Royal Enfield is a very popular brand for classic cruisers with retro appearance in India. Super Meteor 650 and Classic 350 are two of the most popular Royal Enfield models, and both provide a distinct experience of cruising on a cruiser.
The Classic 350 is perfect for those looking for a basic, vintage ride with classic style. The Super Meteor 650 is more powerful, long-distance comfortable, and more premium in feel. Here’s our in-depth expert comparison after riding both the bikes around the city, on highways, and on weekend getaways.
Design & Road Presence
The Classic 350 is true to the vintage heritage of Royal Enfield. It has an appearance that individuals recall from British war-era motorcycles, including a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, vintage fenders, spoke wheels, and shiny chrome pieces. Its short, recognisable shape creates a stir, especially from individuals who love nostalgia.
The Super Meteor 650 feels and looks like new but retains its cruiser look. It is longer, wider, and lower, which provides it with a commanding presence on the road. The heavy USD forks, alloy wheels, low handlebars, and low seat give it a more mature and international look. It is a large bike and certainly catches attention, particularly with its good paint and trim.
Engine & Performance
The Classic 350 is powered by a 349cc single-cylinder engine that develops approximately 20.2 bhp and 27 Nm of torque. The engine is tuned for a plush ride with firm low-end grunt that’s ideal for city commutes and cruising at 80-90 km/h on the highway. It’s not for pace, but to ensure the ride is pleasant.
Super Meteor 650 uses the same 648cc parallel-twin engine as the Interceptor and Continental GT. It makes about 47 bhp and 52.3 Nm of torque. The engine is smooth and the twin-cylinder configuration is comfortable for highway cruising. It is smooth at 120 kmph and the engine is extremely smooth with minimal vibration, and hence good for long distances.
Ride Comfort & Handling
The Classic 350 comes with an upright and laid-back riding position. It boasts a cushioned seat and a soft suspension, so the bike is perfect for short and medium distances. On rough roads, the ride is average, and it can take most of the potholes. Though, since it is a standard setup, it is not very stable at high speeds or on twisties.
The Super Meteor 650 is a giant in comfort. The foot-forward stance, wide handlebar, and low seat height make it a classic cruiser stance. It is extremely supportive on long rides, and the suspension, particularly the front USD forks, contributes to a luxury feel to the ride. It’s stabiliser-like on highways and corners decently well for a cruiser. It feels planted at higher speeds with the added weight and longer wheelbase.
Features & Instrumentation
Both bikes feature the option of Royal Enfield’s Tripper navigation system. The Classic 350 features a semi-digital instrument cluster with an analogue speedometer and a small digital display for trip and fuel readouts.
The Super Meteor 650 is even more well-equipped. The instrument pod is bigger, brighter, and has gear position, trip meters, clock, and fuel gauge. It also has LED headlights, which the Classic lacks. Minor features like rotary switches, alloy wheels, and a bigger tank contribute to the total list of features.
City & Highway Riding Experience
In city traffic, the Classic 350 is easier to handle. It is lighter and more maneuverable, and the engine is geared to provide power at lower RPMs, so it is well-suited for everyday rides. The clutch is easy to manage, and the gear shifts are smooth, but the bike is cumbersome in stop-and-go traffic.
The Super Meteor 650 is heavier and larger, but handles smoothly at low speeds. It is a breeze to ride around the city, but its size and weight make it difficult to handle tight corners and U-turns. But on the highway, the Super Meteor excels. It is a joy to cruise and is strong and sturdy even when cruising at high speeds
Fuel Efficiency
The Classic 350 gives you better fuel economy, about 35-38 kmpl depending on your riding habits. That makes it cheaper to keep, particularly if you are driving every day.
The Super Meteor 650, with a twin-cylinder and higher power output, gives about 23-25 kmpl in real-world usage. It’s still reasonable for a 650cc bike but naturally won’t be as good on mileage as the Classic.
The Ending Thoughts
Both bikes are great in their own right. The Classic 350 is the soul and essence of the Royal Enfield brand: charming, uncomplicated, and content to ride around short distances. It’s the one to choose if you’re just starting out with motorcycles or desire a classic-style everyday rider.
The Super Meteor 650 is for those willing to go the distance, literally. It’s an honest cruiser with solid highway performance, comfortable ride quality, and a luxury look and feel. It’s pricier, but the experience you receive in exchange is worth it for tourers and big-bike enthusiasts.
So, whether you adore the old-school thump of the Classic or yearn for the silky twin-cylinder muscle of the Super Meteor, Royal Enfield has something for every type of rider.
- Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 vs Classic 350: Who Makes a Better Cruiser?
- Royal Enfield is a very popular brand for classic cruisers with retro appearance in India. Super Meteor 650 and Classic 350 are two of the most popular Royal Enfield models, and both provide a distinct experience of cruising on a cruiser.
- Super Meteor 650, Classic 350
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