2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Review | MC Commute

[@ron091]

"Less is better" After starting out on a 1973 Honda CB350 four, and now driving a Himalayan for 2 years, I realize all the Harleys that I used to ride were just me not realizing that marketing and peer pressure took me away from what real motorcycling can be. Now along comes the Meteor to reinforce this late-to-life understanding. I can definitely see one of these alongside the Himmy in my garage. Thanks!

[@abartakbhattacharya4475]

I'll take your experience from the point of authority. I still dream of owning a fat boy one day. But what you said sounds so much like my father. Love from India 🇮🇳

[@Amory98]

@@abartakbhattacharya4475 and I a fat bob. Nothing else, just one motorcycle, and that'll be my life's partner, keeping it simple.

[@viswasrujith8426]

Later in the year RE is going to introduce the 650 meteor called Shotgun. It's in final stage testing you can see Spy video here on youtube.

[@nomadbanda9562]

Very well said sir, biking is not all about power or hps it's the comfort and joy u get from it.

[@jjmoto6078]

That’s funny. I also started on a CB350 four, a 74 model in black, then just recently purchased a Himalayan. Great motorcycles, ride safe.

[@cyanide1739]

It is probably the most comfortable cruiser ive ridden. I recommend everyone a test ride.

[@pleasedontwatchthese9593]

I feel like most cruisers are comfortable

[@mohanvarma7733]

Which cruisers have you ridden?

[@megalumpproductions5362]

@@thedoghouse8900 Love that "terribly comfortable" rating. That's what I'm hoping for with this little beauty!

[@abhishekdhibar9641]

Slow af

[@GunDaDost]

@@thedoghouse8900 congratulations.. happy and safe riding..

[@StratfordWingRider]

I love how unlike a lot of bikes, Royal Enfield aren’t slammed for low power numbers and a heavier weight, they are appreciated for their style, sound and ride. Very cool. Would love to try one.

[@StratfordWingRider]

@@KLRJUNE - I guess it depends where you ride too. I ride a 250 in NZ, which is not considered big enough by Kiwi standard, however in Asia or India it’s considered a sports tourer and very sought after for reliability. I appreciate that Royal Enfield is embracing a niche and doing it very well. (My understanding is they used to be poorly built and unreliable, but that has changed)

[@TheSundaysinner]

I'm a new rider. I test rode this and the Honda. It seems plausible to me that the Honda is the better motorcycle, however this bike was far more comfortable to me at 6'2 height.

[@kenhoward3512]

I've owned a few Honda bikes. The purchase is always a "left-brain" decision, and I never end up keeping them for more than a year because they just leave me cold. They are trouble-free, of course, but that's not enough for me to feel a strong connection.

[@MWSCK]

Miss my RE Classic 350 back when I worked in India, such a comfort and easy to maintain bike

[@p.chakraborty4453]

That's a great bike, it's the most popular bike in the whole of india , only 2nd to a local brand cheaper bike.

[@astro61362]

I went to the bike shop with the intention of buying a Honda Rebel 300. But, I wanted to take a test ride on the Meteor 350 first. The Meteor 350 was so much more comfortable and felt more like a real motorcycle, I ended up buying it over the Rebel instead.

[@johnedward2766]

But power too low 80 km per hr

[@Plough78]

​@@johnedward2766 💩 it can sit comfy at 100-110 kph all day long 🤡 *Crap Game*

[@gobimurugesan2411]

​@why some one wants to go faster than 80kmph on a bike?. . it's very unsafe johnedward2766

[@randombully3798]

​@@johnedward2766 80miles per hour

[@daveinwla6360]

Living in S. California (along the 405 freeway!), I agree with your assessments. But in states (and countries) with more rural or more scenic routes, I'd get this bike. It's the combination of retro styling, purchase price, insurance cost, and fuel mileage. For use in a college town, it's perfect.

[@mindspinn311]

Michael you have adopted Adam’s speech patterns it’s freaking me out.

[@timh8490]

Yeah it puts me to sleep. Sounds so fake

[@brandensteele4486]

Great bike! For the price of the car most young people/students get, this is a much better option for us in school or early in our careers. Beats the unreliable civics with 300k miles you'd get for the price. I hope this gets lots of young people and students into riding for both fun and utility.

[@Amory98]

You're delusional if you think a royal Enfield could ever be more reliable than a civic.

