Royal Enfield Classic 350 - Lessons Learned Review
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I guess the reasons behind the lower power of the 350 than the 400 are:
SOHC on the royals, DOHC on the triumph. 2 valves vs 4 valves. The Royals use a simpler and more robust design. I can have my bike apart and together again, valves adjusted, in less than 30 minutes on my hunter 350. From what I've heard and can assume, its more fiddly and time consuming to do the same job on the triumph, or more costly if paying someone to do it. So more complex and refined tech on Triumph is more power there.
Secondly, the Triumph is liquid cooled vs air cool on the Royal. An advanced cooling system means it can stay more thermally stable, and take more air to burn and more RPM. This means more power. But again, a cooling system adds complexity, makes it harder to get at the engine, and is another point of failure. Liquid cooling systems can fail from hoses, pumps or holes in the radiator. That cant happen on the royal.
Third, 350 vs 400cc is 50cc difference (obviously). Doesn't sound much until you realise that is about a 15% capacity gain, so right out of the gate you would expect that much more power.
Fourth, the 350 is just a understressed and limited top speed engine. Which is why Royal offers a 3 yr unlimited warranty vs 2 year for the Triumph. Royal has more faith in their engine to go the distance, because it is simpler and not running on the edge of performance. So, 50% more warranty on something that for most people is a BIG expenditure, particularly younger riders that favour the 350s. That matters for owners, but obviously not so much for a reviewer. It's a different perspective.
I've had my hunter 350 for 12 months now (though 3 months I was off the bike due to surgery), and I do touring 500-700km days occasionally, doing 110kph for essentially the whole day. I haven't had issues overtaking someone going 105 in front of me, or even just blipping up to 115 for a quick maneuver. Perhaps in some countries where the limit is more like 120 then I suppose you may have an issue, the US perhaps or continental Europe? I don't know what the bike would be like on the autobahn. I suppose it's also just a case of everyone riding their own ride, I think if you are an , for lack of a better word, impatient person who needs to be in front, might not be the bike for you on the freeway.
It's a great bike for bumbling around! Fun to wrench on and solid. "Built like a gun"!
I'm glad you like the bike in general, this long-winded comment isn't meant as a criticism of your views but as information for your viewers to have regarding your talking point!
Cheers! Ride safe!
I very much appreciate your view - one which a few others have commented on - thanks for that....
THis is so well said .Buying bikes that are designed to be underused and last forever is what we all fell in love with , with the BMWs of the 1950 /and early 60's . I wish every bike company would make at least one bike that was designed for the broken roads we all live on and can run on crummy Gas for 200 +miles . The R60 Bmw with an eales fork comes to mind .If Moto Guzzi just got German electrics and better suspension we might be there :)
German electrics? You must be kidding!@@guywolff
I've heard the top speed is limated so even if you fit new cams and other performance parts that are avaliable, even though the power increases the top speed remains the same. The Indian market is really sensative to fuel consumption and the bike will get compared to 125cc machines. MCN has the triumphs at around 60mpg where's as these get around 100-110mpg. My thinking for why they are so down on power by comparison.
You are right I know nothering ..I just meant relyable elctrics .I have no idea where they come from :) @@richardkrammes2222
In a long stroke motor you give up horsepower for increased torque at lower revs, which gives nice rideability 😊
Yeah, we've forgotten about that. 20hp isn't much, but it's a lot more when most of that 20 hp. isn't that far from a closed throttle. I've got a W800, it's the same thing. Not much power, but twist the wrist and it goes.
Add to that, the Enfield is purely air cooled which always falls short of water cooled machines in terms of power exploitation, especially when emissions regs come into play.
I bought a Mash 400 last year. With 27 HP this feels like a racing bike against the RE350.
I get a little tired, about hearing about horsepower in bikes. The bottom line, is that if the bike puts a smile on your face, then that's all that matters. Factor in a bit of old school coolness, then you've got a winner in my books.🤠
Fair enough!
Absolutely. Well said!
We'll put! I love the way the bike looks and like the way it rides, smiles per miles. I have a 2023 in the same Bronze-Chrome color scheme with the pillion seat on and ready to go.
I am pretty sick about hearing about horsepower too. The Classic 350 is a gem of a bike; a bunch of specs shouldn't define a motorcycle.
@@freeman10000 absolutely!
I bought a Classic 350 in December and absolutely love it. I get all the pleasure of owning an actual classic vehicle without the headaches that come along with them. Primary / commuter bikes will come and go, but I plan to have the Classic 350 for many years! There is just something special about the bike that goes well beyond the spec sheet.
