I am a senior and I have a Suzuki Inazuma. It will go 75 or 80 mph all day but you have to get used to it being like a sport bike and high revs of 9000 rpm. Redline is 11000. The parallel twin is designed to have the nuts revved out of it. It has been a flawless bike since new in 2013. But I am getting to where my back could use a more relaxed rider triangle. I need a relatively light bike with the weight down low. The Meteor is on my shopping list along with a Honda Rebel 500. I prefer secondary roads as much as possible. But some freeway riding is occasionally necessary. 70 mph is our posted highest speed. The truckers can't do that so I would just hang in their lane and let the speeders go by. I think for the US market, a 500 is a better fit. I hope RE comes out with a Bullet Classic 500 on the new J engine platform!
Very nice review. Yes, your thoughts are spot on. My Meteor has just over 1000 miles on the clock. Top speed is 72 mph- then the speed governor kicks in. I think 4th gear is it best for all around motoring. It’s only real knock is it’s not a freeway motorcycle. If you’re okay with that, it’s a great ride. I’m 5’ 10” with a 30 inch inseam. I find it fits me well. I don’t use my heel to up shift, just move my foot off the peg and press the heel shifter with my toe. I have limited range of motion with my left ankle. Thanks again for the review.
@@MCCJustMotos Not my first bike (just retired) but have not ridden in 40 years. I looked at the Honda 350 also. Honda has the name, more dealers and a bit more get up and go. The Meteor I felt looked better, was a better cruiser, rode smoother, 3X the warranty and had a better position from a driver sitting position. I have a bad back and test rode both bikes, the Meteor seat and back position were much better. I don’t plan on getting on a 6 lane highway, all my driving is 40-65 and it is very smooth, especially for what I paid for it. A great value and lots of fun.
Meteor was my first bike at 51 years old, 8 months in and still love, the comfort is hard to beat. I sometimes think about getting an interstate tourer as a second bike but I probably don’t need it
Beginner bike??? My very first bike was in 1990 when I bought a 1990 Virago 1100 and was the best bike I have ever ridden or owned. 😎It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. The Meteor is a great bike for anyone who likes it after they have tested it. Thank you for sharing.
You make a good point and echo what I state in my video. It is a good lightweight cruiser, and of course each person is unique and will like different things. This is a good one to start with to try.
I don't like the phrase "starter bike" when it comes to this bike. I have the same Stellar Red Meteor as yours. Years ago, I use to have a Triumph 750 (in the 70's) Spent 20 years in the Navy, retired and have spent another 20 years raising kids and doing other things. I realized about 3 years ago I didn't want to go to my grave and never ride again. So, at age 64 I started looking for a bike and didn't want to spend a lot of money, but I really didn't want to buy used either. After countless TH-cam videos and research, I bought a 2021 RE Meteor 350 and almost 12,000 miles later I couldn't have been happier on any other bike. If your young and want to go fast like I did this isn't the bike for you. But you can get on this bike and get out on the secondary highways and back roads and ride forever. I have no problem going long distances on this bike. I have put an engine guard on it and attached two LED lights to it. Windshield, touring seat and foot pegs. Also "LongRide" saddle bags and just added the DNA filter. My son and I (he rides an Indian Scout 60) were planning a trip from here in North Texas to my childhood home state of Iowa. We were planning on leaving this next week (Oct 7th, 2024) but some lady rear ended him while he was at a stop sign. He's OK but his bike is now in the shop. This would have been about a 2000-mile round trip ride. Using the Tripper navigation allows you to put in a route that keeps you off the major highways and tolls and takes you on some back roads. Yes, that makes for a long trip, but for me that's what riding the motorcycle is all about. Back roads and small towns. We will regroup and plan that trip in the spring God willing. But to wrap this up, I am no beginner rider, and that's no beginner bike. Can it be? Yes, but it's a good bike for old farts like me also.
Agreed 100% I think it is and at least can be a starter bike …BUT this bike is SOOOO much more and THAT is my biggest point. Your do a great job of showing and explaining why!
It looks s electronically limited to 75 miles per hour (72 GPS). My Classic gets between 80-90 mpg. I think “beginner bike” is a bit of a misnomer. A better term would be a bike that is good for a beginner. The first Meteor I saw was surprising. It is bigger than what I was expecting. The seat height is a bit lower than on the Classic.
Totally, my thoughts on the Meteor. It’s more than a beginner bike and can last a rider a long long time..deeper than when just first learning. Crazy the seat height is lower then the Classic. It’s pretty tall and stretched out riding position. Very comfy.
The Meteor is a little over $5000 while the Kawasaki is $8000. No idea what you mean when you say it is “tighter”. Do you mean stiffer? More responsive?
