2021 Honda Rebel 300 ABS vs 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350

Has the long-standing ruler of the beginner cruiser category met its match? The Honda Rebel 300 and Royal Enfield Meteor 350 square off.
The battle between royalty and rebellion is a story told throughout human history. In the recent history of motorcycles, however, it’s the Honda Rebel that has a 36-year lock on the beginner cruiser market with its tractable engine, low seat height, and what we’ve called “mini-Harley” styling.
Now Royal Enfield mounts a resistance with its classically styled 2021 Meteor 350. By emulating the attractive characteristics of the original Rebel-which are still present in the 2021 model-the new RE boasts a similar combination of beginner-friendly power and small dimensions, but its looks are a nod to cruisers of the past. Does the Meteor have the power, handling, character, and componentry it takes to reverse the roles in the current Rebel-ruled hierarchy? After gathering performance data on our in-house Dynojet 250i rear-wheel dynamometer and braking/acceleration information at the air strip, Cycle World Senior Editor Morgan Gales and I cruised Southern California’s megalopolis to find out.
How Do Power Figures Compare Between the Honda Rebel 300 and Royal Enfield Meteor 350?
The Honda Rebel 300 and Royal Enfield Meteor 350 provide power that can-and often must-be used in its entirety across the diverse roadways to, from, and around the city. Comments are often made that a rider cannot tap into a 100-plus-horsepower motorcycle’s full power potential on the street. Those complaints can be silenced with the gentle thrum, or “beat,” of these two single-cylinder engines. On the Cycle World dyno, the Rebel’s 286cc liquid-cooled motor produced 25 hp at 7,640 rpm; the Meteor’s 349cc air/oil-cooled unit produced 17.9 at 6,070. Every hoof and muscle from these ponies is used in almost every situation, from low-speed maneuvering to straight shots down interstates; you can literally push these bikes to their limit in everyday riding.
During acceleration, that 7.1 hp difference is discernible. While the Meteor’s mellower power output results in a leisurely 0-60-mph time of 12.34 seconds, the quick-revving Rebel does it in 7.85. Gales noted: “The Rebel 300′s engine spins up quickly and revs significantly higher than the Meteor’s, putting out snappy power throughout more of the rev range. I kept finding myself bouncing off of the rev limiter on the Meteor, asking more of it when it just didn’t have more to give.”
Comparing These Small-Displacement Cruisers’ Torque Curves
While the Enfield does give up some peak power, it delivers a fantastic cruiser torque curve, with 18.2 peak pound-feet at a low 2,800 rpm, whereas the Honda hits its 17.6 peak at 7,320. The dyno charts show the Meteor holding an impressively flat curve that reaches 16 pound-feet at just 1,800 rpm, remains flat around its peak until just past 4,000 rpm, then starts to gently slope downward until the rev limiter cuts in at 6,800 rpm (stated redline is 7,000). By comparison, the Rebel’s torque curve shows a 10 percent dip in the midrange before it travels up to its peak much later in the rev range, falling off significantly after that peak until it hits the 10,400-rpm rev limiter. On the road, this translates to a more torquey delivery right off the line for the Meteor, which makes it a pleasure to ride from stoplight to stoplight; it really takes the rush out of rush hour and is exceptionally relaxed in town. But the Rebel’s additional peak power and quicker, longer-revving character leads to faster acceleration overall.
In fact, on Los Angeles freeways, where traffic often flows 80-85 mph (when it’s not stopped), the Rebel has just enough top speed in sixth gear to leave a bit in reserve (the highest speed we saw on the LCD dash during testing was 91 mph). The Meteor’s needle pointed to 75 in its top (fifth) gear with the throttle wide open. As Star Trek’s Scotty would say, “I’m givin’ her all she’s got, Captain!”
Clutch modulation, the practice of feeling and controlling engagement through the clutch lever while feeding in throttle from a stop, can be a major obstacle for beginners. A feather-light clutch pull, aided by a slipper and assist function, is the Honda solution, and the Rebel shines here with its easier pull. The Meteor’s lever is thicker and requires more effort, which introduces hand fatigue if the bike is kept in gear while waiting out multiple stoplights.
Full review here: www.cycleworld.com/story/moto...
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[@andyworsley3908]

I think you've missed the point of a cruiser. It's all about low reving, relaxed, comfortable riding. A cruiser that revs to 10,000 and has a bone hard seat fails to meet the requirements!

[@AkashYadav-kp6hi]

It's a crime to call that a cruiser if the rev ceiling is 10000 RPM.

[@theheathster5179]

These are sub 350cc motors. If they don’t spin up higher than 5k, they don’t make any power

[@kevinnashskitchen3517]

But it may as well be a 125cc.. Is the Rebel 500 or 1100 a cruiser ?

[@roscoe4092]

@@kevinnashskitchen3517 is a 300 lol

[@AlJuano]

Also, in the cruising world, you don´t want to get there first; you want to get there cruising. 1/4 mile 2 sec faster is kind of an irrelevant data here, with all due respect.

[@slimturnpike]

Pretty irrelevant, agreed.

[@g7.wagner153]

In Brazil we dont have a Honda Rebel, but, the Meteor is a sale Success, it is a Firth Motocicle cruiser here. Tomorrow I will take my Royal. Yes!!!!

