It was a dream come true to own a classic 350. It all started when my big brother gave a chance to be his pillion way back in 1973 on his CI standard bullet. He touched 100 Kmph and slipped it into neutral. It cruised for about one and half km like a dream. I was hooked to it and somewhere in my heart a desire to own a bullet one day was planted . The throbbing power the vehicle delivers with finesse was something awe inspiring. Used to drool over shining knight in steel armour so to say. The famous saying Once you ride a bullet, you are fucked for life was not known to me but thats what happened for me too.
It took almost 40 years for me to finally own a bullet. In Classic 350 UCE avatar. Before that, had run with Jawa, Rajdoot, Vicky, Lambretta, Vijay Super. When came to owning a first bike it was interestingly, an Enfield Mini Bullet 200 CC. It is a great bike and served ( ing ) still 35 years over and going strong).
Well, Classic 350 selection was a big task, as there are too many combos, std, thunderbird, 500 and again 3 varients to add confusion. Teknik Motors Indiranagar, Bangalore was the dealer who could go many extra miles to give me test rides, experience rides on all the models and help me take a decission. Mr. Mathew the Manager was always smiling with a twinkle of mischief and ever so helpful in letting me take decission. The best advise he gave for all my modification doubts, was,, Sir, just buy the stock vehicle, ride it for at least 5000 kms and then decide what really you need that factory offering does not give you. It was great advice. 18000 kms over, and I am in love with factory offered ergonomics, cylencer, etc. Only rare view mirrors I have changed to bar end ones.
Performance wise, the bike is outstanding and runs like a dream. Its a gentle man of a bike and never lets you down. whether it is slow 20s are fast 120. Its a bike that you can count on. Vibes is something RE is overly blamed for. I can tell you guys, there is no bike without vibes at one or other RPM Band. Vibes are very useful language with which an automobile talks to you about its health, eagerness and strain. Its upto us to understand and correct the thing. I am with Royal Gun Oil, as recommended by the company and find no great shake of vibes to worry about.
Give and take, its the best alrounder bike that we can own and use without worrying about maintenance and spares. I have done 2200 km round trip of Bangalore,-Madurai-Kanyakumari-Rameswaram-Kumbakonam-Tanjavur-Srirangam-Bengalore with my wife as pillion. I am 59 and my wife is 57 and we just enjoyed the trip. No maintenance issues, No loose bolts, No falling of parts etc . The vehicle has performed like a mercedez benz. I got about 45 KMPL overall trip. My average speeds were as per the road rules strictly and I found it a breeze. If we can be responsible drivers with speed limits and safety in mind, then RE Classic 350 is a perfect gentleman bike with oodles of charecter, power and oomph too.
Happy biking for many miles with smiles
subu