ENFIELD 500 BULLET ELECTRA (2004 - 2008) Review

Version: Diesel

Year: 2007

Annual servicing cost: £25

Yanmar 10hp . Very economic. MPG fantastic. Lovely sound.

Buying experience: Bought from dealer. Paid agreed price.

Version: "Military"

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £100

I've had my Bullet for about 2 years here in America, and I just adore it. Ride and maintenance-wise it sort of reminds me of old Norton 750s I've owned--though it's obviously nowhere near as fast. But if you're OK with cruising those back roads in the 50s, an old "Iron Barrel" Bullet might be for you. Frankly, in view of the low cost, I'm surprised everyone doesn't have one to thump around on nice Sunday afternoons. In fact, lots of Bullets are folks' 2nd or 3rd bikes just for pleasure riding...and they are a pleasure to ride. If you're needing something a bit quicker in more of a "daily driver" role, then you could do worse than check out Enfield's new 650 twins. They're kinda like a Triumph Bonneville for very nearly half the price, and I've yet to hear anything really bad about them.

Buying experience: Got it for a real bargain used. Weirdly, it kind of found ME.

Version: Electra X

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £30

Like riding a living thing, next best thing to an old Velocette which I can no longer afford. Adequate performance for those who obey speed limits. Up to 90 mpg. Be prepared to make a few mods. to iron out manufacturing errors. There are loads of accessories and upgrades available. Either from the UK or if you can wait a week or so, even cheaper direct from India. I have had no problem buying parts this way. Definitely recommend to anyone who loves riding for sheer pleasure and to see the countryside. If you want to roar along motorways or pretend to be a racer, forget it! Ditto if you are not prepared to ever pick up a spanner.

Buying experience: Bought s/hand £2,000

Version: Classic

Year: 2015

Bought new in June 2015. On delivery had peeling chrome and bad paint blemishes. Warranty claim rejected. At 1800 miles a rear wheel bearing collapsed and mirror stems rusting. Poor after sales.

Buying experience: Dealer, 4500.

Version: Electra (X)

Year: 2007

I own several bikes but this is the only one with a soul. If you are looking for a B road bike that is easy and fun to ride this is it. If you want to race, go to a track and race, if you want to head out in to the country on some interesting B roads get this bike. If you are comparing the Enfield Electra's performance to far more expensive and fashionable modern bikes you are missing the point.

Version: Classic Battle Green

Year: 2015

Very economical fun bike. Puts a smile on my face. Negative, it dumped a full tank of fuel on my legs and the engine/exhaust after a week of ownership. Loose jubilee clip. Spanner check it yourself before you ride. Could have been a fireball.

Buying experience: Dealer has been very poor. Had to chase them for test ride etc and still waiting for replacement cover that was damaged when the bike was new.

Fit and finish from factory or importer/dealer poor.Very economical 80-90mpg.Guarantee patchy on certain items.A load of rubbish really but i like it.Sounds good with character.Be prepared to talk to people when you turn up on one.A lot of pig iron for the money.Go and ride one.

After nearly 100 bikes I have finally rediscovered the enjoyment I experienced when I started biking nearly 40 years ago. Yes I could have bought some faster slicker or conventionally more desirable bike for the money, but would I be riding around with a silly grin on my face all the time? I doubt it. Adding a less restrictive silencer and pipe transforms the feel of the bike and it still returns unbelievably mpg. Handling is more than acceptable and spares are dirt cheap: A reliable classic bike with brakes that you don't need to book in advance.

I love singles, so this goes with my Jawa 650, which I have also reviewed. It's lighter and easier in town, but really can't handle motorway speeds. Economy is incredible at over 80 MPG. Parts are easy to get and there are tonnes of add ons to make it just the way you want. I've got the louder pipe, better mirrors and leather panniers. If you are happy ploding along at 60 mph listening to the exhaust note you'll like this. Latest Avon tyres are way over specification for this bike, so it gives huge amounts of confidence in corners. On paper the 25 bhp seems too little, but the engine is just so flexible for an every day ride to work bike it really is enough. Strengths: How it looks, narrow in traffic, electric start. loads of aluminium to polish. A bike to love and be proud of. Weaknesses: Looks dirty, really quickly. No one believes it's new. Useless rear view mirrors.