[@chokdeesam2365]

How you feel with your Royal ?

[@skillfuldabest]

@@chokdeesam2365 You have to tag him so he sees your comment

[@Originalrebelosho]

Here in India cb350 Honda highness is giving meteor a stiff competition

[@Plough78]

​@@Originalrebelosho 🤮 I'll stick with the Meteor.. 🎉😂 *Crap Game*

[@gobimurugesan2411]

​@@OriginalrebeloshoHonda CB 350 is just waste of money. I think Honda wants to copy royal Enfield. They better launch a good 200cc sports bike in India.

[@oldschoolmotorsickle]

I’m not sure that this comparison is about winners and losers. Either bike, by itself would make an excellent commuter or beginner bike. Many riders will find fulfillment on the Meteor.

[@narendrairengbam112]

They are both just amature who have no idea about low reving low end torque engine characteristics.

[@pauld1966]

@@narendrairengbam112 Yep, they talk about cruising and then say that the revvy Honda is better.... Cruising is all about just going on your journey in a relaxed and comfortable way. Tried the Honda Rebel 500 and bought a Meteor, not interested in doing a quarter mile in 1 second. Don't want a revvy engine, just want to go for a ride and just grin all the way! Love it! Not fast but oh so cool!

[@narendrairengbam112]

@@pauld1966 absolutely.

[@kevindarkstar]

Or as so many people say about the meteor "smiles per mile"

[@oknevals]

@@pauld1966 I've seen guys with over 100k miles on their cb500x and they keep going. Same engine is in Rebel and couple other models. If you live in areas where speed limits are below 60mph, you are ok with Meteor. In Texas, you ride 70+ pretty much all the time. I took my Honda on 2000+ miles trip. I don't think I would do that on Meteor although I'm sure it can do it.

[@raygale4198]

I own a Honda Rebel 500, trust me it does it's best work sitting out front of a cafe. I also own an Enfield 350 Classic, this is the bike I ride for enjoyment.

[@paul3548]

I agree the rebels no match for the more refined Enfield

[@bobbyb7127]

Thais is my delima, I love the re classic 350 but honda is local and re dealership is 2 hours away plus re dealership never reply to my emails.

[@bulthaosen1169]

@@bobbyb7127 RE is not a giant company. It has only recently started trying to establish itself in the international market. So it will take time for the support infrastructure to come up. It's demand is overtaking it's growth. Even with the boosted production with an additional plant there are sometimes delay even in its home market.

[@ohwell2790]

@@bulthaosen1169 RE has been around for more than 50 Years, look up the history of RE in India.

[@bulthaosen1169]

@@ohwell2790 yes. In india. Not the global market.

[@hakshayak2044]

More than 120 years of legacy. RE knows how to build a bike without any unusual specs.

[@AlmostGod007]

🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@sourav6339]

Example ,avl engine& defective UCE engines.

[@oknevals]

You would think that in 120 years they would figure out how to make them work at least off the dealer's floor. Got me Classis 350 and within two weeks two major issues and third annoying one. The worst, there are few more and I'm sure that many are not riding due to excessive heat these days. RE customer service is joke too. I probably bought the first one in city.

[@VinayKumar-db4qz]

RE is testing its 650 cc cruiser, I think it will be better on American roads.

[@vetrakr]

I've got a meteor 350, and because interstate highways are the wild west of following speed laws I tend to forward plan my trips specially to avoid them and stick to easy going country roads to get places. The Bluetooth navigation bauble is perfect for taking routes that I would never consider in my car.

[@ajkolb2746]

After many years of riding, the RE wins hands down. Now that I’m in my fifties, comfort and styling is all I care about. It’s about enjoying nature on the back roads and not trying to get myself killed while lane-splitting on California highways.

[@indiacha]

lolz

[@rodintoulouse3054]

I don’t understand. You make a case for the RE throughout the whole video and then you pick the Honda, based on a charactistic nobody looks for in a cruiser. Did I fall asleep in tge middle of the video?

[@neosmith166]

No.. they just got paid more.. (Just joking but still terrible conclusion)

[@wyldwulf06]

They like a high revving cruiser. Wait, that's just wrong!

[@devonnobles1083]

I hear what you're saying. But personally I'd take the RE on looks alone.

[@dark420passenger]

Ha ha are you kidding me?! Rebel is far supirior in terms of look and quality!

[@Uzumaki-tj4tl]

@@dark420passenger i agree rebel looks better .

[@nirmoydebnath9915]

I agree with you 😊

[@jimmyb4982]

I agree.

[@allans7281]

Haven’t ridden the rebel but I rode the RE and let’s just say it’s fantastic for urban riding

[@bcrcoto]

As some have mentioned, the comments made during the video do not match the "conclusion"... Comfort should not be sacrificed for a bit of acceleration, and the Meteor has several extras over the Rebel, like the centerstand, windshield, USB port, and the Tripper/Navigation system (not that I would use it tbh...). You would also need to spend extra money for the passenger seat and backrest for the Rebel. I would say to go for the Rebel if you love how the it looks, if you are concerned about the dealer presence, and if you are also willing to spend the4 extra cash. For everything else, the Meteor seems the better option.

