I am an American who is now riding my last Harley-Davidson, as "The Company" has priced me out of the market. Although I am waiting for the new UCE to come to the states, I have for years been considering a Triumph Bonneville, which is an extremely well-engineered product and is priced at nearby D&D Cycle at $6500-$7000. How does Royal Enfield expect the new UCE to compete effectively in the same price range as such stiff competition? Even at $6000, the added $500 would buy me another cylinder and proven record of performance and reliability.
This raises an excellent question, and it gives me a chance to say some good things about the new Bullet. I've been sort of tough on the new Bullet, but I think there are some good things about it too.
There's no doubt that the inevitable comparisons and competitions will be made with the UCE Bullet vs the Bonneville vs the Sportster 883 Hugger. They are going to be in similar price ranges.
Initially, the thought might be exactly as described above by Rake, where you could get "another cylinder" and "performance and reliability".
Ok, let's look at these things.
Another cylinder. Is that good or bad?
Well, we can start with the claim by RE that the UCE will do 70mph on the highway without trouble. If that is true, then it fulfills all the necessary things that the bike must do, and takes care of the highway concerns which have always been a concern to older Bullet owners. So, the highway riding is claimed to be solved.
Next, there's complexity in repair and maintenance. Twice as much with a twin. Plus the extra weight, which comes in at around 80 more pounds for the Bonnie and even more for the Sportster.
Then, there's fuel economy. The Bonnie and the Sportster 883 are both around the same displacement, nearly 900cc engines. This is going to definitely use more fuel than a 500cc single. In times of uncertain fuel prices, a more economical bike that can perform the necessary duties could be an advantage.
So, for the money spent, you could say you got a bike that does everything that the other bikes can legally do, and gets better gas mileage, is more nimble and easy to handle,lless complexity, and looks better(maybe).
For performance, the 27hp Bullet will be close enough to the Bonnie or the 883 Sporty, that it isn't going to be an issue for normal street riding. For racing, it would be a different story, but most don't by the RE to race it. So, for normal riding purposes, and even cruising with other bikers, it will be able to keep up fine. Heck, my 22hp old Bullet can keep up with Harleys just fine, as long as we're not on the Interstate.
For handling, it will be more nimble and possibly better handling, or at least in the similar ballpark, and good enough to compete.
For brakes, it now has the disc front brake, and with the lightweight bike it should brake well enough to not be a concern for buyers.
As for reliability, we aren't sure about that yet. If the E-start works flawlessly, and the bike is really as improved as they want us to believe, then we should see modern bike reliability, except for maybe some vibration issues with bolts loosening up, or something like that.
So, a person could describe the UCE as a bike that has the necessary capabilities to provide all the normal road work that is within legal boundaries just fine, is lighter and more nimble, gets better gas mileage, and has a unique look that some/many may prefer.
All for a similar price as the others.
It all depends on how you look at it.
Not everyone considers bigger to be better, especially with gas prices being as volatile as they are today.
But, there is also no doubt that some will prefer the bigger bikes in a similar price category, so the competition will be there, and the makers are more famous than the RE is. The RE will be a niche market for those who want something a little more different