I have owned the Classic 350 reborn for the last 2 years which has run without fault for over 3,000 miles. My first Royal Enfield in 54 years of riding and in fact my first single cylinder bike ! I have to say it is also for me now the best bike I have ever owned and just love its simple charms, I appreciate it’s not the old school charm of the old bullet but for ease of use left hand gear change, disc brakes and electric start the reborn 350 just ticks all the boxes for me. Can I also say I have not touched the engine in any way as the charm of the bike is its slow pace so cannot see the point of different air filters or upgraded Kent cam etc. Please keep these fantastic videos coming as you and TAYMs videos have some of my favourite content 😊
Lovely bikes both and I know what you mean about liking them but in different ways. I have a Trials Replica and I love it, so comfortable and torquey. The BM and the Guzzi are sadly neglected. Welcome back, I was disappointed when you disappeared! Looking forward to more.
Great video. I own classic reborn. Love it, but it would be better with a kickstart. Your bullet is fantastic. Different bikes, but what they do share is a smile to the face and a feeling of a different time when riding them. Keep up the videos
Good video Mr Brown . The key to the Bullets popularity is the fact that India had an embargo on foreign vehicle imports for many years. The cool running engine also helped in the climate 😀. If I had to choose between the two bikes , I'd take the old bike every time . Simpler ; if anything goes wrong , I can fix it with simple tools at the side of the road if need be . Also , I don't like the look of that whippy chain driven oil pump on the newer bike , which seems to be a feature of all the modern REs . I don't think the new Himalayan has it as it's a completely new design . So I might take a closer look at that bike .😊 Your cats always like to get in the picture 📸 don't they .
Yes mate, I agree on the older bike too! I know all too well about that nasty oil pump chain (read Interceptor) The cats are never far away, They know I have a tin opener!
Great video, so relaxing in this crazy world we're in 👍, never owned either of these bikes but I am drawn to the older version not only for its mechanical qualities but also the visual impact of the engine and gearbox, the trial version would be right up my street with a polished alloy tank perhaps. My 650 interceptor will have to do for the moment😁.
Nice to see a proper comparison by someone who actually owns and enjoys both. These bikes have character which is missing from most things these days. Cheers VB!
G’day VB, I’m glad you’ve done a well presented comparison with the old & new 350’s, I have the identical year in the 500 bullet, same 2006 build with style/colour as your 350 but the ES 5 speed. What I like is the fact is that it still puts a huge smile on my face every time I ride it, it has so much charm & turns heads where ever it goes… it’s staying in the family now.. Cheers mate 🇦🇺
I think the older 350 needs more fettling there are several adjustments that can be made such as , fuel mixture , points, timing where with the reborn it does it all for you and is very good at it, ive written this only for the benefit of those new new to Royal Enfields.
Agree with your comments, both lovely bikes. I think the biggest difference is the quality of materials and build. I had a Bullet in the 90's, bits kept falling off, bolts snapped if they were over tightened to the smallest degree, and the inside of the front brake drum was like a cheese grater, I had to grind it. smooth. Conversely my current Classic 350, had been faultless, As for aesthetics though, for my money, the Bullet has it every time. and that sound, incomparable ! ride safe
No problem with your rambling on, lol. It’s interesting to hear your thoughts & experience of all things Royal Enfield. Both bikes have their place, with pros & cons. The good thing about the modern 350 is the range of different styles available to suit different tastes.
@@martinowl The new RE 350 is 🪨 heavy and underpowered as well as unsafe on a freeway. A Honda 350 or even a 250 Twin would leave it in the dust. In India it's transportation. Here it's a little toy of a bike to run around with on the weekends. l use the word run loosely here. So many people who find it's speed inadequate simply sell it at a loss which is why Facebook and Craigslist are full of them for sale cheap. They have been found wanting. Any and all of my BSA C-15 250 singles make more HP and weigh 100 lbs lighter. 2 up they can go 65-70 mph with plenty of throttle left over. I will race anybody for titles because I won't have any takers. U- Tubers sing the praises of any bike as long as they get a new bike and a gas card to make a free commercial for whatever. l would buy a pre- unit 350 before taking a UCE 350 for free.
