The Royal Enfield Electra—a name instantly recognizable to a generation of riders—is no longer a currently manufactured model in the Royal Enfield lineup as of 2025. It was a popular variant of the classic Bullet series, essentially offering a more refined experience with features like electric start and disc brakes during the era of the older Unit Construction Engine (UCE) and before.
However, the spirit and functional positioning of the original Royal Enfield Electra (which was the “Bullet with an electric start”) have been perfectly inherited and vastly improved upon by the current-generation Royal Enfield Bullet 350. This contemporary model is built on the modern J-Series platform, making it the true spiritual and technological successor to the Electra in late 2025.
This review will focus on the current Royal Enfield Bullet 350 (J-Platform), as it is the vehicle that best reflects the Electra’s classic aesthetic, ease of use, and competitive pricing in today’s market.
Engine Specs and Performance: The J-Platform Refinement
The current Royal Enfield Bullet 350 sheds the excessive vibrations and mechanical clatter of the older UCE/Electra engine, adopting the highly acclaimed J-Series engine platform. This engine is a masterpiece of modern-retro engineering, delivering a superior, far more refined riding experience.
- Engine Type: 349cc, Single-Cylinder, 4-stroke, Air-Oil Cooled.
- Power: $20.2 \text{ BHP} @ 6100 \text{ rpm}$
- Torque: $27 \text{ Nm} @ 4000 \text{ rpm}$
- Transmission: 5-speed Constant Mesh
- Engine Character: The key to the J-platform is its strong low-end torque, which arrives early in the rev range. This characteristic makes city riding incredibly effortless; you can pull away smoothly from slow speeds even in higher gears without needing to constantly downshift. While it still retains a pleasing, deep “thump” at idle, it is significantly smoother than the older Electra, with minimal vibrations felt at the handlebars and footpegs until speeds exceed 90 km/h. Long highway cruises are now comfortable and less fatiguing, a major upgrade over the bike’s predecessors.
Mileage Test: Efficiency Meets Tradition
The adoption of the J-Series engine and the implementation of Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) has transformed the fuel efficiency of the Bullet/Electra lineage. While the older Electra was notorious for inconsistent mileage, the 2025 Bullet 350 is tuned to be both powerful and economical.
- ARAI Claimed Mileage: While official figures vary, the platform is certified to deliver over $37 \text{ kmpl}$.
- Real-World Mileage (Expected): In typical Indian city and highway mix, riders can reliably expect the Bullet 350 to return mileage figures in the range of 35-40 kmpl.
- Efficiency Advantage: This improved efficiency, coupled with the bike’s 13-liter fuel tank, provides a substantial practical range of over 450 kilometers, making it a reliable and cost-effective daily commuter and tourer. The inclusion of a smooth 5-speed gearbox with an overdrive-like fifth gear ensures the engine stays relaxed and fuel-efficient during highway cruising.
Comfort and Ride Quality: The Comfy Classic
The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 on the J-platform has drastically enhanced its ride quality, primarily through a vastly superior chassis and suspension setup, fulfilling the comfort promise that the old Electra aimed for.
- Chassis: The bike uses a Twin Downtube Spine Frame, a much stiffer and more modern chassis shared with the Classic 350. This change provides exceptional straight-line stability and predictability when cornering, eliminating the unsettling wobble common in the older bikes.
- Suspension: It features robust 41mm telescopic front forks and twin tube emulsion shock absorbers at the rear with 6-step adjustable preload. This setup is perfectly calibrated to absorb the impact of uneven roads, potholes, and bumps, delivering a plush, comfortable ride for both the rider and pillion—a genuine highlight for Indian road conditions.
- Ergonomics: The seating position is upright and relaxed, with the handlebars and footpegs positioned comfortably for long hours in the saddle. The seat itself is wide, well-padded, and features a subtle contouring that is significantly more supportive than the flat bench seats of the previous generation.
Features and Safety: Modern Essentials
While maintaining its vintage look, the 2025 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 integrates necessary modern features for safety and practicality:
- Braking and Safety: The higher variants feature a 300mm front disc and a 270mm rear disc with Dual-Channel ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), providing assured stopping power and a crucial safety net lacking in the older Electra. Lower variants offer Single-Channel ABS with a rear drum brake.
- Instrumentation: The classic speedometer is retained, but it is smartly integrated with a small, semi-digital display (similar to the Electra’s final variants) that provides essential information such as a fuel gauge, trip meters, and an Eco indicator.
- Convenience: Electric start is standard, and modern convenience is addressed with a discreet USB charging port located near the handlebar, allowing riders to charge navigation devices or phones on the go.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Refined J-Platform Engine: Significantly smoother, more powerful, and more reliable than the older UCE engine. | High Kerb Weight: At 195 kg, it is still a heavy motorcycle, which can make maneuvering in tight parking spots challenging. |
| Superior Comfort: Excellent suspension and ergonomic setup handle bad Indian roads with ease. | No LED Lighting: Continues to use halogen lighting for the headlight, which looks classic but is functionally inferior to modern LEDs. |
| Classic Styling & Heritage: Maintains the iconic look, sound, and feel that defines the Royal Enfield legacy. | Basic Features: Lacks advanced connectivity features (like the Tripper Navigation) found on the Classic 350. |
| Dual-Channel ABS Option: Available on higher variants, providing crucial modern braking safety. | Tube Tyres: Lower variants still come with tube-type tyres, increasing puncture repair complexity. |
Price in India (Late 2025)
The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is positioned as the most accessible 350cc model from Royal Enfield, inheriting the budget-friendly approach of the old Electra. Prices vary based on the choice of braking (Single-Channel ABS with Drum vs. Dual-Channel ABS with Disc).
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The estimated Ex-Showroom Price in New Delhi for the different variants is:
| Variant | Braking/ABS | Estimated Ex-Showroom Price |
| Bullet 350 (Base) | Single-Channel ABS, Rear Drum | ₹ 1,60,000 – ₹ 1,65,000 |
| Bullet 350 (Mid) | Single-Channel ABS, Rear Disc | ₹ 1,75,000 – ₹ 1,80,000 |
| Bullet 350 (Top/Black Gold) | Dual-Channel ABS, Rear Disc | ₹ 2,00,000 – ₹ 2,05,000 |
The estimated On-Road Price in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) for the mid-variant would be approximately ₹ 1,95,000 to ₹ 2,10,000, including RTO, insurance, and taxes.
Final Verdict: The Electra Spirit Reborn
While the name Royal Enfield Electra has been retired, its spirit lives on powerfully in the current-generation Royal Enfield Bullet 350. This bike successfully blends the authentic vintage aesthetic and legendary ‘thump’ that made the Electra famous with the modern reliability, comfort, and efficiency of the J-Series engine. It is the perfect choice for riders who seek the pure, classic Royal Enfield experience without the maintenance woes and bone-jarring vibrations of the past. It is the most honest and functional classic cruiser available at this price point in 2025.
