I think it’s a mistake to label these bikes as ‘beginner bikes’ - yes they are great for beginners, but I have 20+ years riding experience and I prefer small and mid displacement bikes because I like to ride the whole bike throughout its range and capability. I realize the video was geared at beginners but it’s important to note they are not necessarily bike you buy to graduate from - they can serve you well at any point in your riding career - the bike’s suitability is really driven by your intentions, not your level of experience.
It's definitely a beautiful bike but I believe I am going to stick with my Meteor 350. At the end of the day that just comes down to an aesthetic preference. The Meteor, Classic, and Hunter are essentially the same bike mechanically speaking with different cosmetic changes. If I was going to upgrade it would be to a Meteor 650 But I'm too new of a rider to want to upgrade yet and the Meteor 350 is like a friend I'm growing up with.
Definitely, much better to spend the time with what you've got now and move to the Super Meteor when you're ready! I generally try and avoid side-grading personally, unless there's some small but very important feature that's going to have a huge impact on my riding.
I looked at this originally but chose the Classic 350. It’s a pottering bike on Saturday or Sunday early morning rides. This version confused me. It wants to look modern in a semi classic style or the other way round. Great review MJK! Hope you enjoyed Melbourne 👌
Was great to explore some areas I haven't seen before, and I had a hoot on the 350! I definitely think the Hunter is aimed at those who like something a little bit more modern in styling, but still like the idea of pottering around, it's ideal for that. Certainly a bit of a different take than what we generally see these days.
I think that 25HP would be enough. In conjunction with 16T front sprocket, it would be enough performance to maintain highway speeds. That would render it good enough for most use cases. Considering the popularity of that model, it wont take long until Power Commander (or equivalent) becomes available for that sweet little machine.
Would be nice to see them eke that little bit more out of the bike, that's where the Himalayan sits and I'd be happy enough on one of those on the highway all day. Still not a powerhouse, but has you covered if you're doing more high speed cruising. I guess it just depends what riding people are doing most of the time!
I still believe the Honda CB500F is the best beginner's bike of all. Not just that but it is a bike that can deliver most of the goods including highway speed, performance and adequate power and doesn't have to be upgraded unless you're a speed hoon lol.
I down sized to the hunter 350 from an 883 Iron and while I felt like I was on a snail 🐌 at first it’s more than proved that its just play common sense usability. I ride for work 3 times a week and on weekends when I can I go for small trips and generally use it three times more often than I would have the iron.
Just ordered one, thanks for the insight. I was looking back in to riding as I'm now working and back at university and my car grenaded a year ago and I wanted something to help battle rising fuel costs. I'm extremely excited to get my hands on one of these. It would be great if you could get your hands on one of these to do one of your accessories reviews? I don't know which to consider, or if to go OEM or eBay specials
That's a cool idea! I think the Royal Enfield accessories tend to be a bit more competitively priced than what we see from the Japanese and Euro brands, so I'd probably start there. You never really know what you're getting with eBay specials, although they can turn out quite well on occasion, especially for super simple stuff!
I totally understand why people want a fast bike. But really you shouldn't be overtaking a car that's doing 60mph at 80 or 90 to get past quickly. Done it myself but really if you can't get past without breaking the speed limit you shouldn't be going past So for someone who wants to ride within speed limits this is fine. I think that describes me these days 😃
It's definitely a more relaxed machine, suited to that kind of attitude. My concern isn't needing an extra 20 or 30 mph to overtake, it's having the acceleration to do so safely at the speed limit. But I wouldn't pick this bike if I was regularly needing to cruise at 110 km/h which is the usual highway speeds near me. If your highway speeds are more like 90 km/h you're golden.
Up to 80 or 100 kph, how does the acceleation compare to the 401, Kris? What about 0-60 kph? I like the Hunter. My 390 has a great gearbox and pulls hard but is jerky low-down the rev range. Doubtless a Euro emission thing.
I thought it was nice and smooth in the lower rev range, maybe with a little clutch feathering at times, but the acceleration is slower than a 401 or 390 for sure. For normal traffic and riding it's less noticeable, as you'll outpace most cars (unless they are having a go), however on the short stint on the highway you don't have the punch of performance to get up to speed as quickly, in either of those speed ranges. Well within reason for a smaller bike, but you're not going to be jumping out into small gaps trying to make up big speed differentials. Of course the 401/390 have double the performance, so not unexpected. Just a different riding style and mentality required.
They do look like nice bikes but how is the reliability of royal enfield these days? Would it not be better to spend an extra $1k and buy a jap bike? The service intervals seem quite short on these too.
Not really sure there's anything comparable these days, unless you look at the more modern options, where that's true, but not necessarily what someone after one of these wants. When the SR400 was available that was similar, but the price was quite a bit higher too. I'd be doubtful about actual classic bikes being any more reliable too. These do seem like a step up in build quality though, compared to the earlier 350s and 500s. Hard to beat the Japanese bikes for reliability normally, so hard to tell on that one. I'd guess shorter servicing intervals is less of an issue with a more urban bike, probably doing less miles.
Check out the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 review at MCNews.com.au:
www.mcnews.com.au/royal-enfield-hunter-350-review-motorcycle-test/
Great video Kris & awesome to meet you on this ride!
Great to meet you and have the opportunity to ride with you too!
I think it’s a mistake to label these bikes as ‘beginner bikes’ - yes they are great for beginners, but I have 20+ years riding experience and I prefer small and mid displacement bikes because I like to ride the whole bike throughout its range and capability. I realize the video was geared at beginners but it’s important to note they are not necessarily bike you buy to graduate from - they can serve you well at any point in your riding career - the bike’s suitability is really driven by your intentions, not your level of experience.