@@frankmarkovcijr5459 here in the UK, we have lots of B roads and country lanes that don’t require huge dollops of power. Therefore combined with some awful road surfaces, the low power of these machines could be seen as a positive rather than a negative.
@@martinowl when you look at the roads in England you understand why they had 350&500 singles and 500 and 650 twins.l love my vintage British motorcycles and BMW'S and my Sportster and my URAL side car outfit. I have nothing against slow motorcycles. I am not a fan of race bikes with turn signals. In Florida I love riding the back roads in the orange 🍊🧡 groves . When blooming we have the sweetest smelling air on Earth 🌎. I have had my Sportster for 25 years and I have had my Triumph Tr-6 with a hard tail and magneto for 40 years. I love my URAL side car outfit. The few times I have to get on the freeway people slow down and video me driving the URAL side car outfit. I will go 55 MPH in the slow lane and just let people pass me. I am in no hurry to go anywhere. Ride safe.
RE should have continued production of the 350&500 pre-unit.lts much better to purchase a new one than restoring a basket case bike. Much cheaper and less aggravating as well.
@@borderlands6606 The 350&500 pre unit were more expensive to make . RE 350 & 650 are cheap engines to build. Chain driven camshaft and everything running in bare aluminum. Cheap disposable engines. When they suffer catastrophic engine failure they will be long out of warranty.
@@frankmarkovcijr5459 Royal Enfield bikes are still principally made for the home market. That market still privileges simplicity and ease of repair over other factors. Velocette and Norton used OHC engines in the 1920s. Honda have built over head cam engines since the 1950s. In what way are they disposable?
@@borderlands6606 Everything runs in bare aluminum, no brushes, no bearings, when the cam chain breaks it will destroy the engine. All of my Honda's died from the same thing. The old pre- unit was rebuidable forever ♾️.
I prefer the look of the older one. The curvy engine side case gives the engine an appearance that's typical of classic British bikes. The sweeping exhaust pipe looks more dignified too.
Thanks for the video,I understand completely regarding the 2 bikes, I have a 2007 bullet 350, and I have a hunter, love riding both but the fun bike is the bullet out of the 2 the most, but the hunter is nice reliable easy to go, especially as I live on the north edge of the Lake District,thanks again VB need to go as I need to shine my alloy casings up on the bullet
@@Volcanicbrown1878 yes,but I do remember the tappets needed doing every 800 miles. Used Chatsworth straight 40 oil in it. I remembered how I loved the feeling of riding the old 350 so I bought the 500 classic, then the Interceptor came out so I swopped foe one of those. But I missed the charm of the classic. Then when they brought out the new classic 350 in red/chrome I thought it was too beautiful not to get.
I have owned the Classic 350 reborn for the last 2 years which has run without fault for over 3,000 miles. My first Royal Enfield in 54 years of riding and in fact my first single cylinder bike ! I have to say it is also for me now the best bike I have ever owned and just love its simple charms, I appreciate it’s not the old school charm of the old bullet but for ease of use left hand gear change, disc brakes and electric start the reborn 350 just ticks all the boxes for me. Can I also say I have not touched the engine in any way as the charm of the bike is its slow pace so cannot see the point of different air filters or upgraded Kent cam etc.
Please keep these fantastic videos coming as you and TAYMs videos have some of my favourite content 😊
Thankyou Peter. I agree with all you say!
Lovely bikes both and I know what you mean about liking them but in different ways. I have a Trials Replica and I love it, so comfortable and torquey. The BM and the Guzzi are sadly neglected. Welcome back, I was disappointed when you disappeared! Looking forward to more.
I had a big dispute with UA-cam but have it sorted now, so business as usual!
If it's my only bike, I'd take the modern one every time, but as a second bike, the old one is alluring, especially since they're pretty affordable!
I think that's the best comparison I have seen, well done!
Your too kind by far!
Great video. I own classic reborn. Love it, but it would be better with a kickstart. Your bullet is fantastic. Different bikes, but what they do share is a smile to the face and a feeling of a different time when riding them. Keep up the videos
i love them both. thanks for showing them
Your welcome!
