2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 | First Ride Review
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- Опубліковано 9 тра 2023
- rvz.la/44FSTT7 | Check out Jen’s First Ride article on Common Tread!
Jen Dunstan hops on board the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 to discover how the new lightweight sibling stacks up against the Meteor 350 and the Classic 350. Is the Hunter 350 more your style? Tell us what you think of the new model below.
Jen’s gear:
Bell X Atwyld Bullitt Orion Helmet rvz.la/41kEybO
Roland Sands Cambria CE Women's Jacket rvz.la/3HRxaNV
Alpinestars Stella Tech-Air 3 System rvz.la/3HWghlc
Bull-it Tactical Icona II Slim Fit Women's Jeans rvz.la/3VNBi7o
REV'IT! Hawk Women's Gloves rvz.la/3VOsz4W
BILT Dexter 2 Women's Shoes rvz.la/3MmxGXf - Авто та транспорт
Read Jen’s First Ride Review on Common Tread! rvz.la/3VReVxS
Nice bike i wish if i had a bike to ride 😢
Amazing what they are doing at RE. A simple bike I can afford
I hope someone from harley reads this comment
Frk Harley! Let's go India! ,🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳
I will never finance a toy. The only bike I will finance is the bmw gsa1250 I will purchase when I’m retired.
@@joesmiley5726 You'll never finance a toy...Yet you'll finance a toy when you're retired.
Makes sense..
These machines aren't toys...it's a lifestyle. It's wild how many american's think they're toys and yet it's needed transportation in another country to make it to even work on a budget. The same should apply for any country. If these "toys" can make it across a country, to deliver food and so forth. It's now a machine used for transport and an essential tool.
Call it what you want. It's your ballpark.
@@ramblinjay3816 IN THE U.S a car is pretty much essential unless you live in a city I guess. A motorcycle, especially an expensive one, usually is not. Other than a police officer its a struggle to even think of a person that actually NEEDS an expensive motorcycle IN THE U.S. Therefor in 99.9 percent of cases motorcycles in the U.S are for recreation, a toy. And most people will not have the funds to buy and maintain a big expensive toy until later in life when all their other large essential life purchases have already been covered: home, loans, cars, kids...
I bought my first Royal Enfield in 2021 with the purchase of an Interceptor 650. I have owned several modern triumphs and a few vintage triumphs. I absolutely love Royal Enfield's new bikes. To me, they are a call back to the vintage stuff but with modern EFI and ABS. My Interceptor impressed me so much as a fun bike to ride I bought a 2022 350 Classic. Those two bikes added together were less than my Bonnie Chopper and while they don't have that level of fit and finish (or power!) they are worth far more to me.
🎉 Great stuff...! Just snared a second hand fireball yellow meteor here in thailand for a bargain price.... Totally smitten with it.... IMO the perfect steed for this location. Cheers 🍻
*Crap Game*
Royal Enfield is a brand to really watch! Affordable bikes with classic styling...
I think RevZilla adding Jen to the mix is a great thing for motorcycling. Particularly having her be the face of most small displacement bike reviews. (Though I want to see her input on other bikes too) I just know a lot of smaller potential riders often feel intimidated and seem to think their size will be a major hurdle. Jen being physically smaller effortlessly throwing bikes around I hope will boost their confidence that they can do it too. Plus having some female representation on what’s likely to be one of the first bikes a woman might try researching, I imagine will add an extra layer on top of that.
@@jrodracing70Triumph's going to come looking for you to review the Speed 400, given your experience and their focus on women for the bike.
Hello, Hunter owner here.
I think 70 MPH is a more realistic top speed, with 73 MPH with the wind in your sails (Sat' confirmed speed).
That being said, with its long stroke, low revving engine, it will do 65 MPH comfortably all day long, & it makes quite light work of those hills too.
I've done fuel economy calculations, & the Hunter will do around 80 MPG (imperial) flat out, & over 100 MPG if you drop the speed down a little, or just potter around.
