1999 Royal Enfield Bullet Deluxe

Summary:

This bike, in my opinion, is substandard

Faults:

My bike was left to me by my Father, who died right after buying it. I had a VERY hard time registering and insuring the bike. No-one had ever heard of one.

The bike leaked oil from day one. Never could fix that.

Bike never would keep a charge in the battery. Never could fix that.

Bike broke a valve spring at about 1000 miles. Ordered one and received a set for both. Cool. Installed easily in less than one hour.

Bike almost immediately broke the clutch cable. Same deal, ordered one and simple install.

Bike started missing the 1-2 up-shift every time. Adjusted shift ratchet, no parts required.

3800 Miles engine went bang. Broken crankshaft destroyed both engine cases. End of story.

Cost to repair will be more than another bike.

General Comments:

Bike was fun to ride for sure, girls loved it and got almost 80 mpg. Stock unmodified engine would only go about 65, comfy at 45. Definitely stay in town bike. Was pretty labor-intensive to keep running, and blew up way too soon for any new bike. Even a Harley will last longer than that. I will go back to Honda for sure.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th October, 2009

1999 Royal Enfield Bullet Deluxe

Summary:

Best motorcycle ever, a religious experience

Faults:

Clutch cable at 4000 miles.

Wheel bearing at 9000 miles.

Fender stay crack at 9000 miles.

Seat cover crack at 3000 miles.

Tires at 11000 miles.

Electrical short in steering head at 11000 miles.

Muffler support weld crack at 11000 miles.

Chain replaced at 11000 miles,

General Comments:

Great fun to ride, gets attention, has a soul.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th March, 2009

1999 Royal Enfield Bullet Deluxe

Summary:

Made like a gun, goes like a bullet

Faults:

Brake cable broke at 1590 miles.

Clutch cable broke twice, 4000 miles, and 7500 miles.

Numerous bolts vibrated loose, 500-2000 miles.

Burned points at 4000 miles and 7500 miles.

Fork seal leak at 500 miles.

Seat cover deteriorated at 2000 miles, replacement cover seems much better quality.

Battery cable shorted to ground at 6000 miles, no fuse to break the circuit.

Trafficator flasher stopped functioning at 4000 miles.

General Comments:

Great fun to ride.

Very flick-able, nimble, maneuverable.

Low horsepower, but massive stump pulling torque.

Vibration causes nuts to loosen. Thread locker is a must.

Parts availability is very good.

Importer is very responsive.

Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th September, 2006

11th Oct 2006, 16:11

You must really like to work on bikes huh? All of those things going wrong so early and you're happy with the bike still.

Not to mention the absolute terrible (and at times borderline dangerous) lack of power that has many wondering why bullet is a fitting name.

4th Aug 2008, 01:44

Um the bullet name was coined like half a century ago.

How many 100hp bikes were around then...

22nd Jun 2009, 00:33

Right, and like the name the bike has all of the features of a 1950's bike, including a lack of reliability, ridiculous amount of maintenance/repair, but of course all available to you at a modern day inflated price.

Just look at all of the things that has gone wrong with the reviewer's bike. AND he's happy with it as already pointed out. As mentioned, this is for people that like to work on bikes. If you like to ride bikes, there are far better options.

13th Jul 2009, 22:25

If you like to ride bikes to the exclusion of working on them, you're only half a motorcyclist.

10th Jul 2010, 17:56

"Um the bullet name was coined like half a century ago.

How many 100hp bikes were around then..."

A. It's not a 100hp bike

B. There was much faster back then

C. It's called a bullet because it was developed in a country where 50cc and under was the norm.

D. Exporting the bike the to the west and retaining the name makes it laughable.