As we had reported earlier, the Royal Enfield 350cc family tree is set to expand with the arrival of a 350cc single-seat bobber, based on the Chennai-based marque’s hugely successful Classic 350. This bike has now been spied and it looks very similar to the design sketches previewed earlier.
- Blacked-out engine seen on the bobber
- Similiar underpinnings as the Classic 350
Royal Enfield 350cc bobber: what can be seen
Since the RE 350cc bobber is based on the Classic 350, the overall bodywork is quite similar, which really is no bad thing, considering the clean, retro lines of the Classic. Where it very obviously differs is the single-seat configuration, true to its bobber style. On this test mule, however, there are passenger foot pegs present, so it remains to be seen whether the bike is a strict single-seater or one that can be optioned with provisions to carry a pillion.
Another visual element that’s scarcely seen on bikes made in this century are whitewall tyres, which suit the bobber’s ethos very well. What’s a little surprising considering this will be a retro-themed machine is the presence of blacked-out components such as the engine, the rims and the bespoke exhaust muffler, which isn’t shared with any other J-series model. The round LED tail-light appears to be the same as the one on the Super Meteor 650 and the premium-looking LED indicators look like they came from the vast Royal Enfield accessory catalogue.
Despite the tall ‘ape-hanger’ handlebar, the RE bobber’s riding position is quite similar to the upright posture the Classic 350 seats the rider in. Considering the bobber will use the same air-cooled, 349cc, single-cylinder engine, output figures aren’t likely to differ majorly from the 20hp and 27Nm that the other models churn out.
Considering the fact that this is still the first time the bike has been spied testing and other upcoming RE bikes have been spied multiple times earlier – such as the Himalayan 450 and the Shotgun 650 – and the fact that the J-series Bullet 350 is yet to make its debut, the RE 350cc bobber is likely quite some time away from making its public debut. When it does, expect it to be priced in the same ballpark as the Classic 350, and it will rival the likes of the Jawa Perak and 42 Bobber.
Would you pick the RE bobber over the Classic Legends offerings? Let us know in the comments section below.
Rishaad Mody
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
