Royal Enfield, India’s leading mid-sized motorcycle maker, has launched two new variants of the Classic 350 and Classic 500 models as they will be available in Gunmetal Grey and Stealth Black color options from 18th September 2017.
The launch comes just a couple of days after a leak suggested that these two variants of Royal Enfield will also come with some added safety features to improve drivability and maneuverability of these heavy duty bikes.
While staying true to all the leaks, Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Royal Enfield Classic 500 will now be available with both front and rear disc brakes as well as swingarms from the Thunderbird lineup of RE Motorcycles. All these new additions are exclusive to Royal Enfield Classic 350 and 500 models that have received the new color updates.
The incorporation of swingarm will not only give these bikes better stability as well as ability to accommodate disc brakes, which was not possible with the earlier swing arm, but it will also enhance weight distribution as well as provide a better center of gravity in these Royal Enfield models.
As far as the pricing is concerned Royal Enfield Classic 500 Stealth Black and 350 Gun Grey are priced at INR 2.05 lakh and INR 1.59 lakh, respectively. All prices are ex-showroom Chennai.
However, there have been no changes in the engines and Royal Enfield Classic 500 Stealth Black will be powered by the same 499cc twin spark, air-cooled engine, generating 27.2bhp at 5,250 rpm and 41.3 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, while the Royal Enfield Classic 350 Gun Grey will be powered by the 346cc twin-spark, single cylinder engine, churning out 19.8bhp at 5,250 rpm and 28Nm of peak torque at 4,000rpm. Both engines are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
Introduced in 2008, both the Royal Enfield Classic models were designed on the lines of J2 and are said to be a tribute to the retro look of British motorcycles from the post-World War II era. The Classic, as the name itself, suggests, comes with classic British motorcycle styling of the 1950s which were based on simplicity, harmony as well as proportioned and finished build.
Royal Enfield does not offer anti-skid braking system (ABS) on any of its models in India, although it is offered with the company’s lineup in global markets. However, Royal Enfield might have ensured that Royal Enfield Classic 500 Stealth Black and 350 Gun Grey are ABS ready in the same way their Euro spec bikes, keeping in mind the mandatory two-wheeler ABS rule applicable from April 2018 in India.
As for the company itself, it is rumored that Royal Enfield’s parent company, Eicher is the only Asian contender in the race to buy Ducati and if the company does put pen to paper, this will be a huge boost for the Indian auto industry.
Some of the Indian two wheeler companies who currently have tie-ups with foreign brands are TVS–BMW, Bajaj–KTM, and Bajaj–Triumph.