Royal Enfield Classic 350-V- Bullet 350. why reviewers always get it WRONG!

I'm finally gonna get my MC licence this year and I have been looking at the Royal Enfield range but settling on the 350 Classic as my first bike I cannot wait!

I got my full motorcycle license at 17 in 1979 but couldn't see the point in getting something that was quick but couldn't achieve more than 40 mpg. I just wanted something economical and practical and with modest smooth performance bearing in mind our speed limits. Nothing has changed in my view and more and more modern retro bikes again fit the bill.

I like how they say you need to learn on yamaha R7 as first bike. Unless you grow money on trees. My little 10 inch tires last around 6000kms and the R500 each. Super bike i had at one stage. R2000 each 10 YEARS ago and only lasted 2000kms. My front rubber actually cracks up. I can't do 40000kms in time. 😂😂😂

I agree 100% with the difference in power from the new bike to one with 1,500 miles - this was exactly the case with my new 2022 RE 350 Classic - after the 1,500 miles it opened up incredibly. I would never have believed it if the salesman told me that, but 100% true and my experience. (40 years riding). I have now picked up a new 2025 Himalayan 450 and continue to be impressed with RE products. Great channel, cheers from Canada and all the best, keep up the great work. Ronny

And I see two more bikes in the garage behind you. So what are they. I'm just too curious. PS: I'm leaning towards the bullit as the seat height is more in my favored riding position. Currently have a couple of GZ250s n an XT225, a W650 and some 70s SL honda projects. The only old " style " air-cooled bikes that appear interesting are the 350 RE and the W230. The Honda just dosen't look visually appealing and the W230 should have been a W300. Also the RE Signals 350 has a nice military vibe.

Hi Stuart.
I've had many bikes over the years. Mostly BMW, Honda tourers, sporty nakeds ect. Big powerful bikes.
I'm getting my 350 Classic next Thursday, and I feel like a kid on Christmas eve.
I think the problem with modern bikes is that you just can't bond with them.
They are just to Polished, refined and soulless. That's not a criticism. Some people might like that, but I think your taste in bikes changes as you age.
It will sit nicely alongside my R18 and T120 Bonnie. 😊

Is available or does fit the Conford seat of the Classic on the Bullet model? Note. I like the black color of the Bullet
Thank You👍👍👍

20 years ago I used to fancy bikes that had topnotch acceleration and could fly 300km/h... and while that was fun in its own way, I realized that I enjoyed riding at around 100km/h and savouring the ride and scenery far more than high speeds... I realized that getting to the destination is not important to me at all, that I'm all about enjoying the journey (and often I would avoid getting to my destination on purpose, as I wanted to ride for a little longer).
I think Classic 350 is the right one for me. \o/

What a fantastic video, clear, concise and everything made perfect sense. I just purchased yesterday a 2023 RE 350 classic dark with only 1200km on the clock, it won't be delivered untill early next week but I am so looking forward to starting my long term ownership with it. 😊

Nice video, as usual. Have you noticed differences in the riding comfort due to the slighlty different seat height? Thanks.

Hi Stuart, awaiting the reviews of the Classic 650. Please upload soon.

Hi Stewart. Thanks for detailing the small but significant Bullet v Classic differences. I'm curious if the handlebars are different too - wider, higher, pullback? Cheers from Alabama

thank you for the review, to be honest, i am just a couple of years older than you, have ridden bikes for a good few years (of all sizes) and now just wanted a bike that will get me from A to B without fuss, and not needing to go faster than the national limit, the more i see and hear of the 350's the better i am liking what i hear.

