Bike Review | 2025 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 Road Test

Back in September 2023 I headed to India for the first time, where I attended the Bullet 350 launch. I was able to visit the Chennai factory, see the Bullet roll off the production line, and ride around rural and city areas. But the real test has come here in OZ. Here’s our road test.

The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 offers a relaxed, fuss free classic experience with modern reliability and ride comfort.

There are few motorcycles on the road today with the same emotional pull and historical significance as the Royal Enfield Bullet. It is, in every way, a legend. First released in 1932, and continuously in production since 1948, the Bullet has achieved mythical status in India and among global enthusiasts. For 2023, Royal Enfield carefully modernised the Bullet 350 with their latest J-platform, and we were lucky enough to attend the global launch in Chennai, India, where we experienced the new model on its home turf, in some of the most intense real-world traffic conditions a rider could ever face.

Check out my video of riding the Bullet 350 in India here… and our tour of the factory here…

The Bullet has long been revered in India as a status symbol, a workhorse, and a patriotic icon. It’s not just a motorcycle, it’s a cultural institution. From policemen to postal workers, movie stars to mechanics, the Bullet has transcended class and context. In Australia, it’s a niche bike, chosen mostly by enthusiasts who appreciate simplicity, old-school styling, and the pure joy of motorcycling.

We tested the Maroon version and the Standard Black is the Editor’s personal bike. About time he slowed down, too…

Royal Enfield have mostly, thankfully, retained the classic styling of the Bullet 350. It still looks very much like the same timeless machine we’ve all admired, but based on the Classic 350. That teardrop tank, the pinstriped guards, and the upright stance are all there.

The Bullet is about a different kind of motorcycling. It’s slow, relaxed, and deliberate…

But underneath that retro exterior is a completely new platform shared with the Classic and top selling model (by a huge margin) Hunter 350. It’s the single-cylinder, air-oil-cooled J-series 349cc engine, a modern unit with EFI and a counterbalancer. It’s designed to be reliable, efficient, simple and smooth.

Paul Bailey at the Aussie Bullet 350 launch.

Check out his report by following the link below…

Paul Bailey’s Aussie Bullet 350 Launch Report is here…

Out on the roads of Chennai, the Bullet 350 was in its element. Indian traffic is a theatre of chaos: a flowing, honking, unpredictable mass of scooters, tuk-tuks, pedestrians, cows, and cars. But the Bullet felt like it was made for that. The long-travel suspension soaked up the rough roads and potholes with ease, while the commanding riding position gave excellent visibility and road presence.

The Editor’s first ride on his Bullet 350 was for a New Year coffee catch up with fellow bike journo Ralph Leavsey-Moase, an Interceptor and Bear 650 owner… The Bullet suits slow urban, outer urban and countryside cruising…

The soft, plush seat is easily the most comfortable I’ve experienced on any bike, it genuinely feels like a lounge chair on two wheels. And at 187cm tall, I found the ergonomics to be absolutely spot on. The rider triangle is relaxed and natural, with a perfect 90-degree bend in the knees and a wide handlebar sweep that offers easy control.

Out on the roads of Chennai, the Bullet 350 was in its element. Indian traffic is a theatre of chaos: a flowing, honking, unpredictable mass of scooters, tuk-tuks, pedestrians, cows, and cars.

Back home in Australia, on our similarly patchy roads, the Bullet performs just as well. The plush suspension setup is a revelation here. Big hits and broken tarmac are dispatched without fuss, and the bike’s low-speed manners are exceptional. It’s not a fast bike, not even remotely, but that’s not the point. The Bullet is about a different kind of motorcycling. It’s slow, relaxed, and deliberate. You ride the torque curve of the thumping single, short-shifting and rolling along with the rhythm of the road.

Metal tank badge…

Heel/toe shifting, rubber topped footpegs, easy access side-stand.

Latest RE design round switches, cable clutch.

Retro style kill switch, smooth throttle/fuelling, basic master-cylinder.

The engine produces 20.2hp and 27Nm, and while it’s not going to win any traffic light drags, it has a soulful thump and vibe-free character that feels properly old-school in all the right ways. The exhaust note is pure nostalgia; deep, soft, and rich. It’s the kind of sound that makes you smile every time you twist the throttle and grab the next gear.

The instrument cluster is a mix of analogue and digital, with a classic speedometer and a small LCD for fuel and trip info.

Fuelling is excellent, with a smooth, predictable throttle response that makes city riding a breeze. The clutch is light, the gear shifts are positive, and although the gear lever and brake pedal are mounted quite close to the footpegs, it becomes second nature with a bit of time. I also found the rear brake to be particularly strong, which adds confidence when navigating the urban sprawl and low speed work.

Quality graphics and classic finish.

Neat logos and plenty of chrome.

270mm fixed rear rotor, single-piston caliper, ABS. Nice thump from the muffler.

300mm fixed rotor, two-piston sliding ByBre front caliper, ABS.

The instrument cluster is a mix of analogue and digital, with a classic speedometer and a small LCD for fuel and trip info. It’s simple, clean, and perfectly in keeping with the bike’s vibe. Build quality is impressive too, particularly in the Black Gold variant we rode. From the chrome accents to the deep gloss paint, it’s clear that Royal Enfield are investing heavily in improving finish and quality control.

