I have been riding a standard bullet for the past 5 years and a two wheeler for the past 24 years .My bull bought from one my best friend is a 1986 model old thumper . I have planned to do the north and know that this old thumper would pant for oxygen and may not be the right vehicle for the modern 4 lane and low oxygen at high altitude. Since its a heritage machine I thought of preserving it and went to the showroom to choose my bull for the adventure .
I test rode both 350 and 500 CC . 350 CC review .Lacks the torque of old standard cast engine but can out wit the old bull on high ways .Handling is great but felt a bit lighter than my old bull . It gave me a feeling of a bigger Yamaha or other 100 cc bikes with the gear on left foot 1 down, 4 up compared to the strong robust gear leaver of the old right footer gear shifter bull .The gear leaver of the new one seems very sluggish and have lost its gravity .Suggest Enfield to put in more metal for such a classic bike. Could have modified the old leaver to fit into.
Disadvantage:- Does not have the small neutral liver like the old bull .Too much of rattling from the engine . Thought it needs more refinement. The exhaust with the long muffler produced some decibels less and did not have the royal roar of the Tiger compared to the old even if you fit the one which is shown in the picture in their website.This could be complicated to repair compared to the old bull .
Advantages:- Clutch much smoother - Perhaps due to the more plates compared to 3 in the old one .Gears much smoother and easy to change . The extra gear is good for long rides .The engine is more fuel efficient with less moving components. The 500 is full of technology and meant for the new highways . Believe the new one will have my trousers free of grease.
The 500 scores much above 350 and has excellent torque and have better handling than 350. It would also not pinch me as my old bull give 30-32 kpl and 500 gives in the same range . .The 500 has best of both 350 cc UCL and cast other than the chatter chatter of the engine and the low decibels but far better than the ucl 350.
Booked one and awaiting delivery next year August with 10 months waiting