Royal Enfield Classic 350
They don't come more Modern Classic than this.
"Modern Classic" motorcycles is as a genre, simply a styling exercise. Design cues reminiscent of bikes from the 50's draped over thoroughly up to date materials and electronics. It's a term applied to a great number of motorcycles, often perhaps a little too liberally. Sometimes a round headlight and an upright riding position is all that's needed to earn the moniker.
With the Classic 350, Royal Enfield have gone one better. Instead of making a new bike look old; they've made an old bike with new materials, and that's no bad thing. There are no riding modes, no ride-by-wire throttle, no heated grips. Aside from legally mandated equipment such as ABS and fuel injection, the bike is as pleasantly simple as it's possible to make a motorcycle these days.
The result when riding the Classic 350 is that you have a truly authentic motorcycling experience. You feel connected to the bike in a way that more modern machines could never achieve. Every twist of the throttle, pull of the clutch and bump in the road you feel as you move along. You've never been so aware of being on a motorcycle; and it's great.
My Classic 350 came to me with 2000 miles on the clock, and aside from a few initial niggles that needed ironing out, it's been a total joy to ride. Speed and power are not the aim of the game for this bike, so a little expectation adjustment is needed before the Classic can really be enjoyed.
But once you understand what this bike is for, motorcycling adventures don't come much more pleasant. Everyone, and I really do mean everyone, loves this bike. You'll find people of all types and ages will come and talk to you about it, and all of them have something nice to say.
This bike is for the ponderers, for those who want to see more than just a green and grey blur on their rides. When you slow down, you transform from a tourist to a traveller; and that for me is what motorcycling is all about.
The Additions
