Royal Enfield Classic 350 | Review | An Addictive Ride
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- čas přidán 14. 08. 2024
- A Review and ride of the Royal Enfield Classic 350.
An addictive and affordable modern classic. Is it the right bike to buy?
Onboard POV, detail look at the styling and a look at the 805mm seat height.
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Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:35 - First impression
1:40 - Spec and price
2:45 - How does it ride & power
4:10 - Rivals?
5:55 - Seat Height
7:20 - Seat position and controls
9:50 - Start up
10:23 - Torque
10:45 - Centre Stand
11:10 - To buy - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I worked in Dehli for 6 weeks and after a few days of "taxis" I rented one of the old 350s. At home in my garage was a Fireblade, a Tiger 800 and a Ducati Scrambler.....but Ifell 100% for the charm of the RE and couldn't wait to finish work just to go for a ride. Like you said, it's addictive.
It’s an engaging ride isn’t it. Some bikes stick with you like that. My dad had an R45 BMW when I started riding and I can still remember the sensation of it. And the Enfield singles are like that
I bought my Halcyon Grey Royal Enfield Classic 350 16 months back. Love it!
I'm 6'-4", 235 and it fits me very well, but I added the Touring seat set which raises it about 3/4" which for me, is good.
The power is perfect for what we got them for. I got myself and my son one, as well as his girlfriend's father. We're all different sizes and have different riding levels, and the Classic is a perfect bike for riding around Los Angeles.
Everywhere we go, we get stopped and asked about them. They're just a joy, and inexpensive to run and own.
Getting close to 100MPG here, but that did go down last winter when they seem to add more alcohol to the fuel here.
Zero regrets getting these. Try one if you're on the fence!
Ride Safe 🙏🏼
BTW, almost everyone moves the gearshift lever up one notch. You have to undo a few bolts on the frame to wiggle it up, but less than 20 minutes to do easily. That's the fix!
We also put on the DNA Stage 2 and Hitchcock's decat center pipes.
There's a lot of good aftermarket bits so you can do a lot to customize to your liking...
Ride Safe 🙏🏼
Hi Scott, I love the idea of all the family having a version. That is incredible!
Glad to hear that it does actually get 100mpg. So much fun for less money!
How much power does the Hitchcock kit add? Their website is a treasure trove for Enfield owners!
Good advice on the gear lever!
@@pintsizedbiker hard to say how much the mods add, but we did it for sound and I’ve read maybe between the two, you’ll get another 1-2 hp. Feels about right but it just makes the Royal Enfield Classic 350 that much better. The touring seats and fat foot pegs also are nice. I’m done modding mine and am very happy!!!
I have one, love it. Ive removed the cat and put in less restrictive air intake. I get up to 100kmph in 3rd with no issues. I had 4 clasics 500s, one 535 and two interceptors, but love new classic 350 the best. Love the bike.
How did you find the 535 compared with the 500?
Nice review. Bike is quite heavy in weight, but you get all metal parts/fenders, and it feels light riding it, but very planted and stable. I found my 2022 RE350 Classic really started to open up as to power at around 1200-1500 miles. I regularly get in the low 90s mpg imperial, lowest has been 88 mpg and best 103mpg. Great bike to have. Cheers from Canada, Ronny
Hi! sorry I didn't see your comment. That is great MPG and good to know that the bike starts to free up when nicely run in. Thanks for watching Ronny! Merry Christmas!
This is a piece of art, you won't find anywhere else. I own one and absolutely love it.
Great review mate, well put together video. I agree for riding around the slower roads it would be fabulous and addictive. Greetings from South Australia 😎
Thank you! And greetings from cold south England 🥶I would love to ride some of your roads one day.
I myself have gone for the Meteor 350 mainly due to the lower seat height and the availability of a lower seat. The Classic seat height is 805mm and the Meteor is 765mm minus another 10mm with the lower seat . I'm 5'5" but have very short legs 26", certainly Not flat footed but manageable. I could go for shorter shocks but I will manage as is. It would be of interest to see how you get on with a Meteor 350 witch is basically the same bike. Safe riding!
