she is still talking to me and cooking for me , god she has a lot of stuff in her wardrobe
Sell like hot cakes in india. I know in one august they sold 40000 bullets. Huge market. Love the cat. I always have black and white cats. License is cheaper 😂
Couldn't agree more. Not sure if naming a bike "classic" makes it one, or calling one"reborn" makes it anything but a renewed christian. And yes, the new bullet is a cookie cutter bike with different frosting. The Meteor was the breakthrough bike. I fell in love with the Fireball yellow in 2021 on TH-cam. Closest dealer was in Toronto so had it shipped to Atlantic Canada. I sold my R1100RT soon after. Down to 5 now. My brother has 30 lol. So yes, motorcycles are mans version of women's shoes. (for some). Really enjoyed your post. Looking forward to more. Cheers. 😎
Yes! I too fell in love with the Meteor fireball yellow. I thought it was a very handsome bike. It was launched here before the classics and I got a test ride on a demonstrator but decided to wait till the classics were launched. My Mk2 Interceptor came from Montreal, so I have something with a little Canadian in it! Thanks for the kind words on the channel! 😁
I've got three 500s, two UCEs and my trusty old iron barrel. Question for you Dave....is it worth replacing the OEM silencer on the UCE 500s, or are there advantages to keeping it? I'd be curious to know your perspective.
@felixVanDiemen First thing I did when I bought my new UCE Classic was to throw away the original factory silencer and put a Hitchcock's one on. The factory efforts are good at two things, silencing and restricting!
@@Volcanicbrown1878 Thanks, that was my suspicion as well. Another channel I follow, old school ADV rider has left his on, which got me thinking as he seems to know his stuff too 🤔
@@felixVanDiemen The difference was noticable when the silencer was changed on mine, so much so that it now pulls a 18T geabox sprocket wuth ease and at a steady 60mph on a run gives me over 120 miles per imperial gallon of fuel!
@@Volcanicbrown1878 That makes a lot of sense! It's weird though, the silencers on the J Series Classic 350 seem pretty decent, I wonder why they got the ones on the Classic 500 so wrong?
I think that the new Bullet has been introduced to appease the home market . They are very loyal to the Bullet name back in India and I'm sure it will sell well there , which after all is a huge market . The new Bullet is still an attractive bike , but not as eye catching as the chrome Classic . A new 500 Bullet would be marvelous and I'd join the queue to get one . Chrome tank of course .
I don't own one. Yet... But, that little "cap" on the headlight rim, is that to come off? Or do you need another rim, is that available? I've seen a lot of pictures of the G2, some have'm, some don't. In my book, they completely ruin the look of the bike...
@user-zo6uo5mg2h Sorry for the delay in replying, I must have missed your comment. The headlamp peak is sandwiched between the headlight glass and the rim. The classic 500's had them too. They fit with all the headlamp rims. On my classic 500 I have taken it off and will on the 350's too.
@@Volcanicbrown1878 As easy as that, nice! I drive a Suzuki dl 250, have been for three years now, but I fall in love on a daily basis, whenever I watch one of many TH-cam channels, starring the Classic 350...
Are people so Stupid enough to believe that Royal Enfield would have a totally new different engine design for a new Bullet? It was Obvious they were going to be using the J series engine for the New Bullet 350, and the Emission law's won't allow an air cooled one, For a 500cc, this is why you have the Crap BSA 650 radiator thing going on, Folks Will buy the Bullet, Because of the name alone, Simple as that, The J series engine is brilliant 👍 Cheers Paul
I prefer the Red and chrome myself, to me the dual seat makes it look like a bigger bike but that’s just my preference, love the sound of those bikes, Happy New Year to you, and I’m glad you decided to keep going, I quite like a waffle vlog now and then.
@lyndenhodder5655 Thankyou and a happy new year to you too!
I like everybody else was disappointed by the release of the 350 Bullet, but I think the point us westerners are missing is it is for the Indian market, where the 350 Bullet is king. So in that context it makes perfect sense.
I honestly hadn't considered that side of it! Your quite right!😊😊
Absolutely. You’ve nailed it.
Not hard, as royal Enfield always say that any model must make sense in their home market first and foremost 🤷🏻♂️
@@Volcanicbrown1878yes that is why it has that seat so the ladies can sit side saddle along with a sari guard. In the Indian market it also has a rear hub brake to keep the price down as family transport.
