Planning To Buy A Royal Enfield Classic 350? Here Are The Pros And Cons

Royal Enfield launched the new generation model of its bestselling Royal Enfield Classic 350 in September 2021. In terms of design, Royal Enfield did not stray much from the outgoing model but there are some changes in the details. The most significant changes are the new engine and chassis, which are shared with the Royal Enfield Meteor 350. The new Classic 350 is the second new Royal Enfield motorcycle based on the new J-Series engine. With prices starting at Rs. 1.84 lakh, the RE Classic 350 is the perfect motorcycle for someone to step into the world of modern classic two-wheelers. But before you do so, do read our list of pros and cons of the motorcycle.

Also Read: 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350 Review

(The 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350 is better in every aspect. It has better engine refinement, better dynamics, and comes with more features and colour option)

Pros

1. New engine, which offers better, refined performance. The 349 cc, single-cylinder engine makes 20.2 bhp at 6,100 rpm, and 27 Nm at 4,000 rpm. Compression ratio has changed to 9.5:1 on the new 350 cc SOHC engine from 8.5:1 on the UCE 350 engine. The cam gears have been replaced with a timing chain, along with the SOHC system, which results in less noise and more efficient valve timings. The chain primary drive has been replaced with gear primary drive, which reduces transmission losses, and the primary balancer shaft reduces vibrations on the engine.
2. The new suspension offers better ride quality, and dual-cradle chassis offers better dynamics. Overall, the new Classic 350 offers better stability and more confidence to the rider, and offers a plusher and more comfortable ride than the outgoing model. The suspension now incorporates fatter 41 mm front forks, with more travel on the dual rear shocks to offer a better ride.
   

   (The RE Classic 350 has been the single-largest selling model for Royal Enfield for over 10 years now)

3. The 19-inch front and 18-inch wheels are thicker too, shod with fatter rubber, with a 100 mm front section tyre, and 120 mm section rear tyre. The brakes now get larger discs (300 mm front, 270 mm rear) and better callipers compared to the outgoing model. Alloy wheels with tubeless tyres are offered on the Dark variant.
4. The ground clearance on the new-generation model goes up by 35 mm to 170 mm. The kerb weight stays the same as before, at 195 kg, which is still 4 kg lighter than the Meteor 350.

Cons

(New Classic 350 gets better brakes, with bigger discs, fatter 41 mm front forks, new wheels which are wider, and shod with wider tyres. Braking performance still leaves a little to be desired)

1. The design of the new-gen Classic 350 is still very similar to the outgoing model, which may be a deterrent for some of the buyers, who may be upgrading from the old model to the new model. Slightly more differentiation in terms of design between the old and the new model could have worked better.
2. While the instrument console of the new motorcycle incorporates a fuel gauge, it still misses out on a gear position indicator and distance to empty readings, features that are now offered in most motorcycles in the segment.
   

   (The instrument console misses out on distance to empty readings and a gear position indicator)
3. Considering it's a global product, top-end performance may be lacking for use on highways and freeways in some Western markets. A 10 kmph bump in top-end performance would have been certainly welcome.
4. Braking on the new Classic 350 isn't as potent as it should be. The bite is lacking and the feel isn't adequate enough.