Bought a 2022 stellar black meteor this spring, so far the only downside is an occasional bug in my teeth because it is very hard to ride it without smiling.
Back in the '60's when the British bike industry was starting to decline against Japanese competition, I felt then that the big boys like Triumph should have brought out bikes like this 350cc or a decent 250 single, instead of looking to compete with the large engined expensive American machines. So well done Royal Enfield!
Freddie, As a Meteor owner myself, you're 100% SPOT ON! I've owned 12 bikes including the Meteor. I sold my scooters ('11 Burgman 400 and a '04 Helix 250) two years ago, and I thought I was done riding. I got the itch again last summer, so I started reading up on bikes. When I saw the Meteor 350, I knew that I WANTED one! I knew that that was the bike for me. I liked the look, the mid-70s to early 80s aesthetic. I liked the size. As I watched videos about it, I felt even better about getting one. So, I called the "local" RE dealer (45 minutes away), and I asked them if they had any Fireball Yellow Meteors. They told me no, and they said that they didn't know when they'd be getting one in, either. They had a couple of Supernovas in stock, but I wanted the Fireball Yellow. Guess what? An hour or so later, the guy calls me back, and he tells me that he'd GOTTEN a Fireball Yellow Meteor in that day's delivery! It took me just seconds to whip out my CC and put a deposit down on the bike. I picked it up the following week on 20 September 2021, and I've been happy ever since... :) I like the Fireball Yellow because, one, it doesn't have a back rest on it. I ride solo, so I don't need one. Why pay for something I don't need? There's no good reason for that. Besides, with my arthritic knees, it just makes it harder to get on the bike. Two, I LOVE the blacked out look; it's just badass! Three, I just like the color, period; the Fireball Yellow is just a smashing looking bike! That said, I could also get off on a Stellar Blue Meteor 350; that's decent looking bike too. However, it's not as good looking as a Fireball. As I said above, the Meteor isn't my first bike; it's my twelfth, actually. I'll be 60 next month, so I'm not as young as I used to be. I don't need to go fast anymore, either. When I was younger, yes, I wanted to go fast; that's PAST tense! I once had a 1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100, okay? I've been there, done that, and lived to tell about it. At this stage of my life, I just want to enjoy the ride. The vast majority of my rides are on the local back roads, or country lanes as you call them; they're along the river; they're in the local city; and, there's the occasional day trip thrown in. Anything much bigger than the Meteor would be overkill, really. So, why did I buy the Meteor? One, it's just a SMASHING looking bike; I just love how it looks! Two, I like single cylinder bikes. Three, I wanted something basic that I could work on myself. For example, the valves are screw & locknut adjusted-'nuff said; if you can adjust a clutch, you can adjust the valves yourself. Four, I wanted something economical to own and operate. Five, I wanted something suited to the kind of riding I now do. Six, I wanted a motorcycle that was lighter weight and easier to manage as an older guy. Though we may not have been the intended audience of the Meteor, many of us older guys are buying them because we don't need anything more than that. Finally, it's inexpensive enough that I could stroke a check for it-and did! The Meteor checked all those boxes. Oh, and while I'm on the subject of older guys owning Meteors, let me tell you a story. I was able to retire early a few years ago, so I did. My neighbor across the street retired a few weeks ago. When I brought my Meteor home, he came over, and he said that I'd gotten the bike (i.e. the Fireball Yellow) he wanted! Just days later, he got himself a Steller Red. I call it the Meteor Effect... :) OBTW, I totally agree with you about how motorcycles should be in reach of more people. Though cars have long carried five figure price tags, it's to be expected. After all, they're bigger, heavier, more complex, and enclosed; they offer more, so they should cost more. I get that. What I could never get is BIKES carrying price tags well in to the five figures! That's always rubbed my fur the wrong way. While the expensive motorcycles are wondrous marvels of technology; though they offer a lot in terms of what they can do; they are, in a way, the antithesis of what motorcycling should be. For me, motorcycling is all about getting back to the basics; it's all about freedom; and it's all about offering viable transportation for less than the cost of a car. RE's bikes are all about what motorcycling should be. As for what you said about Royal Enfield as a brand, I think that you and Stuart Fillingham both have it right. RE is filling the niche of good, basic, honest light to middle weight motorcycles that the other manufacturers have deserted. Royal Enfield bikes offer the retro look and vibe without the pitfalls of owning a real classic, like an old 1960s Bonneville. RE motorcycles have everything you need, and nothing that you don't; for example, they have EFI, but they don't have riding modes or cockpit that would look more at home on the Starship Enterprise. RE offer good, basic quality bikes at a reasonable price. They look, feel, and ride like a-gasp-A MOTORCYCLE! What a concept! Come to think of it, they offer what the Big Four USED to offer when they took Europe and the US by storm some 50-60 years ago; they got away from that winning formula. Unfortunately, the Big Four have gotten away from what made them successful in the first place, and they left a vacuum in the marketplace. As is axiomatic in nature, whenever a vacuum appears, something will come along to fill it. When it comes to the vacuum of good, reasonably priced motorcycles, RE is filling the vacuum left by the Big Four and all the other motorcycle manufacturers. If they don't watch out, they'll find themselves in a bad place. As RE roll out more bike models, they'll become a big player on the world stage, and all the other bike makers will wonder what happened. With that, I'll simply say cheers! As a Meteor owner (i.e. someone who paid his own money for the bike), I can say you're 100% spot on with your review of the bike. Though I've owned other bikes and scooters, the Meteor is the best I've owned. I always return home with a smile on my face! Now, I just wish RE would bring the new Classic 350 here... :)
Well said, Mark! Especially the part about bikes should be basic and affordable. They are more basic and cheaper in Asia / India but we in Europe are left with heavy technical monsters that cost the same as a car. The most sold bike in Europe AFAIK is the BMW GS which costs easily 15.000 GBP. Same with Harleys. Other than that there are ugly looking Japanese bikes with absolutely no soul (Honda's CB, Yamaha's MT etc.) - the same cheap looking bikes with differed badges. There is no "I want that!" effects on these ones. I got myself also a Yellow Fireball after not riding any bike since three years because I was directly in love, I felt that emotion. So, I am hoping that emotion will remain a long time and won't be just kind of a "teenage love story" full of hormones. Btw. I am in my 30s so a long way to an early retirement lol. Even in my age I don't want any high powered bike. I want a basic form of transportation with good looks. That's what the Meteor gives me. There was some good saying I read somewhere: "It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow."
@@krasky I completely agree with your 3rd paragraph. I live in India.Here bike is little bit cheaper. I also wanted a bike for its legacy than its speed. In India ROYAL ENFIELD is taken as a Pride. Harleys are good for western countries but for India harleys cannot survive in India due to Traffic and Fast turns needed anytime. There comes bikes like RE meteor. I have just turned 18 and this is the bike i loved at first sight. Going to buy this till 2022 end. And yes buying Royal enfield bikes in India is like buying Harley in USA
Wow I never knew Royal Enfield has won the hearts of people in countries other than India. I took it for granted but after reading a lot of reviews by other countries such as yours, I have started to realise how underrated Royal Enfield is. I was never a fan of them until I rode one. The first bike that I rode was a classic 350 back in 2017. The thump, the torque, the initial pickup all blew me away and I fell in love with these machines. And when they launched the GT650 and the Interceptor, I knew I had to get one.
I think something that not many people will realise (because they havent been on camera before) is how skilled a presenter you are. It's not easy to monologue like this and be captivating for as long as you do with almost no cuts. Very impressive :)
I'm in the U.S. ,own a Harley Davdson 2022 model 48 .I am in the market to downsize for the exact reasons you spoke of.There o e dealership within 200 miles from my town.However I've already set up an appointment to taste ride a Meteor. UNFORTUNATELY, it's only offered over here in blue,red and beige, so I'm going for the red.Thanks mate for your show!
What a beautiful little bike! I love how efficient it is and how well it's styled. I'm glad some of these have made it to the States. This is such a gem!
this is a underrated gem. me and my wife rode each our meteor’s not just on indian highways but also took it to the high altitude mountain gravel/rocky routes (including water crossing) of himachal pradesh(spiti-lahaul). 4500 kms of riding over 14 days! comfortable. easy. safe. reliable.
Wel I have the previous version, tbx. silencer rusted from the inside, gear lever comes loose every month or so, chain makes noise. spares unavailable. Crappy service. Not worth the money. And I still have my cast iron bullet that I bought in 1992.
Royal Enfield is growing at an incredible pace, and they've got the market figured out by delivering a series of good value motorcycles. These aren't the Royal Enfield's of years past, either -they've stepped up their game.
@@rahulchoudhury3669 it doesn’t really apply to Indian as specific. It has whole leadership behind it so it has nothing to do with nothing to do with Nationality.
@@JhakasRoamer it is man, Indians kinda powered the company to another level and then the company actually went multi national. Of course the leadership also plays an important role
It's pretty incredible the value you get from Royal Enfield. I looked at these Meteors, but I really wanted to keep up with the Southern California freeway traffic, so I got a Continental GT 650 for a few thousand more. Amazing bike, and I can't go out on it without being complimented on it's styling.
@@harryr7083 It's not really all that bad. If you are good at using your abdominal muscles and squeezing the tank then you can ride it for hours. It was my first bike and I have now tried proper track set-up sports bike and the GT650 is very comfortable.
I live in Chicago, and one of my plans this summer is to ride my continental gt to California. I’ve gotta get back to the Angeles Crest Highway. I got to drive on it for a couple hours and I can’t stop thinking about it.
After riding motorcycles for 35 years from 50cc to 1300cc I have had more fun riding the meteor on a test ride than all the others I'm awaiting delivery asap. What I can see are more mature riders heading towards royal enfield bikes the price is very reasonable and the build quality shows too.
Been a RE fan since I saw it for the first time during my school days. It was the RE classic and was used in WW2. I fell in love with it then and there. It might be a cheap bike in western countries, But here in India RE equals reliability and fun . Also, I'd like to add one important point that its not that RE cannot manufacture these bikes with more powerful engines, but here in India people are more concerned with the mileage rather than HP.
*=RE= Royal Enfield. At age 72 after four years of TKR (Total Knee Replacement) Operations I became a motorcyclist. =RE= Meteor 350 Supernova my first bike. Already 10,000 km on the clock. Here is my first long distance ride. Location my country of residence. THAILAND (not TAIWAN!) some call Tropical Bikers Paradise* ua-cam.com/video/29C-3yY43OU/v-deo.html
This is my first bike, been using it for a few months as my commuter to college and back. Here in Lisbon, it feels amazing through corners and when i need to overtake a car, it can. I love it and it gives me confidence riding, mainly due to the relaxed seating and knowing its power isn´t going to get away from me. I'd much rather ride my meteor than the cb500 i used to have classes in. It doesn't feel cheap and to the unknowing eye, it almost passes off as a restaured classic. The more i ride it, the more i push it and myself. Loving it, as always great video. 19:10 - can confirm, as a young/new rider haha
This is my first bike as well! I agree with everything you said! I'm from Brazil and the meteor is crushing in sales, because there is not any other bike with their specifications and style in our market. Especially today with the increasing price of the gasoline, this bike is everything I've ever wanted.
How are the vibrations? Older RE models have had harsh vibrations throught he foot pegs and hadle bars. I am currently deciding between Meteor and Honda CB350.
@@N1lav only noticable in steep inclines if you want to go above 60-70 or in a straight more less 100+kms, other than that fine, smooth and responds well
Its about time motorcycling got back to the grass roots of just having a good time rather than the the BS of who's got the fastest, the most American, the most expensive and the most exotic ride. Thank you Royal Enfield and thank you Freddie! CV
It's starting to filter down to the "American Market" I work for a Indian/RE/Triumph dealership and Indian is STRONGLY considering bringing back the 650&750 Spirit , built on the Scout Frame and Triumph is considering bringing back the T-140, which is the 750 CC bike. They are starting to realize that the younger generations no longer want a great big bike, they want something smaller, easier to ride and smaller CC to just putt around town during the week and on the backroads on the weekends.
@@maxmaxwell3787 It's the truth. I hear it all the time at work. the 40 and under crowd don;t want a big expensive bike anymore, they want something small and affordable.
