Lack of technology is a positive rather than a negative, that's why us Enfield owners buy them, less to go wrong. As for slipper clutches and traction control its got them, its built into the rider and goes under the heading of skills and common sense.👍
@@karthikshaji9067 I’ve been on the road since 1966 , I don’t even notice the ABS on my Hunter. But Jonathan the original post is 100% correct it’s skills and common sense .
The Ceat tires are absolutely fine! Tested the Meteor in dry and wet many times as well as Classic and HNTR and no complains about the tires - like many others who own RE bikes. When somebody who just wants to do reviews and just criticize the tires for that he don’t know them and therefore will exchange them the whole review is useless for me! Drive them do your research and then criticize them, but not for "I don’t know them, so the must be rubbish" Sorry, but I‘m out at this point.
I believe you are the last of the major UK UA-camrs to review this bike and it’s always interesting to get another perspective on what is an excellent machine. I’ve owned my Hunter Dapper Grey since January, rode it during the winter with salt on the roads and it now has 900 miles on the clock. I will leave my thoughts till your final review and will share some information which I hope will be of interest to current and prospective owners. The prices you quoted for the bikes are incorrect by the way, you forgot the OTR charges . The Dapper range is £3899 OTR, with the others about £100 more. I got free delivery on mine although I don’t know whether this is still being offered at this time of year.
Have to say I disagree on the tyres. I have the CEATs on my Meteor and have ridden in the rain a lot, with no concerns about grip at all, and I’m generally quite sensitive to poor tyre quality. It sounded from your commentary more like you expected them to be bad rather than experienced them to be bad. Did you actually find them to have poor grip?
CEAT are a subsidiary of Pirelli and I found them fine in the wet on my Classic 350 - although since I changed to alloy wheels I now run Avon Roadriders tubeless😎
Thanks for this Andy, I’ve just traded my Classic 350 for a Hunter. Loved my Classic but at 64 with a knackered spine I really needed something a bit lighter especially moving in and out of the garage and on and off the centre stand. Very excited about getting the Hunter as it’s saved me, hopefully, from the descent into scooterdom!
Has the change made it easier on your back? I can sympathise as got a knackered lower back too. Is it more comfortable to ride than the classic? I note that you lean forward more, which I'm hoping takes pressure off the spine? Hope you're getting on well with it.
@@Bavenbushcraft easier all round I’d say. The riding position is slightly more front forward and the pegs an inch further back. The rear suspension is a little hard to getting with but softens up nicely after 500 miles or so. Recommend it if you’re struggling with your back definitely.
@@Bavenbushcraft easier all round I’d say. The riding position is slightly more front forward and the pegs an inch further back. The rear suspension is a little hard to getting with but softens up nicely after 500 miles or so. Recommend it if you’re struggling with your back definitely.
As a Hunter owner, I would advise that the Hunter is less forgiving on the lower back than the Classic. The suspension is too stiff. I am in the process of trying to source a replacement which is softer. Any suggestions anyone?
Very good review of the hunter, I have had the interceptor then the meteor and finally the hunter. I love all three but my favourite is the hunter as it suits my needs to get me to work. It is by far the easiest of them to keep clean. The tyres have coped well even when we had snow. I am tempted to fit bar end mirror's to improve rear vision but other than that I find it an absolute fun bike to ride.
It probably feels a bit quicker than the Classic and Meteor because it's about 15kg lighter than those. I have a Classic, which I love, but the Hunter looks like a real fun all-rounder.
Hired one for a few days around Chiang Mai with a view to buying one later... It was terrific, be an ideal bike for this location.. In the end I bought a Meteor in Fireball yellow . It came up used at a price I had to pounce on.. Also ideal for around here... Wish I could afford a hunter and Himmy as well... RE obsessed at the moment...😂🎉 *Crap Game*
@@Plough78 I moved south from Chiang Mai but did a lot of riding in that area last year on a 250 Rally...i am looking at a new Hunter because of the price point and roadside assistance and warranty....mind you at the same price i can pick up a lightly used Interceptor650. I will wait until the new Triumph400X and Himalaya 450 prices are announced but i reckon both of those will be around the price of a new Interceptor 650 like 240,000 baht. Getting a bike at 140,000 baht leaves me more money for travelling and setting it up with some bags. I am totally ok with riding a slow bike hard i prefer it and like a small bike for parking here and getting around the towns. I did 25,000 on the 250 Rally last year so its not a problem on that bike except for highways which i hate anyways. Question for you: how does the 350 j engine do on the steeper bits of road say going up to Pai or the MHS loop or even up Doi Suthep? Can you jeep at comfortable road speeds? I need to find a Hunter for rent down here in Hua Hin...i think a week on the bike would really help me decide. Thanks in advance
Had my hunter for just over a month, used for commuting, its excellent. Got a bigger bike for any higher speed stuff but I do love my little hunter rebel and the price for the finish is fantastic.
Nice review as ever. It's a pretty cool looking little good value bike for sure. Great for just casually pottering about on or maybe the more cultured (new) rider who wants to go the retro styled route rather than the transformer looking &/or performance orientated options.
Great review Mr Flyer, really appreciate your honesty and realism shown in your reviews. Unlike some other YT'ers you have no axe to grind, no ad hominems to fire, no misplaced hubris and for those reasons and others you come across as a modest, honest and fair-minded guy. Keep up the great work and the service you do for all us 'normal' bikers.
Ok I have the 2023 monkey but considering the Hunter 350 but not sure if I want to stray from Honda quality and reliability. Thanks for amazing videos on both bikes!!!🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Great review I've had a 350 classic for over a year and love it. The only thing I disagree with is the tyres, I'd never heard of them but I've used them in wet and cold conditions and I have to admit that they are adequate for the bike and have never given me cause for concern.
I am old enough to remember when the halogens were the hottest new ticket. Not even a thought of those blinding blue things. Seems like one just needs to pop on a windscreen and head on out on a road trip.
