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The Classic 350 is Royal Enfield's best-selling motorcycle, and deservedly so.

The world's oldest production motorcycle manufacturer, Royal Enfield, has been around for over a hundred years now. Throughout its 121-year history, Royal Enfield sure has seen a lot, produced great motorcycles the world over, and managed to become a household name across the globe. Today, Royal Enfield is the global leader in the 250-750cc segment by some margin. A lot of bikes and production decisions have led to the brand's success, but none more so than the Classic 350 which burst onto the scene in 2008 and took the motorcycle market by storm. The Classic 350 motorcycle not only put Royal Enfield back on the global map but also put the entire market on notice, effectively bringing forth a new era of affordable retro motorcycles.

Last year in 2021, Royal Enfield finally brought forth a new second generation of the Classic 350, updating their best-selling bike to take on a new era. Now a renowned, respected, and majorly successful motorcycle maker, Royal Enfield made the Classic 350 last, and over the years, an increasing number of motorcycle enthusiasts and newbies alike have fallen in love with the bike. There are plenty of reasons the Classic 350 succeeded the way it did, and here are 10 things we love about the Royal Enfield Classic 350.

Before Royal Enfield launched the Classic 350, the brand phased out its old cast iron engine, replacing it with an all-new aluminum UCE (unit construction engine). While this engine had the same 346cc capacity, it now had two spark plugs in each cylinder, and with it came a new fuel injection system to keep up with emission norms.

This new engine made the Classic 350 incredibly more fun to drive, as the bike now became more responsive. Furthermore, it was also more fuel-efficient, effectively decreasing the cost of ownership as well. Beforehand, Royal Enfield’s motorcycles had been infamous for oil leaks, but gone were those days as the Classic then became a very reliable machine.

As the India-based motorcycle manufacturer moved with the times and brought in a newer, fuel-injected system, the Classic 350 also came with a 5-speed gearbox to the left. This new gearbox for the Classic replaced RE’s old system which had the transmission on the right and the brake on the left.

With the departure of the old quirky transmission system, the newer 5-speed was a lot easier to use, which was not only appreciated by enthusiasts but was also appreciated by young bikers who now began considering the Classic as a viable first bike, as Royal Enfield had otherwise become known as more of an acquired taste that took some mastering.

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Its versatility remains the USP of the Royal Enfield Classic 350, as the bike is truly one that is comfortable in all seasons and all terrains. Appealing to bikers of all ages and tastes, the Classic 350 is an ideal all-season bike that is adept in every environment. One can easily use it as a daily commuter owing to its great torque and speed in the lower rev range when it comes to driving in the city.

Additionally, it also proves a remarkable cruiser on highways and cross-country touring as well, with the Classic 350 being almost synonymous with mountainous touring in its home country. This bike's simplicity is perhaps the biggest factor in its incredible success over the years.

Another great feature of the Royal Enfield Classic 350 is its incredibly low maintenance costs. In fact, that motorcycle is known for being dirt cheap when it comes to servicing and repairs. Furthermore, while Royal Enfield has updated the motorcycle and kept it fresh and moving with the times, it remains one of the easiest bikes to fix. The super-low maintenance costs of the bike also make your odds of finding a reliable and used Classic 350 much higher.

This is thanks to the ideology of keeping the motorcycle’s electronic systems to a minimum. The Classic 350, from the very first time it came off the assembly line, has been a no-nonsense retro motorcycle that delivers what is asked of it with little to no fuss. Thus, if you’re ever in a jiffy while touring around on your Classic, chances are the problem is something even you could fix on the go, and any mechanic worth their salt would have no trouble at all in repairing this machine. Even with no missed services and maintenance, the Classic remains a phenomenal bargain, with remarkably inexpensive ownership and maintenance.

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The Classic 350 houses Royal Enfield’s 346-cc single-cylinder air-cooled fuel injection engine that churns out 19.3 hp. While this might not sound too impressive for a tourer that weighs 430 lbs, the motorcycle excels on the torque front.

For all the Royal Enfield enthusiasts, the Classic 350 is all about the torque, which, at 20.65 lb-ft, offers great responsiveness in the lower and middle ends of the rev range. This is why the bike remains phenomenal as a city operator despite its weight. And even though the power does feel a little muted as you go towards the higher side of the rev band, the peppiness of the engine never warrants a complaint.

A common complaint many motorcycle enthusiasts have from new-age bikes is their machines feeling like tech nannies, with safety features that are either too restrictive or intrusive. With the Royal Enfield Classic 350, the ABS was never a source of complaints.​​​​​​​

The motorcycle comes with both single and dual-channel ABS, and the 280mm disc at the front and the 240mm disc at the rear provide great braking and remarkable stopping power. However, the ABS manages to never feel intrusive at all, which enhances the riding experience greatly, all the while ensuring the rider feels confident in their brakes.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Royal Enfield has tasted an incredible amount of global success with their bikes, especially the Classic 350, owing to the bike’s great and affordable price tag. When it comes to old-school, retro-styled cruisers, perhaps no motorcycle proves to be a better deal in terms of reliability, performance, and affordability than the Classic 350.​​​​​​​

With a starting price of just $4,499, which could go up to $4,699 depending on the color in which you choose to bring one home, the Classic 350 is an incredibly value-for-money machine, especially for those new to the motorcycle world. Plus, its impressive maintenance costs and great fuel economy make it a gift that keeps on giving.​​​​​​​

Most renowned for being one of the most reliable tourers on the market, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 sports a straight riding position, which ensures a comfortable stance for riders even over long distances across the country or on the highway.​​​​​​​

The 2022 Classic 350’s telescopic front forks and rear twin gas-charged shock absorbers offer a soft suspension, which makes the bike breeze over potholes and bad roads. Over the years, the motorcycle has received improved circuitry and switchgear as well, and the latest edition of the Classic 350 sports top-notch switchgear, with no more writing jutting out of the body and being an eyesore.

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While the Classic 350 has always welcomed all riders regardless of their weight or height, it has never been more accepting than it is in its 2022 avatar. With improved ergonomics, an upright seating posture, and closer handlebars that offer a more comfortable position, the Classic 350 is easy for any rider to master in a short time.

Its seat height of around 31.4 inches also means it is accessible for a rider of any size to saddle up to it. Plus, the handlebars now push little to no weight on the rider’s wrist, further enhancing the bike’s credentials as a commendable long-distance tourer.​​​​​​​

Perhaps what makes the Royal Enfield such an iconic motorcycle is its legendary engine thump, which has, for years on end, provided the bike with phenomenal character. It also makes the rider feel entirely like they are in charge of an old-school motorcycle.​​​​​​​ After all, the sound of a motorcycle's engine is an integral part of the riding experience.

This classic thump is something Royal Enfield has never compromised on, as it is every bit as integral to the package as the rest of the bike’s features. The Classic 350 offers a well-refined yet head-turning thump, which never affects the ride quality and enhances the whole look and feel of the bike.

If it has wheels and an engine, Samarveer Singh is going to be obsessed with it. He is a budding Indian motorcycle racer, competing at the national level in his country in his very first year, chasing his dream around every corner of the racetrack. A touring enthusiast, Samarveer is forever stuck between the urge to constantly redline his bike, or save its clutch plates for longer.