Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6: Same Price, Other Options

Not interested in the Classic 350 BS6? Here’s what else you could buy for the same price

Royal Enfield recently updated its best selling bike, the Classic 350, to comply with BS6 emission norms. Thanks to the updated motor, cat-con and the inclusion of fuel injection, the bike now costs around Rs 12,000 more than before. Unfortunately, aside from the two new colours, which have been carried over from the Classic 500 range, the bike remains unchanged. Bummer, right? So if you’re off buying Enfields and have a budget of around Rs 1.65 lakh, you could have a look at these options that make a compelling case for themselves.  

KTM 200 Duke: Rs 1.62 lakh

Why settle for something slow and boring when you could get a peppy streetnaked for around the same price. The KTM 200 Duke comes with an upside down fork, trellis frame, radial tyres, a radially mounted caliper, an informative digital console, and looks that’ll kill. What else could you possibly want, ABS? It’s got you covered there as well (single-channel ABS). That said, the bike is designed to go fast, so if you love a laid back ride, the Duke 200 isn’t for you.

Suzuki Gixxer SF 250: Rs 1.70 lakh

Affordable full-faired motorcycles are hard to come by, but the Gixxer SF 250 doesn’t disappoint. It packs a brand new 249cc single-cylinder air-cooled (with an oil-cooler) engine that puts down 26.5PS at 9000rpm and 22.6Nm at 7500rpm. That’s more than enough grunt for city commutes and occasional highway runs. Plus, you have a full fairing to fend off wind blasts, well to some extent at least. Then there’s the full-digital instrument console that offers legible readouts that are easy to read even in broad daylight. And even though the bike gets clip-on handlebars and a split-seat setup, the bike is still comfortable to ride. It’s also worth mentioning that the Gixxer SF 250 comes equipped with LED lights at the front and back, dual-channel ABS, and radial tyres. 

Jawa: Rs 1.73 lakh

Everyone’s been harping about Jawa’s resurrection. It’s a brand that took the motorcycle industry by storm by introducing two droolworthy bikes: the classic Jawa and the Forty Two. The Jawa’s nostalgic appeal has garnered a huge fan following ever since its launch back in November 2018. And if you’re a classic motorcycle fanatic, the Jawa makes for a tempting option. Granted, it gets a smaller 293cc, liquid-cooled engine but it produces more power than the KTM Duke 200 on paper -- 27PS of power and 28Nm of torque. And much like the Duke 200, it performs best at high revs. So if a peppy yet classic commuter is what you're looking for, the Jawa could make for the perfect buy. However, you’d have to be quite patient because the bike still has a lengthy waiting period.

Benelli Imperiale 400: 1.69 lakh

Ever wished for a Classic 350 without all the niggles, that’s what the Imperiale 400 is for you. It packs a powerful, refined motor that’s a dream to ride out on the highways and within city limits. It’s comfortable to ride. And even though the suspension setup is a tad on the firmer side it soaks up bumps rather well. The sheer size of the bike means it has road presence, however, that comes at the expense of unnecessary weight. Despite this, we’d say the Imperiale 400 is one heck of a buy, especially for Rs 1.69 lakh (ex-showroom).