Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is one of the most stylish and accessible motorcycles in the company’s lineup, blending classic charm with modern agility. Launched in India with a starting price of ₹1.50 Lakh (ex-showroom, India), the Hunter 350 is designed to attract young riders and urban commuters who want the Royal Enfield experience in a compact, nimble, and affordable package.
This roadster-style motorcycle is built on Royal Enfield’s established J-series platform, the same platform the Meteor 350 utilizes but with the engine oriented for acceleration, city commuting, and rider-centric ergos. In the following article, we explore its styling, powerplant performance, features, comfort, handling, safety, and value to see why it has been received so positively by enthusiasts.
Design and Styling
The styling on the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is minimal but aggressive. A round headlamp, teardrop tank, and short rear unit give the neo-retro styling the sporty attitude and young appearance. Relatively smaller dimensions make it less intimidating when standing alongside standard Royal Enfields, but dual-tone colours and modern graphics add fashionable flair.
With 17-inch alloy wheels, wide tyres, and low stance, the Hunter 350 appears strong and street-ready. There are two variants – Retro and Metro, designed to appeal to individual riders.
Engine and Performance
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is powered by the 349cc, single-cylinder, air-oil cooled engine, producing 20.2 bhp power at 6,100 rpm and 27 Nm torque at 4,000 rpm. This engine has the 5-speed gear transmission, offering smooth gear changes as well as impressive mid-range power.
This is not a high-performance but instead a comfortable, torquey, fun ride. With its top speed at about 114 km/h, the bike offers strong low-end torque for easy city commuting as well as occasional long road trips.
Ride and Handling
One of the key benefits of the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is lightness and lightness. Weighing 181 kg in total, it is the lightest Royal Enfield motorcycle, so it is extremely light to maneuver in traffic as well as city conditions. Lower ground clearance and lower seat height of 800mm also boost confidence in smaller riders.
Suspension setup comprises telescopic front forks and twin rear shock absorbers which are dialed in for smoothness with city potholes and rough road conditions. Neutral ergo and wide handlebars ensure all-day usability.
Braking and Safety
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 has disc brakes on both ends in the Metro variant, but the Retro version has a disc-drum setup. Dual-channel ABS comes as standard on the Metro, which provides safe braking with complete control.
The braking system is robust and progressive, providing assurance in city traffic conditions as well as on highways.
Technology and Features
Although the look is old-school, the Hunter 350 comes with modern features to enhance the ride. Top points are:
- Semi-digital instrument cluster with analog speedometer
- Gear position indicator and trip meter
- Optional Tripper Royal Enfield Navigation pod (for turn-by-turn instructions)
- LED tail lamp
- USB charging port (on Metro variant)
- Alloy wheels with tubeless tires
Retro styling with useful features combines to appeal to contemporary riders.
Comfort and Ergonomics
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 has upright relaxed seat heights with rear-set footpegs so the seat is comfortable on city commutes as on weekend trips. Seat height is nicely cushioned with the seat wide enough for rider comfort, but the pillion seat is rather narrow.
With its lightweight construction and compact dimensions, it is less formidable for new riders yet not boring for seasoned riders.
Mileage and Efficiency
One other benefit of the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is its fuel economy. With an average mileage of 35–37 km/l, the bike remains accessible for daily commutes without emptying the pockets. In conjunction with its 13-litre tank, the rider has a decent city or long-distance touring range.
VARIANTS:
There are two variants of the Royal Enfield Hunter 350:
- Retro Hunter 350 – ₹1.50 Lakh onwards
- Metro Hunter 350 – somewhat expensive with extra functionality and modern style
Both variants are competitively priced, making the Hunter 350 one of the most affordable Royal Enfield bikes in the market today.
Value for Money
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 best suits young riders who are interested in entering the world of Royal Enfield without making an exorbitant investment. It provides a high-end riding feel, retro aesthetics, sure-footed performance, and brand charm at an irresistible price.
It competes with rivals like Honda CB350RS, Jawa Forty Two, and Yezdi Roadster, but stands out with Royal Enfield’s brand value, wide service network, and affordability.
Final Verdict
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is an attractive, lightweight, and entry-level motorcycle that brings the Royal Enfield flavor to the masses. With its light weight, spirited handling, and favorable price tags, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is among the best options in the current crop of modern-retro bikes. If you are on the lookout for an easy-to-ride motorcycle that has an accessible price, trendy styling, and the ageless DNA of the Royal Enfield, the best option is the Hunter 350.