[@JoshuaTootell]

Always entertaining how everyone calls kids "soft" these days, but parents are afraid to let their kids ride a motorcycle 😂 Yo, parents you are soft. And riding a Rebel 250 would be a great way to learn how to wrench. Easy, lots of info out there, cheap shop manual, and lots of BASIC maintenance means you spend a lot of time doing easy work to gain confidence. A guy I know commutes on a 300,000 mile (actually, I think 400) and he does a head gasket after 6 months among other things. I'd rather do an oil change every month then a head gasket every 6 months. I started out with a 1959 VW. Adjusting valves, changing oil, and adjusting points every couple of months. I ended up becoming a professional mechanic too.

[@johntharp22]

I purchased a fun, but beat-up 83 Datsun 280zx as my first car in 2004. I couldn’t afford to keep up with the maintenance. I sold it at a loss, rode my bike for as long as I could get away with it, then purchased a 2013 Honda CBR 300r. It got incredible gas mileage, started all the time, was fast enough and comfortable enough for highways and days out in the Texas hillcountry, but slow enough that I could really rev the engine up without getting into trouble. It was a blast, and I recommend it to young people who have to travel farther than bikes allow but don’t want to pay for a car. With small-engined bikes, I’d recommend getting a model with fairings or a windscreen rather than a naked model, as it makes a huge difference in confidence in the highway to not be blown all over the road by the wind. It also didn’t hurt compared to a car in a time when I was dating a lot. Put a young lady on the back of a motorcycle, and you’re already off to a fine start on a date.

[@genegoodwin8925]

As far as the heel/toe shifter, you could always adjust the front higher to get your boot under the front of it and just forget the heel shifter is there. Personally a heel toe shifter is not hard to get use to, I've owned several bikes with a heel toe shifter and they do not bother me at all. I could never see myself owning a new Rebel. They may be lighter and more power, but they are also UGLY! The engine on the new Rebels looks like some sort of industrial pump and the bike looks like somebody left a frame out in a field and threw parts at it. On the other hand, I could see me owning a Meteor 350 because it is a fine looking machine. The looks of a bike has a lot to do with it. That's why Harley and Indian sell so many bikes. I live in Ohio and have ridden well over 300,000 miles in eight states and rarely go faster than 65mph. So the Meteor 350 would be fine with me.

[@detachedloop1004]

Heal toe shifters are a lot more comfortable and easy to use. Much less effort. As an Indian that grew up on those on every bike I can't wrap my head around why people would prefer a toe only shifter lol

[@aditsapkota7862]

Enfield is coming with a 650 cruiser with the Interceptor engine in it. Might be worth the wait, if u want a little more power that is

[@kevindarkstar]

@@aditsapkota7862 little more power! Try over double power 😏

[@AudreyH48]

I think you've nailed it as a fair review. I am a INT 650 owner and Love that machine. The 650 is *just enough for myself to commute on but I'd be lying if I didn't think about the Triumph upgrade just for more umph all the time. The price point and aftermarket support is amazing in the Royal Enfield family of bikes and I think that's probably the best part of it. I could see myself buying a Meteor 350 for my wife as she is learning and would stick around town though and I'd absolutely want to steal it a few times for the fun of it.

[@megalumpproductions5362]

The fun of it! That's exactly why I'm buying one. I'm getting old now and the Honda ST1100 is great for rides with the big boys, but at 700 pounds, a lot to be pushing around, in and out of the garage. This little puppy will be a blast!

[@derp195]

I honestly don't understand people complaining about power. I have the gt650, so basically the same bike, and we can go from 0-speed limit in a handful of seconds. It's faster than any car I've ever owned. The maniac in me wants something ridoculous like a triumph rocket or something, but for commuting or cruising, I don't see how someone could feel like it only just has enough power. It has the same 0-60 as a 10 year old mustang. Edit: and just to be clear, I'm not trying to be antagonistic, I'm just trying to say I can't see where you're coming from. Granted, this is my first bike, but from a car guy, the RE 650s are alarmingly quick if you want them to be.

[@wellingtons.cassiano3002]

Down here in Brazil RE should reach good sales numbers, since there’s nothing similar in our market. More dealers, RE, ASAP!

[@midtennmoto7541]

Its amazing that given how budget friendly this bike is, the overall quality of it, how critical in performance you guys are of these bikes. You “magazine” people who invest so little of your own money, are deeply out of touch with reality.

[@kaustubhrai3774]

I got it in yellow as my first bike. It's a beautiful bike.

[@trevorsanchez5782]

What’s the top speed you’ve experienced?

[@vishalsinghsengar7951]

Motorcycle magazine knows where they are getting the views from😂😂😂

[@Amory98]

That's why such positive reviews. It's a decent machine, but in the US where there are numerous other budget options from the likes of honda this doesn't hold well.😂

[@vishalsinghsengar7951]

@@Amory98 very true, they have to say kind words 🤣🤣🤣

[@JD-275]

Definitely not from the dinosaurs

[@lonelycrona2388]

@@Amory98 it's a brilliant bike and the price is unbeatable, so what's wrong with it?