The meteor is on my list to try if I can arrange it! How do you find it on longer journeys? Thank you for watching!
I too got the Low seat on my Meteor. I am 5 foot 4, with a 27 inch inside leg.
I have purchased the touring seat to fit, for this coming season, March onwards…..lol.
This seat is currently at Tom Hurley custom seats, in Bathgate, to get that even lower than the 11mm of the low seat.
Tom pointed out, while there, that on the underneath of seat is rubber stoppers which sit on frame of the bike. So it be possible to pare some mm of these to further reduce the sitting height.
The aperture/width of seat, I think makes it higher than it looks.😊
@@christga100 I believe the low seat for the Classic, is a 30mm reduction over the standard.?
As you said for around the lanes or just local rides it’s a perfect bike , I can definitely see the appeal
If you don’t do long trips then I would certainly consider it
I have a 500 Classic, I test rode a 350 classic. The 350 is FAR more comfortable, the performance below 50 MPH is similar, I really wanted to love this bike, however, it struggles to get up to freeway speed (I live in the U.S. where Freeway riding is inevitable) whereas my 500 can get up to 65 with ease and I have had it up to an indicated 80+ MPH. The 500's seat is brutal and the engine punitive with it's vibrations at anything over 55 MPH. An hour on the freeway is a recipe for neuropathy in the hands and feet. Perfect bike, to me, would be a 500 counter balanced engine in the 350 frame. I installed a sidecar on my 2nd 500, it was a fun ride and could go 65 MPH, it never felt like it was struggling. I would never install a sidecar on this 20HP bike.
Great insight Steve. Good point on the vibrations, I am always considering a 535 and wonder how it would be on motorway or for any longer period
I mentions at the dealership that a 500 version would be superb that thought it would take sales from the 650 which is a fair point.
Thank you for watching 😊
Interesting review. I have one of these. You keep saying that the bike is light. I don't think it is. It weighs 198 kilos which is 430 pounds. You are right that on the move, it is very easy to manoeuvre and it flicks around well. As another shorty, and unlike you, aged 72, I found the original seat height to be a problem. I am 5'6" with a 29 inch inside leg - that is my trouser size anyway, and I felt pretty insecure tip toeing it on flat roads. If like me, you ride the back roads, you very often come to a stop on uneven surfaces, loose surfaces and adverse cambers. This can spell disaster if you are tip toe on a level surface. Once that 430 pounds is out of perpendicular, it is VERY easy to drop your beautiful machine on its side. It is quite a lift to get it back up again too. I bought the low rider seat from RE which lowers the seat height by 33 mm - a VERY worthwhile investment for hobbit sized folk. I did this after the damned thing fell over on me on some dodgy ground. Believe me, stationary with a good lean on it and a loose surface and it can happen. Fortunately the only damage was to my hand which was somewhat bruised as I tried to cushion the fall with an outstretched arm. The bike was pristine - for which I was very grateful. All in all I love the way it feels - on the move. I'm still running mine in so I will be able to say more about performance later on when it has some miles on it. I am sure the 20hp will be plenty for my back lane bimbling, especially given the nice low down torque it has.
As I'm not with the hobbid sized folks but more a Rohirrim (6"6') I assume a bike like the Classic 350 might look a bit small for me?
That is a really good point Tony on the uneven roads. I hadn’t considered that in the little time I had it but you are spot on.
Good to hear from someone with experience of the lower seat. 33mm might not sound like a lot but it can make that final bit of difference. I wonder if there is crash bars for these?
Happy to hear the bike wasn’t damaged but your hand was ok!
Ride safe!
@gilburton sorry to hear about your fall. I have done similar and yes it’s the ego that hurts most! Did it once after a date with a Suzuki SV and me underneath!
