So, how does the Meteor 350 fare when compared to more modern 350-400cc bikes?
The Royal Enfield Meteor 350, with its engine which isn’t as modern as the ones used by other bikes in the 350-400cc segment, is constantly compared to other bikes. Now, the comparison begs the question of how the Meteor fares in real world riding. The Meteor, however, is lauded for its low end torque and relaxed cruising ability but some riders say it doesn’t have the power and refinement of its more modern competition. These include acceleration, top speed, and fuel efficiency, as well as overall engine characteristics. And there’s also debate surrounding how the Meteor’s performance translates to different riding scenarios, such as city traffic, highway cruising or twisty back roads. Does the Meteor redeem any performance deficits with its classic appeal and riding experience or is …
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Discussions and Questions So How Does The Meteor 350 Fare When Compared To More Modern 350 400Cc Bikes
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