Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: joecool85 on June 02, 2011, 04:17:02 pm

Title: Bullet 350?
Post by: joecool85 on June 02, 2011, 04:17:02 pm
Anyone know if there are plans on bringing the UCE engine Bullet 350 here?  I can't afford $5,500 for the Bullet 500 and have been looking at the Suzuki TU250X as an option for $4,000 but I'd rather have a Royal Enfield in the driveway.  If the Bullet 350 came to the US for somewhere in the $4,000-5,000 price ranger I'd be ordering one ASAP.  MPG must be excellent too.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: prof_stack on June 02, 2011, 05:17:23 pm
Anyone know if there are plans on bringing the UCE engine Bullet 350 here?  I can't afford $5,500 for the Bullet 500 and have been looking at the Suzuki TU250X as an option for $4,000 but I'd rather have a Royal Enfield in the driveway.  If the Bullet 350 came to the US for somewhere in the $4,000-5,000 price ranger I'd be ordering one ASAP.  MPG must be excellent too.
I too would buy a 350 Bullet if it came here.  Wishful thinking never works for me, and I doubt if it will ever happen.  It wouldn't cost much less than the 500 after shipping, import fees, etc. are covered.  Yeah, it would vibrate less and get better MPG but be less potent for freeway use.

The TU250X is an attractive motorcycle.  Have you checked out the new Honda CBR-250R?  Same price as the TU, or spend $500 more for ABS. 
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: prof_stack on June 02, 2011, 05:18:09 pm
Oh, I forgot to welcome you. 

WELCOME to the best forum on the 'net.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on June 02, 2011, 05:27:44 pm
I doubt it will make it here.  There's not much market for small motorcycles in this country and I don't think the 350 has had the modern UCE engine treatment, so it may have trouble meeting emissions standards.

While I think the RE has more character than the TU the TU is still a nice bike and has modern advantages like electric start and fuel injection.  Go take one for a test ride before you totally dismiss it. 

Also, the Ninja 250 is an amazing small motorcycle and around $4000.  It looks like a sport bike and handles very well but the seating position is not too aggressive.  Though it may not have a lot of top end it is probably more motorcycle per dollar than almost anything on the market.

Scott
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: Desi Bike on June 02, 2011, 05:45:44 pm
I was riding a Suzuki Boulevard GZ250 before, it was quite nimble and in a pinch it could toodle down the highway if needed. Fairly decent looks, cruiser style and dirt cheap as far as small bikes go. Quite a few bike schools use them for training as well. ... But its not an Enfield.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: joecool85 on June 02, 2011, 05:48:35 pm
Wow, I'm surprised at the reaction from you guys.  I'm not writing off the Suzuki, in fact, I'm head over heals for it pretty much lol.  I just would rather an Indian motorcycle than a Japanese.  Well, really I'd like an American one, but those don't exist below 883cc.

As far as the UCE thing goes, on the international RE site it says the Bullet 350 is fitted with the UCE engine.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on June 02, 2011, 06:08:31 pm
Then I stand corrected and happily so!  Call CMW and ask if they plan to bring any 350s into the States.

Also, I think we'd all rather see you on a bike than not.  And if an Enfield doesn't fit your budget, well that's ok.  We love our Enfields but we're motorcyclists first! ;)

Remember that for any bike you buy in addition to the purchase price you're probably going to pay a few hundred in freight and prep charges, you'll need some gear so factor in another $300-600 for that, and there's insurance and registration.  As mentioned in another thread recently the first service comes up in a few hundred miles and that may be another $100-200.  Things to keep in mind if you're on a budget.

No one tells you these things, least of all the dealers, but you'll spend a pretty penny in side costs the first few months, especially if you have no gear and have never insured a bike before.

Man, a 350 would be a great first bike for so many riders.  Not too aggressive and lots of character.

