The last time I rode an Enfield Bullet was in Goa, where you can rent one for not much more than a couple of quid a day and use it to explore the sundrenched potholed roads of Western India. If it holds together for long enough, that is. For while the Bullet is seen as luxury executive transport in the third world, by our standards the Indian bikes are out dated, old fashioned, poorly made and slow.

 

Back in the fifties the Enfield Cycle Company of Redditch helped set up a factory in Madras to make Bullet motorcycles for the Indian sub-continent. When the British industry fell on hard times Royal Enfield went to the wall, struggling along until 1970 before finally locking the factory gates for good. The Madras factory was unaffected by the decline of it's British parent, and in the late 80's a group of enterprising businessmen began to re-import Bullets back into the UK, though early bikes suffered from poor build quality and reliability wasn't all it could have been.

I owned a UK import 350 Bullet which I bought brand new in '92. My intention was to use it as a daily commuter, but it proved unequal to the task and used to break down so regularly I knew all the local RAC men on first name terms. Head gaskets blew, rocker arms snapped, points fell to bits and gearbox bearings failed. On top of all this it wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding and it rusted so fast I couldn't keep up. Eventually, when it started wet sumping and smoking like a diesel after only 4000 miles I swapped it for a 1600 Ford Capri, a far superior vehicle in every respect. I was glad to see the back of the Bullet.

 

So have things changed? New UK importers Watsonian have spent a lot of time, and not a small amount of cash, working with the factory in Madras to improve things. The factory has also been bought out by a German owned concern who are said to be investing heavily in new plant and machinery, so I was interested to get my hands on the latest Bullet 500 Clubman GT for a few days. And despite some reservations I have to admit to still feeling a certain attraction for the charm of this bike, effectively a brand new 1955 spec British classic bike.

The Bullet comes with a choice of 350 or 500cc engines. This is the 500 option, and it's single cylinder pushrod engine develops a modest 22 BHP, propelling the bike up to a claimed maximum speed of 75 MPH. Hardly a Bandit beater, but that's not what the Royal Enfield experience is all about. You get a low-revving, torquey motor, a right foot gearchange, four speed box and kickstarter. Utterly authentic and quite charming when it works.

 

The frame and cycle parts are quite authentic too, the large, narrow 19" wheels and slow steering geometry contribute to the bikes vintage feel on the road. Drum brakes front and rear provide adequate stopping power and the compact riding position is comfortable and secure. Period styling touches include the cast headlamp nacelle with its charming twin sidelights to those classic shaped tool boxes big enough to carry waterproofs, a flask and sarnies.

 

Period design quirks are also present; the Enfields ground breaking rear cush drive design effectively means the rear brake is rubber mounted to the wheel, which can feel slightly disconcerting on hill starts. The twin leading shoe front brake becomes a twin trailing shoe if you're going backwards, which means the front brake can¹t be relied on to hold the bike when facing uphill. Never too much of a problem, but it could catch out the unwary.

The lovely hand polished 4 1/2 gallon tank on our test bike is made in the UK and evokes the cafe racers of the fifties and sixties. Electrics are 12 volt and modern winkers and lights provide safety in modern traffic without spoiling the classic lines. Watsonian have gone to a great deal of trouble to tailor the bike for the UK market, and this Clubman GT has received development work from none other than the legendary Norman Hyde. All Bullets now come with a 12 month warranty and full spares back up. An electric starter is now available as an option on the 500.

 

Buy a Bullet and you're getting an authentic retro experience, a hand made bike that's almost identical to the bike your grandad might have bought new in 1955. So how does it rate?

Marks out of ten:

Performance:
Four. These bikes aren¹t fast. If you¹re riding the 350 version be prepared to be overtaken by Citroen 2CVs and more enterprising Honda 90 riders. The 500 is pokier, and more able to keep pace with modern traffic. What power there is is delivered so sweetly that the bike invokes huge grins from the rider, and you'll notice the sights, sounds and smells of the countryside as you plod through it. Which many would say is the essence of classic biking. Brakes and cycle parts are adequate and the bike feels solid and dependable. Don't hurry the Bullet and it should give you mile after mile of enjoyment.

Comfort:
Six. The Bullet I rode in Goa was so bloody uncomfortable we resorted to sitting on top of folded towels to stop the razor sharp seat edges slicing into our arses. This UK prepared test bike is light years better. The UK made seat is properly made and well padded even if it looks a little strange, though it's still a little cramped for two up work. With Roadster, Cafe Racer and Trials versions of the Bullet available there's a riding position for everyone.

Build Quality:
Seven. Modern Bullets do seem to be improved over early imports and much final assembly now takes place in the UK. The Madras factory now uses updated tooling and machinery. It's worth remembering, though, that these bikes are made in the third world and some standards of finish may not quite be what you'd expect from a Japanese bike. However most owners will want to lavish the attention on their Bullets that will keep it looking smart. This is a bike that will reward TLC from it's owner, but could soon look shabby if neglected. You'll need to get the spanners out and maintain it yourself too.

Value For Money:
Eight. With prices from only £2485 for the basic 350 Bullet, ranging to a shade under four grand for this top-of-the-range 500 Clubman GT, it's hard to see how the Bullet can be anything other than a bargain. The Bullet appeals to a niche market which keeps depreciation low on well cared for machines.

Street Cred:
Ninet. In a world of Retros the Bullet is quite definitely the real thing. Have endless conversations outside the supermarket with old blokes who used to ride one just like it. Entertain crowds of curious schoolboys with the starting technique. Retros don't come more real than this.

Dr.Rod.