I’ve got the classic 350 in 2022 and although it took a while for me to get used to the 20hp and lower top speed. I totally love the bike. Perfect for exploring little country lanes and enjoying the countryside. 👍
Agreed….
Yep 👍. I've fully explored all those local lanes that I've ridden by on bigger bikes over the years thinking "I wonder where that goes?" 😁
I bought one a year ago. Compared the 200cc 2-stroke Vespa I owned previously this thing is a grunty cruiser!
My only complaint about this bike is the power output,20bhp is enough for pootling about but these days traffic will swamp and bully you on the faster roads,I feel sure RE could increase power output to 30bhp and the bike would sell better and may tempt me,it would also widen it's horizons to the odd motorway jaunt at 70mph and have better acceleration on UK traffic laden roads.
I know people will say I'm missing the point of the bike but I for one think it's underpowered for todays roads.
On the plus side it has killer retro looks and sound especially in the bronze colour tested,nice!
@@johnwood4448 Hitchcocks put one on their dyno, 15hp at the back wheel, a DNA filter pushed it up to around 20hp, I can confirm there's quite an improvement, but not much higher top speed, it's limited by revs. The free flow silencer and de-cat pipe would give you a bit more, then there's a higher performance cam, that would be another 5hp. The 1 tooth bigger front spocket that's available would then get you a comfortable 70mph. If that's not enough, try the 650 Interceptor, another lovely bike, just faster.
I have owned my Classic for 2 years and my take on the low power is this. The most relaxing and enjoyable bike I have owned in 53 years of riding, the charm of this bike is the lazy nature of this engine. Low down power is more than adequate and you enjoy the ride so much more than hurling around the country side, I will guarantee you the Triumph by comparison will be rev happy and not as relaxing to ride. I owned a Street Triple for over 3 years including a tour around Ireland over 5 days, a fantastic bike but in the end the high revs get to you, hence why the Classic for me now is the perfect bike. Bar end mirrors are also crystal clear unlike the standard mirrors. 😊
Nice one
I've had the red version of the one you have nearly 18 months, absolutely love it. Very different to my FZ1 Fazer, which was a major factor in buying it. It's a cheap bike to buy but not a cheap build, there are a few bits that are cheap, like the mirrors. If I pushed it on rough and twisty roads I could get it "out of shape", so I changed the shocks! There's loads more parts if you want to customise it, that's a big part of it's appeal and if it's your only bike and you want more performance, there's a DNA air filter, FuelX lite, de cat pipe, free flow silencer and performance cam available for it. There's mirrors, shocks, racks, screens, crash bars, bash plates, pannier frames custom seats, pegs, toe/heal gear change, levers and even a rack to replace the rear seat. You don't get many bikes these days with that list of options and that's a big part of the appeal. It's "old school" and I'm old!
Im lucky enough to have owned a Triumph 400 and a 350 Classic at the same time. Always found myself reaching for the keys of the Classic. As a result, sold the triumph after 4 weeks (that'll teach me to be impulsive) at quite a loss.
Nothing comes close to giving me such joy as my lovely 350 . The Green Goddess as i call her. She's a keeper. If you dont understand what Zen motorcycling is, ride a 350Classic.
Interesting that you say this about the Triumph 400. I took a look at it a week or so back with a view to possibly swapping my Hunter 350 for one and, even though it’s a superior bike by most objective standards and amazing value for the price, I just didn’t bond with it the way I have with all the Enfields I’ve owned so I passed.
The Triumph 400 just isn't a classic, well not in my eyes it isn't.
Curiously, the bike ridden by Robert Pirsig in "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" only had 305cc.
@@johnnybgood7812 yes. Triumph a very good bike but just didn't stir my loins! I'm in a happy place when riding the Green Goddess😊
Impossible to quantify this stuff
@@johnnybgood7812when you say always are you over in India ? ..we’ve only just got the triumph over here ..
This bike is what a retro classic should look like. We have a lot to thank the Indians for keeping the brand alive and growing.