@@TheREALOC1972 I’m not young at 54 but new to motorcycling. I’m now weighing up my first big bike options and I keep coming back to the RE range. I’m traditional and want a bike to boot, I want the simplistic old school look, not some whizz-bang over the bars super sports bike that looks like Predator. I think it will be the Interceptor!
@@TheREALOC1972 Hope Triumph and Indian line-ups will have good mid segment bikes. This will put every company on the edge and customers will get the best of the competition. Apparently, Interceptor 650's engine can be pushed a lot more, it's just that RE didn't chose to do so. A lot of potential of the INT650 engine is left alone, for cutting down the costs. All the mods and enhancers you see in the internet have proven the Engine could be pushed a lot more without any unintended effect.
That Meteor is a marvellous throwback to the days of real motorcycling. When I got my license in -74 a 350 was considered a big bike, and 20hp was plenty. RE is bringing that back, and they are doing everything a 100 percent right at this moment in time. Want to try one of those.
A great motorcycle, properly priced, definitely not cheap, this is a quality motorcycle but l realise Freddie was so amazed at the quality and design he used the word cheap but meant it in an entirely different context .. Freddie couldn't believe and l agree with him, that this bike will sit proudly among any line of bikes. Well done India 🇮🇳 👏 I'm a UK 🇬🇧 citizen and l salute you guys for the resurrection of Royal Enfield. Thank you, and thanks Freddie and Monica for another superb video.
I’m deeming this the “official Meteor review!” happy to report I now have 300 miles on my meteor and I’m loving it more n more each day! So comfortable to ride, stays so planted with good lean angle. Even when I’m ridin it I look around at all the different angles and it’s just such a cool looking bike Test ride this bike! Allan USA Calif
ALMIGHTY GOD KABIR is the father of all souls that JESUS, MOHAMMAD, GURU NANAK, VEDH was telling in BIBLE, QURAN, GURU GRANTHA SAHEB Almighty God KABIR is the CREATOR OF all SOULS -- SAINT RAMPALJI MAHARAJ
I think more young people would be lured into the joy of motorcycling if we had more proper entry level machines like the Meteor. It's a cracking looking machine, it's got a fantastic exhaust note, and it's incredible value for money. I love Royal Enfield's implementation of the navigation system. I believe the phone does all the work and the bike just displays the information - simple and brilliant! People obsess far too much with power statistics, but the spec sheet never includes the immeasurable fun factor of these machines. Proper freedom at an accessible price. Great video as usual.
I’m definitely hyped about that bike as a first bike when getting the bike license ! Looks just the right amount of fun while not being intimidating like other bikes
The Honda CB-350 that was launched the same time as Meteor is also an amazing little bike. I have ridden both of them a lot back to back and I have to say the little Honda is just amazing. Granted it doesn't come with the cruiser style seating that the Meteor provides.
You would never want people to be lured into riding motorcycles, especially the younger ones. Here in my country, Car is too expensive for an average worker. So motorcycles and scooters is the common mode of transport, and guess what? It causes a lot of accidents and illegal racing, especially from young riders that itches for that adrenaline pump on a busy city intersections.
Well the new GoldWing is the best bike I've ever ridden......but then you can buy 9 of these for the price of one of those!! The Meteor is a great machine isn't it, perfect basis for customisation and that engine is so sweet for a single cyclinder - it gets a huge thumbs up from me!
The Goldwing is either the best bike you have ridden, or the best bike you have never ridden! 😉 It is close to perfection (unless you are delivering Domino's in London) lol!
An early 1970's Honda C50 Step-through (minus the leg shields) was the best bike I've ever ridden. I suddenly discovered that you can go fast(ish) across a field and 'jump' a mate laying on the ground, without having to pedal.
Hi, also subscribe to your channel too. Between Freddie and yourself you both got me back into biking. The meteor is a super bit of kit to get new riders confident before upgrading. Keep up the good work!
I couldn’t agree more with your enthusiasm and comments and just how good the Meteor is. I test rode one and it was so much better than I was expecting. Most importantly I don’t think any bike put such a big smile on my face. I’ve just ordered one in the same colour.
Thank you very much Freddie. I had been thinking for weeks whether to buy the Meteor 350 or not, but your review definitely convinced me and now I can say that I am the proud owner of a Meteor 350.
I've just bought RE Meteor 350- beautiful metallic blue 💙 as a 50th Birthday suprise gift for my ( Indian) husband :) as a tribute to his country ;) He used to have a Honda bike in his early 20 ties back in India and he was talking for some time that he would like to go to riding a bike again. The bike is going to be delivered today! Yey! I can't wait and it's a win-win as I love motorbikes too, so I'm very excited! As they say: 'happy wife, happy life' 😂 I hope that the bike, a new addition to our family, will be just right 🤞☺️
Loved the review on the Meteor, because I bought the matte black model last June, just on about 3000 miles now, Couldn’t have put the review any better myself, ownership, is like having a family dog, I’m in my 60s and had a lot of bikes and I wouldn’t trade the meteor for any of them, love it 🌞
Alchemist, as someone who turned 60 2 months ago, I TOTALLY AGREE! My Meteor is my 12th bike, and it's the best bike I've ever owned. I haven't had this many smiles per mile since I started riding decades ago. Isn't THAT why we started riding in the first place?
Hi Freddie. I bought my Stellar Red Meteor about 10 weeks ago. I started motorcycling in my teens with a BSA Bantam and over the years have had a variety of bikes including a GS1200. Like you I am delighted with this bike and the smile never leaves my face while hacking round the beautiful lanes of Dorset. It may be a bit lacking in acceleration & top speed but this is made up for with the excellent handling and economy. Royal Enfield have produced a masterpiece for the price in my opinion.
Fantastic!! I can imagine nothing better than whizzing around the Dorset country lanes on one of these!😀🏍🤘🏻 And I strongly agree- Royal Enfield have produced an absolute masterpiece for the price. This bike just makes you so happy👌🏻
@@michaeljackson5914 Literally five minutes ago I heard about this for the first time. Honestly I can't tell you how excited I am by the prospect of this!
Royal Enfield is popular and opening more showrooms all over THAILAND 🇹🇭. At age 72 the =RE= Meteor 350 became my first bike. That was on Aug 2021. Today 7,000 km on the clock.
Hi mate. You are just brilliant. I own a royal Enfield 650 continental. I brought it in 2017. It’s really is a great motorcycle. You say all the right things. I have been riding for 44years. Had plenty of sports bikes and other bikes. But this bike is for keeps. I enjoy seeing your videos. Thanks Ian 👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Royal Enfield is growing at an incredible pace, and they've got the market figured out by delivering a series of good value motorcycles. These aren't the Royal Enfield's of years past, either -they've stepped up their game. This Bike is still a Dream of many Indian people.
That was the kind of bike review I've been looking for. I'm 56, only started riding two years ago. Not interested in torque, revs, blah blah, just want to hear someone's genuine feeling and emotion about the bike wether it be positive or negative and you've nailed it. I have a Super nova bought last summer and it's the best thing ever. I've retired now and I'm going to make the most of it. Might even make it as far as Tenerife! Cheers Freddie.
Freddie you don't have to convince me. I'm already a fan. I bought one yesterday! I'm so excited. Like some others have said this is not just a great bike for beginners. I'm 68 y/o and I sold what I thought was my last bike about three years ago. It was a much bigger Japanese cruiser. The Meteor came along and Wow what a deal!. Everything you get for the money plus a three year unlimited mileage warranty here in the states. It checked every box needed to lure me back into motorcycling. My only problem is it's 22 degrees F here in Ohio today. Come on spring. Thanks for the great review of a great bike.
Well done Freddie, as a child of the 1960’s and 70’s Motorcycles were meant to be primary transport to work, while having fun at the weekend. I really enjoyed your enthusiasm about this kind of bike. The Tupperware Torpedoes (Panagales, R1’s, etc, etc) are unbelievable pieces of engineering, built by amazing human beings. But the sheer joy of motorcycling is lost. 180 mph, 180 kilo’s! Christ alive! I own a 1976 Yamaha DT250B in Yamaha America Racing Yellow. £515 when new. It’s all I need. I pull up at my local biking pub in Finchingfield, Essex, and all the people gasping over the exotica, suddenly catch my 1970’s 28hp two-stroke slice of pure joy and to a man wander over…. Their faces light up. The wannabe Moto GP riders in £3,000 worth of Leathers hate my bike… “Blimey! I haven’t seen one in years!” “Smell the Castro R!” I could go on. I think I’ve enjoyed this video most, because it encapsulates motorcycling the most. Top work brother! Kind regards to you both. Coops
There were motorcyclists and motorcycle racers. Now, there are motorcycle racers and everybody who thinks they are a motorcycle racer and the motorcyclist is just a collateral. Atleast that's how it feels when people constantly keep saying you need 70 bhp on two wheels is the only way to ride on the road.
I just wish there were more two strokes motorcycles without the fancy bits.. Harleys and triumphs are amazing.. But I want a simple 2 stroke (25-30bhp) for everyday use
Absolutely spot on Freddie, you are absolutely correct regarding the needs of a younger biker. In India we have a lot of options including meteor and it really feels cool how big companies like BMW, Husqvarna and Kawasaki are targeting and experimenting to lure those younger buyers. We have plenty of options here in every segment and it feels amazing and competition like this has led meteor into existence.
Excellent review. Kudos to the camera lady ! Been riding 50+ years. Fell in love with that same bike on UA-cam. Bought it without seeing it in the flesh and had it shipped from closest dealer 1500 kms away! I was looking to downsize from my BMW 1100. I agree with everything you said. I love the smoothness and sound of that "thumper". and the easy smooth handling. Reminds me of my first bike a 1973 CB175 twin. Looking forward to future vids !
I was fairly sure I wouldn't be the only one to say exactly what you have just said. Had a R1250GSA for a year, MT09, V-Strom, VFR800 etc....and bought a meteor three months ago. By far the most enjoyable bike I've ever ridden. Always have a smile on my face and look for any reason to go out on her. Beautiful engine and great riding style. Who needs speed and torque when you can just enjoy riding at between 40 and 60 Mph. If RE made a modern 500cc version I'd be first in the queueI Great review Freddie!!
Great review. I actually own a Honda Monkey and while it's only 125cc, it doesn't seem underpowered in any way. No, you can't go very fast, but when you can ride like you're riding a bicycle it feels a lot faster. I do own a rebel 500 as my regular bike, and I don't think I'd like to be without that :) For some reason the Meteor is about 25% more expensive than the Honda Monkey 125 here in Denmark :)
Your Honda will last 15 years if you are lucky, I know REs which are older than me, running successfully for 40 years. REs are around 350cc starting range. So no comparison.
@@kev_naughty I have a Honda CB550 from 1978, so I don't see your point. Honda motorcycles are incredibly reliable and will keep for many years if you just keep up with the maintenance :)
Cheers mate, great review. This ended up being my first bike and I reckon I made the right choice. Some experienced riders have been turning their nose up at it, but I think they've forgotten what it's like to be on the road for the first time and have become so obsessed with spec sheets that they don't realise people like me don't give a damn for fussing over torque, weight, etc. I wanted a brand-new sub $10,000 (Australian dollars) cruiser with ABS that was also comfortable for me at 6'1, and the Meteor was easily the best value of the lot. Only complaints I have are (like you mentioned) the occasional false neutrals and how temperamental the Tripper app can be.
Meteor owner here - when you want to reconnect the tripper, turn off the engine (right hand dial swith) > followed by turning off the electronics from the key > then turn it back on (electronics) and connect the tripper with your phone...
Well done Freddie, pretty much exactly the same conclusion I came to when I rode it. Such a a great value for money bike. Great option for a learner or someone returning to motorcycling because it is so easy to ride and handles so well. Royal Enfield are doing some really great things at the moment.
I've thought about getting this bike over, and over, and over but to no avail. Only due to the fact that here in Turkey, Royal Enfield has only 1, perhaps 2 dealerships/services. So if you're living in another city like myself, it would be absolute hell to ride 10 hours to the nearest service (the ONLY service) every service interval. And go there again everytime something needs fixing. So I'll keep on waiting, waiting and waiting till they start opening more services and dealerships. Great video Freddie. And like you said, I have to agree with your bold statement at the end of the video, even before trying out the bike.
