Although Royal Enfield in England folded over 30 years ago, thanks to a subsidiary in India you can still buy machines that hark back to those glory days when British bikes ruled the roads.

Remarkably, the Bullet has survived all these years looking much as it did when first launched in the mid-1950s. Electric starting and electronic ignition have made it easier to own, but stringent Euro III emission regulations forced the factory to design a completely new engine, resulting in the new Royal Enfield Bullet EFI. We recently got to test one of the new bikes in Europe, where they’re going on sale now.

At a quick glance the new engine looks like the “Lean Burn” engine that has recently been available in the U.S., and it takes a second look to notice the unit construction engine/trans and the drive chain on the right. Certainly more modern looking than any previous Enfield engine, its square rocker covers hiding hydraulic lifters are reminiscent of early Seventies Japanese engines.

The all new pushrod engine was designed in England, and retains an 84mm x 90mm bore and stroke for the same lazy feel of previous models. A new 7-plate clutch nestled within the restyled outer cover gives light operation and a smooth take-off.

Fuel delivery is courtesy of Keihin in the form of a 30mm fuel-injected throttle body. There is now an EFI light sitting in the top panel with a low fuel light that does not look too out of place with the more traditional analogue instrumentation. Helping keep things clean is a 3-way catalytic converter incorporated into the muffler.

According to official figures, peak power output is now 27.5hp at 5,250rpm, compared to the previous 26.2hp at 5,000 rpm. Top speed is now a claimed 82mph (up 5mph).