The 2023 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 will be built on the same platform as the all-new Classic 350
Royal Enfield is gearing up to launch the 2023 Bullet 350 and a test mule of the bike has been spied testing for the second time undisguised. It would be a generation change for the Bullet 350 as the new bike has almost nothing in common with the outgoing model.
The upcoming Bullet is built on the same platform as the all-new Classic 350 and gets the new J series engine as well. It misses out on the kick starter for the first time in its nearly decades old history.
The front half of the bike is exactly same as the Classic 350 and people won’t be able to find a difference at least when looked from the front. The front forks, indicators, headlight, handlebar, mudguard, and disc brake are a direct lift from the Classic.
But, the combination of chrome engine crank case with matte black exhaust and tank looks quite new and not seen on the Classic. At the rear, the mudguard is a little shorter like the outgoing Bullet and ends within the number plate.
The swing arm and suspension are, again, a direct lift from the Classic. The biggest change, however, is the seat as the new new single piece seat looks quite different from the test mule spied earlier.
In the earlier spy shots, the bike had a tan coloured single piece seat that was quite slim. But, now, it gets a matte black cover with white side stitching. It’s also quite thicker at the front, most probably, based on the feedback of test riders.
But, to be frank, the new design comes as big disappointment. The charm of the outgoing Bullet has gone. The existing model is not only larger with huge dimensions but also has some nice design elements like the ribbed step-up seat, large handlebar, poked out tail light, and a lot of chrome. To start off, the new bike even lacks chrome rims.
The kind of character and the proud feeling the existing model offers customers is not to be seen on the new model which looks like a toned down version of the Classic. Maybe this might also be a lower variant of the Classic as Royal Enfield hasn’t confirmed anything.
Classic’s 350 cc air/oil-cooled single cylinder engine puts out 20.2 HP at 6100 RPM and 27 Nm at 4000 RPM. It comes mated to a 5-speed transmission. But, the Bullet will have lower power and torque figures. It’s likely to share its brakes and wheels with the entry-level Classic.