No, not more responsive…maybe more twitchy..just as responsive when your use your body side to side, but maybe initial change is more hair edge ready to transition. I found to less comfy, much more vibrationy and more tiring. Price independent, the Vulcan S has a more relaxed engine at fast highway speed, but a way less comfy bike.
looking at a meteor . dealer is getting me a great price 5700 out the door ( new 2022) being 5.7 wish it was a little lower but nick at 5.5 looks to be on his tip toes hard to pass on this deal just not sure on the height ? Any views are welcome
Two things I’d say. First go to the dealer and just sit on the bike and try it out over and over. Put your feet down and duck walk. Take the bike off the side stand and center it up.. try that a few times…also they make a lower seat which helps.
Oh man..looong story I’ve been keeping my Patreons abreast, and I have a video “primed” in que. The bottom line is that after only 500 miles after my engine rebuild, the engine seized again! Hitchcocks is sending me another kit..and I have some extra goodies to go along..hope to get her back on the road with 40+ HP in a month.
@@MCCJustMotos no, I doubt it would like more than 80 mph, but I've seen it mentioned it's something to do with an Indian regulation, tho as to why they keep it on export version I'm not sure.
In my experience as a dealer and owning 100+ motorcycles, a stand can absolutely take a rider. Feel free to enlighten me me any with any links to show otherwise. 👍
@@MCCJustMotos no links, just expressing a concern as its effectively a lever on a fulcrum and excess weight on it is just a basic bad idea in my opinion, you're free to do whatever you want 😁
I am a senior and I have a Suzuki Inazuma. It will go 75 or 80 mph all day but you have to get used to it being like a sport bike and high revs of 9000 rpm. Redline is 11000. The parallel twin is designed to have the nuts revved out of it. It has been a flawless bike since new in 2013. But I am getting to where my back could use a more relaxed rider triangle. I need a relatively light bike with the weight down low. The Meteor is on my shopping list along with a Honda Rebel 500. I prefer secondary roads as much as possible. But some freeway riding is occasionally necessary. 70 mph is our posted highest speed. The truckers can't do that so I would just hang in their lane and let the speeders go by. I think for the US market, a 500 is a better fit. I hope RE comes out with a Bullet Classic 500 on the new J engine platform!
What your describing I think the meteor is built for! You should totally try it!
Very nice review. Yes, your thoughts are spot on. My Meteor has just over 1000 miles on the clock. Top speed is 72 mph- then the speed governor kicks in. I think 4th gear is it best for all around motoring. It’s only real knock is it’s not a freeway motorcycle. If you’re okay with that, it’s a great ride. I’m 5’ 10” with a 30 inch inseam. I find it fits me well. I don’t use my heel to up shift, just move my foot off the peg and press the heel shifter with my toe. I have limited range of motion with my left ankle. Thanks again for the review.
Thank you for the kind words! I don’t like that governer. I wish it was ungoverned. But I love the bike!
I have had mine for a year, great bike for smaller folks. I am 5’7.
That’s great to hear Jim! Was this your first bike? If so, what others did you consider?
@@MCCJustMotos Not my first bike (just retired) but have not ridden in 40 years. I looked at the Honda 350 also. Honda has the name, more dealers and a bit more get up and go. The Meteor I felt looked better, was a better cruiser, rode smoother, 3X the warranty and had a better position from a driver sitting position. I have a bad back and test rode both bikes, the Meteor seat and back position were much better. I don’t plan on getting on a 6 lane highway, all my driving is 40-65 and it is very smooth, especially for what I paid for it. A great value and lots of fun.
@@RiggsjimJKD that is great to hear, and so far I echo all your sentiments about the motorcycle. I like you are, am very impressed!
Meteor was my first bike at 51 years old, 8 months in and still love, the comfort is hard to beat. I sometimes think about getting an interstate tourer as a second bike but I probably don’t need it
I feel ya on this bike! The comfort punches above its weight, the motor…maybe not so much. Lol
Beginner bike??? My very first bike was in 1990 when I bought a 1990 Virago 1100 and was the best bike I have ever ridden or owned. 😎It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. The Meteor is a great bike for anyone who likes it after they have tested it. Thank you for sharing.
You make a good point and echo what I state in my video. It is a good lightweight cruiser, and of course each person is unique and will like different things. This is a good one to start with to try.