I Just bought a Meteor 350 and i find it an amasing macine! Not comparable with my Triumph Thruxton, but it is like the machines from when I was a beginner at Mc, round 1955! I just past 82 years and still driving but less and less on my Triumph and more on the Meteor! I must agree on all points Yoy have made in the video! THANKS!
Freddie, after going through your review I have decided to go for the meteor 350 which I booked last month in India (of course I cancelled the booking a couple of times after that). But but but .,, after going through your video and after realizing how astounding it looks I finally decided to stick with the meteor 350 supernova . Excited to receive it in March 2022 hopefully . Thanks a lot ✌️👍😊
Another great video Freddie. As I mentioned in a reply to one of your earlier vids, I debated over a Himalayan and an Interceptor when I retired from the Fire Service. I decided the Himalayan. And although I've never even seen, let alone ridden a Meteor. I'm going to put the Himmy forward as a challenger for your best bike title. It has similar performance, charisma, and a unique style. But the clincher is, it can literally take you around the world, over any terrain. You definitely hit the nail on the head when you praised RE. They are knocking it out of the park these days. They are giving us real world classic motorcycling, with all the visceral enjoyment in a reliable package that is only modern in the sense that it works as a practical form of transportation for today. These bikes encourage us to avoid the carriageways and enjoy the road less travelled. Ok, so it takes us 15 minutes longer to get to work but my goodness, we're smiling.
I've just passed my CBT and got my first bike. You're 100% correct about larger companies missing the mark with younger riders. I'd discounted them entirely as out of my price bracket, but I'd happily get one of these when I get my full licence. New subscriber!
Booked my yellow fireball Meteor yesterday and today while searching for relevant reviews I stumbled upon this. Absolutely loved the presentation and I agree to the words you said about the pure fun of riding a cool bike without being super rich or something.
At last an articulate,passionate and informative review from someone who is under 40 At the risk of blowing smoke up your arse , your presenting style has improved from your earlier blogs and I would not be surprised to see you presenting on mainstream media As a much older biker I have to agree that the price of new bikes makes it unaffordable to new bikers It is hardly surprising that the average age of bikers is 50 plus in the uk Keep producing high quality content and if there is any justice your subscriber base will increase I’m confident that you will hit 50k subs this year Looking forward to more content
Great review Freddie, I have the Super Nova and it's a great bike, a pleasure to ride (and I've had bikes ranging from FS1E to ZX12R). A few things to note, the bike also comes with a centre stand, USB connector under the clutch lever, gear position indicator, three year unlimited millage warranty and three years road side assist., and it also does 90-100mpg. I agree the engine is superior to the Himalayan, which i found to be harsh,. Once again great review and spot on with your conclusion.
Freddie couldn’t agree more with your comments on the Meteor, we have the exact same model as the one you and Monica rode. Motorcycling in its pure form. Royal Enfield warranty and after service care exceptional and as you say everything included in the price. If you want a point to talk about, we find the mirrors a bit shaky, but I think Enfield have a fix for that now. Thank you for your comment about the bike appealing to the younger generation, made us feel young at heart as we are just in our 60’s😀. Great channel, many thanks from Cornwall.
I’m not really a biker, but saw the bike thumbnail and it drew me in Your review was so natural and easy going and very infectious Now I’m thinking about doing my CBT As a man in my mid 50’s, would this make a great learner bike instead of a 125 and could I use this to bypass the lower power bikes and go straight to a full licence , or is this not powerful / big enough cc for that Sorry if these are silly questions, but your vid has given me the bug 🏍😎
John. Did you do your CBT...? I'm coming up 55 in April 23, and have just booked mine for March 10th! Never ridden a bike in my life, but these Royal Enfields...... I think I might have to get a divorce first though. Mrs W is not at all happy, so it might never happen! Let's see what happens after the CBT, eh?
@@simonwhite8092 not yet, spookily I moved from Cheshire to Cumbria after all the lockdowns and pandemic , to be nearer, but not too near to family I have bought a Honda Zoomer twist and Goni can ride on my car licence for in and around Carlisle, should’ve got one years ago for in and around Manchester 🛵💨 I’ve just booked my Theory Test as there was a massive backlog, also my CBT for April and then my Direct Access as like you’ll I’ll be 55 in November 🎂 Think I’ve decided to get a Honda CB1100 either EX or RS Lovely retro naked bike and can highly recommend for a few more quid as you’re only 55 once 🏍️👍🏻
Let's all thank eicher group,india to keep classic bikes as classic and as original Reliability - ✔️ check Design - ✔️ check Handling and stability - ✔️ check Mileage - ✔️ check Affordability - ✔️ check Engine performance and thump sound - ✔️ check What more do u need ? All praise to siddhartha lal and team from India and England for making this bike
Great vlog Freddie. I think you summarise this bike perfectly. It really is everything you say it is and it’s one of the best selling bikes in the UK. I only came across your channel as it was posted on our Meteor 350 UK owners Facebook page. Looks like I’ll have to delve into your previous catalogue. Really enjoy your relaxed and enthusiastic presenting style - stardom beckons.
Love it. I've owned big, fast bikes but they really are too much for today's restricted roads. Since I went back to sub 500 bikes I've had so much more fun, rather than just the adrenaline I was getting with fast bikes. Like you said, you worry far less and enjoy far more. Looking forward to seeing if RE release the roadster version (hunter?)...
It has been launched in India few days ago by name hunter 350..my brother has booked it...but it will get delivered after few days because of long booking queue...it looks roadster n awsum😊😊
Excellent review Freddie & Monika! Of course, we knew you'd love the Meteor 350 👍😁. It completely changes the way we think about "cheap" because that conjures up a feeling of low quality. The Meteor 350 is "inexpensive" instead. It's been said that there are certain aspects of the Meteor which have upped the fit & finish of the brand even more than the 650 twins - and they were already very good indeed. The thing is that a smaller capacity bike not only appeals to new riders but is also ideal for those who might have been biking for years and wish to downsize due to feeling tired and fed up of having so many big bikes over the with which they cannot really fully use the performance they offer in every day riding. A big bike ridden slowly can tend to feel a waste. A small bike where you're using 85% of its performance most of the time is so much more satisfying. The fun that it brings reminds us of why we got into biking in the first place. Some of that is lost with a big bike. There will always be some who prefer lots of power in reserve but being able to access only 20% of that most of the time is frustrating anyway? As you know, we have a 2021 T100 and love it. If money and space were available we'd happily add a Meteor too. We saw the 350 Classic range at the NEC bike show in December. They were great too and will give people even greater choice. These will effectively replace the 500 Classic models which were discontinued a couple of years ago. They were getting a bit long in the tooth and ready for a refresh. The 350 single from the Meteor is so much more refined and ideal for the classic. I reckon there might even be a Scrambler version in the pipeline soon too 😁👍
It really gives a good feeling to know that this is actually an Indian brand and a made in India bike. I think it is probably one of the first Indian brand having a global standard.
Finally got my Royal Enfield! This was the first review I watched, and I thought I'd find some flaws, but it's been nothing but praise since it arrived in my country. Can't wait to share my riding experience. Huge kudos to Royal! And thanks for the perfect review!
Excellent review Freddie, another benefit of owning a relatively inexpensive motorbike is that with basic ability you can maintain the bike yourself (if you own it outright), the likes of RE and the soon released BSA are bringing back pure motorcycling to us mature riders and and also introducing the joy of owning such a motorcycle to the new generation of riders. I had a Herald 250 Scrambler a couple of years ago and the fun that bike gave me was an eye opener, I now have an Interceptor but keep looking at the Meteor as a second bike to have additional fun on.
Congrats! I own one just like the one you shown in the vídeo. I really loved the bike, the more I ride it the more I like. It fit very well to me. The bike is great for the crazy traffic of são Paulo's streets. I use the Meteor to commute with style and comfort, job well done :)
I owned a rebel 500 for a couple years. The things that you're saying about the meteor are really reminding me of the feeling I had with the rebel. Honda and Royal Enfield really hot a home run with those bikes
As a royal enfield 650 interceptor owner ,i must say that the enfield brand have come along with leaps and bounds, they took one hell of a risk with the meteor but i think it's going to pay off . Take care on the road mate and stay safe, peace out ✌
I loved how you actually loved the Meteor and called it small bike. It is actually a big one, here in India. :) Can't wait for your riding experience on the New 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350 that shares the same engine as the Meteor but has different riding triangle and tuning. Keep riding!!! :)
@@AkashYadav-kp6hi Haha wonderful do you think that RR isn't a crapy bike then? We should appreciate every brand which is good and I'm not a blind RE fanboy or to some other brand.
@@bsd8278 Ok, so let's start with the scam they begun with by taking Rs. 5000 as booking and taking months to almost an year to refund. Then, the lack of outlets and service centers. Plus it is more complicated and costlier to maintain. Also, that's a MoJo engine. It is not a ground breaking bike and is not as good as the REs. Test rode it and it is definitely better than Honda CB350 though. The nail in the coffin was despite costling less than RE in exshowroom price, the road tax was calculate higher(goes into the dealer's pockets) and they actually are less than 299cc so lesser tax than RE's 349cc. They do not look or feel ethical in their dealings as well.
@@bsd8278 I have rode both Meteor and Jawa 42, but the Jawa is nowhere are comfortable as the meteor. The sitting position feels very cramped, and for a guy bigger than 5'10"- 6', its definitely uncomfortable. Specs wise also i felt the Jawa to be lacking compared to the meteor. Jawa 42 is more comparable to the RE classic 350.
Hey Freddie, we bought one for the wife to learn how to ride. I think it looks like it wants to be a Triumph ! I loved everything about it , handles great ! Except the lack of acceleration. OK for a new rider, or a veteran rider as long as you remember you’re not going to get into traffic and pull away quickly. Just adjust how you ride. It really is very, very well made. Definitely a fun ride, price is outstanding! Great Channel you two ! 😎⭐️👍
Same for us in south east asia, what we think of cheap usually refer to 100-150cc bike...heck a freaking Benelli 250 is considered expensive here -_- Meteor 350 cost almost 7000£ and taxes for any bike over 250cc is shocking
Great review Freddie, enjoyed it. I'm grateful we have Royal Enfield, after quite a few years gap, and at the age of 65, I can honestly say this brand (have an Interceptor) has given me, so far, a couple of incredibly fantastic years of pleasure at a price I could afford... Bonnies, BMWs, Guzzis way out of my price range. Spare parts, in general, are extremely affordable and you get loads of fun for half the price ( not half the fun).
Really enjoyed your review. My wife and I have both ridden for years, and last year got back into motorcycling. Saw the Meteor 350 Steller while just browsing local shops... and bought it. Two days later went and got a Fireball so we have one each. Great bikes, really enjoy riding them whenever we can, and like you said, the price is crazy for the quality (around $8100 AUD)
Don't bother getting it if you periodically go on freeways. Though it's a sexy bike, it's a human vibrator at higher RPMs. Now if it was a 2-cylindar then I wouldn't have a negative comment if your freeway jaunts were brief. But if your freeway use was common and of good distance, you'd be better off with a 2-cylindar above 500cc's. My buddy purchased a nice home 20 miles south where we grew up. And I purchased a house 15 to the north for a total of 35 miles from each other. I had an older model Yamaha IT 400 that I turned into a super cross bike for the street. Though it was a 2-stroke, it handled the freeway quite well as I put a large muffler on it. So, one day while visiting my friend, we decided to switch bikes. He had a Suzuki GS 500, 2-cylindar. And already I was digging his bike better than mine as it was powerful enough for freeway speeds, yet it was a smoother ride after I got used to it. So, it was time to put knobbies back on the IT and sell it as I hardly dirt biked anymore. Although my bike had a lot more acceleration than his 500, it could be overlooked for a better riding experience. So, I went into a Suzuki dealership and test drove an SV 650 because I liked the V cylinder configuration, and slightly better torque characteristics than any parallel twin, which increased fuel economy. Now because I had a 2-stroke I was only getting around 35 mpgs. The SV 650 advertised 55 mpgs. After one block I was totally convinced that this was the next bike for me. And a month later, I visited my friend sitting on SV that I had just over 5200 miles on it that I got for half price. There were some repairs that were required as the guy fell on it but did not crash it. There was new handle grip sliders and the grips, the aftermarket shrouding was grinded to hell, but I didn't want it. I wanted a naked version but with a bug shield just big enough to stop the splattering on my sunglasses. After two mpg tests, it was 52 mpgs not 55. But I was in love. The acceleration was now the same as my IT, which was something else BTW, but now it does it quietly and smoothly. Wonderful
Good review, I think you like it! RE are on a roll and long may it continue, the old singles were truly unique but they have moved with the times. I understand that the average age of motorcyclists in India is far lower than the UK so RE have always had pressure to keep the price down. You've rightly identified that this should open up motorcycling to young people here, smiles per mile, pride of ownership and easy access, all ticked. I've ridden for almost 50 years and, a couple of years ago it was give up or get something smaller, I bought an Interceptor and am so glad I did. If I need to downsize again they've brought out the Classic 350! I saw the latest bikes at the NEC and was blown away by the quality and value. Lanzarote is a lovely place and I can imagine the Meteor being the perfect bike there, just thinking about a trip to the market in Teguise, the baker's shop and the delicious Tapas. It's just above freezing here at the moment!