Yep spot on, for the Indian market. And I also have an interest now in the bullet that I never had before. So they’re doing something right. Like I’m looking at it over the Classic, I have never done that.
for the Indian company everything stemmed from the Bullet! That is THE icon the company will just not let go! The way it works here in India is that the bullet came first, then the classic was the upgraded version specced for the international market and then the Thunderbird (what is now the Meteor in the J series avataar) So RE has always had these models in play based on the same engine and platform and they know it works. The Bullet is so iconic really that a lot of the population use the word to mean a big bike here in India! So they knew what they were doing.
Theory is that they would have liked to keep the UCE engine on as long as possible for the 100 year record, but even in India the bike laws are so stringent now that they had to make this shift which is a shame.
But the J series was originally built for these two bikes but released on the meteor first because that was the badge they could risk failure with...it is only when the engine proved itself that they released the Classic and now the bullet...and theyre already selling the bullet in big numbers here!
That's Interesting!
Love seeing the pair of them running together! I just wish they'd bring out the Redditch Grey on the Classic 350. Think it must have been an Indian only colour?
@edgoodfella2052 Nothing that a good spray gun can't put right!
Classic 350/500 was launched in 2009 as a variation of Bullet with 1960's G2 inspired looks. Both Bullet and Classic have always been one and the same motorcycle with minor styling differences. I don't understand why people see these two as completely different motorcycles!?
The new bullet for me looks fantastic but yes I definitely think they came out the wrong way around. I’ve just discovered your content/ channel and love it.
@chrisb4504 Thankyou!
Looking forward to adding one of these to my collection.
I’ve had one just over one week !
I got it for my 60th birthday after riding a Vespa for 8 years ( yes , I’m a mod ) but I love classic bikes and I can’t believe that I actually own a Royal Enfield ! I be had loads of bikes in the past before I got the Vespa so I know my bikes… but this RE is the best bike I’ve ever had the pleasure of riding !
Mine impressed me so much, as you can see, I bought 2! You don't have to ride them, they ride themselves! 😁 Do you ride yours with a bulls eye on the back of your Parka?😁 Fair play to ya!
In India they prefer tubeless tyres so they offer the classic with cast wheels.
I have noticed that! We like the spoked rims, although they are more prone to punctures!😁
@@Volcanicbrown1878marine silicone over the spikes on the rim and add a tubeless air valve. all sorted.
@@DANTHETUBEMAN Funny, I have the 3M marine grade silicone and the 3M tape and the tubeless valves here, ready to do the Interceptor! I had forgotten all about them!
@@Volcanicbrown1878 you don't need tape.
I wouldn't chance that being air tight 😊
Your 350 Twins 😊
Thay went to a good home becase you drive and enjoy them both. 🤠
They all get ridden, well the ones that are not projects do!😁😁
Looks much better with the single seat, you just want to get on it !
The 350 Chrome Classic in metallic Brown color reminds me of my 1970 BSA 500 Royal Star in almost the same color if not the exact color with the chrome tank sides!! I'm really tempted but I'm waiting for the 500. That Green color bike looks really good too. I think Royal Enfield messed up by making us wait for the 500 and I hope they don't mess up again by overcharging us . It won't cost anymore to make when probably all they'll need to do is bore it out. I really like the new Bullet in dark red, the middle version.Good video!!!
I know the exact Royal Star you mean in that colour! not seen much these days in that paint scheme, but a very pretty bike!
I prefer the Fireball Meteor and the Meteor with the blacked out look and single colour myself. Love the marriage guidance you give, did make me laugh.😂🤣
We all have different tastes in bikes for sure! and that's a good thing. If we all liked the same thing, bike shows would be very boring😂😂 The Marriage guidance? Take my advice, don't listen to me!!🤣🤣🤣
I like the Classic very much. But as I see more videos with the new Bullet, I have to say that I like the Bullet more. I think I will buy one instead of a Classic that I wanted before. And I prefere the Standard Black for the Bullet.
I enjoy your videos. I must be blessed, as my wife doesn't complain about how many bikes I manage to get. At the moment it's at 12, though i do get anxious about the next one!
