If you've ever wanted a motorcycle that could handle daily office traffic, pothole-ridden streets, and still look sharp enough to turn heads at a chai tapri the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 might just be it. This isn't a big, lumbering cruiser. It’s a leaner, younger Royal Enfield built with the city in mind. And after spending a full week with it across city roads, flyovers, and weekend getaways, it’s safe to say: this bike knows exactly who it’s for.
The Royal Enfield That Breaks the Mould
Let’s begin with what you see first. The Hunter doesn’t carry the heavyset build of the Classic or the laidback vibe of the Meteor. Instead, it’s compact, surprisingly agile-looking, and styled with just enough retro charm to stay in the Royal Enfield family. The sculpted fuel tank, round headlight, and short rear end give it a scrambler-like profile. Metro variants with alloy wheels look sporty. The retro versions give an old-school with spoke rims. Either way, it draws a second glance without being over the top.
At just under 181 kg, it’s also the lightest RE motorcycle to date and you’ll feel that difference right from your first U-turn in traffic.
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City Streets Are Its Comfort Zone
Is the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 good for city rides? That’s the first question anyone asks and here's the short answer: yes, it thrives in city traffic. Riding it through Pune’s FC Road and the narrow lanes of Sadashiv Peth felt almost too easy. The Hunter’s 800 mm seat height is confidence. The handlebars are wide, but not inconvenient. And the bike’s extents make it super sensible in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The best part? The engine doesn’t overheat in slow-moving conditions. The throttle is responsive, the clutch is feather-light, and gear shifts are clean even when you're rolling through second gear for half the commute.
A Familiar Engine, Tuned for Fun
The engine is the same Classic and Meteor, but has a slightly sharper tune .It still makes 20.2 bhp and 27 Nm of torque, but the delivery is quicker and more suited to quick overtakes and signal-to-signal sprints. It’s not aggressive — just responsive in a way RE riders aren’t used to. The Royal Enfield Hunter top speed clocks around 114 km/h, though it feels most comfortable between 80 and 90. On a short highway run to Lonavala, it stayed composed, stable, and surprisingly planted on winding sections.
Simplicity That Makes Sense
The Royal Enfield Hunter features aren’t about excess. It’s a no-fuss setup, built with everyday practicality in mind. The instrument console is semi-digital speed, gear indicator, trip meter, fuel level, clock all easy to read, even on bright afternoons. There's also a USB port under the handlebar for on-the-go charging. Braking is strong single channel ABS on the Retro, dual channel on the Metro and the brakes feel dynamic, not jerky. Suspension is marginally firm, but it helps keep the bicycle rigid and certain over awful streets and through curves.
Weekend Getaways? It’ll Go the Distance
While the Hunter’s strength lies in its city manners, it’s not afraid of short rides out of town. I took it to Lavasa early one Sunday, and despite the twisty roads and elevation, the bike held its ground. No wobble. No wallow. Just smooth, balanced riding. That said, wind resistance is noticeable past 95 km/h — so it’s not a touring bike. But for casual 100–150 km trips, it more than holds its own.
How Fuel-Efficient Is the Hunter 350?
In real-world use — including peak-hour city runs and weekend stretches — the bike returned around 36 km/l. That’s solid for a 349cc bike. With a 13-litre tank, you’re easily looking at over 400 km of range before the next fuel stop. It’s not a commuter bike per se, but it definitely won’t empty your wallet every time you top up.
Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Variants & Pricing in Maharastra
The Hunter comes in three versions — each catering to a slightly different vibe and budget.
- Retro: Basic styling, single-channel ABS, and spoke wheels. It’s the most affordable entry into the Hunter club.
- Metro Dapper: Adds alloys, dual-channel ABS, and brighter colour options.
- Metro Rebel: The most eye-catching, with offbeat illustrations and a premium finish.
Royal Enfield Hunter cost in India (ex-showroom):
- Retro: 1.50 lakh
- Metro Dapper: 1.69 lakh
- Metro Rebel: 1.75 lakh
In Maharashtra, for instance, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 on-road cost in Maharashtra ranges between 1.80 lakh to 2.05 lakh depending on variation, protections, and embellishments. Considering the construct quality and RE’s legacy, it feels like a reasonable bargain.
Key Royal Enfield Hunter Specifications
- Spec Details
- Engine- 349cc, single-cylinder, air-oil cooled
- Power- 20.2 bhp @ 6100 rpm
- Torque- 27 Nm @ 4000 rpm
- Transmission- 5-speed gearbox
- Top Speed- ~114 km/h
- Fuel Tank- 13 litres
- Mileage- 35–40 km/l
- ABS- Dual-channel (Metro), Single (Retro)
- Weight- 181 kg (Metro), 177 kg (Retro)
- Wheels- Alloy/Spoke depending on variant
- Seat Height- 800 mm
Rider Community & Customization: The RE Culture Continues
What makes the Hunter 350 stand out, beyond just specs and numbers, is how quickly it’s being embraced by Royal Enfield’s ever-growing rider community. In metros like Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru, you’ll already find weekend ride groups filled with Hunters — some stock, some modified with bar-end mirrors, custom seats, or matte wrap jobs. And true to RE tradition, the aftermarket support is kicking in fast Whether it’s panniers for brief trips or corrective changes to make it your possess, the Seeker invites personalization without losing its center character. It’s that uncommon present day bicycle that still takes off room for a rider’s identity to shine.
Final Thoughts: Should You Get One?
The Hunter 350 isn’t trying to achieve everything. It knows its place — and it excels there. For every day riders who need fashion, ease, and something reliable enough for both weekday commutes and Saturday joyrides, the Hunter fits delightfully. It's down to earth without being boring, cool without being uproarious, and refined without losing its edge. You’re not just buying a Royal Enfield. You’re buying a version of it that’s been built for real-world, day-to-day riding.
