2018 Royal Enfield Rumbler 350 review

While Royal Enfield fans await the impending arrival of the brand's new 650cc twins, the Continental GT 650 and the Interceptor 650 Twin, locally another new model has slipped into the line-up, with the Royal Enfield Rumbler 350 quietly establishing itself in a class of one: that of a 350cc cruiser.

Bikesales recently attended the national press launch of the Royal Enfield Rumbler 350 in Melbourne, and spent a day tripping around the inner city and tackling generally traffic-clogged roads – the main theatre for this LAMS (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme) and/or commuter model.

Indian success
The Rumbler 350 is actually one of Royal Enfield's most popular models in the brand's massive domestic market, where it's sold alongside a 500 version, which thus far isn't earmarked for Australia.

That's because while there are plenty of models in the 500cc class here in Oz, the Rumbler 350 is playing in a class of one – and that distinction, Royal Enfield Australia hopes, will help it stand out in an increasingly crowded LAMS market.

Incidentally, it's known as a Thunderbird in India, and was re-named the Rumbler for our market due to the Thunderbird's (trademarked) links with Triumph.

On a roll
Royal Enfield isn't a massive brand here in Australia but it's huge in India and with those twins landing here in the second half of this year, expect to hear and see a lot more about this historic marque. It's actually the oldest motorcycle company to remain in continuous production, having built motorcycles since 1901.

It's an interesting history too – this British marque was operating until the late 1960s before, like the rest of the British bike industry, it succumbed to the might of Japan Inc. However, Royal Enfields have also been built in India since 1955, and they're still turned out there from three facilities in and around Chennai in their hundreds of thousands.

Owned by the huge Eicher conglomerate since 1994, the brand is on track to produce around 850,000 units in 2018, and between 2010 and 2017 it experienced an incredible 16-fold increase in production.

Engine and drivetrain
The Rumbler 350 is powered by the single-cylinder, unit-construction engine found in the 350 Bullet, but the newcomer has a more upright ride position that is therefore a little more comfortable.

The engine is the essence of motorcycling simplicity: an air-cooled, overhead-valve single with a low 8.5:1 compression ratio and a carburettor handling the mixture. That means it's also fitted with a choke and a fuel tap – remember them?

The engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox and serves as a stressed member within its steel duplex cradle frame, with suspension handled by a non-adjustable 41mm fork up front and twin rear shocks at the back, the latter with five-step preload adjustment.

For braking there's a single disc at each end but there's no ABS – an omission that may be a stumbling block for many commuters and novices.

The wire-spoked rims are shod with skinny MRF Zapper rubber. A relative unknown here, MRF is reportedly the fourth largest motorcycle tyre manufacture in Asia, so it's no small concern.

The Rumbler 350 is available in three colours schemes: Stone (matte black), Lightning (a metallic grey/brown) or Marine (metallic blue), and comes with a two-year, 20,000 kilometre factory warranty with two years of complimentary roadside assistance. It's priced at $6790 ride away.

City livin'
Our day on the Rumbler 350 saw us start out in the middle of Melbourne's CBD and visit several of the city's tourist attractions, including Lygon Street in Carlton, Acland Street in St Kilda, Princes Pier at Port Melbourne and Yarra Boulevard in Hawthorn.

While the hit-list perhaps held more appeal for interstaters, it did at the very least show off the bike in its intended role, as an affordable commuter and a manageable learner bike.

Royal Enfield bills the Rumbler 350 as a cruiser but its front end has only a modest amount of rake and it's not exactly long nor especially low, with a 1350mm wheelbase and a 775mm seat height. Despite the pull-back handlebar and slightly forward footpegs, it's more of a straight retro model to my eye.

In any case, the upright ride position and reasonably narrow handlebars combine with the modest weight (192kg wet) and a generous steering range to produce one very easy-to-ride machine, and the bike was perfectly at home filtering through Melbourne's peak-hour crush.

It can hold its own on the motorway, too – just. With my 105 kilograms aboard the Rumbler 350 was tapped out at about 105km/h, but the bike was essentially brand new and I wouldn't be surprised if this top speed increased marginally once properly run in.

