Royal Enfield Classic 350: Almost everything has changed in the realm of motorcycling, yet few machines have managed to retain that mostly unaltered identity through-and-through like Classic 350 from Royal Enfield.
Authenticity of transport vehicle no more, the Classic 350 is an ode to the Classic motorcycle that carries with it more experience than some (new)fangled retro style vehicles, where as in history not speed lies and that all important character is right next to logic.
Royal Enfield Classic 350: Starting an Icon from Scratch
Anyone who’s story of the Classic 350 will not be complete without understanding Royal Enfields long and storied journey.
EnglandEarly beginnings of the oldest motorcycle manufacturer still manufacturing post 1901 building which is none else but Royal Enfield founded in Redditch.
Royal Enfield motorcycles got their fame during wars, one of the most famous legends is of “Flying Flea” being para delivered to British troops during operations in WWII.
Even during the decline of British motorcycle manufacturing in the 1970s, production at Royal Enfield’s Indian operation (set up in 1955, to provide military vehicles) continued.
Design Mindset: Complicated Nostalgia
The design language of the Classic 350 is aggressive simplicity and smart sophistication. Teardrop gas tank, sprung Solo seat and light-alloy headlamp in a sharp nacelle make this classic motorcycle silhouette from another age (possibly with angle brained plastic cladding surrounding it looks ahead of it’s time.
Chrome is a beautiful addition to deep lustrous paint — available in single heritage inspired tones or the new contemporary dual color options.
Below the gist of this latest generation are slightly refined details: better lines, updated ergonomics and finish quality; but when you look at the Classic in any detail it remains unmistakably a Classic.
This design philosophy, however, is more than just pretense—the rider-to-machine bond is forged through physical mechanical linkages.
Engine: The Heart and Soul
Central to the Classic 350 is its central heart the thundering single-cylinder motor. The 349cc tubular air/oil cooler uses the electronic fuel injection to pack roughly 20 horsepower and about 27 Nm torqueolution.
These numbers sound relatively pedestrian in the high-revving sport bike world today, but they just about match what we want out of a Classic.
The long-stroke engine tuning gives you strong torque in the low and mid ranges—perfect for real-world riding as well as what the engine needs to be, firstly a puller.
In other words, it doesn’t feel like an engine that has exactly nothing to be stressed about and is totally capable in congested urban conditions as well country roads winding.
Real World Riding: Motorcycling Mindfully
Riding the 350 is something that, in actual rodeo style you are putting yourself on an “old gas” machine and a Honda again — have fun!
That upright seating position gives great sight out and comfort for long touring. Wide handlebars for riding through traffic and the seat has lots of padding to fit for hours of carrying weight.
Mostly stable (195 kg all up when fully laden) at high speed, enough grip to feel at home in urban areas despite medium weight of the motorcycle.
Because the engine is so torquey it requires less gear changing in stop-start traffic, the Classic is actually an unexpected little commuter courtesy its vintage shape.
Cultural Impact and Community
There are very few motorcycles that have seeped so deeply into culture as the Royal Enfield Classic 350. In his homeland in India, it embodies mobility as aspiration and proud domestic manufacturing.
The Classic brought Royal Enfield into the public consciousness and created massive demand – waiting lists were months long at peak times.
Classic has developed a sizeable following of classic motorcyclists worldwide that seek to avoid the soullessness of modern motorcycling.
The ease of it is why it has been especially loved by new riders and old hands alike — it’s non-threatening and looks the same today as when motorcycles were new.
Practical Considerations
Despite its idiosyncratic nature and street cred, the Classic 350 is also very much a four-wheeled proposition you can rely on as you go about everyday business. It typically gets 30-35 km/l (70-80 mpg) of fuel efficiency yielding a range of about 400 km from its 13-liter tank.
Maintenance intervals while also spread somewhat is reasonable for the more accessible engineering and lots of ordinary factors simply can be executed by a mechanically inclined person.
The 2003+ Genation has put the kibosh on a lot of the reliability issues that were plaguing previous generations.
Longevity has increased with the better quality, and more finishing and new components but the motorcycle still needs more riding care than some Japapaal.
The Competition and Marketplace Position
Classic 350 sits apart from most motorcycles in the market. The classic is pretty much a one-off competitor again, Jawa 350, Benelli Imperiale 400 and Honda H’ness CB350 — all similar neo-retro vibes.
The Honda provides refinement and the Benelli gives an extra banger, the Jawa perhaps more true European styling—yet neither has become quite as iconoclastically imbricated with popular culture as it was for a Belgian bike manufacturer.
The formula for its success has much of Royal Enfield’s authentic history behind it. Unlike the vast majority of retro styles from other automakers the Classic 350 is actually continuation, not revival.
It is not paying homage to a bygone generation, but instead advanced from it, refurbishing precious design and engineering ideas that have been iteratively honed through thousands of iterations.
Royal Enfield Classic 350 — Beyond the Sum of Its Parts
Royal Enfield Classic 350: Bigger than A Number
Its low performance stats and oddities would be an issue in most competitors but for Classic those characteristics are part of its ethos.
This motorbike is not there to be fastest, most technologically advanced or even best option in reliability and therefore offers a singular thing which rare like white blood cells.
In a world where everything is becoming more automated and digital the Classic 350 feels like it gives you this necessary analog thing.
It asks for more interaction from its rider but honours that interaction with a participative bond to the mechanical act of riding.