[@esmcl]

I came on here to make a similar point. I’ve a Versys 1000 and a hooligan Aprilia 750. Looking for something to just cruise nice and easy to enjoy N Ireland’s back roads. I was surprised at their conclusion. The RE sounded like the better option to me, but maybe that’s just my vintage (60’s). Lol

[@simoncrehan7779]

Greet points perfectly made!

[@amuxpatch2798]

@@esmcl your mind is stuck in the 20th century,lol

[@esmcl]

@@amuxpatch2798 I had some of my best days in the 20th century 😂

[@amuxpatch2798]

@@esmcl include real women,food,drinks , no stress etc.. compare to plastic lifestyle of 21 first century, lol

[@turningwrenchesonoldcars4091]

Even if it didn't win the speed competition I'm glad the Meteor is being talked about and letting people know that it exists. It definitely wins in the looks department

[@lecoeur1231]

I like the look of the royal, but disagree - to each their own

[@TruthSeeker9038]

I’m currently deciding between a rebel 300 and a meteor. I heard that Royal enfields have really bad maintenance issues though

[@Plough78]

Picked up a second hand Fireball yellow for a bargain price the other day.. I've rented a rebel a couple of times.. No contest for me.. Meteor all day long... It just makes me smile so much more.... *Crap Game*

[@ericyuan9718]

@@Plough78 What would you call a bargain price? I heard RE depreciate quickly due to the reputation of poor reliability but only heard good things about the Meteor 350.

[@Plough78]

@@ericyuan9718 yeah. The initial seller takes the big hit -30% as he walks out the dealer.... New price 160,000 bht, I paid 95,000 bht and she was mint condition. Whatever it depreciate by is nothing compared to dead end renting... Pretty confident I could do 20,000 km on it and only lose 10% of what I paid... Maybe 15% if I want a quick sale. Peanuts for the joy it'll have given me over those 20k

[@simoncrehan7779]

The result was a bit of a shock after listing many more advantages for the Meteor and at the last minute you pick the Rebel. Not sure of the logic in that, especially calling it a clear winner.

[@ewganhoff]

It's seems pretty simple to me. The dynamic advantages of the Honda were just too much for even the bucketloads of charm the Enfield offers.

[@Core-vu6mc]

Same problem we see with car reviewers. They review the mini-van for "performance". These two want to ride sports bikes. The review is worthless.

[@godwhomismike]

I've done a termondous amount of research after my deer/motorcycle accident in April, and the Royal Enfield has a maintenance schedule that is not for those without any wrenching skills. The Rebel needs an oil change at 300 miles, then an oil change every 8K miles, and valve clearances every 15K miles. The Meteor needs oil change and valves done at 300 miles, then every 3K miles for both oil and valves. For a new rider without wrenching skills, that maintenance schedule can be a bit overwhelming.

[@Plough78]

​@@godwhomismike it's every 6000 now. *Crap Game*

[@333zack]

A clear winner for what? Cruising relaxed all day long on an authentic motorcycle, or a short, less comfortable and even though more engaged, ride with a watercooled plastic bomber? Your remarks do not match the conclusion of the video! My advice would be, take the Meteor for cruising and get a CBR300R for a more sporty ride. By the way, you should also consider the accessories like the centerstand, USB port, windshield, the tripper navigation and according to this, the considerable price gap.

[@slimturnpike]

You've made several good points here. Not sure how they missed these. To this I would add comparative seat height. The Honda will be (way) too low for some. The second difference I'd add is the feel of the throttle. Having ridden both, I feel like the throttle engineering is smoother and more progressive, less jerky than that of the Honda. This will translate to more tolerable long-distance rides, possibly safer/more controllable rides. They made a very good point about the braking; Honda performs better in that sphere.

[@VigneshV-lo6fi]

I think the main focus should be, if you want a sporty ride, why would you get a cruiser in the first place. Get the cbr250r or something in the nakeds. The meteor is a thoroughly refreshing easy cruiser

[@riccardogranato1274]

The Rebel looks quite ugly compared to the more classic style of the Enfield. I'd choose the Meteor 350 anyday over the Rebel if I'd be looking for that kind of motorcycle. It has something, to me, the Rebel will never have, not now nor in 20 years.

[@narendrairengbam112]

Two amatures reviewing classic bikes.

[@333zack]

I do not think that Serena and Morgan are amateurs. The video is well made, but the verdict of the comparison test is simply out of context. Take a test of a Ducati Panigale and Morgan, well knowing it is a Supersport, will not complain about the bad off road qualities of the motorcycle or, compared to a scooter, the lack of practicability in the heavy traffic of the inner city. Testing Sportsbikes, a Yamaha R7 versus an Aprilia RS 660 for example, the verdict will never be the R7 is a better cruiser. So when they test real cruisers like the meteor, the verdict can't be the Rebel is 2 seconds faster and so it is declared the clear winner of a cruiser test. The way Morgan rides the Rebel in the video shows clearly it is all about riding fast, racing, Freddie Spencer, Joey Dunlop, Laguna Seca...... So, first you have to see what you test and what it is meant for. Cruising or riding fast?

[@anilpandey595]

Comparing speed in cruiser bikes is meaningless,, I would go for comfort and refinement, so meteor would be my first choice..

