Royal Enfield Hunter (HNTR) 350 | Ride Review |
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ส.ค. 2023
- First ride on a Hunter 350. A great little bike for blatting round the lanes.
Thanks to Roger at Crewe Motorcycle Centre for inviting me to ride this wonderful bike.
www.crewemotorcyclecentre.co.uk/
#motovlogging #royalenfieldhunter350 #royalenfield - บันเทิง
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So much Royal Enfieldness! 👍. I would love to have one as a pet. Maybe I will arrange it one day. The Hunter would be my pick of the 350s.
Thanks GBD. I think, when run in, the HNTR would be a litter terrier 😂
Excellent video, Ian, and I agree with your findings. As a 'returning mature rider' I bought a Meteor last year but found it a bit ponderous and the riding position didn't really suit. I traded it in for a Hunter three months/700 miles ago (the 'rebel black' as in the video) and I love it. It's perky and manageable and certainly seems more responsive than the Meteor. It sounds superb. I recently fitted the RE touring mirrors which has cured the vibration problem. I've also just fitted the DNA filter and cover. Bit early to judge on that, but the inlet sound is noticeably good.
The bike is very happy on the A and B roads around Pembrokeshire which are its natural habitat. Ir's happy cruising at 55-65 and (I hope) will only get better as it continues to loosen up. I don't measure the mpg (life is too short). When the fuel light comes on it takes about two gallons, so you've got a gallon left. No range anxiety.
All in all, very happy with the bike. On a Sunday afternoon recently went with my son (on his new R7) to a coffee stop. Good selection of bikes there, Harleys, Triumphs, etc. I won the (theoretical) prize for the smallest bike, but also the most attention and appreciative comments.
Happy to highly recommend the Hunter.
Great comment Chris. Sounds like you are one happy Hunter owner. If it is anything like the Classic 350, it will only get better beyond 1000 miles. These 350’s are brilliant and just grab attention, and are real conversation starters. Cheers
Thanks Ian. One pf the things I enjoy on this bike is that you can ride it low down and enjoy the impressive torque or use the available revs (you have to guess) and ride it like a teenager. All good fun!
Hooligan 😂
Thank you for your honest review. I'm a delighted Hunter owner and it was the 17" wheels and tubeless tyres that made it the model for me. The "J" series engine really loosens up with more miles and at 118 mpg it's kind on the wallet 👍
Thanks Paul, absolutely cracking little bike. So nimble and I can fully understand that once run in, she would be great fun. I am not envious at all 🤔😂
118mpg!!! wow! what kind of riding do you do to get that?
Very steady and I do carefully fill up, so I'm sure its accurate. The lowest was 106mpg when the bike was new and it steadily improved as the engine loosened up@@tf9888
The 2.8 miles is from when petrol light came on. 👍👍
@mrburn68 thank you, others have mentioned that. Clever idea, providing you are aware of it, which I wasn’t 😂😂😂
Great bike & looks the nuts & the sound is terrific just how a bike should sound,I’ve not ridden one but I’ve seen a few about in my travels well done RE!
100% agree. It’s a cracking little bike, perfect for blatting round the lanes. Ideal if you are not bothered about old school classic looks. Goes round roundabouts better than the classic 350 too 😎😂 Thank you.
Hello from Australia. I test rode one in December and fell in love. So I bought one. Great little commuter and weekend fun bike.
G'day, You are a lucky chap, I know I said I would choose dapper grey, but the white one looks cool too. Mind you, they all do 🙄😂 cheers
Thoroughly enjoyed Ian.Thank you.Compared to the classic,it’s lighter,sprightlier and cheaper!Lovely bike.
Yes…..but not as classy 😉 I’d still have one 😎 cheers
Ian you the best ! thank you bro.
That's very nice of you, thanks. I hope to take the HNTR out for a longer ride in the spring.
i think your vid help convince me that the hunter is the bike for me. i want a simple around town bike
i am watching you from las vegas, nevada.
take care and stay safe .@@ianhughesroyalenfield
@arongitis great to hear. The HNTR would be great for nipping through traffic, and cruising the lanes. Stay safe.
