Royal Enfield Classic 350 2025 Review

Royal Enfield sells more Classic 350s in India annually than the entire Australian motorcycle industry combined. A lot more. And it’s not even the biggest selling bike.

Of course, India has an enormous population north of 1.4 billion people, while two-wheel vehicles outnumber four-wheelers roughly 5 to 1. There is also a capacity limit of 500cc for a standard licence, and riders tend to prioritise affordability and ease-of-use over premium features and performance.

So, it makes sense that Royal Enfield sells so many Classic 350s on home soil, but do small-capacity and affordable bikes make sense on Australian roads? 

With that question in mind, we jumped aboard the 2025 Royal Enfield Classic 350 to see if it shapes up as a viable option for Aussie riders. 

The Classic 350 starts from $7990 ride away for the base colours of Jodhpur Blue and Madras Red and climbs to $8790 ride away for the range-topping Emerald colourway. 

Impressively, the pricing has not changed since 2022 when we last tested the Classic 350, despite a few updates for 2025. 

The updates are minor but still add value to the bike. Changes include fresh handlebar grips and switchgear, a C-Type USB port, a gear position indicator, and a LED headlight. 

And the Dark and Chrome variants also add the Tripper Navigation pod, adjustable levers, and LED indicators. 

As usual, all bikes come with a three-year unlimited kilometre warranty and three years of roadside assist. 

While the Classic 350 is most certainly built to a price point, it is hard not to appreciate the bike’s stylish vintage looks. 

The Chrome colourways (Emerald is my favourite) in particular look stunning, with plenty of details and design cues that celebrate Royal Enfield’s rich history.

If you don’t necessarily like the style of the Classic 350, there are three other models that use Royal Enfield’s 350cc platform. The Hunter 350 offers subtle neo-retro style, while the Meteor 350 is a classic-styled cruiser. And the new Bullet 350 is very similar in style and spirit to the Classic. 

Appearances aside, the Classic 350 is a simple affair. 

The 349cc single-cylinder air-oil cooled engine is of course LAMS-approved and capable of 14.87kW and 27Nm. And while it is a little underpowered (more on that in a moment), the initial throttle response is crisp, and the bike is mostly very easy to ride.

Comfort is a big plus for the Classic 350 too. Even for a bigger lad like myself, the bike offers up a nice ride. The ergonomics are configured perfectly, the seat is nice and soft, and the suspension soaks up any moderate bumps, potholes, and grooves in the road. I said it when I rode this bike three years ago, and I’ll say it again – you could ride this machine all day without breaking a sweat. 

The addition of the Tripper navigation pod is a good one, although I didn’t get a chance to use it. In the past, I’ve found the Tripper pod to be a bit…well…useless, but I'd assume the functionality has been improved since then, so I’ll reserve judgement. The adjustable levers, USB port, and LED headlight are all big ticks too.

Around town the Classic 350 is a good solid commuter that is cheap, learner-friendly, and refreshingly simple. You can easily see why a bike like this is so popular on the busy streets and highways of India. But how about Australia, where speeds north of 120km/h are not uncommon?

Well, if your ride extends only as far as work, the shops, or the odd jaunt down the coast, then the Classic 350 is a winner. Likewise, if you’re a first-time rider who wants a bit of old-school retro style, then this is the bike for you. 

But if speed is your drug, then forget about it. 

As alluded to earlier, the Classic 350 is slow. On Australian highways and freeways, the little 349cc single struggles a bit. It will sit on 100km/h quite easily, but it takes a while to get there. 

The initial throttle response is good, but then the engine moves slowly through the rev range. If you’re about to pull onto a highway with traffic zipping past at 120km/h, you’ll want to pick a big gap. 

Gear selection is essential too, because if you are a gear too high going up a hill, or when overtaking, then you’ll struggle to get the momentum you need. This is further accentuated when you are on the bigger side, like me. 

The brakes are also a bit underwhelming. I was almost convinced the front brake lever was just there for show, as it took a very firm grab to pull the bike up. This is likely beneficial for learners, who might be inclined to grab too much front brake when panicked. The back brake is a little better, but still on the soft side. 

My only other issue is that it is very easy to scrape the ‘pegs and the low-hung exhaust pipe. Ground clearance is next to nothing, so expect the sparks to fly at even just a sniff of a lean angle. 

All the criticisms for the Classic 350 become largely inconsequential when you remember that it is designed for urban commuters and learner riders. Sure, it might be a little out of its depth on the open road, but in the city and suburbs, it's an absolute gem. 

So, back to our question – does the Classic 350 make sense on Australian roads? Well…yes…it just depends on what roads. A cheap price tag, easy-to-ride attitude, and style go a long way to justifying the purchase of this bike.

Above all else, though, the Classic 350 is a reminder that Royal Enfield makes some of the most beautiful, heritage-inspired motorcycles in the industry. And long may it continue.

ENGINE
Type: Single cylinder, 4-stroke, air-oil cooled
Capacity: 349cc
Bore x stroke: 72mm x 85.8mm
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 20.2hp at 6100rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 27Nm at 4000rpm

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

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Twin downtube spine frame
Front suspension: Telescopic, 41mm fork, 130mm travel
Rear suspension: Twin tube Emulsion shocks, adjustable for preload
Front brakes: Single 300mm disc with twin-piston floating caliper, ABS
Rear brake: Single 270mm disc with single-piston floating caliper, ABS
Tyres: Spoked wheels, 100/90-19 - 57P (tubeless) front, 140/70-18 - 66P (tubeless) rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 195kg
Seat height: 805mm
Ground clearance: 170mm
Wheelbase: N/A
Fuel capacity: 13 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $7990-$8790 (ride away)
Warranty: Three years/unlimited kilometers