I have chose the himalayan 411 as frst bike and I do love it - the call for adventure, coming from the style of the bike was kind of the initial impulse to do the motorcycle license. Now after one and a half years, I like to think about the future of my biking ambitions - more power, expensive bikes..., that were my thoughts, coming from an urban setup with a lot of sporty bikes within my surrounding peer group. Now I dream of having a bullet 350, a smooth relaxing, very good loking bike, for wandering and feeling nice. -5hp, that might be the update for the future 😊

Brilliant review might order a new bullit present bullit 2002 iron barrel over 50000 miles really goes well run in

👏👏👏

I was at my local RE dealership here in northern Illinois (Randy’s Cycles) and they have 3 Bullets on in each color and about 4 Classic 350s and I must say it’s going to be a very hard decision when I’m able to buy one…I Just love them all but there’s just something about the Bullet! I love the bench seat I think it’s not only beautiful but very practical. And there’s just something about the history and the badges and the 50s styling ❤ But then I went and sat on a couple of classics and boy did they really do it for me also!!! Just can’t decide. I think a Bullet might be easier to keep clean and actually age a little better, but then which color? I think the standard black but the black and gold step up is awesome too, and the Burgundy one is beautiful as well 🤷‍♂️ 😂 I just love them ALL even the Meteor 350s! I’m just in love with the brand

Nothing is underpowered, be it a reborn 350 Bullet with 20 bhp, or Allen Millyards V10. They are all what they are. Having ridden a 350 Meteor a few years ago now, it was well built, smoother than my 500 Bullet EFI, but out of the two I'll take the 500 EFI everytime. Yes I reviewed the Meteor 350, although I only put around 100 miles on it, but something like 30 years of rtiding bikes you tend to get a feel quite quickly. Was my review wrong? No, just a difference of opinion. In the end you makes your choice and pays your money. If you are happy it makes no odds what others think. However, in short, all my RE's require an application request to overtake, but that Meteor 350 required the same, but it was as if that request had a 2nd class stanmp on it 😉😁. If you want smooth, go for a new 350, but the less weight of the EFI 500 (yes that surprised me too), plus 10 extra ftlbs of torque at the same rpm is very welcome, because my weight certainly doesn't help 😁.

I always cringe when a reviewer takes out a brand new bike and revs the hell out of it on their review ride. I feel sorry for the poor fellow who ends up buying that bike after.

First "big" bike I was trusted with was a beautiful AJS mod 16, the heavyweight 350. About 1969 or so. Long stroke, oodles of torque. Just a toddle round some seaside town streets, then handed back. I've lusted after one ever since. But silly money for machinery nearly as old as me? Not a truly sensible idea. Enter these imported REs. My last bike was the first Suzuki SK1, the revamped faired big Bandit. Nasty accident in 2010 was the end of that. Now it's - now.
And I keep seeing these Indian bikes all over YTube, owners rave about them. Seems to me they're pretty close to a freshened up Mod 16 - and one that hasn't been rebuilt six times by home mechanics of indifferent skill levels!
Gonna have to get a ride on one of these - even if it shows me that my biking days are effectively done - every year passing makes me less able physically, no doubt there - Ive reached that time of life. We'll see what's to do with a ride somewhere!

In 1961 I painted my dads police bike with a brush and a pot of tar ( allegedly , but yup )

Bought an Interceptor last week to celebrate , as ya do ...

Motorcycle reviews are interesting to watch but I take them with a pinch of salt now for 2 main reasons. As you rightly say Stu the engine is new and tight but the other reason and in fairness we all suffer it, when we try something new for the first time it is either the best thing since sliced bread and gotta buy one or it is a piece of crap depending on our initial expectations. So I have found that a slated utter piece of crap can actually be a peachy fantastic bike or Visaversa. Before getting my Bullet 500 I watched reviews which got mixed reactions from, gutless Dinosaur, poor Indian quality, unreliable etc etc which put me off buying one. Watched some gushing reviews too of course but in the end I went with my gut feeling, I really wanted one so took the chance and glad I did. I was just browsing online in general and found mine at my local bike shop by pure chance and fell in love with it. Genuinely the most enjoyable bike I’ve ever owned and no it’s not perfect but I just can’t stop riding it and loving it so there is a moral there. Reviews are good but long term reviews are better and very rare.

