The Bullet in city streets

Usually, bigger displacement motorcycles means more speed, more power and big frame to accommodate all of that metal muscles. Normally big-bike enthusiasts ride theirs only on a weekend for out of town long ride and those bikes were meant to be on the long rode. Not too many ride it on a day-to-day basis especially with the potholed riddled and chaotic traffic of Metro Manila and for economical reason. Very few came to the classification of being “Standard” street bike.

One of the new but classic styled models is the Royal Enfield Classic Bullet 500 distributed by Hardcore Brothers Custom Motorcycles Inc., which has been in the market for less than a year now, and a lot has been said and written about the “Bullet” and already won an award for the category of being a “Standard” motorcycle. Under this category is distinguished from the others as a bike with a comfortable riding position, over-all decent performance, form and features plus the Bullet has “character.”

Recently, I had the chance to ride it and find out the “Standard” in it but skip the usual outof-town sortie so as to know how the Bullet would do being a day-to-day commuter in and around Metro Manila which is unusual since the bike is better on an out-of-town long ride as friends reminded me but told them that I’d like to categorize its “Standard” on city riding level.

Comfortable riding position

Riding in traffic-infested streets of Manila is stressful even with an underbone. With my built I guess the Bullet is a little stress free for a motorcycle its size. With its handling due to its sturdiness you won’t feel the weight of the bike even in traffic and with its coil-spring and fully padded seat which gives you extra cushion you ride comfortably even in bumpy roads. It’s easy to maneuver and you can still squeeze it to traffic when the space permits.

Over-all decent performance

The Bullet, which is powered by a 500cc 4-stroke engine with single piston that will give you the needed acceleration with ease coming from a stop especially with so many traffic lights the major thoroughfares had and with its 280mm front disc brake and a rear 153mm drum brake gives you essential breaking power and its electronically fuel-injected for better fuel economy that gives you smooth and steady ride. You can cruise with it at 7080kph or do 90 to 100kph without loosing power even in fourth gear that is with a free flowing traffic, which I had difficulty finding in the afternoon rush hour.

Form and features

The style of the Bullet remains since it was first introduce in the 1900s but of course with some additions especially into the instrument panel, breaking system and with the EFI technology as the years go by, the features haven’t really change a century after and it still has a bullet proof chassis. With its World War II look it still illicit stares on the streets and every time I stopped in a red signal fellow riders will ask what kind of a motorcycle it is and how old.

The “character” that won the award for the Bullet really came from the judge’s eyes and to the individual who already had the chance to ride it. The Bullet which lives to its tag “Made like a gun, goes like a bullet” really has something to offer when it comes to being a commuter, it’s not only for long rides.

For me its style, form and features are vintage but the ride is classic.