NEW Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Review, Could This Be Better Than the Meteor & Classic 350!?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 พ.ย. 2022
- Today I test ride and review the new 2022 Royal Enfield Hunter/HNTR 350 and tell you what it's really like to ride in the real world,
We look at the motorbike from all angles and discuss the engine, power & torque, handling, suspension, brakes, seating position, suitability for taller riders, whees & tyres, Engine/Exhaust sound, styling, colour scheme, instruments, modes, controls and more!
I compare this bike to its counter parts, the meteor and classic 350 and see how they are different to ride. Royal Enfield have also just announced the meteor 650 so stay tuned for that review when we can get our hands on it!
Which would you choose out of the three 350's?
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @mrdarcy-olman
BUY ME A COFFEE: www.buymeacoffee.com/mdatom
Instagram: mrdarcyandt...
Facebook: / mrdarcyandtheoldman - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
![SURPRISINGLY GOOD! Royal Enfield Classic 350 sound [RAW Onboard]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gmIP3hbWOBQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Well Done! I’ve watched a few reviews of the HUNTER all good I must say BUT None of em have captured that wonderful sound like you have! Brilliant! Just love that thumping sound That’s how a bike should sound! Perfect!
Thanks buddy 👍🏼👍🏼
Yep, I definitely agree. That's what I really liked about that review too, finally a nice sound capture !
True ✌️
@@MrDarcy-OlMan from India i own dapper Grey Hunter ...here it's 2000 pounds only
Just bought a z400 by Kawasaki. Feeling pretty good about paying so low a price for such a great bike.
Lets be clear, its not that royal enfield prices are "cheap", it is that other brands are expensive!!!! Lets not kid ourselves
I'm a bit disappointed how they have upped the prices this year.
I suppose their success justifies it to an extent.
But they have to remember that their bikes aren't as packed with tech or go as fast as the competition.
I really wanted a meteor or a scram but when I went to the showroom I was surprised to see how much they had increased by.
£4059 for the fireball. With no tripper.
I decided if I do get one I'll go used with one that has a tripper and the first service done.
I think something like a Bonneville is worth more than the Interceptor because it is a bit nicer built and has a bigger engine BUT I don't think the difference is justified. A Bonneville isn't nearly £3000 nicer than an Interceptor.
@@stevec6427 I have a 2021 T100 and love it - but I have to agree
@@letni9506 you have to also take into account the rise in inflation and cost of materials. Unfortunately everything has gone up. But Royal Enfield is still cheap compared to most brands
@@letni9506 I think most of the their models are well priced
Picked up my Hunter today and did 50 miles on it and I’m very impressed , comfy , nippy , plenty of torque , economical, looks great, sounds great and now clean again , love it 👍
Awesome
I just love the sound RE bikes make, even their smallest bikes have that signature thump
shut up lusmim
true, I have one Himalayan I like the sound engine makes especialy downhill with engine break.
They don’t struggle on hills or mountains at all. In India people take them to ladakh at 15000 to 20000 feet above sea level with lot of luggage and pillion on roads as well as off roads. These bikes have nice low end torque which pulls them easily uphill even with lot of weight on the bike even in higher gears without any down shifting.
I appreciate that, I’m sure they do it fine. I meant it more relatively in the sense that a bigger capacity bike would find it easier up those hills. I’m sure it’ll do it fine.
Yes u r right , before the launch of this bike RE tested this bike in Ladakh and Kashmir .
I was in Ladakh about 16 years ago and that's where I saw a Royal Enfield motorcycle for the first time. It was a bullet 350 or 500. A guy was riding it in town and the engine was revving extremely low, you could clearly hear each fire of the engine like a hammer. It was a very impressive machine.
I am glad that Royal Enfield became such a successful brand.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan but the down side of that would be heavier & much higher center of gravity, thus HNTR 350 is the answer to that!
I am pretty sure that Triumph have no claim to the fuel economy of the Hunter 350 😄 Very nice review, I enjoyed it!
I thought that was a great freudian slip. Just back from Amsterdam. It's only a cold, that's all! Just say no kids ;)
I loved the hunter 350 when i took a test ride and now i own the rebel blue and i am getting obsessed with it each passing day. You dont own a RE for speed or sportiness you own them coz they have a character in all of them and you just fall in love with it🤗
The RE’s are brilliant. I have a 350 Classic but if it didn’t exist the Hunter would be my choice.
