Recent Discussions and Questions - Royal Enfield Meteor Royal Enfield Meteor

Exclusively: How does the Meteor 350 fare by way of comfort on long rides vs others in the class?

13 January 2025 06:57

On my Meteor I've done a few 300+ mile days, and it's surprisingly comfortable. It is a plush seat and a relaxed riding position. You can feel a little vibration at highway speeds, but it’s not unbearable. For longer rides, a small windscreen makes a big difference.

Exclusively: How does the Meteor 350 fare by way of comfort on long rides vs others in the class?

13 January 2025 06:57

The Meteor is much more comfortable for long hauls than with sportier 400cc bikes. However, it's not perfect. After a couple of hours the stock seat can start to get uncomfortable, and lacking wind protection on the highway is noticeable. It's hard to beat for its price point, though.

Exclusively: How does the Meteor 350 fare by way of comfort on long rides vs others in the class?

13 January 2025 06:57

The Meteor 350 is okay for medium distances, but on really long rides I find it starts to show its limitations. It gets tiring on the vibrations, and there's no power, so you're always working the engine hard on the highway. It's good for 2-3 hour rides, maybe, anything more and you might be needing something bigger.

Exclusively: How does the Meteor 350 fare by way of comfort on long rides vs others in the class?

13 January 2025 06:57

Being someone who has ridden the Meteor and the Honda H'ness CB350, I’d say the Meteor is more comfortable for long rides. The suspension is softer, this is great when driving on bumpy roads. But, at higher speeds the H'ness feels more stable. Really, it depends on your riding style and the type of roads you will be on.

Exclusively: How does the Meteor 350 fare by way of comfort on long rides vs others in the class?

13 January 2025 06:57

It’s a budget 350cc bike; it’s not a full fledged tourer. The comfort for what it is, is decent. I have a gel seat cover and some bar risers on it, and I can comfortably do 5-6 hour rides. Managing expectations and making small tweaks to fit your needs is all it’s about.

Is the Meteor 350's retro looks too impractical for everyday use?

13 January 2025 06:57

I’ve been using mine as a daily commuter for over a year with no complaints about the retro styling. In fact, it's been great! With its simple design, it means less to go wrong and basic maintenance is a breeze. It’s also a real head turner in traffic, and I think it makes me more visible to other drivers as well.

Is the Meteor 350's retro looks too impractical for everyday use?

13 January 2025 06:57

I love the look, but it has to be said that it does compromise some practicality. For daily use, it can be annoying that there are no modern features such as a USB port or a comprehensive digital display. Additionally, the classic round headlight isn’t as effective as some modern LED setups you’ll find on the latest eMTBs for night riding.

Is the Meteor 350's retro looks too impractical for everyday use?

13 January 2025 06:57

I think it's a mixed bag. Retro styling gives you a really comfortable, upright riding position that is great for city traffic. Sometimes though, things like a lack of storage space or a small fuel tank can be inconvenient to use everyday. Style or modern conveniences is all about priorities.

Is the Meteor 350's retro looks too impractical for everyday use?

13 January 2025 06:57

From what I’ve seen, the retro styling actually makes it more practical in some ways. It has a simple instrument cluster that is easy to read at a glance and classic lines that make replacement parts available and often cheaper than with more complicated modern bikes. A no fuss, reliable daily rider.

Is the Meteor 350's retro looks too impractical for everyday use?

13 January 2025 06:57

The Meteor’s styling is surprisingly practical, I’ve found. With wide handlebars you get great leverage in tight spots, and the overall design is slim enough to lane split easily. It’s sure missing a few modern touches, but nothing a few affordable aftermarket add ons couldn’t fix. It is a great balance between style and function.

So, how does the Meteor 350 fare when compared to more modern 350-400cc bikes?

13 January 2025 06:57

I've ridden both the Meteor and a few Japanese 400cc bikes and they both hold their own pretty well. No, it's not quick off the line, but it's got loads of low end grunt for city riding. It cruises comfortably on the highway at 65 – 70 mph. It’s not a speed demon, but it’s fine for most riding situations.

So, how does the Meteor 350 fare when compared to more modern 350-400cc bikes?

13 January 2025 06:57

The Meteor is outclassed, in terms of pure performance, by most of the modern 400cc bikes. The engine isn't as refined, and it's down on power. That's missing the point though, it's not trying to be a sports bike. It does all that really well, it's all about the relaxed, torquey ride.

So, how does the Meteor 350 fare when compared to more modern 350-400cc bikes?

13 January 2025 06:57

I went from a KTM 390 to a Meteor and while I miss the KTM's grunt sometimes, I like riding a Meteor overall more. The traffic’s less stressful, it’s more comfortable for longer rides, and it still has enough pep to be fun on back roads. It’s a different kind of performance, a performance for fun, not for speed.

So, how does the Meteor 350 fare when compared to more modern 350-400cc bikes?

13 January 2025 06:57

The Meteor’s handling is good for what it is, but it does seem a tad old school compared to bikes like Honda’s CB350 or even Royal Enfield’s own Classic 350. At higher speeds, the vibrations can be annoying and it has a bit of trouble on steep inclines. But it’s got character that a lot of modern bikes don’t have.

So, how does the Meteor 350 fare when compared to more modern 350-400cc bikes?

13 January 2025 06:57

I believe the Meteor strikes a nice balance. It's not fast enough to keep up with a Ninja 400 on twisty roads, but it has more than enough power for everyday riding as well as weekend trips. And the engine’s character also makes slow rides enjoyable. It's just about what you want from a bicycle.

Has the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 lived up to all the hype, or is it all just clever marketing?

13 January 2025 06:57

At first I was skeptical, but after using a Meteor for a year, I have to say it mostly lives up to the hype. Not perfect, but a lot better than older Royal Enfields. It's solid, reliable and just fun to ride. Yes, the marketing is slick, but there is substance behind it.

Has the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 lived up to all the hype, or is it all just clever marketing?

13 January 2025 06:57

I think it's a bit of both. Royal Enfield has done a brilliant job of marketing the Meteor, which is a good bike no doubt. The desire for a simple, stylish bike that's easy to ride is really something they've tapped into. Is it the best 350cc bike available? Probably not. It’s not perfect but it hits a vibe that people are looking for.

Has the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 lived up to all the hype, or is it all just clever marketing?

13 January 2025 06:57

I’ve owned Japanese and European bikes, so I was pleasantly surprised with the Meteor. It's not hype – the bike is actually enjoyable to ride and well built for its price point. However I think some of the better reviews are a bit over the moon with this. The bike is a good one, but it's not a revolutionary bike.

Has the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 lived up to all the hype, or is it all just clever marketing?

13 January 2025 06:57

In my opinion, the hype is overblown. It’s a decent bike, but it’s not doing anything new. At these price points you can find better performance, features and even build quality in other bikes. What Royal Enfield has done is just smart positioning of it in the market.

Has the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 lived up to all the hype, or is it all just clever marketing?

13 January 2025 06:57

But I'd say the Meteor deserves most of the hype. It's not aiming to be the fastest or most advanced bike, it’s about giving a certain riding experience and it does this really well. It's smooth engine, comfortable ride and classic looks all mixed together to be more than the sum of its parts. Plus, the price is something that most riders can afford.