Not a bike to buy if you want to get the adrenaline rushing, but as a general run around I've found it an excellent machine, & for the price point, I'm very happy with the purchase.
Thanks for a great review Jen.
As a beginner, I was looking for a entry level motorcycle with dual channel ABS, unfortunately most entry level motorcycles have single channel ABS in India. As this bike looked good, did not have scary power and compact with not too high seat height, I bought this and learnt on this from scratch. It is a very forgiving bike with good torque and you dont have to worry too much about gear changes. Every thing is good about this bike, 1000 km done till now.
Great review, agree on your points!
It's my commuting bike, a replacement for my scooter, 1000 miles on it so far this dpring. It looks great and kinda beefy in person, unlike a 125 or even most 250cc bikes, it looks propper. Sounds brilliant and it's super accessible and agile around town, the garage, shops, twisty backroads... Fuel efficiency is comically good. Top speed is around 70, but I take just the car if I plan to ride at that speed...
Awesome video Jen, the whole team deserves credit for those gorgeous graphics!
You did an awesome job with this review Jen!
RevZilla, we want more Jen content.
Great video! Royal Enfield has been killing it lately. I really liked the Meteor when that first came out but I like the Hunter even more. My dad used to have a Triumph and I thought it was the coolest bike. I love that the Hunter looks likes a smaller Triumph at a great price. I would gladly take this & save $1000 over a Honda Rebel 300 ABS
I owned an old school RE Bullet and it was a wonderful bike for newbies, collectors and novice riders. Great handling, manageable power. I taught one of my sons how to ride on it. (MSF RC so yes I am fussy).
The company is huge and has resources, wish the dealer network in the US was stronger.
Amazing video! Everything we needed to know but not too long. Thanks
Hell yes! Been waiting for this! I know Jen picked up the GSX 8S as well, so I'm excited for that too.
I love the first ride reviews Jen. I like that you compared it to your Honda, nice touch. Congratulations to you and your team
Great video, nice work Jen!
I appreciate your videos, Jen
Great review - I never even thought about this bike until now.
Amazing bike. Just picked one up, and rode it from Marshall to Glasgow to Fayette to BOCOMO. REALLY IMPRESSIVE!!! The exhaust note is the best ever, and the comfortable seat, allows you to ride for hours and hours. Exceptional fuel economy.
Jen's the only one I've seen reference the significant difference between the turning circle of those three versions of the bike.
Good review. I like your upfront opinions without sounding like you think anyone who might disagree would be wrong. Nicely balanced.
Thanks Jen. Other manufacturers could learn a lot from Royal Enfield. Who else is building affordable learner bikes?
Hunter Became the Motorcycle of the Year 2022 after 4 month of its launch in India. Easy affordable and easy ride in the heavy city traffic regions.
Awesome video 👏
I appreciate Jen's presence in the industry and on RevZilla, back in the day I read Road Bike magazine and Jessica Prokup's leadership and articles made a huge difference in the quality of that magazine. Having knowledgeable, professional, and feminine women in this space is appreciated.
nice simping, keep it up!
@@ragimundvonwallat8961 first honest comment.
Great review!
Fantastic review!👍🏻
Saw the bike in person yesterday. Looks and sounds fantastic. Definitely looks like a mini-Triumph but comes with only a $4000 price tag. And it’s the perfect around town bike at 20hp.
I’ll be ordering one of these along with a SuperMeteor 650 soon as ordering is available in the US. Looking like July.
Keep up the great content!!
650 is worthy, I hope you have a good time 😎
@@Vikrum_ thanks!!! Looking forward to it!
Why do you need 2 slow bikes?
@@xb5883 not everyone has a small dick
Super Meteor is the perfect Harley substitute one can have without having a huge hole in their pocket
Amazing and beautiful little bike... Currently I own a 1200 Sportster, but I would love to have the Hunter as a second bike for commuting and having some fun...
Great review. I think Royal Enfield is really making some high quality motorcycles especially at the price point they are at.
I've never liked the old & bulky designs but this is the only bike from RE that made me want it at 1st sight. ITS amazing how tiny geometry changes can have such massive differences.
