Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is a street bike that launched in August 2022 in India. It features a 349cc, air-cooled engine and has a retro-inspired design with a round headlamp, a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, and a single seat. The Hunter 350 is a stylish and affordable motorcycle that offers excellent value for money.
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is available in two styles: Metro and Retro. Here are the general similarities and differences between the two.
Hunter 350: Retro
At Rs 1.50 lakh, this is the most economical variant of the Hunter 350. As the name implies, it leans more towards being a classic, vintage product, complete with spoke wheels and tube tires. In addition, it has a halogen tail lamp, a more straightforward-looking analog panel with a small LCD, a single disc brake, and a single-channel ABS. A more straightforward seat, a tubular pillion grab rail, and the more subdued Factory Black and Factory Silver paint jobs are some significant differences from other versions. Notably, compared to different versions, this is also 3 kg lighter.
Hunter 350: Metro
About appearance, functionality, and hardware, the Metro is a more contemporary version of the bike. It has dual-channel ABS, an LED tail lamp, alloy wheels with tubeless tires on them, a single disc at both ends, a Meteor 350-style instrument cluster with a larger LCD in the center, and all of this stuff installed. It also receives a more fashionable tuck-and-roll seat and sleeker split-type pillion hold rails.
The Metro version is now further separated into the Dapper and Rebel series based on color, with the latter offering the sexiest paint schemes. The Rebel variant costs Rs 1.69 lakh, while the Dapper series costs Rs 1.64 lakh.
Hunter 350 Retro and Metro: Similarities
The basic engine and chassis of the two Hunter models are among many things they have in common. The same 349cc single-cylinder, two-valve engine that powers the Meteor and Classic 350 generates 20.2 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 27 Nm at 4,000 rpm in both variants. However, RE claims that the Hunter’s fuel and ignition settings have been adjusted to reflect the bike’s more youthful personality better.
Both versions share the same frame and suspension parts, which consist of twin shock absorbers and a double downtube frame suspended atop a telescopic fork. The front disc brake on both versions is 300mm in diameter.
Hunter 350 Retro and Metro: Differences
Let’s start with the wheel difference, which is the most noticeable from the outside. The 17-inch wheels on both motorcycles are identical. However, the more expensive Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Retro model has wire-spoke wheels, while the Metro model has alloy ones. The size, brand, and presence of a tube in the tires that encircle these wheels also vary. The Metro has larger tires, measuring 110/70-17 up front and 140/70-17 in the back, while the Retro has tubed tires measuring 110/80-17 and 120/80-17. These tires are Ceat Zoom XL, and they are tubeless in design.
The brake system is another area where the two versions differ significantly. The Metro has a 270mm rear disc brake and dual-channel ABS, while the Retro has single-channel ABS with a rear drum brake. Another area where the two differ is in the instrumentation; the Hunter 350 Metro has a more elaborate instrument cluster, inspired by the Scram 411 and Meteor, with a larger digital inset, while the Retro has a simpler speedometer pod with a smaller digital display.
The last few variations are the LED taillight and round indicators on the Metro compared to the Retro’s traditional halogen taillight and rectangular indicators and the Metro’s more elegant and stylized rear grab rails versus the Retro’s more basic tubular grab rails.
Of course, there is a price difference between the two types because of all the variances. The Hunter 350 Retro costs Rs 1,49,900 lakh and comes in a single color range known as the “Factory series.” In contrast, there are two color series available for the Metro: the “Dapper series” costs Rs 1,63,900 at retail, while the “Rebel series” costs Rs 1,68,900 (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi).
