Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Top

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The answer we give you will vary based on whether or not you will retain the Hunter alongside a new RE 650 upon its purchase. If you were to keep the Hunter for daily use, the Continental GT 650 makes for a good step up, given your sporty leanings. We'd recommend opting for the colour with allloy wheels for added peace of mind that tubeless tyres bring when fixing a puncture. You could even wait for the upcoming Continental GT-R 750 which will offer an even bigger step up in terms of performance and features, although it will be priced higher than the 650. If, however, you plan to only keep one bike to do it all, the Continental will feel cramped, uncomfortable and committed for repeated daily city use. We'd recommend the Interceptor instead because its upright ergonomics will allow you to be comfy in the city and it still handles reasonably well when you venture out on the weekend. Do bear in mind that if you expect razor sharp handling akin to a smaller, lighter machine (like a KTM RC 390 or Aprilia RS 457) from these heavier, simpler and larger bikes, you will not find that here and while the RE 650s handle well, that's in the context of heavy, relaxed neo-retros.

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Since you already have a Hunter 350 and want more power for your daily commutes, stepping up to the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 would be the logical move. The Guerrilla has a punchy engine with a strong mid-range which makes for a brisk yet effortless commuting partner. While the Guerrilla has engaging handling, its suspension is also reasonably pliant to tackle the daily grind. Given that you have experience dealing with the Royal Enfield sales and service network, your ownership of the Guerrilla should also be fairly straightforward and trouble-free. If you want a twin-cylinder experience, then the Aprilia Tuono 457 special edition should be on your radar. The Tuono has sublime handling, a characterful engine that belts out a lovely soundtrack and its also a fairly uncommon sight on our roads, giving you an air of exclusivity. Do bear in mind that the Aprilia dealer network is quite small and service will likely be pricier than its single-cylinder rivals.

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The Honda CB350 would make more sense for your needs because you spend most of your time in city traffic where comfort and refinement are paramount. While this Honda bike is a slightly larger machine than the Royal Enfield Hunter (both weigh the same 181kg), after a brief acclimatization period, you will get used to it. While a set of handlebar risers can improve your seating posture on the Hunter, you will lose some feedback and control from the front end and you will also need to arrange for longer cables and hoses to accommodate this change.

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Both the TVS Ronin and Royal Enfield Hunter 350 are excellent choices that are similarly capable in this price range, but both have different riding experiences. The Ronin feels lighter on its feet because it weighs quite a bit less than the Hunter, and while its styling is that of a relaxed retro, it actually has very nice handling. Its engine is also quick to spool up and makes a deep, bassy sound with a strong surge of mid-range torque to boot. On the other hand, the Hunter's long-stroke motor is more mellow and, in our opinion, more characterful too. The riding experience is dominated by the strong low- and mid-range torque here, and it's a pleasure to short-shift on the Hunter and listen to its thumpy beat of an exhaust note. While the Hunter is much heavier than the Ronin, you don't really feel it when you're on the move and darting through city trafic is a breeze on this RE. Take test rides of both, see which one tickles your fancy and then make your decision.

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Despite what has transpired since we compared the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 to the Triumph Speed T4 (then using a 398cc engine, now using a 349cc engine), the verdict doesn't really change. The T4 remains the more capable machine from the more premium brand, and even though the price delta between the two has widened, we still believe the T4 remains the superior product.However, if you are looking for a modern retro motorcycle on a strict budget, the Royal Enfield bike is still a very strong option.