Great review as usual Andy. As I’ve said before, I don’t think Royal Enfield bikes can be beaten for value for money at present. They are great bikes for those who want a no nonsense great value bike. From the 650’s through the Himalayans to the 350’s all are great value for money, solid bikes. In in the past I’ve owned a Bullet 500 efi and a Himalayan , I will be adding a Hntr 350 before long, given the ever reducing speed limits and increasing number of speed cameras they just make more sense.
Definitely great value. Similar pricing to similar Chinese bikes but closer to Japanese quality and a good warranty. It's cheaper than most Japanese 125cc bikes.
You can’t really go wrong with one of these new 350 Enfield’s for country lane bimbling & general running about . The only nit picks for me on this bike ,is the large logo on the tank ,the rear light & that piece of a twig holding a reflector under the number plate . This or the classic would be my choice, I never change the standard tyres on new bikes until the factory ones wear out . I usually find a lot of these lesser known tyres are a lot better than expected . The budget tyres on these modern Chinese & Indian manufactured bikes are 100 better ,compared to the non stick tyres fitted to the early Japanese bikes ,we rode in all weathers all year round . The lower capacity bikes are making more & more sense these days ,with the ever decreasing speed limits the increasing price of fuel & greater congested roads . A modern motorcycle that actually looks like a proper bike Mr Flyer 👍
"steering wheel" lol. Decent second (or maybe third) bike that. Not tooooo long ago a 350 single was a go to mid size bike - and for a good reason. a good all rounder....
Looks a very competent bike to do what it was designed for!! Thanks as ever Andy for your valuable opinion and informative comment. Personally I'm with you on matt finishes, they just look like they've been left in primer to me and must surely 'grip' any passing dirt more efficiently which just ain't good!! 😃
I can't help thinking it should really have at least another 5hp. Its barely more powerful than some 125s and actually a couple horsepower less than an early 80's Suzuki GN250 single and that was no performance bike. Other than the limp engine, it seems quite appealing
Great review, definitely think small cc bike worth considering for second bike or even a first bike, ive just bought a suzuki inazuma 250 looking forward to getting out on it once delivered and oh yes rain or shine ill be out on it.
@@oldfella4096 The extension can be removed for aesthetic reasons as short mudguards look better. It can be left on if you want to avoid getting splattered with muddy puddle water. So buyers have a choice between form and function.
Love the look, price is brilliant for a new bike, I would definitely buy one of theses, I have seen some trick parts on the market so you can make them your own .. great review sir !! 👊
The halogen lights on the Hunter looked a lot better than many of the LED lights yuve demonstrated in the past to me. The circle of light on main beam lit the road up much better and the high beam was exemplary!
I would just like to say that I am so grateful for your content. I don't see every video you post but I genuinely enjoy living vicariously through your shared experiences with these 2 wheeled contraptions that I have forever been fascinated with. Thank you! I would say I love you but that may not be appropriate and it's probably the coffee talking lol. Seriously though, you do such a great job in presentation visually and verbally. It helps that you're as genuinely upbeat and chipper in your videos as you are which makes the videos all the better and pleasant to watch. Here's to you sir!
Hi TMF, another unbiased, relative review, looking at all styles of bikes, for all styles and needs of differing riders. I was just wondering when at the GM Station carpark, that you could test the ease of loading the bike up on the centre stand - another function of garage and back yard driveway handling, which we all have to go through when cleaning the bikes, cleaning and lubing the chain - I am aware, a whole lot of bikes do not have a centre or main stand but I think the HNTR 350 does. Graeme, NZ
Over here on the big island (Australia, for those unlucky folks not in the Antipodes), RE do call it the Hunter 350 and I'm very tempted by it. Regards the centre-stand, I currently have a Suzuki VL 250 without one, which was less than ideal when I changed the front sprocket (went for a taller, 16t one) on it this week. Given that I'm 77, ease of maintenance is becoming more of an issue.
With riders getting older these Enfield are just the ticket after all not many want 100mph performance and as you mentioned back roads are more fun than A roads or Motorways. Youngsters can afford them too.
Enjoyed my time on the Hunter also. Actually don’t mind the indicators or the clock, just wished the clicked was centred. I agree that it seems like it’s got a little more poke than the Meteor and Classic, probably because it’s a bit lighter.
CEAT is one of the world largest tire companys - they make tires for most applications, and are present all over the world - no need not to trust them...
It was not important to center the instrument but it was important to center the ignition key? That's just dumb. Of course, the correct answer was to provide two instruments (speedometer and tach) with the ignition key between them.
Hunter owner here. The rear shocks are terrible, spring rates way to high, not enough static and rider sag, and poor dampening. Clutch engagement point is very narrow, almost on off switch, however nice and smooth. Both the clutch and brake levers are at the far end of the reach and I have big hands. With Euro whatever it is now, the bike (like most) runs very lean. More of a taste and preference, the handle bar has a bit of a weird bend to it for a "sporty' feeling bike, a "straight" type of a bar might feel better. Solutions: K-Speed (Thailand) shocks, about $200 shipped Fuel X O2 sensor signal modifying box, $150 TEC Bike Parts adjustable levers $75 For now just rotated the bar in the triple tree clamps It's a great little bike.
Top review as always 👍 for that price it’s difficult to criticise I spose but the “Brian the snail” mirrors would have to go. The blue paint looks cool, I had a triumph tiger sport with matt paint and found it tricky to keep it looking good.
This is how you reel in younger generation into riding a motorcycle. By offering good affordable bikes. Harley should take notes. They want to cater to their old generation only.
I love this little bike, it's great value for money and has only what it needs and with a great look. Even an handlebar mount USB port, other manufactures should take note!!
In your last video, you mentioned something about how, at this price point, you felt the bike was superior to the Enfield 650's in the quality of its components. In light of you recently upgrading the rear suspension on your 650, i was wondering if you had any additional thoughts along these lines? Also, in terms of style and displacement, I was wondering if you have any plans to review the new Honda CL500?