@@TheWuseln no I don’t think so, give Freddie dobbs Review a look as he is quite tall.
On the subject of height, did you have a go on the meteor in regards seat hight and slightly less weight?
Nice to watch your review Pint Sized Biker. Its obvious that the bike made an impression on you ☺️
Re Motorways - this is entirely subjective (which you sort of said yourself) but I take mine on the motorway all the time. It isn't a bike for the outside lane & is happiest chugging along at hgv speeds but if you are conditioned to that its fine and not at all tiring on a long trip - the wind blast is more bearable at those speeds anyway. I rode back from a weekend in Scotland on her this year (am from Mcr) and am off to the south coast next easter for a touring hol.
I guess performance wise they are in 125 territory but the extra torque means its a lot lazier & you don't have to wring its neck to get anywhere! The pillion seat gets used regular here and she handles that fine too!
Thanks for watching! You have worded the motorway performance much better than I did! To be honest these days I plod along quite relaxed on the motorway on my triumph, that said it’s nice to have something in reserve when needed.
Fascinated to hear it is good with a pillion. I’ve not heard many reviews of that on it.
Sadly only had 2 hours and that included filming so it’s never a full impression. I’d love longer like some reviewers are able to do so I could fully put it through its paces 😊
Thanks again for watching I really appreciate it!
@@pintsizedbikerAre welcome. Have subscribed too. Keep building your channel & am sure you will get more time on the bikes to review them!
@@islaws4589 thank you! 😊
There are fantastic bikes. I test rode that one at Hatfields back to back with the Hunter. I ordered a Hunter on the spot after finishing the rides and I wasn't even out to buy anything but they were so much fun to ride. I picked the Hunter as I just preferred the way it rode and sounded, brilliant fun. I would actually consider having a classic to go with it in the future for sure, lets see what 2024 brings.
Thanks for watching Paul! Sounds like an exciting 2024 if you are going to add another bike to your fleet!
I will have to try the hunter soon
Thanks for this. I have a 2023 Classic 350 which I bought last April. It's a great little bike and perfect for the kind of riding I want to do these days. Plenty of room for two-up (which we do most of the time) and the the extra weight makes little difference which was a surprise. If you move the gear lever one notch clockwise it solves the issue of not being to easily get your foot underneath. But you do have to remove the left hand frame rail to get it past the splines.
Brakes? It benefits from using both especially two up - but that's a technique I adopt anyway with pillion aboard. You'll grow to love it 👍
Sorry Philip totally missed your message!
Great to hear handles 2 up well, I think that would be a question for many especially as very few dealers let you test with a pillion.
Good tips on using both brakes when 2 up, I do the the same.
Thanks for watching mate!
I have just come across your channel, thanks for doing this review. Like I just replied to some one. You can get a lower seat for this bike that I think is about an inch shorter, also Hagen will make a pair of rear shocks about an inch shorter also, which apparently don’t effect the handling. So in theory you could if need be reduce the seat height by two inches.
Thanks Hugh, 2 inches would make a big difference. Good point on a Hagon, I need to get some of them for Bonneville. I am told they will make them to suit your weight etc or if you ride 2 up
Two inches is a game changer, thanks 😊
Everything a bike should have. - Am very satisfied.
Greetings from Germany
Thank you for watching! Good to hear you are happy with it. Would quite like to get on one again and do a longer journey
@@pintsizedbiker Drove from Duisburg to London last year ( via Waterloo). Was a great experience... . Do it, man 😃👍.
By the way, in Waterloo /Belgium is the oldest european RE dealer located.
@@christianb.4726 now that Belgium dealership would make a great destination video for a trip!
So for my little travel videos haven’t been popular but they only been local ones to be fair. Got a wedding in a couple of weeks, which is why been no recent videos. After that will put more focus on channel
Thanks for the review. I'd like to have one of these. It's a beautiful bike. But I already have a 2007 carbureted Bonneville. If I could I would have both.
