Few motorcycle manufacturers can hold claim to the word “classic” with as much legitimacy as Royal Enfield. Having launched its first motorcycle at the Stanley Cycle Show in London in 1901, it’s the oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production. Now, 121 years later, we have the 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350.
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One of Royal Enfield’s best-known models – the Bullet – was produced from 1931 until 2020, and it was available with either a 346cc or 499cc air-cooled Single. In 2021, Royal Enfield introduced the Meteor 350, a cruiser powered by a 349ccc air-/oil-cooled, SOHC, 2-valve, fuel-injected Single with a 5-speed gearbox. The Classic 350, which brings back the styling that made the Bullet such an iconic bike, is built around the same engine.
Built in Chennai, India, since 1955, Royal Enfields are designed for an enormous segment of the global market – those who want reliable, affordable small to mid-sized motorcycles. Over a 12-year production run, from 2008 to 2020, Royal Enfield produced and sold three million examples of the Classic 500, known here in the U.S. as the Bullet C5 Classic.
Gear Up:
Helmet: Arai Defiant-X
Jacket: Highway 21 Winchester
Gloves: Highway 21 Trigger
Pants: Highway 21 Blockhouse Jeans
Boots: Highway 21 Axle Shoes
Royal Enfield North America hosted the press launch of the Classic 350 in Savannah, Georgia, a classic Southern city established in 1733 on the banks of the Savannah River. On hand were two variants of the Classic 350, both retailing for $4,599: Dark models, available in Gunmetal Gray or Stealth Black, with a blacked-out powertrain and 10-spoke cast wheels with tubeless tires; and Signals models, available in Desert Sand or Marsh Grey, with 1950s military-style graphics and spoked wheels with tube-type tires. The Signals models are inspired by Royal Enfield’s long association with India’s armed forces.
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Later this year, Royal Enfield will release the Halcyon collection inspired by 1950s-era British roadsters. Halcyon Forest Green, Halcyon Black, and Halcyon Blue will retail for $4,499, while the Chrome Red and Chrome Brown models with a mirror tank finish and special badging are priced at $4,699.
Like the Meteor, the Classic 350 was a collaborative effort by Royal Enfield’s design teams in the U.K. and India. They endeavored to create a motorcycle that seamlessly blends authentic styling and ride character with modern necessities like electronic fuel injection, disc brakes, and dual-channel ABS. All Royal Enfields are built in a state-of-the-art, ISO-9001-certified manufacturing facility and backed by a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty with roadside assistance.
As pleasing as the Classic 350 is to look at while parked on one of Savannah’s brick-paved streets, it’s even more enjoyable to ride. Its relaxed, neutral seating position accommodates riders of all shapes and sizes, and its engine abides riders of all skill levels. Hit the starter and the Single burbles to life, delivering a pleasant, visceral pulse feel and a heartwarming exhaust note that your grandmother would love.
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Royal Enfield claims 20 hp and 20 lb-ft of torque at the crank. When we tested a Meteor 350, it sent 18 hp at 6,200 rpm and 18 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm to its chain-driven rear wheel. Built around a heavy steel frame and weighing 430 lbs ready to ride, the Classic 350 isn’t exactly a featherweight. Add in a full-grown adult male compressing the 31.7-inch seat’s foam, and the result is a languid, unhurried experience. The engine revs at a relaxed pace, and acceleration lacks urgency. Top speed is about 75 mph.
Horsepower and speed, however, are not the appropriate measuring sticks for the Classic 350. It’s the sort of motorcycle that embraces the slower pace of life that comes with molasses-thick humidity and lazy afternoons. What’s the rush?
Classic 350s will pound the pavement of rough, neglected roads the world over, and its suspension and brakes are designed to take abuse. The 41mm non-adjustable fork with 5.1 inches of travel and twin emulsion rear shocks with adjustable preload and 3.5 inches of travel were chosen for their durability and affordability. Ride quality is good but not great, right in line with expectations. Likewise, the ByBre disc brakes, with a 2-piston front caliper squeezing a 300mm rotor and a 1-piston rear caliper squeezing a 270mm disc, provide modest but predictable stopping power.
With a 19-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear, the Classic 350 rolls over road imperfections with ease. Its Ceat Zoom Plus tires, which are also made in India, are narrow – 100/90-19 front, 120/80-18 rear – and contribute to the bike’s quick steering.
It’s hard not to love a motorcycle like the Classic 350. It’s a time capsule, an attention-getter, and – like that 1960s ad campaign for Tab diet cola – a “mindsticker.” Riding around the streets of Savannah, every time our get-along gang of journos stopped at a red light or a crosswalk, locals and tourists alike stopped in their tracks and asked, “Hey, what kind of bike is that?”