I think those Delhi back streets techs n spanner monkeys appreciate them too. Can be fixed with lamp post electric hook up power tools and a set of knives and forks.😅
I recently test rode the Triumph 400x Scrambler, the RE 350 Meteor, the RE 650 Interceptor, and the new RE350 Bullet (which is basically the same as the 350 Classic Reborn), as I was looking for a replacement for my five year old Suzuki DRZ400SM. I use the DRZ to commute into the office which is a 22km ride, on 60kph roads that are punctuated by many sets of traffic lights. So outright speed wasn't a requirement, and I was looking for a new experience. I've been riding bikes for over 40 years and have owned everything from a Postie Bike (Honda CT110), all the way to a HD Sport Glide, and for this bike I wanted something that would make going slow fun (if that was possible). Many bikes I've owned have been great at high speed (such as the Hypermotard) or cruising on the Freeway (the HD), but are a pain going slow in traffic. Anyway long story short I took a gamble on the RE 350 Bullet and after two months I'm absolutely beguile by it. There is something about the sum of its parts that just make it enchanting. I love the fact that RE have stuck with the long stroke, fully air cooled, heavy flywheel motor as the experience of riding it, albeit slow, is wonderful. The Triumph 400 is a very modern bike, and you could do anything on it. The engine is a lightweight, short stroke, liquid cooled unit, much like the DRZ's, and it has bags of power (for a 400), but the experience of riding it is just like riding any number of modern bikes, and if that's what you want you won't go wrong. But there are so many bikes like that now, and that makes the RE 350 Classic/Bullet a refreshing change IMHO. Now I find that when I want to go out for a ride that isn't my commute more and more I'm reaching for the 350 Bullet's keys and it feels like a bit of guilty pleasure!
Nice! Thnanks for taking the time to leave a long comment too....
Good choice, long live the Bullet 350 🙌
Yeah, the Classic 350 likewise is a big old chunk of metal - different vibe to most modern bikes. Substantial and planted and looks it too with those humongous guards, wide single seat, and big nacelle up front.
The RE 350 Classic is the two wheeled equivalent of Simon and Garfunkel's 59th Street Bridge Song - its makes you feel Groovy :)
The irony being that Paul Simon grew to hate that song . . . I love the song
I gave up ridding about 10 years ago, but in my time about 45 years of riding, I’ve owned a large number of bikes, ranging from The pocket rockets, the full spec track bikes, to the sit up and beg and the classics. Classics will always be my favourite and to be fair, you don’t buy a classic for the speed. You buy it to enjoy the ride the sound and take everything in. It doesn’t need to be really quick but yes, a little bit of power to get yourself out of trouble is always a plus that’s why my last few bikes were triumph. That said it looks like you ride around the same roads that I used to use so being on that little ride along with you brought back a lot of memories. So thanks for that that really good.
Glad you enjoyed the video Andy!
It may be less powerful but imho I prefer the looks/sound of the classic 350 to the new triumph,looks like a motorcycle should look,great video.👍🏻
Cheers!
Easy, frugal, good looking, bargain, character, charm. Sounds lovely.
Agreed!
Just got home driving into a storm on the way from home after working all night... love it, huge smile, every time!
I've owned a meteor 350 for just under 2 years, nearly at 20,000 miles and use it as main transport. The bike is absolutely fantastic and is great to ride. I very rarely clean it and it held up very well over winter, its never seen a dealership with only home servicing. The engine is very durable and even with the lower capacity will sit on the motorway. I think in a bike world focused on horsepower, offering an affordable well presented motorcycle that can achieve over 100mpg is impressive
Couldn't agree more!
Great post. Love the camera work, the choice of rides, and the sound of that bike. Can't wait to get my old bike back on the road again.
This bike has the proper engine for its purposes. Air cooled: simplicity and reliability. Short bore/stroke ratio: full of torque at low revs, not need of revving the engine, reliability. Low power/cil.capacity ratio: reliability, torque. For a bke that is selling as hot cakes and runs in all types of roads, this engine is an intelligent choice. If you add an awesome design, overall quality, metal everywhere and the charm of this brand, you have a winner.
I test rode a lighty-used bronze/chrome Classic 350 last summer... beautiful looking bike. I rode down to the dealership on my Hayabusa so if anyone was going to notice a deficit of power, it would have been me. And I did, a little, but it didn't dampen my enthusiasm for the bike. When you're used to riding very serious motorcycles, a small machine is a breath of fresh air! It brings you back to your first days of riding when you were just thrilled to be out in the wind, without a care in the world. I decided to sleep on the RE, which was a mistake as it sold later in the day to the next person who rode it. Been watching the classifieds for another one to pop up ever since....
I have no experience riding motorbikes at most is bicycles but when i was visiting my friend who works in a bike dealership i absolutely fell in love with the royal enfield classic 350 that was on display there, definitely saving up for my license and the bike itself
Great video as always. I’m seriously considering the RE Meteor 350 and I imagine some of this applies since it is the same engine. Andy… you clever man! You have a printed checklist! I always wondered how you were able to be so organized and spot on in these types of videos. Noticing the list (which I’m imagining annoyed you while editing because you’d either have to reshoot this portion, leave it out, or show the list) I thought “Aha!!!!” 😊. Then I started noticing how you filmed so many of the shots in such a way as to not show it. BRILLIANT my man! Love it. I want you to know that at least this viewer sees all the effort that goes into making these videos. I have a motovlogging channel “A Ride in the Country” where I often recommend your channel. Maybe someday if I keep getting better at these I can grow. For now I’m satisfied that I enjoy it and I do the videos the way I want to!
