Why I bought the Meteor 350 instead of Honda H'ness or RE Hunter?

The Meteor 350 is a tribute to my father's once-owned Royal Enfield Bullet 350.

BHPian deepak.prahlad recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

In the world of motorcycles, few brands hold legacy and charisma quite like Royal Enfield. For me, owning the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 in the mesmerizing blue colour isn't just about having a remarkable two-wheeler; it's a culmination of a lifelong dream and a connection to my family's history. This isn't just a motorcycle; it's a symbol of dreams realized and a tribute to my father's once-owned Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a bike that fueled my childhood fantasies.

My fascination with Royal Enfield started in my childhood when he started riding Bullet 350. It was a bike that exuded timeless charm and left an indelible mark on my young mind. However, circumstances led to its departure from our lives, but the memories remained, igniting a desire within me to someday ride a Royal Enfield of my own.

Fast forward to today, and I find myself standing beside my own Royal Enfield – the Meteor 350 CC Stellar, bathed in blue hue. The echoes of my father's Bullet 350 resonate in this moment, and it's more than just a motorcycle; it's a connection between generations.

The Honda Hness received positive reviews, but my preference for Royal Enfield led me to consider only the Hunter and Meteor models. During the test ride, I found the Hunter's low height unsuitable for my 5'10" stature, influencing my decision.

I inquired about Royal Enfield at two different dealerships and found both offering identical rates (Rs. 206,580/- ex-showroom + 21% Road tax) and delivery timelines. Based on proximity, I selected the dealership nearer to me. However, neither seemed overly eager for business, likely due to high demand, offering no special deals. Opting for an extended warranty of 2 years beyond the 3-year ex-showroom warranty, I aimed to ensure coverage for a comprehensive 5-year period, shielding myself from potential issues.

Considering the complexity of numerous sensors, I recommend having RSA (Roadside Assistance) as they might not be serviceable by local roadside garages. Procuring insurance independently might cost approximately 10K. The approximate on-road price, inclusive of minimal accessories, would be around 2.8L.

Technical details of the Meteor 350:

Engine: Powering this beauty is a robust 349cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-oil cooled J series engine. The refined power delivery ensures a smooth and cheerful ride.

Performance: The performance is brisk, and the gears are thoughtfully spaced out. The engine demonstrates commendable performance in city rides. I am yet to explore highways as the ODO is still below 500km. Meteor can deliver a maximum power output of 20.4 PS @ 6100 rpm and a torque of 27 Nm @ 4000 rpm.

Suspension and Brakes: The telescopic front fork and twin-tube emulsion shock absorbers at the rear provide a decent ride. I felt the suspension was a bit hard though, and gave occasional jolt to your back during rough and bumpy rides. The front and rear disc brakes by Bybre with dual channel ABS provide reliable stopping power.

Likes:

• Stability even at low speed
• Less need for gear shifts in city rides
• Comfy Riding posture
• Riding comfort
• Dual Trip Meter, Distance to empty, Gear position features in the console
• Disc brake performance

Dislikes:

• Major blind spots
• Lack of storage space
• The headlamp is always ON making the LED DLR useless.
• Eccentric Console
• Inaccurate fuel gauge
• Loose Cable Management

The yellow colour on the base model (Fireball) is an absolute head-turner. The iconic teardrop-shaped fuel tank, 3D badge (available only for stellar and higher variants) and chrome finishes give Meteor a very good aesthetic appeal. I miss the old sari guard from my father's Bullet 350 though. Not sure if the current one will serve the purpose and if I can get the old one (the chrome-plated net type) and fit it into my Meteor. Your comments are welcome.

One of the standout features of the Meteor 350 is its superior riding comfort. Most of my rides till now were city rides, except a 20km highway ride. The gear shifts needed are very minimal at city rides even when the traffic is bumper to bumper. Meteor can easily cruise at 2nd gear without knocking out the engine during heavy traffic. (Not a recommended riding as per RE though) RE has successfully harnessed substantial low-end power from the new J platform engine. The bike showcases brisk performance, accompanied by well-distributed gear ratios that suit urban riding admirably.

While the engine demonstrates commendable city performance, I'm yet to find its highway capabilities. However, my initial experience on the highway indicates a decent performance level.

The well-padded seat ensures that even long rides are a pleasure. The standard seats on this bike are remarkably comfortable, and it is worth noting that I'm currently using the stock seat, not the optional touring one. The stock seats is having generous padding, and the notably wide design offers a comfortable long ride for the rider. Passenger gets a little more space than the old 2021(?) model because of the lengthening of the back rest fixtures.

