Hitchcocks Forum

Decided to go on one of my favourite runs today, to Hawes in the North Yorkshire Dales.
Should have known better, but decided to "get off to a flyer" by doing the first 3O miles or so, down the A1(M) to Scotch Corner. (Un-scheduled bank-holiday lie-in forced later-than-anticipated departure!!)

Whoever decided on the 56 MPH HGV speed-limit, must have had it in for the lowly Bullet 350. Several aborted over-takes later, perhaps it's now time for a tuned head and highway kit!!

Hi DURHAM TIM ------------ just to make it worse, the max. speed for an LGV on the motorway is 60 mph.(www.gov.uk/speed-limits)

Tim how about a 500cc - 350cc is really rather pedestrian, I had a
Triumph T90 many years ago and the only real benefit was the vibration, which appealed to a couple of girlfriends and was an unexpected asset, but it did take a weekend to get up to 70mph.

Hi sofiaspin, a 500 instead of a 350 eh?? There lies a tale!! My first Bullet WAS a 500, which I bought on impulse from the RE dealer in Margao, Goa, whilst on holiday in India 2004. After selling it a couple of years later, and always regretting doing so, I eventually bought my 350 in 2010. My own experience is that there's very little difference in performance between the two models, and if anything, the 350 is a smoother, less-vibey ride.

Back in the days before 90kph limits and the mandatory fitment of speed limiters large goods vehicles were universally demonised as "juggernauts" because of their perceived unsafe speeds. ............ Now the public via EU directives got what they wanted - HGV speed restrictions. And still they are unhappy. Why? Because they do not go fast enough !!!!!!!!!!!!! .......... No difference between 350 & 500? Test rode a 350 once at a Watsonian open weekend - gutless POS ....... but hey ho each to their own and as the absent MadMike is apt to say - other opinions are available

Bryan, I'd be curious to know if the 350 you test-rode had been fully run-in at the time. When I took delivery of my 350 I was also alarmed at how gutless it was at first. (Even struggled up to 30 MPH for the first 150 miles or so). I really hated it at first and wondered what the hell I'd bought!! I distinctly remember the engine being much tighter than the 500 which I also bought from new. I'm not the first person comment that there isn't a vast difference between the top end of both bikes.

Some HGVs are restricted to even slightly lower top speeds as a fuel saving measure. This is why you get them 'elephant racing' on dual carriageways. Bullets are unfortunate in being in the same top speed area which often results in being sandwiched between two lorries, unable to get past. Not a nice feeling.

Tim you could be right about that 350of Watsonians as I'd never ridden one before nor have I since.... A 350 in whatever guise would not be man enough for our needs that are two up with a tankbag, throwovers & a full rack ........... going back to trucks, I have never been bothered by them maybe because I understand them ......... recently rode the E40 from Dunquerke towards Brussels (on the 500 Bullet of course), very heavy HGV traffic, no probs. ... I do prefer the old roads but not in Belgium unless you want to see the ****hole & bellybutton of every ******* town & village with their carp roads in the whole country

hi tim ,i turned my 350 into a diesel 406 and the power is virtually the same 56mph tops never mind what the indian speedo is reading hgvs are a pain although in the 80,s i tuned some volvo f10 trucks to do around 80mph and m.a.n 321 ,s would top 90 so restriction is needed ,i have been known to pass hgv,s on the motorway from time to time, but the relaxed feel of a good steady plodder on minor roads is excellent and you see some things you would miss at speeds above 50 so just enjoy the ride ,if you want a fast bike there are plenty of zx10,s and the like available but not one has the charisma of a 350 bullet happy days paul.

Hi Bryan/Paul, enjoyed both your postings very much!! Bryan - If only I could get my missus to go "two-up", I'd gladly trade the 350 for a 500. I do have something in common with the rest of your thread, though. The company I work for are based half an hour south of Bruges and last year I went over there on the Hull-Zeebrugge ferry, but came back via Antwerp, and into Holland to Breda, Amsterdam, Delft, Rotterdam - Hull. As expected, the motorways were still a bit of a nightmare, but I have to say there seemed to be much more respect for two-wheels than over here. Also I wasn't surprised at the interest in the bike, which was nice! Paul - You may be surprised, or perhaps not, to hear that I sold a ZX9R to buy my current 350 Bullet, and I have no regrets doing so, other than it would have been nice to have the funds and space to keep both.