Should you pick the Royal Enfield Classic 350 over its rivals?

Classic 350 banks on recall value, the CB350 on refinement, and the Jawa 42 FJ on agility — but which 350 really stands tallest?

Published On Sep 03, 2025 07:00:00 AM

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Should you pick the Royal Enfield Classic 350 over its rivals?

I’m looking at buying my first 350cc bike and am confused between the Royal Enfield Classic 350, Honda CB350, and the Jawa 42 FJ. I want something that’s comfortable in the city but can also handle the occasional 200km highway ride. Which would be best?

Rohit Sharma, Jaipur

Autocar India says: All three are capable machines, but they deliver very different experiences. The Classic 350 is the most relaxed and comfortable, though also the heaviest in feel. The CB350 is smoother, faster with a highly refined engine and strong reliability that’s typically associated with Honda. The Jawa 42 FJ is the liveliest of the lot, thanks to its punchy mid-range and agile chassis, though suspension comfort isn’t its strongest suit.

If you want refinement and reliability, pick the Honda; for a more sporty character and agility, the Jawa is the one. However, if you want an old school torque-dominated riding experience with a slow revving engine, the Classic 350 remains the pick.

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