2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Review

[Hugh Janus]

The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 in Rebel Red ($4,199). (Royal Enfield/Brandon Bunch/)

Royal Enfield and parent company Eicher Motor Limited have paved a new space in motorcycling in recent years, bringing heritage from the shores of India to the streets of America’s largest metropolises at an accessible price. Key to this success is a diverse lineup of uniquely styled bikes built around three engine configurations. These platforms include an air-cooled 650cc parallel twin, a 411cc single, and  a 350cc single. Each engine serves multiple models through the RE product lineup. And now, the 350cc J-series platform receives its newest model, the Hunter 350 (starting at $3,999).

A counterbalancer keeps vibration to a minimum, limiting fatigue. (Royal Enfield/Josh Shipps/)

An approachable roadster, the Hunter 350 sports sharp and recognizable styling, steep  steering geometry for quick handling (rake is set at 25 degrees), and a versatile, tried-and-true 350cc engine great for dicing through an urban landscape. The Hunter shares the SOHC two-valve air-cooled engine originally used in the Classic 350 and Meteor 350, that together share buckets of hardware from the manufacturer.

The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 comes standard with a centerstand and USB port. (Royal Enfield/Josh Shipps/)

Chief of design Mark Wells stressed the importance of not just modifying the chassis and suspension of the Classic and Meteor to create the new model, but to actually purpose build the new roadster from the ground up. Royal Enfield’s head of marketing, Nathan Kolbe, adds that the Hunter 350 is targeted at a “younger audience, newer riders, or someone coming back to motorcycling after a long hiatus.” With that in mind, there were a few major attributes they wanted to achieve with the Hunter 350.

A contoured seat and neutral riding position generate comfort for all-day rides. (Royal Enfield/Josh Shipps/)
Motorcycles are great all year, but spring in Southern California offers something special. (Royal Enfield/Brandon Bunch/)

Since it’s intended to spend most of its time in an urban sprawl, it is important that the Hunter 350 provides quick and responsive handling, a neutral upright riding position, torquey engine characteristics to chug around town, and of course, iconic and recognizable styling that is sure to impress at the local coffee shop. But in all seriousness the Hunter 350 is designed to be easy to ride while still having fun and charismatic attributes, be manageable for tight city riding, accessible both in terms of being physically manageable but also financially achievable, and to have simplistic styling and colors riders can associate with.

A pair of 17-inch alloy wheels and tubeless tires steer the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. (Royal Enfield/Josh Shipps/)

With a different intake and exhaust than the Classic and Meteor, the Hunter 350 also receives model-specific tuning and gearing for snappy throttle response. A short and stubby exhaust helps centralize mass as well as give the Hunter 350 an iconic roadster appearance.

Passing through Little Italy. (Royal Enfield/Josh Shipps/)

Zipping through the city, the engine offers instant torque right off idle. Having almost no flat spot down low, the engine provides quick response when splitting lanes or trying to find a vacant stretch of tarmac. With enough grunt to propel the bike from a near dead stop, a majority of urban time is spent switching between gears two and three.

Crossing the Coronado Bridge on the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. (Royal Enfield/Brandon Bunch/)

The air-cooled single prefers to be ridden in the low to midrange which generates a punchy feel when blipping the throttle from one stoplight to the next. Doing aggressive pulls from one side of town to the other with the iconic thump of the air-cooled single amplifying off the city buildings makes you feel like the cool kid on the block. Complemented by clean, simplistic styling, it caught the eye of more than a few passersby.

Shortcutting traffic through the back alleys of downtown San Diego. (Royal Enfield/Brandon Bunch/)

In traffic, where a rider is on and off the throttle constantly, it was found riding a gear high provides enough grunt to accelerate in a visceral way, but when needing to chop the throttle as you approach a light or car, the motor does not generate as much engine-braking on decel. At times, staying a gear high requires a little more feathering of the clutch, but the juice was worth the squeeze of the clutch lever.

