5 things I hate about the ROYAL ENFIELD Classic 350 REborn!

You voted for it and here it is, A video detailing my niggles with the 350 Classic and areas I think Royal Enfield could have done better!

[andrewhayes]

I agree 95% with your comments Stu, although to my old eyes the actual layout of the instruments is fine considering the space available, but that is my personal taste. The other items - especially the plastic - I agree with completely. Come on RE, don't drop the quality or you will suffer!

[petebird]

The paint work issue as you have pointed out is inexcusable however the other niggles are probably down to price point, having said that I think as I’m sure you do it’s still a great little bike for the money, nothing is perfect these days I think, as usual a great and honest viewpoint, nice one Stu, 👍👍👍👍👍

[daveslastchance]

I agree with you. One of my many pet peeves on motorcycles is the dash design. Get rid of that useless RE logo round thing and put something useful there like a volt meter, fuel gauge, gear indicator, etc., etc.

[PhilippeJ]

Great video as always! For the dashboard I quite like the placement of the lcd screen not being in the speedometer. I totally agree with the gear indicator not being present is quite a bother, when riding with people that have louder bikes it is difficult to know where you are at in the rev/gear range at times.

[PhilipBallGarry]

Thanks Stu. If they dropped the "Tripper" from the Classic 350 they could've incorporated the LCD info screen in the "spare" location and given us a nice big, round traditional speedo. GPI? Yes, this was missing from my CB300R (since rectified with the 2022 model). But having a rev counter, it was easy to get used to the rpm/speed combinations. Without this additional information on the 350 you're bound to be lifting your foot feeling for gear "5a" 😉.
I don't know about you, but this makes me feel like I'm a complete beginner 😂.

[Caledon]

Sorry to hear of your disappointment with the paintwork Stu. I’m looking at purchasing a Halcyon Green shortly. Now I’m going to closely inspect the paintwork. Thanks

[IrishBog]

All winter I was planning my bike purchase once I passed my test in May. The Classic was the top of my list even though I had never had a chance to try one. Cue to May and post test. Got a chance to try 7 bikes on a special Stockholm weekend for trying bikes (Start2Ride). Wow. How great to be able to compare Royal Enfields, moto Guzzis, Triumph etc.
well I really liked the Classic but the stupid lower setting of the gear lever meant it was really awkward to shift up (not a problem on the interceptor and meteor - and I know you can adjust it but it ruined the ride). Also it felt like I was riding a moped both power and handling wise compared to more powerful bikes and I was worried I would outgrow it and get frustrated on longer highway rides. The Moto Guzzi was fun and a ton of personality but was afraid it would get old quickly. Where o fell in love was the Bonneville and there was no going back. Got a great price on a 2018 T100 and couldn’t be happier
Could definitely see the Classic as a fun 2nd bike but not a main one. Where it really excels is the engine, the sound and the look

[bikernate]

Pure motorcycle joy anytime I toss a leg over my Classic 350. Quite literally my favorite bike that I have ever owned or ridden.

[SteveInskip]

Good vid Stuart! For me, and for the price, you can’t expect top quality issues on everything. So either you put up with the niggles, spend a bit of cash improving what you don’t like, or buy a premium bike in the first place. But wait! That isn’t always the case either. My CRF450L is about 10 grands worth and I’ve still spent a couple of grand extra perfecting it; so be careful on ‘premium bikes’ too!

[Drobium]

I'm glad I have a classic 500 from 2007, the last of the 'real' old Enfields. Points ignition, iron barrel, carburettored, not even a neutral light.
If you buy an Enfield Bullet, you expect less modern stuff, not more, you want to be thrust back in the 1940s as almost a time traveller, and all the inconvenience that had. If you buy one of these bikes, you will spend at least 15% of the time with that bike spannering, that is the charm.. It builds up your knowledge of mechanics and how to fix stuff

[SgtBrewdawg]

Thanks Stuart for that honest review towards your bike. Since your line or work is paint & body, I can only imagine those imperfections stand out like a sore thumb to you 😵‍💫! It is also sad to see any production item that was once sturdy metal be replaced with cheap plastics and inferior products. I met a fella a few years back with an older classic 500 and what really impressed me about it was the simple but effective materials and overall build of the bike. I remember it had oil cup reservoirs on the forks, kick start, and what looked to be all steel and metal parts. It was also green (which being an American….yet I must say British by birth…. and superstition 💀, I read that green motorcycles were bad luck?!?! Due to the issues team Triumph had in a race in America years back?… but anyhow his bike looked great and I wish I had it and I still think your 350 looks great. That chrome & red package is an eye catcher.
Anyhow thanks again for another great video. Take care.

[chuckvt]

Great video! All valid points, for sure! Hopefully this will inspire RE to reevaluate their QC and future updates to the Classic.

[nickclimpson]

Hi Stu, I have a Halcyon Green, three months old and 900 miles, and the colour coat is excellent but there was a bare spot on the underside of one of the mudguard stays. I actually quite like the LCD display but completely agree with you regarding the gear indicator. Still love this bike though. Keep up the great work I really appreciate your videos.

[-waz-]

Thank you for your honest feedback! No bike is perfect and I think honest feedback might help sell a bike just as good as praise.

[heritagehillsecurity]

Thank you again. I appreciate your insights and the time, effort, and cost it takes to put a video together.

[davidshort]

Great review Stuart. To be honest my Bronze chrome paintwork is faultless so maybe yours was on a bad batch, who knows🤔. I've not had to adjust the suspension which seems fine for my 12 stones weight. Being used to riding old Brit iron gear indicators are a bit of a novelty to me. I'm finding the bike a most pleasing ride to the extent I've hardly ridden my T100 Bonneville since I bought it! And yes, the Triumph Bonneville suspension does leave alot to be desired. Keep up the good work Sir! Thank you 😊

[bairag]

I am from India having a chrome bronze for 9 months now.Rode about 7000kms.
When you fix the suspension tie a microfiber cloth or any cotton cloth on the mud guard part to avoid damage to the paintwork.
You are damn right about the paint issues.I have the same problems, especially the blemishes on the painted parts. I see new spots appear every now and then and at first i thought they were scratches but they are appearing in places where its very difficult to get one.
And the gear indicator i.e. the absence of it.

[tonimang]

Hi Stuart,
I just found your channel and I'm very thankful for your work! In Febuary/March next year I get my own Classic 350 in Gun Metal Grey. I do hope, that the paintwork will not show these problems. On the other topics I fully agree although it still is a perfect bike to me.

For your next Video I would like to learn more about accessories available. Especially a luggage carrier right behind the single seat instead of a pillion which I like to remove from my Classic 350. Anyway, I can't wait for the delivery - I am very exited !
All the best to you
Michael from small town of Uelzen, Germany

[Edam-Channel]

Make the warranty trip and video the experience for us :D

I have been considering trading my 2011 B5 on a Classic 350 - shocks you can replace, I am not buying a chrome, and I agree on the dash comments. There are two other issues that have me concerned, power for overtaking at highway speeds and climbing hills is one concern, the other is a lack of lower seat options.

[arthurbarrett]

Thank goodness the issue of adjusting the rear shocks has been raised.Wasted 3 hours yesterday trying to adjust mine, in the end resorted to pump pliers which achieved the desired outcome in about 10 seconds at the risk of some marks on the black paint at the bottom. Otherwise apart from being on my second speedometer which has just failed, I was apparently travelling at over 100 mph up the A5 on Wednesday, I love the bike, it only takes 5 minutes riding to restore sanity to the world!