But its low height & me being 6 1" (& quite a bit heavy) made me look huge on it, that's the only deal breaker.
i am 6'3 and i wanted the hunter as well. after visiting my local dealer i sat on the re scram 411 and fell in love. way bigger, it is a stripped down himalayan and ive been riding and loving it for the last 4 months
Small bike that looks cool.
Its about time!
Wow I just discovered this!! ♥️
I really like this motorcycle! Great view as well 💯✅
A proud owner of RE meteor 350, i can vouch that this is a beautiful machine. Hunter is an younger sibling of meteor. Have clocked more than 3000miles in a year touring India and never faced any issues. That's the trust of RE❤❤❤❤
I love these 350 bikes from RE. Only thing I wish they’d touch on in this review is the fuel economy, and maintenance. I think these need a valance check/adjustment every 6200mi but it’s easy to access?
I've got the classic and I can say that power plant is fantastic.
Simple two valves and smoother than a babies bum.
I was trying to decide between the speed 400 and hunter 350. The seat on the speed 400 is way too wide at its narrowest point. The hunter 350 seat is about 3 to 4 inchest narrower at the tank making life much more comfortable at stops and backig up. Im so happy I picked the hunter. Great handling and mileage. Nice factory exhaust note. Very comfortable. It can do 75 at half throttle. Easy maintenance.
I'm right there! Ready to make the purchase in rebel red as shown here. But the only other bike tugging at me is the Honda CL 500. It's more money and has a slightly larger engine. But I'm the type of person who takes style into consideration. And the RE is no doubt more the style I prefer. If the Honda had the tear drop tank and a more vintage look I might have gone with that. You just can't beat this RE styling. Whoever designed this bike hit it out of the ball park.
Alright, Jen!
Hunter looks cool imo
I look forward to the RevZilla rider reviews
For the American market, I wonder if this could make sense for anyone over the Scram. What's the real difference between the two? A modest chunk of change, some displacement, and suspension stiffness?
I have always seen the elements of the Speed Twin and the Moto Guzzi V7 in this bike. For my style, those are two of the finest offerings out there. I love this thing and if I wasn't 6'5" and 250 lbs, I might consider it... I need a bit more bike. If they make a Hunter 650 at some point, I'll be eager to give it a go.
They are working on Hunter 450( which will come with a brand new 450cc single which will produce round about 40bhp) and Hunter 650 also.
@@zoloo39 If they are going to stick to a 2 valve setup, I am still not certain that 450cc will cope well with US highways. It largely depends on whether the roads are flat or hilly where you live. I had a 4-valve air cooled 500cc motorcycle (Honda FT500) and though it was just right. It would cope with 70mph and hills just fine.
@@jfess1911 I think they are coming up with 4 valve setup. Although I am not certain about it. Waiting for the news.
@@zoloo39 The big issue really, is that the market in India is so different than in the US. It has a lot to do with speed limits. It seems that motorcycles in India are limited to 80kph (49mph) even on expressways where cars are going 120kph (75mph). Motorcycles that can easily cope with US speeds are deemed overpowered and overly expensive in Royal Enfield's home market.
Nevertheless, we can hope that they get us something with around 30hp or hopefully a bit more.
Don't remember what the bike looks like - too busy watching Jen ❤
You're rockn on that bike girl
I've heard mixed things about the clutch. Some say it's light and easy to use. Others say it's stiff and can cause a bit of fatigue on longer rides, that it's noticeable. Thoughts on this feature??
Love seeing San Diego ❤
RevZilla has a San Diego location?
Hunter 450 liquid cooled is coming next year. I will wait a little longer.
RE is always MAKING INDIA PROUD. 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
It's been 5 month , and boy I have to say it, 80 km at 5th gear,, feels like waves
Exc styling and great for around town.. at 4k a great deal
I hate when people put motorcycles into the "beginner" . THERE IS NO SUCH THING. All motorcycles work for all people, it depends on what you like and what you're looking for.