Great review Ian ,I'm enjoying my recently bought Classic 350 , especially now I've run it in , but the Hunter is also a great looking bike, Enfield really do spoil us for choice, it's a bit of torment! 😆
Oh hell yes they do 😂 cheers
Not ridden a Hunter yet. very spartan cockpit but that goes with the bikes design brief and I can see it appealing to young people. Looks like RE have another winner on their hands.
Nice honest review Ian. You said you like this bike a lot and that came over beautifully in the video.
Great work my friend, mind how you go fella.
Thanks Neil, yes, it’s a gem.
Everyday aggressive riding with pillion and 5 kg load on left side grab rail for 80 kms and still the engine fires like a bomb, exceptional quality and performance , perfect for heavy traffic bound city streets and open stretches
That little 350 engine is a brilliant piece of engineering. Very under stressed, an I am sure, with correct servicing, it will go forever. Thanks
Thanks for sharing
You’re welcome.
Hi Ian, you a lucky lad getting to try out all those lovely bikes. I was on the new Honda CL 500 this week as my Classic was in getting the clock changed under warranty and although it had decent pep to it, my thoughts drifted to the Hunter and it would compare. The Hunter is a cracking bike and would have one in a heart beat of I had space (and spare cash).
Thanks Alex. Roger has said that he wanted me to be the first to ride all his new fleet of demo bikes. As we live 90 miles away, we have to coincide rides, with visits to family etc. We are down again a week on Monday, as he is servicing Clementine, so hoping the weather is kind so I can take another one or two out. As for the Honda CL500, it has the pedigree, with a tried and tested engine, but the looks don’t do it for me. The Hunter is a genuinely great little bike, and I look forward to taking it out again after it has been run in. Probably take it further then too.
Mst❤
nice one Ian, seems like a decent bike indeed
Thanks Mr ice. Yes, lovely little bike, which could become a bit of a hooligan once run in, if a bit lacking top end. Think ferret 😂
Looks a really nice bike Ian.
Thanks Rachel, it is a lovely little bike.
I’m in the area where you rode through and fully agree the amount of roads they shut around here has been crazy, major road works on the main roads and town centre roads closed all over, looks a lovely bike that, good video as ever, cheers Nige.
Thanks Nige. Every time we drop down to see mum and dad in Nantwich, we have to ask which roads are closed, is the Middlewich rd open, or where is it shut. Then they go digging up other roads……..bonkers mate.
@@ianhughesroyalenfield middlewich road open now, roads closed behind the Hospital now as they build the next phase of the works, then all the house building will start so it’s going to be crazy round here for a good while.
@@Wigglesway handy to know. It’s been awful hasn’t it. Cheers
I bought a Hunter second hand a few weeks ago and got the low fuel warnings quickler than expected on teh ride home. When I got to the pumps, it only took 8 litres. I believe their have been warranty claims on the fuel gauge system but due to the weather, I have not been able to ride enough tocheck it again. Lovely bike though, looks, sound and handling are all excellent.
Good afternoon Arthur, I was mightily impressed with the Hunter, and hopefully will take it out for a longer ride in the Spring. I wasn't aware there was an issue with the fuel gauge. Hopefully you will get out soon. Even in winter, there are some good, rideable days. All the best.
Great hearing you laugh, lovely review
Thank you, have to have a laugh occasionally 😂
Hi Ian, nice clip. I felt the same about the offset speedo so fitted the little OEM screen and I don’t notice it now. The Hunter has to be the easiest bike to ride. Love mine.
Thank you. The Hunter is a great bike. I am looking forward to taking it out for a longer ride in the spring 👍 Good idea regarding the little screen 😎
Say it out loud again for the people in the back! “CEAT Tyres are good tyres!” Excellent review ride.
Thanks Steve, yes, nothing wrong with them. Quite a nice tread pattern too.