Great video as always Freddie. The first video of yours that I watched was the Mutt Masif one. I'd never heard of Mutt motorcyles before (or you) and thought it sounded perfect for me, not too powerful, not too heavy and lots of fun. I started watching lots of bike videos and the Meteor kept cropping up as it was new to the UK at that time. Now I have a yellow fireball like the one you tested to enjoy my retirement on around the lanes of Suffolk and I have you to thank for rekindling my motorcycle enthusiasm.
I had a 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 for a number of years and this video just reminds me of how that bike made me feel. You hit the nail on the head, this type of bike is 100% what the younger market wants.
I think you are bang on in saying that RE are the only big company to address the needs of new, young riders. Costs of 8k + and massive insurance just don't bring new riders in. RE appeal to me, as a 60 year old biker, as a company that lives in the real world, where you don't need 100bhp. I have mostly ridden cruisers for the last 20 years and almost bought a Meteor but went for the Scram in the end.
Great review! My wife has bought one for her 1st bike. It's a perfect fit for her 5ft6 inches. She loves it and I can't think of a better bike to get your feet wet. I think as a life long rider and owner of 9 bikes over 45 years it's a fun bike and very enjoyable. When I test drove it at the dealer, I took off my helmet and what I said for some reason to the salesman is "It's like riding a kitten".
Great review, love the passion, but I still think the Himalayan is better for a few reasons: - Utility - it can go off-road and you can take tighter corners without feeling the pegs scraping, which can happen on cruisers - Power - it's similar until you realise that extra 4-5 bhp and 50cc gets you cruising at 110km/hr, which is the speed limit of the fastest freeways here in Australia (which I use to commute). It'd be the same for other countries. For short bursts, you can do 120km/hr to overtake. The Meteor is begging for a 500 or 650cc version to fulfill Royal Enfield's vision and philosophy. - Price - same price as the Meteor but comes with front crash/fuel tank bars, windshield and rack. Yes the Meteor looks better, has a more modern engine, and is arguably more comfortable but you can tour and go on questionable roads on a Himalayan. The Himalayan, for what is was designed for, doesn't need an upgrade as it was lose its form factor and off-road accessibility, but the Meteor needs a bigger engine to bring it's 'premium comfort' feel for bigger highways. I don't know who the target audience is for in the West. If they're price-conscious, the second-hand market for bikes like the TU250x or old CB300Fs blow it out of the water, which are comparable in specs for a fraction of the price. It's awkwardly priced here in Australia as more expensive than the Honda CB300R which is 10 bhp more powerful and has its own sex appeal. The Meteor is the best looking and feeling bike in its class, but I can't help but feel it's an 'almost champion' and it's worth to hold off for the inevitable new Meteor 500 or 650.
Thanks for your thoughts on the Meteor Freddie. I ride mine around the local roads of Pembrokeshire. Perfect for the country lanes and taking in the Welsh scenery! You’re right, it is riding happiness for not much cash. I have had fast sports bikes GPz, GSXR, ZX6R etc and an SV1000…different sort of fun on the Meteor but loving it.
After watching your video I truly believe that I have made a good decision to go for the meteor.. I always wanted the Himalayan.. i was in two minds which one to go for.. but as you mentioned the built quality is miles ahead.. cant wait for my bike to be delivered..
Love your enthusiasm for the Meteor. I think Royal Enfield are making the best value for money bikes on the market that will appeal to both younger and older riders. Another great video Freddie 👍😀
I've had a few Royal Enfield's...350 and 500cc. However I much prefer the Honda H'ness 350, It's is a beautiful bike, with better quality and performance.
Great review very compelling! Leave it to Royal Enfield to give their bikes cool names. You know when you have a good bike when you keep gazing at it. Test rode it once and I’m buying mine tomorrow here in the states :) Why does the bike feel faster than it is with only 20 hp?( Should all come in one color scheme yellow and black - very 60s British vibe) Thanks mate Allan USA
I saw one of these recently , really impressed with the fit n finish . great styling touches , solid . felt like it would last a lifetime . as with all RE though , just a bit more power required so it could happily sit at 65-70mph on modern roads.
Great video guy's, I love the retro look but I wouldn't know if the lack of power could get a little boring on longer ride's. But you are spot on , cheap stylish and functional for commuting or country lane rides. Amazing value for money 👍.
So! You like it…..😅 excellent review. Couldn’t agree more, being of senior age and many bikes under the belt this is truly what at the end of the day most bikers want, a great big relaxing grin. To want to walk away turn your head and smile. On average most runs are not hundreds of miles a day they are probably under 60 miles. A great bike for young and old. Just look what is in the pipeline for 2022, great basic retro bikes. Isn’t amazing that when we are told electric is the future all this great small fun bikes reappear. 👍 Ride and be careful out there.
Well I'm 60 now and I still have my old BSA B40 SS90 in my garage next to my Fireblade. My friend lives outside Draguinan in Le Var and has a Bullet 500 EFI and it amazed me how hard it was to keep up with such a well balanced low powered bike on such twisty roads with a Buell. I'm gonna take my Blade to his place and frighten the shit out of him but I'd buy this bike like a life saver. Cheap money old school smiles.
love your video style Freddie! and if you think 4000 pounds is cheap, we get it for around 2200 pounds here in India ! 😁 RE has come a long way from their clunky bikes of the past. There's a polish to their bikes now.
It looks great ! And soon, the RE classic 350 will come to Europe/UK, in my opinion even more beautiful. So let's hope a lot of youngsters (or senior riders) will go for it and wake up the other big manufacturers. RE rules !
Nice review Freddie, I really like the Meteor, and the Interceptor, and the Continental, basiclly anything Royal Enfield. The price point is in no small part down to the volume of units that RE can turn out, greater volume = lower end costs, so this is where a large part of the savings come in, also the fact that it isn't bristling with electronic tech is also a huge plus compared to the 'bigger' brands. The quality of product, materials and craftsmanship is also definately there, so I would use the term Inexpensive rather than cheap. I started out on a 1959 250 Crusader sport when all my mates were buying, RD's X7's and CB's, I loved it and so did so many other peolpe I encountered, the crowds were always around my RE at 'coffee stops' , when I got stopped by the police it was because they wanted to admire the bike, not because I was hooning around on it :) and the Meteor will be the same.
@@clausentumsoton totally agree, with regard to rider modes the purist in me would say 'learn how to ride to the conditions your riding in' although the slightly softer side of me can see how these gizmo's would perhaps assist less experienced riders to enjoy different setup options. I supoose we can always just not not use them, but it might also be nice to have them as maybe an optional extra to possibly bring the price down as much as anything else.
You have earned yoursef a subscriber! I own a Dominar 400, from Bajaj. It was supposed to compete with RE Classic 350 and Thunderbird 350. I love my motorcycle and I love motorcycles in general. The freedom sentiment hit me right in the feels. I hope the competition between Bajaj and Royal Enfield blesses us riders with more great motorcycles!
Thanks for the vid. I’ve got a 2018 t120 and have to say that, by the looks of it, a lot of the bits n’ bobs like the indicators, mirrors, headlight etc seem to be constructed in a very similar way - that RE really does look like good value
If the Tripper can talk to me through my Bluetooth hearing aids, then that little basic screen would be more than enough. Yes I’m an old guy, and I’m thinking something like this might be quite enjoyable. Also, I suspect that a phone in your pocket it’s just a bit too far from the Tripper for a good connection. A tank protector with a small pocket for the phone would most likely solve the problem
![How Royal Enfield made the best [selling] retro motorcycle in the world](/img/n.gif)
Bought a 2022 stellar black meteor this spring, so far the only downside is an occasional bug in my teeth because it is very hard to ride it without smiling.
😂😂😂 Your comment is so underrated
Thank you for the smile I got from your comment.
That's what face shields are for... 😉
Back in the '60's when the British bike industry was starting to decline against Japanese competition, I felt then that the big boys like Triumph should have brought out bikes like this 350cc or a decent 250 single, instead of looking to compete with the large engined expensive American machines. So well done Royal Enfield!
It's funny how you said cheap so many times, but in India it's a relatively premium bike for us :-*
Its around 2200 pounds and still a premium 😂
I don't think it's premium bike in India. It is intermediate level.
@@APAPictures relative to 100 - 125 cc bikes which are most common here...
Nope it is not. It is pretty common in north part of the country. I would say premium bikes start from 2.5 L plus range.
U poor , kaam karo or paise kamao😁
Freddie,
As a Meteor owner myself, you're 100% SPOT ON! I've owned 12 bikes including the Meteor. I sold my scooters ('11 Burgman 400 and a '04 Helix 250) two years ago, and I thought I was done riding. I got the itch again last summer, so I started reading up on bikes. When I saw the Meteor 350, I knew that I WANTED one! I knew that that was the bike for me. I liked the look, the mid-70s to early 80s aesthetic. I liked the size. As I watched videos about it, I felt even better about getting one.
So, I called the "local" RE dealer (45 minutes away), and I asked them if they had any Fireball Yellow Meteors. They told me no, and they said that they didn't know when they'd be getting one in, either. They had a couple of Supernovas in stock, but I wanted the Fireball Yellow. Guess what? An hour or so later, the guy calls me back, and he tells me that he'd GOTTEN a Fireball Yellow Meteor in that day's delivery! It took me just seconds to whip out my CC and put a deposit down on the bike. I picked it up the following week on 20 September 2021, and I've been happy ever since... :)
I like the Fireball Yellow because, one, it doesn't have a back rest on it. I ride solo, so I don't need one. Why pay for something I don't need? There's no good reason for that. Besides, with my arthritic knees, it just makes it harder to get on the bike. Two, I LOVE the blacked out look; it's just badass! Three, I just like the color, period; the Fireball Yellow is just a smashing looking bike! That said, I could also get off on a Stellar Blue Meteor 350; that's decent looking bike too. However, it's not as good looking as a Fireball.
As I said above, the Meteor isn't my first bike; it's my twelfth, actually. I'll be 60 next month, so I'm not as young as I used to be. I don't need to go fast anymore, either. When I was younger, yes, I wanted to go fast; that's PAST tense! I once had a 1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100, okay? I've been there, done that, and lived to tell about it. At this stage of my life, I just want to enjoy the ride. The vast majority of my rides are on the local back roads, or country lanes as you call them; they're along the river; they're in the local city; and, there's the occasional day trip thrown in. Anything much bigger than the Meteor would be overkill, really.
So, why did I buy the Meteor? One, it's just a SMASHING looking bike; I just love how it looks! Two, I like single cylinder bikes. Three, I wanted something basic that I could work on myself. For example, the valves are screw & locknut adjusted-'nuff said; if you can adjust a clutch, you can adjust the valves yourself. Four, I wanted something economical to own and operate. Five, I wanted something suited to the kind of riding I now do. Six, I wanted a motorcycle that was lighter weight and easier to manage as an older guy. Though we may not have been the intended audience of the Meteor, many of us older guys are buying them because we don't need anything more than that. Finally, it's inexpensive enough that I could stroke a check for it-and did! The Meteor checked all those boxes.
