2023 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Compared To Its Rivals

The Yezdi Roadster stands out with its liquid-cooled powerful engine

• If you want something that really stands out in a crowd with its funky design, the TVS Ronin could stand out for you
• The Yezdi Roadster’s design too, is a bit polarizing with its raked-out front but streetfighter-like ergonomics
• The Bullet stands out as the most traditional-looking Roadster of the lot

Royal Enfield Bullet 350 has gone unrivalled in its segment for quite some time over the years. Competitors have come and gone, but no one’s been able to match the macho appeal and the charisma it has had. But now that Royal Enfield has modernized the Bullet 350, in its J-series avatar, is it the same as before, or do any of its competitors now pull ahead? Let's find out: 

2023 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 vs Rivals: Design & Features

The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 maintains its classic design throughout the years, providing riders with a comfortable riding position. Its timeless appearance evokes nostalgia for vintage British motorcycles, making it a favorite among retro enthusiasts.

The bike's retro charm is enhanced by a round headlight surrounded by shiny chrome, reminiscent of the past. It features iconic "tiger lamps," hand-painted pinstripes on the fuel tank, and a smoothly contoured single-seat, all adding to its allure. Additionally, a robust metal grab handle and a prominent long chrome exhaust contribute to its classic appeal.

However, it's worth noting that if someone is seeking a more modern design, they may not be a fan of the Bullet 350's classic look. Moreover, the bike's fuel gauge is known to be somewhat unreliable, occasionally displaying incorrect readings.

The Ronin stands out with its larger appearance, mainly attributed to its taller and wider fuel tank, as well as its unique shape. It features a thicker upside-down front suspension fork and a wider seat. On the contrary, the Hunter opts for a lower and slimmer profile, making it particularly appealing to newer or smaller riders seeking added confidence. However, loyal Royal Enfield enthusiasts might not favor its more compact dimensions.

While the Ronin appears larger, it showcases some distinctive design elements, such as an oversized chain cover that resembles a belt-drive system typically found on cruiser motorcycles. From a different perspective, this excess size becomes apparent. It's important to note that despite its blocky-pattern tyres, the Ronin doesn't excel in off-road capabilities. Nevertheless, it offers adjustable levers, stylish mirrors, eye-catching LED indicators, and an attractive LED strip brake lamp, adding to its overall appeal.

2023 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 vs Rivals: Engines

When comparing the Bullet with the Meteor, it's clear that the Bullet offers a more relaxed riding experience. The newer model comes with improvements, including a crisper throttle response. Notably, it now comfortably cruises at speeds of 95-100 km/h, a significant upgrade from its previous 80 km/h limit. This enhancement results in improved roll-on acceleration from 30 to 50 km/h, making overtaking more confident.

While the differences in city riding are subtle, they become more pronounced on highways. Some riders may prefer a lighter clutch, and those accustomed to clutch less shifts will notice smoother gear transitions when shifting conventionally.

What many riders will appreciate is the bike's neutral handling. Despite being a retro bike, the new J-series platform is built on a robust chassis, which makes maneuvering the bike from one corner to another a confident endeavor. The chassis feels stiff and planted even during spirited rides, and the bike exhibits a neutral and almost indifferent behavior when pushed to its limits. This aspect of the bike is truly admirable.

The Roadster's 334cc engine remains eager to rev and provides brisk acceleration. Its engaging handling adds to the overall experience. While it may not have the razor-sharp agility of a streetfighter, the flat handlebars offer ample leverage to easily maneuver the bike. Even tipping it from one side to the other becomes an enjoyable endeavor. Adding to the fun factor is the smooth 6-speed gearbox and a clutch that's notably light to operate.

2023 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 vs Rivals: Suspension, Tyres & Brakes

The new Bullet 350 boasts larger 41mm forks, maintaining a 130mm travel distance. The rear shock absorbers have been improved with 10mm longer travel, enhancing overall comfort, especially when riding with a passenger or carrying luggage. Additionally, the ground clearance has been increased to tackle rough roads with ease.

However, what you won't find on the spec sheets is the exceptional ride quality that the 2023 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 offers. It's almost akin to sitting on a sofa. To put it to the test, we took the Bullet 350 through some of the city's toughest and most uneven speed breakers. Remarkably, the bike handled them with the ease of a tall adventure bike that boasts ample ground clearance. It effortlessly conquered rough roads, providing absolute comfort for both the rider and the passenger.

2023 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 vs Rivals: Dimensions

2023 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 vs Rivals: Price

The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 offers a choice between two variants: Kick Start and Electric Start, and each comes with a range of appealing colour options to suit different preferences. For the Kick Start variants, you have classic Black, elegant Bullet Silver, and sophisticated Onyx Black as colour choices.

On the other hand, the Electric Start variants provide some excellent options as well, including the bold Jet Black, striking Regal Red, and distinguished Royal Blue. These colour choices cater to a variety of tastes and styles.

Verdict

The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 had been performing exceptionally well in terms of sales due to its rich history, robust build, commanding riding posture, and captivating style. However, the 2023 model took a clever approach by retaining these fantastic attributes while also addressing significant issues.

Today, there's no denying that the new Bullet 350 seamlessly blends nostalgia with modernity. If you're in search of a motorcycle that effortlessly combines classic charm with contemporary features, the Bullet 350 is undoubtedly the ideal choice for you.

The Roadster, meanwhile, has undoubtedly improved as a product, and with its starting price of Rs 2,06,142 (ex-showroom Delhi), it offers excellent value for its segment. If Yezdi can address the minor issues we mentioned earlier, the Roadster could become a more well-rounded offering.

What sets the Roadster apart is its unapologetically spirited character. While other bikes in its segment aim for a relaxed riding experience, this bike, with its flat handlebar, upright ergonomics, and lively performance, thrives on keeping the rider engaged and on their toes. This unique experience is sure to resonate with many enthusiasts.