[@Plough78]

#metoo 🎉 *Crap Game*

[@marcoluoma3770]

Either would make a great commuter. If I still lived in a big city, I’d have the Honda, but the RE has more style. BTW, I liked the interaction between the reviewers.

[@CharlesHuse]

Yeah, 2 people taking turns testing out 2 bikes and then each giving their thoughts and opinions on both bikes. It is a more honest approach than one guy who may or may not be already biased for or against a certain make or model.

[@ekimandersom4478]

The Honda rebel : Riding position sucks Seat sucks No pillion seat. No windscreen. No navigation. Ugliest instrument cluster ever. Cost more . No ABS as standard. Small fuel tank . But the Honda is the clear winner? 🤦🏼🤦🏼‍♀️ Yeah great review

[@sexyv6985]

😂😂👍

[@nevilledcosta9511]

This Review sucks!!!!

[@khrisstake2210]

Because it's automatic

[@robenglish5016]

👍🤣

[@quentingazziola7038]

You missed most aspects of the Meteor... small Royal Enfield engines (Bullets 350, 500 (I own a Classic 500) and new 350) are not for performance, so there is no point comparing speed and acceleration with another bike. It is not designed for that and the Meteor is not designed for motorways. The engine is a low revs engine, true, but why do you need a high revs engine (which will burn more petrol for nothing) if you can have a low revs engine that does well; and cruising is only about low revs. As said earlier, it's not a performance bike, it's a cruser and/or a commuter. The Meteor is much more stylish than the Honda and it's much more comfortable. For braking, really use the rear brake and you'll see that the Royal Enfield has an effective braking system. Moreover, the Meteor is more equipped than the Rebel and that's something everyone should consider when choosing between the Meteor or the Honda. Yes these two bikes are comparable in size, they have similar engines in appearance, but in reality they are completely different and not designed for the same use This comparison and its conclusion are irrelevant and nonsense

[@oknevals]

It is not irrelevant. They are in the same category, engine size and price range. The major difference not even mentioned here is that Honda works all the time while RE has pile of problems right off the dealer's floor. So, if somebody is looking to buy, people should know. If the point of review is shilling for brand, what's the use of it? And that is what I see from many RE buyers. Just praise but hiding problems. They admit when I ask them in comment sections.

[@joshinjohn7406]

That floorboard/footrest on the meteor is an optional accessory in India. It ships with normal size ones.

[@slimturnpike]

Same in Thailand

[@CharlesHuse]

Well she totally missed the point of having a heel/toe shifter. The very presence of that lever design eliminates the need to get your toe under the peg to shift up. Use the heel portion to shift up, toe to shift down.

[@shadow_realm47]

@@CharlesHuse a heel shifter is for when a gentleman is wearing nice dress shoes and the toe shifter for riding boots. It should be obvious, I dont know how that flew over their head.

[@SSS-mp8th]

So at 6’ and 6’ 4” you two totally have to do a test on a Honda Grom and Monkey or similar bike.

[@michaelcarlson2400]

I just purchased a classic 350 and my wife got the meteor. For us,these bikes are perfect! She’s 55 and I’m 59. Great 1st bikes for us and boy are they comfortable and fun to ride!

[@critterIMHO]

I didn’t have to get very far into the video to know that our views couldn’t be more different. I don’t even look at peak horsepower anymore. I want the engine that makes its torque as low in the RPM range as possible. My experience with bikes that require the rider to keep the RPMs up is that they become very tiring. And in a cruiser a high revving engine borders on the ridiculous.

[@spiritofe629]

Bike experts," Beginner riders should sacrifice riding comfort, stunning looks, gadgets, engine sound, cheaper price, three vs one year warranty in order to accelerate slightly faster". 😐

[@SandeepJha2626605]

Yeah i know right, during entire discussion i was like yep enfield is better and at the end they said honda is "clear" winner 🤨🤨🤥🤥

[@spiritofe629]

@@SandeepJha2626605 These experts get lost in horse power and torque figures. Oh I was feeling nice after riding around on the Meteor all day and I felt really sore after riding the Honda for an hour.... Conclusion Honda is the winner. Wait what?

[@deltabluesdavidraye]

Exactly.These two reviewers are bought and paid for.

[@slimturnpike]

Haha exactly

[@lifefacts6301]

Good when you get extra toffee post your baised review

[@unauthorizedaccess8062]

High-rev engine in a cruiser stance will make you psychologically feel tired even on a semi long trip. Both bikes will give different riding experience in different situations; especially considering the small engine size.

[@raygale4198]

I have a RE 350 Classic and a Rebel 500. The RE always makes you smile, there's no way you can be angry riding it. The Honda with it's buzzy revy engine, even the 500 is not a relaxing bike to ride.

[@JoyeshKarmakar]

I don't get why Honda has not launched rebel lineup in India. Here 6ft people are considered tall. Rebel will be go to bike for shorter riders, especially lady riders. Only bajaj avenger is there for short riders, and suzuki intruder is damn ugly.

[@MarioPanait27]

Because the Rebel is aimed at western markets.

[@saintofall3653]

They are about to launch it in April 2022. They'll actually be great competition to REs

[@JimmySlacksack]

The Honda looks like it fell out of a skip and sounds like a lawnmower, the RE just looks and sounds like a classic not to mention a 300 mile tank range

[@kshred3043]

How hard would it have been to set up some cones and measure the emergency braking distance - ABS engaged - from say both 30 mph and 60 mph ?

