+1 to Somen
I do have a slip disc condition and so I prefer my Electra on long rides (>500kms) as it is supremely comfortable. Though it may vibrate post 90+kms, its sweet spot is in 70-85 kmph and it can chug along the whole day. So barring the top end, you get everything in the bargain- comfort, car like torque, superb straight line stability and not to mention the big bike feel.
But don't expect a bull to behave like a modern day bike.

As the saying goes: TOUGH GUYS don't Dance

Guys...looks like we need to hold the horses

I have been using my 535 for the past 11yrs & prior to that a CI350 for 3yrs & prior to that a Roadking for 3yrs

we are just going by the word bullet & 350 cc here & not sure about the model (Electra / Machismo / Standard / Delux / TB) - these were available in the market during this period

Unless and until you are a RE lover & if the bike is a CI then do not go for it, even if you go you will start hating it more now

If you are getting a Machismo / TB - Then you can try your hands on it & they are worth the money spending

I can further add up to the controversy by saying "lets see on the road", but dont want to do that, this machine is old enough & not built for speed, this is built for the pleasure of riding & would take you back home from what ever situation.

1 of my friends has a 67 model bike & he still rides on standard bore & completed a lakh + kms, do you think any of the modern age machines can withstand that.

This is completely a different bike from other bikes, lets not again compare it

Well, first and foremost the bike is almost worshipped, leave alone being abused.

The guy selling it is a very dear friend.



And as for my current bike, I ride a Bajaj CT100.
So this is definitely an upgrade.

The pleasures and misery of a bullet can only be experienced from owning one." I hate the bike" would be an understatement for the bike, at time you would get really close to selling it and then at times you would ride nothing but a Bullet.I have ridden the bike for many miles in the past but never owned one, but have faced enough trouble and joy to tell you that there is nothing like owning one.

Both the pros and cons are there. I would suggest take a sheet of paper write down the +ves and -ves of the bike and which ever has the more reasons wins. If you considering to ride it for what its built for then look no further and buy the bike.

P.S: A 2009 for 50K is a steal any day, especially considering its a 350.

BTW which model is it ??? We are firing in Air!!!

I think it tis the Standard 350.

I guess a 2009 Standard 350 == AVL engine. (If I am not wrong)

@Lovish / Ramesh Madhavan / TripleS : Your thoughts now.

My ppoint exactly... I reallly don't understand why peoplle to compare bullet with other bikes... it has its own league and you can't copare any.. just any bike with a bullet.. not even avenger or a harley....


What bullet is is... and you can't change the fact that its the most desired bike in India... along with people waiting over 1 year to get it... while the plastic toys are available readily everytime but still they get dusted and people don't buy them

Anyway no hard feelings for any one and if my earlier post offened anyone then apologies from my side

About the bold part, Bullet would be the highest selling motorcycle in India if this was the case. And they are not, by far. And most desired? Are you sure of this fact? Bullets would have a tough going if they had a direct competition. So RE mainly is having more of a lucky run in the absence of a direct competitor rather than their motorcycles actually being too good.

And is it in some kind of a fashion for certain RE owners to call other motorcycles as plastic toys and then say "no hard feelings" at the end? Would it be alright for these RE owners if bullets are referred to as water pump or an outdated metal junk? If you think your bullets excel at something that other type of motorcycles don't, then keep in mind that bullets also suck at many other things where other motorcycles kick ass. Comparison or no comparison.

Any decent motorcycle today which is 150cc and above has a good load bearing capacity, and it is not only a bullets' forte. Otherwise there'll be only bullets in people's trip logs with saddle bags and tank bags, but that isn't the case.

And this is coming from a Bullet Electra 5S owner for 6 years in row...but I don't mind sharing what RE is and is not. What we are trying to discuss here is whether HyperRetard, who is not really into bullets, should go for a used RE or not. What we are trying to tell him is that it is tough to live with a bullet especially if it's a CI or a AVl engine which I believe requires more maintenance than today's UCE engine and even more so if you are not a big fan of RE. There's nothing to feel bad about it.


EDIT: HyperRetard, let me give you some Do's that you will regularly need to do with a Bullet of the past (other than the regular servicing):

-- Does the motorcycle in offer has a front drum brake or disc? If drum, then it will require more care/maintenance than a disc setup. Since drum is a cable actuated brake, you'll need to regularly need to get the brake adjusted and the brake pads will wear out faster than compared to disc brakes. Also, there's a chance in case of less lubrication in the brake cable, it might snap or the brake can get stuck when you squeeze the brake lever a bit too hard under sudden braking. I had a drum brake setup in my bullet and I know it's pathetic. Recently I got disc brake setup at front and now I am much more happy.

-- Due to too many metal parts, you'll need to make sure that they do not rust and hence keep it clean and polished regularly. Not a bad thing at all, I do it to my bullet and FZ-S as well. But obviously my FZ requires less attention in that department as well (it's a simple comparison, other bullet owners don't curse me please). But then if you are not too much into bullets, you might feel frustrated as it needs too much attention.

