Royal Enfield Hunter 350: The Hunter and this is a big one 350 are important products in the evolution of one of the world’s oldest motorcycle makers, the Royal Enfield.
Launched in August 2022 this unassuming roadster signalled a deliberate gear change from Royal Enfield toward younger city-based riders, while not eschewing the prestige of the brand’s treasured heritage.
The Hunter 350, being the lightest and most accessible modern motorcycle in Royal Enfield’s line-up has already found much acclaim as a mid-size every-day motorcycle that brings the best of classic styling yet modern performance.
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Royal Enfield Hunter 350: Philosophy of Design- Urban Retro
On the design front, the Hunter looks different than its Royal Enfield brothers. Where bikes like the Classic 350 and Meteor are all about pure nostalgia, the Hunter dons a more modern roadster state of mind.
A neoclassical standard, the build features its teardrop fuel tank, round headlamp and clean-lined bodywork that would mimic traditional design cues, blended with modern touches like LED lighting and digital-analog instruments.
The Hunter comes in two basic forms, Retro and Metro, and with varying degrees of finish and equipment. The Metro version is equipped with alloy wheels, tubeless tires and dual-channel ABS, whereas the cheaper Retro has wire-spoke wheels and single-channel ABS.
They both have the same base chassis and powertrain to ensure overall Hunter experience is uniform throughout the line.
Notably, Royal Enfield has taken a very Indian approach with the Hunter as far as customization goes. The motorcycle was available with a long list of authentic accessories at launch giving buyers the ability to personalize their machine from the showroom floor –
a strategy directed to a demographic who, as the adage goes, needs to feel unique in their rides, and that demographic isn’t old people.
Under the Hunter 350’s unique and stylish bodywork is Royal Enfield’s modern J-platform, the same architecture that underpins the Meteor and the updated Classic 350.
Powering the motorcycle is a 349cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine that generates 20.2 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 27 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Although these figures may pale in comparison to some of the competition, they are consistent with Royal Enfield’s belief that torque should be more accessible than power. The Hunter is distinguished from the other two platforms by its chassis.
With a wheelbase of 1,370mm compared to the Classic’s 1,390mm, less trail, and a kerb weight of 181kg, the motorcycle’s handling is substantially more agile. The 17-inch wheels contrast considerably with the Classic’s 19-inch wheel, which ensures a more poised Hunter is ideal for city riding.
Although the suspension setup is in keeping with Royal Enfield design, with telescopic forks in front and twin shock absorbers in the back, it is adapted to the Hunter’s sportier leanings.
The motorcycle is equipped with disc brakes on both wheels, with the Metro version having dual-channel ABS as a luxury feature. This model offers a completely distinct riding experience from the other Royal Enfield motorcycles.
The ergonomics are a compromise between an upright posture and a sporty arrangement: the footpegs are set slightly further back than traditional, and the handgrips are more level.
In a city the Hunter is really the business. The light clutch operation, responsive throttle, and small overall dimensions make nipping through traffic an unexpectedly hassle-free experience—a thing that Royal Enfield motorcycles weren’t exactly known for in the past.
The torquey nature of the engine also means there is very little shifting needed around town, which contributes to the bike’s urban manners.
Hunting down the highway It’s also not too bad on the highway, provided you dial the speedo in to something around the 90-100 km/h mark, where the Hunter still feels fairly composed, but any longer than an extended freeway run and the lack of wind protection will rear its ugly head.
The bike’s more sophisticated Racetrack closeThe refined engine is also a lot smoother than older Royal Enfields Racetrack closeFewer VibesThe engine is appreciably smoother than older Royal Enfield models and less vibes are felt when cruising, a complaint of previous bikes.
Market Impact and Competition
Competing with the likes of the Honda CB350, Jawa 42 and TVS Ronin, the Hunter 350 came into a hard-fought segment.
Royal Enfield Meteor 350 was priced starting at a little less than ₹1.50 lakh (ex-showroom) which made it an affordable gateway into the world of Royal Enfield’s middleweight motorcycles while also ensuring it does not step on its other, more expensive offerings.
The motorcycle’s launch marketing strategy was a clear attempt at wooing urban consumers and the youth, as Royal Enfield leveraged social media, music festivals and lifestyle partnerships to make the brand appeal to the non-motorcycling crowd. This formula has seen success and the Hunter has been one of Royal Enfield’s best-sellers thanks to this.
Royal Enfield Hunter 350:
A new chapter in a legendary brand, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is a smart step forward. The Hunter straddles this dichotomy with aplomb by retaining the quintessential Royal Enfield formula –
the thump, accessible performance and some classic spin while adding refinement and a more up-to-date urban-oriented ride experience as well.
For R.E., the Hunter would be an entry-level bike—a way to reach people who aren’t as familiar with the brand or who might need a gateway-drug sort of ride.
For fans, it is a less expensive interpretation of the Royal Enfield way of life that the brand stands for. While the company looks to further its global growth, models such as the Hunter 350 show just how Royal Enfield can pay homage to the past as it steers into a very assertive future in motorcycling.