I know the dilemma! It would make a great 2nd bike. Thanks for watching!
Well done, I have this exact bike that's a 2022 model, I'm in the USA - Georgia, and bought it down in New Orleans and then rode it back to home putting a little over 900 miles on it in 4 days of travel. If you're interested I have a handful of videos on my channel.
Well that is quite a journey!! Fair play, sometimes UK perspective of long journey is very different as we are quite small!
I have given you a follow 😊
Hi great to see your review on this bike. I was looking at that very bike at Crowthorne dealership a couple of weeks ago. After much consideration I finally opted to get the new bullet 350. I too am keen on RE bikes, they are such great value for money and I love their simplicity, looks and ease of maintenance. I also have a T100 which is the last of the carburettor models and watched your T100 review with interest. Might see you around some time in local area.
Hey fellow local!
Do you have the bullet yet?
Those T100s are great, I nearly got one but in 09 went for the SE model with the mag wheels that served me well
Hi there. Yes I got the bullet. In fact it was the gloss black one which was previously along side the two Matt black ones at the Crowthorne dealership.
@@pintsizedbiker
I'm shocked how high the seat is. This maybe alright for my son as an everyday bike though. He has a 1998 BMW 650 and he wants a lower cc for everyday. He likes classic looking bikes. I was interested to see how your foot fitted the pegs. People don't always realise that's an issue for shorter riders.😊
I think I will wait for your reviews of the Triumph 400s before I look seriously at Royal Enfield.
Thanks for the review.
It’s an own goal with the seat height, but it is so light that it is easier to manage. And there is lower seats on line that would make that crucial difference. Good boots for me make a world of difference also.
In terms of the foot pegs they certainly weren’t a stretch. The first feeling is a bit odd as they are further forward but I adapted very quickly and then didn’t think much of it. How they would be on a long run on a motorway I am not sure as I only had the bike for 2 hours and a big chuck of that is filming. It’s a cracking little bike 😊
Which 650 does he have?
@@pintsizedbiker He has a Fundoro. Ladies boots with inbuilt heels that I can afford are few and far between. The search continues 😊
There is a lower seat for this bike, Hagen will also make you back shocks that are approximately 1 inch shorter, but do not effect the handling.
If you're interested in other RE models, consider that the meteor has a much lower seat.
@@francescocarpagnano8505 a friend has already recommended that for me so I will definitely give it a try 😊
You’ve bought a fifties looking bike with fifties hp and this always seems to be an issue most 350s back then were about the same my b31 had 17 hp just bloody enjoy it
@@MichaelBall-uu5lg did you watch the video? I don’t complain about the power. Nor have I bought it
No Mention of the Meteor. It is lower still. The low seat reduces that by a further 11mm.
I have purchased the touring seat, which is getting the cheap 3d net gel removed, and getting a memory foam/medical gel to replace it. This should be 30mm lower, and be sculpted on the sides too, and recovered with original vinyl. So at the moment, I got 11mm lower with low seat. So should gain an extra 19mm overal😊
So am, tippy tip toes, at present. So hopefully get more feet on the ground.
I did add, in reply here, from the guy doing my seat, that there is rubber mounts under the seat, so, if they are trimmed, you could a few extra mm extra, for no, or little cost.
Having abdominal pain from Crohn’s and pancreatitis, I find the bike top heavy, and difficult to put on centre stand.
Just subscribed, fantastic stuff😊
Hey Mark! Greer shout on the seat advice! Especially on the trimming the mounts. Love little tricks like this. Sounds like you have really gained some extra purchase for your legs
I suffer from ulcerative colitis. Hope is well you your end (if you know what I mean 😂)
Good point on the Meteor, many have said I should try it. It’s on the list for the channel next year when time allows and a dealer lets me have one for a few hours.
Thank you watching and following. Really appreciate it. Ride safe and Merry Christmas!
@@pintsizedbiker yeah cheers. On Stellera, which I was taken off, due to pancreatitis, but that’s a whole other story, in its self. Just gotta focus on the positives.