With just under 20 ponies available the acceleration is less than electrifying but there's a pleasingly punchy midrange and enough oomph for the bike to mix it in the cut and thrust of city traffic.

The front brake is a bit wooden but the rear brake works well and together they pull up the Rumbler's mass nicely.

There's a level of vibration felt through the handlebar and chunky footpegs that you'd associate with a single. It adds a bit of character without being irritating or distracting, although the low-rent mirrors blur appreciably.

The five-speed transmission works well enough although these essentially brand-new models, with just a couple of hundred kays on the clock, did require a bit of searching to find neutral at a standstill (and the dim neutral indicator is tricky to read in full sunlight).

Modern concessions
Yes, it's a basic package, but the Rumbler 350 isn't completely devoid of bells and whistles. There's an LED taillight that is quite bright, and the headlight has a halogen 'halo' Daytime Running Light (DRL). It's an added safety feature although it looks a little out of keeping with the bike's otherwise retro aesthetic.

The instrumentation comprises an analogue speedo and tacho and there's a sizeable backlit LCD display beneath the former. This has two trip meters, a clock, a fuel gauge and an average speed reading, but no average fuel economy or range-to-empty function.

Still, range isn't something prospective owners of the Rumbler 350 need worry about. It's a miserly fuel sipper and it has a large 20-litre tank – the fuel gauge didn't budge over the course of a 150 kilometre day, and Royal Enfield Australia says you can expect in excess of 400 kilometres between fill-ups.

Given the reasonably firm seat, that's probably 100 kilometres more than you'd want to cover at a stretch anyway, but between fuel, servicing of the single-pot engine and other consumables (like tyres, brake pads etc) the Rumbler 350 should prove a very affordable option to keep on the road.

Those MFR tyres seem fine (although the day was conducted in entirely dry conditions) and their skinny nature makes the Rumbler 350 a snap to tip into corners. Once committed to a line it's no bother to alter it if need be, and in general this bike is really very nimble.

The suspension is thoroughly adequate and it soaks up typical potholes without fuss or fanfare. Because it's so agile it can be a bit of fun in the corners, and provided you're not intent on living out your MotoGP fantasies it has reasonable ground clearance, too.

The build quality appears to be in keeping with the price point. That is to say, it's not quite up there with MV Agusta (another brand also brought here by Royal Enfield's Australian distributor, Urban Moto Imports), but it's not rubbish either. A couple of the press bikes at the media launch seemed to have an annoying squeaking coming from their fuel tank rubbers, which shouldn't prove any big issue to rectify.

Oh, and I should mention that the Rumbler 350 also has a steering lock incorporated into its ignition barrel, which is located in the usual spot just below the instruments. It's the first Royal Enfield to do so, the remainder of the range getting by with an old-style fork-leg-mounted lock.

Summing up
Let's face it, thanks to LAMS novice riders have more choice than ever before, but you'll want to be sold on the Royal Enfield brand and this bike's styling for it to make your new-bike shopping list. However, if that's you, the Rumbler 350 should prove easy to master and easy to live with, and you'll be guaranteed to stand out in the crowd…

SPECS: ROYAL ENFIELD RUMBLER 350
ENGINE
Type: Air-cooled, twin-spark, four-stroke single
Capacity: 346cc
Bore x stroke: 70mm x 90mm
Compression ratio: 8.5:1
Fuel system: Carburettor

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 19.6hp (14.4kW) at 5250rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 28Nm at 4000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Five-speed
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Steel duplex cradle
Front suspension: Conventional 41mm fork, non-adjustable
Rear suspension: Twin shocks, adjustable for preload
Front brakes: Single 280mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear brake: Single 240mm disc with single-piston caliper
Tyres: MRF Zapper, 90/90-19 front, 120/80-18 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 192kg
Seat height: 775mm
Wheelbase: 1350mm
Fuel capacity: 20 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $6790 (ride away)
Colours: Stone Black (matte black), Lightning (metallic grey/brown), or Marine (metallic blue)
Warranty: Two years/20,000 kilometres plus two years of roadside assistance
Bike supplied by: Royal Enfield Australia, royalenfield.com.au