Royal Enfield Meteor 350 – Full Review, Mileage, Price & Riding Comfort

When Royal Enfield announced the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 in late 2020, it wasn’t just another bike; it was a promise. A promise to finally deliver a cruiser with a butter-smooth engine, something the iconic Thunderbird nameplate, which it effectively replaced, often struggled to achieve. The Meteor 350 was the first bike to come out of the all-new J-series engine platform, and let me tell you, that was a game-changer.

The bike sits firmly in the mid-size cruiser segment, blending the classic RE silhouette with modern touches like LED lighting and the Tripper Navigation system. For a new buyer or an upgrade from a 150cc bike, the Meteor 350 offers a substantial, big-bike feel without the gruelling maintenance or heavy vibrations of the older UCE (Unit Construction Engine) models.

Starting at an Ex-showroom price of around ₹1.91 Lakh for the Fireball variant (price varies by city and variant), the Meteor 350 positions itself right in the sweet spot of the Indian leisure biking market. We took the Meteor 350 out for an exhaustive test—through bumper-to-bumper city traffic and long stretches of the highway—to answer the one question every potential buyer has: Is this RE, finally, a comfortable, reliable mile-muncher?

QUICK SPECS TABLE (Key Highlights)

Before we dive into the ride experience, here’s a quick glance at the numbers that define the Meteor 350 cruiser:

Specification	Detail
Engine Type	Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, Air & Oil Cooled, SOHC
Engine Displacement	349.34 cc
Max Power	20.2 BHP @ 6100 rpm
Max Torque	27 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Transmission	5-speed Constant Mesh
Fuel Tank Capacity	15 Litres
Kerb Weight	191 kg
Ground Clearance	170 mm
Seat Height	765 mm
Brakes/ABS	Disc (Front 300mm, Rear 270mm) / Dual Channel ABS

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EXTERIOR DESIGN & ROAD PRESENCE

The Meteor 350 is a classic cruiser, plain and simple, and it sticks to that formula beautifully. It’s the spiritual successor to the Thunderbird, and it carries that lineage with grace, but with a modern, tighter finish.

Design Elements We Love

• Road Presence: The bike is substantial. At a glance, it looks more expensive and bigger than a typical 350cc machine. The chunky tyres (100/90-19 at the front, 140/70-17 at the rear) and the teardrop fuel tank give it a classic, muscular stance. Yes, it absolutely turns heads on the road, especially in the Supernova and Aurora variants with their premium dual-tone finishes.
• Lighting: The top variants come with an excellent LED headlamp cluster. It’s a huge step up from the older halogen lamps and gives the bike a premium, modern edge, while the distinct circular DRL maintains the retro theme.
• Variants: Royal Enfield cleverly segmented the market with Fireball, Stellar, Aurora, and Supernova variants. The differences are mostly cosmetic (tank badges, wheel types, backrests), but they ensure there’s a Meteor to suit every budget and taste. The lower-spec Fireball models get blacked-out components, which many riders prefer.

Areas for Improvement

The fit and finish are much better than earlier REs, but minor panel gaps in the instrument cluster housing could be tighter. This is a big bike with a lot of chrome (on the Stellar/Supernova), which means maintenance and cleaning are demanding.

RIDING ERGONOMICS, COMFORT & FEATURES

The Meteor 350 is built for one thing above all else: comfort. This is not a track bike; it’s a sofa on two wheels for highway cruising.

Seating and Comfort

The rider triangle is a classic cruiser setup: feet-forward pegs, a slightly pulled-back handlebar, and a very low 765 mm seat height.

• The Seat: The scooped-out rider’s seat is wide and heavily cushioned. Even after 2-3 hours of continuous riding on the highway, your backside will thank you. The pillion seat on the Stellar and Supernova variants gets a padded backrest as standard, which is a massive plus for comfortable touring with a partner.
• Ergonomics: The riding posture is relaxed and upright, which means minimal strain on your lower back and wrists. Riders of all heights, especially those below 5’10”, will find the seating confidence-inspiring and accessible. Taller riders might feel the footpegs are a tad too forward, but it’s not a dealbreaker.

Features & Technology

Royal Enfield has finally caught up with modern tech, though they keep it clean and non-intrusive.

Key Features

Feature	Detail	Impact
Tripper Navigation	Turn-by-turn navigation via Google Maps (requires RE app connection).	Excellent for touring; makes getting lost a thing of the past.
Semi-Digital Console	Analog speedometer with a small digital cluster (Fuel Gauge, Gear Indicator, Odometer, Clock).	Classic look preserved with essential data clearly visible.
USB Charging Port	Located under the handlebar.	Essential for charging phones/GoPros on long rides.
Dual Channel ABS	Standard across all variants.	Non-negotiable safety feature, gives confidence under hard braking.

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The Engine Noise & Vibration (The Big Question)

This is where the new J-series engine shines. Royal Enfield listened to the long-standing complaint about the “vibes” and fixed it. This 349cc single-cylinder motor now uses a balancer shaft.

• Low Speed (City): The engine is remarkably smooth. The characteristic thump is milder, a soft purr rather than a hard beat. You can potter around city traffic in third or fourth gear without lugging the engine.
• Mid-Range (Highway): The sweet spot is between 70 kmph and 95 kmph. In this range, the bike is nearly vibration-free, making it the perfect mile-muncher. The torque delivery is linear and relaxed.

ENGINE PERFORMANCE & DRIVING DYNAMICS

The Meteor 350 isn’t about raw power; it’s about useable torque and refinement.

City Drive Experience

City riding is surprisingly easy for a 191 kg bike.