If that didn't exist then RE wouldn't have existed. That is the bike which kept them afloat all these years.
Love the exhaust sounds,sounds like a proper 1950’s British Bike,love it,great video as always.
Royal Enfield is inspired from old British bikes.
@@handa6656 Royal Enfield 'IS' an old school british bike.
The exhaust sound is an orgasm to the ears. Absolutely none of the 350 CC single cyls would do that.
Also talking for the power and torque figures, REs don't push their engine to the absolute last drop of juice they've got. It's a midpowered engine meaning that the engine will prolly be with you for like 20% of your life in absolutely fine condition. It is not grinding, rather RE makes everything else like the ride quality and being able to enjoy your ride, much more accessible.
If one's looking for performance bikes, RE is not the brand. Straight as hell. *But for what it offers to those who seek adventure rather than adrenaline, is immaculate.* 🔥💯
“-Excuse my voice! I’ve been to Amsterdam “😂😂😂
Best intro to a video so far 🫶🏽🤣
You captured the engine sound perfectly. I recently bought this bike and i am loving it. My first bike.
Hell of a bike although not as pretty as the Classic. That’s the only negative I can come up with. Way to go Royal Enfield.👍
I love the classic but every time I see this bike l go to my happy place as a youth looking at all those bikes from the seventies that made you want to get out and ride! Well done RE , you’re putting out some good stuff 👍
All the best to you and hope the old man is mending well
Agree, best of the 350s so far. Even better with the bench seat option.
What a great looking bike! To my eyes more handsome than the Meteor.
Hope that the Old Man’s recovery is going well and we see him riding soon!
Oh wow, it's a proper thumper. First time I've really heard her purr, but it sounds amazing. Definitely more of a British single than a Japanese one, lovely slow tickover, very organic. Great review, thanks
Oo that soothing exhaust sound.🤩
A good sense of what it might be like to ride this latest offering from Royal Enfield. Thank you for the review and convey my continued hopes for a full recovery to the ol’ Man!
You need to be able to share the AMSTERDAM COFFEE, if you’re going to talk about it! Thanks again!
Thanks guys, really love taking a few moments to let us hear the sound of the machine!
RE is doing everything that triumph needs to be doing, and for cheaper than they can do it
My first proper bike was a 1986 Honda CB350SG which I bought in 1990 and owned for 3 years. Even though I've owned larger capacity bikes, including a BMW1200GS for 10 years, I find myself longing for a smaller capacity bike with a simple specification and a great look. I think this could be it! Thanks for the review. Joe. UK.
I’m sorely tempted to sell my Bonneville and TW 200 and pick up one of these. Successive shoulder injuries and old age (71) have me wanting something lighter with some character. The fact that the Hunter resembles my beautiful Bonneville is a huge bonus.
I've just sold my Harley 883 and bought a Hunter 350 for much the same reason... Broke my arm and only recently healed enough to be cleared to drive again. Wanted a lighter bike to compensate and, as I drive 99% of the time in a small community with max speed of 50kmh, thought this would be ideal. Picking it up on Tuesday. *fingers crossed*
That's a very nice review, thanks a lot ! You mentioned everything I needed to know (including what you look like on this bike when you're 6 feet tall). Now, I'll just have try it on my own, it'll be my first monocylinder, as I only had four cylinders in almost 20 years of riding, it'll be a huge step to me ! Hope you'll get better very soon ! Thanks from France ;-)
What a great bike, it looks brilliant, yes, just like a speed twin. I am considering selling my Honda CB650f for one of these. Great review its helped make me choose.
Thanks for another nice video. Ah, another nice looking bike from Royal Enfield. I've heard good things about the Hunter. Fingers crossed RE continues to move forward.
Been running my hunter now for just over a year...love it plenty of power for an old lad & easy to move around..it's the way it delivers the power its got that's so pleasing.
I reckon RE have the throatiest standard exhaust pipes on the market.
glad to see a very comprehensive review on this machine , thank you guys , awesome job as always
Regarding the centre stand - you need to step on it such that you can take both hands off without the bike moving, then use the passenger grab rail and pull it back, it should almost automatically get onto the stand, takes a bit of practice which is worth it if you're dabbling with Royal Enfields, cheers on the review.
yeah try doing it that way you will do your back in
@@richardeyers322 Been doing it this way for over ten years now, seems to be working fine for me...better than pulling on the handlebar, don't you think ;)
Yes, step on it using your right foot.
Same with taking it off the centre stand.
