Which one? Bullet or Classic? The Royal Enfield 350 Differences Compared…
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- Опубликовано: 6 янв 2024
- Today I put Head to head the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Bullet 350 to see what the real differences are and is the bullet worthy of the legendary name?
We have also done full and thorough reviews of each of these bikes on the channel:
Bullet 350 review: • NEW Royal Enfield Bull...
Classic 350 review: • Long Term Review | Roy...
Both of these motorcycles are truly fantastic machines, the character from the 350cc single cylinder engine is immense, the beauty and classic styling and something to behold. They carry their British heritage with pride with a new lease of life from India.
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I chose the new Bullet primarily because of the seat. Both are great bikes but for me comfort for rider & pillion is paramount
I'd do that too, with the rack it's big enough to strap on a large enough bag for a week away. Without you've still got the pillion seat.
Will the Bullet come to America soon?
Comfer and contrroll more better in classic😅
Higher bars make it more comfortable for touring tooo.
Just bought a classic 350, first mod was a touring seat (more padding only £70) and a rack that replaced the pillion seat... what a special little bike, handles superbly, obviously not a lot of power, but for back road's its perfect
i like that RE is adding so much variety. i get why people are annoyed at there being 'too' many 350's now. my way of thinking about it is that its just like going to select your bike and seeing a bunch of different options, rather than just a few different paint schemes. I try not to think of them as a separate bikes in essence, just great variety that manages to cover all bases of people.
I think they got the inspiration from Harley's marketing strategy where there are many options to choose from.
I had a Royal Enfield 250 crusader sports in the early 1960's. The red and chrome 350 classic has the same tank badge as that bike. The chrome tank was really cold to my legs on a cold morning riding to work.
The crusader sports had a cush drive rear hub.
Owing an Enfield helped me pass my motorcycle test, the examiner had a soft spot for Enfield bikes.
The bike always brought good comments from the older generation who knew these bikes from the war.
I may buy a 350 classic in red and chrome to remind me of my youth, even though I may be too old to ride it now.
I bought the classic in September last year after seeing your and other positive reviews about it. A really wonderful motorcycle! I chose the halcyon black color and can hardly wait for the break-in period to be over. I'm at 1500 km now, but now the German winter is slowing me down. But I can already say that the style, character, sound and handling of this bike are simply amazing! I'm really looking forward to spring with my great little royal enfield.
Awesome to hear 👍🏼
I just saw a Classic RE on the street. I loved all the details and how professional and well done all the parts are. I have a Triumph Bonneville T100 that looks really good but not as good as the Classic RE. I think when I get older and the my C90T and my T100 feel too heavy I will move to the smaller Classic RE. It looks just amazing and well done to the smallest detail.
I own a 2022 interceptor 650 and just love it. However, I would love either of these. What a like about the classic though is the fact you can ride with just a single seat and it looks even cooler. But I also love the tank badges on the Bullet. So I guess I would buy both 😉! Thanks great post!
I am from India and I recently bought a Bullet 350 (red military) ❤. It's a charm, there are no major vibrations, very comfortable 😁 In India we have options from base (single channel ABS with rear drum) mid (dual channel ABS) and top end (black gold, one on your video). I personally felt the base version was more value for money. Will share my experiences further with you folks.
@5.25 classic in chrome bronze looks stunning
Looking to buy the classic very soon. I like the polished engine, full mud guards, and two piece seat look. Great comparison and I especially liked the history points.
I bought a Classic in Bronze/Chrome, like your demonstrator, back in April 2022 when they arrived in the UK. Had there been a Bullet 350 available then I might have gone with it just for the heritage in the name. However the two models are technically identical and the Classic looks wonderful, especially in Bronze/Chrome. The Red/Chrome Classic seems to have sold more but when you compare the two side by side the Bronze paint has a beautiful metallic fleck in it, whereas the red is quite flat. The Classic rider seat is supremely comfortable for hours on end, the pillion seat is a little narrow but is separately detachable and could be swapped for a different type or a rack.
Excellent presentation of these lovely bikes 👍
Both are excellent value for the buck, both will find their buyers, I suppose.
Nice vid as ever chaps - personally I'd have the classic, that Bullet seat just looks horrible to me (although I get that it may well be more comfy).....that said I would only likely use this type of bike for country lane ramblings of up to 50 miles in the summer, so big comfort isn't too much of a factor for me. Can't argue with the fun or value these bikes provide.....
The bullet seat feels and looks better quality in person imo
Great channel and thank you for your efforts, quality and content.
