Classic 650 vs Classic 350: The Royal Enfield Comparison That Matters

After years of anticipation and multiple spotting of camouflaged test mules, we now officially have the Royal Enfiled Classic 650. The brand has finally taken the wraps off of this twin-cylinder modern-retro cruiser at EICMA in Milan.

The Classic 650 looks a lot similar to the legendary Classic 350 and that's where questions arise. Other than the difference in the engine capacity and layout, is there anything different between these two retro motorcycles? Does the beefier engine on the Classic 650 Twin make it the better choice for all purposes? Does the supposedly inflated price tag award the Classic 650 riders more than their 350cc brethren?

While we don't have either of these motorcycles in our fleet at the moment, we have gathered everything that is there to know about these two motorbikes and figured out the difference between the two. 

Hence, don your tweed jacket and your aviator glasses for a leisurely ride through these historical models.

Classic 650 vs Classic 650: The big Royal Enfield comparison 

Build, design and weight

The Classic 650 is based on the same platform as the Super Meteor 650 and Shotgun 650. Hence, it is significantly larger, giving it a proper big bike feel whereas the Classic 350 is comparatively compact in comparison. In terms of styling, both have identical retro elements like a round headlamp, round indicators, wire-spoke wheels, large retro-ish fenders and a splash of chrome on most surfaces. The references to the 1950 Royal Enfield G2 is visible on both of them.

That said, the Classic 350 is available in de-chromed black variants with alloy wheels, something that's absent on the Classic 650 (for now).

Due to the overall larger footprint and bigger engine, the Classic 650 has a curb weight of 243kg as opposed to the 195kg Classic 350.

The Classic 650 also has a larger fuel tank of 14.8 litres, which is 1.8 litres bigger than the 13-litre capacity of the Classic 350. Don't mistake this to be an indication of the Classic 650's fuel economy though. 

Because the new Classic 650 features a dual-cylinder engine, it has a twin exhaust setup that makes the motorcycle seem bulkier than the 350 variant. 

Performance

The biggest difference between these machines is in the performance department.

The Classic 650 has a much larger 648cc parallel twin mill that churns out 47 hp and 52.3 Nm of peak torque. The Classic 350 on the other hand has a 348cc single-cylinder engine which produces 20.2 hp and 27 Nm of peak torque.

Courtesy of the higher displacement and the greater performance numbers, the Classic 650 is obviously the faster motorcycle here. The 650 twin-engine should help the Classic 650 easily cruise at speeds of 120 kmph and even climb up the speedometer beyond that when pushed. The Classic 350, meanwhile, sticks to its old-school charm of delivering a lazy performance profile that encourages the rider to cruise at 90 kph. In fact, the retro charm of the Classic 350 is best reflected in the way the 349cc J series engine is tuned. 

Although we haven't ridden the Classic 650 yet, there's a possibility of Royal Enfield making the rear suspension stiffer, as is the case with the other 650 models. The Classic 350, on the other hand, is nicknamed the 'sofa on 2 wheels' for its plush ride quality.

Whichever variant you choose, you can't go wrong with either of them. The Classic 650 will propel you at modern speeds while impressing retro lovers. The Classic 350 sticks to the authentic charm of old-school motorcycling. 

Features and Safety

Retro motorcycles stay away from modern creature comforts. In the case of these two motorcycles, Royal Enfield has kept the perks at a bare minimum.

The instrument cluster of the Classic 650 appears to be the same semi-digital unit as the Classic 350. Both motorcycles have the option of equipping the console with the Tripper navigation pod for navigation duties. The LED lighting is now a standard feature on all models of the Classic lineup.

In terms of safety, both machines are equipped with dual-channel ABS as standard. However, the higher variants of the Classic 350 come with tubeless tyres, which is a great convenience to have in semi-urban areas and highways.

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Pricing

The Classic 650’s pricing is not out yet. However, considering how the entire package is similar to the Super Meteor 650 and Shotgun 650, we can expect it to start somewhere around INR 3.5 Lakh (ex-showroom).

The Classic 350, meanwhile, is much more affordable with a starting price of INR 1,93,000 for the base variant with wire-spoke wheels and the rear drum brake. The Emerald variant, meanwhile, tops out at INR 2,30,000.

Classic 650 vs Classic 350: Conclusion

Ever since the Classic 500 went out of production, the Royal Enfield fanbase has been expecting a bigger engined Classic for the tourers of the world. The Classic 650 Twin brings the proven twin-cylinder engine from the Interceptor 650 and mates it with the old-world charm of the Classic 350. For those seeking a massive boost in performance, especially pace, the Classic 650 becomes an easy pick.

The Classic 350, however, stays true to its retro roots and therefore, emerges as a good choice for those seeking the old-school British motorcycling experience. You just have ample power and torque mated to a lazy state of tune to deliver the ultimate retro experience. Life remains relaxed at 90 kph in fifth gear.