Thank you Cliff! And yes I have the memory of a goldfish so I have to tape memory prompts everywhere….
Thanks Andy! Love that bike too.Maybe when the summer rolls around here in Canada..
Hi Andy, enjoyed meeting you last night and hearing about your experiences. A very entertaining evening and look forward to more of the same! Best, Jon
Hi Jon - ditto! Was a fun evening! Now to check out your channel….
They already have one of those in the British Motorcycle Museum in Solihull, sitting beside older classic Enfields. If you didn't know what it was you would never pick it is a new bike, the authenticity in the design and finishes are very true to the originals.
Just traded in my classic for a Goldstar. I had the classic for 12 months , and I absolutely loved it. Ultimately it did lack power, especially if you want to go two up. The Goldstar rides very similar to the classic, but it's got the grunt that makes it more usable.
Cool!
So I slowed the video down when i saw the flash of words you put in at the beggining in order to pause. After the pause I let it play and your voice sounds just like me after 10 pints. Love this motorcycle and it has to be just about the most beautiful motorcycle especially for the money. RE got it dead right with the retro look here. It's cheap enough to be able to have it as a add on to the garage as well. Very good review Sir.
very diplomatic review andy
An honest and to-the-point review. About mirrors vibrating at higher revs; bar-end mirrors fixes that. I too have a classic.
There are somedays where you need headspace, the Enfield seems to deliver. A relaxing ride which you enjoy….why not.
It has its own charm.
I had a loaner Royal Enfield interceptor while i was having work done on my RS 900 Kawasaki . I only had it for a couple of hours but what fun it was. So easy and nice to ride. The price has got people coming back into motorcycling. Well done on this review showing its qualities. I love my Kawasaki and it looks great. If your in the market for a bike and kids, mortgage etc are issues have a go on one you wont be disappointed at that price point
I agree - great value
Hope you are bearing up re shouder, glad to see vlogs are still coming on line.
Yes just awaiting my next operation in April now….
A great thing about living today is seeing British bikes coming back to life. In the 70s and 80s I was obsessed and had a handful at any given time . . . not all of them running. Some were parts backups because, here in the heart of America, (sometimes described as a different part of the anatomy, depending on my mood) the bikes weren't common.
My favorite motorcycle was an offering from Birmingham Small Arms. It was better known to motorcyclists as BSA. Though I was happy to see BSA reborn, sort of, I was a bit disappointed that it isn't selling in the US anytime soon.
It would be a dream to scoot around the Midwest on a modern BSA Lightning, with no fear of being defeated by the Prince of Darkness, better known as Lucas Electric.
Wonderful review, as expected. Thank you Mr. Flyer.
Just bought 350 classic same colour as yours. Love it.
This is a stylish machine that isn't really into speeding. Those looking for a classy ride would for sure seriously consider it. A well done video Andy.
Love mine too Andy. Missed it so much over the winter. Nice gentle bimble over to Ashby de la Zouch on Sunday with Mrs PGB just reinforced what a fantastic bike they are. Surprisingly good two-up with loads of room for pillion and it doesn't dent the performance much either 👍
Thanks for the reveiw Andy. As I've previously said retros, new bikes that look like old bikes are not for me, with a few exceptions like your Z900. I guess it's more the old British bike style I'm not a fan of.....But I do appreciate why some people do. Keep doing what you're doing!
Fair enough!
Love the notes taped to the tank 😀
I don’t just throw these videos together you know! 😘
Might have already been said, the obvious difference between the triumph 400 and the classic 350 is the triumphs are liquid cooled. You can also find Royal Enfield they changed to a liquid cooled engine on the Himalayan to allow the almost doubling of the power. Of course this adds additional complexity and cost
Indeed - and yes, it has been commented on a few times!!
Good straight forward review TMF, A comparison between this and the Benellli imperiale 400 would be interesting.
I parked my V-star 950 and bought one the first day of spring, 30 miles into my break in and it gives me giggles like my old Z-50. Love it.
Very informative. Nice video. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I plan on going to my dealership later this year and will check it out along with some of the other models
I have ridden the Classic 350 and agree with you its a bike every body should get the chance to ride, if it was a 500 single with slightly more power I'd buy one in a heart beat.
