should one buy the classic 350 ?

ac 427 · 30th January 2010, 22:54

i was just thinking about the classic 350, what are the +s it has over a tbird, and is it worth paying the extra premium ?

considering one doesn't get Fi with it, does it make sense to buy a tbird use it for a while and then convert it to a 'classic' look ?

cheers,
ac

Spitfire · 30th January 2010, 23:06

If you are a person who believes the intangibles make more sense then being sensible go for the STD 350 (with premium?? you must be kidding me).

Save up enough and go for the Classic's.

alter.e.go · 30th January 2010, 23:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac 427

what are the +s it has over a tbird

The looks for 1. Also if your thinking of buying a TB and converting to a classic look . you will end up spending about the same.

Beast_of_Burden · 31st January 2010, 01:08

what is the price difference between Tbird and CL350 considering both sport the same engine for all practical purposes? IIRC they were pretty close, but I could be wrong.

The CL350 is a great looker and stays largely true to its heritage, whereas the TB is a wannabe cruiser and will always lack legitimacy among the blue-blooded bulletocracy. But if you dont care, the TB is just fine, just my 2 cents.

Based on your post, I dont think you fancy the comparatively austere looks of the STD350 or the Machismo which will be launched with the UCE engines, so I wont advise you to wait for these models.

shan2129 · 31st January 2010, 10:24

Tbird is costed 98k on road at my location & Classic 350 is at 1.07k i suppose..

rrahul_2778 · 31st January 2010, 17:32

Hi ac, my 2 cents -

I like the TB look, though the look part is pretty subjective to individual tastes. For long rides TB is damn comfortable. Also, I personally dont like the single seat thing on the CL. And the CL looks short compared to other bulls.

Engine wise both bikes are the same.

The CL has a better thump with the upswept silencer, I havent yet seen a TB with the upswept.

I wouldnt want to buy a TB, use it for some time and then convert it to CL look.

So my vote, its either the TB or a wait to see the new UCE STD 350 and machismo.

Randhawa · 31st January 2010, 17:43

Give a visit to your local RE dealer, they should have the Std 350 with UCE by now for display.

Benefit of TBTS over CL350 to me is simply the comfort level which you will never get on CL350(cause- the seat and handle bar).

stnair · 31st January 2010, 19:48

Hello ac,

Apart from the looks both TBTS and CL 350 share the same engine and as @rrahul_2778 says:'look part is pretty subjective to individual tastes'. I myself like the 'retro' look of the classic- the diecast headlight casquette with those tiger eye pilot lamps and the triangular airfilter/toolbox reminding one of the Royal heritage of Enfield Bullets.

So unlike me if you are not bothered about the 'looks', then go for the TBTS. As @Randhawa said, the dual seat and handlebar of TBTS is more comfortable for long rides and its Instrument console is more modern with a Tacho and Trip meter added. Also since TBTS with UCE engine has been around for more than a year, any teething trouble should be ironed out by now- so a more tested and reliable bike compared to CL 350.

stnair · 31st January 2010, 21:12

Comparing the Techspec of both TBTS and CL350 from RE official website, one +ve feature of CL350 is brighter headlamps- 60W/55W compared to 35W/35W of TBTS. Helps if you are a Night rider.

Rollin' Thunda · 31st January 2010, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac 427

i was just thinking about the classic 350, what are the +s it has over a tbird, and is it worth paying the extra premium ?

considering one doesn't get Fi with it, does it make sense to buy a tbird use it for a while and then convert it to a 'classic' look ?

cheers,
ac

I think they are just around the same in price.

If you want to just go around in the city, get the CL350-- if you like its retro looks.

If you want to go for long inter-city trips (or to Leh

), get the TBTS -- it is really comfortable.

Performance-wise they will both be about the same, as they share the same engine, and will be much easier to maintain than the STD350.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stnair

Comparing the Techspec of both TBTS and CL350 from RE official website, one +ve feature of CL350 is brighter headlamps- 60W/55W compared to 35W/35W of TBTS. Helps if you are a Night rider.