@@ianhughesroyalenfield well, I like them enough that next time I need tyres, I’m going to have CEAT tyres fitted again! (I expect I can get some nearly new ones cheap off somebody who doesn’t like them 😝)
Very true 😎
Hi Ian, I'm the owner of a HNTR 350 in silver and black and I think it's the best Enfield you can buy. I don't know if you noticed but the women love them it's turned me into a real fanny magnet blud.
😂 I thought you always were 😂
I've named mine Harry.
@@ianhughesroyalenfield
@@ianhughesroyalenfieldLadies Man😆🤣.
I do like the 350 range Ian and I think I would go for this one out of the 3 is it in fact a bit lighter than the classic because it looks a bit slimmer to me although I have never ridden one or any of them I agree about the clock either 2 or a central position might be better . Not getting out much this year due to many things but next year will be a lot different I hope , to be honest their are many bikes I would like to own but one has to be practical I suppose 😉or maybe not .Nice one well done cheers 👌👍
Hi Mal, it’s definitely lighter and narrower, also more nimble due to those 17” wheels. I wish my bank account was healthier, as I would love to have one in the stable. I haven’t been out for ages, due to the horrible weather 🙄. Cheers
nice video!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. I will take it out for a longer ride sometime 👍
Afternoon Ian 😊 your good, really enjoyed this what a fabulous road test the photos fanbloodytastic the camera work is just out of this world now I now why some customers buy two 😊😊 just one little bit you missed 😀 it's got a Center Stand 😊 PS that should of earned me a brew next time I see you 😊😅😂😮👍
Afternoon James, who the hell is Gary 🤔. Nice to get such a positive comment from a fellow TH-camr, and one of your calibre 😎. That said, bribery won’t get you anywhere, but I might just treat you ☕️ Have to say, the DJI does produce stunning footage, and this is recorded at 2.7k, so doesn’t impact on battery life or sd card space as much as 4K. It truly is a game changer, I weep for all those who persevere with No-Pro’s 😂
@ianhughesroyalenfield 🤣🤣 no idea who Gary is. I'm watching too much TH-cam 🙄 the dji is definitely the way to go 😊 sorry about the Gary
No worries James, it must be an age thing 😂. As for having two Hunter’s, I don’t get that at all. A Hunter and a Classic, or Meteor, maybe, but not two Hunter’s. 🤔
I really like the looks (apart from that speedo) and I thought when I first saw it that they would sell bucket loads but watching the reviews coming out of India I think Triumph may have pulled a bit of a move with the Speed 400 with twice the power, more torque and higher quality componentry and I think looks wise there's not much to choose between them but Triumph have priced super aggressively at about the same price as the Classic 350. If they do price as aggressively (not sure they'll be quite as aggressive) when they launch in the UK I think they will definitely take some sales from the Hunter even if they bring it in within a thousand pounds of the Hunter price I think a lot of younger riders will be more attracted to the Triumph. Us oldies are probably a bit more conscious of price mainly because we're more likely to be paying cash but the younger riders tend to finance so if the payments are manageable I think they will go with brand recognition and what is going to give them more "cred".
Hi Mike, 100% agree. Triumph have pulled out a cracker with the new 400’s, and will undoubtedly pinch sales from RE. I think the revvy nature of it will grab the attention from the young ones, but will put a lot of the older ones off a bit. Cheers
@@ianhughesroyalenfield I see a lot of interest in india now with speed 400 but you see india already had similar thing as ktm 390 , ppl who like the relaxed RE nature will not go for raspy speed 400, instead the harley 440 promises the bullet 500 like performance even though it loses on fit and finish with triumph
@huntervlog-kx2eb and looks, that Harley is one ugly motorcycle 🤔 (just my opinion). Though I agree that the Speed 400 won’t necessarily draw RE Classic 350 riders away, it might just lure those thinking of the Hunter. If Triumph get their pricing right in Europe, then I still think Hunter sales may suffer. Thanks
That undersquare engine really does sound sweet even if performance is quite modest.
