Royal Enfield Classic 350: Old vs New

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 is arguably one of the most popular motorcycles in India. From teenagers wanting some “Dug Dug” swagger to elders buying one to fulfill their Ladakh fantasies, the Classic 350 does everything. And for 2021, RE has updated the Classic 350 with a lot of subtle and significant things. What are these things, you ask? Well, allow us to take you through everything that the new Classic does differently:

More Powerful Than Ever

By far the most crucial update for the 2021 Classic 350 is its new 349cc engine. The engine comes straight from the Meteor 350 and puts out the same power and torque at 20.2PS and 27Nm. It features a counterbalancer to iron out vibrations and is housed in a new twin downtube chassis. And since the weight has remained the same while the power has increased, the bike should have a better power-to-weight ratio.

We rode the motorcycle recently and we’re happy to report the new motor is a significant improvement over the outgoing setup. You can read all about it in our road test review.

Hello, Fuel-gauge!

Yes, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 finally gets a fuel gauge now. This is thanks to an all-new semi-digital instrument cluster. The information on offer isn’t too vast, though, and things like fuel efficiency and range are still missing from it. However, the new setup is Tripper Navigation compatible, which is available as an accessory. Also new for 2021 is the Meteor 350-derived switchgear, which looks more in line with the Classic’s retro appeal.

All in all, this is a big step up from the outgoing model’s dated all-analogue setup, which only got an odometer, speedometer, low fuel warning telltale light, and voltage meter.

Better Ergonomics & Underpinnings

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The Royal Enfield Classic 350 has been the go-to bike for Ladakh stints, even after RE rolled out the Himalayan, largely due to the former’s low-slung seat and comfortable upright riding posture. And for 2021, RE has upped the comfort of the Classic 350 by giving it reshaped seats with thicker padding and a lower handlebar. 

And when the roads get bad, the Classic 350 will be better at gliding over bumps, thanks to the beefier 41mm fork up front, 6-step adjustable dual shock absorbers with increased travel, and 35mm more ground clearance. Meanwhile, when in the twisties, the wider 100-section front and 120-section tyres will help you carve corners better than before. Braking prowess now comes from a bigger 300mm front and 270mm rear disc clamped by ByBre calipers.

• The 2021 Classic 350 Is Here To Reclaim Its Throne In The Retro Segment

• How Does The Updated TVS Supersport Fare Against The Latest RC 390?

• New Classic 350’s Extensive Accessory List Revealed 

Compared to the new bike, the outgoing model featured a 35mm telescopic fork, a 90-section tyre up front, smaller 280mm front and 240mm disc brakes, along with just 135mm ground clearance.

Looks More Premium

Ever heard of the phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”? Well, that’s exactly what RE has done with the new Classic 350’s design. After all, the old-school design has been the Classic 350’s forte since forever. However, what the bikemaker has done is polish the blemishes. As a result, you get an updated headlight nacelle, a reworked tail light, a clear mirror for the headlamp and improved quality levels. Additionally, the 2021 Classic 350 is offered in new colour options and more striking graphics with pinstripes. Meanwhile, the highly-praised old-school silhouette of the Classic remains as is.

Pricing

Prices of the 2021 Classic 350 start from Rs 1,84,374 and go up to Rs 2,15,118 (ex-showroom Delhi), making it Rs 4,592 pricier than the outgoing model. In our opinion, the hike is rather justifiable considering you’re getting a more powerful, comfortable, and better equipped motorcycle.