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250 miles on a fuel-injected Bullet

The Royal Enfield Bullet has been in continuous production for over half a century, but tough European emissions controls finally called time on the original British designed engine. So the Indian factory developed a brand new 500cc engine, with unit construction (the original motor had a separate gearbox), electronic fuel injection and a catalytic converter in the exhaust. Cleaner it may be, but does it deliver an authentic 'British single' experience?

Having ridden 250 miles in wind, rain and sun, over a variety of roads from moss covered tracks to motorways, I can confirm that the 2009 Bullet Electra EFI feels like a classic British bike and, perhaps just as significantly, sounds like one too. Perhaps this shouldn't be surprising, but when so many modern bikes seem to have had their souls suppressed by manufacturers desperate to comply with environmental controls, the Electra EFI stands out from the crowd. Royal Enfield have achieved this by retaining the original bore of 84mm and stroke of 90mm and pushrod operated overhead valves.

However, there are some significant differences to the original model in terms of performance, because the new unit revs more freely, allowing the rider to motor along A-roads at 60mph in fourth, using the top fifth gear as an overdrive. This in turn makes overtaking easier, as the Electra EFI is less inclined to run out of puff. On the motorway it is feasible to cruise at 70mph, although there isn't much left in reserve, but it was possible to make progress in the middle lane without holding up traffic or feeling intimidated.

Fuel consumption? I haven't calculated the figures yet but as soon as I have I'll add them to the blog. Ever since the Eicher engineering group took over the Royal Enfield factory in 1996 they have ensured that the Bullet steadily evolved - electric start, then 5-speed gearbox, followed by a lean burn alloy cylinder, disc brake and now unit construction and fuel injection. The result is a very traditional bike that is surprisngly easy to live with on modern roads.

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