As of four days ago, Royal Enfield’s Hunter 350 has finally hit Western shores to duke it out with our own – slightly larger – neo-retro offerings.
The perk? None of our brands can boast a $3,999 USD price tag for a full-sized bike… not yet, anyway. Still waiting on Harley’s X350 to join her middleweight sibling before we can shake on that one.
A reminder from RideApart that America’s getting the urban-centric Metro Hunter – a machine boasting six color schemes (Dapper White, Dapper Ash, Dapper Grey, Rebel Black, Rebel Blue, and Rebel Red), as well as dual-channel ABS and those neat braided steel brake lines that add personality to value.
Hiding in the chassis is a 350cc J-engine, capable of 20.2hp @ 6,100rpm and 19.9 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000rpm – not bad for the price point, especially considering the confiture of the bike’s relaxed standover ergonomics and 31” seat height.
Everything ties into the instrument cluster at the front, touting a retro-style speedometer along with a digital LCD screen (and potential for Royal Enfield’s Tripper Navigation System to boot) – a monstrously accessible unit with a shorter wheelbase, lighter weight, and tighter geometry.
All that’s left to do is hunt down one of these things to swing a leg over and see for ourselves.