Filmed the seat at Tom Hurley, on my own wee channel…..Wee Mark. So hopefully do one when I get the seats back.
Best wishes.
I have the Meteor 350 which I think is the better bike you can flat foot that easily. As for not enough power for motorways it will do 70mph all day long with no problem and 70 is the speed limit.
The small bike that scared the other manufacturers once it arrived in Europe
At 200 kg it’s not light.
With 27nm of torque it’s low reviving and relaxing.
On the Triumph you have to go higher in the rev range to get that power.
Thanks for watching, it felt light to me. But it’s deceptive, what feels light when you are on it is very different to if it fell over and trying to pick it up. Plus perhaps it’s a comparison to what I’m used to.
It’s only slightly heavier than a VF500 Honda sports bike from the 80s that I owned
@@pintsizedbikertry pushing it up a hill!
G'day from Oz, interesting info, like wise I have the ducks disease - short legs. I am 5'4" with instep of 27", it will be interesting when I get to sit on one. I like the look Halcyon Classic grey and the Signals models.
Hi Mark! Thank you for watching. Ducks Disease, I like that 😂. The grey did look good! Hope (and I am sure it is) the weather is nicer in Oz than Blighty!
Good presentation 👍
That is very kind of you to say. I only had the bike 2 hours to so everything is one take and hope for the best 😂
Cat delete pipe, airbox mod and a cam adds five actual Hp which is very noticeable on this we just need someone to write a reflash program for the ecu
5 HP is a big gain when you start off with 20!
However the cost of the cam is not cheap, but it's not to hard a job from what I've seen 😊
Best review
Thank you!
Great review - how do you find it compared with your T100 ? I have this new Classic 350 but live the look / don’t quite have the funds for a T100 which are more than double the price here in Sydney - 😮. I like you an a shorter rider at 5”7 and have found the suspension softens after the first 500km so am mostly flat footed 😊
Hey Tom, I would say the T100 is better bike in most areas but it is way over double the price as you say. So it depends on what you need it for. If you wanted to do long touring or 2 up riding the T100 is better. But that isn’t saying the 350 isn’t capable of those things as I am sure you know. If the 350 is ticking your boxes then stick with what you have or maybe look at used low mileage one? Or a V7 Moto Guzzi which I’d like to try soon. Kawasaki W800 is another cracking bike
Thanks for watching I really appreciate it!
Thanks ! - and yes like those other bikes you mentioned, keep up the great vids
Hey thanks for the video great content! I am an owner of the GT535 myself.
I saw that you wear the Goldtop Bobber jacket. I wanted to buy from them for a while but had doubts about the jacket long length due to my height of 5'6 with their 36 size.
With you statement of being 5'3 I would love to know what jacket size you picked as the fit looks incredible!
Thank you! I went with the 40 inch, if I at the time was usually a 38, but found the 40 just fit a bit better. Good move as I’ve put on a bit of weight since then! Worth trying them on first if you can. Or contacting them, they are very helpful. The other option is playing about with the armour a bit. For instance I am considering buying some super slim D3 just to free it up. It came with Knox.
How long you had the GT? I have considered one for years but never pulled the trigger
I got some experience with replacing Knox armor with my Knox Urbane jacket. I switched to D3O Ghost armor it's the slimmest out there, more comfortable.
There's also a hardshell backpack that can replace a back protector from a company called Boblbee. The model is GTX 25L backpack.
How is the jacket fit without armor in your opinion?
Regarding my Continental it's a wonderful machine! I own it for three years now it's and I absolutely love it.
The engine is one of a kind it purs and you feel it's soul, the bike is beautiful I won't sell it it's my first and last. A passion.
You can ride it comfortably for an hour without feeling it, more than that you'll need some breaks, it vibrates but in a good way and not too much, I personally love it.
