Royal Enfield recently launched the highly anticipated Hunter 350 in the Indian market. With the Hunter 350, Royal Enfield aims to enter new segments. The Hunter 350 is unlike any other Royal Enfield motorcycle. The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is more compact and lighter and runs on 17-inch wheels. With its small size as well as low seat height, Royal Enfield is also aiming for those who are first-time Royal Enfield buyers.
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 comes in two variants and a lot of colour options with different graphics. Thus, there will be an option for everyone. Let’s look at the Royal Enfield Hunter 350’s Retro variant and how it differs from the other variants in the lineup.
The Hunter 350’s Retro variant is the entry point into the Hunter range. The Hunter 350 Retro comes with a sticker price of INR 1,49,900 ex-showroom. Royal Enfield offers the Hunter 350 Retro in two colour options – Factory Black and Factory Silver.
The Hunter 350 uses Royal Enfield’s J-series platform, the same as the Meteor 350 and Classic 350. Thus, it uses the brand’s 349cc air- and oil-cooled single-cylinder engine. The engine also features a 2-valve SOHC valvetrain. The engine makes 20.2 BHP of power at 6,100 rpm and 27 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. For the Hunter 350, Royal Enfield has also calibrated its throttle response to suit its character. As for the transmission, it uses a 5-speed unit, similar to the Meteor 350.
The top-end variant in Hunter 350’s lineup is the Metro variant. Compared to the Retro variant, it gets a host of mechanical changes as well as additional features. As for the features, the Retro variant uses the same instrument cluster as the Classic 350. On the other hand, the Metro variant gets the more modern instrument cluster from the Meteor 350. Other differences include different turn signal indicators and different taillights. In addition to this, the Metro variant also gets a main stand, which the Retro variant misses out on.
Common to both variants are their frame and suspension setup. Both use a twin downtube spine frame, 41 mm telescopic front forks and twin shock absorbers with 6-step preload adjustability.
However, the major differences between the two variants are their brakes, wheels and tyres. Both variants use a 300 mm front disc brake. But while the Metro variant gets a 270 mm disc brake at the rear, the Retro gets a 6-inch drum brake. Also, the top-end Metro variant comes with Dual-Channel ABS, while the Retro comes with Single-Channel ABS.
As for the wheels, both variants use 17-inch wheels at both ends. However, while the Retro variant comes with wire-spoke wheels, the Metro variant uses alloy wheels. The Metro variant also gets wider tyres. The Retro variant comes with 100/80-section front and 120/80-section rear tyres. In comparison, the Metro variant uses 110/70-section front and 140/70-section rear tyres.
Also Read: Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Vs. Honda CB350 RS – Specification Comparison