This Super-Affordable Retro Bobber Is Guaranteed to Turn Heads (in a Good Way)

Yet more proof that nobody builds eye-popping, classic-looking small-displacement motorcycles better than Royal Enfield does.

Royal Enfield

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published 2 hours ago

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Much like the big American auto companies don’t really build compact cars anymore, the big American motorcycle brands don’t really make small-displacement bikes.

Largely responding to a market where 75% of bikes sold are 750cc or larger, Harley and Indian don’t currently sell anything smaller than 975cc. That’ll change, for Harley at least, beginning next year.

Blue and orange Royal Enfield motorcycle with whitewall rear tire parked on a brick surface near water. — This throwback color scheme pops just as much in 2025 as it presumably did in 1975.

But right now, as the moto world becomes more inclusive — and new and shorter riders seek more approachable options — other brands are making hay with small, stylish, crazy affordable bikes.

Case in point: The jaw-dropping, show-stopping 2026 Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350.

Style points

I’ll get into the performance aspects of this bike soon enough, but first we’ve gotta talk about the looks, right?

For 2026, the bike comes in three equally priced paint schemes: Rave Red, Shack Black and, yes, Trip Teal.

Black and red Royal Enfield motorcycle parked on a paved area near rocky coastline. — Extending from the tank to the rims, the Rave Red paint scheme isn’t short on curb appeal.

The first two kinda fly under the radar, while the third most definitely does not, thanks to a lead color last seen on a 1957 Ford Fairlane.

On this bike, it totally works, though, as it feels aligned with the overall styling and the name of the bike itself, which references the Indian state of Goa, known for its beaches and bike culture — and a moment back in the ’70s when colorful custom bobbers exploded onto the scene.

Close-up of a teal motorcycle rear wheel with whitewall tire, orange rim, chrome exhaust pipe, and suspension spring. — As much as I’ll miss rowing my own gears when electric bikes fully take over, I might miss sweet chrome exhaust pipes like this one even more.

Also true to its name, it is classic, courtesy of elements such as the teardrop tank, round lights, mirrors and speedo, aluminum spoked wheels (19 inches front/16 inches rear) wrapped in whitewall tires and a single chrome exhaust pipe (on the Trip Teal edition anyway).

Adding a bit of modern flair are the mini-ape handlebars and the semi-digital instrument cluster with the Tripper navigation pod, which the jury is still out on.

Facts and figures

Essentially a spinoff of the brand’s Classic 350, it shares a number of features, including the 349cc air/oil-cooled single-cylinder engine and five-speed gearbox, steel frame and 41mm telescopic fork.

Where it departs is with a new subframe befitting its solo seat and swingarm-mounted rear fender, plus a boost to the rear suspension: dual emulsion shocks offering 4.1 inches of travel.

Black Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 motorcycle with whitewall tires against a dark patterned background. — New for 2026 is Shack Black, which is much lower profile but just as cool in its own way.

Power-wise, you’re getting more of a beach cruiser than a highway hellion: 19.9 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 19.9 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm.

That’s not a bad thing. Complete with a wet weight of 434 pounds and a seat height of 29.5 inches, the Goan is all about safe, approachable fun.

Toward that end, the bike also boasts a ByBre 300mm front disc and 270mm rear disc with dual-channel ABS, for responsive braking and minimal sliding.

Close-up of a teal Royal Enfield motorcycle dashboard showing speedometer, digital clock, ignition key, and chrome handlebars. — Simply looking at this clunky setup stresses me out. Just tell me the speed and whether I’m in neutral, and let’s go.

Nodding toward modernity just a bit, the bike also boasts LED lighting (cool!) and USB-C charging (nice!) and that aforementioned mixed blessing of a dashboard setup.

While the Tripper navigation pod adds symmetry with the ignition switch on the left, I’ve never had much luck using these units, which pair with your phone but require the screen to be battery-drainingly unlocked to actually work.

Until Royal Enfield sorts that out, I’d rather just mount my whole phone to the handlebars, or cruise around with only my own noggin to guide me. You know, like they did back in the ’70s.

Availability and pricing

The Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 is available now in three colorways at a starting price of $5,299.

Teal and orange Royal Enfield motorcycle with black seat and chrome accents on a gray background.

New Product

Starts at $5,299

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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