Receiving an invitation to visit one of your favourite cities is always a welcome treat, add in the opportunity to test ride a new motorcycle targeted at the urban market, and it becomes a perfect way to spend part of your week.
This was the scenario last week as I jumped on a southbound plane headed for San Diego, CA and the North American press launch of the new Royal Enfield Hunter 350.
Built around the same powerplant as the company’s Classic 350 model, which I had ridden and reviewed last year, I was intrigued by statements in the pre-launch materials that the revised geometry of this new model was targeted at creating the perfect bike for active urban streets. While the accuracy of this statement was yet to be verified, the setting of San Diego would certainly provide the requisite big city backdrop with a variety of busy streets to navigate. And, as an added benefit, southern California weather is always a treat, except as it turns out, during springtime in San Diego.
Arriving to drizzling cool weather, the Royal Enfield team member who picked me up from the airport explained that the city’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean resulted in cooler temperatures at certain times of the year that gave way to nicknames like ‘May Gray’ and ‘June Gloom,’ and for some reason this cooler season had arrived a few weeks earlier than normal. Fortunately, the forecast for the following day featured clear skies, which meant that my decision to leave rain gear at home would not come back to haunt me.
Looking over the Hunter 350 on display during the welcome dinner and again the next morning as we prepared for our day of riding, Royal Enfield’s decision to pursue the new rider market was evident. At just 181 kg (400 lb) wet weight and a manageable 790 mm (31 in) seat height, the Hunter will appeal to new riders as well as those of smaller stature or anyone looking for a lightweight motorcycle to ride around town. The choice of graphics and colours, which follow trends established by last year’s Scram 411 lineup, succeed in providing a more modern feel when compared to other models in the Royal Enfield stable.
There is something both nostalgic and fun about riding a single-cylinder street bike around the city and thanks to the tight geometry of the bike’s all-new frame from Harris Performance, the Hunter turned out to be a blast to ride everywhere from crowded main streets to tight back alleys and everything in between that downtown San Diego had to offer.
Despite its small frame and manageable dimensions, the Hunter did not feel small or toy like, and was quite comfortable, even for one rider in our group who was well over six feet tall. The one-piece seat was quite comfortable even after a few hours in the saddle.
Following a morning spent in around the downtown area, a short ride down the freeway brought our group to a nearby stretch of secondary highways that took us through some of the most amazing scenery as we cruised along valley floors and up twisty mountain roads. While the Hunter 350 was designed with urban settings in mind, it didn’t seem to mind one bit being wound out and thrown into some tight corners.
Back at our hotel for a wrap up dinner, discussions turned to initial thoughts and who this new motorcycle might appeal to. With a price point just north of $5,000 it doesn’t take much imagination to see this motorcycle residing in garages of new riders, returning riders, urban commuters and even experienced riders who simply want a second bike for short trips around town and easy weekend cruises.
With the Hunter 350’s North American launch complete and the Royal Enfield marketing machine hard at work, it will be interesting to see if this lightweight urban commuter can deliver a heavyweight knockout punch in Canada and the US.
Watch for a complete in-depth review of the all-new Royal Enfield Hunter 350 in an upcoming issue of Inside Motorcycles and in the interim, visit www.royalenfield.com for more information.
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