Once on the brink of shutting down, Royal Enfield’s re-emergence from the dead is an excellent case study story for marketing professionals.
The retro motorcycle maker is on the verge of dominating the mid-size motorcycle segment with its collection of irresistible models at highly accessible prices. For all the men who love to spend a lot of their lives on the saddle, we decided to round up the best Royal Enfield models that you can buy in 2024.
Although you might assume that this is an easy job, choosing the best Royal Enfield tailored to your individual preferences requires a lot of research. For example, the Classic 350 is currently the highest-selling model in Royal Enfield’s lineup but its hefty dimensions don’t make it ideal for beginners or short riders. Similarly, the svelte Continental GT 650 might be a great-looking motorcycle to show off but it is far from comfortable on longer rides. Royal Enfield’s most popular model may not be ideal for your specific use case.
Every motorcycle from Royal Enfield caters to a different style of rider and if you are in the market for one, it is necessary to understand what each of these neo-retro models offer. This is where our list of the best Royal Enfield models comes in handy, exploring all the crucial aspects such as engine power output, quirks and features.
For this list, we are including the recently launched Guerrilla 450 and the Shotgun 650 – two new additions to the Royal Enfield class of 2024. Additionally, we also talk about the Bullet 350, the Continental GT 650, the Himalayan 450 and the Hunter 350.
Without letting the engines idle any further, let’s rev the throttle and ride into this in-depth analysis of the best Royal Enfield motorcycles.
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A list of the best Royal Enfield models
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Launched in: 2019
Category: Retro commuter
The Classic 350 is the motorcycle that gives Royal Enfield its valued identity. With its timeless retro styling and a meaty 349 CC engine, the Classic 350 is an icon that riders desire to possess in their garage. It’s calm, composed and relaxed for the city as well as highway rides.
The new J-series platform with 20 bhp of power and 27 Nm of torque allows the Classic 350 to return great fuel efficiency (for a 350 CC category motorcycle) while offering the torquey traits that riders have come to love for over a decade. Royal Enfield’s vast array of accessories and customisation options make this motorcycle a tempting choice.
(Image Credits: Royal Enfield)
Launched in: 2023
Category: Adventure tourer
The Himalayan has become a brand within Royal Enfield! Ever since its introduction in 2016, this unusual-looking adventure tourer has dominated mountain passes, treacherous deserts, tricky water crossing and anything you throw at it. The new Himalayan 450 makes that same package more refined and faster.
The new Sherpa 452 CC engine gives the Himalayan a lot more grunt – it makes 39.6 hp and 40 Nm of torque. The revised chassis allows for greater road touring manners and an adjustable seat height makes it accessible for shorter riders, too. The Tripper Dash module neatly merges the analogue aesthetics with the convenience of a digital dash.
To sum it up, the Himalayan 450 is a legendary motorcycle for adventure riders who stray off the beaten track quite a lot.
(Image Credits: Royal Enfield)
Launched in: 2017
Category: Cafe racer
The Continental GT 650 is a motorcycle with a huge fan following primarily due to its retro cafe racer styling. The aggressive riding posture coupled with a long tank section, clip-on handlebars and a flat seat makes the GT 650 an irresistible motorcycle to behold, especially if you get it with the spoke wheels.
But the GT 650 is more than just its cafe racer looks. At the heart of this Royal Enfield motorcycle lies a 648 CC parallel-twin engine producing 47 bhp of power and 52 Nm of torque. This allows the motorcycle to reach a top speed of 161 kph, which makes it one of the fastest motorcycles in its category. However, keep in mind that the Continental GT 650 is heavy, drinks a lot more petrol than its rivals and isn’t comfortable for long rides.
This is where the next motorcycle on this list comes to the forefront.
(Image Credits: Royal Enfield)
Launched in: 2017
Category: Retro roadster
If you value riding comfort over styling, the Interceptor 650 ends up being a superior choice over the Continental GT 650. With the same 648 CC twin-cylinder engine making 47 bhp power and 52 Nm torque, the Interceptor has high-set handlebars and a revised rider triangle for a comfortable riding experience. While the extra weight makes it cumbersome for city usage, the torquey engine and its timeless modern classic aesthetics make it ideal for those weekend-long rides. And unlike the GT 650, it can comfortably ferry a pillion.
(Image Credits: Royal Enfield)
Launched in: 2022
Category: Neo-retro roadster
If you are new to motorcycles and prefer a compact roadster motorcycle with loads of torque and a dash of retro styling, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is the best choice. With a kerb weight of 181 kg and a seat height of 790 mm, it is a popular choice among shorter riders of all genders.
