NEW Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Review, Could This Be Better Than the Meteor & Classic 350!?
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- Today I test ride and review the new 2022 Royal Enfield Hunter/HNTR 350 and tell you what it's really like to ride in the real world,
We look at the motorbike from all angles and discuss the engine, power & torque, handling, suspension, brakes, seating position, suitability for taller riders, whees & tyres, Engine/Exhaust sound, styling, colour scheme, instruments, modes, controls and more!
I compare this bike to its counter parts, the meteor and classic 350 and see how they are different to ride. Royal Enfield have also just announced the meteor 650 so stay tuned for that review when we can get our hands on it!
Which would you choose out of the three 350's?
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Well Done! I’ve watched a few reviews of the HUNTER all good I must say BUT None of em have captured that wonderful sound like you have! Brilliant! Just love that thumping sound That’s how a bike should sound! Perfect!
Thanks buddy 👍🏼👍🏼
Yep, I definitely agree. That's what I really liked about that review too, finally a nice sound capture !
True ✌️
@@MrDarcy-OlMan from India i own dapper Grey Hunter ...here it's 2000 pounds only
Just bought a z400 by Kawasaki. Feeling pretty good about paying so low a price for such a great bike.
Picked up my Hunter today and did 50 miles on it and I’m very impressed , comfy , nippy , plenty of torque , economical, looks great, sounds great and now clean again , love it 👍
Awesome
They don’t struggle on hills or mountains at all. In India people take them to ladakh at 15000 to 20000 feet above sea level with lot of luggage and pillion on roads as well as off roads. These bikes have nice low end torque which pulls them easily uphill even with lot of weight on the bike even in higher gears without any down shifting.
I appreciate that, I’m sure they do it fine. I meant it more relatively in the sense that a bigger capacity bike would find it easier up those hills. I’m sure it’ll do it fine.
Yes u r right , before the launch of this bike RE tested this bike in Ladakh and Kashmir .
I was in Ladakh about 16 years ago and that's where I saw a Royal Enfield motorcycle for the first time. It was a bullet 350 or 500. A guy was riding it in town and the engine was revving extremely low, you could clearly hear each fire of the engine like a hammer. It was a very impressive machine.
I am glad that Royal Enfield became such a successful brand.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan but the down side of that would be heavier & much higher center of gravity, thus HNTR 350 is the answer to that!
I just love the sound RE bikes make, even their smallest bikes have that signature thump
shut up lusmim
true, I have one Himalayan I like the sound engine makes especialy downhill with engine break.
I am pretty sure that Triumph have no claim to the fuel economy of the Hunter 350 😄 Very nice review, I enjoyed it!
I thought that was a great freudian slip. Just back from Amsterdam. It's only a cold, that's all! Just say no kids ;)
I loved the hunter 350 when i took a test ride and now i own the rebel blue and i am getting obsessed with it each passing day. You dont own a RE for speed or sportiness you own them coz they have a character in all of them and you just fall in love with it🤗
I feel the same way about my hunter
Love the exhaust sounds,sounds like a proper 1950’s British Bike,love it,great video as always.
Royal Enfield is inspired from old British bikes.
@@glitchdrumming Royal Enfield 'IS' an old school british bike.
The RE’s are brilliant. I have a 350 Classic but if it didn’t exist the Hunter would be my choice.
If that didn't exist then RE wouldn't have existed. That is the bike which kept them afloat all these years.
You captured the engine sound perfectly. I recently bought this bike and i am loving it. My first bike.
“-Excuse my voice! I’ve been to Amsterdam “😂😂😂
Best intro to a video so far 🫶🏽🤣
I love the classic but every time I see this bike l go to my happy place as a youth looking at all those bikes from the seventies that made you want to get out and ride! Well done RE , you’re putting out some good stuff 👍
All the best to you and hope the old man is mending well
Agree, best of the 350s so far. Even better with the bench seat option.
Oo that soothing exhaust sound.🤩
Been running my hunter now for just over a year...love it plenty of power for an old lad & easy to move around..it's the way it delivers the power its got that's so pleasing.
What a great looking bike! To my eyes more handsome than the Meteor.
Hope that the Old Man’s recovery is going well and we see him riding soon!