The classic 350 has been around a few years now & I think it’s safe to say that most people who buy this bike are fully aware of its so-called short comings!the most popular being its lack of power? I don’t own one (tho am seriously considering it as a 2nd bike!) but I really can’t get my head around this obsession with speed & power? Around town the classic 350 can hold its own against any bike! Of course on a motorway or open fast A road it’s not going to keep up with a Ninja million cc? Anyone that buys this is not into flying around like an annoying wasp! This bike sits in a pigeon hole of its own! As like many other bikes! It’s perfect for the real world at least you’re highly unlikely to loose your license unless you do something really stupid! Good video 👍🏻
As usual a very thorough evaluation. I'm considering a bike like this one as it just looks plain gorgeous and the engine is wonderful to go around town and countryside. It would never get old as it was born "matured". Perfect for an old fart like me with no pretense of being a street MotoGP rider. The power comparison vs other equivalent cc bikes is valid but misses an important technical point: Water Cooling. H2O is required to maintain head temperature in a narrow range to keep Greta and her green minions happy. Most air cooled engines have gone out of production with few noticeable exceptions such as Moto Guzzis and RE, all low RPM/low power engines. And even the new RE engines are air/oil cooled to help keeping temp in check.
Also, comparing the Classic 350 with the Triumph 400 is equivalent to comparing the 650 RE with a 650 VStrom, different strokes for different characters.
Speaking of characters, let's continue our all important chat on bike "Karakter". 😁
You mentioned: "It's got Character and Charm in buckets loads without covering for ride quality " (3':10'), "It's very, very smooth, but not so smooth that they have eradicated all the character out of the bike". Given that the Karakter thing has encompassed attributes such as: "vibrations", "an indefinable thing", "things that makes you fall in love with the motorcycle", "visceral feel", etc. My original take on "Character" was just an European response for poor quality masqueraded as a sublime and undefinable characteristic only accessible to the true "connoisseurs". Bollocks I'd said.
Yet, thanks to this video I'm warming up to the idea, with a slight twist. The fact that this bike has "bucket loads of charms and character", yet the engine does not vibrate in the traditional old fashioned "out of balance" way, point to a different definition Karakter.
Perhaps, and it's only a theory, this is not about engine vibrations per se, but rather the frequency of the bike and how it helps create a state of mind. Low frequency bikes such as the Classic put you in a serene state of mind where one can enjoy the countryside at a leisure pace. On the other side of the spectrum one can think of a small, high rev two stroke motocross bike that will immediately set your mind racing to the finish line. This interactions bike/rider is a combination of the immediate emotions associated with the frequency level coupled with previous experiences one has accumulated over time. Just food for thought.
Keep up the good work.
It’s a wonderful bike to own and ride - thanks TMF
I love the look of the classic and enjoyed the review. I have a meteor 350 which I've put 10,000 miles on in the last 2 years (same engine, very similar bike) and agree with pretty much everything you talk about in this review. The meteor has been a super economical commuter (which is the main reason I bought it) but I always feel like it could do with maybe 10 - 20 more hp. It rides really nicely and has been extremely reliable, but there's nothing extra if you need to overtake or get a shift on!
I don’t get the whole fixation of power with the Classic 350. It’s a bike that unashamedly harks back to the 1950’s - where a 350 would produce about 20hp (if you were lucky!). Plus the torque is linear and high for the capacity, so outright power is not needed. It’s also not designed for dual carriageways and motorways (though can clearly be ridden on these roads within the so called limitations of power), so to call out its shortcomings on such roads is a little unfair. Like you said, Andy, it’s a A, B, country road type of machine.
It is ridiculously good value for money - especially second hand. I picked up a 6 month old red/chrome model last year, with 300 miles on it, for £1200 less than list price, from an RE dealer.
As for comparing it to the Triumph speed 400, again, that’s like comparing apples with pears. The Triumph is a retro pastiche, but is far too modern looking to compare to the RE classic (mono shock, water cooled etc). Also, I bet the engine will have very little torque and will access the 38hp at high RPM (circa 6,000?) so will be a buzzy little thing - again, completely opposite the market the RE 350 is aimed at.
In short, two completely different bikes aimed at different segments of the small capacity market.
Fair enough!
I owned one and loved it for all the reasons you mentioned but for the lack of power, so eventually it went .
What a fantastic place you have to ride!! I have the green one.
Well done review. The Classic 350 is a beautiful motorbike, and for the price, it is perfect.
Ive had 2 classic 350s and will undoubtedly buy another...If you get yr head around its limitations powerwise you start to fall in love with all the plus points you mentioned..amazing bike 😍
I kept meaning to ask on your channel, how was it around the Bromley area when you needed a bit of umph in heavy traffic? I'm in Tonbridge and the limited power has put me off getting one as the traffic is so heavy.
@@simonchilli2088 Hi Simon, tbh I found it fine in traffic, used it to commute into London and never felt intimidated by the limited power...however because I loved the way it made me feel I almost dismissed its 20bhp!
