Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6 With Single-channel ABS: Same Price, Other Options

Not sure about the Classic 350 BS6? Here are some interesting alternatives in the same budget

Royal Enfield has finally launched the Classic 350 BS6 single-channel ABS. It is the most affordable model under the Classic family, at Rs 1,57,097. Compared to the Classic 350 S BS4, Royal Enfield’s then most affordable model, the newly launched version is dearer by around Rs 12,000. That’s quite a hefty premium. If you feel the value is lost on this motorcycle, here are some interesting options in the same price bracket:

KTM RC 125 BS6:

The KTM RC 125 BS6 is priced at Rs 1,55,277, making it the most affordable model in this list. It is poles apart from the relaxed Classic 350. Its aggressive riding posture will egg you to push the motor further. However, the 14.5PS/12Nm motor isn’t as torquey as the Classic 350 BS6’s torque-biased engine.

On the flip side, the RC 125 is loaded with premium underpinnings like inverted front fork, disc brakes on both ends with single-channel ABS, and a trellis frame. It is also considerably lighter than the Classic 350 BS6, at 154.2kg kerb. Overall, the KTM RC 125 BS6 is the most affordable way for you to buy a faired machine from the orange brand.

Suzuki Gixxer 250:

The Suzuki Gixxer 250 costs Rs 1,55,277, which is Rs 1,820 less expensive than the most affordable Classic 350 BS6. For this price, Suzuki offers a much more powerful, more advanced oil-cooled 249cc single-cylinder fuel-injected motor, which churns out 26.5PS at 9000rpm and 22.6Nm at 7500rpm. This coupled with the six-speed transmission helps in running the engine in a more relaxed state on the highways compared to the Classic 350. 

The riding stance is also pretty upright, making it convenient for everyday use. Another advantage it has over the Classic 350 is that the bike gets dual-channel ABS for better safety. Even the tyres are radial units on both ends, offering stronger sidewalls for better stability on corners. In our tests, the Suzuki Gixxer 250 BS5 returned a mileage of 41.56kmpl in the city and 41.40kmpl on the highway. 

Jawa Forty Two BS6 with single-channel ABS:

BS4-compliant version shown for representation

The recently launched Jawa Forty Two BS6 with single-channel ABS costs Rs 1,60,300 for the teal colour variant. The most obvious advantage this motorcycle offers over the affordable Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6 is the performance. It is armed with a 293cc liquid-cooled BS6-compliant engine. Jawa promises the BS6-compliant version offers more or less similar performance compared to the BS4 model, which generates 27.3PS of power and 28Nm of torque. This motorcycle too comes with a six-speed transmission, which helps the bike sustain triple-digit speeds effortlessly.

The only grinch is that Jawa motorcycles are known for their painfully long waiting periods. The dealership reach is also not as wide as Royal Enfield, which might be a concern for some.

Benelli Imperiale 400:

At Rs 1.69 lakh, the Benelli Imperiale 400 is the most affordable motorcycle from the Italian brand in India. The motorcycle’s classic no-nonsense design is tempered with a relaxed seating posture and a beautifully refined powertrain, which lets you cruise at 100kmph on the highway all day long. The bike generates 21PS at 5500rpm and 29Nm at 4500rpm, working in conjunction with a 5-speed gearbox. 

The tested mileage of the Benelli Imperiale 400 stands at 34.32kmpl in the city and 35.03kmpl on the highway. These figures are pretty decent for a 373.5cc single-cylinder air-cooled motor. Like the Classic, the Imperiale 400 also comes with a single-channel ABS. However, the rear uses a disc as opposed to a drum in the more affordable Classic 350 BS6 variant.