Ride a Royal Enfield Classic 350 and you’ll make new friends, and that never gets old.
2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 Specs
Base Price: $4,599
Warranty: 3 yrs., unltd. miles w/ roadside assistance
Website: royalenfield.com
Engine Type: Air-cooled Single, SOHC w/ 2 valves
Horsepower: 20 hp @ 6,100 rpm (claimed)
Torque: 20 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm (claimed)
Displacement: 349cc
Bore x Stroke: 72.0 x 85.8mm
Transmission: 5-speed, cable-actuated wet clutch
Final Drive: O-ring chain
Wheelbase: 54.7 in.
Rake/Trail: 26 degrees/4.4 in.
Seat Height: 31.7 in.
Wet Weight: 430 lbs (90% fuel)
Fuel Capacity: 3.4 gals.
Are the chrome models coming to U.S. ?
What about the Halcyon Grey/Gray?
Yes, they’re coming later this year.
I owned a 1995 Bullet 500 for four years. You hear a fair bit of negative comments about the RE’s reliability, but I rode it daily and did a few weekend trips, and I found it to be a very decent, if perhaps pokey, ride.
My understanding is that the bikes have only improved since then.
I just wish they’d stuff the 650 twin in there. I’d buy a signals marsh grey today if they did that. The little 350 may work fine in the city but I need more.
DDD,
Have you looked at RE’s 650 twins? They have classic styling with more power and performance… 😉
Is there a chance RE will make a 650 ADV bike out of the 650 twin.
John Merrell May 17, 2022 12:30 CT
At 74 with over 50 years riding experience, a small, practical yet classic design appeals to me like the Ural-T did years ago. These bikes have their performance limitations, but will cruise at 65-70 MPH all day; there are several excellent reviews on Utube worth viewing. Quality and reliability for the latest RE products is reportedly very good. The warranty is excellent albeit RE dealerships are not as numerous as other manufacturers. There are two near northeastern AL where we reside. Obviously, a test ride is required, but the price is reasonable. One important factor, you can’t expect these bikes to perform beyond their capability. Smaller bikes are slower by design, this one just looks like a real motorcycle with the performance needed to enjoy riding at a more leisurely pace vice playing “boy road racer”.
“…to enjoy riding at a leisurely pace,” and “acceleration lacks urgency” are all I need to hear, and – having just turned 70 – I’m certainly no “boy racer.” The R.E. Scram 411 looks interesting, though, and may have a minimally-acceptable level of power (for “leisurely riding”).
The Bullet’s production didn’t end in 2020, only the 500 was discontinued, the 350 is still being sold here in India . The new gen bullet 350 will launch sometime this year or early next year .
Certainly, these bikes lack performance however these motorcycles can be best enjoyed at 50-55 mph. Reliability has been vastly improved now. Earlier generation RE bikes has too much of vibrations on handlebars & foot pegs at around 50 mph but now that’s not the case with new improved engines.
I have 500 miles on my new Classic 350. I love it! I’ve been riding since 1968. My other bike is a Pan America for long, fast 2 up rides. The Classic Signals Desert Sand is perfect for solo putting around the hills. I only wish there was a dealership closer than 100 miles.
The first service was so easy! Screw type valve adjustment.
It is a beautiful bike with timeless styling. However, it is 2022 and the specification of this machine is laughable, and barely practical for street use. Let’s go back to 1968 when Honda released their CB350. The 325cc motor pumped out 36HP at 18.5 lbs of torque. This old fashion bike weighed 350 lbs. 54 years later and this is all that technology can afford? Really?
The Honda CB350 has a twin cylinder engine and dual carburettors. Your comparison is useless.
I owned several Honda CB/CL/SL350’s. Maybe faster, but nowhere near as satisfying an experience. The RE gets better gas mileage. Better comfort. Better looks. A better all around motorcycle.
I’ve been riding the Suzuki Burgman 650 for a few years now. Love the storage and protection from the elements, but its time to move on.
I’m really keen on the RE 650’s and due to the comfort factor I’ve settled on the INT.
So, in a very short while I’ll be motoring on the INT 650, and I have been looking for accessories like Saddle bags and a Wind screen. Both a must in my opinion if you plan on commuting on a bike, or planning for getting caught in the rain (storage of rain gear is a minimum & your lunch or Lap-top obviously).
Kawasaki’s new 650RS (similar style) weighs less than this bike, and has (you guessed it) a lot more power. Sure the price is a few grand more, but in 2022 these specs are umm… lacking. It’s a very nice looking bike though, they just need to remove the cheesy logo decals on the marsh gray version.
I bought a Classic 350 a couple months ago. It does the job. It does it very well.