@@2wheeledwillie395 Cheers for that Willie.
Had mine for just a year. I had an epiphany of sorts a couple of years ago. I realised I wasn't enjoying riding on the edge any more. A reset was required. The Classic 350 was exactly what I needed at exactly this point in my riding journey. The Mrs loves it too as it's such a good two up bike. Yes, I could get something a bit faster, more powerful again but I just know I'd be climbing that performance ladder once again searching for something that would inevitably lead me right back again to the Classic 350 👍
@PhilipBallGarry I know that feeling Garry! 👍
I got the opportunity to test ride one of those here in Utah on Monday. I thought it was a really characterful ride, super easy, and very good looking. I also currently own a 2023 Interceptor 650, and a 1983 Yamaha XJ900. The price also seems very reasonable for the machine you get with the 'little 350' bonus too it was also this chrome bronze color that you have. I may purchase one this year or next to add to my fleet.
I have the 22 model in green and have done 12ks. Absolute joy 🤩. No issues at all.
I think that's pretty fair but I think you're just missing one thing.If I can just mention that most old codgers (like me) buy this bike because of the relatively low power and gentle, sedate, manageable output. Lots of us have been on bikes all our life, we've all had Sports bikes, the big tourers and the rocketships and quite frankly as you get older and start to creak you start to find that big powerful bikes are both unnecessary in normal use and can get you into trouble. I don't mean legally., although that's obvious. I mean imagine pushing on, on a bike that is becoming beyond your capabilities both physically and mentally. You could end up in hospital, or worse.
Many older bikers don't want to give up biking, they want to maintain their relationship with two wheels and the freedom and independence that it brings.
It's not all about, horsepower, rider modes, technology etc
We've done all that, leave it to you youngsters, sometimes less is more.
We buy it because it's 20 bhp, not in spite of it.
Ride safe mate👍
I completely get that Shotto - I'm already an old codger myself.....
After watching a few vids way to go for 350 seems to be Hitchcocks Kent cam,new extra flow air filter and cover, straight through exhaust system plus Fuelxpro,350
Excellent review. My takeaway is that (with respect to motorcycling) frugality maybe a necessary but insufficient antidote for hubris. Things gotta work too . . .
Great review on the R E , 👍
Thanks! 👍
I agree - it's a beautiful machine - I'm picking up one like yours one day...
You mentioned low power and compared its engine class to the Speed 400...
I believe that despite similar capacity, a round headlight and the fact that they have two wheels - they have nothing more important in common. The Triumph's 40 HP and its compression ratio of 12:1 compared to the Enfield's 8.5:1 prove that the English machine is highly compressed (there are already the first information from around the world about its leaks). The piston stroke of 64 mm compared to 85.5 of the Enfield suggests maintaining charisma in the higher parts of the revolutions, while the Royal will be smooth from the very bottom... And the liquid cooling of the speed better controls its thermals, hence the power may be greater...
Great review, beautiful shots - thank you, greetings from Poland!
Jack
Greetings back Jack! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for another great video
My pleasure Francis - thank you for watching!
Had my classic 'Kali' since June 23. Never fails to put a smile on my face...sometines prefer to my Tiger 1200XCA. Good video as always. Thanks
I'm three rides in on my new classic 350 reborn (red/chrome) after watching so many TH-cam vlogs rave about this little bike I decided to go for it. Can't find anything I don't love about it so far. Looking forward to lots of little adventures on her(Ruby) now.
Thanks Andy for your thoughts on the 350. I have the red and chrome version and I absolutely love it. Running it in is a bit of a pain, and I think the clank you hear maybe the chain as you go over bumps! It maybe time for the dealer to adjust it. It's easy for an owner to do as with all the servicing including adjusting the valves at 300 miles. Doing mine soon, with plenty of videos to help me!
You must get one to replace your Interceptor in your stable!! Thanks again. 👍
No way! Love my Interceptor!!
Thanks for the video 😊
My pleasure 😊
I never would have thought a brown bike would look good, but that one looks great.
Yes I love that colour scheme!
I agree, I bought the same color. Have a RE Himalayan, Triumph T120 and Yamaha XT250 but the Classic is my go to bike.
I love mine after really getting used to the power. I find it no problem . When I am out, it is like a time machine taking me back to simpler days and enjoying the journey instead of speeding to the destination in a blur 🙃
Yes I get that completely!
