When I got my first motorbike nearly half a century ago some friends shunned modern Japanese hardware for iconic single-cylinder British motorbikes.
They were driven by price, rather than patriotism, for the likes of BSA Bantam 175s and Starfire 250s, along with Matchless 250s, were very affordable.
Unfortunately, the price was that they were not the most reliable rides, so we soon mastered running repairs, firing up in clouds of two-stroke smoke or oozing oil into one of mum’s meat tins you put under the sump when parked.
But I admired their motorbikes, the classy lines, shiny chrome and throb of the four-stroke singles… firing at every lamp-post!
Ever since, I have hankered after a British single but a modern classic without the mechanical hassle.
A couple of years ago I scratched that itch with a Royal Enfield 350 Hunter, built in India and more compact retro than true classic, but fun to ride in town and on country roads despite its lowly power output.
It is ideal for novice A2 riders or, in my case, as a second bike runabout if you have a bigger model. It has become my go-to bike because it’s so simple to get about on.
If you really want to take a nostalgic trip back in time to a golden era for British biking you’ll love the 350 Classic (there is also a 350 Bullet and Meteor).
The 350 Classic is a charmer, oozing elegance with its stylish silhouette harking back to the 1950 Royal Enfield G2.
That timeless look still turns heads today with spoked wheels, wrapround mudguards, a peashooter exhaust and, with most colour schemes, oodles of chrome.
It’s bigger than the Hunter, so will suit taller riders, but is easy to ride with an upright riding position. An 805mm high seat means you can get both feet on the ground, just as well as it is no lightweight at 195kg.
The 349cc, single-cylinder, air/oil-cooled four-stroke engine develops 20.2bhp at 6,100rpm and 27Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.
It’s nippy enough around town but more about comfort than speed on the open road. It pulls willingly from low revs with a throaty exhaust note, so little point revving it hard unless you want to get a spurt on, and cruises smoothly and quietly at 60mph.
If you want more oomph there is a 650 twin Classic for a couple of thousand pounds more.
The 350’s five-speed transmission is delightful, snicking into gear positively, both up and down the box, aided by a light clutch action.
A 13-litre petrol tank should give more than 200 miles between fill-ups ridden sensibly.
That is what the 350 Classic is all about – wafting along at a pace where you can take in the scenery rather than watching it flash past.
A squidgy seat and softish suspension soak up bumps and lumps, cushioning you from poor road surfaces, but the 350 Classic corners confidently with decent grip on dry roads.
Front forks have no adjustment but twin rear shock absorbers have six pre-load settings with the softest fine for solo riding.
Braking is adequate for the performance with a 300mm front disc and a 270mm rear one with ABS as standard. The front brake lever needs a good squeeze but the back brake pedal gives serious added stopping power.
In keeping with the classic image there is a central analogue speedo built into the headlight unit and a small LCD display for fuel level, trips and clock.
The 350 Classic is priced £4,459 to £4,619 depending on colour. The medallion bronze demo bike is £4,539. The 650 Classic is £6,499 to £6,799.
What the 350 Classic lacks in power it makes up for in presence. This stylish, old-school head-turner proves you do not need to ride fast to have fun.
