I have read elsewhere that the only reasonable comparison for the Bullet is the Bullet itself in it's various iterations over time. There is probably a fair amount of truth in that , since the only current machines that are even remotely similar are the Suzuki Boulevard S 40 (formerly "Savage" and the Kawasaki KLR 650: The only similarity is the single cylinder mid size engine (they are both 650s) but beyond that there is no real comparison as each is purpose built in a very different direction from the other and neither for the same niche as the Bullet. Both are more modern engines (OHC/multivalve, one water cooled ) yet despite that , the performance of the UCE actually compares fairly favourably for power and torque, and excels by a large margin in fuel effiiciency. (KLR power 44 hp touque 46 NM but weight 432 lbs , S 40 power 30 hp ) So not too shabby.
A better comparison, however , might be with the highly esteemed period bikes that were made with similar technology . For instance, though the BSA Goldstar is reputed for 100 mph /40 hp performance, this was the "race" version of the B33: The street version of 1955 BSA B33 ( a similar state of tune to the current Bullet) only put out 23 hp at 5500 rpm ., or 83% of the power output of the current UCE at 5200 rmp (The race tuned BSA output from it's 500 cc single was 40 hp but this at 7000 rmp ) Even the 1957 Triumph 500 .Speed Twin (two cylinder) only put out 27 hp at 6300 rpm the 1952 Triumph TRW 500 single ( geared to military application , not unlike the Bullet) put out 18 hp. at 5000 rmp, and the 1954 TR5 "Trophy" Twin (for competition) had a power rating of 25 hp at 6000 rpm. ,A 1953 BMW 600 cc flat twin had a power of 26 hp at 5500 rmp.
Viewed in the light of "esteemed" period comparables of the same or higher displacementr , then, the current UCE fares pretty well by comparison, and , of course , has much better fuel mileage than any of them. This is actually pretty amazing considering the limitations of the technology and engine size. Again, i wonder (not that it is necessary) what the performance capacity of a " tweaked and fettled" UCE really is? Enough for now, I guess that it is a reliable good all round performer even if it is in a league of it's own in the market at the present: The potential is there for those who want the challenge, and I have no doubt we will soon be seeing some pretty intereting performance specs from after market mods and fiddling. For the rest of us, ample performance reliability and period cachee together in one package are great draws. Nigel Ogston. (earlier threads "Fury" and "UCE as Distance Tourer")
Topic: UCE Performance Perspecitve (Read 10656 times)