Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6 Vs Himalayan: Sibling Rivalry

Right now, you may be staring at the screen wondering why in the world we’ve decided to compare the BS6 Classic 350 to the Himalayan. And, you have every right to as both motorcycles are poles apart and aimed at different clientele. However, once you factor in the prices of these bikes, things start to make a bit more sense. You see, the new BS6 Classic 350 in matte black or chrome paint costs Rs 1.81 lakh whereas the BS4 Himalayan retails at Rs 1.8 lakh (both prices, ex-showroom). So, which one should be on your radar? Well, here’s where we come in to help you decide. 

Design and features: 

The Classic 350 comes with a retro design that hasn’t changed much over the years. Although Royal Enfield hasn’t tweaked its design, it has constantly updated the bike with new paint options to freshen things up. In the other corner, the Himalayan looks quite minimalistic. However, the ADV does have an edge over the Classic 350 as far as features are concerned. The semi-digital instrument cluster on the Himalyan displays a range of information. Apart from the obvious speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and a digital gear indicator, it also gets two trip meters, average speed indicator, side-stand indicator, a clock, a temperature gauge and a compass! If that wasn’t enough, there are rumours that the next-gen Himalayan may get more features.

Engine and performance:

This is where things get interesting. The new Classic 350 gets an updated 346cc motor. Now, the Royal Enfield is yet to reveal the power and torque figure of the BS6 motor, but we believe it could be more or less similar to the BS4 unit. For reference, the BS4 motor makes 20PS and 28Nm. The Himalayan, which is slightly more affordable than the Classic 350, is powered by a 411cc motor that pumps out 24.5PS at 6500rpm and 32Nm of torque.

Also read: Greener Classic 350 Is Here

Now, both these motorcycles are quite capable tourers. However, if you want to cross the 100kmph mark, the Himalayan may be your best option thanks to the extra oomph onboard. Speaking of touring, the Himalayan gets a bigger 15-litre fuel tank, giving it a range of over 500km on a full tank of petrol. The BS4 Classic 350, on the other hand, gets a 13.5-litre fuel tank, allowing it a range of around 475km. 

Underpinnings: 

Both motorcycles are very different in this department. The chassis, suspension setup and even the braking hardware are different on both motorcycles. The Himalayan, being an adventure motorcycle, comes equipped with long travel suspension at the front and a monoshock at the rear. This lets it traverse through all sorts of terrain – smooth roads, dirt, broken roads, and so on. The Classic 350, on the other hand, gets a telescopic front fork and twin gas-charged shock absorbers at the rear that provide a supple ride. While both motorcycles come with dual-channel ABS, the Himalayan gets bigger discs at both ends compared to the Classic 350. 

Verdict: 

As mentioned earlier, the difference between both motorcycles is around Rs 1,500 (if you opt for the BS6 Classic 350 matte black/chrome variant) and for that, the Himalayan comes across as a better value for money proposition. Not only is it a great touring motorcycle, but you can also have lots of fun when you are off the beaten path. However, expect prices to go up when the BS6 update comes in. So, if you are planning on picking one up, you better act fast.