5 Brilliant Alternatives to Royal Enfield
If you love the classic, thumping, comfortable cruiser vibe but you’re thinking beyond the usual Royal Enfield choices, you’re in good company. In the last few years several makers — both legacy names and modern revivals — have sharpened their retro offerings: better refinement, modern brakes, friendlier service, and unique personalities that stand apart from the RE herd.
This guide lists 5 brilliant alternatives to Royal Enfield that actually deliver the retro look with solid engineering. I picked bikes that capture that old-school charm (teardrop tanks, round headlamps, a satisfying exhaust note) while offering updated metal under the skin: Jawa/Perak, Yezdi Roadster, Honda CB350 H’ness, Benelli Imperiale 400 and the BSA Gold Star 650. Below you’ll find bite-sized reasons to consider each, plus a neat specs table so you can compare apples with apples.
1) Jawa 42 / Jawa Perak — the neo-classic with a cult following
Why it’s an alternatives to Royal Enfield: Jawa nails the vintage silhouette but with peppier, lighter handling and distinct Czech-inspired styling.
| Spec | Jawa 42 / Perak |
|---|---|
| Engine | ~295–334 cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
| Power | ~27 bhp (Jawa 42) / ~30 bhp (Perak) |
| Torque | ~26–32 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Kerb Weight | ~184–185 kg |
| Fuel Tank | ~13.2 L |
| Price (ex-showroom India) | Jawa 42 ~₹1.61 L; Perak ~₹2.00 L (approx). BikeWale |
Quick take: If you want vintage cues without RE’s heft, Jawa is a natural — lighter, sharper steering, and a handful of interesting color/limited editions. The Perak’s bobber flair is especially attractive if you want something that looks unique in the parking lot.
2) Yezdi Roadster — modern retro with personality
Why it’s an alternatives to Royal Enfield: Yezdi blends rugged, old-school looks with modern refinements and a more playful character.
| Spec | Yezdi Roadster |
|---|---|
| Engine | 334 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
| Power | ~29.1 PS |
| Torque | ~29.6 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Kerb Weight | ~175–180 kg (varies by spec) |
| Fuel Tank | ~14 L |
| Price (ex-showroom India) | Starting ~₹2.09 L (recent launch pricing). Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles |
Quick take: The Roadster is a terrific urban and light-touring machine — nimble, full of character, and backed by growing dealer reach. Great if you want something retro but with sharper handling and modern suspension.
3) Honda CB350 H’ness — the understated classic with Japanese reliability
Why it’s an alternatives to Royal Enfield: CB350 delivers classic styling in a package renowned for reliability and refinement.
| Spec | Honda CB350 H’ness |
|---|---|
| Engine | 348.36 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled |
| Power | ~20–21 PS |
| Torque | ~30 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed (or updated 6-speed depending on variant) |
| Kerb Weight | ~189–192 kg |
| Fuel Tank | ~15 L |
| Price (ex-showroom India) | ~₹1.92–2.18 L for recent variants/special editions. Honda Two Wheelers India |
Quick take: If you prize rock-solid reliability, smooth aftermarket support and a comfortable long-distance ride, the CB350 is the sensible classic. It’s less raw than RE but often less headache in ownership.
4) Benelli Imperiale 400 — the pure retro cruiser with European roots
Why it’s an alternatives to Royal Enfield: The Imperiale is classic, simple and inexpensive to run — a European spin on the old-school cruiser.
| Spec | Benelli Imperiale 400 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 374 cc, single-cylinder |
| Power | ~21 PS |
| Torque | ~29–30 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed |
| Kerb Weight | ~195–200 kg |
| Fuel Tank | ~12 L |
| Price (ex-showroom India) | ~₹1.89 L (recently reported pricing). benelli.com |
Quick take: The Imperiale is a smooth, no-fuss classic with easy maintenance and a friendly price tag — ideal if you want vintage character but don’t need maximum power.
5) BSA Gold Star 650 — retro with proper displacement & presence
Why it’s an alternatives to Royal Enfield: If you want more poke and a proper heavyweight feel, the Gold Star 650 steps into the premium retro cruiser lane.
| Spec | BSA Gold Star 650 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 652 cc, twin (BS6) |
| Power | ~45.6 bhp |
| Torque | ~55 Nm |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Kerb Weight | ~201 kg |
| Fuel Tank | ~12 L |
| Price (ex-showroom India) | ~₹3.31 L to ₹3.47 L (range depending on variant/region). BikeWale |
Quick take: This is for riders who want retro looks but also modern displacement and highway authority — closer to an old-school roadster with contemporary grunt.
How to choose the right alternative to Royal Enfield (practical tips)
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If you ride daily in the city: pick a lighter, nimbler bike (Jawa 42 or Yezdi Roadster).
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If you do long, relaxed tours: Honda CB350 or Benelli Imperiale are comfortable, predictable choices.
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If you want presence & performance: BSA Gold Star’s 650cc punch is hard to beat.
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Consider service & spares: Royal Enfield’s network is huge, but many alternatives have expanded dealer networks — check local coverage before committing.
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Test-ride is non-negotiable: even bikes that look similar sit and feel very different once you swing a leg over.
Also Read: https://grandautoworld.com/re-classic-350-navratri-buy/
Final thoughts — the human bit
I get it — there’s romance in that RE thump. But these five bikes prove you can get classic style without committing to the same chassis, feel or ownership tradeoffs. Each offers a distinct personality: the Jawa’s heart, Yezdi’s playfulness, Honda’s rock-solid manners, Benelli’s old-world charm and BSA’s grown-up muscle. If you’re tempted to try new flavor this season, any of these alternatives to Royal Enfield will serve you well — and make your ride feel a little more you