I will get to the Honda at some point - it's looks don't appeal to me so I'm in no hurry! ....and I stand by my comments on build quality on the 350's - better than all other Enfields that came before IMO....
I'm so close to getting one. I probably don't go over 60mph on my commute and in the peak district i probably stay around 50. Ofc there are times i use the acceleration of a 600cc but only because I can. I think I'd be happier with a smaller and lighter bike and being brand new i could actually go long distances with a bit more confidence. My current bike has a habit of breaking down 15 miles from home😄 Finish wise i don't see them being any worse than some of the main brands. My Yamaha looked quite rusty within 2 years and i looked after it. There were a lot of cheap parts on the YBR I can see the exhausts going brown but nothing much else to worry about.
Hi Sir. Another good review. I am loving my 350 Classic and my dealership has a beautiful white Hunter that tempted me but I love the chrome spoke wheels of the Classic. The Ceat tires from India are getting good review from other channels so it may just have been the wet conditions you didn't like. Thanks again, have a great week........Sal : )
I own a meteor which comes with the ceat tyres as well . They are a bit of an old fashioned experience in that they take a few miles to bed in and to warm up they aren’t the worst tyres I have ever ridden on but there is room for improvement. In the wet they lack a bit of grip until warm but are no worse than most tyres on small bikes. I have heard through the riders groups that Avon’s are the way to go but I will be changing the tyres when they wear out as the Ceat’s are good enough.
Even less effort if you just buy a 411 Scram to begin with! That said of the 350s the Classic is probably the best candidate as the stock 19/18" wheel combination will allow you to fit dual sport tyres.
I’ve noticed in your videos you ride very close to the left on roads. Some very poor road driving. Best trying to get nearer closer to the right one third for visibility and to keep out of the crap on the left.
TMF, excellent review and I think this bike will be another hit for RE. Smaller displacement bikes get a lot of grief here in the states, but this one seems like it's perfectly suited for urban environments and Sunday backroading. And the price point, wow, just wow! Thanks again.
OMG TMF😂😂 Just about every bleedin country has lights on when it’s running not just key on🤦♂️ That would be because you’d have a flat battery every 2nd day😂😉 Try this on your garage queens👌 I’m certain you’re taking the piss…😎
My apologies I took "I'm certain you're taking the piss" as a rude comment and the fact you mentioned my "garage queens" implying that I never I ride them. ....I don't ride them as much as I'd like as I;m always riding review bikes!
@@TheMissendenFlyer i apologise too Andy! I know very well you always ride the “garage queens”. “…taking the piss” is an Aussie slang for “are you joking?” in a funny fashion. I wrote this before I heard you called yourself “numpty”😂😂😂
Yes really loving this bike. Be nice if they did a 600 option too (cheaper tax bracket!) or the Interceptor was in Rebel scheme too. The seat on the Hunter looks so much better compared to Interceptor imo but one thing you haven't covered, which I'm not sure you do actually, I'd like to know what it's like with a pillion!? Great review though.
Yeah, any bike I look at has to be fit for pillions and I don't think these have got enough guts, unfortunately, as I'd love one. Wish they did a 500 version....
I'd like to see what no one has done. Compare this bike to a Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki of equal price, New! I ride an SH125i which is about the same price, only a little over 12 BHP. Front and back abs, keyless and traction control.
Thanks for the review. But please don't refer to 5'8 as a "shortee". It's average for men so about half the male population are shorter than that. And for the ladies, the average is 5'4 so most of them are below 5'8. Not a pop at you, I just wish the manufacturers would take this into account. The Hunter looks like a great bike, but it's still too tall for me (I'm 5'2). Having said that, there looks to be a lot in the seat and there are alternative shocks to lower it too.
weak point for me is definitely the dash. I don't like offset dials. And, this one is not a very attractive design. They could do much better with a simple, old-fashioned speedo and tach in separate dials. Lights: my experience is that the design of the bowl/reflector is the crucial aspect of lighting. LEDs on my Benelli 302s really suck. Every halogen I ever had is better than the new-fangled LEDs because of the deficient pattern the LEDs project.
It looks like the mud guards on the front would do a good job of keeping dirt off the engine, in contrast to many new bikes with almost no protection. The rear mud guard looked good also. Thanks for the review. It sounds like a nice bike for general riding about and having a good time.
I totally agree about the dash which is needlessly fangled and pretty incongruous to the overall ethos of the bike. Can someone please the the rationale of junking the plain ole mechanical speedo with a couple of idiot lights? It's a nice bike but they may as well have avoided all the development costs and reintroduced the GN250. At under 4k they'd sell like hot cakes to old duffers (like me) who've done the speed game and now just want the simple, elemental fun of a motorbike.
Nothing wrong with CE AT tyres. Been around for years . I used to use them on my 250 CZ scrambles bike in the 70s for competition and had them on a Skoda fabia. The old Bridgestones were way worse. On the 350 in the wet once scrubbed in they work fine special as was said its certainly no sports bike so you dont need soft performance compounds.
I don't get how RE are still using halogen bulbs instead of, the now pretty much universal, LEDs. I can't believe it's an investment issue. People want old school looks, not performance and reliability. Excellent vid. I wasn't very taken with the bike, it seems to have gone down the Pound-shop road a little too much for me.; the clock is hideous - and where is the built in navigation? That was brilliant on the Himalaya.
About the opinion on tyres..Man this western people always assume anything from the third world is sub-standard to them.. lol.. the superiority complex is annoying at times.. anyway nice review.
