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**The Monk** · 02-23-2013, 01:01 PM

Query Approved

From the riders point of view, the duke would be a better choice, but for the pillion the Bullet would be better.

**Xzibit Roll** · 02-23-2013, 08:40 PM

A duke cannot fulfill your needs(IMO) due to a small rear seat(its best for solo riding). Why dont you check out the new Thunderbird 350 , its priced near the duke. It will get rid of all the problems you hace listed for the UCE. Plus the handling and comfort for both pillion and the rider is more than both the other bikes. you will never feel the weight of the tb while riding and it handles perfectly. The only issue can be the waiting period. Do take a test drive of the thunderbird

(also duke ) before finalizing any bike. Haven't got any info .about a price hike for duke( i was quoted 1.43lkhs 2 days back in pune). Also if your budget allows go for thunderbird 500 over 350

.

**MoonLight** · 02-25-2013, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by lovinfree View Post

Hi everyone,

Pls help me to choose between RE Bullet 350 UCE and KTM Duke 200,
allow me to give u some background of the purchase :

Thanks for all your feedback and advice in advance !!

Well, I am Enfield STD 350cc owner from many years. It is my first bike ( and I still have it ), point to be noted here is.... Enfield being manufactured now is altogether different from Enfields being manufactured say around 7-8 years back. They have altogether different engine ( which they call UCE engine ) and gearbox and what not !! If you drove UCE Enfield in GOA and you are happy with it , then go for it. BUT if you drove Enfield with older engine ( which RE calls Cast Iron aka CI engine ) , please please take long test drive of UCE 350 cc before purchasing ! You will find lot of persons who love UCE engine and you will find lot of persons who hate UCE engine. It boils down to individual likes/dislikes, what I heard from peoples who own UCE engine REs is its increased reliability when compared to older CI engine bikes BUT UCE engines generate clattering sound which is unheard in CI engine REs. My old RE CI 350cc resale value has almost doubled from time since RE stopped making Cast Iron engine REs.

Now comparsion to DUKE, as you have concern for pillion comfort I think RE 350cc will be better. Why not consider Honda CBR 150 / 250 cc ??

**lovinfree** · 02-26-2013, 12:23 AM

Why dont you check out the new Thunderbird 350....

Thanks Xzibit Roll, I only like the looks of Bullet/Classic, for TB, we both think it's not
really our taste although its backrest is really appealing.

I am thinking to install the GIVI box like below picture, and
attach the soft cushion pad on the GIVI box as the backrest.

Why not consider Honda CBR 150 / 250 cc ??

Thanks Moonlight, we simply dont like the look of sports bike like CBR/R15,
another reason is its riding position doesnt look like relax at all.

Below are 2 pics of the Electra which we ridden at GOA,
can you tell it is a UCE or CI engine ? Thanks !

We do noticing that this electra is really lack of thumping
compare to other bullets. Still the ride is awesome.

**MoonLight** · 02-26-2013, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by lovinfree View Post

Thanks Moonlight, we simply dont like the look of sports bike like CBR/R15,
another reason is its riding position doesnt look like relax at all.

Below are 2 pics of the Electra which we ridden at GOA,
can you tell it is a UCE or CI engine ? Thanks !

We do noticing that this electra is really lack of thumping
compare to other bullets. Still the ride is awesome.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]94953[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]94954[/ATTACH]

So this is good news for you !! This is UCE engine and you have liked it

. Well, thump can be improved a lot by installing short OEM silencer which would be available at bike showroom itself. So you will not miss the thump ! What I liked in my RE 2003 is, it still is as strong as when it came out of showroom. I have seen other bikes like pulsars, CBZs of same age having their last days !!

If you go for RE, I will advice you to take model having electric start and disc brake as company fitted option ( not dealer fitted ) . I do not think standard model come fitted with these, so you can buy RE Electra and when you are bored of electra's color scheme....you can get new petrol tank and mudguards of standard model.This will be much easier and better option than getting electric start and disc kit fitted on standard model.

**rapperswil** · 03-15-2013, 08:26 PM

Lovinfree
I considered buying a Bullet and was in a similar dilema. SO let me list the options (bullet) you have.

If you go for the Standard 350 (with pin-stripe painting on tank), you cannot fit a starter motor.
You also need to pay extra to have a disk brake fitted to the front wheel. And keep the original wheel with you.
You can fit the gas-charged rear shocks. But remember that the showroom will not take back the Standard's non gas-charged shocks, even if your bike is brand new.

If you buy the Electra:
you can change the rear fender, and get the tank painted (ideally you need to get the Standard tank, as you will also need the logo).
You cannot fit the front mudguard alone as you also need to change the forks.

How about buying the Standard and swapping out the front and rear wheels for those of the Thunderbird. You get disks on both wheels that way.

The Duke may not be a practical option for touring with pillion. I've read about people who have sold their KTMs because the suspension was too stiff even for 30-min rides.

Just make sure you can source Bullet parts in your homeland. Plus there are posts by expats inquiring about how to import bikes from India. Make sure you read them carefully.

P.S: any chance you might want to post a longer review of the Bullet?

Best

**plasmabhai** · 03-16-2013, 12:57 AM

I think first and fore most you should simply take a test ride of the KTM. Thing is that these two bikes are totally different bikes, absolute apples and oranges and even more different that analogy. You have loved the Duke 125 and that's why you wanted the Duke 200, however you have ridden the RE and fallen for it, the second kind of bond is stronger!

Even if you take the Duke for test ride from show room you might not be allowed to ride it full fledged like you did on the RE and also the ride might end in less than 2 km..! So it will be an unfair comparison. Try and borrow from a friend of a friend of a friend and such to really compare.

All this said, the duke is not exactly a touring bike. The small pillion seat is a disadvantage for you. The small fuel tank is not exactly touring friendly. The short gearing is pure and awesome fun on acceleration and both RE and Duke have about the same cruising speeds (100kmph) but don't expect the relaxed RE vibe from the Duke. Duke is a lot of motorcycle for the money that you pay much more than the RE, in terms of modern tech, yet an RE is an RE.

At the end of the day any bike is what the rider makes of it. The RE was never meant to off road like a junkie yet it conquers the roughest of Himalaya, the Duke was never intended to rack up the miles day in and day out but rest assured that it is more than capable of doing just that and much much more.

If you have loved the Duke since beginning but the thoughts are being over shadowed by the practicality of RE as a tourer then give the Duke a good hard ride. Then follow your heart rather than the brain as one should when pondering about motorcycles.

p.s. : In case you decide to go for RE then what Moonlight has said above makes a ton of sense.

Announcement

KTM DUKE 200 or RE Bullet STD 350 UCE ? I'm a foreigner who live in Ahmedabad

KTM DUKE 200 or RE Bullet STD 350 UCE ? I'm a foreigner who live in Ahmedabad

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