A scrambler that promises 30 PS, 30 Nm and 30 km/l — all from a brand-new engine nobody saw coming. That is exactly what Yezdi just dropped into the Indian two-wheeler market, and the 350cc segment will never look the same again.
I have been tracking the 350cc motorcycle space closely, and I can tell you this launch changes the conversation. Yezdi has priced the Scrambler 350 starting at ₹1,99,950 ex-showroom, which puts it right in the crosshairs of the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and Honda CB350. But unlike those road-focused machines, this one actually wants to get dirty.
The Katar Engine — Yezdi’s Secret Weapon
Let me talk about what matters most here — the heart of this motorcycle. Yezdi has developed an entirely new 334cc liquid-cooled engine and given it the name “Katar.” If you know your Indian history, a katar is a push dagger — short, sharp and devastatingly effective. The naming feels intentional.
This single-cylinder unit pushes out 30 PS at 8,100 rpm and 30 Nm of torque at 6,750 rpm. Those numbers might not sound earth-shattering on paper, but the real story is in how Yezdi has tuned the powerband. The engine is specifically calibrated for strong low and mid-range delivery, which is exactly where you need grunt — whether you are filtering through Bangalore traffic or tackling a gravel trail outside Pune.
The gearbox is a 6-speed unit paired with an assist and slipper clutch. That slipper clutch is a genuine boon for newer riders and makes aggressive downshifts on loose surfaces far less dramatic. Yezdi is marketing what they call a “30-30-30 formula” — 30 PS power, 30 Nm torque and approximately 30 km/l fuel efficiency. If that efficiency figure holds up in real-world riding, this bike becomes a genuinely practical daily option with its 12.5-litre fuel tank giving you a theoretical range of around 375 km per fill.
Two engineering details caught my eye. The radiator is mounted horizontally rather than vertically, and the exhaust is centrally routed. Both of these choices improve heat management and weight distribution — things you actually feel when riding, even if they do not make for flashy spec-sheet numbers.
Built Light, Built For Rough Roads
At 174 kg kerb weight, the Scrambler 350 is genuinely light for its class. That matters enormously when you are wrestling a motorcycle over broken tarmac or loose gravel — and let us be honest, that describes half the roads in India anyway.
The suspension setup is proper scrambler hardware. Telescopic front forks and twin rear shock absorbers are tuned for longer travel than what you would find on a typical street naked. This is not just cosmetic scrambler styling bolted onto a road bike chassis — the suspension geometry is designed to absorb the kind of punishment Indian roads dish out daily.
Braking comes from a 320 mm front disc and 240 mm rear disc. Adequate for the weight and power on offer. The wheel and tyre combination is where the scrambler intent becomes undeniable — 19-inch front and 17-inch rear spoke wheels wrapped in semi-knobby rubber. That front 19-inch wheel rolls over obstacles more easily than a 17-inch unit, and the semi-knobby pattern gives you genuine grip on loose surfaces without being terrible on tarmac.
The seat height sits at 813 mm. That is tall enough to provide good ground clearance but not so extreme that average-height Indian riders will struggle at traffic lights. The wheelbase is a compact 1,403 mm, which should make the bike feel nimble in tight spaces and responsive on twisty trails.
Specs At A Glance
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 334cc Katar, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder |
| Power | 30 PS @ 8,100 rpm |
| Torque | 30 Nm @ 6,750 rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed with assist and slipper clutch |
| Kerb Weight | 174 kg |
| Seat Height | 813 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 12.5 litres |
| Front Brake | 320 mm disc |
| Rear Brake | 240 mm disc |
| Wheels | 19-inch front / 17-inch rear (spoke) |
| Tyres | Semi-knobby |
| Riding Modes | Road, Rain, Off-road |
| Price (ex-showroom) | ₹1,99,950 |
Design That Earns The Scrambler Badge
I appreciate that Yezdi has not gone overboard with modern design language here. The Scrambler 350 looks like a scrambler should — raised front beak, compact tail section, oval side panels and a ribbed single-piece seat that nods to the classic era without feeling like a costume.
The tech is modern where it counts. You get a digital instrument cluster, LED headlight and LED tail lamps. Wider handlebars provide the leverage you need for standing-up off-road riding and better control at low speeds in city traffic. It is a thoughtful balance between heritage aesthetics and functional modernity.
Yezdi is also offering a solid accessories catalogue — handguards, crash guard, headlamp grill, visor and saddle stay. These are not just cosmetic add-ons. If you are genuinely planning to take this bike off-road, handguards and a crash guard are practically essential. Smart move making them available from day one rather than forcing riders to hunt for aftermarket options.
Three Riding Modes That Actually Matter
The inclusion of three riding modes — Road, Rain and Off-road — is a significant feature at this price point. Each mode adjusts power delivery and braking response to suit conditions. Rain mode will soften throttle response and make the rear brake less aggressive, reducing the chance of a slide on wet Indian roads during monsoon season. Off-road mode should loosen up the traction intervention to let the rear wheel find grip naturally on loose surfaces.
For a motorcycle priced under ₹2 lakh, having dedicated riding modes is a genuine competitive advantage. The Royal Enfield Hunter 350, for instance, does not offer this level of electronic sophistication.
Four Colours, Clear Positioning
Yezdi is launching the Scrambler 350 in four colour options — Legacy Black, OG Yellow, Rogue Red and Rally Blue. Each variant gets distinct graphics. The OG Yellow and Rally Blue are the ones that will turn heads at traffic signals, while Legacy Black will likely be the volume seller for riders who want the capability without the loud styling.
The positioning is clear. This is not trying to be a Royal Enfield Himalayan competitor — it is lighter, cheaper and more city-friendly. It is not trying to be a pure street naked either — the suspension travel, spoke wheels and semi-knobby tyres make that obvious. Yezdi is carving out a space for riders who want one motorcycle that handles their weekday Hyderabad commute and their weekend ride to Ananthagiri Hills without needing two different bikes.
How It Stacks Up Against Rivals
At ₹1.99 lakh, the Scrambler 350 undercuts several competitors while offering hardware they do not. The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is the obvious rival in terms of price and engine capacity, but it is a street naked with no off-road pretensions. The Honda CB350 is refined but heavier and more road-focused. If you want genuine scrambler capability in the 350cc space without jumping to the significantly more expensive Himalayan, this is currently your best option in India.
The 30-30-30 formula is a clever marketing hook, but the substance behind it is real. Thirty horses, thirty newton-metres and thirty kilometres per litre — if Yezdi delivers on all three in real-world conditions, this motorcycle becomes very hard to argue against for the versatile Indian rider.
If you have been waiting for a 350cc scrambler that does not break the bank and does not weigh a ton, I would strongly suggest heading to your nearest Yezdi dealership for a test ride. The spec sheet looks promising, but motorcycles are felt, not read. Book a test ride, take it over the worst road you know, and let the Katar engine speak for itself.
