Bullet - Saurabh Pal

My Standard Bullet 350 isn't just a machine; he's the keeper of my memories, the confidant of my solitary thoughts, and the steed that has carried me through the most beautiful landscapes this country has to offer. This is a story of an iron horse that came into my family in 2017, with 9,000 kilometres on its odometer, purchased second-hand by my father. Today, as I glance down at the instrument cluster, the numbers read a little over 50,000 kilometres. Each digit represents not just distance, but moments, some fleeting, some eternal, all cherished.

Beginning

I still remember the day my father brought it home on a humid afternoon in 2017, and I was just a wide-eyed teenager. The Standard Bullet 350 (BS3 version) stood in our driveway like a black hawk with shinny gleam and rhythmic thump. He found it through a mutual friend who was upgrading to a newer model. The price was right, the condition was impeccable, and the odometer suggested it had plenty of life left in it. Little did we know that this motorcycle would become an integral part of our family.

The BS3 version holds a special place in the hearts of Enfield enthusiasts. It came from that sweet spot in Royal Enfield's history-before the emission norms got stricter, before complex electronics were introduced, when the motorcycle was still raw, unadulterated, and pure. Deep thumps and unforgiving vibrations gave it a pronounced character. It produces modest power and torque by today's standard; however, the long-stroke engine still finds a way to slap a smile on my face.

Early Days

Initial months were a period of discovery. Father rode it daily to work, gradually putting kms on it. On weekends, I would beg him to let me take it around the block. The first time I sat on it, I felt intimidated and it was no lightweight. It was heavy enough to motivate to join the gym. The seat height, the weight distribution, the sheer presence-everything commanded respect. Shifting through the gears, I learned that it demanded patience. You couldn't rush it. You couldn't treat it like a modern sports bike. It has a rhythm, you must surrender to. The left-side gear shift, the neutral finder, the awkwardly placed brake pedal-everything required adaptation.

But oh, the rewards! When you found that sweet spot, when the engine settled into its characteristic thump-thump-thump, when the wind started rushing past you, when you felt Bullet.

Mine

Starting 2019, it was sitting idle more often than not. I had just finished college and gotten my first real job. Timing was perfect! My father shifted to an Ola scooter for convenience and I embrace tradition over technology.

My brother began spending weekends on it, getting to know every nut and bolt and it is surprisingly simple to work on. I also learned to adjust the tappets, clean the air filter, change the oil, and replace the spark plugs. Each maintenance session deepened my connection with the machine. The BS3 engine, with its carburettor and minimal electronics, offered a learning experience that modern motorcycles simply can't provide. I could diagnose problems by sound, feel, and smell.

50,000 and Counting

Today, the odometer reads a little over 50,000 kilometres, a testament to its reliability. When people ask me about maintenance costs, I smile. It has been a money pit.

Regular service jobs every ~6months are almost always accompanied by a part replacement or major work namely, rear sprocket replacement, chassis alignment, spoke alignment, at least 3 parts replacements, etc. The service has always been north of Rs. 5000. However, the engine has never been opened, which speaks volumes about Royal Enfield's build quality from that era.

It came with the UCE (Unit Construction Engine), which was a significant improvement over the older iron barrel engines. While some purists argue that the iron barrel had more character, the UCE offered better reliability, reduced oil leaks, and easier starting, especially useful when you're stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery, which I have experienced more than once.

The Travelogue: Journeys That Shaped Me

The true beauty lies not in its specifications. Over the years, it has carried me through some of the most breath-taking landscapes imaginable. Here are a few trips that stand out:

The Western Ghats: A Monsoon Romance

There is something magical about riding the Bullet through the Western Ghats during the monsoon season. Rain-soaked roads, misty hills, cascading waterfalls, all seems to come alive. The Bullet, with its thumping engine and sturdy build, feels good, like a hot cup of chai.

