For years, the Indian cruiser landscape has been synonymous with the Royal Enfield thump. But for just as long, riders have spoken of the vibrations and the old-school quirks that came with it. Today, that narrative changes. The wait is finally over as Royal Enfield has officially launched the Meteor 350, a motorcycle that promises to carry the brand’s legacy into a new, refined, and modern era.
The Meteor 350 isn’t just a new model; it’s a ground-up motorcycle built on an all-new platform, powered by a new engine, and packed with features never seen before on a Royal Enfield. It’s designed to be a global product, a smooth and accessible cruiser for city streets and open highways alike.
So, does it live up to the immense hype? Let’s dive into every detail, from its aggressive pricing to the game-changing Tripper Navigation.
The Wait is Over: Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Pricing and Variant Breakdown
Royal Enfield has been aggressive with its strategy, launching the Meteor 350 in three distinct variants, ensuring there’s a perfect fit for every type of rider and budget. The pricing is sharp and positions it directly against its fiercest competitors.
How Much Does the New Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Cost?
According to the official launch announcement, the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 range starts at an attractive ex-showroom price of ₹2,05,900. Here’s how the three variants stack up:
Fireball: The Urban Statement (Price: ₹2,05,900)
The entry point into the Meteor family, the Fireball is aimed at riders looking for a stylish, minimalist cruiser for the city.
- Key Features:
- Single-tone bright color tanks (Red and Yellow).
- Blacked-out components, including the engine and exhaust.
- Features the Tripper Navigation pod as standard.
Stellar: The Touring Companion (Price: ₹2,11,900)
The mid-spec Stellar variant adds more practical, tourer-friendly components, making it a great value proposition for those who plan on covering long distances.
- Key Features:
- Premium chrome finishing on the exhaust and handlebar.
- Adds a comfortable pillion backrest.
- Body-colored components with elegant metallic paint options (Blue, Red, and Black).
Supernova: The Top-of-the-Line Cruiser (Price: ₹2,22,900)
The range-topping Supernova is the fully-loaded version, designed for riders who want the best of everything in a premium package.
- Key Features:
- Exclusive dual-tone paint schemes (Brown and Blue).
- Includes a tall, functional windscreen for better wind protection.
- Premium dual-tone alloy wheels and a more premium seat finish.
Under the Hood: The All-New J-Series Engine and Performance
The biggest story of the Meteor 350 is its heart. The motorcycle debuts the brand-new J-series engine platform, which is a quantum leap for Royal Enfield in terms of engineering and refinement.
Heart of the Royal Enfield Meteor 350: A Revolution in Refinement
This isn’t just an evolution of the old UCE engine; it’s an entirely new beast. It’s designed to deliver a smooth, tractable, and vibration-free riding experience that was missing from its predecessors.
Key Engine Specifications (Power and Torque)
As per Royal Enfield’s official technical specifications, the new engine is a 349cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-oil cooled SOHC (Single Overhead Camshaft) unit. It produces:
- Peak Power: 20.2 bhp @ 6100 rpm
- Peak Torque: 27 Nm @ 4000 rpm
While the power figures are modest, the engine is all about delivering strong low-end torque. That 27 Nm of torque comes in early, making the bike easy to ride in the city and providing a satisfying pull on the highway.
Goodbye Vibrations, Hello Smoothness: What’s New?
The single most significant improvement is the addition of a primary balancer shaft. This component cancels out the harsh engine vibrations that the older 350cc models were infamous for. The result is a motorcycle that feels smooth and composed even at highway speeds. As one leading automotive journalist noted, “The new J-series engine is a game-changer for Royal Enfield. The refinement is night and day… vibrations are almost non-existent, yet the classic thump remains.”
Built for the Open Road: Chassis, Suspension, and Brakes
The engine is only half the story. The Meteor 350 is built on an all-new twin downtube spine frame, which is stronger and stiffer than the single-cradle frame of the Classic 350.
The New Twin Downtube Spine Frame
This new chassis provides significantly improved stability, both in a straight line and around corners. It inspires confidence and makes the bike feel much more planted and predictable, a welcome change for new and experienced riders alike.
Braking Power: Is the Dual-Channel ABS Effective?
Braking is handled by a 300mm front disc and a 270mm rear disc. Critically, dual-channel ABS comes standard on all variants. This is a massive safety upgrade and provides excellent stopping power with plenty of feedback, preventing wheel lock-up during emergency braking.
Feature-Packed: Is This the Most Modern Royal Enfield Ever?
Absolutely. The Meteor 350 is packed with modern, useful technology that elevates the riding experience, with one feature in particular stealing the show.
Lead the Way: A Deep Dive into Tripper Navigation
This is the star feature and a segment-first. The Tripper Navigation is a separate, dedicated color screen on the right side of the main instrument cluster.
How it Works with Google Maps
It connects to your smartphone via the Royal Enfield app and uses Google Maps’ navigation data to provide simple, clear, turn-by-turn directions. It doesn’t distract you with call notifications or messages; it does one job and does it brilliantly.