Good video Mr Brown .
The key to the Bullets popularity is the fact that India had an embargo on foreign vehicle imports for many years. The cool running engine also helped in the climate 😀.
If I had to choose between the two bikes , I'd take the old bike every time . Simpler ; if anything goes wrong , I can fix it with simple tools at the side of the road if need be .
Also , I don't like the look of that whippy chain driven oil pump on the newer bike , which seems to be a feature of all the modern REs . I don't think the new Himalayan has it as it's a completely new design .
So I might take a closer look at that bike .😊
Your cats always like to get in the picture 📸 don't they .
Yes mate, I agree on the older bike too! I know all too well about that nasty oil pump chain (read Interceptor) The cats are never far away, They know I have a tin opener!
Great video, so relaxing in this crazy world we're in 👍, never owned either of these bikes but I am drawn to the older version not only for its mechanical qualities but also the visual impact of the engine and gearbox, the trial version would be right up my street with a polished alloy tank perhaps. My 650 interceptor will have to do for the moment😁.
The inter is pretty good really, but doesn't have the charm of the singles.
I really enjoyed that. I have a pre unit 500 and I love the feel of riding it a little more than my UCE 500s. I'm really glad you're back mate 👍
Thanks!
I think the older Bullet is a bit nicer ,but I do like a kick start !,great video thanks for sharing!
Nice to see a proper comparison by someone who actually owns and enjoys both. These bikes have character which is missing from most things these days. Cheers VB!
How right you are!
I still use my old 1996 daily and its a daily delight to drive. Ya but these old once need a lot of care and attention
Go's with the territory!
G’day VB, I’m glad you’ve done a well presented comparison with the old & new 350’s, I have the identical year in the 500 bullet, same 2006 build with style/colour as your 350 but the ES 5 speed. What I like is the fact is that it still puts a huge smile on my face every time I ride it, it has so much charm & turns heads where ever it goes… it’s staying in the family now.. Cheers mate 🇦🇺
Those split seats on the newer bikes are not so comfy if you are over 6ft3.... And I miss the iron barrel torque and thump!
I think the older 350 needs more fettling there are several adjustments that can be made such as , fuel mixture , points, timing where with the reborn it does it all for you and is very good at it, ive written this only for the benefit of those new new to Royal Enfields.
Agree with your comments, both lovely bikes. I think the biggest difference is the quality of materials and build. I had a Bullet in the 90's, bits kept falling off, bolts snapped if they were over tightened to the smallest degree, and the inside of the front brake drum was like a cheese grater, I had to grind it. smooth.
Conversely my current Classic 350, had been faultless, As for aesthetics though, for my money, the Bullet has it every time. and that sound, incomparable ! ride safe
The quality has definitely got much better than it was, That's for sure!
Love the new classic , would love to own one some day ❤️🐑🇵🇭🏴
One is the real thing, the other is a collection of government regulations on 2 wheels. Which one do you think will be still running in30 years?
Both. The new 350 owes much to Honda engine design IMHO, and they go on forever.
No problem with your rambling on, lol. It’s interesting to hear your thoughts & experience of all things Royal Enfield. Both bikes have their place, with pros & cons. The good thing about the modern 350 is the range of different styles available to suit different tastes.
@@martinowl The new RE 350 is 🪨 heavy and underpowered as well as unsafe on a freeway. A Honda 350 or even a 250 Twin would leave it in the dust. In India it's transportation. Here it's a little toy of a bike to run around with on the weekends. l use the word run loosely here. So many people who find it's speed inadequate simply sell it at a loss which is why Facebook and Craigslist are full of them for sale cheap. They have been found wanting. Any and all of my BSA C-15 250 singles make more HP and weigh 100 lbs lighter. 2 up they can go 65-70 mph with plenty of throttle left over. I will race anybody for titles because I won't have any takers. U- Tubers sing the praises of any bike as long as they get a new bike and a gas card to make a free commercial for whatever. l would buy a pre- unit 350 before taking a UCE 350 for free.