Oh, and while I'm on the subject of older guys owning Meteors, let me tell you a story. I was able to retire early a few years ago, so I did. My neighbor across the street retired a few weeks ago. When I brought my Meteor home, he came over, and he said that I'd gotten the bike (i.e. the Fireball Yellow) he wanted! Just days later, he got himself a Steller Red. I call it the Meteor Effect... :)
OBTW, I totally agree with you about how motorcycles should be in reach of more people. Though cars have long carried five figure price tags, it's to be expected. After all, they're bigger, heavier, more complex, and enclosed; they offer more, so they should cost more. I get that. What I could never get is BIKES carrying price tags well in to the five figures! That's always rubbed my fur the wrong way. While the expensive motorcycles are wondrous marvels of technology; though they offer a lot in terms of what they can do; they are, in a way, the antithesis of what motorcycling should be. For me, motorcycling is all about getting back to the basics; it's all about freedom; and it's all about offering viable transportation for less than the cost of a car. RE's bikes are all about what motorcycling should be.
As for what you said about Royal Enfield as a brand, I think that you and Stuart Fillingham both have it right. RE is filling the niche of good, basic, honest light to middle weight motorcycles that the other manufacturers have deserted. Royal Enfield bikes offer the retro look and vibe without the pitfalls of owning a real classic, like an old 1960s Bonneville. RE motorcycles have everything you need, and nothing that you don't; for example, they have EFI, but they don't have riding modes or cockpit that would look more at home on the Starship Enterprise. RE offer good, basic quality bikes at a reasonable price. They look, feel, and ride like a-gasp-A MOTORCYCLE! What a concept! Come to think of it, they offer what the Big Four USED to offer when they took Europe and the US by storm some 50-60 years ago; they got away from that winning formula.
Unfortunately, the Big Four have gotten away from what made them successful in the first place, and they left a vacuum in the marketplace. As is axiomatic in nature, whenever a vacuum appears, something will come along to fill it. When it comes to the vacuum of good, reasonably priced motorcycles, RE is filling the vacuum left by the Big Four and all the other motorcycle manufacturers. If they don't watch out, they'll find themselves in a bad place. As RE roll out more bike models, they'll become a big player on the world stage, and all the other bike makers will wonder what happened.
With that, I'll simply say cheers! As a Meteor owner (i.e. someone who paid his own money for the bike), I can say you're 100% spot on with your review of the bike. Though I've owned other bikes and scooters, the Meteor is the best I've owned. I always return home with a smile on my face! Now, I just wish RE would bring the new Classic 350 here... :)
Well said, Mark! Especially the part about bikes should be basic and affordable. They are more basic and cheaper in Asia / India but we in Europe are left with heavy technical monsters that cost the same as a car. The most sold bike in Europe AFAIK is the BMW GS which costs easily 15.000 GBP. Same with Harleys. Other than that there are ugly looking Japanese bikes with absolutely no soul (Honda's CB, Yamaha's MT etc.) - the same cheap looking bikes with differed badges. There is no "I want that!" effects on these ones.
I got myself also a Yellow Fireball after not riding any bike since three years because I was directly in love, I felt that emotion. So, I am hoping that emotion will remain a long time and won't be just kind of a "teenage love story" full of hormones.
Btw. I am in my 30s so a long way to an early retirement lol. Even in my age I don't want any high powered bike. I want a basic form of transportation with good looks. That's what the Meteor gives me. There was some good saying I read somewhere: "It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow."
@@krasky I completely agree with your 3rd paragraph. I live in India.Here bike is little bit cheaper. I also wanted a bike for its legacy than its speed. In India ROYAL ENFIELD is taken as a Pride. Harleys are good for western countries but for India harleys cannot survive in India due to Traffic and Fast turns needed anytime. There comes bikes like RE meteor. I have just turned 18 and this is the bike i loved at first sight. Going to buy this till 2022 end. And yes buying Royal enfield bikes in India is like buying Harley in USA
@@piyushgurav9362 same bro, I live in india too and you're right, royal enfield is an EMOTION it's not just a bike.
@@insaan1234 yess bro😍
Wow I never knew Royal Enfield has won the hearts of people in countries other than India. I took it for granted but after reading a lot of reviews by other countries such as yours, I have started to realise how underrated Royal Enfield is. I was never a fan of them until I rode one. The first bike that I rode was a classic 350 back in 2017. The thump, the torque, the initial pickup all blew me away and I fell in love with these machines. And when they launched the GT650 and the Interceptor, I knew I had to get one.
I think something that not many people will realise (because they havent been on camera before) is how skilled a presenter you are. It's not easy to monologue like this and be captivating for as long as you do with almost no cuts. Very impressive :)
Very true.
I'm in the U.S. ,own a Harley Davdson 2022 model 48 .I am in the market to downsize for the exact reasons you spoke of.There o e dealership within 200 miles from my town.However I've already set up an appointment to taste ride a Meteor. UNFORTUNATELY, it's only offered over here in blue,red and beige, so I'm going for the red.Thanks mate for your show!
What a beautiful little bike! I love how efficient it is and how well it's styled.
I'm glad some of these have made it to the States. This is such a gem!
Well I didn't expect to see you here love your videos Man I'm mad jealous though my old clapped out 85 Dodge van don't got s*** on your car lmao
Damn didn't know you were into bikes as well a nice surprise to see you here
Make a video about it
Royal Enfield from India 👏👏👏
@Verma yes good work and carrying on the British company and developing to a high standard.
this is a underrated gem. me and my wife rode each our meteor’s not just on indian highways but also took it to the high altitude mountain gravel/rocky routes (including water crossing) of himachal pradesh(spiti-lahaul). 4500 kms of riding over 14 days!
comfortable. easy. safe. reliable.
Epic !!!
👍
Wel I have the previous version, tbx. silencer rusted from the inside, gear lever comes loose every month or so, chain makes noise. spares unavailable. Crappy service. Not worth the money. And I still have my cast iron bullet that I bought in 1992.
I live in spiti.... Next time do meet me
where are these bikes manufactured? I hope they are not made in China that is all I am asking !
Royal Enfield is growing at an incredible pace, and they've got the market figured out by delivering a series of good value motorcycles. These aren't the Royal Enfield's of years past, either -they've stepped up their game.
i guess its time to buy eicher now..
@@rahulchoudhury3669 it doesn’t really apply to Indian as specific. It has whole leadership behind it so it has nothing to do with nothing to do with Nationality.
@Horizons, As a 2021 Meteor 350 owner, I AGREE! The build quality of my Meteor is excellent.
@@JhakasRoamer better said...these so called patriotic knuckleheads have nothing better to do..lmao
@@JhakasRoamer it is man, Indians kinda powered the company to another level and then the company actually went multi national. Of course the leadership also plays an important role
It's pretty incredible the value you get from Royal Enfield. I looked at these Meteors, but I really wanted to keep up with the Southern California freeway traffic, so I got a Continental GT 650 for a few thousand more. Amazing bike, and I can't go out on it without being complimented on it's styling.
The Continental in Southern California. That’s a special pairing!❤️🏍👌🏻🇺🇸
How is the continental in terms of riding position?, I've benn getting a few not so good reactions from some riders who own them.
@@harryr7083 It's not really all that bad. If you are good at using your abdominal muscles and squeezing the tank then you can ride it for hours. It was my first bike and I have now tried proper track set-up sports bike and the GT650 is very comfortable.
@@Bulbous_Beluga using your legs to squeeze the tank is the key.
I live in Chicago, and one of my plans this summer is to ride my continental gt to California.
I’ve gotta get back to the Angeles Crest Highway. I got to drive on it for a couple hours and I can’t stop thinking about it.
After riding motorcycles for 35 years from 50cc to 1300cc I have had more fun riding the meteor on a test ride than all the others I'm awaiting delivery asap. What I can see are more mature riders heading towards royal enfield bikes the price is very reasonable and the build quality shows too.
did you like it?
Been a RE fan since I saw it for the first time during my school days.
It was the RE classic and was used in WW2.
I fell in love with it then and there.
It might be a cheap bike in western countries,
But here in India RE equals reliability and fun .
Also, I'd like to add one important point that its not that RE cannot manufacture these bikes with more powerful engines, but here in India people are more concerned with the mileage rather than HP.
UCE engines of RE in WW2!!!
*=RE= Royal Enfield. At age 72 after four years of TKR (Total Knee Replacement) Operations I became a motorcyclist. =RE= Meteor 350 Supernova my first bike. Already 10,000 km on the clock. Here is my first long distance ride. Location my country of residence. THAILAND (not TAIWAN!) some call Tropical Bikers Paradise* ua-cam.com/video/29C-3yY43OU/v-deo.html
This is my first bike, been using it for a few months as my commuter to college and back. Here in Lisbon, it feels amazing through corners and when i need to overtake a car, it can. I love it and it gives me confidence riding, mainly due to the relaxed seating and knowing its power isn´t going to get away from me. I'd much rather ride my meteor than the cb500 i used to have classes in. It doesn't feel cheap and to the unknowing eye, it almost passes off as a restaured classic. The more i ride it, the more i push it and myself. Loving it, as always great video.
19:10 - can confirm, as a young/new rider haha
This is my first bike as well! I agree with everything you said! I'm from Brazil and the meteor is crushing in sales, because there is not any other bike with their specifications and style in our market. Especially today with the increasing price of the gasoline, this bike is everything I've ever wanted.
Fantastic input, thank you Gomes! Having owned a CB500, I agree with you completely- I’d much rather ride the Meteor
How are the vibrations?
Older RE models have had harsh vibrations throught he foot pegs and hadle bars. I am currently deciding between Meteor and Honda CB350.
@@N1lav only noticable in steep inclines if you want to go above 60-70 or in a straight more less 100+kms, other than that fine, smooth and responds well
@@gomes6875 ah, so the engine does not like to be stressed. Noted.
Its about time motorcycling got back to the grass roots of just having a good time rather than the the BS of who's got the fastest, the most American, the most expensive and the most exotic ride.
Thank you Royal Enfield and thank you Freddie!
CV
It's starting to filter down to the "American Market" I work for a Indian/RE/Triumph dealership and Indian is STRONGLY considering bringing back the 650&750 Spirit , built on the Scout Frame and Triumph is considering bringing back the T-140, which is the 750 CC bike. They are starting to realize that the younger generations no longer want a great big bike, they want something smaller, easier to ride and smaller CC to just putt around town during the week and on the backroads on the weekends.
Well said
@@maxmaxwell3787 It's the truth. I hear it all the time at work. the 40 and under crowd don;t want a big expensive bike anymore, they want something small and affordable.
@@TheREALOC1972 I’m not young at 54 but new to motorcycling. I’m now weighing up my first big bike options and I keep coming back to the RE range. I’m traditional and want a bike to boot, I want the simplistic old school look, not some whizz-bang over the bars super sports bike that looks like Predator. I think it will be the Interceptor!
@@TheREALOC1972 Hope Triumph and Indian line-ups will have good mid segment bikes. This will put every company on the edge and customers will get the best of the competition. Apparently, Interceptor 650's engine can be pushed a lot more, it's just that RE didn't chose to do so. A lot of potential of the INT650 engine is left alone, for cutting down the costs. All the mods and enhancers you see in the internet have proven the Engine could be pushed a lot more without any unintended effect.
That Meteor is a marvellous throwback to the days of real motorcycling. When I got my license in -74 a 350 was considered a big bike, and 20hp was plenty. RE is bringing that back, and they are doing everything a 100 percent right at this moment in time. Want to try one of those.
A great motorcycle, properly priced, definitely not cheap, this is a quality motorcycle but l realise Freddie was so amazed at the quality and design he used the word cheap but meant it in an entirely different context ..
Freddie couldn't believe and l agree with him, that this bike will sit proudly among any line of bikes.
Well done India 🇮🇳 👏 I'm a UK 🇬🇧 citizen and l salute you guys for the resurrection of Royal Enfield.
Thank you, and thanks Freddie and Monica for another superb video.