I find myself bike less in the UK and this is top of my wish list for all the B roads around me in Perthshire ,nice and low and light for my increasingly dodgy knees ,it looks the mutts nuts ,and should be cheap to own and run ..servicing aside. Informative review ,from yourself....I have a 2019 street triple matt silver in NZ ..the paintwork is easy to maintain ,and comes up nice with some matt paint cleaner spray ,i actually prefer matt finishes now
Good review. Interesting bike. I like the looks and the size. How about maintenance. just a look at filters and oil change, chain adjusters and centerstand? Made to a price point for the rest of the world as well, so some tires and such need changed. No big deal. Think about others who can only dream of a bike so big and powerfuul. We take much for granted.
Seems like a really nice bike for those of us who don't need big power and don't have big money. I was intrigued by the Meteor and now we can get this without the "cruiser" riding position. I know I'm old now when reviewers talk about "old fashioned" halogen headlamps LOL!
As an ancient biker, I can recall another Hunter namely "Ariel Red Hunter" However, I can't imagine anyone wanting to enforce patent rights on that one. :)
So whilst I love these small bike reviews, as someone who does the real world reviews... I think one of the more affordable sportsbikes is in order ZX10... R1... recently updated and keen to find out what they are like to live with...
I've had a classic 350 for a while now and love it, had a look at a Hunter the other day and was really impressed with the look of the bike, agree with the light switch layout bit fiddly but not a show stopper, good review as always.
I think it’s more “peppy” because the rear wheel is an inch smaller diameter and it’s a bit lighter than the classic and meteor. A little more torque to the ground and a little less weight.
I have a BS4 390 Duke, the one with the lousy ride by wire throttle and rode it to the local Royal Enfield dealer to test ride a Hunter 350 and a Scram 411. I found both of these bikes easier to ride in the city than the 390. The advantages that the Hunter has over the 390 are a much smoother engine, a flatter torque curve so that you don't have to change gears every 5 seconds and a much more comfortable seat. The 390 is better on highways and any fast roads in the city. It does not need traction control.
Some may prefer the classic looks of the Hunter, others the looks of the KTM. The ktm 390 is several thousand £s or Euros dearer than a RE Hunter. That'd be a major reason. Admittedly for a more enthusiastic rider's bike, who has the cash, a KTM would be better.
@@karlosh9286 In India, where both the KTM 390 and the RE Hunter are made, the 390 is almost double the price of the Hunter so the market is more segmented here than in Europe.
@@twowheeledparadox double the price will make a big difference on a "buying decision" . KTM 390 isn't quite double the price in Europe, but looks like a good 70% more money.
I have been looking at getting one of these for my Winter ride, due to the blacked out engine etc. The Inty is too precious on the engine casing to take it out when the Road are in 💩 order! Let’s see if I follow through and get one in the Autumn! 👍
I have had no issues with the stock tyres in the wet on my Scram.
Lack of technology is a positive rather than a negative, that's why us Enfield owners buy them, less to go wrong. As for slipper clutches and traction control its got them, its built into the rider and goes under the heading of skills and common sense.👍
Precisely.
Right on
Exactly 👍 just toured Devon and Cornwall on my meteor, lovely comfy easy miles .
Same thing with ABS I guess..?
@@karthikshaji9067 I’ve been on the road since 1966 , I don’t even notice the ABS on my Hunter. But Jonathan the original post is 100% correct it’s skills and common sense .
ABS and tubless tyres would be the big upgrade from my old GS550
The Ceat tires are absolutely fine! Tested the Meteor in dry and wet many times as well as Classic and HNTR and no complains about the tires - like many others who own RE bikes.
When somebody who just wants to do reviews and just criticize the tires for that he don’t know them and therefore will exchange them the whole review is useless for me!
Drive them do your research and then criticize them, but not for "I don’t know them, so the must be rubbish"
Sorry, but I‘m out at this point.
I find tyres a personal thing. The only contact between you and the road. If you're not happy with them, change them.
I believe you are the last of the major UK UA-camrs to review this bike and it’s always interesting to get another perspective on what is an excellent machine. I’ve owned my Hunter Dapper Grey since January, rode it during the winter with salt on the roads and it now has 900 miles on the clock. I will leave my thoughts till your final review and will share some information which I hope will be of interest to current and prospective owners. The prices you quoted for the bikes are incorrect by the way, you forgot the OTR charges . The Dapper range is £3899 OTR, with the others about £100 more. I got free delivery on mine although I don’t know whether this is still being offered at this time of year.
Yes late to the party on this one I know (I’ve been busy!)
@@TheMissendenFlyer Doesn't matter though. Quality worth waiting for.
Have to say I disagree on the tyres. I have the CEATs on my Meteor and have ridden in the rain a lot, with no concerns about grip at all, and I’m generally quite sensitive to poor tyre quality. It sounded from your commentary more like you expected them to be bad rather than experienced them to be bad. Did you actually find them to have poor grip?
CEAT are a subsidiary of Pirelli and I found them fine in the wet on my Classic 350 - although since I changed to alloy wheels I now run Avon Roadriders tubeless😎
Yes you’re right - I didn’t actually have any issues with them, more a low expectation (and I could well be wrong)
Nowt wrong with the CEATs, have them on both my Classic and Meteor 350, handle well in both the wet and dry and wear well👍
I make you right on that statement Ben!
Thanks for this Andy, I’ve just traded my Classic 350 for a Hunter.
Loved my Classic but at 64 with a knackered spine I really needed something a bit lighter especially moving in and out of the garage and on and off the centre stand. Very excited about getting the Hunter as it’s saved me, hopefully, from the descent into scooterdom!
Enjoy it!!
Has the change made it easier on your back? I can sympathise as got a knackered lower back too. Is it more comfortable to ride than the classic? I note that you lean forward more, which I'm hoping takes pressure off the spine? Hope you're getting on well with it.
@@Bavenbushcraft easier all round I’d say. The riding position is slightly more front forward and the pegs an inch further back. The rear suspension is a little hard to getting with but softens up nicely after 500 miles or so. Recommend it if you’re struggling with your back definitely.
