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

Hero MotoCorp Partners Pelpi International For Italy Market

Hero MotoCorp - Italy

Hero MotoCorp, a leading two-wheeler manufacturer globally, has announced its official entry into the Republic of Italy. This expansion marks the company’s entry into its 49th international market.

Product distribution will be managed by Pelpi International, a large distributor that offers sales, service, and parts through a network of over 160 dealers. Initial distribution will focus on key cities with 36 dealers, with plans to expand to 54 touchpoints.

The three models available at launch are the Xpulse 200 4V, Xpulse 200 4V Pro and Hunk 440. Both models comply with E5+ and EU standards.

Hunk 440: This model enters the L3e−A2 performance category. Its engine delivers torque of 36.0 Nm at 4000 rpm and power of 27 BHP at 6000 rpm. It features dual-channel ABS with 320 mm front and 240 mm rear discs, USD Cartridge Forks by KYB, a full-digital TFT display and navigation. The Hunk 440 starts at EUR 3,990 (Incl. VAT) and is available in Twilight Blue and Phantom Black.

Xpulse 200 Family: The Xpulse 200 4V Pro has a 4-Valve head that produces 18.9 BHP and 17.35 Nm torque. It includes three ABS Modes (Road, Off-road, and Rally). It is equipped with a digital speedometer, inverted LCD Display, navigation, and LED Projector headlamps. The Xpulse 200 4V starts at EUR 2,990, and the Xpulse 200 4V Pro at EUR 3,190.

Hero MotoCorp will offer a standard 3-year warranty and an additional 2-year warranty as a launch offer, extending the total warranty to 5 years.

Sanjay Bhan, Executive Vice-President, Hero MotoCorp, said, "Entering Italy, the very heartland of two-wheeler culture, marks a defining milestone in Hero MotoCorp’s global expansion journey. We aim to redefine ‘The Future of Mobility’ at a global scale with next-gen smart mobility solutions that cater to diverse riding preferences. With products that reflect both the Explorer and Liberator spirit, we are inviting Italian riders to experience Limitless Freedom and Limitless Adventure every day. Our success in the Dakar Rally with Hero MotoSports is a testimony of our global engineering excellence and the innovation in products that we are bringing for Italy market."

Cesare Gali, Managing Director, Pelpi International, said, “We are proud to champion Hero MotoCorp’s entry into Italy. Their global scale, product quality, and the unparalleled commitment of a 5-year warranty give us immense confidence. The Hunk 440 and Xpulse 200 fill crucial, highly competitive segments in Italy, offering a unique blend of technology and value that will resonate deeply with Italian consumers.”

Pelpi International will make the brand available with 36 dealerships across key cities.

Royal Enfield Makes Available Entire 350cc Range On Amazon India

RE 350

Chennai-headquartered mid-size motorcycle major Royal Enfield has further expanded its online presence on e-commerce platform Amazon India. The company is making available its entire range of 350cc motorcycles on the e-commerce platform.

The partnership aims to offer convenience in the purchasing process, in addition to payment options available on the platform. The purchase option is currently open to customers in five cities: Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Pune.

The range of 350cc models available includes the Classic 350, Bullet 350, Hunter 350, Goan Classic 350 and the new Meteor 350. These will be sold through a dedicated Royal Enfield brand store on Amazon India.

Delivery and aftersales service will be handled by the customer’s chosen Royal Enfield dealership in the city. The brand page also allows customers to buy genuine motorcycle accessories (GMAs), riding gear and merchandise.

Royal Enfield 350cc motorcycles are now available on two e-commerce platforms, reaching ten cities in India. They are sold through Amazon.in in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Pune, and via Flipkart.com in Bengaluru, Gurugram, Kolkata, Lucknow and Mumbai.

Aprilia's Limited-Edition RSV4 X-GP Sells Out In Record 14 Days

Aprilia RSV4 X-GP

Aprilia Racing has achieved global success with the limited-edition RSV4 X-GP, announcing that all 30 units sold out in just fourteen days following its introduction at the Catalunya Grand Prix.

The company stated that the immediate sell-out confirms the strong international appeal of Aprilia's ‘X’ brand, which the company states is a reference point for exclusivity, innovation and pure performance.

Enthusiasts from markets including Europe, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Malaysia and the United States secured the bikes, with booking requests reportedly exceeding availability during the presentation weekend itself.

The RSV4 X-GP was created by the Noale Racing Department to mark the 10th anniversary of the RS-GP's debut in MotoGP, featuring the official MotoGP Team livery. It is the most powerful RSV4 ever built, boasting 238 HP for a mere 165 kg of weight, creating an ‘unprecedented riding experience.’

The bike introduces several track-focused innovations derived directly from the RS-GP prototype, notably becoming the first factory derivative bike in the world to feature leg and tail wings – aerodynamic solutions previously exclusive to the MotoGP machine. It also includes a structural carbon seat support.

Massimo Rivola, CEO, Aprilia Racing, said, “X confirms its status for Aprilia Racing as an exclusive and niche brand with enormous potential. Aprilia Racing is synonymous with innovation and it fills us with pride to see that, even at a strategic and product level, we have created an iconic brand and a new type of absolutely exclusive bike, conceived specifically for track enthusiasts.”

Suzuki Motorcycle India Intros New Colour Options For Gixxer And Gixxer SF

Suzuki Gixxer

Suzuki Motorcycle India, the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has introduced new colour line-up for the Suzuki Gixxer SF and Gixxer motorcycles.

The fully faired Suzuki Gixxer SF priced at INR 137,231 (ex-showroom Delhi) gets two new colours - Metallic Oort Gray + Pearl Mira Red and Glass Sparkle Black + Metallic Oort Gray. The company is also providing exchange benefits up to INR 5,000 and extended warranty at INR 1,999 or insurance benefits up to INR 7,000 as part of the festive sales offer.

On the other hand, the Suzuki Gixxer priced at INR 126,421 (ex-showroom Delhi) gets three new colours - Metallic Oort Gray + Pearl Mira Red, Glass Sparkle Black + Metallic Oort Gray and Metallic Triton Blue + Glass Sparkle Black. The company is offering exchange benefits up to INR 5,000 along with an extended warranty at INR 1,999 or alternatively insurance benefits up to INR 6,000.

The Suzuki Gixxer SF and Gixxer are powered by a 155 cc, BS-VI OBD-2 B-compliant single-cylinder engine equipped with Suzuki Eco Performance (SEP), delivering 13.6 PS of power and 13.8 Nm of torque. This engine has a proven track record, having set a national endurance record in the 150cc category.

Both motorcycles feature European-inspired styling, highlighted by a LED headlamp and tail lamp, a sporty dual-muffler and split seats. The motorcycles also get a Bluetooth-enabled multi-function digital console with the Suzuki Ride Connect application. Key safety and performance features include single-channel ABS, wide radial tyres and a 7-step adjustable mono-shock for handling across varied conditions.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales and Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “The fresh colours of Gixxer SF and Gixxer underline Suzuki’s commitment to blending style, performance and innovation while catering to the aspirations of young Indian riders. With these enhancements, the motorcycles reflect Suzuki’s engineering and design philosophy, combining sporty character with comfort for both everyday city rides and long-distance touring. Along with attractive purchase benefits and easy ownership options, the updated line-up adds to the festive excitement and strengthens the connect of the GIXXER brand with customers across the country.”