Yes, it does have a naughty little exhaust note 😎 Cheers
Hi I own a 350 hunter and I live in brentford west London I absolutely love it not many nice roads for me to do nice rides though taken on M4 motorway😂😂 which is near me and at 65 mph it's just so good
Morning Chris. I would be moving out of London, and commute in 😂. Although this short review was on ok roads, where I live is on the North Lancashire/Cumbria border…….absolutely staggering scenic rides a plenty 😃 Cheers
Hi Ian, nice bike 🙂,RE tuned the fuel injection to give a sharper feel on the throttle, making it the faster of the 350's. Top speed is higher in fourth gear as well. I think when the fuel light comes on,the trip changes to count the miles covered on reserve. I went up kirkstone pass on Thurs and the road works had definitely gone away for not🤔
Now😅
Ahh thanks for those technical details, didn’t know that. Certainly sprightly. That’s a clever feature on reserve. I need the stars to align to get up the Kirkstone again. Been busy out and about the last couple of weeks, away this weekend too. Hopefully soon 🤞
Much easier to maintain than a classic. That appeals to me in my senior years.
Yes, and amazingly smooth. You definitely need to test ride one 😉
You were obviously rather taken by this bike, Ian! I do like the looks of the Hunter 350 though, that said, I very much like the Classic, too. The Hunter's offset instrument just looks odd and if I owned one, I'd have to get an aftermarket tacho and mount it alongside. Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to buy either bike, so I'll have to continue to ride them vicariously via your channel - and ride my little Suzuki 250 Invader to get my bike-riding fix.
Hi Chris, yes, it’s a belting little bike, and the exhaust made me giggle. It’s not at all classy though, but with the nippy motor and nimble handling, it would be fun blatting round the lanes. I think the dash would be better with the tripper in place, but I am sure that with a bit of ingenuity we could centralise the speedo. Meanwhile, I am pleased that you can get a virtual fix by joining me. Cheers
No nice little lanes to blat around in this part of West Oz, unfortunately. How did you get on with the Enduro-style brake pedal? It looks a bit close to the crankcase for my size 12's. For me, I think I'd swap it out for something a bit more substantial and road-oriented, if only for the asthetics.
Hmm, I can’t say I noticed anything different about the brake pedal, in fact I had to check my photo’s to see what you meant. Those grippy bits didn’t affect use, but I have size 8 boots.
I like it how cars are parked in the sidewalk partially without being given a ticket😅 nice vlog
Unfortunately the roads aren’t wide enough to park cars correctly, and still allow traffic and emergency vehicles to drive through. There were rumours that they would start to ticket these, but as most of the streets are the same, it’s a question of where would they park instead. Pretty much the same reason why electric vehicles just wouldn’t work in areas like this. Could you imagine all the charging cables 😂 Cheers
@@ianhughesroyalenfield agree. At least your municipalities are logical about the limitations of streets as well as people. 👍
Good review. Meteor, not the Classic, was the "original" 350 J series. 😉
Thanks, yes the Meteor was the first of the J series. Did I say otherwise? I don't remember saying so, but it was a while ago. I may have compared to the Classic, as at that point I hadn't ridden the delightful Meteor, which was another bike which surprised me. Thanks for the comment, appreciated 👍
You had done more miles than 2.9 as once on reserve the mileage counts up from zero. Lovely bike and sound, but for me the Classic is the perfect bike great mudguards lovely speedo etc etc just a Classic bike. I guess the 14 kilo weight loss on the Hunter accounts for the nippier feeling but would be wasted on me as I love the relaxed nature of the Classic. However for younger riders the Hunter would be perfect and the other plus is tubeless tyres, as you say will be a great seller. 😊
Thanks Peter, I agree, the HNTR isn’t classy, perhaps a naughty sibling 😉😂
Being new to biking, what is the big plus of having tubeless tyres?
Tubeless tyres are much easier to repair at the roadside you just use a plugging kit. Find the cause of the puncture and remove the nail or screw, ream out the hole and use the plugging tool and plug material along with the adhesive. The kitscome with small bottles of compressed air to reinflate the tyre but you will need to find a garage to inflate to the correct pressure. It is best not to exceed 50mph on the plugged tyre and unfortunately you will need to replace the tyre but it will get you home.
With tubed tyres you have to remove the wheel, unseat the tyre from the rim then remove the innertube and repair it in the same way as you would with a cycle tyre.
