2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Assessment [11 Fast Facts]

The brand new 2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is a $3999 shot throughout the bow of opponents providing reasonably priced city transportation. The Hunter is the third mannequin in Royal Enfield’s 350 vary, becoming a member of the Meteor cruiser and the Nineteen Fifties-styled Basic. The brand new Hunter brings a contact of styling modernity to the tradition-infused India-based model. We took to the busy streets of San Diego to learn the way slick it’s within the metropolis, and even ventured out into the close by hinterlands to carve up some canyons.

1. Small displacement bikes are a enjoyable method to traverse cityscapes, and the torquey Hunter provides energy to the equation. With a value beneath $4k, you anticipate to be using a 125cc bike. Eighth-liter motors put freeways off limits, and you need to be arduous on the throttle at each stoplight to keep away from getting overrun by Teslas. The Hunter’s 20 ft-lbs of torque at an simply attained 4000 rpm strikes the 400-pound bike alongside properly on metropolis streets, because of a clean throttle response. The broad powerband means the 350cc motor can get by ably with a five-speed transmission.

2. Twenty horses can be found at 6100 rpm, providing you with a combating likelihood on freeways. Prime pace on the SOHC air-cooled Hunter 350 is round 80 mph, relying on situations, with sluggish acceleration above 65 mph. When you’re pondering a sixth pace would assistance on the freeway, it received’t except it’s downhill. Typically, you’ll end up in fourth gear to get the best pace doable, because the motor received’t pull fifth in a stiff wind or on uphills.

3. The 2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 loves transferring via surface-street site visitors. Royal Enfield gave the Hunter 350 a brand new, lighter body with a wheelbase about an inch shorter than its siblings. The rake and path are tucked in, with some credit score going to the Hunter-exclusive pair of 17-inch wheels. This makes it straightforward to direct the Hunter 350 wherever you need.

4. The totally upright standard-style ergonomics encourage lively using, resembling going for that slot between a few automobiles. The handlebar within reason slim, and the mirrors are unobtrusive, so filtering and lane splitting are pure behaviors for the Hunter. The seat top is a pleasant 31.1 inches, and it’s comfy for lengthy stints. Royal Enfield calls the Hunter a “big-city bike” for a motive.

5. The fixed-damping suspension does a good job of knocking the sting off tough city roads. Whereas nobody will describe the no-name suspension as plush, most often, it prevents pothole-induced jolts from sharply making their method to the rider. The suspension settings are agency sufficient to forestall g-outs on drainage dips on metropolis streets.

6. In-town cornering is certain, with the Ceat Zoom XL tires offering dependable traction. Though it is a lower-spec tire than on the Basic and Meteor 350s, these Ceat tires work superb. When you resolve you need premium rubber, the 17-inch wheels imply you’ve loads of choices. Heck, you may match a pair of Dunlop Sportmax Q5s on the Hunter, if you happen to like.

7. Simply as the facility supply is mild, so are the brakes. Newer riders, which is able to make up a big a part of the 2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 constituency, don’t want sensitive brakes. The ByBre calipers are very forgiving round city. Unusually, the rear brake is the sturdy go well with for slowing down. The large 270mm rear disc is way stronger than the 300mm entrance, although nonetheless simply modulated. Twin-channel ABS is customary and unobtrusive.

8. The change gear and controls are easy and efficient. The beginning change does double-duty because the killswitch on the precise handlebar, and the purple colour differentiates itself visibly from an identically formed black change for the lighting on the left bar. In contrast to some crowded switchgear, you’ll by no means confuse the horn button and the flip indicator change, because the change is giant and properly separated from the button. The hand levers work effectively, although the weird routing of the clutch lever makes it stiffer than it must be—a small chink within the all-day city journey armor. You’ll be able to’t alter the gap of the brake lever to the grip, so smaller arms may object. The shift lever and brake pedal are the place you need them to be.

9. When you really feel like hitting the twisties, don’t be in a rush. Whereas the 2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350’s dealing with is spectacular and the tires grippy, the motor is gradual at rural speeds. Additional, the entrance brake received’t prevent if you happen to cook dinner a nook, however the rear brake will—get used to that. To efficiently journey the Hunter with your pals within the canyons, you’ll shortly study the significance of nook pace. Lower-and-thrust is a successful technique that solely works on bikes with snappier motors and aggressive brakes. Attempt to speed up arduous out of a decent nook, and also you’ll hit the rev limiter lengthy earlier than you anticipate. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re not seeking to make time and like a enjoyable journey via the hinterlands, the Hunter 350 is glad to oblige.

10. The fit-and-finish is spectacular. The paint is unbelievable, the tank is superbly sculpted, and the graphics are appealingly imaginative and modern. The exhaust is effectively finished, and the abbreviated size of the muffler updates the Hunter’s look. There are nonetheless fork gaiters, twin shocks, and plenty of spherical (lighting, mirrors, clock). The analog-style speedo is simple to learn, although there’s no tach—we wouldn’t flip down a shift mild. The counterbalanced single doesn’t vibrate intrusively, even on the most permitted rpm.

11. Royal Enfield got down to construct an important metropolis bike at an incredible value, and the designers in England and India did simply that. At $3999, the 2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is sort of an impulse buy. It’s a bike that’s an fulfilling journey, and the up to date styling will get warranted consideration from passersby. Whether or not you’re new to motorcycling or an outdated hand, the Hunter is an efficient time inside the metropolis limits, because of its dedication to enjoyable, type, and ease.

Pictures by Brandon Bunch, Josh Shipps, and Don Williams

RIDING STYLE

2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Specs

ENGINE

• Kind: Vertical single
• Displacement: 349cc
• Bore x stroke: 72 x 85.8mm
• Most energy: 20 horsepower @ 6100 rpm
• Most torque: 20 ft-lbs @ 4000 rpm
• Valvetrain: SOHC; 2 valves
• Fueling: EFI
• Cooling: Air
• Transmission: 5-speed
• Ultimate drive: Chain

CHASSIS

• Body: Twin downtube backbone body w/ engine as a burdened member
• Entrance suspension; journey: Non-adjustable 41mm fork; 5.1 inches
• Rear suspension; journey: Spring-preload adjustable twin-tube emulsion shock; 4.8 inches
• Wheels: 10-spoke aluminum
• Tires: Ceat Zoom XL
• Entrance tire: 110/80 x 17
• Rear tire: 140/70 x 17
• Entrance brake: 300mm disc w/ 2-piston floating ByBre caliper
• Rear brake: 270mm disc w/ single-piston floating ByBre caliper
• ABS: Twin-channel customary

DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES

• Wheelbase: 53.9 inches
• Rake: 25 levels
• Path: 3.7 inches
• Seat top: 31.1 inches
• Gas capability: 3.4 gallons
• Curb weight: 400 kilos

COLORS

• Dapper White
• Dapper Ash
• Dapper Gray
• Insurgent Black (+$200)
• Insurgent Blue (+$200)
• Insurgent Pink (+$200)

2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Worth: $3999 MSRP

2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Assessment Photograph Gallery