If you’ve grown up around Indian motorcycling, the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is hard to ignore. I wanted a simple, classic-looking motorcycle with a strong low-end feel, modern fuelling, and safety equipment that suits daily riding. After 1,500 km of mixed use – city commutes, short highway stretches, and the usual broken patches – here’s what living with the Bullet 350 has genuinely been like.

On paper, the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 runs a 349cc single-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-oil-cooled engine with electronic fuel injection. It makes 20.2 bhp at 6100 rpm (14.87 kW) and 27 Nm at 4000 rpm, paired with a 5-speed constant-mesh gearbox and a wet, multi-plate clutch. In real use, those numbers translate into a bike that prefers being ridden on torque rather than being revved hard. You can keep it in the meaty mid-range and make smooth progress without constantly hunting for gears.

The biggest takeaway is how predictable and clean the fuelling feels. EFI brings consistency. Cold starts are straightforward, throttle response is tidy, and the power delivery builds in a steady, unhurried way. The compression ratio is 9.5:1, and the bore x stroke is 72 mm x 85.8 mm, which suits that long-stroke feel riders associate with the nameplate.

What I’ve enjoyed most is the easy-going nature of the motor. Peak torque arrives at 4000 rpm, so you get useful pull for city gaps and gentle inclines. The 5-speed gearing works best when you ride with a calm right hand, letting the engine do its job rather than forcing quick bursts. For a rider who likes relaxed momentum, the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 feels very much at home.

Ride quality and suspension on Indian roads

Suspension is where a motorcycle either makes you smile every morning or makes you dread the commute. Here, the Bullet 350 uses telescopic 41 mm forks with 130 mm travel up front, and twin tube emulsion shock absorbers at the rear with 6-step adjustable preload. That adjustability matters if you often carry a pillion or luggage, because you can dial the rear to suit the load instead of living with a wallowy feel.

In everyday riding, the setup feels tuned for comfort. Small ruts and imperfect tarmac are dealt with in a composed manner, and the long, steady wheelbase of 1390 mm adds a planted sensation at speed. Ground clearance is 170 mm, which helps on speed breakers and uneven village roads, as long as you ride with basic care.

Ergonomics, size, and the “big bike” feel 

The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 has the physical presence many buyers want. It measures 2110 mm in length, 785 mm in width (without mirrors), and 1125 mm in height (without mirrors). The seat height is 805 mm, which should suit a wide range of riders, especially once you get used to the bike’s mass. Kerb weight is 195 kg, so you do feel the heft while parking or doing tight U-turns, but the weight also contributes to that solid, stable feel once you’re rolling.

A useful detail I appreciate is the gross vehicle weight rating of 375 kg. It gives confidence for real-world use – rider, pillion, and essentials, without you constantly worrying about “am I overloading this?”

Braking hardware is reassuringly serious. Up front, you get a 300 mm disc with a twin piston floating caliper, and at the rear, a 270 mm disc with a single piston floating caliper. The big headline is dual-channel ABS, which is the sort of safety net you want on unpredictable Indian roads, especially when surfaces change without warning.

The wheels are spoked and use tube-type tyres: 100/90-19 (57P) at the front and 120/80-18 (62P) at the rear. Tube type means you’ll want to keep an eye on tyre condition and pressures. The recommended pressures are 32 psi front for solo or with pillion; at the rear, it’s 32 psi solo and 36 psi with pillion. Once you stick to these numbers, the bike feels more consistent in turns and more settled over bumps.

The electrical system is 12-volt DC, supported by a 12V, 8Ah VRLA (maintenance-free) battery. Lighting is straightforward: a 12V H4 60/55W halogen headlamp, a 12V P21/5W tail lamp, and 12V 10W x 2 turn signal lamps. It’s a simple, service-friendly setup that suits riders who prefer tried-and-tested parts over complicated tech.

Fuel capacity is 13 litres, and that’s been enough to keep weekly fuel stops reasonable in my routine. The bike uses petrol up to E20, which is relevant as more pumps move towards blended fuels. Starting is electric, and the air cleaner is a paper element – both small details, but they shape the everyday experience: quick getaways and a maintenance pattern most workshops understand. 

For lubrication, the engine uses a wet sump with forced lubrication, and the specified engine oil is SAE 15W 50 API SL grade, JASO MA2 semi-synthetic. It’s the kind of spec that encourages you to stick to proper oil quality, especially if your riding includes heat, traffic, and long idle times. Idle is rated at 1050 +/- 100 rpm, and keeping it healthy makes the bike feel smoother in crawling traffic.

If you’re the sort who likes understanding why a bike behaves a certain way, the ratios are worth noting. Primary ratio is 2.313:1, with gear ratios of 1st 2.615:1, 2nd 1.706:1, 3rd 1.300:1, 4th 1.040:1, and 5th 0.875:1. Secondary drive is chain with a 2.800:1 ratio and 104 drive chain links. In practice, the spread supports steady acceleration and a relaxed top gear for cruising without feeling frantic.

One thing I’ve come to appreciate is how straightforward the supporting hardware is. A paper element air cleaner is easy to inspect, the VRLA battery is maintenance-free, and the chain final drive makes routine cleaning and tension checks simple. Even the specified spark plugs (Bosch YR7MES or Champion RER6YCA) and the 0.7–0.8 mm gap make basic troubleshooting clearer if something feels slightly off.

Looks are personal, but the palette on the Bullet 350 is genuinely well curated. You can pick from:

● Black Gold

● Standard Black

● Standard Maroon

● Military Silverblack

● Military Silverred

● Military Black

● Military Red

I like that there are subtle, understated shades alongside bolder military-style options, so you can keep it classic or add a touch of flair.

What I loved in the first 1,500 km 

● Strong mid-range pull that suits real roads and real speeds

● Planted stability from the 1390 mm wheelbase and 195 kg kerb weight

● Confidence from dual-channel ABS with large front and rear discs

● Comfort-oriented suspension with rear preload adjustment

What you should be aware of 

● The bike’s 195 kg kerb weight is noticeable at walking pace

● Tube-type spoked tyres demand a bit more attention to pressures and puncture planning

● The 805 mm seat height will feel easier once you’ve built familiarity with the mass

Verdict: Should you buy the Royal Enfield Bullet 350? 

After 1,500 km, the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 feels like a motorcycle built around steady, enjoyable riding rather than chasing numbers. Its 349cc EFI engine, 27 Nm torque delivery, comfortable suspension travel, and dual-channel ABS make it a confident partner for commuting and weekend runs alike. If you want the classic Bullet 350 silhouette with modern essentials like EFI, disc brakes, and ABS, this one delivers the experience most people are looking for – solid, dependable, and satisfying.