Just to confuse the issue not all spoked wheels have tubed, the excellent suzuki v strom 650 XT for example has spoked wheels but tubeless tyres.
As Stephen said. Easier to repair at the roadside, using a tubeless tyre repair kit. With tubed tyres, unless you carry a spare tube, and are handy with spanner’s and a tyre lever, you are reliant upon a recovery company like AA/RAC.
2.8 miles is from petrol light coming on,, 👍👍
Its the 64,000 dollar question isn't it Ian, would you swap a Classic 350 for one?🤔 As a classic 350 owner ( Halcyon Black) for me the answer is NO!. However, I have had 3 test rides on one now, the first two rides the answer was no again. As a 6 footer (with a 32" inside leg) I felt like an Elephant on a Push bike. On the third test ride I had the bike for the day and the demo bike was run in more, as you say, the engine is the peppiest of the 3 J series bikes, handling is a dream, very flickable in the twisties with the quick steering adding to the fun. The gear change is first class and my knees sat in the correct position in the tank recesses. The saddle is comfortable and let's you move around on the bike as and when needed. So, on return to my dealer I'd changed my mind about it and have started to like it - quite a lot actually. I've no doubt its a good bike for distance work to with either a tail bag/panniers to carry luggage or a rack and top box. I've also got the Meteor 350 on my fleet- well just the two bikes, which is another damn good bike, love it, but I may well consider swapping the Meteor for the HNTER in September. Watch this space.🤔🙂👍
Ooo, exciting stuff. I agree wholeheartedly with your summary, with the slight difference being that I immediately loved it. I don’t think I could swap Clementine for one though. An addition to the stable would be nice, but would need my lotto numbers to come good first 🤞😂 I await your decision, but which colour takes your fancy 🤔
Has to be the Dapper Grey Ian - if any.🤔🙂👍
Aye, with me in that one then. There was a 22 plate Dapper on FB group page for £2800 (ish) the other day. 😳
Great minds think alike.🙂👍
Love the esthetic of this bike, unfortunately I'm 6'3", do you think this bike would be to small for someone my size?
Seasons Greetings and good afternoon. My friend who is over 6ft had one for a while, and he did find that he dwarfed it. Obviously best to go and sit on one, and preferably take one for a spin just to see if it fits. I am 5ft 9”, it was perfect for me. All the best.
I'm considering buying a bike again, I haven't ridden for about 5 years! I keep looking at the Enfields but I'm not sure, the last 4 bikes I had were all Honda ||| except for an old MZ Etz 250 that I travelled to work on, I bought that very cheaply, with working in Manchester, my thoughts were if it gets pinched at least it didn't cost much. yes Iv'e looked at the Enfields second hand! their seems to be a lot for sale with very low mileage! why are people not keeping them? if they are so good why are so many for sale? any ideas?
Hmm, that’s quite a good question. Personally, I think it is because some people buy them after getting wrapped up in the hype. They see them in the showroom, or on TH-camr vids like this, or blatting around the lanes, in towns etc. They think they want one too, the bikes look cool, are different from the main stream offerings, and relatively inexpensive (depending on model). They may take them for a 30 minute test ride, and think …. “Yes, this is the bike for me”. Then following a few months of ownership, running in being quite fatiguing (but rewarding), they start to wonder why they have bought such a slow bike, with performance not too dissimilar to a Jap 125, so end up selling. They just don’t get, “The Enfield Feeling”. The new 350 J series engine, is a belting unit though, and in the Hunter, is nippier than the others in the range. It still won’t be winning any traffic light drag races, but that isn’t what Royal Enfield ownership is all about. I think, you either get it, or you don’t. Those who get it, keep them and cherish them, those who don’t, sell them. All I can say, is just take one for a test ride, and not just around the block. Try and find a dealer who will let you out for an hour or more, do a mixture of town and rural roads so you can get “the feeling” 😉😎 If you have any other questions (RE related), then just fire them in my direction, always happy to help.