Beat me to that comment...tis easy once you know the trick
RE has improved a great deal. This is my choice in the segment. Got great looks too
Nice review, looking forward to getting my hands on one of these soon
Thanks for the video. I'm thinking of buying one of the Royal Enfield 350 bikes next spring and your videos are really helping me decide which one I'm going to buy,
I love the hunter , it fits my body size , with a different cam , better breathing , a muffler with less restriction , it would get a stronger and more linear torque curve , not faster by any means to talk about but an overall darn good climber , strong legs if i can say it that way .
I think the chrome finish on the engine part of the Royal Enfield wasn't very good in the past.
After the blacked out version, it looks great.
Amsterdam...brain cells...hehe!
Good review & insights👍
Like this better than the Meteor, great looking paint scheme.
If I were in the market I'd look into the forthcoming 650 Super Meteor though as powers up from this model. Wait, did Darcy say "Triumph claims the mpg to be"...brain cells stressed from his trip?😂
He certainly did say that Triumph claim that it will do just over 100 mpg.
Lol...
RE definitely know how to make a single cylinder sounds good. Kodos to you for sharing clear recording of it. 👏
Thank you! They sure do
Looks good, sounds great and that tick-over is amazing
I rode the Scram 411 today and then the Classic 350.
I preferred the Scram.
However, I’m loving the Hunter 350 looks and wondered if the handling was that bit sharper and if the bike felt more responsive compared to the Classic 350. I’m still waiting to have a test ride to find out.
Great vid and it’s great you include actual riding action and high quality sound. Keep up the great work 👍
Steve, UK
Thanks buddy. The hunter is a little bit sharper to steer and manoeuvre; not always a good thing, but it’s not taken it too far
I bought a Scram in September for my training work. I even took it off road. Lovely bike. No regrets.
@@markellott5620 I'm torn between scram or hunter.. I do like trail bashing a little.. Maybe the scram makes more sense but I like the look of the hunter more.. Tough call.
*Crap Game*
The Scram doesn't sound nearly as good as the bike in the video though does it?
Stu Fillingham just finished a 2-week loan on a HNTR 350. He says it's the most comfortable of the new RE 350's. More responsive due to its smaller wheels and lighter weight. I have a feeling the Hunter will be very popular with younger riders. Thanks for the review. Get well soon young man.
I love the bike! Price is brilliant! There is one competitor that we unfortunately don’t get in Europe yet. And that’s the Honda CB350 rs. That’s looks very much like the Hunter 350. The hunter would be a perfect runaround where I live . Great video as always💪🏾
Btw 6’1 doesn’t look to big for the bike. Great to know. Me also being 6+ feet.
haha exactly i got the relative new japan made gb350 honda.
yeah at 6"2" me,not sat on one yet any one who is my height sat/ridden one.
Good value for money and nice styling. Great review again ty.
Damn Royal Enfield’s got some good looking bikes. Definitely a baby Bonneville. Thats a good looking ride I have the meteor 350 and that 350 engine is a gem!!
I like how the mirrors are swept low looks like you have a good visibility
Allan
USA
Very nice bike and another quality review - well done and thanks 👍
Great looking bike. Thanks for the thorough review mate.
Waiting to arrive in Brazil. Thanks for the review.
Great review. I love the look of the Hunter. It's got the vibe.
I bought a Hunter Retro which has spoke wheels, drum brakes on the rear, simpler switches and fully black. Gorgeous machine. It's fantastic on the twisty mountain roads where I live. Your review is spot on. Best value for money.
Lol
Excellent full review, like the look and sound of this, did test ride classic 350 and interceptor but have to say this bike looks like a great choice as a second bike to hopp of out to the shops or maybe post a letter or something I'm definitely tempted especially £ the price.
Thankyou for sharing and best wishes to the ol man.
I think the black finish, cast wheels and gaiters on the front suspension will be far easier to maintain than most other bikes. The black finish on my Meteor engine is very robust so this bodes well for this bike.
Excellent review Darcy - as usual - thank you. I detected a slight transmission "whine" when you come off throttle and wondered if it was characteristic or something peculiar to this sample. Did you notice the same on the Meteor and Classic as I've not heard it before?
Edit: If you still have the bike, can you check if the chain is a little too tight?
Good review! Would be great to see the Classic, Meteor, and “Hntr” compared side by side. These haven’t arrived at my local dealership yet, but as soon as they do I’ll go inspect it in person. Thanks!
