Author Topic: RE Meteor 350 vs. "the competition"  (Read 9037 times)

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axman88

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on: November 18, 2020, 05:02:42 pm
In an anticipatory thread for the RE Meteor, I marveled on how close its specs seems to be to the new Honda H'ness 350.

         RE Meteor J 350                       Honda H'ness CB350
               349 cc, single-cylinder           348.36 cc, single-cylinder,
               20.2 PS                                21.0 PS
               72 mm x 85.8                       70.3 x 90
               air / oil cooled                       air cooled
               counterbalance shaft             counterbalance shaft
               5 speed trans                         5 speed trans

Here the two are in some friendly competition, comparing roll-on acceleration in every gear.  These two look very well matched to me, with the Honda having the advantage in 1-3, while its taller gearing in 4th and 5th seem to place it at somewhat of a disadvantage in the high gears.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FBzOyt9wjw

I don't see much advantage to the existence of another ratio in these bikes.  They both seem to run out of steam above around 100kph and top out about 120 - 125 kph, and taking quite some time to get there.  With the torque band, starting low and continuing rather flatly right up until the limiter kicks in that I recall seeing, the presence of another, intermediate ratio wouldn't seem to serve much purpose.  I wonder if it might not be possible to reach the power-limited top speed in 4th gear, without hitting the rev. limiter?  I look forward to publication of the ratios, and illustrations and videos of the engine innards.

US riders would likely find this performance lacking, as the bulk of our expressway traffic in some areas will be traveling 120kph or faster.  It does however, appear to be quite adequate for Indian highways.  I cringe every time I see a U-tube video like this, with riders lingering stationary on the side of a highway, in what for americans would be the fast lane, or performing a "speed test" on a road with pedestrians and animals.  On the other hand, I can't argue with what appears to be a lot of personal freedom.  Do the police in India even have patrol cars?


AzCal Retred

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Reply #1 on: November 19, 2020, 07:03:03 am
A 6 speed is useful in more vertical terrain. You aren't stuck in a specific gear at a specific speed when on an uphill. The Bullet base 4 speed many times determines your road speed. Often it can't make the jump to the next ratio on a slope, so you either chuff along at the speed it's comfortable at on that slope or buzz the bejesus out of it. That's why the 5 speed is a popular upgrade. Modeling the 350/500? after the 650 and leaving out the 6 speed gearbox is false economy. Even the lowly Jawa 350 has a 6 speed box.
A trifecta of Pre-Unit Bullets: a Red Deluxe 500, a Green Standard 500, and a Black ES 350.


AzCal Retred

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Reply #2 on: November 19, 2020, 04:25:18 pm
Recent First Ride reviews -

Nov 19, 2020
https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/first-ride-review-the-royal-enfield-meteor-350-needs-no-excuses-9030061.html

Nov 19, 2020
https://www.drivespark.com/two-wheelers/2020/royal-enfield-meteor-350-review-video-first-ride-impressions-details-032849.html

Nov 13 2020 - Royal Enfield to Bring Meteor 350 Cruiser to US in 2021
https://www.cycleworld.com/story/bikes/2021-royal-enfield-meteor-350-first-look/

>>>  In the US, the Meteor will be available in three trims: the Fireball, the blacked-out base configuration; the Stellar, which features a passenger backrest; and the Supernova, which features the passenger backrest and a windscreen. Each trim features additional variations in styling. Royal Enfield has been making headway in the US market lately, so it’s great to see it continue to expand its product lineup. The Meteor 350′s closest competition is the Honda Rebel 300, which retails at $4,599, so we’d imagine the Royal Enfield will come in significantly below that. Expect it to land in US dealerships in the spring of 2021. <<<

( so maybe we're looking at a $3999.95 new bike? $3599.95??  - ACR - )
« Last Edit: November 19, 2020, 04:37:40 pm by AzCal Retred »
A trifecta of Pre-Unit Bullets: a Red Deluxe 500, a Green Standard 500, and a Black ES 350.


AzCal Retred

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Reply #3 on: November 21, 2020, 03:13:02 am
More Comparo Info -

RE Meteor 350 Vs Honda CB350 Vs RE Classic 350 Vs Jawa Vs Imperiale 400 | Spec Comparo | ZigWheels
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnXBXA_TLiQ&feature=push-fr&attr_tag=A-qv4g6SOEnmroLP%3A6

>>>  There’s no denying it: when it comes to classic motorcycles in India, the name Royal Enfield Classic 350 absolutely rules the roost. More recently though, the Classic 350’s reign has been challenged by the likes of the Benelli Imperiale 400, the Jawa and the Honda H’ness CB350. Royal Enfield’s answer to this growing competition is the all-new Meteor 350, a replacement for the Thunderbird 350 X built on a completely new and modern platform. So while we will have a full-blown comparison coming up soon, this time let’s see how the new Meteor stacks up against all of these bikes... on paper.  <<<


2020 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 vs Jawa vs Benelli Imperiale 400 : Vintage Bike Wars | evo India
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aggk6P-jPkc
>>>  We’ve established the fact that the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is a brilliant machine. It’s comfortable, refined and brimming with character. But can it hold its own the company of the sporty Jawa and classic Benelli Imperiale 400 ? Find out in this comprehensive 2020 Meteor 350 comparison video which also features the 0-100kmph figures of the three neo retros. <<<

