Family Feud: Royal Enfield Bullet 350 BS6 vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6

One’s got a lot of history and the other one’s got sheer sales numbers behind it. Which one should you go for? 

Royal Enfield recently launched its most affordable BS6-compliant motorcycle, the Bullet 350 BS6. Let’s see how different it is from the BS6-compliant version of the brand’s best-selling model, the Classic 350 BS6. This ought to give you a fair idea about which one to go for:

Design:

The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 BS6 still has the unmistakable silhouette as before. Royal Enfield hasn’t tinkered with the design even in the BS6 avatar because it knows that the familiarity of the design language is an important aspect for many Indian buyers. This along with the single-piece contoured seat, upright ergonomics and Tiger Eye pilot lamps give the motorcycle an authentic roadster look. Bullet fans definitely won’t have anything to complain on this front. 

Likewise, Royal Enfield hasn’t tinkered with the styling of the Classic 350 BS6 either. It still retains the distinctly retro design lines, sprung rider’s seat and full-length fenders on both ends. If you’re a fan of retro motorcycles with a touch of modernity (read fuel-injected powerplant, dual-channel ABS), then the Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6 is the one for you.

Powerplant:

Both bikes get the same 346cc single-cylinder fuel-injected air-cooled motor which churns out 19.3PS at 5250rpm and 28Nm at 4000rpm, working alongside a 5-speed transmission. While Royal Enfield has managed to make this age-old motor futureproof (at least for the time being), don’t expect staggering levels of performance from it. The two motorcycles feel the happiest at around 80kmph. Both bikes are meant for relaxed riding. Even their weights are similar (191kg for the Bullet 350 ES BS6 and Classic 350 BS6 with dual-channel ABS), so expect similar levels of real-world performance. 

Underpinnings:

The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 BS6, as well as the Classic 350 BS6, share the same single downtube frame which uses the engine as the stressed member. Up front, they both have a 35mm telescopic fork with 130mm travel. However, at the rear, the Bullet 350 BS6 employs a pair of shock absorbers whereas the Classic 350 BS6 gets twin gas-charged shock absorbers that offer relatively better damping characteristics than conventional ones. 

Also Read: Coronavirus Quarantine Life: DIY Tips To Maintain Your Bike’s Health During Lockdown

The Bullet 350 BS6 range comes with spoke wheels wrapped with tubed tyres. On the other hand, the Stealth Black and Gunmetal Grey colour variants of the Classic 350 BS6 dual-channel ABS feature alloy wheels with wider 110-section front and 120-section rear tubeless tyres. However, other colour variants get spoke wheels with 90-section front and 110-section rear tubed tyres.

Verdict:

The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 BS6 is an ideal choice for those who are under a tight budget but want to enter the ‘Royal Enfield’ lifestyle. It will also help riders participate in numerous tours/breakfast rides organised by the brand’s community. If you like a motorcycle with old-school charm but is just relevant enough to fit its purpose, then the Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6 is the one you should go for.