Hey all! First Up this review is meant to grow as and when i get time and the Kilometers keep on goin up North!
Got the bike from Teknik Motors, Indranagar, Bangalore on November 2013. I booked it in May 2013 so had a bit of time to do my research on this class of Machine, unique to the Indian Road.
I will begin from a comparison first.
Classic 350 v/s Electra 350 Comparison:- Drive Feel: Drove a classic (6000km) for about 70Km in the city, then drove the Electra the next day for 2 km. Verdict - Electra had a more pronounced sound and thump compared to the Classic, the bike is also got a better feel since its higher than Classic so the seating makes you feel like you’re driving a lorry o two wheels! Seating is more comfy on the Electra as the rider seat has a small depression that kinda helps while the Classic’s seat felt too big for me and hence ride comfort was less
Ownership Review:-
The Positives
Road Presence - This bike is like nothing you may have driven all due to its 19" wheels! It really makes one feel like a king on the road. I got the Silver coloured one and with that colour, the Chrome just looks very fluid. If polished well, trust me people are going to look at it at every signal because of the gleaming shine of the bike.
Handling When stationary, the bike feels heavy if you just tilt it even slightly. Begin to ride it and all that weight (187Kg) feels as if its lost to thin air! Very easy to handle when riding it at any speed but you need to be careful while cornering even at a moderate speed due to the weight of the bike. Moving the bike on your own is quite a task though!
Power This bike has got RAW Power and truck loads of it; you might be doing 80 Kmph without even knowing it! It vibrates at low speeds but beyond 50 to 80 it purrs effortlessly! For those migrating from the 150/180cc or more sporty bikes; DO NOT even expect the Bullet to come even close to that kind of responsiveness! if that’s what you are looking for then maybe you ought to not take this bike.
The Not-So Positives
Comfort I’m 174cm high and i felt the handle was a little too far off so i had to get that lowered down but i still feel the seat is not very comfortable as my back ache seemed to have increased a bit since i began riding the bike, maybe i need to get used to it, am not sure but hoping that is the case :) more on this when i update next time The seat is very comfy compared to a Pulsar 180 though
Extra Care Think of a bullet like an elephant, a new RE Bike is like an infant elephant that needs extra care till the first three services at the very least! Ripping this bike at any speed during this time is a complete No! No!! I have been driving this under 50Kmph since i got it and have been advised to gradually increase the speed gradually during the run-in period. You also need to start it each morning and run it with the Choke On for a Min. I do this and then go on a 2 Km drive in the morning each day. Electra has bucket loads of Chrome so wax shining it is a must along with keeping it covered when not in use.
All in All, i wanted a Bullet and i have my reasons for it very well laid out! My advice to any one contemplating this purchase would be the following:
You do not buy a Bullet; you Invest in it
Do not even think of comparing it to any other bike on the road and hence do not even expect it to be as such
Do your research before going in for any RE Bike, be sure what model you want, test ride for a day if you can
Maintenance Free is not a term that was made for the Bullet, you have to take care of it!
Hope this helps, i know its lengthy but trust me its reviews that detail everything that really helps as it did for me! If you have read this entire review, i get the feeling that you maybe serious about investing in Royal Infield Bullet!
Feel free to leave a comment; would like to know what was helpful or what more you would like to know from me.
ROCK ON!