@@Bavenbushcraft easier all round I’d say. The riding position is slightly more front forward and the pegs an inch further back. The rear suspension is a little hard to getting with but softens up nicely after 500 miles or so. Recommend it if you’re struggling with your back definitely.
As a Hunter owner, I would advise that the Hunter is less forgiving on the lower back than the Classic. The suspension is too stiff. I am in the process of trying to source a replacement which is softer. Any suggestions anyone?
Nice bike, I like the cast wheels. Retro enough for me, Yamaha had them on the RD 400 over 45 years ago! Tubeless tyres a big plus point.
Very good review of the hunter, I have had the interceptor then the meteor and finally the hunter. I love all three but my favourite is the hunter as it suits my needs to get me to work. It is by far the easiest of them to keep clean. The tyres have coped well even when we had snow. I am tempted to fit bar end mirror's to improve rear vision but other than that I find it an absolute fun bike to ride.
It probably feels a bit quicker than the Classic and Meteor because it's about 15kg lighter than those. I have a Classic, which I love, but the Hunter looks like a real fun all-rounder.
Hired one for a few days around Chiang Mai with a view to buying one later... It was terrific, be an ideal bike for this location.. In the end I bought a Meteor in Fireball yellow . It came up used at a price I had to pounce on.. Also ideal for around here... Wish I could afford a hunter and Himmy as well... RE obsessed at the moment...😂🎉
*Crap Game*
@@Plough78 I moved south from Chiang Mai but did a lot of riding in that area last year on a 250 Rally...i am looking at a new Hunter because of the price point and roadside assistance and warranty....mind you at the same price i can pick up a lightly used Interceptor650. I will wait until the new Triumph400X and Himalaya 450 prices are announced but i reckon both of those will be around the price of a new Interceptor 650 like 240,000 baht.
Getting a bike at 140,000 baht leaves me more money for travelling and setting it up with some bags. I am totally ok with riding a slow bike hard i prefer it and like a small bike for parking here and getting around the towns. I did 25,000 on the 250 Rally last year so its not a problem on that bike except for highways which i hate anyways.
Question for you: how does the 350 j engine do on the steeper bits of road say going up to Pai or the MHS loop or even up Doi Suthep? Can you jeep at comfortable road speeds? I need to find a Hunter for rent down here in Hua Hin...i think a week on the bike would really help me decide. Thanks in advance
Had my hunter for just over a month, used for commuting, its excellent. Got a bigger bike for any higher speed stuff but I do love my little hunter rebel and the price for the finish is fantastic.
Glad to hear that
Nice review as ever. It's a pretty cool looking little good value bike for sure. Great for just casually pottering about on or maybe the more cultured (new) rider who wants to go the retro styled route rather than the transformer looking &/or performance orientated options.
Great review Mr Flyer, really appreciate your honesty and realism shown in your reviews. Unlike some other YT'ers you have no axe to grind, no ad hominems to fire, no misplaced hubris and for those reasons and others you come across as a modest, honest and fair-minded guy. Keep up the great work and the service you do for all us 'normal' bikers.
Thank you - I appreciate that very much!
Ok I have the 2023 monkey but considering the Hunter 350 but not sure if I want to stray from Honda quality and reliability. Thanks for amazing videos on both bikes!!!🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Great review I've had a 350 classic for over a year and love it. The only thing I disagree with is the tyres, I'd never heard of them but I've used them in wet and cold conditions and I have to admit that they are adequate for the bike and have never given me cause for concern.
Enfield worked with CEAT developing the tires.. I've no complaints with em either... They fine.
*Crap Game*
My favourite RE so far. It got my want gland twitching as soon as I saw one. ❤
I miss having a small bike for calm and cozy picnic rides. I’m sure this one would be awesome.
Yes perfect for that…
I’m liking the colours and design of the paintwork. Cracking value for money bike.
I am old enough to remember when the halogens were the hottest new ticket. Not even a thought of those blinding blue things.
Seems like one just needs to pop on a windscreen and head on out on a road trip.
God I can't wait to get my bike license ----- almost purely for a Royal Enfield, love them
Great review as usual Andy. As I’ve said before, I don’t think Royal Enfield bikes can be beaten for value for money at present. They are great bikes for those who want a no nonsense great value bike. From the 650’s through the Himalayans to the 350’s all are great value for money, solid bikes. In in the past I’ve owned a Bullet 500 efi and a Himalayan , I will be adding a Hntr 350 before long, given the ever reducing speed limits and increasing number of speed cameras they just make more sense.
Definitely great value. Similar pricing to similar Chinese bikes but closer to Japanese quality and a good warranty. It's cheaper than most Japanese 125cc bikes.
You can’t really go wrong with one of these new 350 Enfield’s for country lane bimbling & general running about . The only nit picks for me on this bike ,is the large logo on the tank ,the rear light & that piece of a twig holding a reflector under the number plate . This or the classic would be my choice, I never change the standard tyres on new bikes until the factory ones wear out . I usually find a lot of these lesser known tyres are a lot better than expected . The budget tyres on these modern Chinese & Indian manufactured bikes are 100 better ,compared to the non stick tyres fitted to the early Japanese bikes ,we rode in all weathers all year round . The lower capacity bikes are making more & more sense these days ,with the ever decreasing speed limits the increasing price of fuel & greater congested roads . A modern motorcycle that actually looks like a proper bike Mr Flyer 👍
I agree!
"steering wheel" lol. Decent second (or maybe third) bike that. Not tooooo long ago a 350 single was a go to mid size bike - and for a good reason. a good all rounder....
Comprehensive review as always. Bike is a good candidate to add to the stable.
Looks a very competent bike to do what it was designed for!! Thanks as ever Andy for your valuable opinion and informative comment. Personally I'm with you on matt finishes, they just look like they've been left in primer to me and must surely 'grip' any passing dirt more efficiently which just ain't good!! 😃
Glad it’s not just me!