Meant to say 350 classic for me. :-)
Many thanks 😊
👍🏼
I think RE have done a great job in giving customers choice if you are looking for a classic looking 350 bike. Personally I would go for the Classic as I would have the chrome finish and remove the Passenger pad to have a single seat look, if I wanted a more blacked out look I think the decision would be more difficult. To be fair I would be happy with either.
Someone bellow commented on the actual price range for the Classic, £4459-4610 however they are available for £500 off at present due to the old distributor dumping their remaining stock (you can’t blame them) which my dealer says is buggering up the market, well at least for the dealers😢. Of course the non-blackout engines are polished aluminium not brushed or chrome or steel and they do require frequent polishing especially this time of year, I use Mothers polish with a polishing pad on a drill then spray with an engine protectant for winter riding.
I’ve removed the cat and fitted a DNA filter and a FuelX Lite which as Darcy says gives it a lovely sound but more importantly a more willing and responsive engine. A touring seat and matching pillion look nicer than stock and more comfortable on longer rides, little difference on shorter though.
Overall a nice little bike, easy to ride and handles pretty well but I would say it’s not all that engaging in the handling; I feel I bit detached unlike my W800 Cafe which make me feel it’s part of me; I never want the ride to end😅.
I like the separate seat arrangement of the classic as if I had one I would put a rack on it. But I guess they are interchangeable.
I bought the bullet black gold . Nice to use for evening ride or city ride nice and comfort with pillion. Do upgrade with powerrange slipon pipe you really enjoy the thumb drive 👍
I like bits from both. I wonder if RE would do a mix and match service. I like the classic but prefer the seat and badging from the bullet.
They are very close indeed, and before the Bullet came out, the Classic was on my no3 short wish list. The Bullet made me reevaluate that list, but in the end i decided to stick with the classic for 2 purely aesthetic reasons. Well, one is semi-practical really. The former is the availability in chrome-bronze, which is the first case of a bike in brownish hews that i actually find appealing. The latter is the ability to swap the pillion seat for a very practical and visually classical looking rack. And if the comfort is the only issue (haven't really tried it yet), then changing the front seat is not a big deal too. I don't thing the Bullet's geometry allows for this.
I have a Classic 350, I love it, the most pleasant bike I have ever had for back roads, but it lacks a bit of power when you need to stretch on highway. So I bought a Kawasaki W800, that’s a bike you should definitely review. Nevertheless I think I’ll keep my Classic as well, just can’t get rid of it 😉
I have both too, love my W, a true retro like no other
A bit unfair comparisson. The W800 costs almost double the price of a classic 350.
bro, that's a good comparison review
I want one if each, but im going to settle for the matte black bullet. Its begging for lots of miles and not much polishing or indoor parking. I love the classic looks and modern reliability the most.
When i was young i did a ton of back road cruising and just enjoyed the little moments in life. I got into thousand mile trips at nearly 100mph the whole time, and thats gotten old. I long for the old days when small rides were an adventure. I think this bike will take me back.
First comment, was eagerly waiting for this... Nice
Hope you enjoyed it!
Thanks for that rumbling outro 🤩
The Classic, delves further back in history from a stylistic standpoint, which to me personally is the point at this price point (too many points here perhaps). The Bullet looks more like the Japanese cruiser styling of the seventies or eighties which I grew up with and I’d be looking for a change. Thanks for sharing guys!!!
Actually the classic is just a remodeled bullet, bullet is the longest continuous model from RE ,so much so that in india RE is known as bullet.
The bullet is proper English design by RE Britain from mid 1930s.
@@noone-zl2di But the new Classic looks more like a vintage bullet than the new Bullet.
@@smithyanthaya you didn't got the comment.
I rode both and then bought a Classic. It was a tough decision though. The bullet seat is more plush and comfortable, and I could flat foot on the Bullet, which I can’t on the Classic (I’m 5 ft 9 in with a 31” inside leg). So it may have the edge for shorter riders. However I preferred the looks of the Classic with the pillion seat removed and a rack fitted in its place. I don’t think that is an option with the Bullet, because as far as I’m aware the seats are not interchangeable.
I'm curious to know if that bench seat will fit on the Classic, visually I can't see why not? Remove the bracketry on the Classic and fit the 2 allen bolts at the grab rail 😮
Thanks for the video. Apparently, the Bullet is coming to Canada soon. I think I like the looks of the Bullet a bit more than the Classic. That badge on the side of the gas tank is especially nice. It would be nice if the RE 350 engine put out a bit more power.
I own a 92 fxdb-d and a 2021 Kaw zh2 but for some reason I really love these R.E. 350s.
Half the fun of owning a Royal Enfield is polishing it and answering questions when parked so the Classic wins this competition. Neither are A1 tourers so polished metal and chrome has to be the best.