Well if you buy two next time, you will miss thirteen and go straight to fourteen!😁
The first Classic models were built on the same platform as the Bullet at that time. So, the Classic was inspired by the Bullet and shared most all parts with the exception of the same differences on the current model of each. In other words, perhaps RE should have released the Bullet first, then offered the Classic REborn 350. Either way, from the perspective of most of the world it may not matter. But, in India, I think there may be some apprehension as the Bullet name and heritage is much more meaningful. I can say this... I have ridden my 2022 Classic 350 back to back with a 2016 500 Classic. The REborn 350 with the J series engine is a far superior bike in every measurable way. I feel in short order the Bullet will take hold in India and remain dominantly popular.
I have 2 500 classic 500's and the two 350's in the video and my opinion, for what it's worth is that the 500's have quite a lot more torque over the 350's. Both handle as well as each other, braking is about the same. The 350's are quite revy compared to the 500's but as to the j engined bikes being superior in every measurable way to the 500's I beg to differ! The 350's have superior finish and paint and are superior in the fact that the are mechanically quieter than the 500 UCE by a good margin! I like both equally, but don't ask me to put my finger on why!😁😁
Totally agree. I bought a new Classic 350 last year (Bronze/Chrome) and love it. Had there been a Bullet option I would have gone for that, just for the heritage. I'm not going to change my Classic now for basically the same bike with a different name and a couple of minor differences. It doesn't make sense for RE to have launched the Classic or the Meteor first instead of launching a new platform as the famous Bullet. If there were to be a new 500 Bullet/Classic then that would be tempting, but it doesn't look likely.
We live in hope for the 500!😊
@@Volcanicbrown1878There are no plans of a 500 from RE.What is planned is even bigger.Classic 650 and Bullet 650 have been seen testing on Indian roads.
The red and chrome one in the window is now in Felixstowe.
Is it owned by a lady??
I'm a first time watcher and new subscriber, TAYM brought me here and the fact you helped him put a new true on Bertie definitely deserved a sub 👍😀 Although both bike fanatics we are in a way leagues apart, with my own bikes ranging from the KTM 890 Adventure R, Kawasaki ZZR 1400 Performance Sport, Triumph Rocket 3 GT Triple Black and Triumph 900 Thunderbird Sport. Still to me a biker is biker, part of the brotherhood sharing the same passion ( apart maybe from BMW riders some of whom seem to think they're part of a separate exclusive club, non reciprocators in nods and waves)
Welcome aboard Mr GW! Yes a biker is a biker tis true but it's not what your riding, it's where your going too that counts. last fast bike I had was a Husqvarna Nuda 900 which I sold on last year. It's capabilities were far greater than mine! BMW riders are ok, until they progress to cars!🤣🤣😁
@@Volcanicbrown1878 Thanks VB only I think most of the BMW riders I've encountered have converted from cars to motorbikes and own both. Up untill today my Rocket 3 GT had a 100% acknowledgment record ( nods, waves etc). No less than three BMW's of different models had their riders stick there noses in the air. How dare they not how to the KING 👑😂
@@greywolf9292 Yes, there is nothing worse than nodding to an oncoming biker and not even getting acknowledged. Now I don't nod unless they nod at me. At the end of the day, who cares? We are all out there, on two wheels, all doing our own thing., going on our own adventures and having our own fun.😁😁😁
I agree the black seat looks much better on the Halcyon Green one. The brown seat looks wrong to me.
Here here!
Just to let you know, the gopro appears to be good, and so is the audio. Do not worry about your accent we all have one of those. Nice comment about the wife and the shoes, we both have come to an unsaid agreement I do not ask about her shoes, and she does not ask about my bikes. In fact we had been married about a year when she first came down to the shed, and she discovered I was working on a bike.
I keep my other bikes in garage. so distance from the house, and every time I appear on a different bike I say to her I have had it for years, you just do not notice. That is what she says were a new pair of shoes or dresses appears. (Reverse thinking Ha)
With reference to the Bullet it should be a 500, as other wise they are flogging the same old. Keep the videos coming, looking forward to the road test ones, and if you need an labial give me a shout. Kind Regards Andrew Haley.
Thanks Andrew! I like your thinking! Glad the video quality is better and the audio too! i have to watch each video I make once to make sure it's all there, after that I can't listen to me any more!!🤣🤣
You have a good point..But I would like a new 350 Bullet.
That is perfectly OK! I am sure the new model will be a lot of peoples dream bike. I am very aware that the 350 Bullet in India is legendary, far more so than in the west!😁
I live in the USA & am a proud owner of a 2020 RE red frame 500 Trials Replica. I love my bike & Royal Enfield. However, I am afraid RE is in danger of watering down the 350 line with too many models that are very similar. I was hoping for a new 600 or 650 single bullet to compete with the new BSA Gold Star. I still have hopes.