The Triumph Speed Twin-inspired looks give it an unmissable road presence. However, the Hunter 350’s party piece is its 350 CC J-series engine borrowed from the Classic 350. While it only makes 20 bhp of power and 27 Nm of torque, the shorter 17-inch wheels combined with the updated gear ratios make the Hunter 350 a lively city roadster. Not to forget, it has a lovely exhaust note that puts certain bigger motorcycles to shame.
For a motorcycle that’s supposed to act as an entry point in the Royal Enfield family, the Hunter 350 is a great choice.
(Image Credits: Royal Enfield)
Launched in: 2024
Category: Bobber
If you admire bobbers, the Shotgun 650 is worth giving a shot (no pun intended).
Based on the 648 CC parallel twin platform, the Shotgun 650 offers a mix of good handling and stable highway cruising. The single-seat configuration and the heavy kerb weight of the motorcycle may not help it score points on the practicality front but you have to remember – who rides a bobber for practicality?
The primary reason to consider the Shotgun 650 is its styling. The slightly faired headlight fairing along with the muscular tank and a chopped rear fender gives it a commanding road presence. Royal Enfield says that the Shotgun 650 is also customisation-friendly, which should encourage custom-builders to use this platform to bring their dreams to reality.
(Image Credits: Royal Enfield)
Launched in: 2024
Category: Roadster
The Hunter 350 is a city-friendly roadster with ample torque and power output. But what if you want more? More speed, more power and higher torque without giving up on the agility of the Hunter? This is where the Guerrilla 450 comes into the picture.
The Guerrilla 450 is a slender version of the mighty Himalayan 450 that’s tailored for cities and highways. The 452 CC Sherpa engine with its 39.6 bhp power and 40 Nm of torque promises sprightly performance with quick acceleration and faster top speed. The 17-inch alloy wheels coupled with a compact chassis and a lower seat height of 790 mm make the Guerilla 450 a great handling motorcycle. The youthful paint scheme as well as the Tripper Dash all-digital instrument pod make it easier to live with as well.
(Image Credits: Royal Enfield)
Launched in: 2020
Category: Retro cruiser
If cruising is all you love, there’s no better motorcycle on the streets than the Meteor 350. This motorcycle has been around for a while and is the preferred choice for riders seeking a comfortable riding experience while doing triple-digit cruising speeds.
It relies on the same 349 CC air-cooled engine as the Classic 350 and Hunter 350 making the same kind of power and torque. However, the touring chassis setup makes it one of the most refined 350 CC-class Royal Enfield to buy today. The laid-back riding posture coupled with plush seats makes the Meteor 350 suitable for riding long distances. The Tripper pod navigation unit makes life on the road a tad easier.
(Image Credits: Royal Enfield)
Launched in: 2023
Category: Retro cruiser
If the Meteor 350 appears to be underpowered for your highway cruising endeavours, you could take a look at the Super Meteor 650 – Royal Enfield’s flagship offering.
The Super Meteor 650 is longer, heavier and more powerful than the Meteor 350 – attributes that make a cruiser motorcycle better. The 648 CC parallel-twin engine from the Continental GT 650 ensures a high top speed of 170 kph and the long wheelbase makes the ride stable. The slightly stiffer sprung suspension pays dividends with sharp handling on smooth roads but struggles on patchy tarmac.
On the whole, if you seek a mid-size cruiser, the Super Meteor 650 is a great buy.
(Image Credits: Royal Enfield)
Re-launched in: 2023
Category: Retro roadster
The Bullet is the motorcycle that kept Royal Enfield alive for decades! Once the top choice of transportation for the armies and law enforcement agencies, this retro British-styled commuter is now an alternative to the Classic 350.
In essence, the Bullet 350 is a reskinned Classic 350. It retains the same 349 CC J series engine as the Classic 350 as well as 90 per cent of the body panels. The differences are noticeable only with the retro-styled badges, hand-painted stripes on the tank and classic spoke wheels. The motorcycle’s performance is identical too.
The Bullet 350 is best for someone who prefers to flaunt authentic retro styling on their motorcycle.
(Image Credits: Royal Enfield)
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(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Royal Enfield)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Royal Enfield Classic 350 is the best motorcycle from the brand.
The Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 is the most powerful motorcycle from the brand.
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is the best beginner motorcycle from the automaker.
