Royal Enfield METEOR 350 - First Ride Review (Highway Test)

My first ride on the Royal Enfield Meteor 350. This is RE's Meteor 350, a beginner friendly modern classic cruiser motorcycle designed in the UK and assembled in India. I compare the RE Meteor 350 to bikes I've owned or ridden before including the Honda Rebel 500, Continental GT 650, and MSX125 Grom.
In this video I share my first ride impressions as I review the Royal Enfield Meteor 350, continuing my search for the best modern classic beginner bike that is enjoyable to all riders.
Royal Enfield's bikes definitely have some serious charm to them, and I'm glad they're increasingly making their way to the North American market.
Let me know what you think of the Royal Enfield Meteor350 in the comments, and please subscribe to join our growing community!
Ride safe.
#royalenfield #meteor350 #royalenfieldmeteor350

[@RideYEG]

Let me know your thoughts on the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 in the comments! Thanks for watching and ride safe✌

[@gowthamlabs]

I have booked same yellow colour. Registration work going on. Once done will be taking delivery

[@dennishelferich8335]

I have owned my Meteor 350 for 6 months and about 1200 miles so far. I am 69 y/o and have been riding for 50 years now. I have owned lots of bikes all the way up to 1000 cc's. I absolutely love this little bike. It is the smoothest single I have ever owned or ridden. I'm getting close to 80 mpg. It does everything I ask it to do. I use it mostly as a country road cruiser. I find it's sweet spot is cruising between 45-55 mph. It handles great, feels very nimble. Top speed is governed at about 70 mph. My only wish is that it topped out at 75-80 mph. Not that I would cruise at those speeds, but more to give you a little emergency power to get out of trouble while cruising around 70. It is also one of the most comfortable bikes I have ever owned. I LOVE it! Nice video👍

[@RideYEG]

Thanks for watching and sharing your experience! Makes me want to get one even more to explore some backroads around me. Ride safe✌️

[@petehealy9819]

Can't help but laugh because my story is almost exactly the same as yours! At 69, with >50yrs of riding, I was happy to sell my Victory Kingpin a few months ago and downsize to the pure delight and ease of riding my Meteor. I agree it would be nice to have another 5mph or so at the top, but it's perfect for the backroad daytrips I take with my buds. Good riding to you!

[@tomlaw5379]

Once I passed my 3 year warranty, I am removing the cut off. I read the Meteor can go up to 140km/hr if the speed limiter is removed.

[@zeve1322086]

I just passed 1000km in my Supernova Brown (Brazil here). It's my first bike, at 52 years old. I'm on the road every weekend and already did small trips. I'm just in love. It's crazy how approachable and easy to pilot it is. At the same time it has a lot of character, the sound is magnificent even with the stock exhaust. I have a particular pleasure in using the heel shifter. It feels so old school. I know it could have maybe 5hp more for better highway usage, but the bike just hits its target bullseye. Only way I can see myself parting ways with it is when RE launches the 650 Super Meteor.

[@RideYEG]

Sounds like it’s been the perfect bike for you. The heel shifter really does get satisfying doesn’t it😃

[@mcm04901]

I went to a demo ride, tried the Meteor, and within a week I bought one. I agree with you and other commenters that for freeway duty it could use a bit more power, but for mostly two-lane roads with 45 or 55 MPH speed limits, it does fine. I fell in love with the handling and that glorious, cushy seat! Enough vibes, thump and wonderful torque to remind you that you have a single, but not intrusive enough to rattle your fillings (my Suzuki S40 did that) or to shake it off its kickstand at idle like my Buell Blast. What it most reminds me of is a Honda CB125S that I had when I was a teenager. Back then, I thought that bike was perfect except for needing more power so I could actually ride on the 55 MPH roads without being run over. The Meteor is the bike I've been waiting for. Thanks for the well done video!

[@RideYEG]

Thanks for sharing. Very cool that you bought it that soon after, sounds like a decision from the heart. It does kind of remind me of the same fun factor of my Grom!

[@astro61362]

Very interesting and fair interview. I went to a bike shop because they had a barely used Honda Rebel 300 that I was interested in. I decided to take a test ride on a Meteor 350 as well. I ended up buying the Meteor 350 instead. There just was no comparison in the comfort of the seating position. It seemed toe that Honda was pursuing a younger demographic with this new Rebel design. I've had the Meteor since January 2022 and I have almost 2,000 miles on it. It has run flawlessly and been a joy to ride. I am constantly getting command questions about it.

[@RideYEG]

I appreciate your insights! I agree with your decision to pick the Meteor 350 over the Rebel 300, but in transparency I mostly compared it to my Rebel 500! I think between the 350 and 500 things get harder to choose. Ride safe ✌️

[@akramtowhid4421]

When did you do your first service? And any valve adjustment?

[@artiecisneros4691]

I've had my Meteor for a year now and the more I ride it the more I like it. It took me about a week to get used to the toe shifter and it's great, In India most riders drive with flip-flops so it's a breeze for them. The only thing I would like to change is moving the controls even more forward and slightly lower. Thanks for the vid.😎

[@RideYEG]

Great to hear! And yes I learned about the flip flops in India fact a few weeks ago, very interesting. Ride safe✌️

[@TheDonutDoctor]

Thinking about buying one of these next week (my first bike!) Thanks for all the info bro

[@RideYEG]

Thanks for watching. What color are you getting? Thats exciting! You've got to keep me posted on your first 500 km.

[@Busywave]

I just got the Meteor 2 months ago and put 900+ million on It. It’s a great motorcycle but now I wish I had gone for the 350 Classic. Don’t get wrong, I really love my Meteor. I think I just want both. I would check out both and get the one you like. They are similar in many ways.