The bike can do highway speeds of 100kmph with ease and 120 if you push it but it can manage for overtakes. Plenty of torque fun beauty
Feel free to ask me any and all question that you have about it. I would love to answer and help.
@@yardenl1998 what a fabulous description of the GT535. I rode one nearly 10 years ago and enjoyed it. Need to get my hands on one again!
I have given you a follow on IG, yours looks stunning!
It looks fantastic but can I disagree with you I think it would be very comfortable going across Europe but of course the autobahn would be a no no ?😊😊
Yes that’s a fair point, I probably didn’t word what I meant well. It could do it just fine.
It could also do the autobahn but you just might not want to! 🤣
Do you have any plans to test ride a Triumph T120? I’m also more akin to a hobbit in height so would be keen to see if Frodo Baggins might be able to handle such a bike.
Hi Luke, I can see if I can get hold of one. Be curious to see if the weight makes a difference.
The 900 is a perfect bike for me though 😊, I understand the current bike has more power than mine so probably even better
@@pintsizedbiker I'm torn between the 900 and the bigger 1200. Like the idea of the extra power but many say the 900 has plenty.
@@lukeoverthere1364 for me it does, and done plenty of 2 up riding as well. And the increased horsepower it now has vs mine will help.
Saved pennies can go on upgrades 😊
I am 5'6" with a 29 inch inside leg and I had a 900cc ,2016 Street Twin which had a MUCH lower seat than my Classic 350. It was way lower and I could easily flat foot that bike and felt more secure on it at a stop than I do on the Classic. However, the Street Twin was vastly more powerful with massive torque. But it was to me over complicated, water cooled and much less in keeping with my desire for a hark back to the bikes of my youth - air cooled, simple and authentic classics. @@lukeoverthere1364
If you are short have you test rode the mighty meteor 😏
I will give it a look! They do a 650 as well?
@@pintsizedbiker yes the super meteor, but it's 242kg but it's weight is low down
Honda 350
Good point!
500 Bullet for me.
C00L
Can you please get off that bike, and not take anymore videos, pics, images, ect with you and the bike in the same frame. You somehow make the bike look less appealing. I didnt think it was possible but you did it. You should remove your video and apologize to royal enfield for diminishing the look of this very awesome machine.
Hey Aaron. You are a lovely fellow aren’t you?
Chill, have a beer, go for a walk, maybe go for a ride, hopefully you don’t ruin it’s looks like I do.
Life might look brighter if you do!
@@pintsizedbiker that is exactly my fear. I have that exact same bike. (2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 halcyon grey) and if I look like you look on that bike, I am not riding it. I went for a ride earlier today, I don't feel any better about things. I walk all day long for my job. I don't drink beer because I get sick throughout my body. I feel like a hippo riding a little child's bike on that thing. I am not a lovely fellow. I don't enjoy anything. Cheers mate. Please ride safe
@stevedriver1376 keep what?
Man, your bed must only have a wrong side, though you'll probably say you don't have a bed, or something silly, like your reply to @pintsizedbiker . Assuming you're a bot, but just in case; keep those opinions to yourself and if you're going through something, talk to someone and get help, instead of picking on some guy online.
@@snoopycharlie8718 ok, can we pretend everything looks great
Having owned a genuine Royal Enfield Crusader in the early sixties, I can only say that the RE badged bikes being produced in India today are about the same as a Vindaloo from my local Indian takeaway, just gives you the sh*ts. Anbody trying to buy nostalgia should go out a pay for the real thing as these imitations will depreciate exponentially.......
Great video, i've been doing a ton of research on this bike.
I'm curious to know if you replaced the stock seat with the low profile option.
That would improve the comfort.
Heya, it’s not my bike I borrow it for a couple of hours from my local dealership.
But there has been a few comments of people fitting that lower seat with good success. I am pretty certain some also trimmed some spacers under the seat, but I didn’t take the seat off so unsure on this.
Thank you for watching and for your kind comments! Would be great to know how you get on it you choose one