Royal Enfield Classic 350 Review
Classic is Reborn!!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013Overview of Royal Enfield Classic 350
Two years back, Royal Enfield launched two Classic variants; one of them is Classic 350. This bike is an alternative of Royal Enfield Bullet and Electra. What makes this bike different than its other siblings, let’s find out.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Exterior
Royal Enfield Classic 350 looks like a copy of its elder sibling, Classic 500. Apart from color, there is no major difference in these bikes which you can notice at first glance. The bike has body colored retro looking front fender which covers its front tyre completely. The front forks also gels well with its overall styling as they are partly chrome finished which suits its multi-spoke steel rim. Its tiger eye lamps and circular headlight makes it look like Bullet but to differentiate, this bike features a small chrome finished tiny visor. Apart from this, Classic 350 has familiar orange colored circular indicators and chrome finished rear view mirrors. It features a new fuel tank with simple styling and thigh rubber pads. This tank makes this bike look vintage and premium. The bike is offered with two types of seating which includes solo rider seat with coil springs or with a split seat for pillion rider. Its heavy steel engine is placed below its fuel tank. The bike has body colored side panels and tool box. Its long and curvy silencer enhances the visual appeal of this bike. It’s heavily chromed and gives a fresh look to this bike. Its full size real cowl carries its chromed side indicators and boxy tail light which gives a compact look to this bike along with its rear broad tyre.
Instrument Console of Royal Enfield Classic 350
Classic 350 has similar instrument console to its other siblings. It features a fully analogue instrument console with two circular dials. These dials are of different sizes and both of them are chrome surrounded. A regular speedometer and odometer can be seen in the bigger dial while the smaller dial houses its analogue fuel gauge. The bike also features an engine kill switch.
Engine and Gearbox
Royal Enfield Classic 350 shares its engine with other siblings like Bullet and Electra. It’s also powered by a single cylinder, 4-stroke 346cc engine. This air-cooled engine churns out a power output of 19.8 bhp at 5250 rpm. The torque output of this engine arrives at 4000 rpm which is of 28 nm. Classic 350 has a five speed manual gearbox with a gear shift pattern of one gear down and four gears up-shift.
Acceleration and Performance
This is a tried trusted engine which offers powerful low and mid-range. The bike is not for speed enthusiasts, it’s only for those who are in search of relaxed highway cruising. The bike generates high amount of torque at low rpms which help this engine to carry the heavy weight of this bike. The throttle response is not instant but once it gets the momentum, this engine is a treat. Royal Enfield has well-spaced the gear ratios which works accurately with this engine. The refinement level of this engine is commendable as it shows no signs of vibrations even at the speed 100 km/hr. The gearbox also needs less effort during frequent gear transitions. It can reach a top speed of 120-125 km/hr. Classic 350 remains calm and relaxed when pushed hard. It can even pick up from the speed of 30 km/hr in its fifth gear. This curvy silencer makes really less noise and comes with reduced thumping effect. Bullet fans may not like this change though.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Mileage
Classic 350 is not a fuel efficient bike as its mileage in city ranges from 22-25 km/ltr. The bike may give you a mileage of around 25-28 km/ltr on highways.
Comfort while Driving Royal Enfield Classic 350
Royal Enfield Classic 350 has been designed to give you maximum comfort and it gets clear as soon as you step on this bike. Its wide and well-padded seat can hold you for hours and its coil springs make sure that your back stays stress free. The front set foot pegs allows your feet to relax while the rubber pads around its fuel tank offers incredible thigh grip and you get a firm hold of this bike. Its wide handle bar can be reached easily which provides you strong palm grip.
Storage Space and Safety Features
Royal Enfield Classic 350 has lockable tool kit on both sides which acts as a storage space. The bike offers few safety features which include pass button and powerful Halogen headlight with DC electrical system which gives you constant clear vision of roads at night.
Suspension and Braking System
Royal Enfield Classic 350 has 35mm telescopic front forks with a wheel travel of 130mm and gas filled 5 step adjustable shock absorbers at the back. The braking system of this bike has twin piston calliper with a front disc brake of 280mm and it has a powerful rear drum brake of 153mm.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Ride and Handling
With a wheelbase of 1370 mm and a low ground clearance of 135 mm, Classic 350 feels rock solid at high speeds. The bike sticks to the road properly and feels quite relaxed in terms of handling. The bike offers superb handling on highways as well as in city traffic thanks to its capable suspension and braking system. You can easily tame this heavy machine with the help of its braking system. The tyres although takes away the confidence around corners as they could have been wider. Apart from this, the bike offers a very comfortable stress free ride.
Tyre Size, Shades and Variants
Royal Enfield Classic 350 has 19 inches wheel at its front while its rear wheel is of 18 inches. The only variant of this bike comes with a standard electric start and is available in three different colors.
Verdict
Royal Enfield has priced Classic 350 at around INR 1.2 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi (approx., may vary)). The bike has stylish vintage looks and a powerful engine which offers an acceptable fuel economy. Moreover, the bike is stuffed with modern and essential features like electric start and disc brake. Its ride and handling can also win hearts of many and we are no different either. We feel it’s a complete value for money cruiser bike which offers you exclusivity and comfort at an affordable price.