The last time we compared the Hunter 350 to the Speed 400, things were a lot more straightforward, but things have since changed. Royal Enfield has fixed the Hunter’s biggest deterrent, comfort and has positioned it squarely as a stylish and relaxed street naked; completely different from its retro siblings. Bajaj, on the other hand, had to downsize the Triumph Speed 400’s 398cc engine to a 349cc one, to meet the 18 percent GST slab. So, is picking one from these two, very good motorcycles still difficult? Let’s see.
Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs Triumph Speed 400: Engine and output
Triumph has more power and torque, but RE delivers both earlier
Bajaj’s downsizing of the 398cc engine has reduced torque more than horsepower, making the Speed 400 a relatively weaker proposition compared to before, at least on paper. Royal Enfield, however, has not had to do anything and continues with its likable J-series engine making the same power and torque as before. It’s hard not to miss that the Hunter delivers both of it much earlier in the rev range than the Speed which reinforces the status quo that these still aren’t meant to be substitutes for each other. The Speed does have one extra gear, making it more capable at highway speeds of the two.
Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs Triumph Speed 400: Dimensions and weight
Both remain in lockstep with each other
Had this been the Bullet/Classic 350, this section would’ve been an onslaught on them but perhaps that’s exactly why the Hunter 350 exists. Being the lightest Royal Enfield, the Hunter puts up a tough fight to the Speed 400 on every front. Even though it is 2kg heavier than the Speed, it’s more accessible with a lower seat height. Both are very approachable and friendly machines, for both newer and shorter riders.
Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs Triumph Speed 400: Tyres, brakes, and suspension
Speed 400 gets a fatter fork and better brakes
On paper, the numbers once again continue to be really close. However, the Speed 400 gains on the Hunter 350 in a few areas. It has a wider rear tyre, gets radial tyres at both ends and a slightly fatter USD fork. The Triumph also gets better brakes with a far more effective four-piston, radial caliper at the front, whereas the Hunter 350 sticks to a more conventional two-piston, floating caliper.
Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs Triumph Speed 400: Features
Par for the (retro) course for both
Packing in the most features for the money isn’t what this segment is known for, and neither motorcycle attempts to change that. The Hunter 350 offers dual-channel ABS, an assist and slipper clutch, a type-C USB port, and a TFT navigation tripper pod on higher variants. The Speed 400, gets everything except the navigation feature, offering traction control instead.
Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs Triumph Speed 400: Price
Hunter is far more affordable
Last but not least, how much do you pay to buy one of these? And this is an area where the Hunter 350 has a huge advantage. The top-most variant of the Hunter 350 will set you back by Rs 1.71 lakh, with the base variant starting at as low as Rs 1.37 lakh (both prices ex-showroom, Chennai). On the other hand, the Speed 400 costs Rs 2.34 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). On paper, this can look like a difficult choice considering how close these are, but that confusion will go away as soon as you take test rides considering the vastly different riding experiences of both.
Vishal Venugopal
Autocar India News Desk
Rishaad Mody
Dinshaw Magol