• Clutch & Gearbox: The clutch is light—a huge relief for city commuters. The 5-speed gearbox is generally smooth, though finding neutral can sometimes be tricky.
• Low-End Torque: The 27 Nm of torque comes in early at 4000 rpm. This means you don’t have to constantly shift gears in city traffic. You can hold third gear from 30 kmph up to 60 kmph easily, which is crucial for the Indian city grind.
• Handling: The light steering and small turning radius make U-turns and lane changes relatively effortless. It feels much lighter than its weight suggests when moving.

Highway Performance & Suspension

The bike finds its true home on the open road.

• Stability: At highway speeds of 90 kmph to 105 kmph, the Meteor 350 is rock-steady. There’s excellent straight-line stability, and you feel planted to the tarmac. Pushing it past 115 kmph introduces mild vibrations on the footpegs and handlebar, but it’s nowhere near the “shaking hands” experience of the older models.
• Suspension Test: This is its biggest strength. The front uses a 41 mm telescopic fork, and the rear uses twin shock absorbers with 6-step preload adjustability. The suspension absorbs potholes easily and glides over broken patches of road. It’s tuned for comfort, giving a plush ride that insulates the rider from typical Indian road imperfections better than many of its rivals. There is minimal body roll for a cruiser, which is a pleasant surprise.

SAFETY (Crucial Section)

While not having an official Global NCAP or similar safety rating (as is common for motorcycles), the Meteor 350 is well-equipped with the necessary hardware.

• Dual Channel ABS: This is a non-negotiable safety feature and is standard here. Under panic braking, especially on dusty or wet roads, the Dual-Channel ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ensures the wheels don’t lock up, preventing a skid. The 300 mm front and 270 mm rear discs offer good, progressive braking power.
• Build Quality: The new Twin Downtube Spine Frame is inherently sturdier than the older chassis. You feel a sense of heft and solid construction, which translates to rider confidence and stability. The 191 kg kerb weight also plays a subtle role in road stability.
• Tyres: The tubeless tyres on alloy wheels (standard on most variants) are a godsend. A puncture on a long ride is much easier and quicker to fix compared to tube-type tyres.

REAL WORLD MILEAGE (The Truth)

For a 350cc single-cylinder engine in the Indian context, mileage is a critical factor in the buying decision. The official number always sounds fantastic, but the real-world performance is what matters.

Mileage Metric	Figure (Approx.)
ARAI Claimed Mileage	41.88 kmpl
Real World City Mileage	32 to 35 kmpl
Real World Highway Mileage	35 to 38 kmpl

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The real mileage in city traffic is between 32 and 35 kmpl. This is a very respectable figure considering the engine size and the 191 kg weight. On the highway, maintaining a steady 85 kmph to 95 kmph, you can comfortably cross the 37 kmpl mark. The difference between the ARAI claim and the owner-reported figure is manageable, making the Meteor 350 a relatively fuel-efficient choice for a mid-capacity cruiser.

THE COMPETITION (Auto-Selected Rivals)

The Meteor 350 operates in one of the most hotly contested segments in India. Its closest and strongest direct rivals are the Honda H’ness CB350 and its own stablemate, the Royal Enfield Classic 350.

Royal Enfield Meteor 350 vs Honda H’ness CB350 vs Royal Enfield Classic 350

Feature	RE Meteor 350	Honda H’ness CB350	RE Classic 350
Ex-Showroom Price (Base)	∼₹1.91 Lakh	∼₹1.92 Lakh	∼₹1.81 Lakh
Engine Displacement	349.34 cc	348.36 cc	349.34 cc
Max Power	20.2 BHP	20.8 BHP	20.2 BHP
Max Torque	27 Nm @ 4000 rpm	30 Nm @ 3000 rpm	27 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Key Feature	Tripper Navigation	Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)	Classic Retro Look & Thump
Kerb Weight	191 kg	181 kg	195 kg
USP	Supreme Cruising Comfort & Smoothness	Refinement, Tech (HSTC) & Better Torque	Pure Classic Vibe & Deep Thump

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Winner: Value For Money (VFM)

This is a tough one, as the choice is deeply personal:

• If you are a touring enthusiast and want a hassle-free, smooth, and comfortable ride with built-in navigation: The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is the winner. Its low seat, relaxed posture, and Tripper system make long-distance travel easy.
• If you prioritize ultimate refinement, a slightly more punchy low-end torque, and a lighter chassis: The Honda H’ness CB350 is the technical winner. It has better initial pickup and the sheer quality of the engine is top-notch, though the RE Classic 350 is a massive, emotional winner for the loyalists.

The Meteor 350 strikes the best balance between modern tech, comfort, and Royal Enfield’s heritage.

Read more : TVS Raider 125

FINAL VERDICT: The J-Series Champion?

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is perhaps the most significant bike in the brand’s modern history. It is the bike that finally fixed the core problem of the old-school Royal Enfields: the vibration. It offers a smooth, comfortable, and refined experience that makes it a true mile-muncher. Is it worth the price tag? Absolutely, if comfort and relaxed cruising are your priorities over outright speed. It’s a beautifully executed bike that makes the dream of owning a comfortable cruiser accessible.

Buy it if:

• You want a supremely comfortable cruiser for city commuting and weekend highway runs. The suspension tuning is excellent.
• You are upgrading from a smaller bike and need the assurance of a smooth engine, minimal vibration, and an easy-to-use clutch/gearbox.
• You value the Tripper Navigation system and standard Dual Channel ABS for safety and convenience on your tours.

Skip it if:

• You are looking for raw, sporty performance and quick acceleration (the 0−100 kmph time is ∼13.9 seconds).
• You prefer the deep, aggressive, old-school “Dug-Dug” thump of the UCE engines (it’s much milder on the J-Series).
• You need a very light machine for darting through traffic; the 191 kg weight is manageable but noticeable at slow speeds.

FAQs (People Also Ask)