[@pahwasaki9389]

Honda has the cbr300 engine plonked into a cruiser.....meteor is more cruisery cruiser

[@SandeepJha2626605]

I like ur name, 😂😂😂

[@drdoolittle5724]

Obviously 'paid for' comparison, both really rate and like the RE but then at last moment change their minds a go for the H!

[@walterfabianodeandradebenn1177]

Duas belas Motorcycles Royal Enfield já chegou aqui 🇧🇷 falta Honda Rebel 🏍️👍🇧🇷 Saudações de Curitiba Paraná!👏👏👏

[@brikfiend]

Trying to get your knee down on a cruiser ? That's NOT what cruising is about .

[@neosmith166]

🤣🤣🤣

[@ScreamingReel500]

I think the heel toe shifter you don't pull up on the toe but stomp the heel. Much easier....lol (why the hell they put the heel shifter there that people have to use the toe only?). Stomp the toe and the heel. It's kinda fun!

[@WiwatChang]

Nice to see comparisons of lower cc bikes, especially coming from the US. Thanks

[@ijs_diy]

Re claims 20.2 bhp for Meteor you have mentioned 17.86 something which must be at the wheel?

[@evilzinabyssranger5695]

i heard that they write it at their site, its a dinamometer number so its at wheel.

[@raygale4198]

RE engines take a while to run in, if they tested a new bike maybe the power was low?

[@ijs_diy]

@@raygale4198 doesn't work like this. Power remains same according to specifications. The difference is always at Crank and at wheel. At wheel figure is usually lower than the power figure at Crank.

[@raygale4198]

@@ijs_diy I am aware of this, I also own Royal Enfield Classic bike, it took nearly 3000 km to achieve full power due to the less than perfect machining of the engine. The at wheel figure is Always lower than the crank due to transmission losses.

[@TruthSeeker9038]

For my first bike I’m looking for a bike that’s easy to get around the city but still be able to go on the highway. Not big on sport bikes. Any recommendations?

[@konstantinosmaounis798]

Nice review guys

[@stanleyknife1967]

Nice review. In the UK our choice is made for us as we don't have the Rebel 300!

[@grahamearl4502]

But if you had the choice, which one? for me it would be the Meteor, no question, I think the reviewers might be missing the 'point' of what the Meteor is about.

[@stanleyknife1967]

@@grahamearl4502 yes, the Meteor would be my choice even if we had the Honda - nothing against Honda, I prefer the look of the Royal Enfield.

[@VikasTiwari-zd9dg]

I wonder do USA meteor has charging port I never see any one talking about that ? It's here available in India .

[@tony-ce7qp]

tell you what you both do great together and i liked the review very much,you have a new fan here best wishes to you both!

[@gaviota0076]

The conclusion makes me angry. These reviewers lost all credibility here. If you want the faster bike, going and stopping (actually i'm not even sure they measured actual braking, just "feel"), then yes Rebel. On all other points even from their own comments, the Enfield won. If there had to be a winner/loser, which there didn't.

[@simoncrehan7779]

Agreed, they did a great job of the review but the most bizarre conclusion

[@knard111]

they didnt do proper acceleration test, cos meteor reaches 100 in about 13 secs...pretty biased decisions in this vid

[@narendrairengbam112]

Meteor has 20.2 bhp, what are you talking about. Where did that 17 come from? Also, you are going away from the whole low reving easy cruiser character of the bike. Royal Enfield is designed to have that low end torque just so you don't have to shift more often and enjoy an easy ride. You can easily pick up from as low as 20kmph or 10mph at 3rd gear or ride at 20 to 60 mph in 5th gear all day long. Being tractable is the goal here, not quick. You are missing these points. You two are no doubt sports bike riders. You both clearly don't have any idea about low reving engines or cruisers. Consider easy drivability while reviewing these type of motorcycles, then you will get the whole point. Honda rebel on the other hand is just like any other modern bike, shift down, rev more, reach high rpm and go. Yeah the brakes on meteor are slightly on spongier side, correct. But that's about it. You two need to learn a lot about varieties of motorcycle engines.

[@GURUKHAN_OG]

The meteor is a more relaxed riding cruiser with better ergonomics, which is what a cruiser buyer is looking for! Nobody outside CA in USA is planning to use motorcycles for regular rides on highway. If we do, we obviously go for higher CC engines like the 900 or 1000cc cruisers. The winner IMO is Royal Enfield!

[@godwhomismike]

I have been absolutely enjoying her Honda Rebel reviews. I am very tempted by the 300 for a daily rider. The RE is nice as well, but in terms of power, it seems a bit on par with my Rebel 250, which I been riding for 6 year now. She’s at 15k miles and starting to need some pricier maintenance. I have to take it in next week for a full carb cleaning, valve adjustment, and she blew an exhaust gasket when the nuts for the exhaust flange walked themselves off. I am sure once all of that is done, she’ll be good for a while, but I would like something without a carb and also something with a 6th gear.

[@chandranshpandey1929]

You need to test ride the RE.

[@chefmax922]

@@chandranshpandey1929 you need to test ride the Rebel!