When leaned over on the side of the tire, ground clearance was never an issue. (Royal Enfield/Josh Shipps/)

With a steeper head angle, shorter wheelbase, and smaller front wheel than the Meteor and Classic, the Hunter 350 provides quick handling especially when initiating direction change through the handlebar. A pair of 17-inch cast alloy wheels (19-inch front on Meteor and Classic) contributes to the Hunter’s intuitive handling. The 41mm telescopic fork offers comfort in the initial part of the stroke through slow and small bumps. Over potholes and rough transitions, the 5.1 inches of available travel provides plenty of holdup.

Preload-adjustable twin shocks offer 4.0 inches of suspension travel. (Royal Enfield/Brandon Bunch/)

The Hunter 350 has a well-balanced upright riding position great for keeping your head on a swivel when navigating the busy streets of downtown. In combination with a relatively low seat height of 31.1 inches and 400-pound claimed curb weight (21 pounds less than the Meteor and 30 pounds less than the Classic), the Hunter 350 feels effortless to ride at low to moderate speeds.

Earning street cred with the Hunter 350 at Sunset Cliffs, San Diego. (Royal Enfield/Josh Shipps/)

On our morning ride, we headed to Sunset Cliffs to catch the rising sun. A quick ride to the beach to check the waves and take in the view is how I might see a San Diegan using this motorcycle. Making our way back into the city the Hunter 350 embraced the road less traveled. Cutting through back alleys and side streets, this well-mannered roadster was clearly an advantage during the busy lunch hour.

Waves are bad, today we ride. (Royal Enfield/Josh Shipps/)
Off to the city for lunch. (Royal Enfield/Brandon Bunch/)

After a hot dog and soda at Liberty Call Distilling, we left the urban sprawl of downtown San Diego and headed east toward the mountains. Speeds increased as traffic thinned out and roads opened up. Even at these higher speeds, the  Hunter 350 continues to impress. Even when the five-speed transmission is stretched out and revs are high, the bike does not generate excessive or unwanted buzzing. And although it does not have high-speed passing power, it was easily capable of carrying 80 mph on the freeway comfortably.

Moving to the country on the Hunter 350. (Royal Enfield/Josh Shipps/)

Now in the canyons, the roads became smooth and twisty. On a bike with a claimed 20.2 hp at 6,100 rpm and 19.9 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm, traversing up a mountain pass in a group of Hunter 350s felt just short of a Moto3 race. Apply max throttle damn near everywhere, one mistake and the time lost was not easily recovered. No matter the displacement or location, the journalist GP is a real thing.

Taking the scenic route. (Royal Enfield/Brandon Bunch/)

As roads gradually became tighter, the low-end grunt of the 350cc single becomes more usable. When pushing the Hunter 350 at a more aggressive pace, the suspension and chassis begin to wallow, making the tires less communicative and connected to the tarmac.. Its quick-handling characteristics make changing direction and getting on the side of the tires effortless, but when dramatically muscling the bike from one corner to the next, the chassis doesn’t respond as well. If you want to hustle, you need to be smooth. When riding the bike at a more relaxed pace, the Hunter 350 becomes more composed and willing to hold its line. It’s clear the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 was designed to cruise and flow from one section to the next and to race through the mountains.

Seeking the apex on the all-new Harris Performance–built chassis. (Royal Enfield/Brandon Bunch/)

In the city and urban landscape, the brakes offer plenty of stopping power. But when trying to shed speed in a small distance, the front brake is less than impressive. Having a strong and noticeable initial bite, the ABS-equipped 300mm disc and ByBre twin-piston caliper does not provide any more progression of force beyond that first squeeze. The stopping power initiated in the beginning of the lever pull stays linear no matter how hard the rider pulls the lever. Even when grabbing a handful of front brake, the ABS system was never triggered.

Keeping the city in my rear view and the throttle twisted. (Royal Enfield/Brandon Bunch/)

The neutral riding triangle of the 2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 means long days in the saddle are easily achievable. And with an impressive claimed fuel economy of nearly 85 mpg and a 3.4-gallon fuel tank, riders can spend more time burning than replacing gas.