Awesome cat content!
Yes, they tend to steal the show!
Evening, new to to the channel and looking forward to watching your videos. I managed to get my collection up to 4, I'd push my luck beyond if I had the space to store em 😁
Space, or lack of, can cause issues when collecting bikes. I am very lucky
I checked a bullet at a dealership here in Missouri. The fit and finish was better than the classic 350's meteor or hunter.Every bit as tight as any other bike at the dealership.Including the Indian Chiefs ,Scouts or Harleys. Another thing is that Bullet rear fender does a bettrr job of keeping the bike and you clean.
@deltabluesdavidraye It's just too similar to the classic for me to want one!
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 That woman story is funny as hell.About right though.😅
My initial thought, after getting over my disappointment was, “so what.” Just what the world needs, another underpowered single cylinder 350cc RE motorcycle. RE had the chance to drag itself out of WW2 and join the present age but decided that living in the past is the company’s future. It has the Hunter and the Scram, both of which would sell like hotcakes in North America. I know, I know, the Bullet was intended for the Indian market. Well, if the Indian market is RE’s focus quit trying to sell bikes across the pond. We don’t have lazy country lanes to putter down and if RE is not interested in producing a 500cc single Hunter or Scram then, personally, I’m not interested in RE.
Fair comment!
You did the right thing putting the black seat on the green motorcycle I'm just thinking about do I need to put the tan seat on the red Chrome someone on the TH-cam has the Halcyon gray and he took off the brown seat and put on the black seat and it looks so much better but I think that brown seat might look good on the red Chrome I don't know what do you think
I have never given it a thought to be quite honest with you! It could work, Hmmm!
Morning, first time dropping in. I am still positive that RE will release a new Bullet 500 at some point. The teaser was just that, and it had us all thinking the 500 would be released, and so we were disappointed that it was just a redressed Classic 350. Remember, RE are going for the longest constantly produced motorcycle award, with the previous Bullet still being built, though in small numbers, so it stands to reason they just modified the Classic a bit and rebadged it, so it can continue the quest. It will definitely sell well in India, and I expect it to sell quite well over here too, just as all the other J series bikes have. Not one for me though, not keen on the squared off rear mudguard.
We live in hope for the 500! No, I am not keen on the square mudguard either, it just doesn't look right in my eyes. you can't have everything rounded and then put something square on it!😁
Alot of bikes these days are designed to be round for years & is common to put smaller pistons and thicker sleeves to reduce capacity & power & another is a smaller cam.
Triumph did it with 2016-2019 Street Twin & 900cc & Harley Davidson did it with 1200 Sportster reducing to 883cc.
So it could be possible that there could be a 500 as there is a cam upgrade available in aftermarket.Also could increase capacity to 440-450cc & badge it as a 500 & RE has a history of making engines across different models & for years too so hopefully happens.Even if it 420cc with bigger cam & air cooled badged as 500cc & 8-9hp more.A 500cc capacity probably be water-cooled.
Himmy 411 had a 462cc bug bore kit available too.
RE probably do 750cc twin with 650 engine which is sleeved & originally designed to be 750 but probably water-cooled & be last model they do & call it a Constellation 750.Be good if they do a V-twin water-cooled model in future too KX model.They axed a prototype 838 KX V-twin but it was air-cooled & axed cause of emissions standards.
@@ruahinesrider I totaly agree! I am wondering if the ''J'' type engine could be taken out to a 500, but without looking at the cylinder barrel, i can't tell!
@@Volcanicbrown1878 Even 430cc or 437cc-450cc etc & badge it as a 500 any bigger than 450cc probably have to be water-cooled.
I though it was going to be 350 Bullet as RE loves milking there engines in different models.Apparently there's a new Scram coming out a 440cc but we'll see.But I can see more models coming out the 500 Bullet be the last model maybe like 750 Interceptor or Connie to milk the 650 for a few more years.
A 650 Scram & the 450 Water-cooled Himmy.
I would love to see the J motor taken to 430-450cc etc badged as 500.
Also a pity the Carabary V-twin 1000cc made by Australian designer who moved to India to build them didn't make more.Emissions probably killed it had ABS & fuel injection & I think 🤔 sold as kitset like Indian guy who lived in America who made a 750 V-twin & V-twin 1000cc & was on Jay Leno.
