Royal Enfield Bullet Trials Test Ride Review – Worth It?

Ergonomics – The ergonomic triangle is also exactly the same as the Classic or the Bullet. There are no changes except for the handlebar being slightly higher while the seat becomes slightly thinner. This is done to suit stand-up riding for off-road or trail roads. The footpegs are front set while the seat cushioning is pretty good and comfortable for the rider. There were no mirrors on the test motorcycle and to see what’s behind we had to turn our heads back. But as stock, you get round shape chrome mirrors which don’t give the best view of what’s behind. There is no pillion seat either, instead, you get a luggage rack which can accommodate a decent-sized bag behind. However, saddlebags can be troublesome as the upswept exhaust might come in the way.

Performance – Powering the Bullet Trials is a 499cc, single-cylinder unit which has been taken from the Classic 500 and it produces 27.2 BHP and 41.3 Nm of torque. The performance is exactly the same but the torque comes in handy in situations where this motorcycle can be ridden. The throttle response isn’t as crisp but the wheel starts spinning quickly. The clutch weighs up pretty well and the gearbox is slick shifting, however, finding the neutral is a task. It still gets a 5-speed unit which is enough for off-road but not much for road riding.

Torquey nature of the engine becomes very useful in off-road riding conditions

The vibrations haven’t gone away and you can feel them nicely because the engine is a stressed member of the chassis. The motor isn’t harsh but there is a decent amount of noise coming from the engine. There is not much difference in the power-to-weight ratio as the weight difference is of only 4 kgs. The top-speed remains the same at 125 km/hr while the motor returns a fuel efficiency close to 30 km/l. The exhaust note from the upswept exhaust is the same, it still has a thump to it.

Riding Dynamics – Even with very similar ergonomics, the dynamics are quite different. As there are no extra parts to carry around, taking it off-road is a lot of fun. The off-road spec tyres grip really well while the higher handlebar provides very good feedback. The Trials can be put around proper trails and the bike would take everything in its stride without any issue. We were given a set of trails and it was just the hill climb which I failed because of my own mistake. There were two more trails which seemed very difficult but I could complete them without keeping my foot down.

Suspension setup is upgraded and more compliant to road-off-road conditions

The 35 mm telescopic suspension at the front with the gas-charged rear shock work really well. The suspension setup is very comforting as it is softly sprung and helps in worst of undulations. On-road the Bullet Trials corners nicely while holding the line very well. The 280 mm front disc is very useful on-road while the 240 mm disc at the rear offers great feedback while performing off-road duties. The bikes don’t get switchable ABS which hampers the fun off-road but keeps things safe.