I can't help thinking it should really have at least another 5hp. Its barely more powerful than some 125s and actually a couple horsepower less than an early 80's Suzuki GN250 single and that was no performance bike.
Other than the limp engine, it seems quite appealing
It is £300 cheaper than a Honda Grom 125 so that is impressive.
Since it rains often in the Netherlands, I want a windscreen and a bit of fairing so this bike is not for me. Looks good though.
The tyres CEAT (see at) were once an Italian brand,had some italian make on my 1960's Benelli.
Great review, definitely think small cc bike worth considering for second bike or even a first bike, ive just bought a suzuki inazuma 250 looking forward to getting out on it once delivered and oh yes rain or shine ill be out on it.
It's that old "going fast on a slow bike" thing. Always a blast.
And it has a proper front mudguard . Nice to see function over form.
@@oldfella4096 The extension can be removed for aesthetic reasons as short mudguards look better. It can be left on if you want to avoid getting splattered with muddy puddle water. So buyers have a choice between form and function.
Love the look, price is brilliant for a new bike, I would definitely buy one of theses, I have seen some trick parts on the market so you can make them your own .. great review sir !! 👊
Thank you
The halogen lights on the Hunter looked a lot better than many of the LED lights yuve demonstrated in the past to me. The circle of light on main beam lit the road up much better and the high beam was exemplary!
I would just like to say that I am so grateful for your content. I don't see every video you post but I genuinely enjoy living vicariously through your shared experiences with these 2 wheeled contraptions that I have forever been fascinated with. Thank you! I would say I love you but that may not be appropriate and it's probably the coffee talking lol. Seriously though, you do such a great job in presentation visually and verbally. It helps that you're as genuinely upbeat and chipper in your videos as you are which makes the videos all the better and pleasant to watch. Here's to you sir!
Crikey - thank you very much! I just like bikes and they get me excited!
If PCP is your thing you can have one of these for less than £60 per month, what a winner. I think these are great. Thanks again TMF.
Yes that sounds like a bargain doesn't it.....
You'd get a tighter turning circle on all bikes if the side stand wasn't down!
Decent review, thanks 👍
Very true!
Hope you can throw Mrs Flyer on the back very interested to see what it's like with a pillion
Sadly press bike insurance doesn't allow it....
Hi TMF, another unbiased, relative review, looking at all styles of bikes, for all styles and needs of differing riders. I was just wondering when at the GM Station carpark, that you could test the ease of loading the bike up on the centre stand - another function of garage and back yard driveway handling, which we all have to go through when cleaning the bikes, cleaning and lubing the chain - I am aware, a whole lot of bikes do not have a centre or main stand but I think the HNTR 350 does. Graeme, NZ
Good idea! 👍
Over here on the big island (Australia, for those unlucky folks not in the Antipodes), RE do call it the Hunter 350 and I'm very tempted by it. Regards the centre-stand, I currently have a Suzuki VL 250 without one, which was less than ideal when I changed the front sprocket (went for a taller, 16t one) on it this week. Given that I'm 77, ease of maintenance is becoming more of an issue.
With riders getting older these Enfield are just the ticket after all not many want 100mph performance and as you mentioned back roads are more fun than A roads or Motorways. Youngsters can afford them too.
Enjoyed my time on the Hunter also. Actually don’t mind the indicators or the clock, just wished the clicked was centred. I agree that it seems like it’s got a little more poke than the Meteor and Classic, probably because it’s a bit lighter.
Yes I think that may be it....
Great little bike at a very good price, one I would choose to keep in the garage as a runabout when the weather is fine. Thanks.
My pleasure!
@19:25 (left of screen): the perfect thumbnail?😉
Wait! - are you related to William Hague?😃
No....
Ceat is a massive tyre manufacturer been around for 100 years and used to be a subsidiary of Pirelli.
So I'm told! I'd never heard of them until now....
those turn lights are huge...probably the first thing to change if i get this
Royal Enfields (the singles at least) smash the turning circle test, I have a Himalayan and it's crazy how far the bars turn lock to lock.
CEAT is one of the world largest tire companys - they make tires for most applications, and are present all over the world - no need not to trust them...
I'm buying one next summer. Exactly what I've been looking for 😊
I just think it looks ugly . Economic it may well be but its not for me . Despatch riders would love it with boxes on .
It was not important to center the instrument but it was important to center the ignition key? That's just dumb. Of course, the correct answer was to provide two instruments (speedometer and tach) with the ignition key between them.
Hunter owner here. The rear shocks are terrible, spring rates way to high, not enough static and rider sag, and poor dampening. Clutch engagement point is very narrow, almost on off switch, however nice and smooth. Both the clutch and brake levers are at the far end of the reach and I have big hands. With Euro whatever it is now, the bike (like most) runs very lean. More of a taste and preference, the handle bar has a bit of a weird bend to it for a "sporty' feeling bike, a "straight" type of a bar might feel better. Solutions:
K-Speed (Thailand) shocks, about $200 shipped
Fuel X O2 sensor signal modifying box, $150
TEC Bike Parts adjustable levers $75
For now just rotated the bar in the triple tree clamps
It's a great little bike.
Sounds good to me! Thanks for watching...
Top review as always 👍 for that price it’s difficult to criticise I spose but the “Brian the snail” mirrors would have to go.
The blue paint looks cool, I had a triumph tiger sport with matt paint and found it tricky to keep it looking good.
This is how you reel in younger generation into riding a motorcycle. By offering good affordable bikes. Harley should take notes. They want to cater to their old generation only.
I agree!
I think you all need bigger license plates over there. Kinda hard to read.😄
Now that is a proper motorcycle.
It could be my idea of the perfect two wheel transport.
Thank you…I needed something decent to watch today😀👍
I love this little bike, it's great value for money and has only what it needs and with a great look. Even an handlebar mount USB port, other manufactures should take note!!