I seem to remember reading somewhere, that the vehicle taxation regime in India greatly favours the 350cc max size of engine. Go any larger (500cc for instance), and the costs rise substantially.
Hence the much greater interest in 350's rather than 500.
Is that not the case here in the UK too? Road tax rises substantially over 350cc! Although personal income in india is a lot lower than the UK so the effects would have a far greater impact.
@@Volcanicbrown1878 Hi Volcanic, If I remember rightly, ( it was a long time ago), it was more of a punitive purchase tax increase that floored sales above 350cc.
@@keithpearson7539 I think your right!😁
To me the Classic chrome looks similar to a later British Bullet as it is, you could put Bullet stickers on a classic & who'd honestly know .
Exactly the point I'm making! Royal Enfield seem to be making 5 bikes out of one model. Sticker engineering at it's best!😁
I think the Bullet looks great in the Black and gold with chrome exhaust, less of a tarts handbag. I prefer the seat and rear muguard, shame it isnt a 500.
I have 6 mate has 12. Another has 16. All mine used every 2wk if its not wet salty. Ride most days if it's not atrocious. Nowt else to do. 😂
Hi VB, I’ve got the green one and I’ve removed the rear seat and the handles. Look great without them!
I did, at one point take the handles off mine but put the nearside one back on to lift the bike on to the center stand. Then it looked odd with just one, so I put them both back on!😁
Great little video and feel similar regards the Bullet. It not different enough to add to the fleet. I very lucky, my wife encourages the bike habit. I understand everything you say and that's from a Scotsman 🤣
Thanks Mr BV !🤣🤣🤣🤣!
Old British motorcycles are rebuildable forever.
I'm with you about the new Bullet. It looks nice enough but it would have been much more interesting for the UK/European market if it had been a 500. (This Geordie has no problem with your accent).
I like the cats more than the motorcycles.
They couldn't keep up with me today!
I said the same as yourself about the new Bullet being just a rebadged Classic with a tweaked seat, rear mudguard and gold pin striping!
And about folk hyping up pre launch who had no inside info and we’re just guessing! 🤣 then everyone was disappointed 😂
Your totally spot on with your views on The J series should have started as a new Bullet, then the Classics released
later
I love how your cats hijack your films every time! 🤣😁😁
Cheers Bruce
Amy and Sooty are becoming the main stars of the channel!😁
Different tank too
@@buzzlightyear1484 Nope! exactly the same tank as the classic!
RE doesn’t seem to have any concrete plans to release a 500 as they have a well made and successful 350 J series platform and now also testing classic 650. There isn’t much space to position a 500 between these two in terms of pricing and to some extent power as well. The significant drop in UCE 500 sales after the release of 650 twins also is a thing to note especially in India. May only do it for the craze it still holds especially in western countries and those who have ridden both 350 J series and UCE 500 say their isn’t much difference in power and the make is far better now. Yes it will be good to have one as a variant for sure.
I would now be surprised if RE brought out a 500 as the 350 has always been king in India. I don't think there would be enough market for a 500 worldwide.
I really want to like these RE's, but if they don't get their Poop-In-A-Group, Norton is gonna eat their dinner . . .
I think if Norton don't get their poop in a group they will be history
The supper meteor with a 650 engine will be the next big seller for Royel Enfield.
i am not convinced about that, but time will tell!
@@Volcanicbrown1878 American markets will love it, The USA is really the market for 750/850 engines. I no Royal Enfield has plans for those displacements. 🤠
@@DANTHETUBEMAN Yes it could take off in the US but the cruiser market is pretty dead here in the UK with no cruisers being listed by Honda, Suzuki or Kawasaki But the Meteor has sold well!
I've just bought a Bullet 500. I had the chance to ride that and a 350 Classic back to back and could have bought either but chose the 500 for two reasons. First was the little bit of extra power in the 500, very useful in the Highlands, and second was the old bike feel of it. Even if there had been a J Series 500 I think I'd still have bought the old one. Looks never came into it for me but I can see plenty of people preferring the 350 Bullet over the Classic, and there'll be a few who'll have both.
I like the 350's and the 500's! The 500 has a load more torque over the 350's and also a certain rawness, slower revving too makes for a nice relaxing ride!