You hit the nail on the head, sir. One of the great joys of owning a 1968 BSA Thunderbolt was keeping the aluminum engine cases polished. If it were a Honda or Suzuki, don't worry about it. With an old-time British bike keep those engines polished!
These are coming in a 650 twin version. I'm waiting for those.
Wonder if they'll bore and stroke the motor to a 500cc,a bit more torque and maybe 30bhp?
I still wish they brought back a 500 version of this engine.
That would be cool
If they brought back the 500, I hope they'd still feature a kickstarter. I also would hope the output would increase.
@@thespeezthere will be no kick start as the 650s are coming kickerless
Just booked a Bullet Black Standard in Bangalore, India.
Howay man, would you mind talking about the Spanish brand macbor later? Thanks
I went with Bullet mainly because both are the exact same bike in spec and standard Bullet happened to be the cheapest one of the bunch. Almost everything is interchangeable and can be easily mod later.
Re bullet rear mudguard: if only it did still fold up it would be so useful. Lots of them did including my 1959 Matchless G12
Yep, 'form without function' - but why? - for the shape of a 'stamped heritage' behind?
(Any resemblance between this remark & the tester's buttocks is purely coincidental : )
I also chose the Bullet. Will install some few accessories which would be the alloy from the dealer ,sump guard, knee guard (matte black) and l also the tourer seat with a backseat. Lastly I would switch the stock headlight bulb with a powerful one with the wiring and relay to handle the increase of wattage.
Would love a 650 version of these bikes!
Yeah me too
@@stevetaylor9265 Think one is coming!!!
On the way I hear
I think getting mag wheels (like on the meteor) is an option on some of the the Classic models but not the Bullet.
These two bikes are perfect for the type of roads you have been driving with them.
I prefer the bench seat and blacked out styling of the Bullet over the Classic, but am surprised that the Bullet is the more expensive of the two. I would have thought all the chrome and the separated seats of the Classic would come dearer. (Though I still love my Hunter more!)
Yeah, I believe the Bullet is the cheaper one in India!
Bullet actually has a lower starting price (in India) for base variant with single channel ABS...the top variant (with blacked out engine) is almost neck to neck with classic chrome in terms of pricing
Are the gas tanks the same exact shape? Aside from badging and knee pad, is the tank from the classic 350 identical to the bullet 350?
It's nice to know the bullet has a softer seat. I had a 2017 B5, and the seat was like a rock.
I’m pretty sure they’re the same 👍🏻
@MrDarcy-OlMan
Okay. The color scheme in the black and gold on the 350 bullet is so nice I'd consider picking one up when they come over the pond to the states. Great content thanks.
Both are beautiful motorcycles. My favourite is the Classic 350 though.
You mentioned that the bars were, supposedly, a little different. Did you find that to be noticeable and, if so, how? Does the exhaust note sound the same? I took a test ride on the Classic last summer and found it to be solid and absolutely beautiful. Imagine that same bike in a 30+ hp 500cc version.
The bars felt the same tbh but apparently they’re different. And the exhaust is exactly the same. A 500 would be great!
I just spotted the new Honda GB the 350 an 750 man this is like crazy every on is going nuts to have some kind of RE classic alternative
Never once said “colourways” or “price point “ so that’s a big like from me.
Im torn between the Bullet or a Signals Classic 350 ...yr right about that little single cylinder engine, full of character and soul 👍
The height of the handle bar the same?
I had the Bullet 500 and loved it, one bike I wish I still had, wish they would bring out the 500cc It was green with the steel side bags, a go any where bike. If it came in a 500 cc I would be having one, but just not sure about a 350
650 is on the way - '25 I think
Do they have exactly the same handlebars or any different? If no, how?
Good one Mr Darcy 👍
Many thanks 👍🏼
If the bullet had been out when I bought my signals models I may have gone with it. But either way you will not be disappointed at all 😊
My pick is the Classic (with the Bullet seat). Maybe if I looked at all the Bullet colour schemes, I might change my mind and prefer a Bullet with a Classic seat (leave the pillion section off completely).
I love the classic , however bullet wins it for me. Thanks for the review Darcy
Oh man I'm from india I liked your video
I don't see where the extra value is in the Bullet over the Classic.
But maybe it is just me because I thought the same about the Meteor vs the Classic...