I’m sorely tempted to sell my Bonneville and TW 200 and pick up one of these. Successive shoulder injuries and old age (71) have me wanting something lighter with some character. The fact that the Hunter resembles my beautiful Bonneville is a huge bonus.
I've just sold my Harley 883 and bought a Hunter 350 for much the same reason... Broke my arm and only recently healed enough to be cleared to drive again. Wanted a lighter bike to compensate and, as I drive 99% of the time in a small community with max speed of 50kmh, thought this would be ideal. Picking it up on Tuesday. *fingers crossed*
My first proper bike was a 1986 Honda CB350SG which I bought in 1990 and owned for 3 years. Even though I've owned larger capacity bikes, including a BMW1200GS for 10 years, I find myself longing for a smaller capacity bike with a simple specification and a great look. I think this could be it! Thanks for the review. Joe. UK.
Oh wow, it's a proper thumper. First time I've really heard her purr, but it sounds amazing. Definitely more of a British single than a Japanese one, lovely slow tickover, very organic. Great review, thanks
RE definitely know how to make a single cylinder sounds good. Kodos to you for sharing clear recording of it. 👏
Thank you! They sure do
RE is doing everything that triumph needs to be doing, and for cheaper than they can do it
I rode the Scram 411 today and then the Classic 350.
I preferred the Scram.
However, I’m loving the Hunter 350 looks and wondered if the handling was that bit sharper and if the bike felt more responsive compared to the Classic 350. I’m still waiting to have a test ride to find out.
Great vid and it’s great you include actual riding action and high quality sound. Keep up the great work 👍
Steve, UK
Thanks buddy. The hunter is a little bit sharper to steer and manoeuvre; not always a good thing, but it’s not taken it too far
I bought a Scram in September for my training work. I even took it off road. Lovely bike. No regrets.
@@markellott5620 I'm torn between scram or hunter.. I do like trail bashing a little.. Maybe the scram makes more sense but I like the look of the hunter more.. Tough call.
*Crap Game*
The Scram doesn't sound nearly as good as the bike in the video though does it?
What a great bike, it looks brilliant, yes, just like a speed twin. I am considering selling my Honda CB650f for one of these. Great review its helped make me choose.
Regarding the centre stand - you need to step on it such that you can take both hands off without the bike moving, then use the passenger grab rail and pull it back, it should almost automatically get onto the stand, takes a bit of practice which is worth it if you're dabbling with Royal Enfields, cheers on the review.
yeah try doing it that way you will do your back in
@@richardeyers322 Been doing it this way for over ten years now, seems to be working fine for me...better than pulling on the handlebar, don't you think ;)
Yes, step on it using your right foot.
Same with taking it off the centre stand.
Beat me to that comment...tis easy once you know the trick
Thanks guys, really love taking a few moments to let us hear the sound of the machine!
I reckon RE have the throatiest standard exhaust pipes on the market.
I love the hunter , it fits my body size , with a different cam , better breathing , a muffler with less restriction , it would get a stronger and more linear torque curve , not faster by any means to talk about but an overall darn good climber , strong legs if i can say it that way .
Hell of a bike although not as pretty as the Classic. That’s the only negative I can come up with. Way to go Royal Enfield.👍
Looks good, sounds great and that tick-over is amazing
RE has improved a great deal. This is my choice in the segment. Got great looks too
I love the bike! Price is brilliant! There is one competitor that we unfortunately don’t get in Europe yet. And that’s the Honda CB350 rs. That’s looks very much like the Hunter 350. The hunter would be a perfect runaround where I live . Great video as always💪🏾
Btw 6’1 doesn’t look to big for the bike. Great to know. Me also being 6+ feet.
haha exactly i got the relative new japan made gb350 honda.
yeah at 6"2" me,not sat on one yet any one who is my height sat/ridden one.
I think Royal Enfield have hit the nail on the head with the 350 hunter, my youngest daughter is looking to do a2 test and get a hunter, this little bike seems to appeal to young and old, I have a Himalayan as a daily ride to work bike but would like a hunter as a weekend bike. It's just such a good looking unpretentious bike.
I actually look to do the A2 test too and get a hunter, it has some positive welcoming vibes especially for someone like me with no previous experience on bikes (this 350cc segment intimidates me way less than hopping directly on a 47hp bike after the test!)