[@gobimurugesan2411]

@@lonelycrona2388 they are just in Honda fanboism. It's getting bad every day. I know Honda makes good bikes that doesn't mean no one can beat them.

[@marcoluoma3770]

This would be a great bike for beginners or for commuting in a big city. (I commuted in DC for years on a Ducati Monster and its power and handling were completely wasted in that application.)

[@TerenceKaplan]

Reason for heel shifter... to not scuff up the toe of your pretty office shoes on your daily commute. Or to be nice to your toes if you're just wearing sandals

[@winteronice]

Dont ride with sandals, use proper gear

[@TerenceKaplan]

@@winteronice tell that to, well, pretty much all of Asia, Oceania

[@Lex-Rex]

@@winteronice That's first world issues hommie.

[@Amory98]

@@morgan98801 yet the Americas are never greatful.. always cursing this or that about their country. Such a shame.

[@khaccanhle1930]

@@winteronice Cars cost almost 3 times the price in Vietnam as compared to the USA. When it's 104F in the summer, and I need to drive 2 miles to the grocery store, I ain't wearing my "proper" boots. I can tell you DON'T live in a country where motorcycles are the primary form of transportation dude.

[@kiranm6749]

Royal Enfield touching hearts since 1901😁👍🏻

[@vscolkitt]

Regarding the kilometer setting on the tripper…. After tapping the Royal Enfield app (on your phone), you’ll see a little circle with a guy (upper left corner) which is your “Profile”. Tap the Profile Icon, and then the gear symbol for “settings”, (upper right corner), then tap “App Settings”. Change “Distance Unit” form Kilometers to Miles. Hit “Done” …. Now your good to go!

[@andymcm6902]

The Meteor 650 will be an awesome bike.

[@artiecisneros4691]

It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it: extra power and better brakes. As far as the INT 650 the foot peg placement was a deal breaker for me whenever I put my feet down; kept hitting my chins.

[@YA-ee9zf]

Most likely this is not marketed for the US if it’s long highways and high speed limits. It’s more suited for Asia or the uk with narrow roads and slow traffic and slow speed limits.

[@ws8080]

It seems to be aimed at in-city commuters, where parking is an issue and you don't need speed. Even with some highway on my commute, max speed limit is 50mph for just a couple of miles and bike like this would be perfect.

[@donaldoehl7690]

I own a big Yamaha and I almost never ride on the slab. That's what cars are for. This bike looks fun and comfortable with good build quality and style. As I eventually age out of previously mentioned road monster this RE is becoming attractive.

[@marcinpiak3540]

Agreed. It's a town and country bike. With a top speed of 70mph, it's not made for freeways or motorways.

[@apollosguide7838]

I live in brea and the 2022 yellow black royal einfield is my first bike. This review helped. Thank you

[@SantaCllaws]

I just purchased a Himalayan last week needless to say I’m completely in love, may be looking at adding one of these to my garage purely for commuting to college and work. I used to ride a Bandit 1200s and a SV650 as my first bike and sure they were faster but like my TDI decked out with full suspension it’s just way more enjoyable to extract what you can out of a vehicle designed for the essence of it.

[@billhole4529]

Buying one for my son I had a royal Enfield when I was 16 now 73 love them

[@danmanthe9335]

I love the effort RE is putting in to reviving/ expanding the brand. Always loved the look of the Bullet 500 but all the poor reliability reviews kept me away. We'll see what the future holds

[@awdrifter3394]

Needs a kickstart. I just watched the video of the RE Bullet 350, the kickstart is so cool.

[@parttimedude5440]

Yeah its there in Every RE bike ...

[@kerouacist]

At 59, I've had lots of bikes right up to a ZX12R ,but the most fun I've had is on simple,light motorcycles like this

[@joecamel6835]

Light for a 350 ? I'ld say not.

[@Plough78]

+1 Most fun I ever had on bike was a bashed up ancient Honda XL 175. It cost me £200, Used it to rip over fields, hills and dirt tracks .. Owned it when I was about 15 ... The thing was indestructible... I called it *The Animal* happy days 🎉 Cheers 🍻 *Crap Game*

[@stefan9945]

This beauty reminds me on my first motorcycle. 1996 Suzuki GN 250.

[@geraldscott4302]

I hope it has tubeless tires.

[@MichaelWilliams-jc2ui]

Heel toe shifter, perfect when you’re not wearing bike boots/shoes! Most peps in India wear flip flops!

[@p.chakraborty4453]

Yeah lmao.