Yes, 60W/55W is much better. I put it on my TBTS, without having to change anything but the bulb. It cost 70 bucks, and should not influence the decision of which bike to buy.

EssYouWe · 1st February 2010, 09:42

Having ridden both, I can certify the comfort of the TBTS.

Still, Classic has a classic feel to it. The sound of a TBTS isn't really as good as the sound of a classic (even without an upswept). Buying a classic and changing the seats will also make a lot of sense since it isn't a very expensive proposition.

The TBTS and CL sharing the engine means that they have already ironed out the minor folds.

I think you should be thinking about either the 350 or the 500. The 500 is a screamer of a machine!

RECL350 · 1st February 2010, 10:54

CL350 is costlier than TBTS by 5k on-road here in Bangalore. Obviously it doesn't make sense to buy a tbird use it for a while and then convert it to a 'classic' look.

You seem to like Classic's looks and price difference is the only worry.

TBTS is more like a modern bike with modern instrument cluster(RPM meter, Fuel gauge, Trip meter), cruiser comfort. CL350 lacks these features.

Classic over TBTS:
1: Bullet looks.
2: I have met 2 TBTS owners who are interested in changing rear tire to the one that Classic has.

ac 427 · 1st February 2010, 13:12

if i look at things more rationally, the t-bird scores over the 350 classic. other than the looks the classic has nothing going for it.

is it advisable then the to push my budget and buy a 500 classic ?

cheers,
ac

p.s: i currently own a std 350 1981.

ashw_r · 1st February 2010, 16:35

I have the same question as ac_427 and own a '82 std 350.

I test drove the classic 500. In comparison to my bike, it has oodles of power, better shocks (i understand its a new bike), felt slightly lighter. The engine clatter put me off a bit. The SE said its because the tappet takes time to adjust. Anyone care to elaborate? Also, the 'thump' was better in my std even though the CL500 had the upswept exhaust

Rollin' Thunda · 1st February 2010, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by ac 427

is it advisable then the to push my budget and buy a 500 classic ?

cheers,
ac

With the troubles CL500 seems to be having with its current EFI, wait till they come out with a carb version!

30th January 2010, 22:54	#1
ac 427 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,393 Thanked: 244 Times View My Garage	should one buy the classic 350 ? i was just thinking about the classic 350, what are the +s it has over a tbird, and is it worth paying the extra premium ? considering one doesn't get Fi with it, does it make sense to buy a tbird use it for a while and then convert it to a 'classic' look ? cheers, ac
	() Thanks

30th January 2010, 23:06	#2
Spitfire BANNED Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Panaji - Goa/Bangalore - Karnataka Posts: 3,312 Thanked: 774 Times	If you are a person who believes the intangibles make more sense then being sensible go for the STD 350 (with premium?? you must be kidding me). Save up enough and go for the Classic's.
	() Thanks

31st January 2010, 01:08	#4
Beast_of_Burden BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 169 Thanked: 105 Times	what is the price difference between Tbird and CL350 considering both sport the same engine for all practical purposes? IIRC they were pretty close, but I could be wrong. The CL350 is a great looker and stays largely true to its heritage, whereas the TB is a wannabe cruiser and will always lack legitimacy among the blue-blooded bulletocracy. But if you dont care, the TB is just fine, just my 2 cents. Based on your post, I dont think you fancy the comparatively austere looks of the STD350 or the Machismo which will be launched with the UCE engines, so I wont advise you to wait for these models.
	() Thanks

31st January 2010, 10:24	#5
shan2129 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Dehradun Posts: 303 Thanked: 82 Times	Tbird is costed 98k on road at my location & Classic 350 is at 1.07k i suppose..
	() Thanks

