Royal Enfield Hunter 350: In the recent past, Royal Enfield has re-established itself as a company, which isn’t only about the Bullet and the Classic.
One of its latest launches is the Royal Enfield Hunter 350, a machine that combines the classic RE DNA with a more contemporary, street-oriented feel.
The Hunter is an attempt from Royal Enfield to lure those urban riders who want a motorcycle which is trendy, easy to manoeuvre and not too heavy on the pocket.
With a great fanfare the first Hunter 350 has been released and it is going to be the perfect blend of retro and practical city transit. But does it deliver? Let’s take a closer look.
Design and Outlook: When Retro Is Roadster
There’s no mistaking it as anything other than a Royal Enfield, but the Hunter 350 also goes for a sportier and more compact design than other machines in its current lineup.
It sits below its brothers too, the 17-inch alloy wheels are of a lower profile and it has a shorter wheelbase and seat height – combined, it looks a world more lithe and ready for the city.
The round headlamps, tear-drop fuel tank and neutral upright riding posture provides it with a classic roadster appeal, though the colour schemes (especially on the “Metro” options) are bright and youthful.
Its not what I would call a scream in your face bike, but its a very classy stand-out bike.
Engine and Performance
The Hunter 350 is powered by the same 349cc J-series engine that powers the Classic 350 and the Meteor 350. It is good for 20.2 bhp and 27 Nm of torque with a 5-speed gearbox.
The power numbers are unimpressive but the engine is designed to be torquey from low-down the rev range and that makes it perfect for the city.
The throttle is responsive, and there are less vibes than the older Royal Enfields. In traffic, the Hunter is light on its feet and very manageable.
It’ll sit at 80–90 km/h pretty comfortably on the open road, and that’s not its sweet spot as a speed demon; it’s all about the fun, lazy cruising.
Handling and Ride Quality
What truly does separate the Hunter 350 from other Royal Enfields is its agility. It now has a shorter wheelbase, a pair of 17-inch wheels and a kerb weight of about 181kg, making it more manageable in city conditions.
Suspension is plain but well-tuned for city streets. It soaks up potholes and wiggles with composure, though you’ll feel sharp bumps at speed.
Cornering is all decent, as well — not a word you’d usually associate with a Royal Enfield.
The Hunter is light and responsive, whether you’re threading traffic or heading off on a short weekend ride.
Features and Technology
The Hunter 350 remains basic but modern. It comes with:
Analogue-Digital instrument cluster
Tripper navigation(lat/long type not available in Metro variant)
USB charging port
Dual-channel ABS (Metro)
LED tail lamp
Alloy wheels and tubeless tyres (Metro optional only)
It has a fairly minimal console housing, featuring an analogue speedometer and digital inset for the fuel gauge, unit selector, gear position and clock.
It is not big on features, but includes everything you need and is easy to use.
Pros:
Sleek and nimble –ideal for urban riding
Sleeker 349cc engine with better torque.
Stylish retro-modern look
Cheap by Royal Enfield measure
Decent fuel economy (·35-40 km/l)
Decent road manners for a RE sibling
Cons:
Not well-suited for highway touring.
No slip and assist clutch or other fancy electronics.
Firm ride over sharp bumps
Limited top-end performance
Misses full system of LED lighting
Royal Enfield Hunter 350: Conclusion
Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is an exciting leap for the brand that has only been known for its heavyweight cruisers until now.
It also feels young and fresh, catering to city commuters and newer riders seeking the Royal Enfield feel without the bulk.
Hunter proves that sometimes less really is more when it comes to style, features and everyday ease of use with the 350.