Not just as a State but also as a way of life, Goa is quite unique. It’s definitely more characterful than other popular tourist locations, its susegad lifestyle is distinctly more alluring, and the great mix of nature and modernity is second to none. Goa is also a favourite choice among automotive manufacturers. Many first-drive events take place in Goa, and some companies like it so much that they end up naming their products after this perennially sunny State. The latest one to go down that route is Royal Enfield, which has introduced a new iteration of its very successful Classic 350 motorcycle. We take the new Goan Classic 350 for a spin to understand if it deserves the premium over the regular iteration of the Classic 350 and why.
A bobber-style motorcycle, the Goan Classic 350 shares its platform with the Classic 350. Its 349 cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine makes 20.2 bhp and 2.7 kg-m. It still gets a 5-speed gearbox, but at 197 kg (kerb weight), the new motorcycle is heavier than the Classic 350 by 2 kg. The other noticeable change is the 16-inch rear tyre. The front suspension has 130 mm of travel and the rear gets 105.3 mm. On the Goan Classic 350, the wire-spoke wheels come with white-walled tubeless tyres. The motorcycle also gets a new exhaust, a blacked-out engine, and a choice between four rather nice colour combinations. The one we had on the test was Trip Teal.
On the Goan Classic 350, the wire-spoke wheels come with white-walled tubeless tyres
Ergonomically sound
Swinging your leg over it, you’ll notice that the 750 mm tall seat is easy to get onto; the rear seat is optional. The footpegs are forward set and most importantly, the ape-hanger handlebar is 100 mm taller than before. The combination makes for an ergonomically sound setup, with the handlebar posing no issues when cornering hard or even making quick direction changes. The tractability of the engine isn’t bad, either, and I could continue riding well on the streets of Goa in third gear without any issues whatsoever.
What I found to be slightly problematic is the suspension. The front does a decent job, but somehow, the rear doesn’t offer as much comfort as I’d have liked. The oxidised orange paint for the tank and the mandala pattern are both worth appreciating, but not exactly ‘Goan’, I felt. However, it didn’t take too long for the colour to grow on me. Similarly, the rest of the motorcycle turned out to be a great way to enjoy the finer things in life, viz., leisurely cruising, true to its name.
The Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 is priced at ₹2.35 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards, while the dual-tone version retails for ₹2.38 lakh, which is about ₹30,000 more expensive than the regular Classic 350’s base model.
