The all-new 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is a small-displacement cruiser that packs a moderately modern punch while dressed in charming, classic styling. At a relatively low $4,599 MSRP this Enfield is easy on the wallet and its pleasant ride is a reminder to the escape of motorcycling.
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Royal Enfield centers the Meteor around a 349cc air/oil-cooled single cylinder engine for its traditional feel. As part of our testing structure, we ran the 350 on our in-house Dynojet 250i dyno, recording horsepower and torque measurements. This electronically fuel-injected, lightweight cruiser produced a very modest 17.9 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 18.2 pound-feet at 2,800 rpm at the rear wheel. Real-world power delivery is gentle and steady as it chugs along toward its maximum 70-75 mph top speed. An added boost of power would be gladly welcomed here, especially considering the safety factor of having extra roll-on power to squeeze through traffic. Advice: Stick to the slow lane and cruise! Regardless, the equipped balance shaft does an excellent job minimizing engine vibration at any speed.
Light clutch pull and a well-spaced, five-speed transmission complements the single’s pleasant power delivery, proving particularly rider friendly in the tight confines of urban riding. The Meteor 350 is fitted with a heel/toe shift lever as standard equipment, which takes some adaptation for riders accustomed to a traditional setup. A measured 29.7-inch seat height means easy flat-foot contact for this 5-foot-7-inch tester, while relaxed ergonomics boost comfort and ease of use—a nice touch for less experienced riders.
Tight dimensions, a measured 421-pound wet weight, 55.1 inch wheelbase, and a low center of gravity make for a neutral ride with great straight line stability. The 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel combination helps here, while adding to the traditional classic cruiser aesthetics. To add to that, a nonadjustable 41mm telescopic fork and preload-adjustable twin-tube emulsion shocks offer an awesome balance of small-bump compliance and big-hit support for the imperfections found on southern California tarmac...
Find out more: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-royal-enfield-meteor-350-mc-commute-review/
Videography/edit: Bert Beltran
Photography: Jeff Allen
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