"ATOM" Real Steel Royal Enfield Classic 350 Ownership Review


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]The search for a bike began once I bid adios to Bajaj Avenger 220 Dtsi 2012. The thing I liked about this bike was the relaxed seating position. I missed it badly once it was gone. However I wanted something for me as well as my Dad, so I was searching for a old classic so that my dad feels good. We had a yezdi roadking 1996 electronic when I was in my 10th, this was the bike in which I had my first 2 wheeler experience. So-many memories it had however it had been scraped due to incoming of new bikes like Hero Honda back in the days for a mere 1500/- ( wish I had preserved it till date). So the first thing that came to my mind was to purchase a fully restored Yezdi, searched for long months, the prices were sky high one person even quoted 1,10,000 for a fully restored bike. So yezdi was dropped not because we didn’t like it the guy had restored it with full attention to detail, however the mind said No, heart said go for it don’t look at the price. Also came in contact with a person who had a single owner yezdi which wasn’t restored was lying there in his garage it was a 1997 yezdi jawa roadking electronic almost finalized it for 30k when dad said he doesn’t need a yezdi. So the entire search operation went down the drain. So what next, a bike was very much required.
Next in line was the Bullet. So took test drives of RE’s and I liked thunderbird Stone Dad liked classic 350. However a family meeting was held and it was decided that it would be TB 500. I wanted matt black so we went for TB 500 Stone. We paid the advance amount of 5000 and the wait started. The showroom people had informed us that it would take at least 3 months for the delivery to happen.
A month passed by and one Sunday while I was pampering my Sierra with a coat of polish a friend of mine came visiting on his 2012 Classic 350. We are chit chatting and in between he said that he was looking to sell his Classic 350 as he wasn’t riding much which was justified by the ODO reading of 16k in 3 years. I just took it for a casual ride and found the condition of the engine to be good however there were a lot of scratches on the body which he said was due to lack of parking. I asked my Dad to go for a spin and he instantly fell in love with it. The happiness on his face was very much evident so finalized on purchasing a used Classic 350 and cancelled the booking for TB 500 with a heavy heart. However the search started as a bike for both so wanted it to stay like that. Finally came home the RE Classic 350 2012.
The Entry of ATOM ( yeah named it ATOM) as in the movie real steel I somehow like to think machines are a life form call me crazy [:D]

Bike Purchase Value: 80,000 INR
WB RC Silencer: 3800 INR
Saddle Bag a Pair: 2500 INR
Single Coat Paint for Petrol Tank: 800 INR ( with Rubbing and polishing of entire Bike)
New Exide Battery: 3300 INR
This was the initial amount that was spent on the bike.
From then on Dad takes it out every morning while he goes for a walk to a park with his friends and the rest of the day its with me. I have taken it on many long rides and never had any problems except the seating position.
Since the bike has come into our possession it has run around 6k kms the reading is now 22k. In this 6000 odd kms of ownership, one thing I Hate about RE’s is the seating position.
A list of CONS
1. Seating Position
2. False Neutral at times ( This is something one gets used to its not actually a con )
3. Headlight not being adequate
4. Build Quality
5. Fish tailing while braking
6. Spark plug issues in Rainy season
A List of Positives
1. The pride you get once you are riding it
2. The Thump it’s just magical
3. Wonderful for long rides ( Driving experience not the seating)
4. The front disc brakes are reliable.

A few Pics i had clicked

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Re: "ATOM" Real Steel RE Classic 350 Preowned Ownership Review

Great !!!This is a long pending ownership review!!!
I would like to know more about that saddle bags How is it keeping up with the rain,dust and heat.
 
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Re: "ATOM" Real Steel RE Classic 350 Preowned Ownership Review

removed it buddy didnt want them spoiled. so have taken them off and kept it in cotton covered cloth after polishing as its pure leather. yes indeed it was a long pending ownership which i wanted to post. hope you guys like it.
 
