2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Launch Review

When the 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 was first announced last November, it didn’t exactly send shockwaves through the motorcycle industry. After all, Royal Enfield’s single-cylinder machines have traditionally been a little slow and a little rough around the edges. Why would the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 be any different?

But when I had a chance to ride the new Meteor 350 recently at a Melbourne press event, I realised that I had been a little too quick to judge the little Enfield. This all-new machine is like no Royal Enfield single before it.

Effectively replacing the outgoing Rumbler 350 (known as the Thunderbird overseas), the 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is an all-new machine that is quicker than you’d expect, and a lot more refined that its predecessor.

The cruiser-style machine is powered by a new air-oil cooled 349cc SOHC singe that punches out 27Nm of torque at 4000rpm, and 20.2hp at 6100rpm. Those numbers might not inspire you, but don’t be fooled – this bike is more than meets the eye.

Also new is the twin downtube spine frame chassis that Royal Enfield claims is stronger, stiffer, and more durable. The design is focused on straight-line stability, cornering and manoeuvrability without compromising on comfort.

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Elsewhere, there is dual-channel ABS, electronic fuel injection, 19- and 17-inch alloy wheels with tubeless tires, a 15-litre fuel tank, a generous pillion seat, and LED lighting. But the biggest talking point of the new bike is the addition of Royal Enfield’s new Tripper navigation system (more on that later).

With pricing starting at $7690 ride away, the Meteor 350 is clearly aimed at learners and those with limited budgets, so you could argue that the bike’s on-road ability is little less crucial. But a quick spin on the machine will give even experienced riders a nice surprise.

Royal Enfield Australia opted for a relaxing cruise from Mid Life Motorcycles in Cremorne down to the Mornington Peninsula to present the new Meteor 350 to the media. And it proved to be the perfect way to test the bike in the type of scenario it is made for.

Arriving at Mid Life, my fellow journos and I were given a quick demonstration of the Tripper system, before saddling up and hitting the road. The leisurely ride took us along meandering bayside roads all the way to the lunch stop at Mornington’s Royal Hotel. The return trip featured some highway sections, showing us how the bike performs on the open road.

The first thing I noticed when I sat on the Meteor 350, was that it felt substantial. While it is a relatively light and compact machine, it felt solid and well-built – a far cry from the build quality issues of past Royal Enfield models. Royal Enfield has also paid close attention to detail, with nice finishes and plenty of design features that will have you staring that little bit longer.

As a cruiser, you’d expect a comfortable ride position and the Meteor 350 ticks that box. It has a relaxed cruiser stance, but keeps you forward enough to be able to ride the bike a little more aggressively if you want. The footpegs are placed well in a mid-forward arrangement, the ‘bar is at a nice height and width, and the seat is very comfortable.

If I wasn’t yet convinced that the Meteor 350 was Royal Enfield’s best ever single, I certainly was once I hit the start button and opened the throttle.

The engine is super smooth – a significant improvement from previous Enfield singles. And the initial burst of torque actually caught me off-guard. Around town at lower speeds (and lower RPM), the Meteor 350 actually feels quite zippy and will serve you very well as a commuter or learner bike.

I probably don’t need to say it, but the torque drops off very quickly. It is no less that what you’d expect from a 350cc single, but it can be a little frustrating all the same. Still, when we hit the highway on our way back to Melbourne, the little Meteor comfortably sat on 100km/h with a little bit more to spare.

Let’s face it, the Meteor 350 isn’t the fastest bike in the world, but if you’re buying a Meteor 350 for speed and top performance, then you better check your GPS, because you’re clearly lost. That said, the Meteor is still very capable in urban environments, and it is a huge improvement on previous Enfield singles. It would be great to see a 500cc version of this platform.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to get an accurate fuel consumption figure, but the Meteor seemed to get great economy from its 15-litre tank – even after a full day of riding, there was still plenty of juice left.

As for handling, I don’t have too many complaints. Sure, it’s not the sportiest or sharpest turning machine in the world, but it’s not meant to be. The bike feels agile enough and, when you get yourself forward, it corners nicely too.

With a 191kg wet weight, it’s not an incredibly heavy bike, and it doesn’t feel it either. The bike tips from side to side with ease, and it is easy to manoeuvre around the shed. The suspension does a fine job too, but you’ll feel it on bigger hits.

So far, the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is a capable, yet simple machine that provides significantly more refinement than previous Enfield singles. But where the bike really separates itself is in the elegant dash setup, which includes the all-new Tripper navigation system.

The Tripper function is perhaps the most high-tech thing Royal Enfield have ever done, and we’re told it will make its way into future Enfield models. To put it simply, the Tripper system features a small display that shows turn-by-turn navigation. Those navigation instructions come from Google Maps via your smartphone. A Royal Enfield app connects with your mobile device, you plug in your destination, put the phone in your pocket, and let Tripper do the rest.

Sadly, I didn’t get the chance to fully test the Tripper system. While the app will presumably improve with further development, it is currently a little clunky and, as a result, I couldn’t connect my phone in the short time we had. But, I must commend Royal Enfield for taking this step, and I have no doubt it will be improved in time. Who knows – maybe we’ll see ride modes on the 650 Twins next?

The Meteor 350 arrives in three different variations – the Fireball, the Stellar, and the Supernova. The Fireball is the cheapest of the lot at $7690 ride away and offers a stripped back, but colourful persona – much like our Fireball Yellow test unit.

The Stellar adds $300 to the price, plus a pillion back rest, and offer more mature colours like black, Stellar Blue, and Stellar Red. T

he range topping Supernova checks in at $8390 and adds a windshield. All of the accessories are available to purchase separately, meaning you can customise your machine regardless of which variant you go for.

Overall the 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is an impressive motorcycle for an affordable, small capacity single. My only concern is that the price is a little too close to the 650 Twins.

The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is priced at $9900 ride away, while the base level Meteor checks in at $7690 ride away. So for the extra couple of grand, you can get a better motorcycle, with a bigger engine, and still have LAMS-approval. Some might like to save the money, but I’d know which I’d prefer.

With less weight and a lower seat height, the Meteor 350 is a little more user-friendly than the Interceptor, but this is only a minor saving grace. The question still remains – who would buy the Meteor 350 over the Interceptor 650?

All things considered, the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is still a quality machine, and I hope that the user-friendliness, quirky yet cool style, and single-cylinder appeal still attract learners and commuters looking for something a touch cheaper than the Twins.

Is this Royal Enfield’s best single yet? Very likely, and let’s hope it’s the start of more to come.

SPECS: 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350

ENGINE
Type: Single cylinder, 4-stroke, air-oil cooled
Capacity: 349cc
Bore x stroke: 72mm x 85.8mm
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 20.2hp at 6100rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 27Nm at 4000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Five-speed
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Twin downtube spine frame
Front suspension: Telescopic, 41mm fork, 130mm travel
Rear suspension: Twin tube Emulsion shocks, adjustable for preload
Front brakes: Single 300mm disc with twin-piston floating caliper
Rear brake: Single 270mm disc with single-piston floating caliper
Tyres: Alloy wheels, 100/90-19 - 57P (tubeless) front, 140/70-17 - 66P (tubeless) rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 191kg
Seat height: 765mm
Ground clearance: 170mm
Wheelbase: 1400mm
Fuel capacity: 15 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $7690-$8390 (ride away)
Colours: Fireball Yellow, Fireball Red, Stellar Black, Stellar Red, Stellar Blue, Supernova Brown, Supernova Blue
Warranty: Three years/unlimited kilometers
Bike supplied by: Royal Enfield Australia, royalenfield.com.au