Yes, that's exactly what stood out for me. I kept looking for another gear on the 350!
R.E. has a long history of using different names to denote different colour schemes and accessories packages. It's nothing new to the motorcycle industry. Many other manufacturers do it as well.
This is crazy you remind me of me I bought the Chrome bronze and then fell in love with a chrome red so I bought the Chrome red then I bought the Interceptor the downtown drag love all three of them now I think I have to get the dark stealth classic 350 the all black one that's the one I need I'm in Las Vegas Nevada and I ride them through the desert in the middle of the night when it's hundred degrees it's just heaven
That's spooky! I bought a Honda VT1300 Interstate from a lady just outside Vegas, Then shipped it over here, Still got it! i know it can get seriously hot in your part of the world. Do you ride Death Valley?
I’ve got two Nortons, two BSAs, two Enfields, I did have three but sold one 😢, two Guzzis, an Ariel, a Hardley, a Yamaha and I’m probably going to get a Meteor. Or an Interceptor. Or a Hunter ( which is a bit naughty because Hunters are Ariels) Or all of them. I’m still married but my lovely was pretty, um… agitated?😮 when I bought my latest Norton
As long as she hasn't got to the point of staying with her mum for a week, Then you could possibly get away with squeezing another bike into the collection!
my thoughts exactly. i've got the classic and it's brilliant
You miss a massive point. The old 350 Bullet is RE's biggest seller. It can't continue due to emissions. So a new 350 Bullet is needed. In its biggest market the RRP saving over a Classic is significant. In its biggest market RE sell more bikes in a day than RE UK sell in a year.
The Indian home market is 20 times the size of ours for sure and Most of their home market don't go for chrome models, They go for function over form and are quite happy with base models as a primary means of transport. I think I didn't present the video as I meant to, I was really talking about the UK market. I still don't think it will sell in great numbers here in the UK.
I'd buy that green one off you Mr Brown if you want to part with it. :)) It's the red one that does it for you mate.
Yes as much as I like the green one, it is the red one that lights my candle!
Sell me the green one then. Then you can buy a new bike which is a bit different..... Not kidding. @@Volcanicbrown1878
I totally agree, there going to use that j platform for all it's worth. The 500 bullet was never going to happen , they would of had to redesign a new engine or reconfigure the 350? Which would of cost them alot of money, and what other models would it of gone in ? There obviously spending a fair amount on the new 450 liquid cooled himilayan which we will probably get nxt year , so nodoubt that will also bring new models to fit that engine into.
They are doing it with the 650 motor too. Interceptor, Continental GT, and now the Super Meteor. I hope that Hitchcocks bring a 500 big bore kit out for the ''J'' engines. Maybe wishfull thinking on my part!😁
I reckon a Hitchcocks big bore kit for the 350 J is a distinct possibility, as we know the 350 Classic is pretty over engineered anyway so it is an excellent candidate 🙂@@Volcanicbrown1878
I think if it mechanically possible to modify the engine to 500, then sooner rather than later, someone will produce a kit to do so.
@@martinowl Sooner please!😁
Pointless, they should just crack on with the Shotgun 650
That would be yet another 650! Either sleeve the 650 down to a 500 or take it out to a 750 and whilst they are at it Bore the 350 out to a 500! Just my wishful thinking!!😁😁
Due to take my test soon and planner to get a classic 350. The release of the bullet hasn’t changed my mind. I prefer the look of the classic, especially with the pillion seat removed. Definitely a strange decision by RE!
Good man! The little classic 350's are really good, I don't think you will be disappointed😁 in one!
There's no replacement for displacement. Dropping HP makes no sense for many markets around the world. Certainly not in the USA. I LOVE my Classic 500 but would not consider less HP/torque especially at high elevation where I live.
Judging by the Indian traffic, a 500 would have no advantage for their home market!
