Royal Enfield Classic was announced in 2008 and production started in 2010. What makes a Royal Enfield Classic unique? Is its design, which is taken from post world war 2 motorcycles. Since then, Royal Enfield has made a wide range of motorcycles with different engines. Classic has borrowed design leads from these motorcycles. Some of the parts like its toolbox compartment, brake light, a headlight are the most highlighted derivatives.
In today’s time, Royal Enfield Classic 350 is as huge as before due to its loyal customer base. Why this retro-looking motorcycle is so popular? What makes it the segment best seller? Find out all about the above and much more in this detailed research analysis on everybody’s beloved motorcycle, the Royal Enfield Classic 350.
Pros – Refined Motor, Rider-Friendly Ergonomics, Comfortable, Brakes (ABS), Improved Top Speeds
Cons – Dated Styling, Instrument Cluster, Vibrations
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Variants
The Classic 350 is available in two variants both variants differ from the other in a few subtle aspects. The variants are:
- Royal Enfield Classic 350 Single Channel
- Royal Enfield Classic 350 Dual Channel
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Design
The ideal design of the Royal Enfield Classic 350 has more or less remained the same over its many years in the market. The iconic round lights all around including the twin tiny pilot lamps, the mighty fuel tank with the perfectly placed knee rest, the magnificent wheel arches, the long exhaust pipe, and the chrome embellishments in the mirrors and indicators combine well together to create a stunning retro look.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Features
The Royal Enfield Classic 350 gets a low fuel indicator in the instrument cluster. On the mechanical side, this motorcycle boasts a 5-speed manual gearbox equipped with fuel injection. It’s also paired with dual-channel ABS that will come in handy in certain circumstances.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Engine Performance
The heart of any motorcycle is the engine. All the Classic 350 variants are equipped with the same 346cc, single-cylinder 4 strokes, 5-speed gearbox, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine producing 19.1 BHP at 5250 RPM and 28 Nm of torque at 4000 RPM. The power and top speed have been dropped than previous but the torque remains the same. The engine refinement is improved. This has helped Royal Enfield guide the Classic 350 into the BS6 bracket with cleaner emissions, better fuel efficiency, and a cleaner-revving engine. The Classic 350 lacks the top-end push and tends to vibrate immensely at higher RPMs.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Mileage (or Fuel Efficiency)
The Classic 350 has retained consistent fuel-efficiency figures over the years through various updates and emission norms. The BS6 offering gives 36-37 km/l under economic riding conditions in the city. On the highway, one can expect close to 37-38 km/l further aiding the popularity of Classic 350 in the 350cc retro design motorcycles segment. The 13.5-litre fuel tank is capable of offering a total riding range of up to 400-500kms on one full tank of petrol.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Handling (or Dynamics)
The Royal Enfield Classic 350 remains the same in this category as well. The riding dynamics sometimes feel unresponsive and it wobbles at high speeds. Moreover, the grip from the tyres is pretty decent. Riding around the corners makes us a bit conscious. To begin with, the weight has gone up by about 1 kg. however, there are two aspects where the Classic has improved in the BS6 version. Starting with the suspension setup. Royal Enfield has used a softer suspension setup. Since the ground clearance is low the rider fills the bumps and potholes at higher speeds.
Furthermore, there is a significant improvement in the braking department of the Classic 350. The bite is decent, and the bike manages to stop earlier than the BS4 iteration by a decent margin too. Last but not least, the bike comes with a dual-channel ABS setup, which works perfectly in critical situations. However, Single channel ABS is standard in Classic 350.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Comfort (or Ergonomics)
The Classic 350 is a very comfortable bike for both rider and pillion. The front-set pegs, upright handlebars, and low seat height result in a comfortable riding triangle. This enables comfort for riders of all sizes. The Classic 350 is equipped with a split seat setup that feels good and accommodating, both for the pillion as well as the rider. The case remains the same for the mirrors as well. While the vibrations tend to obstruct the rearview, the mirrors offer a decent view.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Safety (or Brakes)
The Royal Enfield Classic 350 has two variants on offer, each of them has differences of its own in terms of braking. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 is equipped with a 280 mm front disc and a 240 mm rear disc brake. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 dual Channel offers dual-channel ABS and Royal Enfield Classic 350 single Channel comes with single-channel ABS. The braking performance on this motorcycle is highly satisfactory across all the variants. The brakes have improved significantly from earlier generations. The inclusion of single-channel ABS as standard makes the Royal Enfield Classic 350 all the safer to ride.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Tyres
The two Classic 350 variants have some subtle differences and upgrades among them. The tyres on offer are also the same in size for alloy and spokes.
