[RE_PDX]

I watched the following review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgM7CSZdLEE

It seems each version has its pros and cons. I understand that the previous generation Classic 350 wasn't brought to America because consumers here would opt for the Classic 500. I read there won't be a replacement of the Classic 500, so might we see the new Classic 350 stateside?

[20MarkIII]

It is my understanding that the RE Classic 350 will be available in the US next year.

[markm228]

It is my understanding that the RE Classic 350 will be available in the US next year.

That's my understanding too; my local RE dealer confirmed that's coming to the US. The only question is when. Whenver it gets here, if my finances allow, I'm going to get me one! I have a Meteor 350, and the Classic shares the same gem of an engine with it. I missed getting the Classic 500 when it was here, and I've been kicking myself every since. I WON'T make that mistake twice!

[RE_PDX]

That's my understanding too; my local RE dealer confirmed that's coming to the US. The only question is when. Whenver it gets here, if my finances allow, I'm going to get me one! I have a Meteor 350, and the Classic shares the same gem of an engine with it. I missed getting the Classic 500 when it was here, and I've been kicking myself every since. I WON'T make that mistake twice!

I made the same mistake. Last year I bought a Moto Guzzi V7 III, which I don't regret. The Royal Enfield Classic 500 was my runner up choice and there were still a few at dealerships. If I had known it was discontinued, I would have purchased it first. It won't let it happen again.

[RE_PDX]

The Signals trims make my heart race.

Signals Marsh Grey  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itOlOYhLbp0

Signals Desert Sand  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVUsvQgYNT8

[markm228]

I made the same mistake. Last year I bought a Moto Guzzi V7 III, which I don't regret. The Royal Enfield Classic 500 was my runner up choice and there were still a few at dealerships. If I had known it was discontinued, I would have purchased it first. It won't let it happen again.

My mistake was thinking that, since RE had produced the Bullet for decades, I thought that the Classic would stick around longer too. Like I said, I WON'T make that mistake again! When the new Classic comes out, I'm getting myself one...

[Bilgemaster]

I watched the following review:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgM7CSZdLEE

It seems each version has its pros and cons. I understand that the previous generation Classic 350 wasn't brought to America because consumers here would opt for the Classic 500. I read there won't be a replacement of the Classic 500, so might we see the new Classic 350 stateside?

They did import a few 350 Iron Barrel Bullets to the USA in the '90s, but as you say, most preferred the 500s, leaving the 350s to gather cobwebs in the darker corners of dealer showrooms. So, they didn't even bother sending those 350s with the subsequent Unit Construction Engine to the Land of the Plastic Spork. They were, however, the much preferred capacity in their home market over the 500, and also found their way as exports to other lands like the UK and Australia. I imagine with their 650s picking up that "higher capacity" rung, Enfield's calculus is probably something along the lines of "Why bother offering a larger single?", at least for now. There's also talk of beefing up their Himalayan with their twin 650 engine by around 2024.

[RE_PDX]

The 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 has just been released in India and, as a Royal Enfield insider tells us, “Yes, it will be coming to the Americas.”

https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2021/09/03/2022-royal-enfield-classic-350-first-look-9-fast-facts/

 

[Richard230]

The 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 has just been released in India and, as a Royal Enfield insider tells us, “Yes, it will be coming to the Americas.”

https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2021/09/03/2022-royal-enfield-classic-350-first-look-9-fast-facts/

 

The fuel tank of the new Classic, which is said to have a half gallon less capacity than does the Meteor's tank, doesn't get my vote as an improvement. 

[Keef Sparrow]

The fuel tank of the new Classic, which is said to have a half gallon less capacity than does the Meteor's tank, doesn't get my vote as an improvement. 

Unfortunately that seems to be a growing trend with manufacturers - with many current models their fuel capacity is so low that you are looking to fill up after not much over a hundred miles. I would never buy a machine with such a small tank. I think producers these days perceive motorcycles as 'leisure' machines - weekend toys for posing around town where range isn't important. They think no one ever makes actual journeys on them or commutes - hence the trend for seats like planks as no one will actually be sitting on them for more than 30 minutes or so.

[RE_PDX]

Unfortunately that seems to be a growing trend with manufacturers - with many current models their fuel capacity is so low that you are looking to fill up after not much over a hundred miles...

What if someone is on a genuine road trip and it's 150 miles between gas stations?

[Dexter]

What if someone is on a genuine road trip and it's 150 miles between gas stations?

Then you would be thankful that your smaller RE bike is easy to push! 

That's one problem I never faced with my ST1100. With its 7.5 gallon tank, I could do 300 miles no sweat.

