Royal Enfield Hunter 350 – Long Term User Review After Almost a Year
Bikers are basking in the sun of Two Wheelers Revolution. The current era is in customer’s favour with endless options and big manufacturing fighting to provide the best for the buck. Hunter 350 is also a product of this revolution.
Following is the list of PROs and CONs if you do not want to read the whole article.
| Pros | Cons |
| Maneuverability / Easy to ride in city traffic | Factory fitted seats are uncomfortable |
| Powerful engine with endless torque | Engine heat makes rider uncomfortable in traffic |
| Value for money | Rear shockers are stiff |
| Affordable maintenance | Low Mileage |
Royal Enfield’s name has always been associated with Men with enthusiastic mindset. Back in the days, only experienced riders with mechanical knowledge were riding Enfields. Mechanical knowledge was essential because breakdowns were almost guaranteed. The OG Enfield riders are proud of these machines and the cult which followed with it. The increasing mechanical knowledge due to unexplainable breakdowns was seen as an added benefit.
Enfields now are more reliable, inclusive and accessible. The RE bikes now hardly break down, and the Engines are just better in every aspect. Although we agree with the complaining enthusiasts who are missing “THE THUMP” from the bikes. RE is dominating all the segments it has bikes in and Hunter is also one such attempt to win the city commuter segment.
Introduction
The Hunter 350 is not just a normal boring city commuter bike; it is a bold statement from Royal Enfield. The design is so modern that if a Japanese counterpart add their logo on this bike and sell with their name, the might get away with this. The retro inspired modern design is very appealing and exciting.
The vibrant colour schemes, each with a distinct personality compliments this bike very well. You can see all the colours of this bike here. Whether you prefer the boldness of Rebel Blue or the understated elegance of Dapper Grey, there’s a Hunter 350 that matches your style.
Engineering
The Hunter 350 is powered by a 349cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine. This is the tuned version of the exact engine we see in Meteor 350. This engine has prooved its ability in Meteor and Hunter is no different. The power figures of 20.2 bhp and torque 27 Nm may not look very impressive on paper, but the power to wight ratio is in sweet spot. Abundance of torque is available from low RPMs, which makes this a really good city mile muncher.
The engine is now a part of the chassis which may look odd in the first look, but what Hunter’s chassis lacks in looks it compensates in performance. The Hunter 350 feels light and always in control. The suspension setup is balanced for a single rider, riding with a pillion is a whole another story.
Riding
The riding position is balanced and relaxed, making it perfect for newbies as well. The handlebar and the new dimension of front wheel are complementing each other. The old timers like us might complain a little as we associate RE with a very relaxed posture an a high handlebar.
The braking on this bike also does not disappoint. The BYBRE discs are equipped with disc brakes on both wheels and dual-channel ABS, it offers reliable stopping power. The ABS is really smart and does not feel very intrusive usuallt, however in last 1 year we faced atleast 4-5 scenarios where ABS overreacted a bit.
The Royal Enfield Experience
Owning a Hunter 350 or any Royal Enfield Motorcycle is more than just having a mode of transportation; it’s about being part of a motorcycling community. Royal Enfield does not only sell motorcycle; it sell lifestyle. The long-standing legacy of bringing riding communities together, and buying the Hunter 350 will be your ticket to this experience.