[@beatbox-0712]

Yes but its easy with rider boots as well...not much of a deal bruh

[@p.chakraborty4453]

@@beatbox-0712 not many wear rider boots in india at least

[@geraldscott4302]

I hate heel/toe shifters. They are clunky and awkward. If they are going to sell this in the U.S. it needs a standard shifter. Even Goldwings come with regular shifters. The heel/toe setups are aftermarket.

[@p.chakraborty4453]

@@geraldscott4302 they aren't clunky, some bikes are, it is the international standard.

[@Acideg4spoon]

Glad to see you’re always full of energy, joy and happiness in every video.

[@jameswaterhouse-brown6646]

It’s uplifting isn’t it.

[@sharukhattar2185]

Saving bucks for this beautiful beast !

[@pauld.b7129]

This is just one of those off-highway bikes you'll really enjoy riding if you find B-roads to take. In So-cal, you can get anywhere on roads going 45-55 and you'll see parts of the city you don't normally see. I used to have a Ninja 250 in San Diego, it was an awesome bikes because I almost never took the highway. On city roads, it felt plenty fast, and I got to see alot of cool place and roads I wouldn't find on the hectic highway.

[@davidzavala337]

What about for freeway commute? That's my main reason for getting a bike. I'm a new rider.

[@hwy1310]

I’m 6’3 200 lbs, can ride a couple hours non-stop and feel very comfortable. I’ve had it on the highway, 60-65 MPH….I just cruise in the right lane and let the faster cars go by on the left. That being said, this bike is awesome in the 45-55 MPH range…easy to maneuver, swerve, corner and brake (I’ve had zero issues with the brakes). I’m getting 65-70 miles per gallon, which is outstanding. One of the best things about this bike is it’s looks…..it’s just a beautiful bike. Often mistaken for a Triumph. Turn key price, brand new was $6,500….I have the Supernova Brown.

[@sandeepp6834]

Instead of a car gift this to your son as his first vehicle and he'll be forever greatful to you.

[@johnrocker2986]

Buyers don't care about 85mph this machine gives what few others do, style.

[@NewSparky97]

Though I'm planning on picking one of these up as my first bike, I think a Meteor 500 would be the ideal version of this bike for the US

[@hokieplaya]

A Super Meteor 650 is reportedly in the works.

[@ImLeuff]

I'm considering buying this next spring as a first bike

[@TheHimanshu1988]

I am 4th generation to use RE motorcycle and i would recommend it.... personally i use Himalayan by RE and its been goof three years and i am sure i can hand over mine to my son or my grandson like i got my first from my grandpa, its 1974 classic RE Bullet

[@kugangles9860]

Decent bike by Enfield but with the Honda Rebel being practically the same price, for me it's a no brainer.

[@godwhomismike]

The problem here in the US is that the 2021 Honda Rebel 500 is nearly completely sold out in the northeast, and the 300 is disappearing very quickly where there are still any still left. Per two dealerships in my area, they don't expect to see any more Honda Rebels till December, mostly because of chip/production shortages.

[@m.rraghav817]

In india it's about around 2900 usd and a rebel 300 if released here would be comfortably closer to 4700-5000 usd, cb500x costs upwards of 10 k usd when converted from INR

[@deferencetodusk]

Honda has ABS as an option, which you want, so that's an extra 3-400 right there which is included on the RE standard

[@khaccanhle1930]

Yes but the Rebel is ugly as F---, while this bike looks sweet.

[@tonymann8215]

Rebl is not available in the uk though so no choice for us!

[@kyakaruvlogs2784]

Royal Enfield is on a roll. It has so much in store for the next 12-24 months. The following models are up for launch - Classic Roadster Shotgun Hunter Sherpa Scram Flying Flea and An Electric Motorcyle Also BSA will be launching its 650cc motorcycle by the end of the year.

[@davidknowles3459]

The Meteor,is not really designed for fast wide roads of the USA.Around the roads and lanes of the UK,it is perfect!

[@abhishetty2637]

But really it's built for shitty Indian roads where you have to be really brave to carry speeds of 110 kph for more than a few seconds Besides, I think the new RE 650 cruiser that will release next year is more suitable

[@davidknowles3459]

@@abhishetty2637 The bike was partly designed in England at Royal Enfield's new R&D development so very suitable for the UK as all the road tests in the UK have shown!

[@elwood62]

The selling point of the meteor over the rebel is that it’s a full sized motorcycle. A lot of bigger people like smaller displacement but generally speaking those bikes are built for smaller people.

[@joecamel6835]

true

[@nischals510]

Metric units are not nuisance, it's the other way around 3:14

[@JumpingWatermelons]

absolutely. Though, it can be a bit annoying to see road signs in miles and your navigation data in km.