[markm228]

Guys,

Based on my initial experience with the Meteor 350, the fuel economy is PHENOMENAL! I get 75-80 mpg with mine. The worst I ever got was the low 60s when I forgot that our city was having an Italian food fest recently, and I got caught in the traffic; I was doing a fast walk in first gear till I got out of town. Even then, I got 60+ mpg. The Meteor has about a 4 gallon tank (3.96 to be exact); even at 70 mpg, you're looking at close to 280 miles of range; at 80 mpg, you're looking at 320 miles. Any bike with over 200 miles of range is fine with me.

Since the Classic 350 will be sharing the same engine, I expect the fuel economy to be similar to that of the Meteor 350. Sure, it has half a gallon less capacity, but even then, you're looking at 245 miles of range at 70 mpg; at 80 mpg, that goes up to 280 miles. Sure, the Classic 350 won't have a big tank, but with the way that gem of an engine sips fuel, you don't NEED a big tank! That's the BEAUTY of RE's new gem of an engine! It sips gas almost like a moped does. The question is: will your bladder hold out longer than the fuel tank does?

When I got my Meteor, I wasn't looking at range; I wasn't planning to do a lot of road trips, so long range isn't an issue. The vast majority of my rides are 1-2 hour jaunts on the local back roads on a nice day, with an occasional day trip thrown in. The Meteor 350 is fine for what I want a bike to do, and I expect the Classic 350 meet all my mission requirements too. Those are my thoughts...

[Keef Sparrow]

Based on my initial experience with the Meteor 350, the fuel economy is PHENOMENAL! I get 75-80 mpg with mine. The worst I ever got was the low 60s when I forgot that our city was having an Italian food fest recently, and I got caught in the traffic; I was doing a fast walk in first gear till I got out of town. Even then, I got 60+ mpg. The Meteor has about a 4 gallon tank (3.96 to be exact); even at 70 mpg, you're looking at close to 280 miles of range; at 80 mpg, you're looking at 320 miles. Any bike with over 200 miles of range is fine with me.

Since the Classic 350 will be sharing the same engine, I expect the fuel economy to be similar to that of the Meteor 350. Sure, it has half a gallon less capacity, but even then, you're looking at 245 miles of range at 70 mpg; at 80 mpg, that goes up to 280 miles. Sure, the Classic 350 won't have a big tank, but with the way that gem of an engine sips fuel, you don't NEED a big tank! That's the BEAUTY of RE's new gem of an engine! It sips gas almost like a moped does. The question is: will your bladder hold out longer than the fuel tank does?

To be honest I would have expected better fuel consumption figures for the new 350 engine, although to be fair it sounds like much of your mileage is urban? Are you talking US gallons or UK? 80 MPG is pretty normal for the 500 Bullet in the UK with it's older less sophisticated engine. I have recorded 83 MPG and over 260 miles from one tankful with my 2020 500cc Bullet Trials.

[markm228]

To be honest I would have expected better fuel consumption figures for the new 350 engine, although to be fair it sounds like much of your mileage is urban? Are you talking US gallons or UK? 80 MPG is pretty normal for the 500 Bullet in the UK with it's older less sophisticated engine. I have recorded 83 MPG and over 260 miles from one tankful with my 2020 500cc Bullet Trials.

I'm talking US gallons, not Imperial. Stuart Fullingham, who has a YouTube channel and reviewed the Meteor, said that he observed 100 mpg; when that's adjusted to US gallons, it comes out to 83 mpg.

Secondly, I used to ride a Honda Helix scooter. It has a liquid cooled, understressed, 2 valve engine fed by a 28 mm carb. Its mileage was in the low to mid 70s, in spite of being a lighter vehicle vs. the Meteor. OTOH, it uses a CVT, not a true, manual transmission. Anyway, the Meteor's fuel economy BLOWS AWAY that of my old Helix! I'm quite satisfied with the Meteor's fuel economy.

Now, someone asked about going 150 miles between gas, or petrol, stations. I don't know where in the world someone would encounter those kinds of distances between fuel stops, but here in the US, the only places I know of where someone would see triple digit distances between gas stations is the southwestern US. I remember when my Navy buddy and I drove cross country, and there was a stretch of I-10 where there was 100-110 miles to the next station; that stretch crossed the Mojave Desert. In any case, there were prominent billboards telling drivers of this fact, and it would behoove them to refuel if needed. As thrifty as my Meteor is on fuel, if I had anything over half a tank, my Meteor would make it. However, being the conservative guy I am, I'd probably top off just to be sure...

I'm planning on taking a road trip next spring. I'm planning on riding from PA to FL on US highways. On the east coast, I don't expect to be going anywhere close to 100 miles between fuel stops. If I'm in a rural area and I only have 2-3 bars, I'll top off at the next station I see. Anyway, I'm not worried about my Meteor running out of gas.