“But once you accept that the Bullet isn’t about speed, everything falls into place”… Take your time, enjoy the freedom.

Of course, the Bullet 350 isn’t perfect. It’s heavy, thanks to that all-steel construction, and it shows when you’re trying to hustle. You won’t be slicing through corners or chasing apexes. This is not that kind of bike. Top speed is around 105km/h on the flat, with a little more available on a downhill, but realistically, it’s happiest at 95km/h and under. That makes highway riding in Australia a stretch, and a bit of a shame, because the bike is otherwise so enjoyable.

Sid Lal, Royal Endfield MD and CEO, is one of those people. He has resurrected the brand and made it global.

Mark Wells, Head of Design.

Final touches on the Bullet.

The design team in RE HQ in India.

But once you accept that the Bullet isn’t about speed, everything falls into place. You begin to appreciate the small things: the feel of the ‘bars, the sound of the exhaust, the rhythm of the engine, the way the suspension cushions your ride. It becomes less about the destination and more about the act of riding.

There’s something deeply satisfying about taking the slow road, and the Bullet encourages that mindset. It’s not a performance bike, it’s a personality bike. You ride it for the same reason you listen to vinyl records or wear a mechanical watch. It’s tactile, engaging, and rich with character. There’s an emotional connection that you simply don’t get from modern high-performance machines.

Jeff takes delivery of his Bullet 350 at Moto Machine, Sydney.

The slowest action figure imaginable! An AI generated Jeff Ware Bullet 350 Action Figure, Ha!

Jeff’s bike had just 3.0km on the clock from the factory testing.

The first ride, a coastal cruise over New Year 2025…

That emotional pull was strong enough that after the test, I bought one. Well, technically, my wife and kids bought it for me as a 50th birthday present. I loved the bike that much. I’ve got plans to play around with the gearing and see if I can coax a little more top speed out of it, but honestly, I’m in no rush. The Bullet has already earned its place in my shed and my heart.

I took the 350 up the steepest hill in my area, it struggled to get to the top.

New bike day… Heading out on the first ever ride on the Bullet 350. Prior to this, it lived inside the house in the lounge room for three months!

Royal Enfield have nailed the brief with the Bullet 350. It’s a beautifully built, immensely charming motorcycle that celebrates everything we love about classic motorcycling, without the fuss and maintenance of a true vintage bike. It’s affordable, fun, and timeless. And while it might not suit everyone, it’s a compelling proposition for riders who value simplicity, comfort, and authenticity.

 It’s a promise that Royal Enfield have kept alive for over 90 years, and with this latest version, it’s safe to say the legend continues…

Whether you’re navigating the madness of Chennai traffic or cruising down a quiet Aussie backroad, the Bullet 350 delivers an experience that’s hard to match. It’s Pure Motorcycling in the truest sense and that’s not just a slogan. It’s a promise that Royal Enfield have kept alive for over 90 years, and with this latest version, it’s safe to say the legend continues.

Pricing for the Bullet 350 starts at $7,890 ride away in Australia for the Standard (Black or Maroon), $8,050 for the top-spec Black Gold. For more info, visit www.royalenfield.com.au.

Read our Royal Enfield Bullet 350 World Launch Report here…

Tech Talk, 2023 Royal Enfield Bullet 350

The Bullet 350 returns in 2023 with an all new design based on the Classic 350. Everything from the frame to the styling is new. The forefront of the new Bullet 350 is the 349cc air-oil cooled single-cylinder engine. The new single-cylinder J Series was launched recently in the Meteor and generates 20.2hp@6100rpm and 27Nm@4000rpm.

A heap of development has gone into making the new engine easy on the wallet and easy on new riders. Thanks to its EFI system, the throttle response has been optimised for a “linear acceleration” as Royal Enfield describes it. The new engine also has a five-speed gearbox, with fifth gear being an overdrive, taking stress off the engine while highway cruising, and a seven-plate clutch for easy gear changes in built-up traffic and a nice and smooth clutch release.

The Bullet 350 shares the all new Classic chassis for 2023. The brakes, suspension and frame have all been upgraded over from the Classic. Royal Enfield said they aimed for the frame itself to be stiffer allowing for a more planted feeling when taking corners at high and low speeds. The front-end sees conventional 41mm telescopic forks with 130mm travel and the rear has received a pair of twin tube emulsion shock absorbers with six-step adjustable preload. Both the front and rear have been adapted to make the bike easier to ride.

Continuing with the rideability theme are the ergonomics. Riders have a choice between multiple accessory seats, with low cut and premium patterns available through their genuine accessories. The seats as a whole have been slightly reshaped to cradle the rider better while also being widened and redone with softer foam for comfort, while the kickstarter has been removed to de-clutter the footpeg area. With brand new handlebars, the riding position has been tweaked to further improve comfort.

Spoked wheels feature at both ends, both options are wrapped in 100/90 – 19in at the front and 120/80 – 18in at the rear. The braking is handled by a 300mm rotor with twin piston ­floating caliper at the front and a 270mm rotor and single piston ­floating caliper at the rear. The new Bullet 350 has a hefty kerb weight of 195kg.