2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350 Launch Soon, Expected Price Analysed

Royal Enfield might just price the 2021 model almost the same as the current-generation Classic 350! Here’s why

[UPDATE: The 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350 has been launched in India. To know the pricing, specifications and other details, head to our launch story here.]

Royal Enfield is all set to launch the next-generation 2021 Classic 350 in India on September 1, 2021. We’ve already seen the motorcycle being tested numerous times, with and without camouflage. And know pretty much everything about the bike, at least as far as the basic features are concerned. Now, apart from the actual ride experience, the biggest question mark is over the price. How much could that be? Here’s our analysis:

Classic, no-nonsense design

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 is always known to be a minimalist motorcycle that is loaded not with extravagant features but with timeless nostalgia. And it has been loved exactly for that, so the Chennai-based manufacturer has continued the same formula in the next-generation iteration too. 

• Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Spotted On Test Again
• More Affordable Royal Enfield Himalayan Confirmed
• Royal Enfield Meteor 350: Road Test Review

Going by the spy shots leaked earlier, there are no LED elements in the motorcycle. The headlamps are halogen, and the tail lamps and indicators are bulbs. The motorcycle does not get a fancy cushioned backrest unlike the Stellar or the Supernova variants of the Royal Enfield Meteor 350. Even the Tripper Navigation pod will likely be offered as an option. 

Why it will undercut the Meteor 350

While both share the same heart, several other aspects of the motorcycle are different. The Meteor 350 has proper cruiser styling complete with alloy wheels, dual-channel ABS with rear disc brake, and Tripper Navigation as standard. And just like how the Thunderbird range was positioned over the Classic, Royal Enfield will seek to extrapolate the same strategy to the 2021 Classic 350 and Meteor 350 as well. Hence, the upcoming Classic 350 will most likely be priced lower than the Meteor 350, which starts from Rs 1,92,109 (ex-showroom Delhi).

What if we told you it could be priced on par with the current-gen model?

In July 2021, Royal Enfield hiked the prices of the existing Classic 350 range massively, by around Rs 7,300 to Rs 8,300. Some of the premium colour variants even crossed the Rs 2 lakh barrier for the first time. Prices have remained the same this month, and for perspective, the base single-channel variant of the Classic 350 now starts from Rs 1,79,782 (ex-showroom Delhi). Now that’s a lot of money for a motorcycle that’s a little too long in the tooth.

Considering the features it gets (and the prospect of part-sharing with the Meteor 350), it will be prudent for Royal Enfield to price the 2021 Classic 350’s base variants on par with the outgoing ones. Perhaps, the more premium variants will be dearer by Rs 1,000 - Rs 2,000 than their existing counterparts.

Launching a new, improved product at around the same price as the old one should earn Royal Enfield brownie points, at least as far as marketing strategy goes. So all in all, a Rs 1.79 lakh - Rs 1.80 lakh starting price tag sounds perfect for the 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350. Let us know what you think in the comments below.