ROYAL ENFIELD

Hunter 350: the exemplary citizen

Royal Enfield had stayed true to its traditional engines since time immemorial, but the new homologation regulations finally retired them. The Indian firm abandoned its latest designs from Great Britain and first launched the twin-cylinder engines of the current Interceptor, and followed by the current single-cylinder that debuted with the Himalayan, a trail-style motorcycle with a displacement of 411 cc.

With the arrival of the Hunter, the single-cylinder family already has five models: Himalayan and Scram 411, and Meteor, Classic, along with the novelty with the 350 cc. In all cases the same mechanical philosophy is maintained. The propellant has an air-cooled vertical cylinder with a reciprocating long-stroke train, something that is already quite strange today and that in the case of the Hunter and its sisters it is quite evident, because its dimensions of 75.0 x 85.8 mm give a bore/stroke ratio of 0.87. The mechanical simplicity of the engine is complemented by a cylinder head with a chain-driven shaft and two valves. The compression ratio is also quite moderate, only 9.5:1 and the maximum speed of 7,000 rpm.

TRANQUILITY...The result is what we have already seen in both the Meteor and the Classic with which it fully shares the drive mechanics. It is an engine with a fairly moderate power, with maximum performance at the level of a 125 cc sports bike, with a declared maximum speed of 114 km/h, we have reached a marker of about 120 km/h, but also a low weight, below that of a scooter, since full of gasoline it weighs 181 kg.

The best thing about this engine is its operation when you are quiet, since it has a constant response from the bottom, very linear, which allows you to take it low in turns and go up to the maximum power regime. It is not worth revving it much, certainly nothing beyond those 6,000 rpm, although it can turn another 1,000 rpm above. Another characteristic is its low level of vibrations at any regime, which is combined with that "long-legged" operation provided by its dimensions.

FUNCTIONAL...You might think that air cooling would be a problem in the city when it's hot, but the opposite happens, the engine does not give off heat at any time, even if you use the bike in the city for a long time between cars. It is something that we have been able to certify because this presentation has been made by Royal Enfield in Bangkok, and we have immersed ourselves in its chaotic traffic for hours with its tropical climate.

The Hunter 350 is a motorcycle aimed at the city and it performs wonderfully with a smooth change, especially beyond third which is where you use it, a clutch with short travel and soft actuation and a very low noise that meets Euro5 homologation.

NEW WHEELS...Today the vast majority of motorcycles are fitted with 17” wheels, but in the case of Royal Enfields this is not the case. On the one hand, classic-cut and retro-style motorcycles are mounted with a larger diameter as in the models they resemble, on the other hand, it is the most suitable for other areas of the world. In Europe we are used to roads in good condition, smooth and paved, but in Asia or South America, the brand's main markets, they are far from being that way. Bigger tires are better for going over potholes.

The Hunter, unlike the Meteor and the Classic, has 17” wheels. This change may seem minor, but it has forced a new chassis design, which is different in this model. The rear area of ​​the interrupted cradle has been completely changed, the subframe is new and intensive work has been done on the steering. The result is surprising in terms of handling.

MOUSETRAP...It's not just that the reduced gyroscopic effect of the tires reduces the effort to make changes, but also that the steering angle is high, almost 45 degrees, and the design of the chassis has managed to combine the speed of movements without effort with full control of the trajectory at low speed. Without having carried out a comparative test, the feeling is that this motorcycle is a true queen in the slalom, without a doubt a guarantee that it will be much easier to pass the maneuvers test of the motorcycle license without any effort.

Beyond its ease in moving through chaos, turning on a near-stop subway, and effortlessly hissing between cars, it's a comfortable bike when the road clears. It does not vibrate, it has a relaxed driving position, more conventional than its sisters if we stick to our habits, with the handlebars not very high and the footrests quite centered and a height from the ground of 800 mm, which is combined with an extreme thinness. so that anyone reaches the ground with their knees still slightly bent.

RELAX...On the road you have to keep in mind that you won't be able to go very fast, not because of the acceleration capacity, but because of the maximum speed, at the level of that of heavy vehicles. If we leave aside its benefits, the stability is perfect, but the ground clearance is somewhat low.

On stretches of curves with good tarmac it's just as easy to hit the ground as its sisters, limiting the speed at which you can approach corners. It is a quiet motorcycle with its limitations in this aspect, but we must bear in mind that its true market is very far from here, and that the requirements are different.

NEW LOOK...Another change that is immediately noticeable is the aesthetic design, which without fanfare has achieved its own style. It has a more modern feel than the Meteor and obviously the Classic, with a rounded tank and one-piece seat that blends with the rounded shapes of the rear of the frame. The frame is made up of a digital clock that on the outside has a dial that contains the speedometer and has six different decorations.

A range of accessories has also been created not only to personalize it, but to improve its use in certain environments. The price in Spain is not yet set, but it should be somewhat below that of the Meteor. In Europe it will begin to be marketed in the fourth quarter, but in India its price is 25% lower. Bearing in mind that this one costs €4,100 in Spain, we can assure you that it is a truly economical motorcycle, because in the traffic of the Thai capital we never get to exceed 4 l/100 km of consumption.

CONCLUSION...The Hunter 350 expands the Royal Enfield catalog by providing an alternative in which the usual economy of the brand is combined with the necessary qualities to make it a truly effective weapon in the city, with its own style that goes beyond of its possible retro style. It's not a scooter and it doesn't have its carrying capacity or protection, but it's more agile and fun, and also cheaper to buy and use. It looks good, and let's not forget, it's a bike through and through.

DATA SHEET:

Price: N.D. €; Engine: One cyl. vertical. Ref. by air; Timing: SOHC 2V; Bore x Stroke: 75.0 x 85.8mm; Displacement: 349cc; Compression: 9.5:1; max power dec.: 15 kW (20 hp) at 6,100 rpm; max torque dec: 27 Nm at 4,000 rpm; Feeding: One injectors; Driving modes: None; Clutch Acc: Cable; Gear: 5 ratios; dry transmission :  String; Chassis: Tubular double cradle interrupted in steel; Swingarm: Double steel arm; Geometry: 25°/ 96 mm Front suspension: Conventional fork; Diam. Bars / Travel: 41 mm / 130 mm; Settings: None; Rear Suspension/Travel: Two parallel shock absorbers / 102mm; Settings: Preload; Front brake: One 300mm disc; Calipers: 2 pistons; Rear Brake: One 300mm disc; Caliper: 2 pistons; ABS Type/ Off: Standard / No; Front wheel: 110/70-17". Rim 3.00"; Rear wheel: 140/70-17". Rim 4.00"; Measures. Chap. tank: 13 l; Full weight: 181 kg; Wheelbase: 1,370 mm; Seat height: 800 mm.

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