REvolution

The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 features some drastic changes unheard of in the company's textbook. A gamble that could pay dividends 

- Joshua Varghese 

RE Hunter 350 Metro

ROYAL ENFIELD REALLY TURNED A CORNER SINCE THE LAUNCH of the 650 twins. Those motorcycles attracted a lot of new riders to the RE fold and the Hunter 350 aims to take that to the next level. I will even go so far as to say that the Hunter will prove to be a revolution in Royal Enfield's journey and there are many reasons to support this claim. The motorcycle is currently offered in two variants, Retro and Metro, and we will begin by exploring the merits of the top-shelf Metro.

It is easy to tell them apart because the Metro is the one with all the youthful paint schemes that include an eclectic combination of colours and finishes. It also gets 17-inch cast alloy wheels at either end; a first for a Royal Enfield motorcycle. What follows is an urban-scrambler type of design language where the elements are as minimal as they are functional. In the Metro, the round headlamp and tail-lamp are complemented by round indicators. The fuel-tank is a good-looking 13-litre unit that also doubles as a strong visual element, working in tandem with the blacked-out engine and bare minimum bodywork.

Neo-retro inclination is evident on the analog-digital instrument cluster as well. It displays the essentials along with a clock and gear indicator. The Tripper Navigation console can also be installed alongside as an accessory. The single-piece handlebar curves back towards the rider, offering a riding position that strikes a good balance between involving and comfortable. Credit for the latter must be shared with the well-padded seat as well which, although great for the rider, is not as generous for a pillion rider over long distances. Sure, switchgear may be shared with the Meteor 350 but it does not feel out of place on the Hunter and the overall level of quality is definitely consistent with what one would expect of a premium product.