I’ve had my 2023 Classic for only 6 weeks. The first things I added were bar end mirrors which greatly reduced the vibration, a DNA air filter which increased power about 10%, and adjustable levers which look and work great, and I took the pillion seat off. The break in procedure is a bit of a pain - I have to move over to the bike lane to allows cars to pass on 55 mph roads when I’m limited to about 45 mph. I look forward to being able to open her up. Oh, and the heel-toe shifter. I’m planning Hitchcock’s free flow exhaust and the performance cam upgrade and hope I can pass the smog check when renewing my registration.😂
Love the way it looks, fenders that actually function nice too. 7 or 8 more hp would be nice
This bike is absolutly great on back country roads... probably the best I’ve ever had, keeping in mind it is totally inappropriate above 100 km/h
Hi Andy, firstly, brilliant content as always! What boots are you wearing in this lessons learned review?
Thanks =- They are my Falco Gordon 2 boots - check www.bikerheadz.co.uk for details....
Another great review!
I appreciate that!
Love the classic 350, superb value for money 👌, got all the power you need for pottering around the country lanes, excellent 😎
I purchased my Classic 350 (Chrome, brown version like yours) in Dec-22 as a retirement present to myself and have been thrilled to bits with it so far. I took in to Wales last May and Yorkshire last June and it performed great on both trips. Now I've retired I'm no longer in a hurry and enjoy the bikes virtues which you pointed out in this video. I added a set of alloy wheels with Avon tyres to mine as I don't like tubed tyres - a worthwhile investment in my book and it still retains its classic looks. I did 6,300 in the first year and the bike shares its garage space with a Honda CB125F (which also gets well used at around 5,000 miles a year) and an old Yamaha DT175 for classic runs & shows.
Royal Enfield servicing has been competitively priced, build quality appears better than the little Honda and I'm achieving around 100mpg on it.
Nice one Pete!
The bike is so beautiful in its classic way. Far outshines the Triumphs in that respect. Has anyone looked into aftermarket performance upgrades? I’ve seen vlogs about camshafts. Pistons? Wouldn’t want to mess with the exhaust, too pretty. Crazy electronics to modify the intake? As far as tubeless goes, for years we’ve been taping up our rims on mountain bikes and running tubeless. Stan’s is our benchmark. Once again, thanks so much for your efforts.
My pleasure
Love it. Great second bike I think,
Totally agree about the low power. I’m waiting for a hip replacement operation on 24th April. I’m currently riding a 400cc maxi scooter, which I love. Have been toying with the idea of a Classic 350 when I’ve had my op & can once again throw a leg over a conventional bike. The power would be ok most of the time, but would be annoying on dual carriageways. The scooter will do a gps 90mph on such a road & will accelerate like a scalded cat from a standstill. I think I’d miss that if I bought the Enfield. Considered the Shotgun or the Super Meteor 650, but a little heavy for my 70 year old bones. Jury is still out.
Scooter comment “like a scalded cat from a standstill” 😂👍🏻
I have and old 2005 350 bullet,owned from new and still love it. I think even the current 350s appeal to someone who actually wants a real classic( have some of those too) but wants the ease of a new bike. I think the new Triumphs will be more appealing to younger riders getting a first bigger bike. Both lovely but probably quite different to ride. I have ride the new 350s but not tried the Triumph YET
It is a lovely looking bike, great for a bumbling Sunday ride out in the countryside, I have to say the Triumphs do look good though, especially the Scrambler.
It's your house and you make the rules. I always enjoy my visit!😉
I love my Halcyon Green Classic 350 almost as much as my TW200! The Tdub is just a little better in the Pine Barrens her in NJ. Safer out there these days with all the cars out there. Cheers!
Cheers!
It's a lovely looking bike with all that chrome, and proper mudguards too, great mpg.. I think I could put up with the low top speed. Some of my most memorable trips ( in a good way) have been on lower powered bikes. Riding performance bikes especially sports bikes, you just want to get it done to end the pain of aching wrists, knees and backs.
Totally agree!
I love mine yep little underpowered, but mine is just used for nice country rides in the summer down the lanes. The price is great and with such a low outlay you can have a naughty boy in the stable if you want one
Great review.
Thanks....
Regardless of any of its flaws, it’s still a pretty bike. 🍻
Very true…
I have had a classic 350 for two years. The power is easily sorted with a new cam, exhaust and performance filter (all reasonably priced and fairly easy to fit). The bigger issue for me is the weight as I load mine into a van regularly and for a 350 it is heavy. As a two up country lane pub/cafe finder it is perfect. As a bike to commute through London having driven 150 miles by van to get there the only downside is loading it back in the Van after a long day (my gas gas ES700 is much lighter).
The filter doesn't makes any difference in performance. But the sound is nicer.
