Best-Selling Royal Enfield Rival Spotted!  » MotorOctane

Wondering which Royal Enfield is the best-selling one? Well, it is none other than the Classic 350. Every generation of the Classic 350 has made many Indians fall in love with its retro looks, thumping engine and the sheer feel of riding. While this formula is used by many motorcycle makers, the Classic 350 has still been the top choice. However, there is a new thumper that has been spotted, which could potentially disrupt the RE Classic 350’s stature in the market! So, which is this new bike? Let’s take a look!
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New RE Classic 350 Rival Spotted!

Any guesses? Well, it is none other than the Triumph Bonneville. Until now, the Bonneville was one of Triumph’s flagship bikes with around 1000cc to 1200cc. However, following the success in India with its 400cc lineup, it looks like Triumph is willing to bring in a smaller Bonneville. While some sources speculate that it could be a Bonnie 400, we believe that Triumph may launch a 350cc version for India to take advantage of the sub-350cc tax category, while also offering a 400cc version in international markets. That aside, the spy shots give us a clearer picture of what we could expect to see from the bike. Triumph being Triumph, the design closely resembles bigger Bonnevilles, in a smaller footprint. 

While the test mule is all black with no Triumph badging, the overall looks are distinctively Bonneville-like. The low-slung single-piece seat, the shape of the exhaust, spoked wheels with axial brake callipers, and all the other design elements closely resemble the bigger Bonnies. It seems to have the same headlight as the current Triumph 400s. However, the round indicators, a round fender-mounted taillight, and a twin-shock setup at the rear are unique to this bike. That said, the smaller Bonneville looks impressive and could cause some trouble for the Classic 350 in the design department. But what else does it have to offer?

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Triumph Bonneville 350 – What To Expect?

Well, the first thing we notice is the design of the engine. It looks identical to the current 400cc TR-series engines you see on Triumph India’s entry-level lineup. So, it is safe to assume that this test mule gets either the 399cc engine or a revised 350cc engine. As it is a potential Classic 350 rival, it is possible that it will have the engine tune similar to the T4 model. The T4’s 399cc engine currently produces 30.6bhp and 36 Nm of torque. When downsized, we expect the engine to produce around 27bhp and 33Nm of torque. In terms of riding feel, and the way this engine delivers power is more like a thumper, with amazing low-end torque. So, this engine could match the retro character of the smaller Bonneville.

That aside, in a bike like the Bonneville, ergonomics play a major role, and it seems like Triumph seems to have done a great job. The seat is flat and low, with the footpegs being centre-set, and the handlebar is closer to the rider, allowing for a relaxed seating position and a neutral rider’s triangle. The test mule seems to have cartridge front forks, which are a rare sight to see – again, distinctively Bonneville. On the features front, we see a round instrument cluster, but it is unclear if it is digital or semi-digital (similar to a Speed Twin). We expect the India-spec Bonneville 350 to get features like dual-channel ABS, adjustable levers, traction control, all-LED lighting and a few more. If Triumph launches a Bonneville 350 in India, we expect it to be priced around Rs 2.30 lakh (on-road, Mumbai). 

That said, what do you think about this upcoming Royal Enfield rival?

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