It really is a miracle drug, motorcycle. Some of them are stimulants - increase your heart rate and dilate your pupils and you find yourself out of breath. Others, like the 2021 Classic 350, are relaxing drugs that calm you down in a way that feels like someone is pressing an ice pack to your brain. Anatomical impossibilities aside, I spent almost a month on Royal Enfield's most important new bike in years, and it was a smooth and unhurried affair.

The same random traffic in Mumbai that used to make me give half my salary to the swearing jar, has now turned into a mushy, barely perceptible background noise, and much of it It depends on how easily and conscientiously this engine pulls you. at low revs, making a pleasant (but neighbor-friendly) noise in the process. In a very Bruce Lee way, I suddenly became a trafficker, instead of constantly trying to beat it.

AMP
The comfortable, torquey motor makes every ride a breeze.

Well, mostly. On the rare occasions that I've been out of the house late, this motor has ramped up on occasion and made up for lost time in a largely vibration-free fashion, despite a shamefully late first service.

But the most enjoyable rides on this bike by far are when there's very little traffic. Mumbai's (relatively) arid roads at night often make me a speed junkie in the interior - take the shortest possible route to the most sparse and well paved road possible and… .. yes, you know. But with the Classic, I leave home with no particular destination, just to ride. And the ride is smooth, therapeutic, and long.

Great attention to detail throughout the bike.

I didn't count how many times I approached the lane leading to my house and didn't turn into it, because I wanted to keep driving. Even with a nagging (albeit very useful) service indicator blinking at me. And why not you, on a bike that makes you feel like the king of the road.

Trouble? There is a couple. This towable engine is also good, as the clutch is quite heavy. And when controlled via a powerful lever positioned a bit further than I would have liked, my left hand is not a happy soldier in stop-and-go traffic. The brake lever is equally powerful and remote, so tweaking would be welcome here; It certainly isn't ridiculous at this price point.

Overall, the Classic 350 is a temple of tranquility and well-adapted to the urban jungle. But he certainly has the qualifications to go even further. I barely scratched the surface of a motorcycle usually purchased with the expectation of a Ladakh road trip. It's also back from that first service (around Rs 1100 for regular oil/filter changes), with a slightly smoother and lighter transmission (it will sometimes object to going from neutral to neutral). first change), so going further is exactly what I envision doing.

Royal Enfield Classic 350 2021
Royal Enfield Classic 350 2021
₹2,16,940