[@farenasutem]

The RE Is injected

[@godwhomismike]

Update to my post: I did a lot of work on my old 2009 Honda Rebel 250 from valves, carb, new clutch, tires, etc etc... It was like a new bike again. Butter smooth. I passed 16K miles in April and then at the end of April, I totaled the bike when I hit a deer that sprinted out in front of me. Took four months and two surgeries for my broken hand to heal up (late August). I was in (head to toe) full gear, and that saved my life when I went over after the deer went into my bars. I slid down the road face first. Since my above post, I wanted a '22 Shadow Aero, but accidents (specifically surgeries and hospitals) are very expensive. I am now deciding between the Meteor and the Rebel. At 5'3" (28" inseam), the Rebel 300 fits me significantly better. On the Meteor 350, I was surprised that I could not flat foot it last night when I went to a dealership to see one. As for the Rebel 300, they are impossible to find at this point. My Honda dealership is completely empty. I been at three Royal Enfield dealerships, and they have a ton of stock (well except for Meteor 350 models) if you're looking for a Scram or Classic 350.

[@KlingonCaptain]

Dig that Meteor!

[@GunCollector007]

I just picked up a meteor the other day and absolutely love it!

[@Plough78]

🎉❤ *Crap Game*

[@dlondon1144]

Sorry, but I think the reviewers have completely missed the point with the Meteor. It sounded like their chief criteria was high revs and nippy lap times. A cruiser is not a sport bike. It's meant to cruise, not race. I tried a meteor the other day and, after three hours of riding I was sad to have to give it back. I will grant that it isn't as fast as the Rebel, but I don't need to go super-fast. 70-75mph is plenty for me. And I didn't have any trouble with the brakes. As for the Rebel, I tried it too but found myself ready to get off after an hour with no desire to get back on. Nippy as it was, my butt was sore, my knees were stiff and my hands were numb. I'm getting the Meteor.

[@rickhill6277]

Can you change out the Shifter to a single Lever on the RE? Thank you.

[@ekimandersom4478]

Just cut the back part of

[@dlondon1144]

Yes. There's an after-market single-shifter available for the Meteor.

[@Core-vu6mc]

Why is high reving a feature? If the RE has more low end torque, then you don't need to rev it as high before shifting, right? Not every bike is a sports bike nor do we want it to be.

[@VikasTiwari-zd9dg]

In India we don't have rebel but honda highness CB 350 and I decided to go for CB as meteor has 4 month wait time but went for test drive and suprise by the comfort of meteor the ride quality it offer I was ready for the wait and 4 month from delivery almost 14000km and I love my decision. Those who willing to buy check out steller black also its what I have.

[@cyrellejohn8946]

I have a lot of questions in my mind coz I'm torned between buying Royal Enfield Meteor 350 or the Honda Rebel. I love cruising, and can someone tell me the top speed you got in riding the royal enfield 350? or is it much faster than those adventure bikes in 155 CC?

[@susanholst5108]

The 2022 RE Meteor Top speed is 75 mph / 120kph, it's electronically limited and is a very subtle governor. Besides the fact that you don't go any faster, you don't notice a sudden slowdown. I wish it would go to 80 mph, but 75 is pretty good still.

[@cyrellejohn8946]

@@susanholst5108 Thanks for this info, Susan!

[@hofra1272]

Very strange conclusion after having praised the RE in almost every aspect, apart from the brakes. Honda the clear winner? I didn't trust my ears.

[@custombikesandtrikes4374]

Nobody mentions gas tank size? Its annoying having to stop for gas at 120 miles, the meteor tank is massive which is a definite plus in my book over the rebel. And in comfort the meteor wins again, Im 5"5 and just sitting on the rebel is very uncomfortable with my knees way high and the seat being a small hard rock.

[@news603redux]

Who stops at 120 miles for gas? My Rebel gets 94, that's NINETY FOUR miles to the gallon. No way the Meteor gets close to that and on the Honda, you won't be gassing up for 225 miles or so.

[@yathishbl3757]

@@news603redux rebel gives average mileage of 33kmpl and has about 11.5 litres tank capacity Re meteor gives about 35kmpl and has a fuel tank capacity of 15 litres...... So yeah re meteor stomps on rebel 300 in the tank range department

[@phixix]

I love the slightly more futuristic, aggressive shape the Honda has, but I wouldn't trade comfort for it. The only thing that puts me off the RE is the stopping power and weight.

[@user-ln7fw7ep3y]

If you own a meteor, the stopping power to weight ratio can be solved by using ceramic brake pads.

[@arunkartha888]

Do you get paid for doing videos like this? Does Honda pay you good?

[@bkp22]

🤫😂

[@matthewkirsch327]

I have a coworker asking me about bikes. He's tall: 6'4" sounds comparable. It is hard to know what bike to recommend since I'm 5'9" and most bikes fit me. It would be nice to see a review where tall riders talk about their favorite (available) bikes and what they do to stay comfortable on bikes in general.

[@saintofall3653]

I think it might be best to recommend him adventure tourers, since they are pretty tall. And since he's starting out, he can start on KTM 390 ADV, BMW 310 GS or Tiger 650 if he wants to start higher. There's also the RE Himalyan for a cheaper start

[@joeestes3671]

What about the fuel mileage?