Scott
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: Maturin on June 02, 2011, 07:21:44 pm
The biggest problem the 350 is facing is it´s carb. In Europe you´ll probably won´t get it registered because of emission laws - what is ridicolous, but true. Don´t know much about US registration laws but I smell trouble there.
Joecool85, what about a used 500? The supply may be sparsely but with a little luck you´ll get one within your budget. Spareparts are cheap, and considering all experiences chances are good that you´re not going to need many of them.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: 1 Thump on June 02, 2011, 07:27:23 pm
Its a UCE with a carb. best of both the worlds.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on June 02, 2011, 07:29:21 pm
Does it have a catalytic converter?

Scott
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: Maturin on June 02, 2011, 07:50:39 pm
I think I read somewhere that she has an unregulated one. Besides that there are some features that are not suited for the international market, like the (very nice but otherwise weak) drum brake in the front and a 35/35 watt headlight.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: r80rt on June 02, 2011, 07:55:27 pm
http://www.royalenfield.com/Motorcycles/classic-350.aspx

http://www.royalenfield.com/Motorcycles/bullet350.aspx
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: joecool85 on June 02, 2011, 07:55:40 pm
I'd be happy with them taking the current US Spec B5 and put a 350cc UCE fuel injected power plant in the chassis.  Especially if it shaved $500-$1,000 off the price.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on June 02, 2011, 08:10:32 pm
http://www.royalenfield.com/Motorcycles/bullet350.aspx

It would be you who posted that pic! ;)

The Classic 350 looks just like a Classic 500 with a black frame and 350 motor.  Nice.

Scott
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: r80rt on June 02, 2011, 09:14:32 pm
I like the black frame with red tin look, wish that 350 was available here.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: rivers on June 02, 2011, 09:37:29 pm
I was riding a Suzuki Boulevard GZ250 before, it was quite nimble and in a pinch it could toodle down the highway if needed. Fairly decent looks, cruiser style and dirt cheap as far as small bikes go. Quite a few bike schools use them for training as well. ... But its not an Enfield.
Yeah the little Zuks are fun reliable bikes. I too would love to have a 350 bullet as a back up bike. Presently my backup is a Yam tw200 that I'll prolly get rid of this year and prolly replace it with maybe a Zuk TU 250. A little small but great fun. For the money I should just get another used 500 bullet but I've had two of the same bikes in the past. Didn't work out that well for me cause one of em ends up a parts donor and in short time looks like a week old Thanksgiving turkey carcass.
Good luck with your choice. It's all good.
Joe
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: GSS on June 03, 2011, 12:54:48 am
Anyone know if there are plans on bringing the UCE engine Bullet 350 here?  I can't afford $5,500 for the Bullet 500 and have been looking at the Suzuki TU250X as an option for $4,000 but I'd rather have a Royal Enfield in the driveway.  If the Bullet 350 came to the US for somewhere in the $4,000-5,000 price ranger I'd be ordering one ASAP.  MPG must be excellent too.
I have seen several C5s with 300-1500 miles for sale at around 4K. Maybe that would be a potential option? We would love to see you on a RE!
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: Ice on June 03, 2011, 02:41:01 am
I doubt the 350 UCE would meet US emissions standards unless it was fuel injected and then it would cost the same as a 500 not  to mention it would have to go through the costly and time consuming EPA certification process.



Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: Fox on June 03, 2011, 03:56:30 am
I got my G5, out the door, for a little over 5k. It was a previous year leftover, but otherwise brand new.

If you can't find a good deal on one though, weigh your options. If I were suddenly without bike, and a RE was not in my price range, I would very quickly find myself on another bike that is not a Royal Enfield.

I had the pleasure of taking my MSF test on the TU250. If you can look at the TU250 and Bullet side by side, and can't decide which one is speaking to you more, get the TU250, it is a sweet little bike - perhaps the simplest, most well-mannered motorcycle currently available anywhere at any price. And I think you could find one for considerably less than 4,000.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: joecool85 on June 03, 2011, 01:39:00 pm
I had the pleasure of taking my MSF test on the TU250. If you can look at the TU250 and Bullet side by side, and can't decide which one is speaking to you more, get the TU250, it is a sweet little bike - perhaps the simplest, most well-mannered motorcycle currently available anywhere at any price. And I think you could find one for considerably less than 4,000.

