Exclusively: How does the Meteor 350 fare by way of comfort on long rides vs others in the class?
For many riders, especially those who tour long distances or ride for a weekend at a time, comfort is a big factor. A cruiser style ergonomics and relatively soft suspension make the Meteor 350 a comfortable ride, they say. Although, opinions differ regarding how well it performs on longer journeys, compared to others in the 350 – 400cc bracket. Riders have mixed feelings about its relaxed seating position and smooth engine, with others complaining of vibrations at high speed and a lack of wind protection. The stock seat comfort is also discussed, as well as how the pillion accommodations are, and how different handlebars or seats can make a difference in comfort, with aftermarket modifications. Given rider fatigue, wind buffeting, ride quality and other factors, how does the Meteor 350 perform over those long, leisurely rides?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Discussions and Questions Exclusively How Does The Meteor 350 Fare By Way Of Comfort On Long Rides Vs Others In The Class
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