Lianne Dhalla | 7 Aug 2022 07:46 PM
Royal Enfield has just launched the much-anticipated Hunter 350. Inspired by the J-Series 350cc platform that underpins the Meteor 350 and the Classic 350, this new bike has been under development since 2016. This motorcycle is closer to a roadster compared to a cruiser, in design, with two variants– the Retro and Metro looks.
With a modified chassis to offer a unique new motorcycle that is both agile and enjoyable to ride. Despite the redesign, you can still see some classic design elements like the round-shaped headlight, turn indicators, tail-lights and IRVMs. Sporting a tear-drop-shaped fuel tank, it provides you an easier grip for your knees. To offer a sportier riding position, this motorcycle comes with foot pegs that are set further back.
The Hunter 350 comes powered by a 349cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke air-oil cooled engine with fuel injection. An engine that has been seen in the Meteor 350 and the Classic 350.Equipped with a 5-speed gearbox, the new SOHC engine can produce 20.2bhp of power at 6100rpm and a peak torque of 27Nm at 4,000rpm, with a top speed of 114kmph.
This city-highway hybrid motorcycle weighs in at 181kgs (they’ve gone 10kgs lighter on this one). With a 13-litres capacity fuel tank, the Hunter offers a pretty low seat height of 800mm alongside a 1370mm wheelbase. The bike rides on 17in alloy wheels with wider 110/70 x 17in front and 140/70 x 17” rear tubeless tyres.
It is equipped with that ever-so-important dual-channel ABS system. This is accompanied by a 300mm front disc and 270mm rear disc. The bike is equipped with 41mm telescopic front forks and twin shock absorbers with 6-step adjustable preload at the rear.
When it comes to design you get “Royal” graphics on the fuel tank in addition to the Royal Enfield badge. The off-set instrument console, similar to the one on the Meteor 350 handlebar, comes with tripper navigation compatibility. And lastly, that upswept tail and exhaust has been included to solidify that roadster look they are going for.
There are five colourways across two editions on the Metro Hunter including a selection of three chic tank colour and graphics options. The colour variants include Rebel Blue, Rebel Red, Rebel Black, Dapper Ash, Dapper White and Dapper Grey. The Retro variant is priced starting at ₹1,49,900 while the Metro variant is priced at ₹1,63,900 ex-showroom.