In your last video, you mentioned something about how, at this price point, you felt the bike was superior to the Enfield 650's in the quality of its components. In light of you recently upgrading the rear suspension on your 650, i was wondering if you had any additional thoughts along these lines?
Also, in terms of style and displacement, I was wondering if you have any plans to review the new Honda CL500?
I will get to the Honda at some point - it's looks don't appeal to me so I'm in no hurry! ....and I stand by my comments on build quality on the 350's - better than all other Enfields that came before IMO....
I'm so close to getting one.
I probably don't go over 60mph on my commute and in the peak district i probably stay around 50.
Ofc there are times i use the acceleration of a 600cc but only because I can.
I think I'd be happier with a smaller and lighter bike and being brand new i could actually go long distances with a bit more confidence.
My current bike has a habit of breaking down 15 miles from home😄
Finish wise i don't see them being any worse than some of the main brands. My Yamaha looked quite rusty within 2 years and i looked after it. There were a lot of cheap parts on the YBR
I can see the exhausts going brown but nothing much else to worry about.
Agreed....
Hi Sir. Another good review. I am loving my 350 Classic and my dealership has a beautiful white Hunter that tempted me but I love the chrome spoke wheels of the Classic. The Ceat tires from India are getting good review from other channels so it may just have been the wet conditions you didn't like. Thanks again, have a great week........Sal : )
I own a meteor which comes with the ceat tyres as well . They are a bit of an old fashioned experience in that they take a few miles to bed in and to warm up they aren’t the worst tyres I have ever ridden on but there is room for improvement. In the wet they lack a bit of grip until warm but are no worse than most tyres on small bikes. I have heard through the riders groups that Avon’s are the way to go but I will be changing the tyres when they wear out as the Ceat’s are good enough.
I reckon it could be made into a pretty cool looking scrambler/ desert sled kind of bike with very little effort 🤔
Even less effort if you just buy a 411 Scram to begin with! That said of the 350s the Classic is probably the best candidate as the stock 19/18" wheel combination will allow you to fit dual sport tyres.
I’ve noticed in your videos you ride very close to the left on roads. Some very poor road driving. Best trying to get nearer closer to the right one third for visibility and to keep out of the crap on the left.
Thanks for the advice!
TMF, excellent review and I think this bike will be another hit for RE. Smaller displacement bikes get a lot of grief here in the states, but this one seems like it's perfectly suited for urban environments and Sunday backroading. And the price point, wow, just wow! Thanks again.
Yes amazing pricing isn't it....
Did Mrs Flyer consider the Hunter before she got her Kawasaki?
No
Looks fantastic, just needs 10-15 more HP.
Actually you'd be suprised, the power is adequate around country lanes.....
did you change the tyres? If so what did you select? Most other reviewers consider the CEAT tyres very good generally.
no I didn't
OMG TMF😂😂 Just about every bleedin country has lights on when it’s running not just key on🤦♂️ That would be because you’d have a flat battery every 2nd day😂😉 Try this on your garage queens👌 I’m certain you’re taking the piss…😎
Sorry - I’m no expert, I didn’t know if that is the case. No need to be rude about it though Steve eh?
@@TheMissendenFlyer I wasn’t being rude Andy. It was a funny moment that you eventually mentioned.
My apologies I took "I'm certain you're taking the piss" as a rude comment and the fact you mentioned my "garage queens" implying that I never I ride them. ....I don't ride them as much as I'd like as I;m always riding review bikes!
@@TheMissendenFlyer i apologise too Andy! I know very well you always ride the “garage queens”. “…taking the piss” is an Aussie slang for “are you joking?” in a funny fashion. I wrote this before I heard you called yourself “numpty”😂😂😂
How does it do uphill? Say, in the Peak District, would it struggle?
It's fine one up....
CEAT are a sub-brand of Pirelli.
Cool!
I don’t think so - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEAT_(company)
I bought one. I love it. Great fun. I fitted the RE flyscreen and it does smooth out the airflow above 60kmh. (I'm Australian). God save The King.
Why, he almost certainly wouldn't do you the same favor 🤨
...how do you know? I think the King is basically a good bloke (he didn't ask for the job), good luck to him I say....!
About ticks all my requirements these days really. Nice full review sir!
Thank you John!
Looks like it would make a nice starter or commuter bike. I like the color scheme.
Why is it called a hunter bike or whatever it is?
No idea….
I think another motorcycle manufacturer has the rights to the name Hunter in the u.k, so RE dropped the e.
Yes really loving this bike. Be nice if they did a 600 option too (cheaper tax bracket!) or the Interceptor was in Rebel scheme too.
The seat on the Hunter looks so much better compared to Interceptor imo but one thing you haven't covered, which I'm not sure you do actually, I'd like to know what it's like with a pillion!?
Great review though.
Sadly press bike insurance precludes me riding two up!
Yeah, any bike I look at has to be fit for pillions and I don't think these have got enough guts, unfortunately, as I'd love one. Wish they did a 500 version....
I'd like to see what no one has done. Compare this bike to a Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki of equal price, New!
I ride an SH125i which is about the same price, only a little over 12 BHP.
Front and back abs, keyless and traction control.
Thanks for the review. But please don't refer to 5'8 as a "shortee". It's average for men so about half the male population are shorter than that. And for the ladies, the average is 5'4 so most of them are below 5'8. Not a pop at you, I just wish the manufacturers would take this into account. The Hunter looks like a great bike, but it's still too tall for me (I'm 5'2). Having said that, there looks to be a lot in the seat and there are alternative shocks to lower it too.
weak point for me is definitely the dash. I don't like offset dials. And, this one is not a very attractive design. They could do much better with a simple, old-fashioned speedo and tach in separate dials. Lights: my experience is that the design of the bowl/reflector is the crucial aspect of lighting. LEDs on my Benelli 302s really suck. Every halogen I ever had is better than the new-fangled LEDs because of the deficient pattern the LEDs project.