The riding position strikes the perfect balance between an upright stance and a slight forward lean, giving the rider control without sacrificing comfort. The heel and toe shifter and smooth gearbox make every gear shift a breeze, adding to the overall riding pleasure. The gear indicator in the console is easy to read even during bright daylight which is bliss.

Initial apprehensions about the weight (191 Kg) faded out swiftly as I took control. Surprisingly, handling this substantially heavy machine felt effortless. Its weight became a reassuring presence, grounding me securely while riding, offering stability rather than hindrance even during my bumper-to-bumper rides in the city traffic at lower gears.

The impressive 170mm ground clearance is a boon, especially on rough and bumpy roads. It effortlessly conquers uneven terrains, potholes, and gravel paths, ensuring a smooth ride without the worry of scraping or bottoming out. This generous ground clearance of 170mm amplifies the bike's versatility, making it a reliable companion for various terrains and adventures. The suspensions are felt bit hard for me. I think I may have to adjust it in the first service.

The headlight beam (both low and high) is decent. The beauty of the headlight is notably improved by its striking ring DRL (Daytime Running Light). Yet, I find myself pondering Royal Enfield's choice to retain the low beam light alongside the DRL while the engine is running; curious about the rationale behind this coexistence.

The hybrid digital and analogue cluster on the Royal Enfield Meteor provides an extensive array of rider information, including essential metrics like dual trip meters, odometer readings, and the distance-to-empty indicator. Due to the initial half-hearted reception of the tripper console among users, RE was forced to make the Tripper Navigation an optional feature in all models. Initially, it was a factory-fitted feature except for the base model (Fireball). I heard from my fellow bikers that the tripper navigation was buggy and merely showed the directions shared from the mobile without any additional info. Purchasing a good mobile holder and using it with your mobile phone will be much better than it, IMHO. I anticipate Royal Enfield's innovative upgrades and further refinements in this feature.

Upon ignition, the console displays a numerical sequence, presumably a serial number—Let me know in the comments.

Given the odometer reading of fewer than double digits, making any remarks about mileage might seem premature, and thus, I'll refrain from doing so. However, what I can confidently express is the exceptional level of comfort and premium feel this bike offers. Like many, I anticipated noticeable vibrations at higher RPMs, yet to my surprise, the vibrations are remarkably minimal, contributing to a pleasantly smooth riding experience. Yeah! the stock mirrors vibrate, but I usually don't ride at high speed so it is not a botheration for me. Also, the blind spots are large enough to be aware of. I do scan my mirrors habitually, but you may not notice some vehicles passing you if you don't constantly scan your mirrors.

The fuel indicator seems wavy on bumpy rides. I noticed big jumps from 5 points to 7 points (Full Tank, which I am sure is not the case) You can see the volume of fuel it shows while on the centre stand, which is also not accurate. Of course, it should be more than half as I added 10Lt into the 13Lt tank while the ODO was reading 35km. I should indicate that the "Trip F" is a very good feature which will indicate how long we were on reserve fuel. The console automatically jumps to Trip F indication when it detects low fuel though it jumps back to normal owing to the wavy nature of fuel level sensors. RE recommends to re-fuel in less than 50km in the Trip F. RE needs to fine-tune the fuel gauge IMHO.

The lack of storage space in this two-wheeler is a significant disappointment for me. For long rides, you might need to buy saddlebags separately. I find this inconvenient. I may settle down with a small side bag which can hold a few of my things and some groceries I will have to purchase on my way back home during my daily rides. I still hate to have a separate bag though.

This motorcycle isn't just a possession for me; it's a conversation starter. During my visit to the dealership for the first service visit, I could make at least three new friends! Many wanted to know the first-hand experience, some wanted to know the riding experience and so on...

For me, Every twist of the throttle, every mile covered on this wonderful machine Is about fulfilling a dream nurtured over years, a dream that connects me to my father's legacy and passion for motorcycles. Every ride on this beast feels like a tribute to my father's Bullet 350. A nostalgic nod to the past while embracing the innovations and refinements of the present. The thumping engine, the distinctive low exhaust note, and the sheer joy of being on the road encapsulate what riding a Royal Enfield truly means - it's not just a journey; it's an experience. I'm not just living my dream – I'm creating a legacy of my own.

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