Royal Enfield Classic 350 ABS: Same Price, Other Options

Here are some interesting alternatives you can get for the same price as the newly-launched Classic 350 ABS

In preparation for the upcoming safety norms, Royal Enfield recently launched the ABS variant of its long-standing popular motorcycle, the Classic 350. Priced at Rs 1.53 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the motorcycle sits in a position where there are quite a variety of alternatives, each offering different features. Here’s what you can get for around the same pricing, give or take Rs 10,000:

Jawa (Rs 1.64 lakh):

Yes, at Rs 1.64 lakh (ex-Delhi) it is slightly beyond our ballpark values, but the Jawa is worth a mention in this list as it looks as timelessly classic as the umm, Classic from Royal Enfield. Jawa has done a stellar job of keeping the design ethos intact and has wrapped it up in a properly modern package. It features a Mahindra Mojo-derived (but heavily reworked) 293cc liquid-cooled engine which churns out 27.3PS and 28Nm, mated to a 6-speed transmission. Thanks to the modern engine, it is more powerful than the Classic 350 by 7.3PS while matching the torque figure. More importantly, the Jawa can comfortably cruise at triple digit speeds, unlike the Classic.

Underpinnings are quite similar on both the bikes. Even the telescopic fork cover is similar up front whereas both the bikes employ twin gas-charged shock absorbers at the rear. For braking, the standard Jawa gets a single-channel ABS with disc up front and a drum at the rear. However, a dual-channel ABS-equipped variant is also available as an option, costing Rs 8,942 over the single-channel variant. 

If your budget is a bit too tight to afford the Jawa, worry not as Jawa also has the more affordable Forty Two variant on offer. Priced at just Rs 2,000 over the Royal Enfield Classic 350 ABS, the Forty Two gets all the mechanical bits as the Jawa, but features a slightly modern-ish bodywork, complete with an offset instrument cluster, wider and flatter handlebars with bar-end mirrors.

Bajaj Dominar 400 (Rs 1.63 lakh):

The next obvious alternative is definitely the Bajaj Dominar 400, priced at Rs 1.63 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). With its “Haati Mat Paalo” ad campaigns, Bajaj certainly seems to have the Royal Enfield in its crosshairs. Interestingly, the bike is actually superior in almost every aspect than the Royal Enfield Classic 350, at least in terms of specs. It features a bigger, 373.3cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that churns out a healthy 35PS and 35Nm, in conjunction with a 6-speed transmission with slipper clutch. 

While the front end makes do with telescopic forks, the rear features a relatively advanced gas-charged monoshock. Conventional twin-shocks always have the propensity of having variable damping rates, and having a monoshock effectively eliminates this. Moreover, monoshock also offers a certain degree of flex, which enhances the fun-to-ride quotient of the motorcycle, especially in the twisties.

Bajaj will soon be launching the 2019 version of the Dominar which comes with quite a lot of improvements. However, it will be priced around Rs 20,000 over the current-gen motorcycle.

Yamaha Fazer 25 (Rs 1.43 lakh):

If you’re in the market for a Japanese motorcycle with commendable refinement and looks to boot, the Yamaha Fazer 25 shouldn’t be ignored. The fully-faired design is great to keep wind blast in check on the highways. However, high-speed touring would feel a bit restricted due to the lack of a sixth gear. The 249cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine with oil cooler churns out 20.9PS and 20Nm. 

Yamaha recently updated the motorcycle with dual-channel ABS for better safety. Suspension bits include telescopic forks up front and a monoshock at the rear. Overall, at Rs 1.43 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the Fazer 25 is also a great choice for FZ owners who are looking to upgrade within the brand.

UM Renegade Sports S (Rs 1.66 lakh):

The Sports S may be UM’s entry-level cruiser but it does come with a modern liquid-cooled engine. In fact, it is the only true-blue cruiser to be powered by a liquid-cooled motor in its segment. The 279.5cc powerplant is mated to a 6-speed transmission and puts out 25.15PS of power and 23Nm of torque. With an 18-litre fuel tank, the Sports S should offer a good range for long distance touring.

Among all the bikes in this list, the Sports S is the only motorcycle which lacks ABS, even as an option. It makes do with a 280mm disc up front and a 130mm drum at the rear. The UM Renegade Sports S is a good alternative for those who want an alternative to regular, run-of-the-mill cruisers. However, UM’s brand reach isn’t as wide as Royal Enfield’s.