I will be riding around India for 6 months and
have 2 options on bike to buy -

1) 2002 Bullet 500cc, re-built with new parts
75,000rs

2) NEW Bullet 350cc from the showroom
75,000rs

Both bikes are the same price but is it worth
buying the 2nd hand bike to get the extra 150cc
or go to the showroom and get a new 350cc?

I have heard that the 500cc helps if you are
carrying someone on the back but would like to
hear it from someone who has rode both and has
had someone on the back.

It is advisable to buy a new bike since one cannot be sure that the one which has been rebuilt has been done correctly or not.

Yes, 500 CC has advantage of better pulling capacity but then it is 2002 make. New bike would have better reliability.

It would be better if you buy RE Machismo, Electra, Thunderbird rather than STD model since they are better made, more reliable and better power (all three are 350 CC, STD is cheapest but age old technology). You may like to visit the website of RE Welcome to Royal Enfield Motorcycles | Motorcycle India and choose a bike from the options.

Hi, From my understanding, the 350cc Enfield is a much better bet if riding around India as spares are much easier to obtain than for the 500. The mechanical side I believe is the same so everyone over there can fix them, its just a matter of parts.

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Based on the advice, I'm leaning more in the direction on the 350cc -
I'm not looking to go into the north where all the mountain riding
is as I've been there, so mainly just the plains + the south.

What sort of ball park figures would you pay to get luggage carriers
fitted and do you think it is worth getting a back rest and safety
guard fitted??

I have a 350 and I think, unless you overload it, the power difference should not be an issue. I understand the difference in power is not enormous anyway and the 350 classic engine is sometimes regarded to have a nicer 'feel' than the 500.

What I would do, however, is have someone have a good look over it (or do it yourself), even a new one, to make sure its all good. A lot of enfields suffer from reliability issues at lower mileages simply becaues they haven't been bolted together properly. If you buy a new one run it in very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, slowly!

Matt

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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

so are you saying take it easy running-in then Matt ?

__________________
'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'