[@rahulsaxenaradical]

Thank you for declaring the Rebel a winner . Now the people love the Meteor even more :D .

[@stevencloninger1020]

You think a Honda would be a clear winner. I am a Honda fan boy, but I would rather have the RE Meteor 350. I'm also surprised, so many prefer the looks of the Rebel. I'm not seeing that. I think 30 hp would have been nice though.

[@Dyslexic-Artist-Theory-on-Time]

Good info!!!

[@stevemiller7433]

Clear winner? I think they simply appeal to different rider's priorities. The calm, comfortable ride of the Meteor has more appeal to me.... if you want a sport bike, get a fucking sport bike.

[@xrpirate536]

Honda - around town, NOT highway! It's to buzzy! ROYAL ENFIELD - Smooth, nice power, comfortable and looks so much better! Rode both choose the RE... any distance out of town you will be glad you did!

[@miked1254]

Sounds like you guys were looking for more a high revving track bike considering the amount of time you focused on those aspects of performance in the video. It’s a 300 cc cruiser segment. It’s not designed to be anything more than that. It’s actually designed to be a pleasurable, predictable, and comfortable bike to take down the road. Otherwise, why wouldn’t one just go for the midrange or larger segment if performance alone is what sets one bike over another when all is said and done. I think both of you completely miss the point about this segment of motorcycles, and I attribute that to this country’s addiction to bigger, faster, better as the watermark to meet. It’s just not so for everyone on this planet. There are many other intangibles people consider besides just that. Character is one of them.

[@BadSpock]

Good review just ignore the "winner" part at the end.

[@ManneSaint]

Thanks for the video - I like the Royal Enfield - but how tall are you in europén cm . I am 1.94 cm and I belive I am to tall?

[@CWjustindawes]

Serena is 1.84m and Morgan is 1.94m.

[@AlJuano]

Manuel, These 2 are small bikes for a tall guy like you. I´m 1.68 m. and theyre great for my size.

[@ManneSaint]

Thanks for answers..

[@kenhoward3512]

Saying the Rebel 300 is "more exciting" is really missing the point of *either* of these cruisers. The Enfield produces its peak torque at much lower rpm, so, around town, it would be more responsive. It certainly sounds better. And having a softer suspension and seat - ridden the way this bike is intended to be ridden - is also more desirable (not to mention, the beautiful, classic Brit-bike styling). What's going for the Honda, as always, is that it'll likely last forever, if that's your primary concern.

[@adilismail3593]

How tall are you guys?

[@neosmith166]

It felt that reviewers were in a hurry.. especially the guy wanted to jump on the conversation every 2 mins.

[@sagarmeena0210]

RE is oldest motorcycle brand in India and very popular.....every kid in India want one when they grow up

[@Moonlight-hq3gi]

honda is one of the best🤙

[@darkiee69]

It's the oldest, continuous, bike brand in the world, not just in India.

[@vansantsam]

Why do so many reviewers measure value based mostly on speed.. A cruiser is made for relaxed cruising, with comfort in mind, with low rpm linear pull.. If you want a high rev psycho for that rush, then buy a performance bike.. Not everyone wants to scrape the foot pegs in the corners, some of us just want to cruise around it.. I better set of brake pads in the front of the RE solves the braking issue.. Hands down I would say that the RE won in the cruiser category.. It is a "cruiser" not a sports bike..

[@mssippijim]

I love my Meteor, it is so relaxing and low revving. I haven't particularly noticed any braking issues, but I've never ridden the Rebel.

[@bobbyb7127]

I love the Re but I don't like driving an hour and half to get it serviced. That is the only reason I'll probably get the Honda 300 but I love the Re classic 350.

[@beamerstearoom5657]

With the cost of the RE, you can also do the standard upgrades on pipe and filter, better brakes by adding braded lines,

[@racamon]

17,8 HP on Meteor? It says 20,2 HP on spec page, though. What is going on?

[@blegi1245]

I assume 17.8 is a dynamometer reading from the rear wheel. Roughly 10% power train loss is fairly typical for a chain secondary drive motorcycle.

[@racamon]

@@blegi1245 no, I made a mistake. Sorry!

[@neosmith166]

And what kind of experienced riders dont know how to use heel and toe shifter?? It's awesome benefit to those who cruise. You guys were not suited to review this.. you felt reluctant too.. reviewing such "small" bikes..

[@davidzavala337]

To me the Honda Rebel is the best looking. I'm in love with its looks, very little chrome and LED headlights and all digital screens., I know minor things but I like them.

[@okanaganrider4332]

The Rebel looks good but the flat black exhaust looks cheap, and really spoils the look. The Meteor fireball model has nice satin black exhaust which is what Honda should have done on the Rebel. It’s a more finished look and is darker.

[@peterkerr3496]

You have here 2 "cruiser" motorcycles. But you are both talking about power and speed and acceleration comparisons. A cruiser is a cruiser, not a sports bike. Is the Honda a cruiser or a sportie cycle. The Royal Enfield here is the true cruiser, NOT the Rebel.

[@bebewang.4882]

How I wish Honda rebel be launch in India as well!!!!!! I would do anything to buy that motorcycle!🤭🤭🤭🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@maitlandju]

Strange you said the rebel wins but felt uncomfortable after 1h riding

[@rickhill6277]

If you change the Brake Pads, will you notice a bigger difference in stopping power?