-- If it's a CI or a AVL engine 350cc, then you will not enjoy speeds above 85-90kmph. And it's not about how much time/space you get to ride at those speeds, but whenever you do, you won't enjoy those speeds on an old bullet. So think about high speeds performance if you are into it.

-- It is my opinion that 19 inch tyres are one of the biggest mistakes in a bullet. In case of a puncture, the bullet is hardest to pull.

-- Contrary to popular belief, bullets are not the most or only comfortable motorcycles around. Suspension is a big factor for making the ride comfortable and while the rear suspension with the gas filled shockers is pretty decent, the standard front forks are simply pathetic. The only thing is that you sit upright and since you do not really ride at high speeds, you feel pretty comfortable. Personally, I haven't felt any less comfortable while riding my FZ-S in different traffic situations. So there, ride it to check it.

-- IF it's a CI engine, then kick starting it could be a slightly tricky affair for anyone not used to starting a bullet. But once you have done it few times, there shouldn't be any issues afterwards.

Pls don't mind a little bit of offtopic about the topic...

I have never been a non-vegetarian, and have spent the last 30+ years of my life loathing them like hell. And I have been offered a free non-vegetarian food. Should I eat?

But again, don't compare it with...
I have never been a married man, and have spent the last 25+ years of my life loathing married men like hell. And I have been offered a girl for marrying!!!

All I'd say is...if you're confident enough & since it is with your friend, request for a long ride (sort of dating); see how you FEEL about the bike & then consider about buying it.

I feel it is about ones priorities. RE may give you comfort (subjective of course) and good torque lower down, but apart from that, modern bikes compete with them or better them on all other counts.

Yes it is a classic has a cult following and all, but all that matters only for one who is in love with an enfiled. I for one am not awestruck when I see a Bullet on road. The TS it seems is another one of my kind, moreover he is someone who has hated it all his life. The thump of a bullet means nothing to such a guy. So we need to look into more abstract reasons for him to buy one.

Does it give better performance, better all round capabilities, better ownership experiences etc compared to any other 150-180 cc bike in India today? Is it comfortable enough for his liking? Only he can tell it, his friend owns it, he can go on a longish ride to see. If yes is the answer to most then it makes sense. If it is a compromise in most of the areas, it should be avoided. Or else you should be in love with the machine. A Bullet lover may close his eyes and go for it.

BUT someone for whome the RE is just another bike, will he be happy to own one?

That is what we should be answering, not that bullet is one of a kind and all.


N please dont come with the now common usage like "Men ride bullets Boys ride other bikes". Not only is that childish but utterly ridiculous too.
What differentiates men from boys is not the bikes they ride, but the maturity of head on their shoulders and the strength of their character.

No offences meant.

Standard 350 never had an AVL engine as far as i know.

I would suggest that you should ask your friend to lend his bullet for few weeks, ride it to the max and then decide...if you chose not to take then please let me know :P i might take it....

A bullet is a bullet, you either hate it or love it...

my 2 cents.

UCE is was launched in june 2008, so very much this STD=UCE.

Chill bro .. .there is nothing to be or not to be... likes and dislikes would be there in past/ will be there today/ would be there tomorrow and forever

But we can't explain this to all. People who own this RE AVL or CI are very much welcome to speak!! They have faced the issues and gone through he problem.
But today;s UCE is nice and critising this is at that basis?? still needs to be considered!!

Are you sure my friend on this ?? Don't they have direct competition in sales as per Indian market??
That's True!! Don't you think that people buy things on their choice and understanding!! RE was never a dream come true tech or anything!! But still people buied it for whatever reason.
They should have thought before buying that this machine is something very different from others!! Needs more care amd service then other???

My point here bro is, When we own it then why to critise it?? RE is bad but not worst, we have many good memories with this ??? don't you if your are Tourer??? RE is specifically for Comfort and Touring only nothing else..

Actually RE owners know what's the cons and pros for this bike then too they opt for it acordingly!!
But don't you agree RE is more better than any other bike with saddles bags and pillion while tour??
True RE before was a real junk but don't know why people died for this Junk

Absolutely AVL or CI engines are nightmare for any new technology bike user.And one who was against it should not buy it in any ways!!

But my friend people still own old bullets for 1L for just this useless engine!!!

I myself own R15 and always would buy more better bikes then RE in any ways but once ridden a TBTS to Nashik through ghats and the difference was on the table, so booked RE CL350 only for touring mothing else.
ANd next time when i change my R15 then it would be 250N or 250CBR or 650N

This statement is super killer ....lol

So after a War here what have you decided ?? or would decide after few more missiles being fired!!!

@Somen: Exactly, I have updated my previous post and I am trying to share my ownership experience of a Bullet. I hope my information will be useful for him and then it is upto him to decide. And no, bullets do not have a direct competition. Not talking about in terms of price, but what they are.