I’m deeming this the “official Meteor review!” happy to report I now have 300 miles on my meteor and I’m loving it more n more each day! So comfortable to ride, stays so planted with good lean angle. Even when I’m ridin it I look around at all the different angles and it’s just such a cool looking bike Test ride this bike! Allan USA Calif
ALMIGHTY GOD KABIR is the father of all souls that JESUS, MOHAMMAD, GURU NANAK, VEDH was telling in BIBLE, QURAN, GURU GRANTHA SAHEB
Almighty God KABIR is the CREATOR OF all SOULS -- SAINT RAMPALJI MAHARAJ
I think more young people would be lured into the joy of motorcycling if we had more proper entry level machines like the Meteor. It's a cracking looking machine, it's got a fantastic exhaust note, and it's incredible value for money. I love Royal Enfield's implementation of the navigation system. I believe the phone does all the work and the bike just displays the information - simple and brilliant! People obsess far too much with power statistics, but the spec sheet never includes the immeasurable fun factor of these machines. Proper freedom at an accessible price. Great video as usual.
I’m definitely hyped about that bike as a first bike when getting the bike license ! Looks just the right amount of fun while not being intimidating like other bikes
Yeah !!!
The Honda CB-350 that was launched the same time as Meteor is also an amazing little bike. I have ridden both of them a lot back to back and I have to say the little Honda is just amazing. Granted it doesn't come with the cruiser style seating that the Meteor provides.
@@nnlniclb yes brother, now we have options from jawa and yezdi too.
You would never want people to be lured into riding motorcycles, especially the younger ones.
Here in my country, Car is too expensive for an average worker. So motorcycles and scooters is the common mode of transport, and guess what? It causes a lot of accidents and illegal racing, especially from young riders that itches for that adrenaline pump on a busy city intersections.
Well the new GoldWing is the best bike I've ever ridden......but then you can buy 9 of these for the price of one of those!! The Meteor is a great machine isn't it, perfect basis for customisation and that engine is so sweet for a single cyclinder - it gets a huge thumbs up from me!
I like your channel as well
The Goldwing is either the best bike you have ridden, or the best bike you have never ridden! 😉 It is close to perfection (unless you are delivering Domino's in London) lol!
An early 1970's Honda C50 Step-through (minus the leg shields) was the best bike I've ever ridden. I suddenly discovered that you can go fast(ish) across a field and 'jump' a mate laying on the ground, without having to pedal.
Hi, also subscribe to your channel too. Between Freddie and yourself you both got me back into biking. The meteor is a super bit of kit to get new riders confident before upgrading. Keep up the good work!
the Goldwing is the total antithesis of what biking is all about for me, may as well take the car
I couldn’t agree more with your enthusiasm and comments and just how good the Meteor is. I test rode one and it was so much better than I was expecting. Most importantly I don’t think any bike put such a big smile on my face. I’ve just ordered one in the same colour.
Thank you very much Freddie.
I had been thinking for weeks whether to buy the Meteor 350 or not, but your review definitely convinced me and now I can say that I am the proud owner of a Meteor 350.
I've just bought RE Meteor 350- beautiful metallic blue 💙 as a 50th Birthday suprise gift for my ( Indian) husband :) as a tribute to his country ;) He used to have a Honda bike in his early 20 ties back in India and he was talking for some time that he would like to go to riding a bike again. The bike is going to be delivered today! Yey! I can't wait and it's a win-win as I love motorbikes too, so I'm very excited! As they say: 'happy wife, happy life' 😂
I hope that the bike, a new addition to our family, will be just right 🤞☺️
I'm reliving my motorcycling days through your videos, Freddie. That Enfield is so old school, I love it!
So glad to hear it, thank you!🙂. And I’m so glad to hear you think love the old school vibes of it (I do too!😍🏍👌🏻)
Brilliant Freddie .
It's the oldest motorcycle company
And this bike was even used in ww2
Loved the review on the Meteor, because I bought the matte black model last June, just on about 3000 miles now,
Couldn’t have put the review any better myself, ownership, is like having a family dog, I’m in my 60s and had a lot of bikes and I wouldn’t trade the meteor for any of them, love it 🌞
I love my “Thumper” ua-cam.com/video/pvDP2CzTWAE/v-deo.html
Damn !!!
It's a paid promotion, not a review.
Alchemist, as someone who turned 60 2 months ago, I TOTALLY AGREE! My Meteor is my 12th bike, and it's the best bike I've ever owned. I haven't had this many smiles per mile since I started riding decades ago. Isn't THAT why we started riding in the first place?
@@slimturnpike it's a review. the youtube 'paid promo' alert refers to the app he promoted in between
Hi Freddie. I bought my Stellar Red Meteor about 10 weeks ago. I started motorcycling in my teens with a BSA Bantam and over the years have had a variety of bikes including a GS1200. Like you I am delighted with this bike and the smile never leaves my face while hacking round the beautiful lanes of Dorset. It may be a bit lacking in acceleration & top speed but this is made up for with the excellent handling and economy. Royal Enfield have produced a masterpiece for the price in my opinion.
Fantastic!! I can imagine nothing better than whizzing around the Dorset country lanes on one of these!😀🏍🤘🏻
And I strongly agree- Royal Enfield have produced an absolute masterpiece for the price. This bike just makes you so happy👌🏻
@@FreddieDobbs This particular video seems to have attracted a lot of positive comments, well done!
I got one in August and havnt looked back,if the 650 super Meteor is as good with a decent price, it could be the holy grail.
@@michaeljackson5914 Literally five minutes ago I heard about this for the first time. Honestly I can't tell you how excited I am by the prospect of this!
Royal Enfield is popular and opening more showrooms all over THAILAND 🇹🇭. At age 72 the =RE= Meteor 350 became my first bike. That was on Aug 2021. Today 7,000 km on the clock.
Hi mate. You are just brilliant. I own a royal Enfield 650 continental. I brought it in 2017. It’s really is a great motorcycle. You say all the right things. I have been riding for 44years. Had plenty of sports bikes and other bikes. But this bike is for keeps. I enjoy seeing your videos. Thanks Ian 👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Royal Enfield is growing at an incredible pace, and they've got the market figured out by delivering a series of good value motorcycles. These aren't the Royal Enfield's of years past, either -they've stepped up their game. This Bike is still a Dream of many Indian people.
That was the kind of bike review I've been looking for. I'm 56, only started riding two years ago. Not interested in torque, revs, blah blah, just want to hear someone's genuine feeling and emotion about the bike wether it be positive or negative and you've nailed it. I have a Super nova bought last summer and it's the best thing ever. I've retired now and I'm going to make the most of it. Might even make it as far as Tenerife! Cheers Freddie.
Freddie you don't have to convince me. I'm already a fan. I bought one yesterday! I'm so excited. Like some others have said this is not just a great bike for beginners. I'm 68 y/o and I sold what I thought was my last bike about three years ago. It was a much bigger Japanese cruiser. The Meteor came along and Wow what a deal!. Everything you get for the money plus a three year unlimited mileage warranty here in the states. It checked every box needed to lure me back into motorcycling. My only problem is it's 22 degrees F here in Ohio today. Come on spring. Thanks for the great review of a great bike.
How are you finding it? I bought one about 6 weeks ago and really enjoying it.
Well done Freddie, as a child of the 1960’s and 70’s Motorcycles were meant to be primary transport to work, while having fun at the weekend. I really enjoyed your enthusiasm about this kind of bike.
The Tupperware Torpedoes (Panagales, R1’s, etc, etc) are unbelievable pieces of engineering, built by amazing human beings.
But the sheer joy of motorcycling is lost. 180 mph, 180 kilo’s! Christ alive!
I own a 1976 Yamaha DT250B in Yamaha America Racing Yellow. £515 when new. It’s all I need.
I pull up at my local biking pub in Finchingfield, Essex, and all the people gasping over the exotica, suddenly catch my 1970’s 28hp two-stroke slice of pure joy and to a man wander over…. Their faces light up. The wannabe Moto GP riders in £3,000 worth of Leathers hate my bike…
“Blimey! I haven’t seen one in years!” “Smell the Castro R!” I could go on.
I think I’ve enjoyed this video most, because it encapsulates motorcycling the most.
Top work brother!
Kind regards to you both.
Coops
There were motorcyclists and motorcycle racers.
Now, there are motorcycle racers and everybody who thinks they are a motorcycle racer and the motorcyclist is just a collateral.
Atleast that's how it feels when people constantly keep saying you need 70 bhp on two wheels is the only way to ride on the road.
I just wish there were more two strokes motorcycles without the fancy bits.. Harleys and triumphs are amazing.. But I want a simple 2 stroke (25-30bhp) for everyday use
Castrol R should be available as an aftershave.
Absolutely spot on Freddie, you are absolutely correct regarding the needs of a younger biker. In India we have a lot of options including meteor and it really feels cool how big companies like BMW, Husqvarna and Kawasaki are targeting and experimenting to lure those younger buyers. We have plenty of options here in every segment and it feels amazing and competition like this has led meteor into existence.
After watching this I’ve just booked a 7 day course to get my license and looking to get a 350 as my first bike! Brilliant video
I have a Blue Supernova Meteor and I absolutely love it, it brings a smile to my face every time I ride it and hear it.
Every time I went for a ride last summer there was a meteor parked up at almost every destination, Royal Enfield have hit a home run with this bike...
Excellent review. Kudos to the camera lady ! Been riding 50+ years. Fell in love with that same bike on UA-cam. Bought it without seeing it in the flesh and had it shipped from closest dealer 1500 kms away! I was looking to downsize from my BMW 1100. I agree with everything you said. I love the smoothness and sound of that "thumper". and the easy smooth handling. Reminds me of my first bike a 1973 CB175 twin. Looking forward to future vids !
Amazing 🤩
I was fairly sure I wouldn't be the only one to say exactly what you have just said. Had a R1250GSA for a year, MT09, V-Strom, VFR800 etc....and bought a meteor three months ago. By far the most enjoyable bike I've ever ridden. Always have a smile on my face and look for any reason to go out on her. Beautiful engine and great riding style. Who needs speed and torque when you can just enjoy riding at between 40 and 60 Mph. If RE made a modern 500cc version I'd be first in the queueI Great review Freddie!!
Great review. I actually own a Honda Monkey and while it's only 125cc, it doesn't seem underpowered in any way. No, you can't go very fast, but when you can ride like you're riding a bicycle it feels a lot faster. I do own a rebel 500 as my regular bike, and I don't think I'd like to be without that :)
For some reason the Meteor is about 25% more expensive than the Honda Monkey 125 here in Denmark :)
big 4 are usually more expensive especially as RE are positioning themselves as a halfway house between china and japan.
The Enfield works in Himalayan height flawlessly. It's kinda military grade.
Your Honda will last 15 years if you are lucky, I know REs which are older than me, running successfully for 40 years. REs are around 350cc starting range. So no comparison.
@@kev_naughty I have a Honda CB550 from 1978, so I don't see your point. Honda motorcycles are incredibly reliable and will keep for many years if you just keep up with the maintenance :)
125< 350
Cheers mate, great review. This ended up being my first bike and I reckon I made the right choice. Some experienced riders have been turning their nose up at it, but I think they've forgotten what it's like to be on the road for the first time and have become so obsessed with spec sheets that they don't realise people like me don't give a damn for fussing over torque, weight, etc. I wanted a brand-new sub $10,000 (Australian dollars) cruiser with ABS that was also comfortable for me at 6'1, and the Meteor was easily the best value of the lot. Only complaints I have are (like you mentioned) the occasional false neutrals and how temperamental the Tripper app can be.
Meteor owner here - when you want to reconnect the tripper, turn off the engine (right hand dial swith) > followed by turning off the electronics from the key > then turn it back on (electronics) and connect the tripper with your phone...
Well done Freddie, pretty much exactly the same conclusion I came to when I rode it. Such a a great value for money bike. Great option for a learner or someone returning to motorcycling because it is so easy to ride and handles so well. Royal Enfield are doing some really great things at the moment.
Freddie Dobbs and Stuart Fillingham should get together for a drink and discuss their love for Royal Enfields 😊
Yea...