31st January 2010, 17:32	#6
rrahul_2778 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 250 Thanked: 13 Times	Hi ac, my 2 cents - I like the TB look, though the look part is pretty subjective to individual tastes. For long rides TB is damn comfortable. Also, I personally dont like the single seat thing on the CL. And the CL looks short compared to other bulls. Engine wise both bikes are the same. The CL has a better thump with the upswept silencer, I havent yet seen a TB with the upswept. I wouldnt want to buy a TB, use it for some time and then convert it to CL look. So my vote, its either the TB or a wait to see the new UCE STD 350 and machismo. Last edited by rrahul_2778 : 31st January 2010 at 17:39.
	() Thanks

31st January 2010, 17:43	#7
Randhawa Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brighton Posts: 1,192 Thanked: 355 Times	Give a visit to your local RE dealer, they should have the Std 350 with UCE by now for display. Benefit of TBTS over CL350 to me is simply the comfort level which you will never get on CL350(cause- the seat and handle bar).
	() Thanks

31st January 2010, 19:48	#8
stnair BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Calicut Posts: 230 Thanked: 6 Times	Hello ac, Apart from the looks both TBTS and CL 350 share the same engine and as @rrahul_2778 says:'look part is pretty subjective to individual tastes'. I myself like the 'retro' look of the classic- the diecast headlight casquette with those tiger eye pilot lamps and the triangular airfilter/toolbox reminding one of the Royal heritage of Enfield Bullets. So unlike me if you are not bothered about the 'looks', then go for the TBTS. As @Randhawa said, the dual seat and handlebar of TBTS is more comfortable for long rides and its Instrument console is more modern with a Tacho and Trip meter added. Also since TBTS with UCE engine has been around for more than a year, any teething trouble should be ironed out by now- so a more tested and reliable bike compared to CL 350.
	() Thanks

31st January 2010, 21:12	#9
stnair BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Calicut Posts: 230 Thanked: 6 Times	Comparing the Techspec of both TBTS and CL350 from RE official website, one +ve feature of CL350 is brighter headlamps- 60W/55W compared to 35W/35W of TBTS. Helps if you are a Night rider.
	() Thanks

1st February 2010, 09:42	#11
EssYouWe Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lucknow Posts: 1,391 Thanked: 18 Times	Having ridden both, I can certify the comfort of the TBTS. Still, Classic has a classic feel to it. The sound of a TBTS isn't really as good as the sound of a classic (even without an upswept). Buying a classic and changing the seats will also make a lot of sense since it isn't a very expensive proposition. The TBTS and CL sharing the engine means that they have already ironed out the minor folds. I think you should be thinking about either the 350 or the 500. The 500 is a screamer of a machine!
	() Thanks

1st February 2010, 10:54	#12
RECL350 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 54 Thanked: Once	CL350 is costlier than TBTS by 5k on-road here in Bangalore. Obviously it doesn't make sense to buy a tbird use it for a while and then convert it to a 'classic' look. You seem to like Classic's looks and price difference is the only worry. TBTS is more like a modern bike with modern instrument cluster(RPM meter, Fuel gauge, Trip meter), cruiser comfort. CL350 lacks these features. Classic over TBTS: 1: Bullet looks. 2: I have met 2 TBTS owners who are interested in changing rear tire to the one that Classic has.
	() Thanks

1st February 2010, 13:12	#13
ac 427 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,393 Thanked: 244 Times View My Garage	if i look at things more rationally, the t-bird scores over the 350 classic. other than the looks the classic has nothing going for it. is it advisable then the to push my budget and buy a 500 classic ? cheers, ac p.s: i currently own a std 350 1981.
	() Thanks

1st February 2010, 16:35	#14
ashw_r BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 45 Thanked: 11 Times	I have the same question as ac_427 and own a '82 std 350. I test drove the classic 500. In comparison to my bike, it has oodles of power, better shocks (i understand its a new bike), felt slightly lighter. The engine clatter put me off a bit. The SE said its because the tappet takes time to adjust. Anyone care to elaborate? Also, the 'thump' was better in my std even though the CL500 had the upswept exhaust
	() Thanks