I'm buying this one, and I've been riding for 15 years. I just want a city bike that's on the cheaper side
Hope to see a 650 with 17" wheels soon.
This bike is beautiful.
I like motor bikes, they're really cool.😊
I have booked last month and its delivery this month and now they are saying from may 1st it's price increased by 5k it seems..now it's ex showroom is 1.71 lakh...is it true?
How tall do you have to be to flat foot it? My wife is vertically challenged, and one of the RE 350's may be her first bike. I have a Scram 411, and she can't touch on both sides.
Looking for my first bike!
I am looking at this bike or the Svartpilen 401.
I take the back roads to work, which start out city but go into twisty canyons.
Want agile not speed.
What kind of service life can be expected from this air-cooled engine? 30k mi, 50k mi?
How they landed on NOT black bolts for the engine case I can’t figure. All those silver studs on black-taking inspiration from Rob Halford’s wardrobe apparently.
I like moter bike they're really cool
It would be nice if it can be fitted with a single seat and a cargo rack.
When is it coming out though???
Waheed just reviewed a $7k Yamaha mtn bike. And RE gives us this for $4k. Amazing.
Nice bike, wouldn’t mind riding one in Latin America where a small bike can get the job done. For riding US highways I feel like 650cc+ is necessary.
It's certainly a handsome bike.
Is this good for highway riding?
Great looking bike. Wish they would come out with at least a 500cc bike in this platform. Would be a great commuter bike with options to add small saddle bags to. I ride almost 100 miles round trip for work 95% of my ride is highway miles. Wouldn't trust this bike to ride on highway for that length of time with only a 350cc engine. Need's to be at least 500cc before I would feel comfortable riding on the highway with it.
What's the top speed on your highways... 80mph ain't enough.. 🤔
*Crap Game*
@@Plough78 There are many factors that come into play. Just because top speed is 80mph don't mean it will get to that speed. A persons weight comes into play also, besides what they are carrying. I have watched many reviews of small CC motorcycle. What the manufacture claims for top speed and reality are many time two different things. If your in a bad situation on the highway or nonhighway roads you need to power to get out of that situation. This bike does not have that power to do so. I ride a Harley Ultra Limited with 103 CI engine, and a 2018 Harley Breakout with 114CI engine. Those bikes have power to accelerate fast to get out of a bad situation. This bike does not.
@@Plough78 If a bike's top speed is 80, that usually means it only hits 80 in favorable conditions (flat road, no wind, light weight rider, etc), if I'm on an 80mph interstate going up a hill, I really don't want to be dogging down to way under the speed limit on a motorcycle, that sounds like a recipe for disaster.
@@jakeedgell591 Yes I understand... It's all about location 📍 I guess... Here in North Thailand if I ever have a need to go even 70mph it's only for a very short period... My meteor is an ideal bike for this location but wouldn't fancy using it on ze autobahn in Germany...
Ride safe , cheers 🍻
*Crap Game*
They're so close to a motor that can reasonably do north american highway speed, just 10 more hp will probably do it. Would be neat to see value India bikes like TVS\Bajaj bring over models like Royal has done.
Their 650s handle highways fine, I wonder if they brought out these 350s to try to snag city riders and beginners. Either way, they look dope as hell
I agree. A motorcycle really needs close to 30hp at the rear wheel to comfortably keep up with expressway traffic. My old Honda FT500 single had something like 28hp and was fine. Its strong low and mid-range torque made it seem faster than it really was, say, in comparison to a current Honda 300 which has about the same max power.
@@rodneya6371 They are great looking bikes! the 350 is a classic in India, and more then enough for their lower speeds, as a city bike I'm sure its great, considering the skyrocketing prices of every other motorcycle since the pandemic, these guys are doing great!
@@jfess1911 Those FT500's are cool bikes despite what Fort9 says! I've never ridden a lower power bike on the highway, I live in a city and I don't like riding on the highway at all anyways, so I'd be just fine to poodle around at lower speeds in town anyways (especially on a naked bike)
@Kingsoupturbo If you can easily avoid 65+mph traffic, these RE 350's would be great.
