500cc Royal Enfield vs NEW 350cc Enfield

scottoe · Oct 7th, 2009, 13:27

I will be riding around India for 6 months and
have 2 options on bike to buy -

1) 2002 Bullet 500cc, re-built with new parts
75,000rs

2) NEW Bullet 350cc from the showroom
75,000rs

Both bikes are the same price but is it worth
buying the 2nd hand bike to get the extra 150cc
or go to the showroom and get a new 350cc?

I have heard that the 500cc helps if you are
carrying someone on the back but would like to
hear it from someone who has rode both and has
had someone on the back.

baba420 · Oct 7th, 2009, 17:45

new 350 is better than used 500, just cuz its new, but go with personal preferance, or buy new 500cc,
baba.

shashank.aggarwal · Oct 7th, 2009, 18:05

New one is better any day. If you want 500, you can get it for 1.07L from showroom.

tilak2909 · Oct 7th, 2009, 18:26

i would go for std 350 if i have to travel on plains. but if you intend to travel more in hills then you can go for machismo 500. my two friends have Mac500 and i have seen the performance in hills. its amazing.

crvlvr · Oct 8th, 2009, 02:15

looking at the specs, there is not much difference between those of the 350 and 500. I'd say go with the new 350. What kind of warranty does it come with?

Mike Cork · Oct 8th, 2009, 02:47

You have to make your own decision. What was your first thought..?

I however would go for the 500.
• Better on the hills, if that’s where you may go.
• Can carry more weight, pinion or luggage.
• Will not need to run it in, as much as the 350.
• Faults if any should have appeared and been repaired on the 500.
These are only my thoughts; I have ridden both in India and the 500 wins hands down. I also ride a big bike in the UK (1350 Harley) so maybe I may be being a little biased.

scottoe · Oct 8th, 2009, 03:43

What sort of ball park figure would you
pay to get luggage carriers fitted and
do you think it is worth getting a back
rest and safety guard fitted??

trooooon · Oct 8th, 2009, 04:38

i hate the back rest . . . and i've always used bags, cramster makes some really good ones . . . much more convinient, and they don't break!

as for the bike, the 500 you're getting is likely to be very circumspect, its probably an old 350 frame and block with a 500 engine on it, not that there is anything per se wrong with a convert, but it all depends on who does it, and a bunch of other unpredictable stuff! that said, a new 350 would need running in and careful riding for about 2000km . . . and its not got the power to take 2 people, though i have taken one alone all over the place including ladakh and spiti so i'd vouch for the power specially for a new one.

ultimately though you choose

Keith H · Oct 8th, 2009, 08:20

I recently sold my 2007 Enfield 500 which I'd had since new and treated like a baby. I would lean toward a 500cc simply because it is nice to have that additional power on tap. Having said that, how reliable is the person who is selling the 500? I've looked over several bikes in India and the state of some of them has been alarming - the maintenance certainly wasn't all that it could be. When you see incorrectly adjusted brake cables you wonder what else there is amiss which may not be so readily visible!
So, a new 350 may be the deal as you know the score with that machine - it is brand new. You would need to run it in which from memory was 1000km of careful riding.
Best of luck with the purchase and enjoy your ride.

trooooon · Oct 8th, 2009, 15:48

I hear the standard is going to go off the shelf soon . . . better get it quick!!
The deal with a second hand bike is that they just made much better bikes earlier . . . the aesthetic was so much bulgier and there were hardly any frills. They got rid of the emergency ignition. And i've heard that they had a heavier crank pre 80's.
But yeah if you're new to the deal an off the shelf bike is the best bet.

shashank.aggarwal · Oct 8th, 2009, 15:53

Tarun, can you share the difference between the bikes ? and how were they better ?

The only difference I know of was the heavier crank (around 12kg) and the current breed has 10kg...

And did you read that second hand bike was a 2002 model here ?

KiteStyle · Oct 15th, 2009, 14:18

As someone who has just done 1500ks on an 03 Thunderbird with wife and bags on the back, I'd say the power of the 350 is fine, even uphill. On a good (toll) road the issue is gearing, with the bike topping out around 75kph when cruising. A 6th gear would have been really nice sometimes. Not sure how the different models compare here?

/btw the bike is now for sale in Goa, if anyone's interested or has any questions about our touring experience they can email me!

shashank.aggarwal · Oct 15th, 2009, 15:52

Thunderbird 350 topping at 75kph...hard to believe. With around 200kg on weight on it, it easily crosses 100.

Oct 7th, 2009, 13:27	#1
scottoe Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NEW ZEALAND Posts: 12	500cc Royal Enfield vs NEW 350cc Enfield I will be riding around India for 6 months and have 2 options on bike to buy - 1) 2002 Bullet 500cc, re-built with new parts 75,000rs 2) NEW Bullet 350cc from the showroom 75,000rs Both bikes are the same price but is it worth buying the 2nd hand bike to get the extra 150cc or go to the showroom and get a new 350cc? I have heard that the 500cc helps if you are carrying someone on the back but would like to hear it from someone who has rode both and has had someone on the back.