Just bought a 2024 maroon red bullet yesterday. So far great. USA.

Give me one Stuart❤

Parts availability in Canada are absolutely pathetic with Royal Enfield. I don’t know whether it’s the dealers or Royal Enfield themselves. I know I ordered parts waited over six months still didn’t receive them. Cancel the order however I find if you order parts from overseas, they come a lot faster why is that? Is it about just selling motorcycles if I take an example with my last Harley I bought I bought over $6000 of parts and accessories which was 1/2.

Just saying I bought a classic 350 chrome bronze because of your videos it’s one of four motorcycles I currently own and for some reason I’m very fond of this bike

Love your videos I’m watching from fintry British Columbia

Hi Stu - it’s Big Rodders in Ireland. I agree whole heartedly with your comments about running in procedures. I have a 2020 yellow 4 speed Monkey and when new it couldn’t pull 30mph in too without juddering. Now with 15k on the clock I can feather the throttle comfortably from the high 20s and it’s a peach of a machine, but it’s still much considered to be just a novelty machine by occasional riders.

Stuart, I watch your channel and am a subscriber. I appreciate the hard work you put into your videos, the insights you bring to your video work is from a rare perspective of a true biker.
I am teetering on my next (second Royal Enfield) that of the 350, Classic, Bullet, Meteor or Signals. I am in a nice spot to be able to do that, I am appreciative of that. I am tired of the bigger bike is better mantra. Because I really am still at the Honda 50 mindset that I started on all those years back. I am slowing my roll as it were and enjoying the sites and sounds at a slower proper pace.
Thanks again for your efforts! Cheers! Oh my current bike is an RE Scram and I love it! Small is Big!

Ive had to replace the sprockets and chain on my classic 350. 1 year old, 13,000 klms. Anyone else experience it? I blame the donkeys I had servicing it.

Press/YT Bike Experts "REE IT'S NOT FAST ENOUGH, IT'S TOO HEAVY, IT'S OLD, REEE"

Actual People "Don't care, still buying it anyway, and I'm gonna ENJOY IT TOO!"

Press/YT Bike experts "YOUR HAVING FUN WRONG!"

Actual People "Don't care, didn't ask."

Which one of these Royal Enfield bikes would you recommend for using with a sidecar and being able to go off road? I am not looking to do intense technical off roading, but just touring and exploring a bit, and taking back roads through little towns. I have no interest in speed. I like the vintage look and feel, and the sound, and just the freedom.
The sidecar would carry my dog and some camping gear.
Thinking about doing the Trans America Trail and also driving down Chile to Cape Horn.
One thought I have had is installing an electric wheel on the sidecar to use only if there is some mud or sand, at very slow speed, for some extra traction.

one difference you missed is that the handlebars are different on both bikes. Bullet has a more upright sitting posture because of this since the handlebar is taller and closer to the rider

I love that you got it running! It's such a pretty bike!

I'm of an age and physical condition, where I may soon have to consider 'downsizing again' ( I currently ride a Voge 525 DSX) having previously owned and ridden all manner of big touring bikes (GTR 1400s, GS 1250 etc etc) So a Royal Enfield 350 could well be the future bike for me.
So many reviewers do, as you say overlook the obvious, and tend to suggest that a RE 350 would only be suitable for a first time rider, this is, of course, true, but lets not overlook those riders, who have reached an age where a smaller, lighter, lower capacity bike is a means of maintaining an active association with motorcycling, the alternative may have been to 'hang up yer helmet'
So, Stuart, thank you for your honest and factual review of the Royal Enfield 350..... I have found your review to be extremely helpful
Keep the reviews coming...oh, and by the way I have just subscribed and "liked" your video
I'm looking forward to more years biking and more reviews from your good self !

My favorite bike ever was a BSA B31 350, it just kept going no matter the weather and the 350 single's sound and feel were just nice, no rush no screaming revs but it would keep going up a mountain with that same thump thump thump, I loved it.

