Of recent, the guys at Royal Enfield were having sleepless nights. This was not because of dwindling sales or poor product portfolio, but because they had a very risky task at hand; the task to build a befitting successor to the iconic Classic 350. This was the motorcycle that bought the spotlight on RE. This is their bread and butter, and going wrong is never an option here.
And that is also the reason why Royal Enfield was very sly in launching this before the Meteor 350 with the all-new J-Series engine. The all-new 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 has been made to carry old-school essence in a completely modern vessel. The chassis, engine, brakes, suspension, and body panels are all new, but you will still mistake it for the same old Classic that was built to take on anything thrown towards it.
As of now the all-new Classic has launched in India and has caused quite a buzz for making a brave move of improving on what was already galloping ahead with no hiccups. But a generation upgrade was long overdue since the last-gen Classic 350 came in 2008. And boy, has Royal Enfield done justice to the motorcycle that turned their fortunes around.
The all-new Royal Enfield Classic 350 forms a beautiful connection between the past and the future, without losing its charm.
An Ode To The Iconic Royal Enfield G2 Bullet
The Royal Enfield G2 Bullet is historic and plays a very crucial role in the existence of the Classic 350, and so, Royal Enfield deemed it right to take inspiration from the alpha. The G2 Bullet was made post-war and was the first RE to have an articulating rear swingarm, meaning, a provision to add springs to the rear.
Motorcycles before this from Royal Enfield were devoid of a dedicated suspension layout. This particular triangular frame layout of the motorcycle became an iconic cue that is continued even today. Looking at the 2022 Classic 350 the throwback cues can be seen in the rear section of the frame, the engine case design, and the elongated rear metal fender.
Comes In An Impressive 11 Colorways
At least that's what the Indian market gets. The 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 comes in 5 major trim-Series based on aesthetic appeal - Redditch, Halcyon, Signals, Dark, and Chrome. Each of these gets 2 color options except for Halcyon which comes in 3 colors. The total comes to an impressive 11 choices to spoil you.
We just hope that Royal Enfield USA at least brings half of the variety that's on offer in India. The variations across the trim levels are not just limited to just colors as alloy wheels, matte paint jobs, hand-painted stripes, and overload of chrome are all part of the palette.
All-New J-Series Engine; Same As The Meteor 350
The most important upgrade here is the engine. After a very long run of over a decade, the UCE engines are finally leaving the picture. Royal Enfield has encased the all-new J-Series 350cc single-cylinder air-cooled unit in the new Classic 350. This is the same engine that can be found in the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 as well and churns out 20 HP @ 6,100 RPM and 20 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM. It is coupled to a smooth 5-Speed gearbox and is a lot more relaxed than the old UCE engine.
Minor fueling tweaks have been done which makes the Classic 350 slower than the Meteor, but a much eager motorcycle. The exhaust system is all-new, is shorter, and angled upwards. The old thump might be absent, but the new Classic has a natural tone that doesn't sound forceful.
Refined Riding Experience Devoid Of Vibrations
The new Classic 350 gets a brand new suspension, brakes, and chassis layout. All of this coupled with the enduring J-Series engine pave for an elevated riding experience that is both refined and devoid of vibrations! It now packs a twin-split downtube cradle frame that gets a sturdier swing arm. The front non-adjustable forks are beefier with 5.1 inches of travel.
The rear twin springs have preload adjustments. It gets a dual-disc setup with dual-channel ABS as standard. It packs 19-inch front wheels and 18-inch rear ones with both the 10-spoke aluminum and spoke wheels. The handlebar is angled slightly towards the rider for a more comfortable riding posture. This Enfield is made to gulp on miles without a hassle.
An All-New Bike, But The Same Old 'Classic' Vibe
Aesthetics played a very crucial role in upholding the retro essence in the old Classic 350 and it does the same for the new 350 as well. From afar, it looks identical to the old one, but every panel has been redesigned and you get to see it, as you got closer.
Almost all body panels are made from metal, unlike its mechanical twin, the Meteor 350. RE has even retained the halogen lighting set up just to keep the 'Classic' vibe alive. The only tech-savvy element on this motorcycle is the optional Tripper navigation pod that can be found in the new Himalayan and the Meteor 350 as well.
The all-new Classic 350 has been adorned with a plethora of add-on accessories catered towards riding comfort, protection, and touring. The elements include comfort footpegs, low ride seat, touring seat, pillion seat backrest, and a touring screen.
Engine guards of various types along with a bash plate take care of protection. Aesthetics can be tweaked with accessories like alloy wheels, rider seat springs, aero visor, and bar-end mirrors.
All-New Classic 350: Pricing And Launch Date In The US
The all-new Royal Enfield Classic 350 is slated to reach US shores by early 2022 and expect it to be priced above $4,000 since the Meteor 350 currently starts from $4,396. And the Classic will be priced lower than its modern brother.
Sources: Royalenfield.com, Zigwheels.com