[@wimpb]

It is absolutely a nuisance if you're using miles. Units of measurement don't really matter as long as they're the same units.

[@stephenfricke9298]

Just bought one. Just what i am looking for. Got the 9+ BMW's out of my system. Round town, see granddaughter, working out and some shopping.

[@JumpingWatermelons]

Finally! In the USA!

[@marksalisbury5076]

Meteor VS Rebel? No comparison at all! Meteor is way cooler, and so much better looking!

[@2ndjourneyfirearms878]

And slower, heavier and less reliable...just busting balls, all bikes are fun!

[@kiranm6749]

Man I had to watch this review.. I have been following this channel for long time.. now..

[@julianrose810]

what's all this about horsepower? It's a long stroke motor hp is not its forte, stop chasing 17.5 horsepower and change up earlier keep the revs down and enjoy 80mpg😎

[@jimso771]

This isn’t a bike for speed it’s for what motorcycling used to be, I would pick this over the Honda any day. Why would you need to go more than 70 on the highway, this is the only review I’ve heard anyone complain about the brakes so it might be just a problem with this particular bike. Love the looks of this bike and it’s gonna be so reliable if it’s maintained properly.

[@gr0ggz]

I've had no issues with brakes, I'm a heavy guy and they're working great.

[@ChadWinters]

Ive had a Meteor for 2 years now, sometimes I think about getting a bigger bike, mainly for interstate touring, really the only time I need more power or a different bike is in group rides and im probably better off not trying to keep up. For my rides its enough power, but I'm over 50 and not in it for the adrenaline

[@rossjamison8888]

I love heel/toe shifters. The way I used mine on my electra glide was to use the toe of the boot to shift up on the heel shifter pad and to use the toe of my boot on the toe shifter pad to shift down. When you get used to doing that, it great. No scuffs on the top of the toe of your boot.

[@Kwhopperfan]

I’ve never heard of anyone using a heel toe shifter in that way. That’s an interesting use of “heel and toe” shifter.

[@rossjamison8888]

@@Kwhopperfan saw a guy today riding using his heel toe the way I did

[@Kwhopperfan]

@@rossjamison8888 I just find it funny being you’re supposed to upshift with your heel and downshift with your toe, hence heel/toe, no boot scuffs to worry about, and no catching your size 12 on parts of the bike or your passenger. But to each their own, learn something new everyday. You could always use an adjustable wrench to pound roofing nails, it probably would work, just not what or how it was designed to be used. 👍🏼

[@jaikanths875]

Michael, RE was never known to have a decent front brake performance since the company was revamped 10 years ago. It's always about using the rear brake which gives very good feedback to the rider, but the problem is that the rear brake rotor also fades fast and gives that big squeal which you witnessed. An aftermarket brake replacement is a must for people's safety in the US considering your freeway speeds.

[@elmoomle4565]

Certainly worth considering as a beginner bike or very practical city bike...at least in Western countries.

[@billvick7011]

Was at VIR and saw you race. Competitive all weekend and nice job putting it on the podium! In the looks department, this RE350 beats the Honda hands down but the braking performance and low power in class would make me pick something else for my daughter who wants to ride and is looking for a first machine.

[@chrisandrew852]

Its interesting - I've watched so many reviews on the Meteor and all but this review described the brakes as very adequate to good. I finally bought the Meteor myself and don't have an issue with the brakes at all. And as for the power - it has plenty. I have a feeling that some reviewers are just so used to riding big fast bikes that anything smaller is underwhelming by comparison. One more thing, you're right about the looks department. Its not always about the stats and the Meteor has the "X factor" that the Honda doesn't even come close to.

[@jeffruebens8355]

I would have a steel braided front brake hose added before riding away from the showroom. My 600cc Honda V-twin with 30 horsepower will go 95 mph, but the vibration is bad above 65 mph and the back shock bottoms out quite easily for bigger bumps. It gets up to 65 miles per gallon, the Meteor probably uses less fuel for its lower cc, saving money.

[@leegaoshei]

It’s in kilometres and metres? Perfect.

[@kantameena9668]

what a beauty....love this Supernova, very affordable and quality Motorcycle.

[@krishnaprakash2155]

This is not a motorcycle for the US, given the speed limits. But for India, this is a brilliant motorcycle and RE has outdone themselves 👌

[@Arthurzeiro]

FIY this bike cuts of fuel at 120Km/h or ~70mph, It can go a little faster but that requires removing a limiter which voids warranty.