Thanks for the great review. I am still undecided between the Classic and the Hunter. My heart is saying Classic but my head says Hunter 🤔
The Hunter appear to have better handling and more flickable though the bends than the Classic 350 ?
Hi, yes the Hunter feels more agile, helped by the 17” wheels and tighter steering head angle…….but the Classic looks…well, Classic. If you have a look at my later rides on my Classic (apologies if you already have), th-cam.com/video/UyxB4sj16Jc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=EGtn9lrdBEbjqRiB then you will see that I don’t have any issues with the Classic’s handling. The Hunter feels a bit peppier, but will still be governed to the same 73mph by the ecu. Ok it is a bit nippier off the mark, but my Classic, with around 1700 miles on the clock goes ok too. Certainly a tough decision, but a nice decision to have. Do you go for the modern look, or the cool classic. I don’t think the Hunter will attract as much attention as the Classic, with the latter, you have to contend with people coming up and talking about RE, “I remember back in the ……….” 😂. Best advice, take both out for a good run, not a quickie around the block. Bare in mind though, that the 350 engine is at it’s best after 1000 miles on the clock. It just gets better and better with more miles.
@@ianhughesroyalenfield Thank you for the reply Ian, yes I will need to give them Both a test ride. I much prefer the looks of the Classic to be honest, but the test ride will have to be the deciding factor.
@@hughphillips1427 good luck, there will be huge smiles per mile, on whichever. Let me know how you get on 👍
Ian: Suspension is comfortable
Also Ian: 14:36
Yes Suspension is fine. What you need to understand, like at 14:36, is that our UK roads are awful (just have a look on Google). That bump, was like a small “bomb hole”, which would have given me the same reaction on any bike (I do have a fragile lower back). The suspension on the Hunter, is very good, soaking up the majority of craters, much better than the Classic 350 for example, which can be crashy at times. Hope this helps.
@@ianhughesroyalenfield It was just a silly joke. But thank you for the extra infos! I'm looking forward to buy this bike, and your video helped a lot
@GuilhermeTeixeira 😂, you would be surprised at some of the “serious” questions I get 😉. Enjoy your new ride 😎
@@ianhughesroyalenfield I wonder how much haha thank you!
I have a question about the Hunter 350, sometimes when i slow down, i go from 3rd, to 2nd, to 1st gear, and then i stop, and i want to shit in neutral, so i shift up but it goes to shift 2 instead of neutral, do you have any idea what to do ? I am beginner. Thank you very mcuh
Just be gentle with the upshift into neutral. Over time, you will get the feeling. You are lucky to have a lovely bike.
@@ianhughesroyalenfield thank you ❤️❤️❤️ I am so happy, only 60km with it
Maybe have a dump before you swing a leg over the bike? Could help you overcome the urge to "want to shit in neutral"! 😂😂
😂 I hadn’t noticed that 😂
HAHAHAHA
I prefer the looks of the Classic myself but can see the appeal of Alloy wheels & lighter & shorter wheel base.The Classic is more robust with full frame as Hunter is floating engine design & be weaker off road on the gravel etc but exceptional town backroad bike with the 17" wheels which also gives greater selection of tyres.
Also some Classic 350 models come with alloys.
Royal Zenfield.
It's 10kg lighter which is heaps than Classic & floating engine as part of the frame sits lower down giving it a lower center of gravity.Also shorter wheel base & 17" rims & different map makes it slightly more aggressive than Classic.
Women love this bike & is a great commuter bike for everyone & think 🤔 it will sell alright as a commuter & back road blaster & is a Royal Zenfield which has a great community.The RE community side of it is a real selling point over Triumph 400 which will appeal to people who want a bit more power or only have one bike.
Thanks RR. However we dissect the Hunter’s attributes, it’s a belting little bike. Although only a bit lighter on paper, it feels much lighter in the flesh, with those 17” wheels and tight steering head angle, making it quite agile. It will be interesting to ride the Triumph Speed 400 when it eventually lands on our shores. Exciting times ahead.
Bad roads in the U.K. !! 😅
You aren’t wrong there 😂 in all my years riding (45+), I have never seen them so bad. 😭