I've thought about getting this bike over, and over, and over but to no avail. Only due to the fact that here in Turkey, Royal Enfield has only 1, perhaps 2 dealerships/services. So if you're living in another city like myself, it would be absolute hell to ride 10 hours to the nearest service (the ONLY service) every service interval. And go there again everytime something needs fixing. So I'll keep on waiting, waiting and waiting till they start opening more services and dealerships. Great video Freddie. And like you said, I have to agree with your bold statement at the end of the video, even before trying out the bike.
I Just bought a Meteor 350 and i find it an amasing macine! Not comparable with my Triumph Thruxton, but it is like the machines from when I was a beginner at Mc, round 1955! I just past 82 years and still driving but less and less on my Triumph and more on the Meteor! I must agree on all points Yoy have made in the video! THANKS!
So, did you sell your Triumph ? :)
What I like about this M/C is the fact that it actually looks like a real motorbike. Well done.
Freddie, after going through your review I have decided to go for the meteor 350 which I booked last month in India (of course I cancelled the booking a couple of times after that). But but but .,, after going through your video and after realizing how astounding it looks I finally decided to stick with the meteor 350 supernova . Excited to receive it in March 2022 hopefully .
Thanks a lot ✌️👍😊
Another great video Freddie. As I mentioned in a reply to one of your earlier vids, I debated over a Himalayan and an Interceptor when I retired from the Fire Service. I decided the Himalayan. And although I've never even seen, let alone ridden a Meteor. I'm going to put the Himmy forward as a challenger for your best bike title. It has similar performance, charisma, and a unique style. But the clincher is, it can literally take you around the world, over any terrain.
You definitely hit the nail on the head when you praised RE. They are knocking it out of the park these days. They are giving us real world classic motorcycling, with all the visceral enjoyment in a reliable package that is only modern in the sense that it works as a practical form of transportation for today.
These bikes encourage us to avoid the carriageways and enjoy the road less travelled. Ok, so it takes us 15 minutes longer to get to work but my goodness, we're smiling.
I've just passed my CBT and got my first bike. You're 100% correct about larger companies missing the mark with younger riders. I'd discounted them entirely as out of my price bracket, but I'd happily get one of these when I get my full licence. New subscriber!
Booked my yellow fireball Meteor yesterday and today while searching for relevant reviews I stumbled upon this. Absolutely loved the presentation and I agree to the words you said about the pure fun of riding a cool bike without being super rich or something.
At last an articulate,passionate and informative review from someone who is under 40
At the risk of blowing smoke up your arse , your presenting style has improved from your earlier blogs and I would not be surprised to see you presenting on mainstream media
As a much older biker I have to agree that the price of new bikes makes it unaffordable to new bikers
It is hardly surprising that the average age of bikers is 50 plus in the uk
Keep producing high quality content and if there is any justice your subscriber base will increase
I’m confident that you will hit 50k subs this year
Looking forward to more content
Great review Freddie, I have the Super Nova and it's a great bike, a pleasure to ride (and I've had bikes ranging from FS1E to ZX12R). A few things to note, the bike also comes with a centre stand, USB connector under the clutch lever, gear position indicator, three year unlimited millage warranty and three years road side assist., and it also does 90-100mpg. I agree the engine is superior to the Himalayan, which i found to be harsh,. Once again great review and spot on with your conclusion.
Freddie couldn’t agree more with your comments on the Meteor, we have the exact same model as the one you and Monica rode. Motorcycling in its pure form. Royal Enfield warranty and after service care exceptional and as you say everything included in the price. If you want a point to talk about, we find the mirrors a bit shaky, but I think Enfield have a fix for that now. Thank you for your comment about the bike appealing to the younger generation, made us feel young at heart as we are just in our 60’s😀. Great channel, many thanks from Cornwall.
I’m not really a biker, but saw the bike thumbnail and it drew me in
Your review was so natural and easy going and very infectious
Now I’m thinking about doing my CBT
As a man in my mid 50’s, would this make a great learner bike instead of a 125 and could I use this to bypass the lower power bikes and go straight to a full licence , or is this not powerful / big enough cc for that
Sorry if these are silly questions, but your vid has given me the bug 🏍😎
John. Did you do your CBT...? I'm coming up 55 in April 23, and have just booked mine for March 10th! Never ridden a bike in my life, but these Royal Enfields...... I think I might have to get a divorce first though. Mrs W is not at all happy, so it might never happen! Let's see what happens after the CBT, eh?
@@simonwhite8092 not yet, spookily I moved from Cheshire to Cumbria after all the lockdowns and pandemic , to be nearer, but not too near to family
I have bought a Honda Zoomer twist and Goni can ride on my car licence for in and around Carlisle, should’ve got one years ago for in and around Manchester 🛵💨
I’ve just booked my Theory Test as there was a massive backlog, also my CBT for April and then my Direct Access as like you’ll I’ll be 55 in November 🎂
Think I’ve decided to get a Honda CB1100 either EX or RS
Lovely retro naked bike and can highly recommend for a few more quid as you’re only 55 once 🏍️👍🏻
Let's all thank eicher group,india to keep classic bikes as classic and as original
Reliability - ✔️ check
Design - ✔️ check
Handling and stability - ✔️ check
Mileage - ✔️ check
Affordability - ✔️ check
Engine performance and thump sound - ✔️ check
What more do u need ?
All praise to siddhartha lal and team from India and England for making this bike
Great vlog Freddie. I think you summarise this bike perfectly. It really is everything you say it is and it’s one of the best selling bikes in the UK. I only came across your channel as it was posted on our Meteor 350 UK owners Facebook page. Looks like I’ll have to delve into your previous catalogue. Really enjoy your relaxed and enthusiastic presenting style - stardom beckons.
Love it. I've owned big, fast bikes but they really are too much for today's restricted roads. Since I went back to sub 500 bikes I've had so much more fun, rather than just the adrenaline I was getting with fast bikes. Like you said, you worry far less and enjoy far more. Looking forward to seeing if RE release the roadster version (hunter?)...
Roadster version is 650cc ryt ?
They're launching it soon in India and it's having same engine as this meteor
It has been launched in India few days ago by name hunter 350..my brother has booked it...but it will get delivered after few days because of long booking queue...it looks roadster n awsum😊😊
Excellent review Freddie & Monika! Of course, we knew you'd love the Meteor 350 👍😁. It completely changes the way we think about "cheap" because that conjures up a feeling of low quality. The Meteor 350 is "inexpensive" instead. It's been said that there are certain aspects of the Meteor which have upped the fit & finish of the brand even more than the 650 twins - and they were already very good indeed. The thing is that a smaller capacity bike not only appeals to new riders but is also ideal for those who might have been biking for years and wish to downsize due to feeling tired and fed up of having so many big bikes over the with which they cannot really fully use the performance they offer in every day riding. A big bike ridden slowly can tend to feel a waste. A small bike where you're using 85% of its performance most of the time is so much more satisfying. The fun that it brings reminds us of why we got into biking in the first place. Some of that is lost with a big bike. There will always be some who prefer lots of power in reserve but being able to access only 20% of that most of the time is frustrating anyway? As you know, we have a 2021 T100 and love it. If money and space were available we'd happily add a Meteor too. We saw the 350 Classic range at the NEC bike show in December. They were great too and will give people even greater choice. These will effectively replace the 500 Classic models which were discontinued a couple of years ago. They were getting a bit long in the tooth and ready for a refresh. The 350 single from the Meteor is so much more refined and ideal for the classic. I reckon there might even be a Scrambler version in the pipeline soon too 😁👍
It really gives a good feeling to know that this is actually an Indian brand and a made in India bike. I think it is probably one of the first Indian brand having a global standard.
Now if only they made retro car; an air cooled engine with a a mild hybrid system can probably be made cheap and competitively like this bike.
Finally got my Royal Enfield! This was the first review I watched, and I thought I'd find some flaws, but it's been nothing but praise since it arrived in my country. Can't wait to share my riding experience. Huge kudos to Royal! And thanks for the perfect review!
Excellent review Freddie, another benefit of owning a relatively inexpensive motorbike is that with basic ability you can maintain the bike yourself (if you own it outright), the likes of RE and the soon released BSA are bringing back pure motorcycling to us mature riders and and also introducing the joy of owning such a motorcycle to the new generation of riders. I had a Herald 250 Scrambler a couple of years ago and the fun that bike gave me was an eye opener, I now have an Interceptor but keep looking at the Meteor as a second bike to have additional fun on.
Congrats! I own one just like the one you shown in the vídeo. I really loved the bike, the more I ride it the more I like. It fit very well to me. The bike is great for the crazy traffic of são Paulo's streets. I use the Meteor to commute with style and comfort, job well done :)
I owned a rebel 500 for a couple years. The things that you're saying about the meteor are really reminding me of the feeling I had with the rebel. Honda and Royal Enfield really hot a home run with those bikes
So good to see such an amazing review , video editing is one some another level lots of love from Nepal
The meteor is gorgeous. I love the style, the instruments are okay. The lights look nice. Everything about is beautiful. I am impressed!!!!
As a royal enfield 650 interceptor owner ,i must say that the enfield brand have come along with leaps and bounds, they took one hell of a risk with the meteor but i think it's going to pay off .
Take care on the road mate and stay safe, peace out ✌
I loved how you actually loved the Meteor and called it small bike. It is actually a big one, here in India. :)
Can't wait for your riding experience on the New 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350 that shares the same engine as the Meteor but has different riding triangle and tuning.
Keep riding!!! :)
This is the first time I'm watching his review. But should suggest him to review jawa and yezdi too bro.
@@bsd8278 They don't get those crappy bikes there. RE has a base in UK so they actually cater to the Europe as well as US.
@@AkashYadav-kp6hi Haha wonderful do you think that RR isn't a crapy bike then? We should appreciate every brand which is good and I'm not a blind RE fanboy or to some other brand.
@@bsd8278 Ok, so let's start with the scam they begun with by taking Rs. 5000 as booking and taking months to almost an year to refund. Then, the lack of outlets and service centers. Plus it is more complicated and costlier to maintain. Also, that's a MoJo engine. It is not a ground breaking bike and is not as good as the REs. Test rode it and it is definitely better than Honda CB350 though. The nail in the coffin was despite costling less than RE in exshowroom price, the road tax was calculate higher(goes into the dealer's pockets) and they actually are less than 299cc so lesser tax than RE's 349cc. They do not look or feel ethical in their dealings as well.
@@bsd8278 I have rode both Meteor and Jawa 42, but the Jawa is nowhere are comfortable as the meteor. The sitting position feels very cramped, and for a guy bigger than 5'10"- 6', its definitely uncomfortable. Specs wise also i felt the Jawa to be lacking compared to the meteor. Jawa 42 is more comparable to the RE classic 350.
Hey Freddie, we bought one for the wife to learn how to ride. I think it looks like it wants to be a Triumph ! I loved everything about it , handles great ! Except the lack of acceleration. OK for a new rider, or a veteran rider as long as you remember you’re not going to get into traffic and pull away quickly. Just adjust how you ride. It really is very, very well made. Definitely a fun ride, price is outstanding! Great Channel you two ! 😎⭐️👍
I can’t imagine a better bike to learn on! Great to hear your first hand thoughts on it, Brian! Thanks🙂
@@FreddieDobbs freddie they may release a twin cylinder 650 meteor.. and damn , re is reliable.. you must come to India.
I spent that keeping a 3 year old Multistrada (1100s) on the road a year -ins -tax. Just service tyres and repair.
Very interesting to see how economy works, that bike is premium in México and I'm saving to buy it.. and I am an engineer, lol
Irony is middle class Indians actually consider it as an expensive/dream bike! 🗿
True
Same for us in south east asia, what we think of cheap usually refer to 100-150cc bike...heck a freaking Benelli 250 is considered expensive here -_- Meteor 350 cost almost 7000£ and taxes for any bike over 250cc is shocking
Obviously, these britishers built that country by looting us
Great review Freddie, enjoyed it. I'm grateful we have Royal Enfield, after quite a few years gap, and at the age of 65, I can honestly say this brand (have an Interceptor) has given me, so far, a couple of incredibly fantastic years of pleasure at a price I could afford... Bonnies, BMWs, Guzzis way out of my price range. Spare parts, in general, are extremely affordable and you get loads of fun for half the price ( not half the fun).
