Royal Enfield Hunter 350 has launched in India. It comes in 2 variants - Retro & Metro. Read the top 5 differences between the 2 variants.
Royal Enfield has launched its most awaited bike of the year. The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is now on sale in India with a starting price of Rs 1,49,900 ex-showroom Chennai. Hunter is the most lightest and compact bike from the company's stable globally. It has been designed to offer the retro bike feel along with modern features at an affordable price range.
There are two variants in the Hunter named Retro & Metro. The Retro has been destined as the entry-level variant. The Metro on the other hand offers more features and slightly different specifications. The Metro is priced from Rs 1,64,900 - 1,69,900 ex-showroom Chennai. Compiling the variations; below are the top 5 differences between both of the variants.
Also Read - Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Official Accessory Kits Priced at Rs 18,160
Tyres
The first & foremost difference is the use of different rims and tyres size. The base Retro variant has been equipped with 17-inch spoke rims. These rims use CEAT Zoom XL tube-type tyres. Additionally, the tree profile is slim when compared to the Metro variant. The front tyre is 110/80-17 while the rear tyre is 12/80-17.
Comparatively, the Metro comes equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels. These also use the CEAT tyres but the Zapper tubeless series. The Metro variant uses a thicker profile when compared to the Retro. The front tyre section is 110/70-17 while the rear tyre is 140/70-17 profile. This possibly means that the handling of Metro will be more confident at the high speed.
Features
Speaking of the features, the Hunter offers minimal and user-oriented elements only. As both of the variants have been designed on a similar design layout, most of the features are common. However, to keep the cost low for the Retro, it misses out on some of the features as seen on the Metro variant.
The taillight, for example, is a halogen unit on the Retro. Meanwhile, the Retro uses an LED taillight. Even the turn indicators are different on both of these bikes. The Retro has been fitted with rectangular indicators (similar to Interceptor 650) while the Metro comes with circular indicators (similar to Meteor 350).
Also, the pillion grab handle is different in both variants. The Retro comes with a more basic single tubular metal grab handle. Contrary, the Metro comes with split alloy grab rails that give it a more premium look. Additionally, the center stand is only available with the Metro variant.
Also Read - Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Debuts In India At Rs 1,49,900
Body Weight & Switchgear
Another major difference is the body weight of both variants. The Hunter is claimed to be the lightest Royal Enfield ever made. It indeed is the lightest as the Metro variant weighs just 177 kg wet. However, the more basic and less equipped Retro variant is heavier than it. Retro weighs 181 kg wet.
The switchgear is also different in both of the variants. The Retro comes with basic switchgear as seen on the current Bullet 350. This has been done to keep the cost-effectiveness of the Retro variant. Meanwhile, the Metro variant uses the revised modern switchgear which is used on the new Classic 350 as well. The switchgear quality of both variants is sturdy.
Brakes & ABS
The braking is one of the major differences in both of the Hunter variants. Speaking of the Retro variant, it comes with a single 300mm front disc brake and a rear drum brake setup. Hence, the ABS is also a single-channel unit for it. The front disc caliper is also an in-house unit.
Comparatively, the Metro comes equipped with a 300mm single disc brake at the front and a 240mm single disc brake at the rear. Metro has been also equipped with dual-channel ABS. The disc brake calipers at both ends are BYBRE.
Instrument Console
Last but not the least, the instrument console is another difference between the two variants. The Retro variant has been equipped with a more basic unit. It features a smaller diameter circular console. Although it is a semi-digital cluster, the MID is a basic rectangular screen. There are only two trip meters and an odometer which are displayed as the info on this MID.
However, the Metro variant has been equipped with a bigger console. The MID is circular and large in the display. This console shows three trip meters and a gear position indicator as well. Additionally, this cluster has been equipped with an ECO light that showcases efficient riding for more fuel economy.
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