Definitely. We’ll try to do that next year 🤞🏼
I think Royal Enfield have hit the nail on the head with the 350 hunter, my youngest daughter is looking to do a2 test and get a hunter, this little bike seems to appeal to young and old, I have a Himalayan as a daily ride to work bike but would like a hunter as a weekend bike. It's just such a good looking unpretentious bike.
I actually look to do the A2 test too and get a hunter, it has some positive welcoming vibes especially for someone like me with no previous experience on bikes (this 350cc segment intimidates me way less than hopping directly on a 47hp bike after the test!)
I keep wondering if something like this (or a scram/himalayan) would do for me when i upgrade from my old gs500e.. I love RE's current designs and the KISS approach to design and build.
Great review. Excellent sound quality 👍
Great review. Thank you
I bought this beauty as a first bike after taking a test ride. It simply puts a smile on my face and I cannot take my eyes off of her my oh my. Cost me a good 2100 quids. In love with motorcycling.
RE should definatley release a scrambler version of the Hunter 350, it think it would give Honda a hard time selling the CL500.
Nice video. Great looking bike & nice exhaust note! I like the Hunter better than the Meteor, but my RE350 Classic still tops this one in my opinion for old-school style. I am sure they will sell tons of Hunters. Hope the Ol' Man is recovering quickly, with an appropriate level of grumpiness :) Cheers, Ronny
Thanks Ronny. We’re with you there personally 👍🏼
Ol Man is just able to get out to the gym but still in a lot of pain!
ive ordered this bike im 191cm it comes to the netherlands begin next year almost 2 months left cant wait hope i wont be a long douche on it! :P
At 8.33 you gave Triumph fuel usage figures for this Royal Enfield bike
Enjoyed the review, thank you. And yes, your centre stand technique is bad, but not hopeless. You'll learn how to do it in 30 seconds by watching others.
I've been away for too long, so sorry to hear about your dad's accident but so very glad that he's on the mend. Nobody does it quite like the both of you.
Thanks and pleased to see you are back 😊
I am walking well, driving and will be riding very soon. The Ol' Man 👍🏼
@@MrDarcy-OlMan Just thrilled for you mate - really. 👍
To put it on the centre stand, hold the handlebar with your left hand, the back of the bike with your right, push down with your leg through the ball of your foot and lift with your right arm.
Great review Darcy
happy to see you again
Love that exhaust note, very pleasing to the ear. I'd love to get one in that same paint combo for my son.
Yes definitely! It’s a superb bike 👌🏼
It looks like a street twin kind of too me. Especially in the grey color. It sounds good I like it. And the price is appropriate compared to the rest of the market.
You two and Freddie Dobbs are the best motorcycle channels on TH-cam. Thank you for all your brilliant videos
Thank you very much! We love Freddie’s videos too
The Hunter looks and sounds superb. It would be my choice of the RE 350s.
Love Royal Enfields but at 6' 6" not a chance that's why I ride adventure bikes 😅
As a Northamptonshire/Leicestershire border boy originally, I recognised the colour of the stone walls and houses and guessed the general location. Enjoyed the video.
Thanks very much, spot on 👍🏻
Thanks very much, spot on 👍🏻
Great review thanks. Little error when you said Triumph says it has a 13litre fuel tank lol 😂 but thanks for all the information. Will have to put myself down for a test ride 😎
Wooops 😆
Center stand? Put your right hand at the rear of the bike and press down with your right foot. Lifting the bike using your right thigh muscle...
I'm hoping these come to south America,I'd love to have this as a first bike!
I'm sold on it!
Stick a polished tank on it, get the engine vapour blasted and polished and some spoked wire wheels and I think it looks reminiscent of a Goldie 350cc.
Which is no bad thing.
I reckon with a few tasteful mods, you could probably get the weight down even more and then it'll be a really fun little bike!
Fantastic bike I need one. Hope dad gets back on a bike soon.
Give him a push! My old man just put a deposit down on this!
Awesome sound😍😍
Interesting report,bike looks nice.Shame you couldn't put it on the centre stand. Try left hand on left bar, right hand on the grab rail. Push the stand to the floor with your right foot,pull back on the bar(which will come over to full lock) and lift grab rail . The bike will almost do it for you👍
Yes, the thing is in West u don't get those stands anymore and people are not used to them. Once u know the trick, it's a must have even if it costs some performance due to weight
-Hitesh
26 yo Indian used to CS
@@hiteshadhikari that's not true. I always had a center stand ob my bikes. And i wouldn't buy one without. Usually it is an accessory, but you get them on bikes here.