I Like it more black 👍 all that Chrome on the Cruisers is Not my Style
Nice Video 👍
Thanks
I've just bought the classic 350..I love the single seat look..very 1950s
Awesome enjoy 😉
Is the Honda GB350 bike available in the UK
No unfortunately not. It would be a huge success here I think
Very good sharing
Its MrT I currently have the classic 350 Stealth dark gunmetal matt grey if I waited I would have chosen the Bullet 350 but if the 500 was out it would be it great bikes I am from north Ayrshire
Love classic. I need to see bullet in flesh. I eagerly await classic 650 and I’m sure they’ll also do a bullet version. Will we get a 450 version in the future? 🤔
Yes definitely go and see a Bullet in the flesh 👍🏼
I'm starting to think the spy shots we say for a bullet 650 is actually the shotgun 650
It will be the same chassis for sure but front forks, lights and cluster are like the classic 350. I hope they bring out a 450 version as well. @@_everydayelias
Just a name & Royal Enfield going back to the British days played with the Bullet & Clipper name bringing out in 63 to 65 a unit construction Bullet 350 that was little more than a larger capacity Crusader.
For me the only better looking think on the Bullet is the Tank, others my choice would be the Classic 350.
As u advised earlier video I buy bullet 350.
It is excellent..
Classic is better looking to my eyes. I'd make it even better by removing the pillion seat and fitting a rack. Too much chrome though. I'd rather pay more and have stainless brightwear as I can't see chrome taking long to turn orange in the UK. Prefer the rear mudguard on the Classic as well. I get that the Bullet's is authentic in giving a nod to the hinged mudguard on the old Redditch Bullets, but it doesn't flow as well or look as sleek as the Classic's and unless it has the function of being hinged I can't see the point of it.
Saying that, I might like the Bullet more in the brushed ally rather than mat black engine finish. I do like the gloss black paint scheme on the bodywork though. Do they do a black Classic with a black seat? If so that would be my choice.
That classic looks cool
For years I rode a Matchless 500 single , very comphy low seat and balanced, but his kicker could get nasty, if you didn't use the comp release right. The Indians learned how to control the English overheating out in the southern colonies. I may well join the line for one of REs' 650's.
I like the new bullet a little bit more. Greetings from Hamburg/Germany (the most english city outside Great Britain o:)
I have driven the Classic, but only sat on the Bullet. The Bullet seems more comfortable, and they have corrected the position of the toe shifter so that I can get my foot beneath it, which isn't possible on the Classic, since the pedal is too low.
I'm thinking it might be a good idea to offer the Meteor's heel-toe shifter on the Bullet or at least offer it as an option.
Bullet the longest continuous bike in production.
At first I was totally for the classic, now that i have seen the bullet i have changed idea
It would of been a better comparison is the classic 350 was in CHROMO TANK ESPECIALLY WHITH THE RED COLOUR AROUND or even bronze
Pls change the silence and check it's beast sound
Bullet in Black and chrome. But it needs a bit more power maybe a 500 engine.
Classic, for the mono seat
Bullet for me!. Still has the hand painted tank stripes like the old ones and the seat is super comfy!
Dont like the fact that it is more expensive than the classic it used to be the other way around the bullet was the budget version??. Enfield are being a bit greedy there i feel!. Both lovely bikes though.
Bullet. Have not ridden either but just on style / looks.
I'll keep my Classic 500 all day long. There is NO reason to go down further in hp. These are such beautiful machines and steeped in history but there is no replacement for displacement.
It’s a tough decision, I like the clean look of the bullets fuel tank, but I prefer the rear fender of the classic. Fork to my nose I think I’d pick the bullet
Classic with the touring seat.
It is funny that the Bullet is priced higher, because the Classic was first introduced in India to be a more cosmetically premium alternative to the Bullet- wider rear tires, split seats, etc.
You can put the touring seat on the Classic
I can't understand why the Bullet costs more than the classic as the Classic seems better styled. Personally the clasdic seat is the most comfy seat of any motorcycle I've owned so again the classic would be my choice and nothing looks cooler than a classic Signals
A fun fact : The tanks are hand painted by artists on every RE bike
Bullet is my choice, no doubt. Cheers 🍻 from Brazil
Classic 350 prices are actually from £4459 to £4619.
They might have changed since I filmed this a few months ago
Classic look is more appealing than Bullet350, Bullet350 design is very old fashioned and that very suitable if you purely love that old fashion...
I’ve owned one of each.
The Bullet is the most comfortable bike I’ve ever ridden.
I'll chose the meteor in the new Aurora Blue version.
That does look great!
I would actually consider the HNTR instead.
My favourite indiaan bike Company!
Prefer the blacked out look less polishing more riding .😊
Does the Bullet also have no gear display?
Yea it’s the same
I will go for RE bullet 350❤
T120 / T120 Black
Classic / Bullet
something like that
The polished engine is polished. Not brushed. Not chrome. The separate pillion seat is easily removed, making the Classic look better. Rectangle side covers vs ovals, squared off bottom line of the rear mudguard vs curved are the only real differences.
2:59 Beeee 😃