You’ve seen the teasers — the social media posts, reels, spy shots, and videos — now, folks, it’s time for the real deal: the brand-new Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350. A bike that pays tribute to Goa’s sun, sand, and occasional wild speed bumps. We took this bobber for a spin on some twisty roads that flirt with the Arabian Sea, while also throwing in a few surprise speed breakers and steep inclines just to keep things interesting and give our spines an unexpected workout.
So, the big question is: should you swap your regular Classic 350 for this Goan edition, or just stick with the OG? Well, grab your helmet and a cold drink — because we’re about to break it down for you, with the right mix of sand, sea, and slightly bumpy roads.
The Goan isn’t just another Royal Enfield Classic 350 with a few cosmetic tweaks—there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. Built on the DNA of the Classic 350, this new bobber is a single-seater with the option to attach a pillion seat. Whether you’re a fan of retro motorcycles or not, the Goan Classic is a true showstopper. We even had some luxury SUV owners step out of their vehicles to chat with us about the new bobber.
The Goan Classic gleams in the sun with its chrome-finished circular LED headlight and signature LED pilot lights. The side profile of the Goan Classic is minimalist, featuring a peanut-shaped 13-litre fuel tank, a 349 cc J-series engine flexing its muscles, and a couple of side panels below the seat. It also has a new slash-cut exhaust, which gets a chrome or all-black finish based on the variant. If you opt for the single-seater, the rear naked fenders add even more charm to the design, complemented by circular LED tail lights and indicators. What sets the Goan apart from the Classic 350 are the stunning white wall tyres, which are currently exclusive to the new bobber, the tall ape handlebars in chrome finish, the low seat height, and the forward-positioned foot pegs. We’ll tell you how all these elements make the riding experience of the Goan truly unique.
The Goan Classic 350 boasts the lowest seat height in Royal Enfield’s 350cc lineup — 750 mm. It’s the most accessible bike in the bunch, making it a perfect match for anyone who prefers a laidback vibe over a testosterone-fueled power trip. The Goan’s all about cruising at your pace, not making you feel like you’re trying to tame a wild stallion.
The riding stance? Comfortable as a hammock in the shade. With raised handlebars, legs stretched forward, and a low centre of gravity, it’s a perfect setup for leisurely jaunts — at least until the seat starts whispering sweet nothings to your lower back after a long day in the saddle. The single seat is plush enough for short rides, but after clocking some serious hours on the Goan, we felt a bit like we’d been sitting on a firm yoga mat — supportive but maybe not quite lounge chair level like the Classic 350.
Now, let’s talk suspension. The Goan packs 41mm front forks and 130 mm of wheel travel, identical to the Classic 350, but the rear twin shock absorbers come with 105.3 mm of travel. At first, the stiffness didn’t bother us too much, but by the end of the day, we were wondering if the Goan was secretly trying to toughen up the lower back.
On the plus side, the Goan is a breeze to manoeuvre through tight, winding roads. U-turns? Piece of cake. But let’s be real — things might get a little more interesting when you’re fighting stop-and-go traffic in the urban jungle. Tall handlebars and narrow lanes might always mix well with your elbows, and you might wish for a little more room to breathe. Royal Enfield offers low handlebars as an optional accessory.
The 349cc J-series engine made its debut with the Meteor 350 in 2020, and since then, it’s been one of the smoothest, most refined engines in Royal Enfield’s stable. It’s the same engine powering the Goan Classic, delivering that signature linear throttle response at low revs. Whether you’re cruising or crawling, there’s always enough torque to keep things moving. Thanks to its 5-speed gearbox with tall gear ratios, we never found ourselves constantly hunting for gears. In fact, the Goan Classic managed to chug along smoothly even below 20 kmph in third gear.
Riding over speed breakers? No problem. We slowed down as needed, and the engine just kept humming along, offering the necessary torque without a single complaint or knock.
If there’s one minor quibble, it’s with the angle of the gear lever. It offers both toe and heel shifting, but the heel shift is set a bit too low for comfort. We found ourselves mainly using the toe for upshifts and downshifts.
The J-series engine is smooth and even when we pushed the Goan Classic toward the triple-digit speed zone on the highway, the vibrations were almost non-existent. No buzz through the saddle, footpegs, fuel tank, or handlebars — just a steady, calm cruise.
The Goan Classic 350 sports a semi-analogue rider’s console like the Classic 350 with a speedometer dial, an LCD multi-information display and a Google Maps-based Tripper turn-by-turn navigation system. The new motorcycles comes with all-LED lights offering better illumination, adjustable clutch and brake levers and a USB charging port tucked beneath the left handlebar.
Like the Classic 350, the Goan is based on a twin downtube spine frame, but the latter’s wheelbase is 1,400 mm, longer by 10 mm. The two motorcycles share the same 19-inch front wheel, but the Goan has 16-inch rear wheels while the Classic has 18-inch. The Goan boasts of a first-in-the-segment feature as it is the only bike to be equipped with spokes wheels with tubeless tyres. The new motorcycle retains the 300 mm front disc brake, 270 mm at the rear and dual-channel ABS.
Priced at 2.35 lakh onwards, ex-showroom Chennai, the Goan Classic slots comfortably above the standard Classic 350, and it’s not just a bike — it’s a lifestyle statement. A “look at me, I’ve got style and sunburn” kind of statement.
For short commutes, the Goan Classic is pretty comfy, though the suspension is a bit on the firm side. The riding stance is one of the best in its class, so even though the bumps might give your spine a slight nudge, your posture will be as relaxed as your weekend plans.
The engine is smooth as butter. With enough torque to handle low-speed cruising and a tall 5-speed gearbox, you can forget about constantly shifting gears. The Goan Classic is made for easy riding and a whole lot of head-turning.
This new member of the Classic family is bound to boost Royal Enfield’s sales numbers even higher. After all, with every bike sold, they’re probably laughing all the way to the bank, counting their profits while we’re out here riding in the sun, wishing we could do this for a living.