I bought a Hunter Retro which has spoke wheels, drum brakes on the rear, simpler switches and fully black. Gorgeous machine. It's fantastic on the twisty mountain roads where I live. Your review is spot on. Best value for money.
Lol
A good sense of what it might be like to ride this latest offering from Royal Enfield. Thank you for the review and convey my continued hopes for a full recovery to the ol’ Man!
You need to be able to share the AMSTERDAM COFFEE, if you’re going to talk about it! Thanks again!
Love that exhaust note, very pleasing to the ear. I'd love to get one in that same paint combo for my son.
Yes definitely! It’s a superb bike 👌🏼
Damn Royal Enfield’s got some good looking bikes. Definitely a baby Bonneville. Thats a good looking ride I have the meteor 350 and that 350 engine is a gem!!
I like how the mirrors are swept low looks like you have a good visibility
Allan
USA
Amsterdam...brain cells...hehe!
Good review & insights👍
Like this better than the Meteor, great looking paint scheme.
If I were in the market I'd look into the forthcoming 650 Super Meteor though as powers up from this model. Wait, did Darcy say "Triumph claims the mpg to be"...brain cells stressed from his trip?😂
He certainly did say that Triumph claim that it will do just over 100 mpg.
Lol...
Stu Fillingham just finished a 2-week loan on a HNTR 350. He says it's the most comfortable of the new RE 350's. More responsive due to its smaller wheels and lighter weight. I have a feeling the Hunter will be very popular with younger riders. Thanks for the review. Get well soon young man.
Waiting to arrive in Brazil. Thanks for the review.
I think the chrome finish on the engine part of the Royal Enfield wasn't very good in the past.
After the blacked out version, it looks great.
Nice review, looking forward to getting my hands on one of these soon
To put it on the centre stand, hold the handlebar with your left hand, the back of the bike with your right, push down with your leg through the ball of your foot and lift with your right arm.
Nice video. Great looking bike & nice exhaust note! I like the Hunter better than the Meteor, but my RE350 Classic still tops this one in my opinion for old-school style. I am sure they will sell tons of Hunters. Hope the Ol' Man is recovering quickly, with an appropriate level of grumpiness :) Cheers, Ronny
Thanks Ronny. We’re with you there personally 👍🏼
Ol Man is just able to get out to the gym but still in a lot of pain!
I think the black finish, cast wheels and gaiters on the front suspension will be far easier to maintain than most other bikes. The black finish on my Meteor engine is very robust so this bodes well for this bike.
ive ordered this bike im 191cm it comes to the netherlands begin next year almost 2 months left cant wait hope i wont be a long douche on it! :P
I bought this beauty as a first bike after taking a test ride. It simply puts a smile on my face and I cannot take my eyes off of her my oh my. Cost me a good 2100 quids. In love with motorcycling.
You two and Freddie Dobbs are the best motorcycle channels on UA-cam. Thank you for all your brilliant videos
Thank you very much! We love Freddie’s videos too
Thanks for another nice video. Ah, another nice looking bike from Royal Enfield. I've heard good things about the Hunter. Fingers crossed RE continues to move forward.
Enjoyed the review, thank you. And yes, your centre stand technique is bad, but not hopeless. You'll learn how to do it in 30 seconds by watching others.
I keep wondering if something like this (or a scram/himalayan) would do for me when i upgrade from my old gs500e.. I love RE's current designs and the KISS approach to design and build.
Great review. Excellent sound quality 👍
The exhaust sound is an orgasm to the ears. Absolutely none of the 350 CC single cyls would do that.
Also talking for the power and torque figures, REs don't push their engine to the absolute last drop of juice they've got. It's a midpowered engine meaning that the engine will prolly be with you for like 20% of your life in absolutely fine condition. It is not grinding, rather RE makes everything else like the ride quality and being able to enjoy your ride, much more accessible.
If one's looking for performance bikes, RE is not the brand. Straight as hell. *But for what it offers to those who seek adventure rather than adrenaline, is immaculate.* 🔥💯
It looks like a street twin kind of too me. Especially in the grey color. It sounds good I like it. And the price is appropriate compared to the rest of the market.
At 8.33 you gave Triumph fuel usage figures for this Royal Enfield bike
Great video- I like the fact you don't drown out the engine noise with music. Get better soon.
Thanks 😊 yes we love the engine noise 👍🏼
RE should definatley release a scrambler version of the Hunter 350, it think it would give Honda a hard time selling the CL500.