When l married julie i told her that i will decide when i give up my bikes not her ,she is still talking to me and cooking for me , god she has a lot of stuff in her wardrobe
Ha Ha Ha!
halcyon green every time
@richardcrighton8079 My favorite colour too
Sell like hot cakes in india. I know in one august they sold 40000 bullets. Huge market. Love the cat. I always have black and white cats. License is cheaper 😂
Couldn't agree more. Not sure if naming a bike "classic" makes it one, or calling one"reborn" makes it anything but a renewed christian. And yes, the new bullet is a cookie cutter bike with different frosting. The Meteor was the breakthrough bike. I fell in love with the Fireball yellow in 2021 on TH-cam. Closest dealer was in Toronto so had it shipped to Atlantic Canada. I sold my R1100RT soon after. Down to 5 now. My brother has 30 lol. So yes, motorcycles are mans version of women's shoes. (for some). Really enjoyed your post. Looking forward to more. Cheers. 😎
Yes! I too fell in love with the Meteor fireball yellow. I thought it was a very handsome bike. It was launched here before the classics and I got a test ride on a demonstrator but decided to wait till the classics were launched. My Mk2 Interceptor came from Montreal, so I have something with a little Canadian in it! Thanks for the kind words on the channel! 😁
I've got three 500s, two UCEs and my trusty old iron barrel. Question for you Dave....is it worth replacing the OEM silencer on the UCE 500s, or are there advantages to keeping it? I'd be curious to know your perspective.
@felixVanDiemen First thing I did when I bought my new UCE Classic was to throw away the original factory silencer and put a Hitchcock's one on. The factory efforts are good at two things, silencing and restricting!
@@Volcanicbrown1878 Thanks, that was my suspicion as well. Another channel I follow, old school ADV rider has left his on, which got me thinking as he seems to know his stuff too 🤔
@@felixVanDiemen The difference was noticable when the silencer was changed on mine, so much so that it now pulls a 18T geabox sprocket wuth ease and at a steady 60mph on a run gives me over 120 miles per imperial gallon of fuel!
@@Volcanicbrown1878 That makes a lot of sense! It's weird though, the silencers on the J Series Classic 350 seem pretty decent, I wonder why they got the ones on the Classic 500 so wrong?
I think that the new Bullet has been introduced to appease the home market . They are very loyal to the Bullet name back in India and I'm sure it will sell well there , which after all is a huge market .
The new Bullet is still an attractive bike , but not as eye catching as the chrome Classic .
A new 500 Bullet would be marvelous and I'd join the queue to get one . Chrome tank of course .
Your absolutely right!😁
Ya it's pride in India im proud onr of bullet
@@trimbakkotkar3940 The Bullet is a legend!😁
Huge is an understatement, royal Enfield sell more bikes in the home market in a month than triumph do in a year! 😊
Yes, I know the home market for Royal Enfield is colossal😁@@kevindarkstar
I don't own one. Yet... But, that little "cap" on the headlight rim, is that to come off? Or do you need another rim, is that available? I've seen a lot of pictures of the G2, some have'm, some don't. In my book, they completely ruin the look of the bike...
@user-zo6uo5mg2h Sorry for the delay in replying, I must have missed your comment. The headlamp peak is sandwiched between the headlight glass and the rim. The classic 500's had them too. They fit with all the headlamp rims. On my classic 500 I have taken it off and will on the 350's too.
@@Volcanicbrown1878 As easy as that, nice! I drive a Suzuki dl 250, have been for three years now, but I fall in love on a daily basis, whenever I watch one of many TH-cam channels, starring the Classic 350...
TAYM, 2 WHEELED WILLE and now you! Are there any real natives in Suffolk! Just what have you done to them? 😱🤣
@daviddavies5347 Yes, the real Suffolk natives just wander aimlessly around the county,
😂 The wives 😅
Wonderful content and now, great video quality😂😂. You could rename your channel "Catnip Brown" 😁😁. I love Royal Enfields and have 2 Interceptor 650s.
That's how collections start, when you have more than one!😁
@@Volcanicbrown1878 The wife is a keeper though 😁
@@gregheath5336 😁
Would everyone be happier if they called the new bike a 350 classic “bullet edition”?
I think that would work!
Should have called the new 350 the Slug and kept the Bullet name for a future 500.
Are people so Stupid enough to believe that Royal Enfield would have a totally new different engine design for a new Bullet?
It was Obvious they were going to be using the J series engine for the New Bullet 350, and the Emission law's won't allow an air cooled one,
For a 500cc, this is why you have the Crap BSA 650 radiator thing going on,
Folks Will buy the Bullet,
Because of the name alone,
Simple as that,
The J series engine is brilliant 👍
Cheers Paul
Yes, i have to agree, The J motor is a bit good!
New career for you, marriage guidance.
Mention Marriage and the word 'Don't'' springs to mind!😁
Shouldve made it a 500.
Yes I agree but it wouldn't sell well in India, their biggest market!