You can always tell when there’s a Bullet nearby. That distinct thump, reverberating off the mountains is a clear sign that any minute now a Bullet will come into view.
Developed in the Stone Age, the Bullet still produced in India by the bucket loads. Still looking like it did when Moses walked the earth. Rudimentary and utilitarian, the best thing about the Bullet is its robustness and the fact that it just works. The Bullet is so popular that at any one time anywhere in India ther’s bound to be an Enfield Bullet nearby.
There is plenty to fault. Rear drum brakes and a rear brake pedal that snags the rocks and pebbles when you’re on the mountains. The dash is basic and functional – but you rarely look at it anyways so you can forgive that.
Its weighs, but the weight is low down, and fortunately doesn’t affect the handling. But being lower to the ground also means the sump is dangling out there, scrapping the stones and you shudder to think if a large rock …
It has gone through some evolutions over the years. The Electra came around – with an electric starter it meant the kick starter became an accessory. Still useful if you’re out of juice, but the electric starter button became de rigueur. Perhaps the best is the capacity increase to 500cc. The previous 350cc itineration was too anemic, though it could do with more power and more torque, the 500cc is miles better.
That engine with that soulful (or so some say) single cylinder thump has been the soundtrack to the mountains for the longest time. It’s practically bullet-proof. It’s a simple engine – single cylinder, and if it should break down, every mechanic in every village all over the Himalayas will get it running again. The Bullet is so familiar that’s never an issue getting the bike sorted should you have a mishap or issue.
The Himalayas have been the spiritual home of the Bullet. For the longest time they were the only motorcycles hardy (or perhaps foolish) and tough enough to tame those mountains. There is also a somewhat of a romantic notion – the rider on and Enfield Bullet, hitting the mountains head on. And perhaps to some extent that’s true. With your luggage strapped down and a full tank of gas, and the open Himalayas in front of you – the Enfield Bullet will take you to some amazing places.
Never mind it’s probably not the right bike. Never mind the fact that Royal Enfield has introduced a purposeful adventure tourer (the Himalayan), the Bullet 500 has been the go to bike, the Enfield Bullet is the bike everyone looks at for trips. With the wider proliferation of different makes and machine, the Enfield Bullet is holding its own. None of the new bikes can match what the Enfield Bullet offers.
The Manali Leh road is choked during the high season with a variety of bikes, but the majority of them will be Bullet 500s.
Mototreks 