I'm not seeing a valid argument as to why the beginner label shouldn't be used?
@@MotoJournoKrissame lol
It's definitely a beautiful bike but I believe I am going to stick with my Meteor 350. At the end of the day that just comes down to an aesthetic preference. The Meteor, Classic, and Hunter are essentially the same bike mechanically speaking with different cosmetic changes. If I was going to upgrade it would be to a Meteor 650 But I'm too new of a rider to want to upgrade yet and the Meteor 350 is like a friend I'm growing up with.
Definitely, much better to spend the time with what you've got now and move to the Super Meteor when you're ready! I generally try and avoid side-grading personally, unless there's some small but very important feature that's going to have a huge impact on my riding.
I just got this today. The Rebel Blue. Great bike.
Nice, congratulations!
I looked at this originally but chose the Classic 350. It’s a pottering bike on Saturday or Sunday early morning rides. This version confused me. It wants to look modern in a semi classic style or the other way round. Great review MJK! Hope you enjoyed Melbourne 👌
Was great to explore some areas I haven't seen before, and I had a hoot on the 350! I definitely think the Hunter is aimed at those who like something a little bit more modern in styling, but still like the idea of pottering around, it's ideal for that. Certainly a bit of a different take than what we generally see these days.
I think that 25HP would be enough. In conjunction with 16T front sprocket, it would be enough performance to maintain highway speeds. That would render it good enough for most use cases.
Considering the popularity of that model, it wont take long until Power Commander (or equivalent) becomes available for that sweet little machine.
Would be nice to see them eke that little bit more out of the bike, that's where the Himalayan sits and I'd be happy enough on one of those on the highway all day. Still not a powerhouse, but has you covered if you're doing more high speed cruising. I guess it just depends what riding people are doing most of the time!
I still believe the Honda CB500F is the best beginner's bike of all. Not just that but it is a bike that can deliver most of the goods including highway speed, performance and adequate power and doesn't have to be upgraded unless you're a speed hoon lol.
They are a great machine, I just wish they were a tiny bit cheaper. Maybe sitting halfway between where they are now, and where the Ninja 400 sits.
I down sized to the hunter 350 from an 883 Iron and while I felt like I was on a snail 🐌 at first it’s more than proved that its just play common sense usability. I ride for work 3 times a week and on weekends when I can I go for small trips and generally use it three times more often than I would have the iron.
They are great little bikes really, perfect for having a bit of fun if you don't need heaps of power.
Just ordered one, thanks for the insight. I was looking back in to riding as I'm now working and back at university and my car grenaded a year ago and I wanted something to help battle rising fuel costs. I'm extremely excited to get my hands on one of these. It would be great if you could get your hands on one of these to do one of your accessories reviews? I don't know which to consider, or if to go OEM or eBay specials
That's a cool idea! I think the Royal Enfield accessories tend to be a bit more competitively priced than what we see from the Japanese and Euro brands, so I'd probably start there. You never really know what you're getting with eBay specials, although they can turn out quite well on occasion, especially for super simple stuff!
I totally understand why people want a fast bike.
But really you shouldn't be overtaking a car that's doing 60mph at 80 or 90 to get past quickly.
Done it myself but really if you can't get past without breaking the speed limit you shouldn't be going past
So for someone who wants to ride within speed limits this is fine.
I think that describes me these days 😃
It's definitely a more relaxed machine, suited to that kind of attitude. My concern isn't needing an extra 20 or 30 mph to overtake, it's having the acceleration to do so safely at the speed limit. But I wouldn't pick this bike if I was regularly needing to cruise at 110 km/h which is the usual highway speeds near me. If your highway speeds are more like 90 km/h you're golden.
Up to 80 or 100 kph, how does the acceleation compare to the 401, Kris? What about 0-60 kph? I like the Hunter. My 390 has a great gearbox and pulls hard but is jerky low-down the rev range. Doubtless a Euro emission thing.
I thought it was nice and smooth in the lower rev range, maybe with a little clutch feathering at times, but the acceleration is slower than a 401 or 390 for sure. For normal traffic and riding it's less noticeable, as you'll outpace most cars (unless they are having a go), however on the short stint on the highway you don't have the punch of performance to get up to speed as quickly, in either of those speed ranges.
Well within reason for a smaller bike, but you're not going to be jumping out into small gaps trying to make up big speed differentials. Of course the 401/390 have double the performance, so not unexpected. Just a different riding style and mentality required.
@@MotoJournoKris Thanks for the detailed reply, Kris.
I just learned bike by driving Honda Shine and I want to buy meteor 350 but everyone is telling to buy hunter. Which one should I buy?
Buy an bajaj avenger you won't regret and no one will come and tell you anything after that
I'd normally recommend buying the bike you like the look of, I wouldn't have said there was an enormous difference between the two personally.
albeit = "all-be-it" ... Al Beit doesn't exist.
They do look like nice bikes but how is the reliability of royal enfield these days? Would it not be better to spend an extra $1k and buy a jap bike? The service intervals seem quite short on these too.
Not really sure there's anything comparable these days, unless you look at the more modern options, where that's true, but not necessarily what someone after one of these wants. When the SR400 was available that was similar, but the price was quite a bit higher too. I'd be doubtful about actual classic bikes being any more reliable too. These do seem like a step up in build quality though, compared to the earlier 350s and 500s. Hard to beat the Japanese bikes for reliability normally, so hard to tell on that one. I'd guess shorter servicing intervals is less of an issue with a more urban bike, probably doing less miles.