@@frankmarkovcijr5459 here in the UK, we have lots of B roads and country lanes that don’t require huge dollops of power. Therefore combined with some awful road surfaces, the low power of these machines could be seen as a positive rather than a negative.
@@martinowl when you look at the roads in England you understand why they had 350&500 singles and 500 and 650 twins.l love my vintage British motorcycles and BMW'S and my Sportster and my URAL side car outfit. I have nothing against slow motorcycles. I am not a fan of race bikes with turn signals. In Florida I love riding the back roads in the orange 🍊🧡 groves . When blooming we have the sweetest smelling air on Earth 🌎. I have had my Sportster for 25 years and I have had my Triumph Tr-6 with a hard tail and magneto for 40 years. I love my URAL side car outfit. The few times I have to get on the freeway people slow down and video me driving the URAL side car outfit. I will go 55 MPH in the slow lane and just let people pass me. I am in no hurry to go anywhere. Ride safe.
RE should have continued production of the 350&500 pre-unit.lts much better to purchase a new one than restoring a basket case bike. Much cheaper and less aggravating as well.
Emissions killed them I would think. Same reason we'll probably never see a big air-cooled single again.
@@borderlands6606 The 350&500 pre unit were more expensive to make . RE 350 & 650 are cheap engines to build. Chain driven camshaft and everything running in bare aluminum. Cheap disposable engines. When they suffer catastrophic engine failure they will be long out of warranty.
@@frankmarkovcijr5459 Royal Enfield bikes are still principally made for the home market. That market still privileges simplicity and ease of repair over other factors. Velocette and Norton used OHC engines in the 1920s. Honda have built over head cam engines since the 1950s. In what way are they disposable?
@@borderlands6606 Everything runs in bare aluminum, no brushes, no bearings, when the cam chain breaks it will destroy the engine. All of my Honda's died from the same thing. The old pre- unit was rebuidable forever ♾️.
Hello VB, were those righthand gear change Bullets available over here or is that an import
@markpercy4277 They were all right hand shift up to the 5 speed arriving
I prefer the look of the older one. The curvy engine side case gives the engine an appearance that's typical of classic British bikes. The sweeping exhaust pipe looks more dignified too.
👍👍
Both beautiful. I would enjoy either one, I'm sure.
Thanks for the video,I understand completely regarding the 2 bikes, I have a 2007 bullet 350, and I have a hunter, love riding both but the fun bike is the bullet out of the 2 the most, but the hunter is nice reliable easy to go, especially as I live on the north edge of the Lake District,thanks again VB need to go as I need to shine my alloy casings up on the bullet
You have said it all!
I love the old one with the good melody throttles sound 🎉❤
mines STILL going and the way things are going the "simple" bike will "hold" their value !
Prices are creeping up on the older ones.
Good video, thanks for sharing.
Thankyou!
Owning both a 500 Bullet and a Classic 350 I can say that my sentiments echo yours entirely.
I am not alone!
old is gold 😘🙏🇳🇵
All that glitters is not gold, not all things that are gold, glitter!
2 good Bikes
2 good cats 😊
What can I say!
Is the older one the bike you changed the rear sprocket on and then it could run over 70mph all day?
@simonchilli2088 Nope! The old 350' Bullets don't have enough dobbins to pull a higher gear!
Had the iron 350 in around 1990, now as my 4th RE own the 350 reborn in chrome/red.
@morrisminor56 Do you miss the old model?
@@Volcanicbrown1878 yes,but I do remember the tappets needed doing every 800 miles. Used Chatsworth straight 40 oil in it. I remembered how I loved the feeling of riding the old 350 so I bought the 500 classic, then the Interceptor came out so I swopped foe one of those. But I missed the charm of the classic. Then when they brought out the new classic 350 in red/chrome I thought it was too beautiful not to get.
Glad you're back V.B sharing the knowledge.The Bullet 350 is a go to the shops on,drop in at mates on & alround dug dug dug dug cruiser.
Thanks! They will still eat up some miles in a day, but at their own pace!
Years ago in ripley near Guildford there was a flower shop that also sold those old style royal Enfield's
Wow! talk about diversity!!
Nice video Volcanic !
Many thanks!