The Spokes and alloys variant gets a 90/90/19 front tyre and a 110/90/18 rear tyre. The only factor that remains different is that the spokes get tube-type tyres whereas the alloys get tubeless.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Service
Royal Enfield is a well-established motorcycle brand that has stood the test of time and proved resilient in all its endeavours. They offer a wide range of authorized service centres and showrooms across the country where people can buy their motorcycles and get them promptly serviced, at an affordable cost. The average service interval for the Classic 350 is anywhere between 3000 to 5000 km, this particular motorcycle should cost you somewhere between Rs. 800/- to Rs. 3000/- for its service.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Price
Following is the price of the Royal Enfield Classic 350 (On-Road, Mumbai) –
- Royal Enfield Classic 350 Single Channel – Rs. 2,11,569/-
- Royal Enfield Classic 350 Dual Channel – Rs. 2,38,382/-
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Resale Value
Royal Enfield is a brand that promises motorcycles that are easy to maintain, Robust, and have a good build quality. The Classic 350 should have a moderately adequate resale value depending on the wear and tear, and overall maintenance.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Colours
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Single Channel:
- Ash
- Redditch Red
- Chestnut
- Pure Black
- Mercury Silver
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Dual Channel:
- Orange Ember
- Stealth Black
- Metallo Silver
- Chrome Black
- Airborne Blue
- Stormrider Sand
- Gunmetal Grey
- Classic Black
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Specs
- Engine: 346cc, Single-cylinder, Air-cooled, EFi
- Power: 19.1 BHP @ 5250 RPM
- Torque: 28 Nm @ 4000 RPM
- Transmission: 5-speed Manual
- Fuel Consumption: 36-37 km/l
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Suspension: Telescopic Forks (Front), Twin gas-charged shock absorbers (Rear)
- Tyres: 90/90/18 (Front), 120/80/18 (Rear, Alloy), 110/90/18 (Rear, Spokes)
- Brakes: 280 mm Disc (Front), 240 mm Disc (Rear); Dual-Channel ABS
- Frame: Single downtube
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Dimensions
- Length x Width x Height: 2160 mm x 790 mm x 1090 mm
- Wheelbase: 1390 mm
- Ground Clearance: 135 mm
- Seat Height: 800 mm
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.5-litres
- Kerb Weight: 195 kg
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Rating
We give the Royal Enfield Classic 350 a rating of 3/5.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Bajaj Dominar 400
The Bajaj Dominar 400 is a intimidate opponent to the Royal Enfield Classic 350. Both motorcycles have dominated the segment since their arrival. The Bajaj Dominar 400 offers great performance through the RPM meter and performs quite well on the corners and bad roads. The Bajaj has provided ample comfort and great handling on their motorcycle making it a perfect daily commuter and good for weekends ride. The engine displacement on the Bajaj Dominar 400 is higher than the Royal Enfield Classic 350, Dominar 400 is having more power. Hence, its top speed, and acceleration are greater than Classic 350. The Bajaj Dominar 400 and Royal Enfield Classic 350 is having a price difference of Rs. 24000/- in pricing making it hard for customers to come to a decision.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Jawa Perak
Jawa launched the Perak back in November 2019. The Jawa Perak is outfitted with a 334cc single-cylinder engine that’s excellent in the low and mid-range of the RPM meter. The power figures are similar to that of the Royal Enfield Classic 350. The fuel-efficiency figures are at a decent number of 28-30 km/l. The handlebar is placed higher amplifying the comfort of the motorcycle. The Jawa Perak is the most affordable bobber bike available in India.
The Jawa Perak is available in one variant; Standard. It comes with dual-channel ABS and a front and rear both gets disc breaks. Alongside the Pulsar 150 Neon variant that offers similar features, the Jawa Perak is close to Rs. 6000/- costlier. We think it’s clear to us who won this comparison if the price is the driving factor.
Final Verdict
The Royal Enfield Classic 350 is having a pretty good competition. That means in this price segment there are various options, which offer much better equipment and performance as compared to Classic 350. But the Classic 350 still makes sense somehow. The decent ride quality, comfortable riding position, bump in refinement, and improvement in riding dynamics have made the bike more pleasing than before. While the changes might not be worth the extra charges, Royal Enfield is working in the right direction. But if you are looking for modern tech and styling, there are better options available.
We hope this article has been helpful to you in addressing all your queries regarding the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and aiding you in making your big purchase. Thank you for reading and ride safely.