What is a shame though, is that an able bodied man, who makes many RE videos, is not able to put a light bike on a center stand. He just gives up after one half assed try. 🤣
8:30 My man, what were you doing over there in Amsterdam. You said "Trumph claims"
I told you the coffee was odd! 😉
Another great review. I absolutely love low capacity motorbikes. I do wish you’d review the AJS Tempest Scrambler.
We’ve been trying but so far they’re not replying
@@MrDarcy-OlMan I really hope you guys manage to. I got one for my daily and it’s such a fun little thing. Fingers crossed.
I emailed them today as it happens. They don’t really understand TH-cam and which channels are any good.
@@MrDarcy-OlMan that’s a real shame as you guys have reviewed Herald and Sinnis bikes. Conversely I found their customer service really engaging and comprehensive, I hope they get back to you guys positively this time as your channel completely understands good looking, no nonsense arse on engine motorbikes.
Top sound, great lookin bike.. As I get older de smaller bikes r starting to make more sense to me.
Great video under the current conditions 😜 great bike, I'm waiting for a test ride, is it noisy though or is it your speakers 😭
The mic amplifies the sound 👍🏼
Great looking bike and a 650 twin version would be even better I am thinking 👌👍
It's on testing don't worry
Great review - be nice to add into the range the Hunter and Classic in a 650 single………..
I'm listening to this video with Duke Ellington playing in another tab and the Hunter sounds together with the music bring me right to the 30s.
I think its a lovely little bike would love one in my garage
Looks gorgeous. Very '80's, but in a good way. I have not ridden a bike for 14 years. This tempts me to ditch my secondary car used to travel to the train station and back every day and occasional cruise through highways.
“The tank is 13l and Triumph claims….” 8:33 maybe this really is a baby Bonneville 😂
Get well soon Ol'Man! ;)
Just enjoy the style of your reviews only thing that may be way to different for me is the area I live is way dryer and larger than where you are doing these
That's about $6960 Australian dollars. At the moment. Wow. Nice little bike. I think I would have one. Waiting for them to arrive in Australia. Cheers
It’s great value if that what they retail for here.
I see your problem with the center stand. You are trying to lift it with your arms. It doesn’t work that way. That big arm on the stand is where you STAND. Your weight is what does the work. Your arms are just there to direct it.
The design is very reminding of Yamaha XSR no? Both beautiful bikes ❤
I think I’m going to like this if it comes to the states. Experience has taught me that the way to put a big guy on a small bike is to go with more of a mild sport bike riding position.
Great review! Do you think with some slight modification, you could mount the Hunter seat on a Classic? I like the lower slung one piece seat look.
Possibly!
Great review! I'm 6'1 and just have a nasty feeling ill look far too big on it.... wondering if the scram or rumoured 650 scrambler will be a better choice
Yei am the same height, and it doesn't look good on me but I tried himalyan that looks really good on our height and interceptor to
Just waiting for delivery.
I see this model as a Sport version of the 350. line up Obviously this will corner better with the rearward set pegs and wider tires than my new C 350. Hope to see it in the States soon.
Now that you brought up the spoke wheels....it is a shame that the 'retro' version of these bikes - with narrower spoke wheels wasnt made available outside India! Those are just drop-dead gorgeous and i am really hoping to pick one of those up for myself! And dont discount the Triumph-Bajaj combo yet...Bajaj has over the years established itself as THE brand to get small-capacity bikes for the likes of Kawasaki, KTM, Husqvarna etc and those bikes are still selling in international markets...so bring it on! I also love that you had Triumph on the brain so much you said - Triumph claim - during the fuel economy bit! hahahahahaa
Haha yea I did! 👍🏼😬
Yes, it's a lovely bike and I am finding it's going to be so easy to exceed the 3000 mile service intervals in a year. Enfields stated running costs are going to more than £150 per year just for servicing which is the same as the car and road tax at £52 per annum is expensive when it only emits 64g/km of CO2. Government figures are ridiculous when comparing it to a 125cc. P.S the car chucks out 89g/km CO2, 1560cc diesel and is zero excise duty.
At then end of the day the Hunter was a good choice great for heavy traffic, gets in-between queuing vehicles, pulls away at traffic lights and is exceedingly economical. Very comfortable for rides in the country and turns heads when you open the throttle on its single cylinder engine.