The fame of the Royal Enfield 350cc has spread like wildfire in the automobile industry. The enthusiasts are excited to have a sneak peek of this new launch. The fact that Royal Enfield has never failed to impress the riders is one of the primary reasons why people keep an eye on their launch. Despite the brand’s popularity, an avid buyer examines and evaluates the bike from various parameters before buying. For those, the main question arises whether this bike is worth buying. Can RE Hunter outperform other bikes in the 350cc segment? And also, Is Royal Enfield parts and accessories for this bike currently accessible in the market?
Here, you will get to know all about this bike. Let us begin by looking at its current rating and main features:
RATING: 4.7 /5
SPECIFICATIONS:
| Engine | 349cc, BS6 engine |
| Weight | 178kg |
| Seat Height: | 790 mm |
| Fuel Capacity: | 13 liters |
| Reserve Fuel Capacity | 2.6 liters |
| Wheels | Cast Alloy wheel of 17incches, Tubeless Tires |
| Brakes: | Anti-Lock Disc Brake |
| USB Charging port | Yes |
| Colors available: | 8 colors -Factory Black, Factory Silver, Dapper White, Dapper Ash, Dapper Grey, Rebel Black, Rebel Blue, Rebel Red. |
ABOUT THE BRAND- ROYAL ENFIELD:
Royal Enfield is a big name when it comes to the motorcycle industry. The sheer size of the popularity in the whole world guarantees a healthy market for upcoming years. Currently, the Company offers various bike categories by their engine capacity and built style. Powering the bike are three engine options, that is, 350cc, 500 cc, and 650 cc engines available in various models. This includes Classic, Bullet, Himalayan, GT Continental, and Interceptor. Now, people have an eye on its new models comprising Royal Enfield Classic Reborn, Hunter, Scrambler, and Meteor 350cc.
NEW ENTRY- ALL ABOUT HUNTER 350:
It is true that Change is Constant. For this reason, RE makers develops modifications and new models to meet today’s demand. One such model is Royal Enfield Hunter in 350cc segment. With 349cc bike engine, this recent launch is a roadster bike and is currently available in 3 variants. You can choose from 8 different color options.
This bike has a single-piece seat and thus has good pillion space for back rider. Moreover, you can install Royal Enfield Hunter Backrest for added support. With analogue speedometer, the company has kept its retro style intact. Nevertheless, it is equipped with 2 digital trip meters and a low battery indicator too. Like other motorcycle from RE, you get 2 Year Warranty for RE Hunter with it. Beside this, this bike has same J-Platform like Meteor and Classic 350cc. So, you can feel some modern touch with retro appeal like other bike from this brand.
DESIGN:
A mix of retro and modern look, well describes this bike. Majorly, you can choose from two variants: ‘Metro’ which rides on alloy wheel whereas ‘Retro’ wherein the company has switched its popular spoke wheel design to alloy wheel for a modern touch. On the top you can choose from 8 color options to satiate every buyer requirement. In term of build quality, every Royal Enfield part and accessories in this bike is well fitted with good finishing. Even the foot peg quality is quiet appreciable.
On the contrary, it has circular headlamp, mirror, and indicator which is somewhat similar to its past version of RE. It has simple bodywork, teardrop shaped fuel tank and appearance of a roadster to give a feel of old-school model. It has a low and single-piece seat for comfortable drive for both front and pillion rider.
PRICE:
The company has launched this bike with most affordable pricing which starts at Rs 1.30 lakh in Indian market. The international prices are yet to be announced. Comparing from other bike, it has rival with Yamaha FZ25, Pulsar 250, and the Suzuki Gixxer in terms of pricing. So, it is good option for people who are looking for modern aesthetic in affordable pricing.
TEST RIDE:
‘Amazed by the smooth engine and throttle response’ is what reported by a potential buyer after a test ride. With 790mm seat height, the position is sporty and comfortable on city roads. Even a short height rider feels ease to ride this bike. Both feet can be rested on the ground easily and further away from the pegs.
Nonetheless, even a taller rider wouldn’t feel any trouble either, because of single seat which lets the rider have enough space to move around. However, after a while, on long drives, you feel like stretching out to grab the handlebar as you began to feel uncomfortable. However, you can always install customized Royal Enfield Hunter Seats according to your needs. It’s low weight and sharp rake angle has combined to proffer terrific riding dynamics. In all, it is lighter and quick, which lets rider control the bike effortlessly.
METEOR VS HUNTER VS CLASSIC:
Apart from facing stiff competition among various motorcycle brands, Hunter 350 has competitor in same brand too. There is all new Classic Reborn, upcoming Bullet, Meteor that fall in 350cc categories and are equally good. However, differences in features can help you find the priority and make a best choice for yourself.
- Hunter 350 is 14 kg lighter than Meteor and thus easy to grasp.
- Hunter is slightly vibrating than Classic and thus Classic outperform the former in terms of handling.
- With 790cc seat height, Hunter is better accessible when compared with Classic 805mm seat.
- In terms of look, Classic and Meteor is an old school bike with retro look whereas Hunter has a modern look.
- Classic and Hunter comfortably level is somewhat similar.
CRITICS:
Although the bike is getting favorable response from the market due to multitude of positive features, yet critics points out few thing that this bike lacks. One such thing is absence of LED light in the front. It is articulated that LED lights would have improved the looks and visibility of the road in night. Secondly, this bike misses out GPS as standard. Beside this, long drives can be daunting due to stiff rider position leading to uncomfortable ride on highways.
Anyways, this feature doesn’t stop a buyer from neglecting the bike, as oppose,
exceptional attributes of this bike overcome its drawbacks. In the nutshell, it
comes with some of best features and look in this price range.
SHOULD YOU BUY?
If you are finding a budget buy with the legacy of Royal Enfield, then Royal Enfield Hunter is a sure shot. Among all RE bikes, Hunter 350 has modern look and is perfect for city rides. So, it is a best choice for a daily commuter as it’s pretty affordable and has some great offerings. Also, remember that its simple construction will allow the rider to make modifications and make it unique among rider groups.
MODIFICATIONS:
It is an outlook that as the number of particle bikes increases on roads, the demand for its parts also grows. Due to this, manufacturers have been eagerly waiting for this new launch to produce its spare parts and accessories to go hand in hand to meet the owners’ demands. As the demand graph rises exponentially, sellers come with unique accessories at more reasonable prices. Specifically, this bike has a simple construction that has made modification easy. Therefore, you can always look for Royal Enfield Hunter parts and accessories offline and online channels which offer good deals. It can either be done to uplift its aesthetic or its performance, it is up to you.
SUMMARY:
Newly launched, Hunter has gained popularity among riders and slowly become a sight on roads. However, we are yet to see an extensive number of the Hunter 350 on the roads, unlike other RE bikes. Since this bike is comparatively new, the wait to see it in a modified avatar could be a longer. In all, Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is just a new flavor that the Royal Enfield lovers look out for.