2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 - Is It Any Fun?

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 is stylish, affordable, and basic. Millions of them have sold. Is it enough to attract a new type of motorcyclist in the US? It may not be too much of a claim to say that the 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 is the most futuristic motorcycle on the market. No, it doesn’t have radar-equipped adaptive cruise control, a six-axis IMU, or semi-active suspension. Nor does it produce 200 hp or flatter the rider with telepathic handling. Quite the opposite, in fact. With its SOHC air/oil-cooled 349cc single, the Classic 350 produces a claimed 20.2 hp at 6,100 rpm and 19.9 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Weighing in at a substantial 430 pounds with a mostly full tank of fuel, it struggles to outrun a Toyota Prius and requires a decent tailwind and a long stretch of road to make the speedometer needle sweep three-quarters of the way around its 0–100 mph readout range. But motorcycles like the Classic 350 are crucial to the future of motorcycling. Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s consider the backstory. The Classic 350 and 500 models were introduced in India in 2008 and went on to become Royal Enfield’s bestselling models. Last year the Meteor 350 debuted with an all-new chassis and engine; it’s this platform that the Classic 350 is based upon. The Classic differentiates itself from the Meteor with its larger 18-inch rear wheel and more traditional styling. Both models use the J series engine, which replaces the previous generation UCE...