The Royal Enfield Hunter 350: Budget-friendly city bikes
The Hunter 350 is a great and budget-friendly option for office-going professionals. Its starting ex-showroom price starts at around ₹1.38 lakh and goes up to ₹1.70 lakh. Talking about the design, it comes with a modern neo-trend roadster look, which attracts the youth a lot. It is the company's lightest and compact bike, which makes it extremely easy to handle in heavy traffic and narrow streets of the city.
The J-Series is powered by a 349.34 cc single-cylinder, air-oil cooled engine. The engine produces 20.21 bhp and 27Nm of torque and comes mated to a 5-speed gearbox. In terms of features, it gets a digital-analog instrument cluster, tripper navigation (optional) and dual-channel ABS. During office commuting, this bike easily gives a mileage of 36 km / l.
The Honda H'ness CB350: Japanese smoothness and retro style
The Honda H'ness CB350 is known for its Japanese engineering and unmatched engine smoothness. Its ex-showroom Delhi price ranges from ₹1.93 lakh to ₹1.98 lakh. The design is completely inspired by the classic and retro look, with a great use of chrome. For long distance travel or daily office rides, its upright seating posture and comfortable seat does not cause fatigue.
The motorcycle is powered by a 348.36 cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that produces 21.07 bhp and 30Nm of torque. It gets a 5-speed gearbox with assist and slipper clutch, which makes gear shifting extremely light. Key features include all-LED lighting, Bluetooth connectivity, and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). Its average mileage ranges from 35 to 40 km / l for office riders. If you want smoothness and a premium feel in the bike, then this is the best option for you.
The Royal Enfield Classic 350: The evergreen 'dug-dug' experience
The Classic 350 is one of the most popular motorcycles in the Indian market. Its ex-showroom price starts at around ₹1.81 lakh and goes up to ₹2.16 lakh Its signature vintage design, round headlights, tear-drop fuel tank and its famous' dug-dug 'sound (thump) give it the most distinct and robust road presence on the roads. It gives the rider a different rugged feel while going to the office.
Technically, it uses a new refined 349cc air-oil cooled engine. The engine produces 20.2 bhp and 27Nm of torque. The list of features now includes a smaller LCD display, fuel gauge, tripper navigation, and dual-channel ABS for better safety. Despite the heavy weight (195 kg), its new J-platform engine easily delivers a mileage of 35 to 40 km / l.
The Royal Enfield Meteor 350: Comfortable cruiser
If your office is far away from home and you want a comfortable cruiser bike, then the Meteor 350 is the best. Its ex-showroom price starts at around ₹1.96 lakh and goes up to ₹2.19 lakh. The design is similar to a typical cruiser, with low-seat height (765mm) front-set footpegs and a large windscreen. This riding position prevents the problem of back pain and makes long rides comfortable.
The J-Series is powered by a 349.34 cc engine that produces 20.21 bhp and 27Nm of torque. Being a cruiser, its low-end torque is great, so that there is no need to change gears frequently. It comes with features like LED headlight, semi-digital console, USB charging port, and smartphone connectivity. It can give a mileage of up to 41 km / l in long office rides.
How to choose a bike in the 350cc segment? (Shopping guide)
A few things to keep in mind when choosing a 350cc bike:
Traffic and Commute Distance: If you have to travel less than 15-20 km daily in heavy traffic, then the lighter Hunter 350 will be the best. If the distance is more than 30-40 km, then the comfortable riding posture of Meteor 350 or Classic 350 will be better.
Budget: The Hunter 350 is the most affordable, while the Honda H'ness CB350 and Meteor 350 are slightly more expensive. Choose according to your budget.
Riding style: If you like sporty and urban looks, then the Hunter 350 is perfect. If you want a classic vintage look, choose between the Classic 350 or the CB350. If you like a comfortable ride in cruiser style, then the Meteor 350 is the best.
Mileage: All the bikes give a mileage of around 35-40 km / l. There could be a slight difference in mileage depending on the engine's tuning and riding style.
Conclusion
The 350cc segment is a great choice for office commutes as these bikes offer the perfect balance of style, performance and affordable mileage. The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is the lightest and budget-friendly for city traffic, while the Honda H'ness CB350 is known for its smoothness and Japanese engineering.
The Classic 350 is an evergreen bike that gives a retro look and a 'dug-dug' thump feel, while the Meteor 350 is a comfortable cruiser for long-distance travel.
Choose any of these bikes according to your needs, budget and riding style, you will get a great office commute experience. Stay tuned for more such auto comparisons, bike reviews and shopping guides on timesbull.com.