[@fire7side]

The pictures of the body position make the honda look like something for a person well under 6 feet.

[@bkmedia4642]

Nice reviw

[@positiveandoptimisticvive7557]

Honda just made a cruiser design and put a sport bikes engine in it..

[@philhibberd3789]

It does feel like a weird comparison - these bikes have nothing in common apart from a vaguely similar engine capacity. Looks like someone from honda showed up at the end with a big bribe.

[@slimturnpike]

Or at least more favorable terms.

[@tinman3586]

The Honda feels like it was built and designed to be a beginner bike in the North American markets that happens to he a good commuter bike in other markets. The Royal Enfield is like the other way around. Built and designed to be an efficient and inexpensive commuter bike for third world countries that just so happens to work as a beginner bike or relatively inexpensive motorized toy in North America

[@cristinegon]

Hi! My name is Cristine. I really like this motocycle, the Meteor, but I like the Rebel too! So, I am from Brasil, and here there aren't Rebel in Market. I have a low higth (1,56 m) and I like know wich motocycles is recomended for me. Thanks and Bye!

[@deltabluesdavidraye]

Enfield

[@Miskinello]

Enfield for sure

[@desytech5858]

The Royal Enfield baby

[@cristinegon]

ALL right, thanks! But...I don't understand why, though.

[@333zack]

@@cristinegon The Meteor is easier to drive because it has a long stroke engine. A high revving engine, like the Honda, is more demanding. The Meteor is by far more comfortable. The maintenance is easier on the meteor because it has a centerstand, a two valve engine with no shims and it has no parts of a watercooling system that can break down. And finally for less money you get a lot more accessories, like the centerstand, the USB port, the trippernavigation and eventually the windscreen. The Meteor has three years of warranty. The Meteor has 15 l fuel tank and a far better range. There is only one thing that the Honda does better. It goes faster. But this is irrelevant because we're talking about cruisers. You want to drive faster, than buying a Honda CBR300R, an MT03, or R3 would be a better choice than the Rebel and the Meteor.

[@jboy2621]

What about the Honda CB350 RS? The new one!

[@greatbigeye2506]

I’ve never ridden these bikes but I have sat on both. I’m 6 foot with about a 31” inseam. The meteor felt very comfortable and the rebel cramped. It’s too bad the meteor doesn’t have a liquid cooled engine for more power.

[@jonasbaumann3116]

Have you seen the new super meteor? It has fairly more power

[@KAPANGAAAMASTER]

Why do they always categorized as "beginner" bikes? What if I live in a small town, and want a small motorcycle? Although I can ride a bigger one, am I a beginner? Do I have to ride a 103in motorcycle to be an "expert"???????? WTF dude...

[@dsera2721]

lmao 😂 i don't think anyone would mind if we reported this video for misleading, she missed the whole point by many kms 😂😂😂😂

[@chandranshpandey1929]

Most will just not buy honda seeing its uncomfortable riding position. Cruisers are all about relax riding and honda doesn't provide any of that

[@sneekylinux]

I think you will find that the Honda is more of a streetfighter design than a cruiser. you can thank me later.

[@embeddedenthusiast7121]

My two favorite

[@yaseenmohd39]

I stopped watching the video when you said, "the Meteor has 17.86 hp..." Please research thoroughly.

[@Pung_Henke]

they have a dyno

[@swaroov9236]

I am actually surprised with people having confusion over 350 cc bikes. Due to my financial status,I have an Avenger 220..a very low range bike,but it's expensive to me considering my condition. Now,I travel 95 kms(hill area with off-road condition) on alternate days in a week. So,I travel with ease without backpain,but surely my balls really hurts sometimes. I also have minimum expenses on repairing...but due to poor mechanics ,i lost the speedometer,CDi, And the battery..that was my most expensive moment i paid INR.3000,then i had some issues with clutch disc,i got repaired.I changed my accelerator cable after 6 years.i have an issue in the block...other than that everything works okay... What you can't imagine,is the condition in which i am driving.. Conclusion:Any bike works fine,If you want to buy a bike,your pocket will speak.A small bike will work good if you care your vehicle well.

[@amarg2199]

Meteor on any day. Bought RE METOER for my daily travel needs. Better looks & butter smooth engine. & lots of accessories.

[@Yatinn11]

This royal Enfield bike is way more better then it's Indian variant 🤔 because in us they use good quality materials

[@MB-gv2bg]

My family own/ed a total of 13 RE till date (now have 2) .... Nothing beats the RE. Had a Yamaha and Honda too but they feel more plasticky compared to the RE.

[@stevied6286]

Enfield low compression engine designed for parts of the world with poor fuel and low state of tune for longevity and simple basic value.. The Honda could be a great looking bike but very drab in my opinion

[@NIRMAL154]

Because of REs softer suspension, it's a bad idea to give Powerful stopping power brakes.

[@dlondon1144]

True.

[@user-fi5up8pg9f]

Waiting for Honda rebel 300 in India....

[@visheshsingh5545]

Can’t wait to see meteor 650!

[@Shady689]

When will they launch it?

[@visheshsingh5545]

@@Shady689 from what I’ve read, it’s expected to be launched around August this year.