Oct 7th, 2009, 18:05	#3
shashank.aggarwal The Fortunate One Join Date: May 2007 Location: Road Posts: 6,822	New one is better any day. If you want 500, you can get it for 1.07L from showroom. __________________ Spineless Travelogue - Around India

Oct 7th, 2009, 18:26	#4
tilak2909 Where Eagles Dare Join Date: May 2009 Location: delhi Posts: 866	i would go for std 350 if i have to travel on plains. but if you intend to travel more in hills then you can go for machismo 500. my two friends have Mac500 and i have seen the performance in hills. its amazing. __________________ _______________________ A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. lao tzu TRAVEL HARD OR STAY AT HOME ________________________ http://delhibullriders.co.in http://picasaweb.google.com/tilkusoni http://picasaweb.google.com/delhibul...s/LadakhPart2#

Oct 8th, 2009, 02:47	#6
Mike Cork Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Wales UK Posts: 406	You have to make your own decision. What was your first thought..? I however would go for the 500. • Better on the hills, if that’s where you may go. • Can carry more weight, pinion or luggage. • Will not need to run it in, as much as the 350. • Faults if any should have appeared and been repaired on the 500. These are only my thoughts; I have ridden both in India and the 500 wins hands down. I also ride a big bike in the UK (1350 Harley) so maybe I may be being a little biased. __________________ Only you can make it a good day...

Oct 8th, 2009, 04:38	#8
trooooon tj Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vasant Kunj, New Delhi Posts: 850	i hate the back rest . . . and i've always used bags, cramster makes some really good ones . . . much more convinient, and they don't break! as for the bike, the 500 you're getting is likely to be very circumspect, its probably an old 350 frame and block with a 500 engine on it, not that there is anything per se wrong with a convert, but it all depends on who does it, and a bunch of other unpredictable stuff! that said, a new 350 would need running in and careful riding for about 2000km . . . and its not got the power to take 2 people, though i have taken one alone all over the place including ladakh and spiti so i'd vouch for the power specially for a new one. ultimately though you choose __________________ what if . . . maybe . . . say . . . suppose!

Oct 7th, 2009, 17:45	#2
baba420 ANJUNA SARPUNCH Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: planet earth Posts: 303	new 350 is better than used 500, just cuz its new, but go with personal preferance, or buy new 500cc, baba.

Oct 8th, 2009, 02:15	#5
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,668	looking at the specs, there is not much difference between those of the 350 and 500. I'd say go with the new 350. What kind of warranty does it come with?

Oct 8th, 2009, 03:43	#7
scottoe Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NEW ZEALAND Posts: 12	What sort of ball park figure would you pay to get luggage carriers fitted and do you think it is worth getting a back rest and safety guard fitted??

Oct 8th, 2009, 08:20	#9
Keith H Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 73	I recently sold my 2007 Enfield 500 which I'd had since new and treated like a baby. I would lean toward a 500cc simply because it is nice to have that additional power on tap. Having said that, how reliable is the person who is selling the 500? I've looked over several bikes in India and the state of some of them has been alarming - the maintenance certainly wasn't all that it could be. When you see incorrectly adjusted brake cables you wonder what else there is amiss which may not be so readily visible! So, a new 350 may be the deal as you know the score with that machine - it is brand new. You would need to run it in which from memory was 1000km of careful riding. Best of luck with the purchase and enjoy your ride.

Oct 8th, 2009, 15:48	#10
trooooon tj Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vasant Kunj, New Delhi Posts: 850	I hear the standard is going to go off the shelf soon . . . better get it quick!! The deal with a second hand bike is that they just made much better bikes earlier . . . the aesthetic was so much bulgier and there were hardly any frills. They got rid of the emergency ignition. And i've heard that they had a heavier crank pre 80's. But yeah if you're new to the deal an off the shelf bike is the best bet.

Oct 8th, 2009, 15:53	#11
shashank.aggarwal The Fortunate One Join Date: May 2007 Location: Road Posts: 6,822	Tarun, can you share the difference between the bikes ? and how were they better ? The only difference I know of was the heavier crank (around 12kg) and the current breed has 10kg... And did you read that second hand bike was a 2002 model here ?

Oct 15th, 2009, 14:18	#12
KiteStyle Account Closed Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Goa Posts: 1	As someone who has just done 1500ks on an 03 Thunderbird with wife and bags on the back, I'd say the power of the 350 is fine, even uphill. On a good (toll) road the issue is gearing, with the bike topping out around 75kph when cruising. A 6th gear would have been really nice sometimes. Not sure how the different models compare here? /btw the bike is now for sale in Goa, if anyone's interested or has any questions about our touring experience they can email me!

Oct 15th, 2009, 15:52	#13
shashank.aggarwal The Fortunate One Join Date: May 2007 Location: Road Posts: 6,822	Thunderbird 350 topping at 75kph...hard to believe. With around 200kg on weight on it, it easily crosses 100.

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