Excellent analysis mate, I can only confirm everything you say, as I like to say: "a motorcycle that is enjoyable, without having to race." I would only add that it is a perfectly valid motorcycle, not only for the city, but for routes and offroad (not very demanding), as long as you are clear about what you are riding, that it is not a fast motorcycle, but it is tremendously tough, reliable and robust. All you have to do is see where the Indian riders are with this bike and where they mess with it. Greetings from Spain.
Greetings back! Wish I was in Spain.....
My grandfather was in the British army and he used to own one. It’s a British retro 😜 ww2 solid machine 😊
Really good to see affordable bikes of good quality and looks coming into the UK market. Competition is hotting up in this area which is good for us all!
Couldn't agree more!
Another fantastic review of a bike I'm sill thinking about, but still waiting to see what the Triumph 400 is like. I would imagine, like a few others, that if the bhp was around the 35 - 40 mark the 350 classic would be a closer rival to Triumph. Especially as I'd like to carry on doing the odd trip to Portugal.
Great objective review of the bike, had mine for 2 years this week, and can't fault it apart from the foot peg position, always catching my shins on them, especially when wheeling the bike.
Can't say I'm a fan of the chrome models, far too "blingy" for my tastes, but each to their own, and they're obviously very popular.
As you say spoked wheels are great, 'til you get a puncture, and at this price point, it's expected that you can't fit tubeless tyres, pity there's not an upgrade to tubeless spoked rims at purchase. Ride safe
I really love this bike. The power is what keeps me from getting it. I wish they have a 650 version. I have the continental 650 for 3 years now, i feel like thats my sweet spot enginewise. But i will trade my continental gt in a heartbeat if this was a 650.
Hi Andy as a Meteor 350 owner I love it and would have bought the classic on looks had it been out. The Triumph 400s I tested aren’t ( for me anyway) as good to ride slowly and at low revs but have another world of engine performance from mid range up.
I purchase a 2023 Classic 350 in exactly the same color scheme as the bike you're borrowing. I think your review was fair and we thought out I absolutely love it my bike and feel there is something special about it, but I'm learning no motorcycle is perfect.
My other bike is a Kawasaki ZX1400. My Royal Enfield 350 is like riding a Honda Monkey compared to it. But I've got big saddle bags and front bag and tank bag. It's great to go shopping with.
The 350 engine and platform is great , i just added a meteor 350 to my garage officially a two bike family now. The new triumphs look good on paper but quite a bit more on price and looks are totskt different.
I love mine, perfect bike for 50/60 mph roads... yes, it's out of its comfort zone on quicker roads, but there's always a back road you can take to avoid the quick stuff.... best of all, you see more of the countryside.....
Having said that, there is a cam you can fit to make it 25bhp 🤔 tempting, as long as it doesn't change the character of the bike too much...
It's an aircooled longstroke single in a relaxed but torquey state of tune similar to an old Harley sportster ...ease with the breeze.
You can have more relaxed power with more cubes or frenetic buzz box power with a more revvy higher state of tune engine.
Yes It's not much more power than a 125cc revving It's nuts off but far more relaxing & cool.
If revs & power was everything people would have 400cc small cars that spin to 11000revs rather than 1200cc cars spinning to only 6000revs.
It's a relaxed ride ...like walking everywhere rather than running past everyone
Enjoy the pace...the old Constellation 700cc was the faster alternative before the Interceptor
Yes, it is a nice-looking bike, although the rear mudguard looks a bit bulky and high, but then it would need to allow for suspension travel.
My local Harley dealer has recently branched out and added RE to their offerings, in a separate building of course. They have a demo day coming up in a few weeks and I might just try out a Himalayan to be a runabout. I’m surrounded by too many highways to even consider a 350, classic or meteor
Greetings from the United States. Watching your video because I'm a bit curious of what this British motorcycle has to offer. You do a really good job of describing what the bike is like. Thank you so much. Food for thought, man; You mention about how this bike has seemingly low power, but sharing what little i know about motors, I would like to pose to you why i think the power output of your motorcycle is a GOOD thing. To my knowledge, a huge determining factor of how long a motor's life span maybe is how much power it's designed to deliver. There is a principle in piston motor engineering that rings mostly true with minimal outliers; "A fire that burns twice as hot burns for half as long". If one were to try to squeeze say 45 BHP out of a similar motor, then it would likely get tired and die sooner because of the increased stresses inside the motor. I reckon because this bike has such modest power, it would be a low stress motor and probably last you a good long while, assuming there are no design flaws inside it. Love the video. Thanks for the informative review.
Thank you for the kind words and yes, very little stress on this engine….
I like them so much I have two of them! I bought the red and chrome 2 years ago and then purchased the Signals grey version 8 months ago for a winter bike. This was to me a better alternative to the Himalayan. Love them both.
Very nice!