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Re: "ATOM" Real Steel RE Classic 350 Preowned Ownership Review

after 6k kms i felt the need for a broader Tyre to avoid fishtailing. so have planned a few modifications for atom so that he can run without hiccups and without the fear of falling in the rain. got to know that with the stock set up will not be able to go for broader Tyre. hence the need to change the swing arm. so was in the market searching for all the parts required. found most of them. and few of them i have ordered and waiting for delivery. meanwhile Atom is in the hospital undergoing cosmetic surgery.
List of Things to be changed
1. Alloys front and rear ( with Broader Rear alloy 17") cost 11500 INR as rear one has to be custom made.
2. Front gear and Break shifting assembly as in choppers. entire assembly with foot rest 6800 INR
3. Rear broad Tyre with 150/70/R17 Pirelli cost 9500INR
4. Swing Arm broader one to accommodate the said Tyre 1400 INR
5. Rear Mudguard to accommodate the broader Tyre. 1500 INR
6. Mudguard Support Frame 500 INR
7.Seats custom made as in Harley with low seating for better seating position as well as grip. had heard that if the seating is low the grip or stability will be more ( Something to do with center of gravity) cost 2500 INR ( Including the rear seat)
8. Handle bar to suit the seating ( anywhere between 600-1500 INR)
9. Fuel Meter.

These are the mods planned in the rainy season as i wouldn't be riding it much this rainy season.
 
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Re: "ATOM" Real Steel RE Classic 350 Preowned Ownership Review

The Last pic is how the bike looks as on date with a few more modifications left. like the rear mudguard tail light and rear indicators. as well as shaping up the front mudguard to get the chopper look also the seats are to fitted with low seating. not to forget the handle bars are also something which haven't been fitted yet. the rear tail light and the handle bar and the indicators are ordered. waiting for the delivery of the items. No modification have been done to the chasis as this is a stage1 modification only.
 
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Re: "ATOM" Real Steel RE Classic 350 Preowned Ownership Review

1. Alloys front and rear ( with Broader Rear alloy 17") cost 11500 INR as rear one has to be custom made.

Wonderful[clap], if I go with regular tyres, how much it will cost me and please also let me know from where we can procure.

Thanks,
Alok
 
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Yeah genralmax is right that's the cost variation on eBay also as I said on another thread you can get it from Mumbai. However prefer a local shop as it doesn't include damage while transporting. Also if you have complaints you can anytime go back to him. So the price you have quoted for the alloys on the other thread is justifiable cost so would suggest it to buy from Bangalore itself.
 
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Yeah genralmax is right that's the cost variation on eBay also as I said on another thread you can get it from Mumbai. However prefer a local shop as it doesn't include damage while transporting. Also if you have complaints you can anytime go back to him. So the price you have quoted for the alloys on the other thread is justifiable cost so would suggest it to buy from Bangalore itself.
Bingo, this should be purchased from local shop and get it fitted there only. No hassle of payment, courier issue. If seller is branded seller then no harm going online but from OLX and Ebay, I do not feel safe.

Also in local shop , you can also get some refund on your spoke wheels.
 
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absolutely right ZMR. its always good to deal in person for such kinda spares. do not let go of your spoke wheels. can be used in emergency purposes like. if there is a bend later on due to some mishap you will have your wheels to get back to. you dont have to stop riding till they are repaired. that's just a friendly suggestion.
 
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sethuji the new tank comes with the option where in you can add a float. as well as for the meter you can shift the key position under the petrol tank and can place the fuel meter in its place. i have a pic which shows the backside of the tank as well as a pic which shows the fuel meter fixed. also i believe on our forum. there was a thread where it was explained in detail on how to fix a fuel meter. ill try and get the details of the thread i had read it long time back. Mr Sam Dinkar would be in a better position to explain about it than I am. hope the pics help in understanding the concept. pls feel free ask if you need any clarification.
IMG-20150609-WA0002.jpeg

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