Comparison of Bullet models, Royal Enfield. Review on Bullet Electra

Hi,

This review is mainly intended for the people who cannot decide upon which Royal Enfield model to buy. I am fortunate enough to ride every model, that Royal Enfield has now, on road. Myself has owned one machismo (sold it off) and now running the Electra 4S. besides am fortunate enough to take hands on old 350/500cc, Thunderbird and Citibike or Lightning.

At any point of time my favorite is Electra 4S, probably the most comfortable bike for long rides.

1. When people think of Royal Enfield, I presume they will not ask stupid things like mileage. You can only afford an elephant , if you are capable of. Modern models like machismo/Thunderbird will give above 35-40km/l. Old 350's-->around 25km/l and 500-->around 22. Lighning, if you can manage to find one will range within 25km/l. But again, this figure varies from person to person, road condition, driving habits, even air flow direction. So leave mileage factor and enjoy the ride.

   
   




2. I first got my hands to an old 350 cc and truly I found it much comfortable and enjoyable than any existing models. This pollution norms have made bullet riders lost the charm, both from the thumping noise and lighter metals. But still Electra 4S, if modified a little can give some feeling, but not all. The bharat stage norms have forced RE to change air filter to silencer, thereby forcing them to loose the thumping beat. But old bullets are definitely the winners for any day, anywhere. They do lack of quality control and have the issues like nuts/bolts/screws getting loose, leakage and maintenance factor. Modern bikes are much more stable.

   
   




3. 500CC are the best in terms of long ride, but still RE has not stabilized in the 500cc section, so unless you are not confortable enough with own servicing of your own bikes, better not to go. You should exactly know what you are doing in 500cc's, since not many will be able to resolve critical problems.

   
   




4. Thunderbird, is the most popular model, among all. They are indeed comfortable, also from mileage point of view. I like the ride and smoothness, but I personally dislike it's shape and it gave me no feeling of Bullet charm. So take a test ride and decide your own. If you are for authenticity, you will not like it. For those who like cruiser type, they will surely grab it.

   
   




5. Lighning was a model, which RE discontinued, because I feel it was ahead of time. That time it was the fastest bike in India. It is comfortable and majestic, if you are riding it, commuters will definitely respect. But I believe it was not entirely RE made, but assembled and so it will be difficult to get properly serviced except good showroom mechanics. It might develop some engine bug on a later stage. This model is not truly suited for indian roads, but should be ok in long. I have not gone in long in this model. It should be selected for it's majesticity, if you can find one. make sure you befriend a good mechanic.

   
   




6. Electra 4S, it's comfortable, mileage it gives me 30 odd. After 5000km, once engine is freed, you should dump that stupid default silencer and go for a narrower bend pipe and muffler for the sound. Do not change the muffler alone. One advantage is unlike the earlier, the newer one gets started even if there is little charge left in the battery, but if dead totally it will not start.

   
   




7. Electra 5S, I have not tested, but 5S has been long awaited in the massive 350cc range. Should give you better mileage. The looks are not also boring like the 4S.

   
   




8. Machismo, comes in 2 flavors. The older AVL one, that was pretty much like the oldies with ignition/engine/shocker changed to a relatively newer one. The new machismo has got lot of chromes in the body for dazzling look., but overall machismo has got a vibrating effect and although it is the fastest bike in Bullet chain, you cannot alter it's beat. The gear is left sided yamaha type, fast pickup. The seat is horrible. Change it at first shot.

   
   




9. Machismo/Thunderbird has got exactly similar technical specs, and you need to decide after a testing ride and on looks. Standard350 is still available and hardcore bulletiers will go for it. Electra 5S is for those who want to take advantage of left side 5 gear speed and Electra 4S is for people like me who tend to get the oldie feeling with some better quality control unlike the old one.

   
   




10. Lightning will be difficult to find, but if you can find buy it after consulting with a good mechanic and same is the case of 500cc. But very old Bullets like every other thing on the planet has got depreciation cost and if you do not mind spending money in alteration/servicing of a 60's/70's 350 cc or a military one, then go for it.

    
    

I tried to jot down the common points, may be I missed many, but actually had nothing to do in the office so thought of writing a quickie. If you need any other info, which was missed or not covered (will be many), feel free to post a M2M, and I will try to get back to you.

lastly, (sorry, no hard feelings), my question to all those mileage factor dumbos, for a 150cc pulsar, modern technology mileage is 55, so for (150x2)=300~350cc mileage in pulsar would have been 55/2=27.5, but Bullet in 350 cc gives 30 now in 1950's technology. You decide which is stable.

For 100cc hero honda standard mileage is 65 so 100x3 and 65/3=? how much, you calculate and decide which technology is better. 1950 or 2006????????

--Surajit