Fort9 tested the v-twin version which was not nearly as light and nimble. The FT was a chain-drive single closely related to dual sports of the era and lighter than the FV500 or the RE 350's (only about 365lbs or 165kg). Ryan F9 is also taller than average, so his comments on ergonomics mean little to someone short like me. Pretty much any motorcycle that fits him will be uncomfortable to me. The FT500 fit me fine but would be cramped for him, for example.
Do any of the Royal Enfields come with a real shifter or are they all heel shift?
Only the Meteor has a heel shifter, and the Classic is optionable with one. The rest are all toe shifter
Not bad! Chinese manufacturers are all trying to catch this retro hype wave, so it was about time RE launched a budget product for this market. After all, RE has already the street credibility, although now being an Indian company.
if the rear wheel would be pulled out just 10cm more it would look better it looks a bit smooshed rn
Damn my 200cc 4 stroke Gilera Runner did 21hp... this is certainly more stylish but super underperforming.
I'd certainly consider an off-roader transformation.
what are your gilera's torque figures?
Nice bike i wish if i have a bike 😢
Craziest thing for me is $1500 -$1800 on top of msrp for out the door price. Been looking for Scram 411 and highest I inquired for was , crate, freight stock etc fees. For a $5 k bike. Ends up $6850. How would this end up out the door?
MSRP $3999, add destination, freight, set-up, and processing fees. Equal = $5450 OTD.
How tall is jen? I'm looking at bikes for my sister
Can a person with 4'11 height ride this comfortably?
This amezing bike
the real test of agility is in normal i dian city traffic where this performs superbly , its super agile, good torque till 80-100 knph in city traffic and optimum comfort too
Where can we get one
Good
Great small bike for short riders
This bike will definitely help young generation to start riding a motorcycle.
Does ground clearance cause any trouble?
Royal enfeald the great in india
unfortunately are the newest emission rules a bit tough on air-cooled singles.. 20.2 hp on the crank on a 350cc single a little low.. But since these biles are simply machines a lot of custom mods are being done in UK and USA firms on the enfield bikes... AN example is that TEC parts have another camshaft for the 411cc single in the scram 411 bumping power up from 24.3 bhp to 28.2 bhp.. Another camshaft is designed for the 350cc singles available from hictchcock motorcycles that promises more than 20% more power with slight mod to the airfilter and exhaust.. Even the enfield 650cc twin squeezed out more than 9% more horses at the rearwheel with a remap without any other mods.
As a happy owner, I can tell you that if you need more power or to go faster, you'll need to buy a different bike. Mods will not significantly change what the Hunter is. It's a low reving air cooled city bike with fuel efficiency, affordability, reliability and robustness in mind.
There are better road bikes like the honda 300 or even CFmoto if you want similar displacement but more power. Besides power, the Hunter has arguably low top speed (70 mph), weak breaks and so-so suspension. It's basically a massively overbuild 125cc more than a competition to other similar displacement bikes. And that's the beauty of it.
Still it's the perfect bike for my European twisty roads and town commuting, for people in crowded metropolises etc...
I like RE, I just don't like how little power their bikes have... turn it up to ~40hp and I'd consider one
Interceptor, Continental GT and Super meteor all make 47BHP.
The new Himalayan also makes 40BHP although it will launch in like 9 months in the US
All great and amazing but it's slow, if you want to cruise at 40-50mph stress free and are not a rev happy person this would be perfect for you.
Great beginner bike though
Question???
How tall can a rider be to jump on this model hunter??
@@jrodracing70 Good to know. I am 6'3" (and 240). Have not had a bike in 40 years. Getting back into it but want something simple. light, and easy to start with. Will mostly putter around and do some riding on back roads and scenic places plus bopping around the suburbs. So this would be a bike to consider?