It's the same price as a CBR300 R and the kwaka 400 wye would you?
I'd take both those over the hunter if price and wanting simplicity wasn't a consideration.
Both are a fair chunk more here at least.
Well there is the fact that the Hunter doesn't look like it escaped from a transformers movie.
It looks like the mud guards on the front would do a good job of keeping dirt off the engine, in contrast to many new bikes with almost no protection. The rear mud guard looked good also. Thanks for the review. It sounds like a nice bike for general riding about and having a good time.
That was my conclusion!
I totally agree about the dash which is needlessly fangled and pretty incongruous to the overall ethos of the bike. Can someone please the the rationale of junking the plain ole mechanical speedo with a couple of idiot lights?
It's a nice bike but they may as well have avoided all the development costs and reintroduced the GN250. At under 4k they'd sell like hot cakes to old duffers (like me) who've done the speed game and now just want the simple, elemental fun of a motorbike.
Nothing wrong with CE AT tyres.
Been around for years .
I used to use them on my 250 CZ scrambles bike in the 70s for competition and had them on a Skoda fabia.
The old Bridgestones were way worse.
On the 350 in the wet once scrubbed in they work fine special as was said its certainly no sports bike so you dont need soft performance compounds.
I don't get how RE are still using halogen bulbs instead of, the now pretty much universal, LEDs. I can't believe it's an investment issue. People want old school looks, not performance and reliability. Excellent vid. I wasn't very taken with the bike, it seems to have gone down the Pound-shop road a little too much for me.; the clock is hideous - and where is the built in navigation? That was brilliant on the Himalaya.
I really like this one, and if I was your size I believe I'd have one. Unfortunately, and it's my own doing, I'm just too flippin big for it :)
About the opinion on tyres..Man this western people always assume anything from the third world is sub-standard to them.. lol.. the superiority complex is annoying at times.. anyway nice review.
My apologies - I’d not heard of them but stand corrected.
The nice driving view in this video makes me wish to get the same motorcycle in this video. It looks really great.😀👍👍
It is pretty cool….
@@TheMissendenFlyer Yaeh! Have a nice day.🙏🙌🙌🙏
I find myself bike less in the UK and this is top of my wish list for all the B roads around me in Perthshire ,nice and low and light for my increasingly dodgy knees ,it looks the mutts nuts ,and should be cheap to own and run ..servicing aside. Informative review ,from yourself....I have a 2019 street triple matt silver in NZ ..the paintwork is easy to maintain ,and comes up nice with some matt paint cleaner spray ,i actually prefer matt finishes now
pick one up this past weekend here in Texas love it, 61Yo man gave up my heavy Harley for this beauty
jeezus! I nearly sh!t my pants when I watched the bike go left on the road and the cars went right. I thought we had a crash. Yank here, of course.
Certainly nothing on this review to change my opinion of it being a bike I would look at when I come to change my Tiger. Even in that colour.
I love the Gypo Fairground Chinese 🎄 Lights on the Cockpit
Good review. Interesting bike. I like the looks and the size. How about maintenance. just a look at filters and oil change, chain adjusters and centerstand? Made to a price point for the rest of the world as well, so some tires and such need changed. No big deal. Think about others who can only dream of a bike so big and powerfuul. We take much for granted.
Seems like a really nice bike for those of us who don't need big power and don't have big money. I was intrigued by the Meteor and now we can get this without the "cruiser" riding position. I know I'm old now when reviewers talk about "old fashioned" halogen headlamps LOL!
As an ancient biker, I can recall another Hunter namely "Ariel Red Hunter" However, I can't imagine anyone wanting to enforce patent rights on that one. :)
So whilst I love these small bike reviews, as someone who does the real world reviews... I think one of the more affordable sportsbikes is in order ZX10... R1... recently updated and keen to find out what they are like to live with...
I've had a classic 350 for a while now and love it, had a look at a Hunter the other day and was really impressed with the look of the bike, agree with the light switch layout bit fiddly but not a show stopper, good review as always.
A "show stopper" means an impressive performance. Did you mean "not a deal breaker"?
I think we know what Chris meant 🤓
😁😁😁
Only thing you need to hunt on that is some smoother tarmac….those flippin roads! Nice bike tho, love the retro look
I think it’s more “peppy” because the rear wheel is an inch smaller diameter and it’s a bit lighter than the classic and meteor. A little more torque to the ground and a little less weight.
How you could consider this bike over a KTM 390 is perplexing. The KTM has more than twice the power, is 23 kg lighter and has traction control.
I have a BS4 390 Duke, the one with the lousy ride by wire throttle and rode it to the local Royal Enfield dealer to test ride a Hunter 350 and a Scram 411. I found both of these bikes easier to ride in the city than the 390. The advantages that the Hunter has over the 390 are a much smoother engine, a flatter torque curve so that you don't have to change gears every 5 seconds and a much more comfortable seat. The 390 is better on highways and any fast roads in the city. It does not need traction control.
Some may prefer the classic looks of the Hunter, others the looks of the KTM.
The ktm 390 is several thousand £s or Euros dearer than a RE Hunter. That'd be a major reason.
Admittedly for a more enthusiastic rider's bike, who has the cash, a KTM would be better.
I would suggest that concerns about power and traction control are not issues that occur to Royal Enfield owners?
@@karlosh9286 In India, where both the KTM 390 and the RE Hunter are made, the 390 is almost double the price of the Hunter so the market is more segmented here than in Europe.
@@twowheeledparadox double the price will make a big difference on a "buying decision" . KTM 390 isn't quite double the price in Europe, but looks like a good 70% more money.
If it was a twin cylinder with about 40hp it would be bliss.
I have been looking at getting one of these for my Winter ride, due to the blacked out engine etc. The Inty is too precious on the engine casing to take it out when the Road are in 💩 order! Let’s see if I follow through and get one in the Autumn! 👍
Really like these, brilliant value for money cheaper than a premium 125