Never feeling stuck between a rock and a hard spot on the Hunter 350. (Royal Enfield/Brandon Bunch/)

In many ways the Hunter 350 reminds me of a Triumph Speed Twin 1200, a Cycle World Ten Best winner last year. The styling and design philosophy is very similar. The Hunter 350′s trail is just 1/10 of an inch longer at 3.7 inches. But for the price of a Speed Twin 1200, you can buy three Hunter 350s. Of course, the Triumph does have three times the engine displacement and frankly offers better build quality and loads more power and performance. But the Hunter 350′s $3,999 MSRP is what makes this bike so exciting for the motorcycle market. A stylish, accessible, well-built roadster priced just 500 bucks more than a Honda Grom is something I can get behind.

Not a building in sight, just a few cattle and some gas to burn. (Royal Enfield/Brandon Bunch/)

Royal Enfield is manufacturing a distinct and accessible lineup through three different engine displacements with the Hunter 350 being the most approachable of the bunch. For riders who are not looking for the highest performance in any one category but a motorcycle that provides spirit and charisma, something with character and recognition, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 checks all the boxes. Between six color options ($3,999 for Dapper or $4,199 for Rebel) and a huge range of accessories, riders new and old can attain a motorcycle that not only transports them around town but becomes an extension of one’s own unique style and creativity. Now, the only decision is: What color are you choosing?

Making the way around Otay Lake on the Hunter 350. (Royal Enfield/Brandon Bunch/)

2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Specs

MSRP:	$3,999–$4,199
Engine:	SOHC, air-cooled, four-stroke single-cylinder
Displacement:	349cc
Bore x Stroke:	72.0 x 85.8mm
Compression Ratio:	9.5:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	5-speed/chain
Claimed Horsepower:	20.2hp @ 6,100 rpm
Claimed Torque:	19.91ft-lb. @ 4.000 rpm
Fuel System:	EFI
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate
Frame:	Harris Performance–designed twin downtube spine
Front Suspension:	41mm telescopic fork; 5.1 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Twin-tube emulsion shock absorbers, preload adjustable; 4.8 in. travel
Front Brake:	2-piston ByBre caliper, 300mm disc
Rear Brake:	1-piston ByBre caliper, 270mm disc
Wheels, Front/Rear:	Aluminum alloy; 17 in./17 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	110/70-17 / 140/70-17
Rake/Trail	25.0°/3.7 in.
Wheelbase:	53.9 in.
Seat Height:	31.1 in.
Fuel Capacity:	3.4 gal.
Claimed Wet Weight:	400 lb.
Contact:	royalenfield.com

GEARBOX

Helmet: Arai Regent-X

Jacket: Coretech The Bender

Pant: Alpinestars Copper v2 Denim Pants

Gloves: Spidi Clubber Glove

Boots: Alpinestars Oscar Monty Shoes

Source

[Pedro]

Looks really fast on pictures, and the Coretech The Bender jacket has a lovely politically incorrect name to it 

[XTreme]

Indian POS!

[Pedro]

11 minutes ago, XTreme said:

Indian POS!

No way, look at it

[Sir Fallsalot]

14 minutes ago, XTreme said:

Indian POS!

So are we talking about the bike or the people here

[XTreme]

Mark my words......it won't be long before a lot of low mileage, fairly new Indian bikes are being traded back in for a Jap. At a big loss!

It's already happening here with Chinkies......particularly Benelli 502's and those CF Moto things.

When I look at what the dealers have got on the bike portals I'm forever having to scroll down pages to get past the bloody Chinkies that are everywhere.

[Buckster]

Harris designed frame to contain those 20 wild horses. 

[Buckster]

They should rename it the Munter. 

[Buckster]

2 hours ago, Pedro said:

the Coretech The Bender jacket has a lovely politically incorrect name to it 

Available from the Honda clothing catalogue.

[Pedro]

1 hour ago, XTreme said:

Mark my words......it won't be long before a lot of low mileage, fairly new Indian bikes are being traded back in for a Jap. At a big loss!

It's already happening here with Chinkies......particularly Benelli 502's and those CF Moto things.

When I look at what the dealers have got on the bike portals I'm forever having to scroll down pages to get past the bloody Chinkies that are everywhere.

You can’t search by manufacturer? Spain is so yesterday!

[XTreme]

19 minutes ago, Pedro said:

You can’t search by manufacturer? Spain is so yesterday!

I search by Province/Professional Sale/OffRoad-Adv bike.

Granada