[@wakashmukhim8616]

Did not think twice n got my self the super nova grey

[@klitedrunner]

If you had to choose the meteor or the Himalayan for general bimbling about the city, the very odd highway and mostly two lane roads at about 60mph which one would it be? A used Himalayan is the same price as this new without otr costs and don’t know which one to go for. Haven’t needed to ride off road but would ride it on country lanes. Although not opposed to getting into a bit of dirt roads if I can find any!

[@donaldoehl7690]

Dealer I went to had MSRP on every RE

[@CornishMotorcycleDiaries]

Having ridden this machine very recently (Nov this year) in the UK in Cornwall, where the requirements are VERY different, I would largely disagree with the conclusions of this report. Perhaps because where I live, our roads are very congested (especially in the summer - tourists) and we have no real highways, road travel here is slow, so speed is almost an irrelevance as whenever you think you have passed a slow moving vehicle, you immediately find a slower one. So when I tested this bike (report on my channel now) I recognised it as slow, but charming and much more characterful than modern Japanese bikes. (I used to own a Rebel 500 and currently own a Vulcan 650) that if you re-frame your expectations it does work well. And the brakes on my test machine were almost too sharp! Hmm. Anyway, your review is still valid and more in depth than many others, so thank you.

[@poltergeist3194]

Why does he have a caterpillar on his upper lip?

[@krishnachaitanya8590]

He loves 🦋🦋🦋

[@2fastnlight]

And what language is that?

[@MrJoeblofromidaho]

What does that little windscreen do other than create turbulence to bounce you head around?

[@ShadowMcSneaky]

24:35 when i look at the specification page of the enfield i see 20.2 horse power not 17....and the meteor also has more torque at 2000 RPM than the rebel at its peak n higher RPM. to have some power with the rebel you have to realy get those RPM up and that is not realy what you want to do with a cruiser. the characteristic of the motor of the rebel 300 is not fitting to the style of the bike...at least for me...the motor is fitting for a CB300 but not for a cruiser like the rebel. if you are want the feel and sound of a cruiser with high torque at low RMP (like a mini harley) you have to go with the enfield. if you want a high RPM sportsbike that looks like a cuiser then go for the rebel.

[@tomg6284]

In 1973 I had a Honda CB 175. It had a 5 speed trans. It had 20 HP. It's weight was around 100lbs less. It was a dog. When put in 5th gear it would slow down. A 350cc with the same power and 100lbs more weight is a bad idea. Royal Enfield needs to up the power 35 HP.

[@joecamel6835]

Peek hp or torque doesn't mean everything, this has almost it's peak right away and up to redline.

[@godwhomismike]

I think the Meteor 350 is a very good looking bike. I also like the Honda Rebel, but it seems that the 2021 Rebel 500 is nearly totally sold out in the Northeast (US) and the 300 is getting almost as hard to find as well. A few local dealers have told me they are not expecting any more Rebels in till the end of the year at the earliest because of Chip/production shortages happening right now. In a few weeks, the Meteor 350 might be the only option in the segment, as the production shortages with the Rebel have driven the used prices to crazy highs - I have see 300s (used) with asking prices of $6K+ and seen a couple of used Rebel 500s with asking prices of $7500-$7800.

[@donaldoehl7690]

My RE dealer sez no more Meteors til Oct 21

[@danielbartleson5746]

It's a good looking bike, but with a price point almost exactly the same as a rebel 300 and similar power numbers to an old 250 I see no reason to go with the Meteor. It was thoughtful of RE to put alloy wheels on the Meteor, hopefully they will come out with 18'' alloys for the 650s soon. Also, I'm not a fan of the tripper, if I want googlemaps I'll mount my phone. With my phone mounted I could reference landmarks and streets as well as see more than one upcoming turn. I'd much prefer a tach, and I think most other beginners would as well.

[@ripmax333]

Only if you lile the looks of the Rebel, for me personally i will take this RE over the rebel any time.

[@danielbartleson5746]

Looks are a huge factor. Still, 17 HP is pretty gutless for North American roads. I’m looking forward to the 650 cruiser, with plenty of torque, RE styling and that great engine sound, that bike will be a worthy opponent to the Honda here in America.

[@KlingonCaptain]

I hope that it's not impossible to find. When I looked into the Suzuki TU250X a while back, it was impossible to find in the wild. My local Suzuki dealer couldn't even get a hold of one.

[@martijnwils2457]

Now since Suzuki has stopped production of the venerable and beloved TU250X the bike's become more difficult to find than hen's teeth.

[@johby46]

Besides the back seat and screen is there any other difference between meteor and supernova? Cheers

[@deferencetodusk]

Yall this is an around town bike, not a highway bomber. If that's what you want don't buy a 350 lmao this can work for plenty of Americans

[@levigato125]

My Himalayan front brakes squealed all the time, so I installed some EBC pads and it’s all quiet now.