[@RideYEG]

@@Busywave yeah I really wish I was able to test the Classic. Maybe next year.

[@robertboomsema4422]

In my homble opinion the Meteor 350 is a great bike for cruising on country roads and back country roads or city rides, once you get ”used” to the heel / toe shifter its great .... would not want anything else to be honest .... no idea how tall or small you are but you are one of the first to say that the seat is not low enough ..... folks around 165cm have not complained😊 anyway thanks for the review👍

[@RideYEG]

Thanks for watching! Agreed that it would be great for backroads or I see it as a great commuter as well. Haha I am 5 ft 6 inches, maybe my inseam is just short😂. Ride safe✌️

[@jasonmoquin1508]

I've had a Meteor for about 3 months now and put on a little over 2500 miles mostly on the back roads here in Vermont. The one accessory that I put on it was the fly screen to take the wind off my chest and it made a huge difference.

[@RideYEG]

What brand Flyscreen did you get? Would love to take a look into it

[@jasonmoquin1508]

@@RideYEG I got it right from Royal Enfield. Its Tinted and looks pretty sharp on my yellow bike.

[@RideYEG]

@@jasonmoquin1508 nice man, let me know if you have Instagram I would love to see pics

[@PlantingwithTej]

Hi I live in Sherwood park. Thinking of getting my license and looking for a second hand bike. I drove back home when I was a teenager. It was my dads Royal Enfield. Thank you for these videos. It’s nice to have someone locally to connect!

[@kwood1112]

I've had mine for a week, and am loving it so far! As others have mentioned, would be nice if it had one more gear, or just a wee bit higher top end, as I commute on mine and use freeways. That being said, the bike is very comfortable, handling is excellent, looks fantastic, and the fuel mileage is unbelievable. Regarding the toe shifter - the mechanism is fairly easy to adjust, and it's the first thing I did to mine. I raised it one notch on the spline, now it sits where most other bikes do, and I can use my toe comfortably for both up and down-shifting. I've ridden motorcycles for over 40 years, too late to change my shift mechanics now lol. And regarding seat height, they sell a low rider seat, which I have ordered, that provides a lower stance. I am fairly short myself, like to be flat-footed. The low rider should provide that. I will be curious to see what the Super Meteor 650's are like when they finally start selling them in the States. So far, from what I've seen, I don't like the looks as much. Is it worth having that little bit extra on the freeway? Hmmm...

[@MauriceTarantulas]

Am leaning more towards the Classic 350 or the Scram but I like all the Enfields...well not the GT. P.s Reliability wise gen have a good rep in Uk and most owners end up servicing their own bikes.

[@RideYEG]

The classic and scram are really nice bikes, hopefully I’ll be able to see one soon! And that’s good to know regarding reliability. I think in the coming years parts will be easier to get in North America. Ride safe✌️

[@jericinnamon2857]

I think maybe you’re using the heel-toe shifter incorrectly. If you’re reaching that far, you may just have teeny feet. Also, I really disagree that this is better for taller riders; I always recommend it to short riders. Reliability: tbh, this is one of the best parts. It’s a simple machine, so even if something happens, any novice with KZbin can fix it. For what it’s worth, I bought one of the first ones in 2021 and I’ve never had an issue short of a dead battery (my fault). I even neglected to winterize it once and she started right up for me in the spring. It’s a total tank! It’s still 20hp, but you can definitely do stuff to it to give it a bit more pep. My Triumph gets dusty, I ride this little bike so much.

[@RideYEG]

I do have pretty small feet haha in general just not used to using a heel shifter. The down motions of both toe and heel felt good, but going up (under) the toe shifter was surprisingly tight even with my smaller feet. I have a few more months until riding season next spring and this bike comes up in my mind more than I thought. Really hoping to pick one up when I’m able to.

[@aaa111912]

@@RideYEG go upp the gears by pressing down with your heel.

[@GunCollector007]

Perfect bike for long winding Connecticut roads.

[@vibhuiyer6984]

Love this bike, but it is underpowered. The meteor 650 will be a home run, and attract a lot of new customers for RE

[@RideYEG]

Agree on the meteor 650!

[@FTStratLP]

You should not try to get your foot umderneath the shifter, you dhould use your heel instead. 😜

[@kevinmason3141]

its not lose, rubber mounted....

[@tanishqhooda]

you gotta check out the Classic one from Royal if you would be uploading now.

[@Jid4sh]

Hi everyone, is this bike good as a starting bike? And for a big man (188cm/160kg?) I like everything on this bike and Im thinking about buying it.... Thx in advance.

[@AngelFaceMotoRider]

WHERE IS Ride YEG.? I would like to invite you to another MotoEvent. 😎

[@simodakir5990]

Hi very good test. Is it true that the meteor is slugish in mountain roads and hills? Thaks a lot .

[@RideYEG]

It can be a bit Underpowered for hills and mountains. But if you’re not in a rush it’s an amazing bike :)

[@donol1630]

You still riding man?

[@Thegeordiemonkey]

The 350 classic is nicer again.

[@RideYEG]

Hope I’ll be able to test one in the near future

[@christosswc]

Not if you are a dad that occasionally has to pick up a kid, I need the larger seat.

[@cliffdariff74]

Its a heel shifter

[@victoriousrufus6747]

What do you mean so loose?

[@RideYEG]

Just didn’t have the most robust solid feel to it compared to other shifters on bikes I’ve ridden. Might have been just the one I was on.

[@devendersuhag6968]

Made in India not assembled 😁😁

[@kapilohar1]

Outdated air cooled engine very bad bike There are vibrations above 80 km. Waste of money