RE Hunter 350 Metro
ROYAL ENFIELD REALLY TURNED A CORNER SINCE THE LAUNCH of the 650 twins. Those motorcycles attracted a lot of new riders to the RE fold and the Hunter 350 aims to take that to the next level. I will even go so far as to say that the Hunter will prove to be a revolution in Royal Enfield's journey and there are many reasons to support this claim. The motorcycle is currently offered in two variants, Retro and Metro, and we will begin by exploring the merits of the top-shelf Metro.
It is easy to tell them apart because the Metro is the one with all the youthful paint schemes that include an eclectic combination of colours and finishes. It also gets 17-inch cast alloy wheels at either end; a first for a Royal Enfield motorcycle. What follows is an urban-scrambler type of design language where the elements are as minimal as they are functional. In the Metro, the round headlamp and tail-lamp are complemented by round indicators. The fuel-tank is a good-looking 13-litre unit that also doubles as a strong visual element, working in tandem with the blacked-out engine and bare minimum bodywork.
Neo-retro inclination is evident on the analog-digital instrument cluster as well. It displays the essentials along with a clock and gear indicator. The Tripper Navigation console can also be installed alongside as an accessory. The single-piece handlebar curves back towards the rider, offering a riding position that strikes a good balance between involving and comfortable. Credit for the latter must be shared with the well-padded seat as well which, although great for the rider, is not as generous for a pillion rider over long distances. Sure, switchgear may be shared with the Meteor 350 but it does not feel out of place on the Hunter and the overall level of quality is definitely consistent with what one would expect of a premium product.
This story is from the September 2022 edition of Bike India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2022 edition of Bike India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
IT'S ALL ABOUT REAR GRIP
Ducati dominated MotoGP like never before last season and will probably do the same in 2025 because Aprilia, KTM, Honda, and Yamaha cannot make MotoGP's latest rear slick work
Hero Mavrick 440
SINCE IT CAME INTO my clutches, I have been guarding the Mavrick 440's keys rather jealously. I loathe to even think of returning it, though that is inevitable some time in the future.
It is Good to be different
When it comes to choosing a Husqvarna, you are spoilt for choice these days thanks to the KTM-owned manufacturer's habit of providing not just one but two variants of each new model. Should you opt for a single-cylinder 125 or 401 or this, the all-new twin-cylinder 801, you get a brace of options: Vitpilen or Svartpilen. Essentially the same bike but in different clothes and with a subtly different attitude to life. It is a proven recipe that has served Husqvarna well for the last 10 years
Electronic Nannies Put to Test
How good are the electronics on Ducati's Panigale V4S? Here is the answer following a ride in wet conditions on an Italian racetrack and subsequent minute data analysis
A Timely and Welcome Update
The Ather 450X is almost 12 years old now and it was in need of some changes. Are the ones brought about sufficient? We went to Bengaluru to find that out
For Everything and Everyday
Juggling is tricky but there are some who do it well. How good is the Xtreme 125R at this?
Cranking up the Soul
In the fourth edition of TVS MotoSoul, the brand had all their guns loaded for a fun and action-packed festival. Here is all we witnessed at this two-day celebration
Writing a New Chapter
The Guerrilla 450 signifies a new direction for Royal Enfield. One that looks promising
Ticks All the Boxes
It is probably not too contentious to say that Triumph, the “new” Triumph, the one that re-invented the marque in 1983 and grew into one of British engineering’s great modern success stories, do retros rather well. With a large back catalogue of iconic “old” Triumphs to reinvent, the Hinckley factory has made a habit of plucking some of the most evocative model names from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, carefully updating their styling without offending the nostalgia glands, injecting very modern performance and road manners, and then watching them sail out of showrooms. But few, we suggest, have been done as well as this
Bagnaia Wins the Battle; Martin Wins the War
Despite Bagnaia's best efforts, Martin hung on to third place on Sunday to seal the deal and take home the champion's trophy at the conclusion of a long 2024 season