Hey Freddie I really like your authenticity, attitude and real excitement bikes bring to you. Keep the great work going. Greetings from Germany. :)
Really enjoyed your review. My wife and I have both ridden for years, and last year got back into motorcycling. Saw the Meteor 350 Steller while just browsing local shops... and bought it. Two days later went and got a Fireball so we have one each. Great bikes, really enjoy riding them whenever we can, and like you said, the price is crazy for the quality (around $8100 AUD)
Don't bother getting it if you periodically go on freeways. Though it's a sexy bike, it's a human vibrator at higher RPMs. Now if it was a 2-cylindar then I wouldn't have a negative comment if your freeway jaunts were brief. But if your freeway use was common and of good distance, you'd be better off with a 2-cylindar above 500cc's. My buddy purchased a nice home 20 miles south where we grew up. And I purchased a house 15 to the north for a total of 35 miles from each other. I had an older model Yamaha IT 400 that I turned into a super cross bike for the street. Though it was a 2-stroke, it handled the freeway quite well as I put a large muffler on it. So, one day while visiting my friend, we decided to switch bikes. He had a Suzuki GS 500, 2-cylindar. And already I was digging his bike better than mine as it was powerful enough for freeway speeds, yet it was a smoother ride after I got used to it. So, it was time to put knobbies back on the IT and sell it as I hardly dirt biked anymore. Although my bike had a lot more acceleration than his 500, it could be overlooked for a better riding experience. So, I went into a Suzuki dealership and test drove an SV 650 because I liked the V cylinder configuration, and slightly better torque characteristics than any parallel twin, which increased fuel economy. Now because I had a 2-stroke I was only getting around 35 mpgs. The SV 650 advertised 55 mpgs. After one block I was totally convinced that this was the next bike for me. And a month later, I visited my friend sitting on SV that I had just over 5200 miles on it that I got for half price. There were some repairs that were required as the guy fell on it but did not crash it. There was new handle grip sliders and the grips, the aftermarket shrouding was grinded to hell, but I didn't want it. I wanted a naked version but with a bug shield just big enough to stop the splattering on my sunglasses. After two mpg tests, it was 52 mpgs not 55. But I was in love. The acceleration was now the same as my IT, which was something else BTW, but now it does it quietly and smoothly. Wonderful
Good review, I think you like it! RE are on a roll and long may it continue, the old singles were truly unique but they have moved with the times. I understand that the average age of motorcyclists in India is far lower than the UK so RE have always had pressure to keep the price down. You've rightly identified that this should open up motorcycling to young people here, smiles per mile, pride of ownership and easy access, all ticked. I've ridden for almost 50 years and, a couple of years ago it was give up or get something smaller, I bought an Interceptor and am so glad I did. If I need to downsize again they've brought out the Classic 350! I saw the latest bikes at the NEC and was blown away by the quality and value.
Lanzarote is a lovely place and I can imagine the Meteor being the perfect bike there, just thinking about a trip to the market in Teguise, the baker's shop and the delicious Tapas. It's just above freezing here at the moment!
Great video as always Freddie. The first video of yours that I watched was the Mutt Masif one. I'd never heard of Mutt motorcyles before (or you) and thought it sounded perfect for me, not too powerful, not too heavy and lots of fun. I started watching lots of bike videos and the Meteor kept cropping up as it was new to the UK at that time. Now I have a yellow fireball like the one you tested to enjoy my retirement on around the lanes of Suffolk and I have you to thank for rekindling my motorcycle enthusiasm.
Fantastic value. Actually reminds me of a Triumph street twin, in looks and build quality. And I never enjoyed riding that over 70mph
I had a 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 for a number of years and this video just reminds me of how that bike made me feel. You hit the nail on the head, this type of bike is 100% what the younger market wants.
I think you are bang on in saying that RE are the only big company to address the needs of new, young riders. Costs of 8k + and massive insurance just don't bring new riders in. RE appeal to me, as a 60 year old biker, as a company that lives in the real world, where you don't need 100bhp. I have mostly ridden cruisers for the last 20 years and almost bought a Meteor but went for the Scram in the end.
You mean scram 411???
@@GovindYadav-ny5ei yes.
Great review! My wife has bought one for her 1st bike. It's a perfect fit for her 5ft6 inches. She loves it and I can't think of a better bike to get your feet wet. I think as a life long rider and owner of 9 bikes over 45 years it's a fun bike and very enjoyable. When I test drove it at the dealer, I took off my helmet and what I said for some reason to the salesman is "It's like riding a kitten".
Lo que sucede es que ronronea 👍 yo tengo la Classic 350.
Great review, love the passion, but I still think the Himalayan is better for a few reasons:
- Utility - it can go off-road and you can take tighter corners without feeling the pegs scraping, which can happen on cruisers
- Power - it's similar until you realise that extra 4-5 bhp and 50cc gets you cruising at 110km/hr, which is the speed limit of the fastest freeways here in Australia (which I use to commute). It'd be the same for other countries. For short bursts, you can do 120km/hr to overtake. The Meteor is begging for a 500 or 650cc version to fulfill Royal Enfield's vision and philosophy.
- Price - same price as the Meteor but comes with front crash/fuel tank bars, windshield and rack.
Yes the Meteor looks better, has a more modern engine, and is arguably more comfortable but you can tour and go on questionable roads on a Himalayan. The Himalayan, for what is was designed for, doesn't need an upgrade as it was lose its form factor and off-road accessibility, but the Meteor needs a bigger engine to bring it's 'premium comfort' feel for bigger highways.
I don't know who the target audience is for in the West. If they're price-conscious, the second-hand market for bikes like the TU250x or old CB300Fs blow it out of the water, which are comparable in specs for a fraction of the price. It's awkwardly priced here in Australia as more expensive than the Honda CB300R which is 10 bhp more powerful and has its own sex appeal.
The Meteor is the best looking and feeling bike in its class, but I can't help but feel it's an 'almost champion' and it's worth to hold off for the inevitable new Meteor 500 or 650.
Thanks for your thoughts on the Meteor Freddie. I ride mine around the local roads of Pembrokeshire. Perfect for the country lanes and taking in the Welsh scenery! You’re right, it is riding happiness for not much cash. I have had fast sports bikes GPz, GSXR, ZX6R etc and an SV1000…different sort of fun on the Meteor but loving it.
the place where you are is just wow
Try. R.E 500. Thunderbird. Predecessor of this bike. Solid .. fast.. stable n reliable at any speed
After watching your video I truly believe that I have made a good decision to go for the meteor.. I always wanted the Himalayan.. i was in two minds which one to go for.. but as you mentioned the built quality is miles ahead.. cant wait for my bike to be delivered..
Good honest review Freddie well done. You approached this review correctly for what the bike is and seems it presents great value.
Love your enthusiasm for the Meteor. I think Royal Enfield are making the best value for money bikes on the market that will appeal to both younger and older riders.
Another great video Freddie 👍😀
Dere is popular saying In india
WHEN BULLET ON ITS WAY THEN WHOLE WORLD GO AWAY
I've had a few Royal Enfield's...350 and 500cc. However I much prefer the Honda H'ness 350, It's is a beautiful bike, with better quality and performance.
Great review very compelling! Leave it to Royal Enfield to give their bikes cool names. You know when you have a good bike when you keep gazing at it. Test rode it once and I’m buying mine tomorrow here in the states :) Why does the bike feel faster than it is with only 20 hp?( Should all come in one color scheme yellow and black - very 60s British vibe)
Thanks mate Allan USA
I saw one of these recently , really impressed with the fit n finish . great styling touches , solid . felt like it would last a lifetime . as with all RE though , just a bit more power required so it could happily sit at 65-70mph on modern roads.
The main reason why Royal Enfield didn't put a bit extra power in bike is in Indian roads itself !
Nobody really dares to go above 65 mph.
@@shivamsolanke4660 yeah unless they wanna have the best ride of life😂(bcz less chance of survival)
@@anandsuralkar2947 Yeah I agree, going above 65 mph on Indian roads is adventure itself.
They are launching the Super Meteor soon with 600+ cc engine, that should be more helpful for high speeds.
Great video guy's, I love the retro look but I wouldn't know if the lack of power could get a little boring on longer ride's. But you are spot on , cheap stylish and functional for commuting or country lane rides. Amazing value for money 👍.
So! You like it…..😅 excellent review. Couldn’t agree more, being of senior age and many bikes under the belt this is truly what at the end of the day most bikers want, a great big relaxing grin. To want to walk away turn your head and smile. On average most runs are not hundreds of miles a day they are probably under 60 miles. A great bike for young and old. Just look what is in the pipeline for 2022, great basic retro bikes. Isn’t amazing that when we are told electric is the future all this great small fun bikes reappear. 👍 Ride and be careful out there.
Well I'm 60 now and I still have my old BSA B40 SS90 in my garage next to my Fireblade. My friend lives outside Draguinan in Le Var and has a Bullet 500 EFI and it amazed me how hard it was to keep up with such a well balanced low powered bike on such twisty roads with a Buell. I'm gonna take my Blade to his place and frighten the shit out of him but I'd buy this bike like a life saver. Cheap money old school smiles.
love your video style Freddie!
and if you think 4000 pounds is cheap, we get it for around 2200 pounds here in India ! 😁 RE has come a long way from their clunky bikes of the past. There's a polish to their bikes now.
It looks great !
And soon, the RE classic 350 will come to Europe/UK, in my opinion even more beautiful.
So let's hope a lot of youngsters (or senior riders) will go for it and wake up the other big manufacturers.
RE rules !
Nice review Freddie, I really like the Meteor, and the Interceptor, and the Continental, basiclly anything Royal Enfield.
The price point is in no small part down to the volume of units that RE can turn out, greater volume = lower end costs, so this is where a large part of the savings come in, also the fact that it isn't bristling with electronic tech is also a huge plus compared to the 'bigger' brands.
The quality of product, materials and craftsmanship is also definately there, so I would use the term Inexpensive rather than cheap.
I started out on a 1959 250 Crusader sport when all my mates were buying, RD's X7's and CB's, I loved it and so did so many other peolpe I encountered, the crowds were always around my RE at 'coffee stops' , when I got stopped by the police it was because they wanted to admire the bike, not because I was hooning around on it :) and the Meteor will be the same.
I agree Graham.. in my view we don't need most of this electronic overkill, christ we never used to need rider modes etc..
@@clausentumsoton totally agree, with regard to rider modes the purist in me would say 'learn how to ride to the conditions your riding in' although the slightly softer side of me can see how these gizmo's would perhaps assist less experienced riders to enjoy different setup options.
I supoose we can always just not not use them, but it might also be nice to have them as maybe an optional extra to possibly bring the price down as much as anything else.
I own the same one in India. Beautiful to ride, beast bike 😍
You have earned yoursef a subscriber! I own a Dominar 400, from Bajaj. It was supposed to compete with RE Classic 350 and Thunderbird 350. I love my motorcycle and I love motorcycles in general. The freedom sentiment hit me right in the feels. I hope the competition between Bajaj and Royal Enfield blesses us riders with more great motorcycles!
BEST MOTORCYCLE I'VE EVER RIDDEN, bold but absolutely 100% correct statement. I can easily say the same after 25 years of riding and 20+ bikes owned.
Awesome review my man! I feel like you've done a phenomenal job capturing the bikes intentions- hoping to pick up one as my first bike in March/April!
I ride a Speed triple, but I enjoyed this review....good points made on what younger bikers want.
Thanks for the vid. I’ve got a 2018 t120 and have to say that, by the looks of it, a lot of the bits n’ bobs like the indicators, mirrors, headlight etc seem to be constructed in a very similar way - that RE really does look like good value
I was really surprised and I think RE have stepped up the fit and finish even compared to the Interceptor, and certainly compared to the Himalayan
I love this guy. He makes reviews a real joy!
If the Tripper can talk to me through my Bluetooth hearing aids, then that little basic screen would be more than enough. Yes I’m an old guy, and I’m thinking something like this might be quite enjoyable. Also, I suspect that a phone in your pocket it’s just a bit too far from the Tripper for a good connection. A tank protector with a small pocket for the phone would most likely solve the problem