I'm sold on it!
That's a very nice review, thanks a lot ! You mentioned everything I needed to know (including what you look like on this bike when you're 6 feet tall). Now, I'll just have try it on my own, it'll be my first monocylinder, as I only had four cylinders in almost 20 years of riding, it'll be a huge step to me ! Hope you'll get better very soon ! Thanks from France ;-)
I've been away for too long, so sorry to hear about your dad's accident but so very glad that he's on the mend. Nobody does it quite like the both of you.
Thanks and pleased to see you are back 😊
I am walking well, driving and will be riding very soon. The Ol' Man 👍🏼
@@MrDarcy-OlMan Just thrilled for you mate - really. 👍
As a Northamptonshire/Leicestershire border boy originally, I recognised the colour of the stone walls and houses and guessed the general location. Enjoyed the video.
Thanks very much, spot on 👍🏻
Thanks very much, spot on 👍🏻
Love Royal Enfields but at 6' 6" not a chance that's why I ride adventure bikes 😅
glad to see a very comprehensive review on this machine , thank you guys , awesome job as always
8:30 My man, what were you doing over there in Amsterdam. You said "Trumph claims"
I told you the coffee was odd! 😉
Great review. I love the look of the Hunter. It's got the vibe.
I think its a lovely little bike would love one in my garage
Thanks for the video. I'm thinking of buying one of the Royal Enfield 350 bikes next spring and your videos are really helping me decide which one I'm going to buy,
Yes, it's a lovely bike and I am finding it's going to be so easy to exceed the 3000 mile service intervals in a year. Enfields stated running costs are going to more than £150 per year just for servicing which is the same as the car and road tax at £52 per annum is expensive when it only emits 64g/km of CO2. Government figures are ridiculous when comparing it to a 125cc. P.S the car chucks out 89g/km CO2, 1560cc diesel and is zero excise duty.
At then end of the day the Hunter was a good choice great for heavy traffic, gets in-between queuing vehicles, pulls away at traffic lights and is exceedingly economical. Very comfortable for rides in the country and turns heads when you open the throttle on its single cylinder engine.
The Hunter looks and sounds superb. It would be my choice of the RE 350s.
Good review! Would be great to see the Classic, Meteor, and “Hntr” compared side by side. These haven’t arrived at my local dealership yet, but as soon as they do I’ll go inspect it in person. Thanks!
Definitely. We’ll try to do that next year 🤞🏼
Interesting report,bike looks nice.Shame you couldn't put it on the centre stand. Try left hand on left bar, right hand on the grab rail. Push the stand to the floor with your right foot,pull back on the bar(which will come over to full lock) and lift grab rail . The bike will almost do it for you👍
Yes, the thing is in West u don't get those stands anymore and people are not used to them. Once u know the trick, it's a must have even if it costs some performance due to weight
-Hitesh
26 yo Indian used to CS
@@hiteshadhikari that's not true. I always had a center stand ob my bikes. And i wouldn't buy one without. Usually it is an accessory, but you get them on bikes here.
What is a shame though, is that an able bodied man, who makes many RE videos, is not able to put a light bike on a center stand. He just gives up after one half assed try. 🤣
I’ve had a pillion on both the Meteor and the Classic, no real issue with pillion
I'm hoping these come to south America,I'd love to have this as a first bike!
Very nice bike and another quality review - well done and thanks 👍
It seems like this bike would be perfect for a first time rider. Great video!
Good value for money and nice styling. Great review again ty.
Center stand? Put your right hand at the rear of the bike and press down with your right foot. Lifting the bike using your right thigh muscle...
Great looking bike and a 650 twin version would be even better I am thinking 👌👍
It's on testing don't worry
Just waiting for delivery.
Great looking bike. Thanks for the thorough review mate.
“The tank is 13l and Triumph claims….” 8:33 maybe this really is a baby Bonneville 😂
I'm listening to this video with Duke Ellington playing in another tab and the Hunter sounds together with the music bring me right to the 30s.
That's about $6960 Australian dollars. At the moment. Wow. Nice little bike. I think I would have one. Waiting for them to arrive in Australia. Cheers
It’s great value if that what they retail for here.
Fantastic bike I need one. Hope dad gets back on a bike soon.
