Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350

autocar.india

•12h

At 5'10", you have the advantage of being able to comfortably fit on most cruiser motorcycles available in India. Choosing a bike will boil down to your budget and preferences in terms of the bike you prefer.If you are looking for an attainable yet premium-feeling textbook cruiser with proven reliability and a strong ownership experience, the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is a great starting point. It offers a comfortable riding position, a smooth engine and is well suited for both city commutes and relaxed highway rides. Its flashier sibling, the Goan Classic 350, offers a similar riding experience but with more visual pomp and flair. If you want something with a bit more power and presence, the Super Meteor 650 is a significant step up. It has a strong parallel-twin engine, a more premium feel and is very refined at highway speeds. Do bear in mind that the Super Meteor has stiff rear suspension which paired with the laid-back rider's triangle, will result in discomfort over poor patches of road.If you are open to something that has the character of a cruiser but looks more like a roadster, the Harley-Davidson X440 T is worth considering. It offers a definite step up from the RE 350s but isn't as heavy or uncomfortable as the larger 650cc models.

autocar.india

•7w

Within Honda's own stable, you'll find siblings to the CB350 with different styling but similiar underpinnings, should your husband want a different design. Another option to look at is Royal Enfield's 350cc lineup, specifically the Hunter / Bullet / Classic models, because these will be more comfortable than their siblings, the Meteor and Goan Classic. The REs are noticeably heavier than the Hondas but have a more characterful engine, so pick between them depending on what experience your husband is looking for. If this bike is going to be solely used for casual weekend rides, then we'd strongly recommend considering the gorgeous Goan Classic 350, which will appeal with its flashy colours and bobber aesthetic.

autocar.india

•10w

Since you've mentioned your usage is quite low, and you liked the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 on your test ride, you should strongly consider it. The Hunter's low seat height and manageable weight will make it easy to use in city conditions, and it is a comfortable, reliable and fuss-free machine. If you ride sensibly, you will also see decent fuel economy, and the latest-gen Hunter has very pliant suspension, ensuring a comfortable ride over bad roads. Another option we'd recommend - and this is purely because you've mentioned this will be a "lifestyle purchase" - is the Goan Classic 350. The Goan attracts glances like nothing else at this price point, owing to its unique design and striking colours, and since it is based on a tried and tested platform, realistically, there should be no surprises in your prospective ownership. The one downside here is that the Goan is not as comfortable as the Hunter, mainly owing to its seating position.Take a test ride of the Goan to see if you resonate with the experience it has to offer before you make your decision.

autocar.india

•10w

Since you have mentioned you've ridden the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 in the past and you are buying this bike to fulfill a dream, we'd recommend the Bullet itself. It is a comfortable machine with a characterful and smooth engine and will fit within your budget too. If you want brighter colours and a slightly more different look, then look at its sibling, the Classic 350. If you want something that won't be as commonplace as either of these aforementioned bikes but still want a machine that can be used daily, their offbeat sibling, the Goan Classic 350 is the right bike for you. It has a lower seat height than both the Classic and Bullet which will make it easier for a person with a shorter frame like yours to manage around town, which is where you're going to be spending most of your time. Take test rides of the Goan and the Bullet and then make your decision based on which one you like more.

autocar.india

•12w

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 you have shortlisted would be the best machine within your budget for your use case. It has a charming, torque-rich engine with a heart-tugging soundtrack, a low seat height and pretty decent comfort (for a cruiser). You could also look at the Goan Classic 350, which has very distinctive styling and bright colours with similar strengths to the Meteor, like a low seat and a comfortable (ish) ride. We'd advise sticking with the RE 350s and not stepping up to the 650cc models because the bigger ones, which a shorter person like you will consider, aren't very comfortable and also they are quite heavy.Take test rides of both the Meteor and the Goan Classic before you make your decision.