Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 First Ride Review

Another day, another new Royal Enfield! At this point, it’s hardly surprising though. For some time now, RE has been firing on all cylinders, bringing new motorcycles everytime you sneeze. Enter the new Goan Classic 350 then – a new addition to their line-up to round off their busy year with a flair.

As the name suggests, the Goan Classic 350 pays tribute to Goa – India’s party capital and the land of sun and sand. The Goan shares its underpinnings with the regular Classic 350, so mechanically, it’s more or less similar. However, there are some crucial changes, for the Goan is a bobber and not a cruiser. So, what are these changes? How different is it compared to the regular version? Should you consider it over the standard Classic 350? Well, we took it for a spin in Goa – where else could it have been? – to find out. 

Sun Kissed

The Goan’s main draw is its design. It’s a bobber, and the proportions are bang on the money. Club this with some stunning dual-tone colour options – namely, Purple Haze, Rave Red, Shack Black, and the Trip Teal – and you have a motorcycle that grabs eyeballs without even trying. The big changes, compared to the regular Classic 350, include an ape-style handlebar, chopped-off rear section, and classy white-walled tyres. What’s more, these tyres are fitted on cross-spoke tubeless wheels – undoubtedly, the biggest functional update here. You also get the option to have it with a single seat, which enhances its aesthetic appeal even more. You do also get the option to have a pillion seat. 

The instrumentation is unchanged – a part analogue and part digital dial – and it also comes with a Tripper navigation pod. The switchgear is identical to the Classic as well, meaning that the fit-and-finish quality is more than just acceptable. You also get all LED lighting, including a full LED headlamp. 

Riding the Wave

The Goan gets the same J Series 350cc engine as the Classic. Thumb the starter, and you will be greeted by a familiar baritone at idle, which progresses to a deep and bassy thump as you twist the throttle. As we already know and have experienced, the J Series engine is a torque monster, and it’s no different in this application. Irrespective of the gear you’re in, the Goan pulls like a freight train! It’s like riding a Goan wave – forceful yet calm and effortless. The motor is surprisingly refined, too, and the throttle response is crisp. The 5-speed gearbox offers smooth shifts, although the positioning of the heel shifter – not that many care to use it these days – is a little weird and requires extra effort to slot a gear in place.  In terms of performance though, it retains the laid-back nature of the Classic 350 – effortless all the time, that is.

In terms of ride and handling, however, the story is a bit different. Although the Goan gets the same frame (front) as the Classic 350, there are some crucial changes in terms of its suspension setup, wheel size, and overall geometry. It features a smaller 16-inch wheel at the back (vs 18-inch of the Classic), a slightly longer wheelbase (1,400mm vs 1,390mm), and is also slightly heavier (197kg vs 195kg). The footpegs are slightly forward-set and combined with the ape handlebar – you sit in a more relaxed and cruiser-like riding position. However, its seat height of 750mm (vs 805mm of the Classic) makes it a lot more accessible motorcycle for riders of all heights. The ground clearance remains unchanged at 170mm.

How do all of these changes affect the riding experience then? Well, if you talk about handling, there isn’t much of a difference. Apart from the fact that you get a little more leverage because of the taller bars and more room while taking full-lock turns, the behaviour of the motorcycle is more or less the same. It’s still a laidback bruiser with neutral and predictable handling. And if you try to hustle it around a corner, you will always be reminded of its heavy-metal construction. On the flip side, the ride quality isn’t as plush as the regular Classic 350. The Goan feels decidedly firm, especially the rear suspension, meaning it’s not the most comfortable bike at its price point. Small bumps at low speed transmit their impacts directly to your tailbone – a rather unpleasant experience, I must add. It’s apparent that RE has tried to give it a sportier feel, but honestly speaking, I’d have preferred the same plush ride of the Classic, with the new colours and styling package of the Goan. 

Verdict

The Goan Classic 350 is undoubtedly an appealing option. It’s got the Classic RE ingredients with a more youthful and hip-and-cool approach to the road. At a premium of around ₹15,000 over the Classic 350, it offers great value, too, especially considering the fact that it comes standard with tubeless wheels. The only fly in the ointment is the stiff rear suspension because I, for one, believe that the regular Classic’s main USP is its plush, cushy, and comfortable ride. 

That said, perhaps I’m not the target buyer for this motorcycle – someone inching closer to 35 and a permanent bald head. Maybe it’s for a much younger crowd – with a spine that can take a beating – who like the elegance of the Classic 350 but prefer a slightly sporty riding experience. To them, it would make perfect sense. As for me, I’d pick the Classic 350, but only when RE starts offering it with the tubeless spoke rims. Given how quick RE is on their feet these days, I wouldn’t be surprised if that announcement comes within a week.

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It’s a bobber, & the proportions are bang on the money