Is it a Gimmick or a Game-Changer for Touring?
It’s a complete game-changer. For decades, touring riders have relied on bulky phone mounts that expose their expensive phones to the elements. The Tripper pod is an elegant, integrated solution that makes exploring new roads incredibly easy and safe. A technology editor at a major automotive portal aptly described it: “It’s a simple, brilliant addition that makes touring accessible.”
The New Instrument Console and Other Modern Touches
The main instrument pod also gets a modern makeover, beautifully blending classic and contemporary design.
Blending Analog Charm with a Digital Display
It features a classic analog speedometer on the outer ring, while the center houses a crisp LCD screen that displays a fuel gauge, gear position indicator, trip meters, odometer, and a service reminder.
Convenience Features: USB Charging Port
Tucked away on the left-hand switchgear is a discreet USB port, allowing you to keep your devices charged on the go—a small but incredibly thoughtful addition for any tourer.
Cruiser By Design: Looks, Ergonomics, and Colors
The Meteor 350 is a quintessential cruiser in its design language. It has a low-slung profile, a teardrop-shaped 15-litre fuel tank, and a relaxed, feet-forward riding posture.
A Classic Silhouette with Modern Flair
While the overall shape is classic, modern touches like the LED ring around the halogen headlamp, the sleek LED tail lamp, and the stylish alloy wheels give it a fresh and contemporary look.
Variant-Wise Color Options: Which One is For You?
- Fireball: Fiery Yellow, Fiery Red
- Stellar: Stellar Blue, Stellar Red, Stellar Black
- Supernova: Supernova Brown, Supernova Blue
Is the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Comfortable for Long Rides?
Yes. The ergonomics are spot-on for a cruiser. The seat is wide and well-cushioned, and the handlebar is pulled back for an upright and comfortable riding position. The forward-set footpegs allow you to stretch your legs, making it an ideal machine for munching miles on the highway.
The Competition: How Does the Meteor 350 Stack Up?
The Meteor 350 doesn’t enter an empty arena. It goes head-to-head with some very capable motorcycles.
Royal Enfield Meteor 350 vs. Honda H’ness CB350: The Ultimate Showdown
The Honda H’ness CB350 is the Meteor’s most direct and formidable rival. The Honda offers similar levels of refinement, a slipper clutch, and full-LED lighting. However, the Meteor 350 counters with the ingenious Tripper Navigation and a more authentic cruiser design, not to mention the vast Royal Enfield service network. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference for brand and style.
Other Key Rivals: Benelli Imperiale 400 and Jawa
The Benelli Imperiale 400 offers a more retro aesthetic, while the Jawa Perak is a stunning, factory-custom bobber. While both are excellent motorcycles, the Meteor 350’s combination of modern features, refinement, and brand appeal gives it a broader and more compelling case for the average buyer.
Our Initial Verdict: Should You Buy the New Royal Enfield Meteor 350?
The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is, without a doubt, a monumental achievement for the brand. It takes the classic, beloved formula of a 350cc Royal Enfield and elevates it with the refinement, technology, and quality it always needed.
It’s smooth, comfortable, easy to ride, and packed with genuinely useful features. For anyone looking for a modern classic cruiser under ₹2.5 lakh, the Meteor 350 is not just a top contender; it is arguably the new benchmark. It’s the perfect motorcycle for new riders, seasoned tourers, and anyone who ever wanted a Royal Enfield but was put off by the vibrations. The king of the thump is back, and this time, it’s smoother than ever.
FAQ’s
What is the price of the new Royal Enfield Meteor 350?
The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 starts at an ex-showroom price of ₹2,05,900 for the base Fireball variant. The price increases for the Stellar variant (₹2,11,900) and the top-end Supernova variant (₹2,22,900).
What are the variants of the Royal Enfield Meteor 350?
The Meteor 350 is available in three variants:
Fireball: The stylish base model with single-tone colors and blacked-out components.
Stellar: A touring-focused mid-spec model that adds a pillion backrest and chrome elements.
Supernova: The top-of-the-line variant featuring dual-tone colors, a windscreen, and premium seats.
What is the new J-series engine in the Meteor 350?
The J-series engine is Royal Enfield’s all-new 349cc, single-cylinder, air-oil cooled engine platform. Its key feature is a primary balancer shaft that significantly reduces vibrations, offering a much smoother and more refined riding experience compared to older Royal Enfield 350cc engines.
What is Tripper Navigation in the Meteor 350?
Tripper Navigation is a segment-first feature that consists of a dedicated, secondary color screen on the instrument console. It connects to your smartphone and uses the Royal Enfield app with Google Maps data to display simple, turn-by-turn navigation prompts, making touring and exploring new routes much easier.
Does the Meteor 350 have ABS?
Yes, the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 comes equipped with dual-channel ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) as a standard feature across all three variants, ensuring enhanced safety during braking.
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