Royal Enfield Meteor 350: Top 5 Rivals

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is the new 350 cc Royal Enfield motorcycle introduced as a replacement for the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350. The Meteor 350 is not just any replacement though; it's built on an all-new 350 cc platform, with a new engine and chassis, and has been positioned as one of Royal Enfield's global products. Although the silhouette of the Meteor 350 resembles the Thunderbird, it's an all-new bike, with new bodywork, and also features the Royal Enfield Tripper app with Bluetooth connectivity, which offers turn-by-turn navigation.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Review

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is the first new model in the all-new 350 cc Royal Enfield platform, and it's positioned as a global product.

The new 349 cc single-cylinder air and oil cooled engine makes 20.2 bhp at 6,100 rpm and 27 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm. For the first time for a Royal Enfield 350 cc single, the pushrod architecture has been done away with, and the new engine uses a single overhead camshaft, and employs a gear primary drive instead of chain. Wheels are now cast alloys, shod with tubeless tyres. The RE Meteor 350 is available in three variants, Fireball, Stellar and Supernova. Prices begin at Rs. 1,92,109 (Ex-showroom) for the Fireball, Rs. 1,98,099 for the Stellar and Rs. 2,08,084 (Ex-showroom) for the Supernova.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Prices Hiked By Upto Rs. 10,000

The Honda H'Ness CB 350 is lighter than the Meteor 350, offers a more neutral and comfortable riding position for everyday riding

Honda H'Ness CB 350

The Honda H'Ness CB350 is the Royal Enfield Meteor 350's closest rival in the market right now. The H'Ness CB350 has been designed to take a slice out of Royal Enfield's market share in the 350 cc retro roadster segment, and it has some of the familiarity of a Royal Enfield, with a long-stroke 350 cc single-cylinder engine, retro styling, and upright riding position. The 349 cc single-cylinder engine is smooth and offers good performance. It makes 20.8 bhp at 5,500 rpm and 30 Nm at 3,000 rpm. The engine is paired to a 5-speed gearbox, with a slipper clutch. The Honda H'Ness CB350 DLX is priced at Rs. 1,89,905 (Ex-showroom), while the H'Ness CB350 DLX Pro is priced at Rs. 1,95,905 (Ex-showroom).

Also Read: Honda H'Ness CB350 Vs Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Comparison Review

(The Honda CB350RS misses out on a few features that the H'ness CB350 gets)

Honda CB350RS

The Honda CB350RS is built on the same platform as the Honda H'Ness CB350, but it gets a slightly more modern and youthful touch, with a couple of new cosmetic changes, as well as new tyres with block pattern tread. The Honda CB350RS shares the same 349 cc, single-cylinder engine which makes 20.8 bhp at 5,500 rpm and 30 Nm at 3,000 rpm. The CB350RS weighs 2 kg less than the H'Ness too. The ergonomics are different too. The monotone variant of the CB350RS is priced at Rs. 1.96 lakh while the dual-tone model is priced at Rs. 1.98 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The 2021 Jawa Forty-Two gets small but noteworthy updates, including new alloy wheels with tubeless tyres

Jawa/Jawa Forty-Two

The Jawa twins have been around for a while now in the entry modern classic segment. Both bikes get a 293 cc single-cylinder engine which makes 26.9 bhp and 27.02 Nm of peak torque. The motor is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. Both motorcycles get a lovely retro design and optional dual-channel ABS as well. Earlier this year, Jawa introduced the updated 2021 Jawa Forty-Two, with some minor updates, including alloy wheels with tubeless tyres. The Jawa Forty Two is priced at Rs. 1.91 lakh while prices of the Jawa Classic start at Rs. 1.78 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

2021 Benelli Imperiale 400 offers a smooth engine, and retro styling, something which is right up the alley of Royal Enfield's charm

Benelli Imperiale 400

The Benelli Imperiale 400 is yet another motorcycle that one can look at, if in the market for an entry modern classic motorcycle. The Imperiale 400 in silver is now priced at Rs. 189,799 while the red and black coloured variants are priced at Rs. 193,976. All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi. It continues to sport a modern-classic design with the round headlight, tear-drop shaped fuel tank. The bike gets 41 mm telescopic front forks and preload adjustable dual shocks at the rear. The bike rides on spoked wheels with a 19-inch front and 18-inch rear combination and gets disc brakes on both wheels, with standard dual-channel ABS. The Benelli Imperiale 400 is powered by a 374 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine which makes 20.71 bhp at 6,000 rpm and 29 Nm of peak torque at 3,500 rpm.

The Jawa Perak is the most affordable factory custom bobber available on sale in India right now. It offers a completely unique flavour in this segment of motorcycles.

Jawa Perak

The Jawa Perak offers a completely different flavour in the segment, and is India's most affordable factory custom bobber. It has lovely stripped back bobber styling and is definitely nothing like any of the other rivals in the segment. The Jawa Perak is powered by a 334 cc, single-cylinder, SOHC, fuel-injected engine which makes 30 bhp of maximum power and 33 Nm of peak torque. The Perak is priced at Rs. 1.94 lakh (Ex-showroom).