Royal Enfield Trials 350 Vs Classic 350 — Sibling Rivalry Put To Rest

Royal Enfield has launched the Bullet Trials 350 in India at a price Rs 1.62 lakh. The 2019 Royal Enfield Bullet Trials is a homage to the Royal Enfield Trials model from 1949. The Trials 350 has been targeted at those who want a rugged and adventurous motorcycle but do not want to shell out on a more expensive ADV motorcycle.

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 on the other hand has been on sale in the Indian market for ages now. The Classic 350 has now become the identity of the Royal Enfield Brand as the motorcycle is the best-selling Royal Enfield model by a large margin.

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 has been around for a long time, but Royal Enfield has only recently updated the motorcycle and it now comes with disc brakes at the front and rear and ABS as standard fitment.

Does the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 350 have a lot in common with the Royal Enfield Classic 250? Here is a brief comparison between the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 350 and the Royal Enfield Classic 350.

Design & Style

To the untrained eye, the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 350 and the Royal Enfield Classic 350 would look similar, but to those who know, there is a world of difference in terms of styling. The Trials 350 is based on the Royal Enfield Bullet 350, but it has been made to look more rugged.

The Trials 350 has been styled to look more off-road ready, rugged and tough. In-fact, it is one of the most radically styled motorcycles Royal Enfield has launched in a long time. One look at the motorcycle is enough to tell that it was made for adventure and for riding over challenging terrain.

The motorcycle comes with narrower and shorter fenders at the front and rear. The telescopic fork up front comes with a dust-protection sleeve and the handlebar with cross-brace is now higher just as on most enduro motorcycles.

At the rear is a sturdy and rugged luggage rack in place of the seat for the pillion rider. The Classic 350 on the other hand comes with a more contemporary cruiser styling and looks more apt for nice long straight roads.

Both motorcycles come with circular headlamps up front. On the Classic 350, the headlamp is integrated into the metal dashboard that includes the instruments while it is a separate unit on the Bullet Trials 350.

The Bullet Trials 350 is available in just one colour option — Silver with Chrome detailing. The chassis has been painted red in colour and that makes it stand out in a crowd of other Royal Enfield motorcycles.

The Classic 350 comes with on-road tyres whereas the Bullet Trials 350 comes with off-road ready tyres from Ceat wrapped around a 19-inch spoked wheel up front and an 18-inch spoked wheel at the rear. The Royal Enfield Trials 350 comes with an aluminium bash plate and an upswept exhaust system for increased ground clearance. The Royal Enfield Classic 35 on the other hand comes with an exhaust system that is low and close to the ground and of course, there is no bash plate.

Dimensions

Engine

The Royal Enfield Trials 350 is powered by the same air-cooled, 346cc, single-cylinder engine as the Bullet 350. It produces a maximum power output of 20bhp and a peak torque output of 28Nm. A 5-speed gearbox drives the rear wheel.

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 too is powered by the same 346cc motor and comes with the same power and torque output and the same number of gears as well.

Features

The Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 350 is a homage to the Bullet Trials from the 1950s but it is in no way driven by old-school technology. The Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 350 is powered by a fuel-injected engine. Braking is handled by disc brakes on both ends and ABS is a standard feature.

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 comes with the same features as standard since the latest update for the motorcycle was launched.

Pricing

The Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 350 is priced at Rs 1.62 lakhs while the Classic 350 is priced at Rs 1.53 lakh, all prices ex-showroom. At Rs 1.62 lakh, the Bullet Trials is definitely more expensive than the Classic 350, but it also means that the Trials 350 is positioned exactly where Royal Enfield intended it to be.

Verdict

The Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 350 is a motorcycle that once again takes us down the pages of Royal Enfield's history. It therefore has the heritage proposition to it, while the Classic 350 is the motorcycle that has made Royal Enfield the giant it is today.

Both motorcycles are extremely important for Royal Enfield, but if you are out looking for fun, it is the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials 350 for you. The Trials 350 is a lifestyle proposition and we're sure it would find many takers.