Yeah, $4k is the brand new price.  I could get a used one for $3k or a little less.  Odds are I will end up with a Honda CB250 Nighthawk or something for a while till a nice shiny new bike comes out that meets my needs.  I really don't need more than 20hp to get around.  The roads I'm on are all 45-55mph and I like to keep things as efficient as possible.  A 125cc wouldn't cut it, but 250-400cc would be perfect especially with fuel injection. 

I was just curious if they were planning on bringing a fuel injected Bullet 350 over because that would be the perfect bike for me and a lot of other folks I know around here.  I suppose they probably won't.  Too bad, it's quite a large niche market and I think they could really sell a lot of bikes.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: olhogrider on June 04, 2011, 06:10:31 am
Couple of points. The 350 is basically a smaller bore 500 so where would be the savings? Manufacturing, shipping etc. would all add up and make it cost too much. Harley made a 500 single, the Buell Blast. A fun bike but NOBODY wanted them. Even Eric Buell made a table out of the crushed carcass of the last one made.

Look for a used RE 500 or a Japanese bike. They can be had for dirt cheap and when you drop it you are not out big bucks.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: GreenMachine on June 04, 2011, 04:10:59 pm
I'm not going to pay 5k for a 350 cc bullet..If anything I rather have a bullet 650cc twin for say 6-7 k (if that's possible)..
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: olhogrider on June 04, 2011, 04:19:01 pm
Or a 1000 V-Twin.  ;D Just add another 500 to the engine.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: GreenMachine on June 04, 2011, 05:10:49 pm
true...I forgot about those....
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: barenekd on June 04, 2011, 07:45:07 pm
Quote
Harley made a 500 single, the Buell Blast. A fun bike but NOBODY wanted them. Even Eric Buell made a table out of the crushed carcass of the last one made.

The Blast was Buell, not Harley. It had a Rotax engine in it and it had to be one of the world's ugliest ever motorcycles. It was just wrong, and that belt drive really looked terrible. there was nothing there to sell! I think they were donating then to rider's schools just to get them out for people to see. But there was never much of a market for them. Kind of a modern day Edsel, a total market flop. It was certainly not a bike that anyone looking for a retro type machine would notice. The GB500 was probably the last reasonably sellable pure street 500 thumper. But that was only after they dropped the price to the point it should have been when they were released. There have been some successful dual sport bikes out there, but it caters to an obviously different market. Most of the existing marketable streetable thumpers are 650s.
Actually, it would seem that most of the Rotax powered street bikes were destined to failure, ie, Matchless, MZ, Buell, et al.
Bare
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: Desi Bike on June 04, 2011, 07:53:17 pm
OVC - old vintage cranks in Hillsburg Ontario imports rebuilt 350 Bullets. They are at lest 25 year old, and have full papers for registration here. Should be able to import to USA with minimal problems. The out the door price is around $4000 Canadian. Last time I was in he had a pair sitting there ready to go.  The website is www.uralontario.ca  OVC is also one of the better RE dealers out this side of the pond.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: olhogrider on June 04, 2011, 08:00:06 pm
Saying a Buell is not a Harley is like saying a Chevy is not a G.M. The Blast engine was not a Rotax, it was a Sportster engine with one cylinder lopped off. The Rotax designed engine powered the Buell 1125 to the AMA champinship 1st place 2 DAYS before Harley pulled the plug on Buell. But that's all history.

My point was simply that we Americans think a 500 is a beginner/girl's bike. An 883 is considered "Half-a-Harley" and anything less than 2000cc is barely capable of powering its way out of the state. Where does that leave a 350? In India.
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: olhogrider on June 04, 2011, 08:03:10 pm
here's what they are doing with that Rotax design these days.


http://www.erikbuellracing.com/


Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: Ducati Scotty on June 08, 2011, 06:16:26 am
Where does that leave a 350? In India.

+1 unfortunately :(
Title: Re: Bullet 350?
Post by: joecool85 on June 08, 2011, 01:16:46 pm
+1 unfortunately :(

That's too bad.  Oh well, I'll probably end up with a late model CB250 Nighthawk to start with just to save money.  Then maybe I'll get a Royal later when I can afford it.