Royal Enfield Bullet Electra Review by Jay Bhardwaj

In last 10 years, from the day I received my license to drive motorcycle I had enjoyed many machines. Bought Rx100 on 2nd day after receiving my license. The bike cannot be stated in words. After, I came to know about new bike RXG from yamaha. Thought it is 35cc more than Rx100, took risk and changed the bike. RXG was also awesome but used it for 2 years. Then changed to HH Splendor due to pocket money issues. My last bike was Yamaha Libero. But was longing for something, something King size..

Last year, I was looking for changing my motorcycle. Libero was good, but could not stand the rider in me. The highway trips at 70-80 kmph would make it gasp for air. I listed bikes available and ranked the bikes according to my test rides as HH Karizma, P200, Hunk & CBZ extreme. I even went for booking HH Karizma R but got turned down after hearing the wait period of 3 months in Pune. While returning I saw Bullet pass by. The passing was really old I mean atleast 20 years old. I directly went to RE showroom and took a test ride of Electra. The first ride of thunder monster raised my heart beat to the thumps.

I personally like the bikes in my list, no offence, but fiber is one thing I personally hate in motorcycle. The less the better :). I thought why not establish a bonding, break whatever-you-do-and-forget-it attitude, not just ride it but involve or better evolve with the bike with attitude.

No Macho-ness, nothing Manhood but pleasure of a beat, the ride quality which had kept Bullet riders loyal to the bike, really King-Size. I went on various sites and found much negativity floating around the bike. Downloaded information about the maintenance of the bike and failure reviews. I saw demonstrating hatred in other riders for the bike. And then thought, I have already faced maximum of the issues in my earlier bikes too. Why not give it a try.

Booked Electra and received the delivery in a month. Any thought of ride, and I am on my bike riding to anywhere pleasing. Quality of ride and comfortability is too good. 4-5 hours of non-stop riding and engine asks for more. Truly nothing on road like riding a Bullet. Mileage of 40+ in city and 45+ on highways (if driven below 60kmph, tough job).

Now completed 18,000 km on odo in just one and half year. Issues faced till now are related to electricals. Head light bulb and parking light changed till now (Touch-wood). Added mechanical ABS to the bike from www.saferideabs.com. Really worthy product for disc-brake, braking had become more comfortable and effective. Came to know about the product from Bikeadvice.in itself. The site along with xBhp.com tops my favorite sites regarding motorcycles. I am most benefited user of xBhp.com, my name tops on most users ever online on www.xbhp.com/talkies. These two sites had helped me making my mind for choosing Bullet Electra bike.

Its not machoism, manness, now-and-then but sheer pleasure of riding. Truly legend, now I know why this machine had kept customers loyal to this brand. The efforts of Royal Enfield had brought this motorcycle for existence of over 50 years. The only production line in this country with 350 and 500cc engines. The recent development of UCE (Unit Constructed Engine) brings different oil chambers in-to one. The twin-spark plug not only enhances performance but increased mileage of the bike. Disc-Brakes and Self-start had increased the ride-ability in city. Chasis/Frame is what really distinguishes the bike. The bike is really pleasurable for long ride. It happened that after completing the running-in, I thought of cruising the bike for some hours. Took out the bike on Pune-Satara haighway. With continuous ride of 2 and half hour took break to drink tea. Saw Mahabaleshwar was just 35 kms far from the hotel. Went and enjoyed the day there.

My trips include Pune-Nashik, Pune-Lonavala-Khandala and Pune-Mahabaleshwar. Never had I felt graving for power and performance from the motorcycle. Seating is very comfortable for both rider and pillion. Indicators, tail light and head light quality is very good for night riding on highways. I am really interested to find out once, who can go more, my bike or me. Also, I am looking forward to a trip to Leh sometime soon. I recently missed the Goa-carnival of the RE.

I guess the Electra can be improved by RE by:

  • Adding Fuel-Injected carburetor. As in other countries Electra come with this feature.
  • Tube-less tyres.
  • Alloy wheel.
  • Adding 500cc engine and more horses.
  • Increase top speed from 100kmph to at least 120kmph.

This is the bike which has gigantic online resources for online catalog for ordering parts for example www.jainenfield.com. I brought Bullet Manual from Pete Snidel and now I know why there exists a life-time bond with this motorcycle.

Jay Bhardwaj