All-New Royal Enfield Classic 350 Launched, Starting At INR 1.84 Lakh

All-New Royal Enfield Classic 350 Launched, Starting At INR 1.84 Lakh

Royal Enfield has launched the 2022 Classic 350 with a starting price of INR 1.84 lakh (ex-showroom, Chennai) in 5 variants and 11 colour options.

The newly-launched Classic’s styling does not stray too much from the previous model’s styling. It continues to feature the iconic teardrop fuel tank and headlamp that are synonymous with the long-dated heritage of the Classic brand.

The legacy of the Classic brand dates back to 1948 with the Royal Enfield Model G2, the first to have swinging arm rear suspension on a full production motorcycle. The Model G2 served as a strong design inspiration for the hugely popular Classic 500 and Classic 350 launched in 2008. 

The new Classic 350, according to the company, has a wider handlebar, strengthened grab rail, a new analogue dial with an LCD display and a USB port. It continues to be equipped with the same twin downtube frame­  now stiffer for better stability – and the same front and rear suspension.

For better comfort, the Classic has wider seats with soft-foam cushion padding. New handlebars with a slightly tweaked riding position add to better riding ergonomics.

The 349 cc, air-oil cooled, 5-speed, single-cylinder engine, borrowed directly from the Royal Enfield Meteor 350, generates a power of 20.2 bhp at 6,100 rpm and a torque of 27 Nm at 4,000 rpm. Unlike the Classic 350s of the past, the new model comes with smooth linear power delivery across the band. The new primary balancer shaft cuts down most of the vibrations experienced by previous Royal Enfield owners. Much to the joy of enthusiasts, the new Classic 350 retains the unmistakable thump of the exhaust note, although now refined and subdued to an extent.

Owing to massive demand from various audience backgrounds, Royal Enfield has revealed the motorcycle in five versions  Redditch, Halcyon, Signals, Dark and Chrome. The Redditch series comes in Grey and Sage Green colours. It has wire-spoked wheels, a single saddle and is the only series in the new Classic 350 range to get single-channel ABS. The Halcyon series is offered in Black, Grey and Green shades. It carries the wire-spoked wheels and gets dual-channel ABS.

The Signals variant is offered in Desert Sand and Marsh Grey options. It has wire-spoked wheels and dual-channel ABS. The Dark series, offered in Gunmetal Grey and Stealth Black colours, also comes with blacked components but gets alloy wheels over the wire-spoked wheels on the Signals variant.

The most expensive edition, the Chrome series is available in Bronze and Red paint options; it also gets the Tripper navigation assist as seen on the Meteor 350.

The Classic 350 weighs 195 kg and hosts a 13-litre fuel tank. It gets a 19-inch front wheel housing a 100/90-section tyre and an 18-inch rear wheel with a 120/80-section tyre. Braking duties are handled by a 300 mm front disc with a 2-piston floating caliper and a 270 mm rear disc with single-piston floating caliper. The Redditch variant, however, gets a 153 mm rear drum brake.

Bookings will open at 6 pm today and customers can also choose from as many as 35 accessories that have been developed for the classic-looking modern machine. Both the accessories and the motorcycle are offered with a three-year warranty and a year’s roadside assistance (for the bike).

Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director, Eicher Motors, said, “Through our history, we have been consistent in our pursuit to build timeless, classic, beautiful motorcycles that are great fun to ride, and the new Classic 350 does just that. Built ground-up, on our modern J-series engine, with an all-new chassis, the Classic 350 offers a tremendously refined and perfect ride experience that almost feels like riding again for the first time. The supremely well calibrated engine is super smooth, intuitively responsive and engaging, and has that gorgeous growl on acceleration. The all-new chassis inspires enormous confidence while handling and is especially well-mannered in tight traffic situations and around twisty corners. We are confident that the incredibly refined all-new Classic 350 will once again redefine the mid-size motorcycle space globally.” (MT)

 

The Classic 350 now gets an updated LCD instrument cluster. It also gets a revised switchgear from the Meteor 350
 
The 3499 cc bike now has wider seats with soft-foam cushion padding

Ather Energy Targets To Double Experience Centres To 700 Touchpoints

Ather Energy

Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ather Energy has announced its ambitious plans to double its retail network to 700 experience centres by FY2026.

For context, Ather Energy currently operates 351 experience centres in India and 24 centres in Nepal and Sri Lanka. Furthermore, 46 percent of the retail touchpoints are in South India alone. The expansion is part of the EV maker’s strategy to provide first-hand experience of the product, quality and peace of mind to customers.

The company with the recent launch of Rizta e-scooter targeted for families, is now looking to scale up its presence across the country, including tripling its store count in north markets. The Rizta, Ather’s first family scooter had recently crossed 100,000 units retail sales milestone within a year of its launch. The e-scooter has become popular in key states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Rizta alone now contributes to nearly 60 percent of Ather’s total sales, unlocking new cities and bringing in a wider base of family buyers, setting the stage for a much stronger retail presence in the coming months.

Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Rizta’s phenomenal success has opened up new markets and brought a much larger set of family buyers into the Ather ecosystem. We’re seeing demand coming in from cities where our footprint was previously limited, and that gives us the confidence to scale faster. Expanding to 700 Experience Centres is about staying ahead of this demand curve and ensuring that wherever our customers are, they have easy access to the full Ather experience.”

At present, the company operates over 3,578 fast-charging points across India through the Ather Grid. The EV maker is also expanding its service footprint along with the expansion of its retail network across India, including Gold Service Centres in key cities.

Ather Energy currently has two manufacturing plants in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, one each for vehicle assembly and battery manufacturing and an upcoming third manufacturing facility in Bidkin, AURIC, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, which will scale up its manufacturing capacity to 1.42 million electric two-wheeler per annum.

Triumph Speed T4 Gets New Baja Orange Colour Scheme

Triumph Speed T4

Triumph Motorcycles India has launched a brand-new colour ‘Baja Orange’ for its best-selling Speed T4 motorcycle, which it said is inspired by the glow of desert dawns and the vibrancy of golden hour rides.

The Baja Orange Speed T4 400cc will be available at INR 205,000 (ex-showroom) and will continue to be powered by 400cc engine producing 31 PS @ 7,000 rpm and 36 Nm @ 5,000 rpm. Mechanically, it remains unchanged and continues to have a low-end torque in the range of 3,500 – 5,500 rpm. It features a slipper clutch for easy downshift, dual-channel ABS and 43 mm telescopic forks.

The Speed T4 sports a 3D badge, new frame colour and tyre stripe pattern.

The British motorcycle brand is experiencing significant momentum, posting an impressive 30 percent YoY growth from FY2024 to FY2025 for the Speed T4.

TVS Launches 2025 Apache RTR 200 4V With Racing-Inspired Upgrades

TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

TVS Motor Company has launched the 2025 Apache RTR 200 4V, marking two decades of the brand’s racing legacy and celebrating a 6 million-strong global community of riders.

The new Apache RTR 200 4V features key mechanical and aesthetic upgrades, including OBD2B compliance, a 37mm Upside Down (USD) front suspension for improved control and a hydroformed handlebar that enhances handling stability. The motorcycle also sports refreshed graphics and bold red alloy wheels, offered in three colour options – Glossy Black, Matte Black, and Granite Grey.

Under the hood, the bike continues to deliver 20.8 PS at 9,000 rpm and 17.25 Nm of torque at 7,250 rpm. It’s equipped with dual-channel ABS, three ride modes (Urban, Sport, and Rain), a slipper clutch, adjustable brake and clutch levers, TVS SmartXonnect with Bluetooth and voice assist and a fully digital display with LED headlamps and DRLs.

First launched in 2016, the Apache RTR 200 4V has consistently introduced segment-first innovations, setting benchmarks in performance and safety.

Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “The upgraded 2025 TVS Apache RTR 200 4V continues this legacy – pushing the limits of design and engineering to offer next-generation riders a thrilling, track-bred experience on every ride.”

The 2025 TVS Apache RTR 200 4V is now available at dealerships across India, with prices starting at INR 153,990 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Suzuki 2025 GSX-8R Motorcycle Is Now OBD-2B Compliant

Suzuki GSX-8R

Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has introduced the OBD-2B compliant 2025 Suzuki GSX-8R motorcycle at INR 925,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).

The motorcycle continues to be powered by a 776cc parallel twin DOHC 4-valve-per-cylinder engine paired with a 270-degree crankshaft. It gets Suzuki’s patented Cross Balancer, which reduces vibration during the ride.

It also gets Suzuki Intelligent Ride System, Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS), the Suzuki Traction Control System (STCS), Ride-by-wire Electronic Throttle System, Bi-directional Quick Shift System, Suzuki Easy Start System and Low RPM Assist. The Suzuki GSX-8R is equipped with a six-speed transmission and Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS).

Deepak Mutreja, Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “The OBD-2B update on the GSX-8R enhances its performance with improved emission monitoring, keeping it aligned with the latest regulatory requirements. This ensures that customers continue to enjoy a refined and responsive riding experience that also meets evolving environmental standards.”

It comes equipped with Hitachi Astemo (SHOWA) SFF-BP inverted front forks, paired with a Hitachi Astemo (SHOWA) link-type mono-shock rear suspension with preload adjuster. For braking, the motorcycle gets dual four-piston radial-mount front brake callipers with 310 mm outer diameter dual discs. It rides on lightweight cast aluminium wheels with Dunlop RoadSport 2 radial tyres.