Royal Enfield Goan Classic long-term review, 500km report

I own a Royal Enfield – words that teenage me thought I would never say. I grew up wanting fast, agile and naked motorcycles, but having ridden all new REs over the past few years, I was smitten, and I knew I’d have to own one.

Rishaad was kind enough to let me write a feature story for the Goan Classic 350 in the June 2025 issue, and it was the most memorable motorcycle I’ve tested all year. I concluded that story by saying that if I were to ever buy a second bike, I would 100 percent buy a Rave Red Goan Classic 350. And now, after months of pondering and plotting, I finally decided to pull the trigger. It joins my 2015 KTM 390 Duke, which is poles apart, but that’s what I love about them. One’s slow and heavy, while the other is sharp and light, and I love having that option depending on my mood.

Vibrant colours, coloured rims and white wall tyres mean it’s a head turner.

I’ve had it for a couple of weeks now, and it’s everything I want it to be. My family loves it, people stop and stare at it, and even the cops have stopped me just to inquire about this custom-looking Royal Enfield. I love the two-tone black and red paint scheme with white pinstripes and white wall tyres that immediately make it stand out in a crowded parking lot. And yes, I do look back at it every time I’ve parked it. That’s how I know I’ve bought the right bike. Sure, the riding position and Mumbai’s terrible roads do put my back under stress, but its superbly padded seat does alleviate that to a certain extent. But perhaps what I appreciate the most is that it’s made me a much calmer, calculated rider.

Wide and superbly padded throne takes some pain away from your back.

There are some things I’m not a fan of, however. The LED headlamp could do with more illumination, and I can’t help but think that halogens would’ve suited the Goan’s character better. The other is a common RE irritant – the mirrors come loose or change their position.

LED headlight needs better illumination; halogens would’ve looked cooler.

While they haven’t come loose on my bike yet, I’ve had to adjust the mirrors’ position time and again.

Mirrors come loose and change placement; a common RE irritant.

But once I swing my leg over it, these things seem insignificant. For now, I’m still in the honeymoon period, but expect a more objective approach in the next report – things like the fuel efficiency, service costs, and faults, if any.