Give him a push! My old man just put a deposit down on this!
so the funny thing is Triumph appears to be making a 300-400cc liquid cooled modern naked with a retro touch alongside a scrambler. Funnily enough Royal Enfield is also been spotted testing a 450cc liquid cooled Himalayan and retro naked. so that's gonna be amusing when they both come out, and it sounds like they're coming out around the same time.
I see your problem with the center stand. You are trying to lift it with your arms. It doesn’t work that way. That big arm on the stand is where you STAND. Your weight is what does the work. Your arms are just there to direct it.
I feel the lazy engine suits the classic better. This could use the engine from the scram with a sharper cam for some more power in the higher revs.
I think this style of bike makes you want to do some spirited driving from time to time and then you'll miss the power.
The classic just makes you want to bumble along and take in the ride; so it's fine with the tiny engine.
Agreed
Likewise RE please drop in the bigger Scram engine plus a Tachometer and you’ll have a winner for sure.
Good comment. Bumble is a great term
@@sialex9706 I always thought "bimble" was the correct term ;-)
The Scram/Himalayan platform is supposedly in for a complete makeover and it will most likely ditch the 411cc unit for a 450cc 40hp unit.
I have few hundred miles on my Hunter here in sunny Indonesia. Few observations from an older rider.
Rear shock springs are too stiff, there is almost no static sag and very little rider sag at my 175 lbs. The front is sprung much better (softer) which makes for an un balanced suspension. The rear end is simply not compliant, this is the biggest issue with the bike.
I have big hands and find the leavers at the far end of comfortable reach, with the clutch lever adjusted with some extra free play, the clutch is spot on. I would assume, riders with smaller hands would start feeling that the levers are too far. I think a set of adjustable levers might be a good little upgrade.
Clutch is nice and smooth with a solid, good feeling pull. The engagement point is however on a short/little clutch lever movement side. I wish that the the cam on the clutch was not as aggressive.
If I just ride without looking at the speedo, it seems I always end up around 50 mph, the bike is super happy and relaxed.
The shock will have to be upgraded, the rest are just few personal observation. It is a great "big" bike, here in Indonesia we ride 150cc mostly.
Excellent review Darcy - as usual - thank you. I detected a slight transmission "whine" when you come off throttle and wondered if it was characteristic or something peculiar to this sample. Did you notice the same on the Meteor and Classic as I've not heard it before?
Edit: If you still have the bike, can you check if the chain is a little too tight?
If only the rear shock is monoshock hidden beneath. That would be PERFECT. 😍
Best sounding RE
They seem to put out some interesting bikes that Royal Enfield company, the simplicity is one of the treats and probably the price!
Sounds beautiful. Hate the giant decal on the tank
Top sound, great lookin bike.. As I get older de smaller bikes r starting to make more sense to me.
I’m in love with this bike definitely getting it soon🎉
Side note: He sounds like ron weasley
There is a Royal Enfield dealer within 25 miles of my home. I will call them to get more information about availability and local pricing on this bike. Unfortunately, winter is here and there is snow on the ground.
Excellent full review, like the look and sound of this, did test ride classic 350 and interceptor but have to say this bike looks like a great choice as a second bike to hopp of out to the shops or maybe post a letter or something I'm definitely tempted especially £ the price.
Thankyou for sharing and best wishes to the ol man.
Your right: You are hopeless at centre stands 🤣😜
Great review. Thank you
The design is very reminding of Yamaha XSR no? Both beautiful bikes ❤
At 8:33 "Triumph claim this bike will do just over 100 mpg" 🤣
Yes information no other channels give you 😉
Man this bike now looks really tiny, best for city commute
One of the best looking bikes this year. ESP the two tone blue
Now that you brought up the spoke wheels....it is a shame that the 'retro' version of these bikes - with narrower spoke wheels wasnt made available outside India! Those are just drop-dead gorgeous and i am really hoping to pick one of those up for myself! And dont discount the Triumph-Bajaj combo yet...Bajaj has over the years established itself as THE brand to get small-capacity bikes for the likes of Kawasaki, KTM, Husqvarna etc and those bikes are still selling in international markets...so bring it on! I also love that you had Triumph on the brain so much you said - Triumph claim - during the fuel economy bit! hahahahahaa
Haha yea I did! 👍🏼😬