Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Real World Mileage, Acceleration, And Braking Performance Explained

We’ve tested Royal Enfield’s lightest motorcycle and here’s how it performs out in the real world

Priced at Rs 1,49,900 (ex-showroom Delhi), the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is the most affordable motorcycle under the J-platform, targeted at buyers who are looking for an accessible Royal Enfield motorcycle. It is also the lightest Royal Enfield bike at the moment, and here’s how it fares in real-world conditions when it comes to mileage and performance:

The J1-349 motor has witnessed a few internal tweaks to make it sprightlier than before, and the Hunter 350 does feel peppy when commuting in the city. However, going by the numbers, the motorcycle’s real world acceleration figures are more on par with the 160cc nakeds. 

The long stroke nature of the engine coupled with the well-placed gear ratios means you can potter around town at a gear or two higher without any troubles. Shifting is minimised in the city but the clutch action is still on the heavier side.

Though it is the lightest Royal Enfield, its engine’s sporty tune comes at the cost of efficiency. In our tests, the real-world mileage of the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 in the city is 1.69kmpl less than the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and 1.36kmpl less than the Royal Enfield Classic 350. Out on the highway, the difference is slightly more, offering 2.79kmpl less than the Meteor and 1.79kmpl less than the Classic. That’s not too much of a compromise, then. 

Despite being the lightest motorcycle (around 14kg lighter compared to the Classic), and the fact that it comes with smaller 17-inch alloy wheels with a tad grippier tyres, its braking performance should’ve been better. Instead of the retro-style brake master cylinder, Royal Enfield could’ve installed something more modern that would have improved the braking.

All in all, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350’s real-world performance is more or less on par with its siblings but it leaves you asking for a bit more when it comes to the efficiency and braking.