I hope to see you riding the Hunter 450 LC in India next year
When are the 450 Himmy and Scrams expected to be launched in India.... 🤔
*Crap Game*
@@Plough78 most likely during festival season which is around Oct/Nov
@@kyakaruvlogs2784 Hmmm 🤔 I'm in Thailand... At a rough guess that means around mid 2024 here.....Bring it on..!
*Crap Game*
@@Plough78 Just hope they don't turn porky when launched. 180-185kgs should be their Target
@@kyakaruvlogs2784 Yeah, that be good. ... I'll be keeping a close eye on the second hand market when they hit.. Should be a rash of 411 Scrams n himmys for sale at sweet prices shortly after they land... More so Himmys.. See quite a few of em around here.
*Crap Game*
They look like baby triumphs and I love it
Is it available in0% intrest
20 hp vs the new single Triumphs at 40 hp...will be interesting to see how much more it costs for twice the HP.
I like the speed 400 but I think it will start at £5500 here. That's going by dealer pages and comparing to the likes of the cb300r, duke,z400,cl500, BMW 310.
I can't see it being any less than these bikes.
The hunter starts at £3683 otr.
I've no doubt the Triumph will be faster but the price difference is enough to make me consider the Hunter.
I think in the US is going to be $6k for the 400 Triumph and up. I'm sort of waiting for it to arrive but this Hunter may change my mind.
I like the hunter design... i just wish it wasn't a 350... hopefully they'll slip in that water cooled 450 I hear they're working on.
The price is right for this bike, you get a lot for your money.
4000 $ but in our country is 5000 € and with taxes cost 30% more
I think in 10 years these will be the standard MSF bikes.
Don't delude yourself with sll the praises you see on line regarding this bike. This Bike is not a highway crusier by any stretch of the imagination. While it can achieve 60 mph the motor sounds like it is straining. At 60mph the motor has very little reserve to carry you much faster.
The bike is nimble however and makes for s nice city bike or leisurely backroads vehicle. Beware of the high cost of maintenance on this machine it will shock you...
T
in india , it costs 2100 -2500$ .
Royal Enfield, look great, lovely chilled bikes to ride. Until they break down. My Himalayan didn't make it to 1200 miles before multiple major issues caused the dealer to refund me. Interceptor, garbage brakes, suspension and the performance of a well tuned shopping trolley. Buyer beware, don't buy a 'lifestyle'
Kind of true ...
@@bonjovi1354 Aye. I forgot overweight as well, and I would go so far as to say dangerous. First road crash I had since 1989 was when the Himalayan brakes seized on.
Pretty ornaments for posers.
My KTM 390 adventure , terrible reputation, has never broken down.
My MT07, if it broke down it would be from total abuse.
I just want folk to stop deluding themselves. If it suits other folk fine, but the raving owners make is like they are in a cult.
@@Hutchie2112 Your experience feels like what I've gone through with Moto Guzzi and the V85TT.
Beautiful bike but terribly built. Waiting to get mine fixed and selling it on straight away. 6,000 miles, two winters, and it's basically fucked. Throttle position sensor on the Ride by Wire system broke. Clutch vibrates when it's cold. Exhaust heat shields vibrated apart because they used really thin ally & no washers \ rubber mounts.
@@himaro101 sorry to hear that, the worst of it is, you are never confident on the manufacturer again. The v85tt, I nearly bought one. shaft drive adventure style bike, Super Tenere.
The deranged 'easy maintenance R.E. nonsense. Who needs to get their head bearings done inside of a year. Who can repair a screaming stuck clutch within a year.
Stuff that insanity.
I'll never buy anything but japanese ever again. Until those garbage R.E's I can't remember the last time a bike I owned even didn't get me home, other than a sna[[ed chain on my FJ1200 back in the day. Only been riding since 1980 of course.
@@Hutchie2112 Sorry to hear that... I've been riding my Interceptor for almost 4 years now and have been to the Himalayas twice on it apart from few other touring duties I also commute to work at times on it (when it's not too hot outside)... Had a faulty speedo sensor & RR-Unit replaced for free under warranty once... Didn't breakdown or anything yet (20,000 miles).