[@megalumpproductions5362]

An application of contact cement, left to dry before re-installing, will deaden the vibration between the pad and piston, which is where the squeal comes from.

[@hybrid6692]

But are the brakes more efficient now with the new pads ?

[@redswift31]

From what I've heard they plan to release a 650 version in the near future. When they do they are gonna dominate the EU and NA markets.

[@Jim553just]

It is a beauty, but I'll wait until the 650 rolls up. 😎

[@ripmax333]

They are waisting time a money , lots of money.. if they keep planing.

[@abhishetty2637]

@@ripmax333 it's already in the final stages of testing, I've seen a lot of spy shots and it'll release in last quarter of 2022

[@ripmax333]

@@abhishetty2637 i made a quick google searched and took a look at the spy shots. It looks exactly like the 350 but beefed up and with a longer wheelbase giving it a look of a proper cruiser. The meteor is like between a cruiser and a standard motorcycle. There’s also another single 350 from RE to compete with the honda CB350 hyness.

[@theindian5959]

@@ripmax333 RE 650 cruiser coming in April

[@Alexx120493]

I think a bit more power would have been nice. While I agree that a motorcycle doesnt need 100 hp or even 60hp, 17hp is to little for me to feel comfortable on the open road. With a driver, gear and maybe a backpack you are moving 650-700lbs around

[@kugangles9860]

Yeah especially if you try to take it on the major highways out here in the southwest where everyone's doing 75-80+.

[@JoaoPauloSoares61]

I have to agree with you. 30 or 35 hp would be perfect

[@Rockinsoul1214]

I concur with you.

[@krishnachaitanya8590]

Back in India, the engine produces 20.2hp @ 6100 rpm & 27nm of torque @ 4000 rpm.

[@sohamjoshi5147]

@@krishnachaitanya8590 They're talking about 17 bhp to the wheel. 20.2 bhp is at the crank

[@kretonslovechild7999]

Beautiful little bike, but the HP is what you'd expect from a 200 not a 350.

[@Kar90great]

It's more of a torque machine

[@Amory98]

@@Kar90great 18 nm is not a torque machine either

[@Kar90great]

@@Amory98 27nm is torque, and also how torque is delivered matters too RE drivers a very smooth pull in low and mix range

[@interstellargod6959]

Not everyone want to rev over 9000 rpm every time like a maniac

[@davidkeller2832]

Yes, it is underpowered. Will be interesting to see what the gearheads discover in terms of finding ways to shave weight (exhaust options?), maybe boost output a pinch through air filter mods & tuning and then see about those brakes (better pads). Time will tell.

[@brittanyc3282]

What's the point of a cruiser that can't hang on the interstate? I've been looking at the meteor as a potential starter bike bc I love the styling and low seat height and easy riding, but if it's topping out at 75 I don't think it'd work out traveling out of state to visit family on 65-75mph interstates for hours

[@sahilsagwekar]

Btw the new RE Himalayan has tripper navigation

[@chris5k132]

Oh great. A bike i see on my street made it here in the channel. Cool. From India.

[@rickg.5171]

Spoke wheels and chrome fenders and chrome fuel tank trim are available options in the U.K., why not in U.S. market?

[@nexusnebin]

Coz this bike is not targeted for Us where the power and engine displacement matters rather than pleasant riding ❤️

[@Zakatak360]

My only concern is their reliability. Having to check/adjust the valves every 12 months isn't something that screams "it will last a long time".

[@joecamel6835]

First time is at only 300 miles ! A major service right after you get it ( there are a bunch of other checks besides valves too ) .

[@hwy1310]

@@joecamel6835 it’s a preventative maintenance check.

[@garry9588]

That's one of the best reviews I've seen. Well put together and tests done on the bike other than just a test ride. Oh and believable.

[@karthikcb350]

I don’t know why RE is so stubborn in not bringing up the power up in their singles to say like 28-30 bhp. This is a brand new engine they just developed as a replacement of the old UCE. They could have used this opportunity . Not sure if it is the lack of will as their major customer base is India andthis power is ok but if they want to excel in overseas definitely reasonable power is needed from their machines.

[@SumanSingh-yv9qb]

RE is a life style it was never about power

[@sudhansuranjanmohapatra6429]

Most comprehensive and frank review of this bike👍

[@21cowboys4life]

Would love to know what type of jacket he was wearing? Thanks

[@BigCarKilla]

Gotta see this thing in person. I was expecting a cheap and shitty looking machines but it’s genuinely top-notch. Especially when compared to Suzuki’s equivalent. Better put together, better and more cohesive styling, too. And can we talk about the presenter? It’s so much better than listening to Waheed’s horribly-stepped presentation. This bloke is oddly still a little stepped in his presentation, but a far better improvement that Adam.