I remember one particular ride to Aadoshi Range of Waterfalls. The winding roads demanded precision and patience. The Bullet felt planted, and the wheels soaked up the road imperfections with ease. Though, rain was relentless and at some point, visibility dropped to near zero, but the Bullet didn't falter. Its headlight, modest by modern standards, cut through the rain with surprising effectiveness. Its tyres gripped the wet roads with confidence. And the thump, rhythmic & reassuring, kept me company through the storm. Built, not for speed but for moments like these.

Days in Himanchal

In 2022, I decided it was time to take the Bullet for a long ride to Spiti valley.

The preparation was meagre, I and a friend of mine strapped our bikes with minimal load and started on our expedition. Its 12-liter fuel tank was adequate for the stretches, but I forgot to get gloves, which were bought on the way.

The ride to Manali was straightforward and lovely. We started from Dehradun in the dim light of dawn, and were greeted by a bright sunny day. The roads were winding, cool breeze on the face, however, the altitude tested both machine and rider. With its carburetted engine, it struggled at high altitudes, but never gave up. From Dehradun to Manali and then past it via Atal tunnel to Spiti valley was a breath taking and lovely ride that left me inspired and awed. Moreover, I was amazed at the stubbornness of my bike; It wasn't the smoothest, fastest, most comfortable or even desirable for the terrain, yet it trotted onwards. It didn't complain but kept going.

The Community: Brotherhood of the Thump

One of the most beautiful aspects of Bullet ownership is the community. You could be stranded in the middle of nowhere, and any Enfield rider who passes by will stop to help.

I've made friends because of this motorcycle, who saw me riding along the way, who were part of riding clubs, who were helpful and shared the passion for this piece of metal. It attracts like-minded souls. People who understand the joy of a long ride, the satisfaction of a well-maintained machine, and the value of experiences over possessions.

What Makes It Special

It is not the fastest, most powerful, or most technologically advanced motorcycle. If I may say it is a road hazard, with its old drum brakes, dim headlight, leg crushing weight, lack of any technological assistance and quick acceleration. Even if you twist the throttle, the slow acceleration keeps you planted, or as they say online drop a gear, and stay there. But it has character, a particular charm inexplainable by words. The engine vibrations, the precise sound of the exhaust note, the way it felt alive in your hands.

The drum brakes at the rear and front provide adequate stopping power. I call them outdated, but I've found them more than sufficient for the intended purpose and a few rides out of city. The chassis, with its 35mm forks at the front and twin shock absorbers at the rear, handles the weight aptly. The suspension is supple enough to absorb road imperfections but firm enough for rides below 60kmph.

Simplicity is its best virtue with no FI, TC, LC, and other abbreviations I don't care about. It has an engine, a frame, and 2 tyres. Accelerator wire is broken? Just increase the carburettor and pull it manually. Brakes not working? Tighten the nut. No fancy screen or display, no trip settings or fuel gauge, no RPM meter, not clutter. If it is raining for a week and there is water logging, or it is freezing outside, I know for a fact it will start, with some effort, and reach its destination.

More Than a Motorcycle

As I write this, I realize that this motorcycle has given me more than I could ever have imagined.

**patience: ** the patience to understand a machine, to maintain it, to treat it with respect.
**independence: ** the independence to travel alone, to solve problems on the road.
**simplicity: ** in a world obsessed with speed, power, and technology, the Bullet reminds me that sometimes, the simple things are the most beautiful.

Looking Ahead

The odometer now reads ~50k kms, and the journey is far from over. I plan to keep the Bullet for as long as it runs. The next few years will bring more rides, more adventures, and more memories. The motorcycle will undergo maintenance, parts will be replaced but the essence of this magnificent machine will remain unchanged.

It is more than a motorcycle. It is a reminder of what happens when passion meets engineering, and of older times, when things were built to last.

An Ode to the Iron

The road stretches ahead, endless and inviting. The engine fires up with that familiar thump, the vibrations travel up through the handlebars, through the seat, into my hands giving aches and satisfaction to my soul.

The distance behind me represent discovery. Discovery of landscapes, of people, of myself. The time ahead represent possibility of new roads, new adventures, new stories waiting to be written.

Some people hoard things. I collect experiences.