Its alot more fun to ride a 'slow' bike fast than ride a fast bike slow. It's so much more fun riding a bike knowing its giving you all it's got!

What I find great news is that Honda are bringing the GB350 s to Europe and a 500 cc version follows later, the sound of the 350 is really great and it's thanks to Royal Enfield and Triumph that has Made Honda rethink their European marked with sales of big CC bikes falling and smaller CC bikes on the rise.

There isn't a single modern Honda with their stick bug sport and sport touring bikes that interests me in the slightest , I hate all the fancy electronics and Big TFT display which, in my opinion looks ugly on a bike. Honda really went into a deep sleep when it came to design and chose to go all out modern full of electrics. No thanks.

I once bought a used Zundapp 250 "Elastic" 2-Stroke. Rode it as a commuter bike to work for 2 years, never spend a nickle on it, kept up with traffic, enjoyed riding it. Every size/displacement bike has it's limits and sensible usage. Trying to make a 125cc trail bike keep up with urban traffic doesn't make sense to me.

Hello Stuart. I love my 2 year old scram 411. About 14000km. Its ridden a lot off road with knobby tyres. Love it... I must admit though... i love the style and sound of the current 350 series , classic and bullet styles (not so much meteor nor hunter).. if i could have 2 bikes i'd test ride one for the on road tootle around the country roads in Oz.. i even wonder sometimes if customised with knobby tyres that it could handle much gentle off road rides that i do... they appeal :) cheers from OZ

Dad never let me ride a motorcycle... so I left them alone until this year. I'm three years older than you, Stuart, and finally got my license this year, about to purchase a RE. Not sure which one to get - the Classic or the Bullet - both are gorgeous, however the history of the Bullet will probably tip me that way. I've no interest in breaking speed records and love to enjoy the scenery, so this will probably be my final bike purchase (after 3 scooters). Thanks for the valuable advice re the improvement after running in.

Thanks. Your explanation of running in a bike makes a whole lot of sense 👍🏻🏍

Speed and horsepower are way overrated. Slow down and enjoy the ride. I'll add that where I'm at in the states, they won't even let you test drive a motorbike. If you can ride one at a demo day you're lucky. But you buy it before you ride it in general.

One of the best bikes ever made ❤ the Bullet is my dream bike in matt black

THESE BIKES GOOD FOR BEGINERS AND RETIRED RIDERS

I don't know what it is, but the classic 350 is the best looking bike to me. I am still saving for a triumph only because of the sentimental value since it was my grandpa's first bike and I want it to be my first bike too, but damn, I'll damn sure buy a classic 350 or if I could get my hands on a classic 500 in a few years from now just for the looks, and the thump of course❤

Adding another comment because I've finally ordered a Bullet 350! Woohoo!
I've got a question for Stu, though: -
Any idea on how to go about finding out exactly what parts are the same as the Classic?
I ask because I've already noticed that sites (like Hitchcocks) don't like lots of stuff for the Bullet that they do for the Classic, like alloy wheels, but as far as I can tell, they are exactly the same in that regard...
I'm hoping websites catch up (though the Bullet has been around for quite a long time), or maybe it's Royal Enfield that need to make the info available (because they also don't list alloy wheels for the Bullet, implying the wheels are not the same as the Classic).
I get the feeling I'm going to struggle getting parts, whereas if I had a Classic it would be easy?

Hi there, am contemplating taking up biking (at 50ish) mainly to honour grandfather who was a despatch rider - I love the story of the RE's. Wondered if you've any views on (1) suitability of the RE as a first bike (2) whether I should go for a new 350 or the older 500 (which looks more authentic). Am in Aus and will be looking at local cruises and occasional roadtrips...... cheers!

Yes I totally agree. I have a 2022 Meteor 350 and noticed that it really didn’t come into its own until 3000 km. I too have found I use it for going to the shops instead of the car because it is easy and a lot cheaper to run.

I’ve been fantasizing about the Signals 350 for several years now. My Honda ct125 is almost paid off. 😜