November 2009 | Page 3 of 5 | BikeAdvice - Latest Bike News, Motorcycle Reviews, Electric Vehicle Updates

Time to rejoice, Eicher Motors owned Royal Enfield has raised the curtains on the much awaited Classic 350 twin spark and Classic 500 EFi thumpers in India after teasing us by unveiling these monsters at a motorcycle show in Germany last year. These retro designed macho machines have been craved for long by the hardcore Bulleteers, more so after they went for sale in the overseas market and not in India. These masculine bikes have been designed as a fusion of the classic old school feel with the latest technology mated with a brilliant eye to detail. We uncover what has changed with the mills: Intro to Fuel Injection: The most noticeable change is the introduction of Fuel Injection. All of the models, thus far, have been carbureted and this is the first time a Royal Enfield will feature Fuel Injection in India. This simply means a crispier throttle response, fantastic fuel efficiency figures and cleaner emissions. But sadly, only the 500 has been given the FI, 350 have been kept devoid of it. Increase in Power and Torque: Royal Enfield has tweaked both the mills. The engine of the 350 Classic has been borrowed from the Thunderbird twin spark. The 350cc mill now produces 19.8 bhp which is 1.8 bhp more from the earlier 18 bhp. Torque figures have gone down drastically however from 3.3 kgm to 2.9 kgm (24 Nm @ 4k rpm) and we don’t know why? As for the Classic 500 FI, the powerhouse produces a whooping 27.2 bhp of power from the earlier 22 bhps and a mammoth torque of 4.2 kgm (41.3 Nm @ 4k rpm) that can make the bike cruise at 100 kmph all day long without giving even the smallest of hitches. 18" Tyres: From the 19 inchers used by Royal Enfields for all these looooong years, this is the first time that these Classics will come equipped with 18 inch tyres. Front’s profile is 90/90 and the rear would be 110/90 and both would be MRF Nylogrip radials. This also means that Classic owners will have a wide variety of choices for tyres as and when they want to change them which was not the case with the earlier 19 inchers. This also means that RE has altered the gearing as well to compensate for the loss of 1 inch on the tyres. However, the 350 will sport the same 3.25-19 (inch) tyre for the front. Pricing: The Classic 350 is priced at a very (very) competitive pricing of 98k ex showroom in Delhi which would come out to be close to 1.10 lakh on road, whereas for the Classic 500 FI you would have to shed anything around 1.4 lakh on road Delhi (1.24 lakh ex-showroom) which is again slightly lower than what we had anticipated. Colors: RE is offering total 4 colors for these ‘Classics’. The trademark Maroon and Black are standard on both the bikes whereas a different looking flagship blue color is limited only to the Classic 500. Did this sound bad? Don’t worry! The 350 also has an all exclusive Metallic Grey color. Out of all the colors, Green stands out and RE has been advertising it big time. Retro Styling: The bike sure looks awesome with some ‘seductive’ feel attached to it. Beautifully chosen look-enhancing colors, classic looking spring loaded split seat (from the previous centuries!), cute oval toolbox, thigh supporters and the classical appeal attached RE graphics all make it an eye candy for an onlooker and a crave for a Bullet aficionado. The bike also has a fantastically crafted slightly upswept exhaust which further enhances the appeal but is an optional accessory and can be fitted after paying a premium of around 1-1.5k for it. With so much to talk about, this bike sure is a must buy for any Royal Enfield lover. It perfectly mates the classic era with the new and the latest technologies ensures you get the best of both the worlds. - Saad Khan Specifications: Engine : Single Cylinder, 4 stroke, air cooled OHV / Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, OHV, Dual Spark Ignition Engine, Air Cooled Capacity : 499cc / 346 CC Fuel system : Electronic Fuel Injection / Carburetor-BS29 UCAL Starting : Electric Start / Electric start Maximum power : 27.2 bhp @ 5250rpm / 19.8 bhp @ 5250 rpm Maximum Torque : 41.3Nm @ 4000rpm / 28 Nm @ 4000 rpm Brakes (front) : disc brake single 280mm disc with 2 piston caliper / Hydraulic Disc Brake (Disc dia 280mm) Brakes (rear) : drum brake (152mm) / Internal Expansion (Drum), 6" Fuel tank capacity : 14.5liters / 14.5 litres Weight : 187kgs / NA

Monthly Archives: November 2009

Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 350cc & 500cc EFi

SPIDI Safety Airbags for Motorcyclists

Bajaj Pulsars Vs. The Competition – My Opinion

Hero Honda Passion Pro Review by Arun

Ducati 848 (2010) Nicky Hayden Edition

Mahindra Rodeo Review