Royal Enfield Bullet Electra EFI short road test
December 6th, 2008
I popped into Haywards, my local dealership today to have a look see at the new Royal Enfield EFI. This is the latest addition to the long running bike brand. The engine is a completely new unit with fuel injection. Enfield had to go down this route to meet the strict emission laws that come in to place as of 2009. I have had an interest in Royal Enfields for a long time but have never actually ridden one so today was the day that I finally climbed aboard the bike and took it for a ride around the local Cambridgeshire lanes.
First things first. The Enfield is not a fast bike by any means. I reckon a 125cc scooter would wipe the floor with it but thats not what its about. You have to adjust your riding style a touch. The throw for the gear change is longer than my Buell thus making gear changes a slower affair. The engine being a 500cc single does not spin up fast, instead it just revs up at its own pace thus setting the stage for a gentle cruise down memory lane. I was only able to get about 10 miles done today due to lack of time on my part but its sewn the seed for a longer test in the new year when bike purchase season starts again 
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I was able to plod along at an indicated 45 to 50 with excellent comfort. Due to the relaxed seating position I was able to actually look around at the passing fields whilst enjoying the note of the exhaust exiting behind my right shoulder. The suspension whilst very basic was by no means rough and soaked up the road without problem. Not bad considering it had a fat git on board… I genuinely reckon it would be a good 2nd bike, the one that you take out for a weekend bumble around the lanes on a nice summers day. As it happens, I reckon it would be good in the wet too. The tyres are modern and the mud guards are long so you’de probably not get pelted with crud from the front tyre and still have a chance of getting around the on coming bends. Try that on a real classic….
My son Tom is not impressed with the “RE” because its not an all out racer but he’s young and is totally missing the point. This is a bike for a gentle cruise, not a thrash. Thats why I have the Buell. Thats the one that gets its neck wrung when I’m in a bad mood.
Priced at £4000 approx on the road and with the possibility of doing almost 100mpg I reckon its a credit crunching commuter too. Its not heavy neither so will allow a new rider to learn their road stripes if you know what I mean without loosing their license or killing themselves.
One thing I did note was the lack of KPH on the speedo. How did this get type approval in the UK? Pics below…
3 Responses to “Royal Enfield Bullet Electra EFI short road test”
Corporal Wot Wot December 7th, 2008 at 10:56 am #
Nice looking classic that mate.
Is the gear change on the left or on the right (usual for Enfields??)
Cpl
David December 7th, 2008 at 3:02 pm #
Hello. I blog on Royal Enfields in the U.S. and we have yet to see many UCE bikes here. Am I correct that the bike shown in your pictures has the unit-constructed engine? Looks like it. What surprises me is that it appears to have the attachment point for a kickstart lever, but no lever is fitted. Am I correct? Or am I squinting too much? Thanks for the test. All best.
Fatbiker December 7th, 2008 at 3:33 pm #
Cpl… The gear change is now on the left hand side. This is not the traditional British way but its now the standard so probably safer when you are hopping between bikes…
David. Would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the Enfield going forward. We should keep in touch. The bike I rode yesterday does indeed have the newly released UCE style engine with the injection unit instead of carb. Considering the bike I rode had only done 20 miles It felt really smooth. The throw was obviously alot longer than my current ride but it was accurate and did what it was meant to do.
I am interested in this Enfield as a 2nd bike. This one will be used for relaxed Sunday outings with my Son onboard.
Re the kickstart. This particular bike had not yet had the kickstart lever attached but I understand it comes as part of the bike. I hope to get out on it in January once it has been broken in for a longer and more energetic ride.