quality and heft , with decals , paint work and gold pinstriping well presented . The finish is lovely . I am told the reliability of the 349cc single pot engine is legendary , well , I don ’ t doubt it – it ’ s not exactly doing hard labour . The mid-sized single is pretty modest by today ’ s standards , and it ’ s charmingly adequate for needs , you aren ’ t buying this to race .
RELAX AND ENJOY THE NOW The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is not a motorcycle so much as it ’ s a mindset . More than a motorbike . It ’ s a time machine . It ’ ll help you take the time to slow down , to enjoy the experience and everything else around you ; the weather , the people , and the countryside ; because you are going to ride this out of town - to a winery , an outlying gastro pub , or the beach café . And simply enjoy yourself , there and back , all day . The Bullet 350 is for someone who wants the motorcycling experience of yesterday , but with reliability and fun being modern objectives … while looking pretty damn stylish doing it . It ’ s
an ‘ open-faced-helmet ’ sort of bike ; a scarf , maybe a pipe , and tweeds – a Distinguished Gentleman ’ s Ride * steed - fettled to perfection . And it purrs . One gets a general feeling of gently increasing speed and it could be an idea to change gears , or you might not , it doesn ’ t seem to matter , there are five gears , yes , and at some point in the future , like Thursday , a gear change may be useful . It ’ s not ripping through the gears , revving its nut off ; it wafts one along .
WHAT THERE IS ... AND ISN ’ T I could quote specs , it has a Bybre single disc upfront , and one at the rear , the headlight has been modernised a bit , they both work fine . The suspension is pretty good , the seat and comfort low and easy ( although the footpeg placement was a little odd for me ). The finish in the blacked out version is lustrous and fine and I loved the quirky rounded ball ends of the bars , the chrome cowled headlight and real shiny wheel-spokes , yes !! The big black ‘ guards help the general sweet feeling of being
30 KIWI RIDER