[@Gherbert1348]

I agree, this should be compared more to the TU250 and not the Rebel 300. also agree on Waheed, I have mostly stopped watching this channel because of his style, I was scared to watch this even though I am very interesting in the bike, but when I saw it was someone else presenting, much relief!

[@interstellargod6959]

You should see one in real..its look amazing..

[@ruiseartalcorn]

What a wonderful wee beastie :)

[@raymondwandell8880]

This guy needs bestie boys sabatoge intro music.

[@CCitis]

For any big guys... I am 6'5 270 pounds. The ergonomics are great... fits well. Comfy. Vibe free. Sounds good. However, for the real world I found this motor a touch underpowered to haul my weight around. It is too bad, because I love most things about this and the Classic 350. If you are lighter, or just want it for the city... you will like this.

[@rickhill6277]

Any way to boost the HP of this bike?

[@laljeetsinghsangha9970]

Is Royal Enfield Standard 350 available in the USA? I had one in my undergrad in India and have been looking for one here.

[@gr0ggz]

I live in US, bought one last year around October. I love the bike, very agile and comfortable.

[@mayukhsharma8465]

US is getting this bike?? Wow

[@JoaoPauloSoares61]

Nice looking bike. I wonder if you change the brake oil for one with a higher viscosity it wouldn't make it better

[@megalumpproductions5362]

You are kidding, right?

[@Roger_Ramjet]

@@megalumpproductions5362 seemingly not....

[@IBtwoo]

I was disappointed when every where you look you see a $4649.00 price tag, and the real story hits you when you show up to buy one. Closer to $6000 when they ad the freight and set up costs....

[@PolecatKD]

I think this is primarily for women, old people and hipsters. It's an urban commuter that looks cool and a weekend toy for hobbyists. If you really want more power, you could install a big bore kit

[@ssrc30]

Thanks for the excellent review. To be honest, I found the rebel 300 boring. I love the Honda reliability but that bike just didn't do it for me and I don't really have a good reason why. I'll try a meteor when I can but I'm really leaning towards the Vulcan S 650.

[@bfarm44]

Super nova has the two tone paint also

[@megalumpproductions5362]

And the nicer tank badging!

[@BulletGuru]

Nice Review

[@अघोर]

Wah Guru yahan bhi pahunchgaye 😄 Royal Enfield ki diehard fan hai sab.

[@nandoospina3345]

The meteor i purchased last month (2023 model) is 20.2 hp and 27.5 NM torque...at least that's what it says on the spec sheet

[@mindspinn311]

I definitely want to take a test ride. It seems like a very pleasant runabout, even light tourer. Starting at $4399 and going to $4599 it’s an incredible value. I would probably go for the Stellar or Supernova trim, but I really do like the Fireball in yellow.

[@shadowmancy9183]

Did a quick search- to get the Rebel 300 to have the same overall features as the Meteor (pillion w/ backrest, heel-toe, floorboards, and center stand), you need to add another grand to it. Not a bad price, but to get all of that and a nav system stock is pretty nice. Priced it out at T-Rex Racing's site.

[@mohammedrahman3447]

I don't think the US or Europe would be a target market for the Meteor given it's HP and torque numbers. But seems to me if you're not doing a lot of highway commuting it would be just fine. I do like the looks of this one over the Rebel 300.

[@megalumpproductions5362]

I think the Vancouver dealer would disagree with you. They have already ordered 100 units of the Meteor.

[@Zakatak360]

For the price it's not bad performance. Just look at the *cough* new Yamaha V-stars with only 250cc and a $5k price tag. At least you are getting your money's worth with this setup.

[@Kwhopperfan]

It’s a beautiful bike and I’ve heard fuel economy is exceptional. I’d be worried about practicality in the hills of Pennsylvania. I’d definitely eyeball a 650 if they brought one out and didn’t double the price.

[@clydeosterhout1221]

I live in PA, and ride a bike with similar performance. As long as you let the bike pick the pace it is no problem. If you try to push it then it frustrates both you and the bike. The bike handles the mountains perfectly well, but you do learn to stay in the slow lane while climbing.

[@Kwhopperfan]

@@clydeosterhout1221 I ended up with a NC700x as a commuter for now, more versatile and with more power but sacrificing only a little in economy versus a 350 or 400 that would suffer banging off the rev limiter or near it just trying to keep up or out of the way of traffic.. can’t beat the look of the RE’s though.