@@MCCJustMotos
It's a great bike and for the price, you can't beat it 😉
I don't like the phrase "starter bike" when it comes to this bike. I have the same Stellar Red Meteor as yours. Years ago, I use to have a Triumph 750 (in the 70's) Spent 20 years in the Navy, retired and have spent another 20 years raising kids and doing other things. I realized about 3 years ago I didn't want to go to my grave and never ride again. So, at age 64 I started looking for a bike and didn't want to spend a lot of money, but I really didn't want to buy used either. After countless TH-cam videos and research, I bought a 2021 RE Meteor 350 and almost 12,000 miles later I couldn't have been happier on any other bike. If your young and want to go fast like I did this isn't the bike for you. But you can get on this bike and get out on the secondary highways and back roads and ride forever. I have no problem going long distances on this bike. I have put an engine guard on it and attached two LED lights to it. Windshield, touring seat and foot pegs. Also "LongRide" saddle bags and just added the DNA filter. My son and I (he rides an Indian Scout 60) were planning a trip from here in North Texas to my childhood home state of Iowa. We were planning on leaving this next week (Oct 7th, 2024) but some lady rear ended him while he was at a stop sign. He's OK but his bike is now in the shop. This would have been about a 2000-mile round trip ride. Using the Tripper navigation allows you to put in a route that keeps you off the major highways and tolls and takes you on some back roads. Yes, that makes for a long trip, but for me that's what riding the motorcycle is all about. Back roads and small towns. We will regroup and plan that trip in the spring God willing. But to wrap this up, I am no beginner rider, and that's no beginner bike. Can it be? Yes, but it's a good bike for old farts like me also.
Agreed 100% I think it is and at least can be a starter bike …BUT this bike is SOOOO much more and THAT is my biggest point. Your do a great job of showing and explaining why!
It looks s electronically limited to 75 miles per hour (72 GPS). My Classic gets between 80-90 mpg. I think “beginner bike” is a bit of a misnomer. A better term would be a bike that is good for a beginner. The first Meteor I saw was surprising. It is bigger than what I was expecting. The seat height is a bit lower than on the Classic.
Totally, my thoughts on the Meteor. It’s more than a beginner bike and can last a rider a long long time..deeper than when just first learning. Crazy the seat height is lower then the Classic. It’s pretty tall and stretched out riding position. Very comfy.
The Meteor is a little over $5000 while the Kawasaki is $8000. No idea what you mean when you say it is “tighter”. Do you mean stiffer? More responsive?
No, not more responsive…maybe more twitchy..just as responsive when your use your body side to side, but maybe initial change is more hair edge ready to transition. I found to less comfy, much more vibrationy and more tiring. Price independent, the Vulcan S has a more relaxed engine at fast highway speed, but a way less comfy bike.
looking at a meteor . dealer is getting me a great price 5700 out the door ( new 2022) being 5.7 wish it was a little lower but nick at 5.5 looks to be on his tip toes hard to pass on this deal just not sure on the height ? Any views are welcome
Two things I’d say. First go to the dealer and just sit on the bike and try it out over and over. Put your feet down and duck walk. Take the bike off the side stand and center it up.. try that a few times…also they make a lower seat which helps.
@@MCCJustMotos thanks for that love the big bike feel of the meteor checking out a 300 rebel tomorrow thanks for the quick comeback
I’m 5-7 and I have a meteor 350 and I am flat footed . I find it easy to manoeuvre backwards etc.101/2 stone weight also.
@@treacytribe great to hear!
@@treacytribe Thanks for that I'll have to give it another try at 5700 out the door new its hard to pass up.
Where's ur Himalayan at haven't seen it for a while
Oh man..looong story I’ve been keeping my Patreons abreast, and I have a video “primed” in que. The bottom line is that after only 500 miles after my engine rebuild, the engine seized again! Hitchcocks is sending me another kit..and I have some extra goodies to go along..hope to get her back on the road with 40+ HP in a month.
That sucks hope u get it rite miss seeing that bike
@@samurais_and_2strokes me too!!!
big fan
Me too!
Absolutely no meteor will do 85 mph as its electronically limited to about 72 mph which might read as 75 mph on the bike 👍🏻
I heard that from a few folks..obviously I am still in break in miles, so I’m nowhere close to that.
It's a fact, Royal enfield limit it on the ecu, hundreds of meteor, classic and hunter owners have experienced it, just how it is with the bike 👌🏻😉
Yup..and even if ungoverned I doubt it would enjoy doing more than that.
@@MCCJustMotos no, I doubt it would like more than 80 mph, but I've seen it mentioned it's something to do with an Indian regulation, tho as to why they keep it on export version I'm not sure.
Seriously don't sit on the bike on the side stand, it's designed for the bikes weight, not the rider, and will strain the bracket.
In my experience as a dealer and owning 100+ motorcycles, a stand can absolutely take a rider. Feel free to enlighten me me any with any links to show otherwise. 👍
@@MCCJustMotos no links, just expressing a concern as its effectively a lever on a fulcrum and excess weight on it is just a basic bad idea in my opinion, you're free to do whatever you want 😁