Royal Enfield Bullet
Want the classic experience without (all of) the headaches? This could be it…
It’s a piece of history
The first Royal Enfield Bullet saw the light of day in 1931 in 350 and 500cc options and was adopted by the British army in WWII. An advanced machine for its day, it featured a four-valve single motor and girder forks but a more recognisable machine appeared in 1949 — the year RE also decided to open up a factory in India. More than one million Enfields were produced in India, even after the UK firm closed. It’s now a 100% Indian-owned company.
It rides like a really old bike
Early bikes have right-hand gearchanges and just four gears and this takes some getting used to. But all versions feel like proper classics; you can’t rush them, they churn out pleasing vibes and loosen fasteners and fillings in equal measure. Similarly, the suspension combines bounciness with crashiness and the brakes require the kind of forward planning most British governments would struggle to get their heads around. But go in with low expectations and they’re a great, fun ride.
Buy the newest you can
The newer they are, they more advanced they become. The 2008-onwards models have integrated engine and gearbox ‘unit’ construction (Triumph did it in 1963) and are regarded as more sorted and had (gasp) fuel injection, start easily and work the best. You can still buy new ones too — a 500 Bullet is just £4199, which is less than an options-ticking frenzy on a new GS…
Owning it is an involving experience
This isn’t a hands-off bike. Vibes will loosen bolts, have been known to snap the battery cables and the electrics have a reputation of failing just when you don’t want them to. But the Enfield is the kind of bike that just soldiers on, shrugging off faults and exuding easygoing charm. And a bit of oil.
We would never recommend a Bullet as your only means of transport (though there have been many around the world that do just that) but they do make a wonderful second bike if you’ve always wanted a classic. And buy right and you’ll never lose money…