And NOW for something completely different...
All New Royal Enfield 2020 METEOR 350 II Off-Roading II POW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hETgT3_Romc
>>> So this is the first offroading test of All-New Meteor 350. So if you are thinking about this bike to buy so watch all videos created by me on meteor 350. I have created a dedicated playlist for this Bike, Royal Enfield Meteor350 <<<

Next week - Electraglides on Ice!!  :o
« Last Edit: November 21, 2020, 03:30:13 am by AzCal Retred »
A trifecta of Pre-Unit Bullets: a Red Deluxe 500, a Green Standard 500, and a Black ES 350.


oldphart

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Reply #4 on: November 21, 2020, 05:18:18 am
They're listed on the Australia website so we must be getting them at some point (no price, no date).

One thing that's go me interested is why they felt the need for a completely new motor considering they've already got the Himalayan motor - just resleeve it down if you want smaller capacity, retune it if you want it to work differently.
Grandpa Slow

2021 Classic 500


AzCal Retred

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Reply #5 on: November 21, 2020, 05:49:54 am
IMHO I think they deliberately made it look more like the 650 power plant. It also seems to have more meat in the cases around the cylinder, so a 500 might appear in the line up via bigger bore and different balancer assembly. The Himalayan motor needed a longer crank stroke to get to 500cc, Hitchcocks only took it to 460 with a bore job. The Meteor was an opportunity to homologate the line, capitalize on the 650's success, minimize parts. - ACR -
A trifecta of Pre-Unit Bullets: a Red Deluxe 500, a Green Standard 500, and a Black ES 350.


Arschloch

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Reply #6 on: November 21, 2020, 07:49:13 am
@AzCal, now that makes lot of sense what you said. The only thing might be that the styling of the new engine, call it retro, vintage, classic, whatever....may not look that great in a Himalayan chassis, but maybe they may rework it down the line and lean it optically on a Bullet Trails.


AzCal Retred

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Reply #7 on: November 21, 2020, 04:57:49 pm
A dual purpose needs to function offroad first & foremost, they already have a great street bike. The Himalayan frame is well proven and won't try to hurt you offroad. The Trials is just a street bike with knobbies - "the best there was when it was all there was". It'll be interesting to see if the new motor shows up as a 500 or maybe 535 Himalayan. A useful sales feature might be to offer the 500 with a weight shedding aluminum frame. A production line frame wouldn't increase cost that much. Capitalize on the novelty of the new and ask $6500 - $7000 for the privilege of being the first kid on the block to be a proud owner, eh?
A trifecta of Pre-Unit Bullets: a Red Deluxe 500, a Green Standard 500, and a Black ES 350.


Arschloch

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Reply #8 on: November 21, 2020, 06:32:10 pm
I don't see this happening. The Himalayan and the engine with it's 411 cc's is built to target the large market of the already available large segment of the top notch 450cc endures and deliver an slight alternative more leaned back view to off roading/off road touring. But that's just my opinion, will have to wait and see what pops up.


Arschloch

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Reply #9 on: November 22, 2020, 08:37:59 am
A production line frame wouldn't increase cost that much. Capitalize on the novelty of the new and ask $6500 - $7000 for the privilege of being the first kid on the block to be a proud owner, eh?

Selling pride?  8)  Gay pride?  ;D

You can have my Fireball 535, costs only 1.000.000 US$.
« Last Edit: November 22, 2020, 08:43:02 am by derottone »


AzCal Retred

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Reply #10 on: November 22, 2020, 09:57:56 am
$1 USD dollar? Worth every penny!! ;)

Sadly it doesn't have any user friendly points or valves to adjust. You even have to tear the entire engine apart to get to the transmission guts. Waaay to new-fangled, too many gear ratios!   ;D ;D ;D
A trifecta of Pre-Unit Bullets: a Red Deluxe 500, a Green Standard 500, and a Black ES 350.


Arschloch

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Reply #11 on: November 22, 2020, 10:40:54 am
 8)...1 and 6 zeros. You underestimate the historical implications and the milestones it set. Worth every cent.  :)


AzCal Retred

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Reply #12 on: November 22, 2020, 05:21:08 pm
One million = 1,000,000.00
One dollar = $1.00, "period".... ;D
A trifecta of Pre-Unit Bullets: a Red Deluxe 500, a Green Standard 500, and a Black ES 350.


Arschloch

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Reply #13 on: November 22, 2020, 06:23:26 pm
One million = 1,000,000.00
One dollar = $1.00, "period".... ;D

That's what must be the root cause to the Year 2000 bug.

Anyway, I live on the continent, Euros are fine for the time being. Just don't show up on day before they cancel the currency.  ;)

One million = 1.000.000,00
One euro = 1,00 €
« Last Edit: November 22, 2020, 06:26:44 pm by derottone »


AzCal Retred

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Reply #14 on: November 22, 2020, 06:41:25 pm
Ahhh, the old "Two nations separated by a common language" thing. We'll always be able to barter roots & dried fish though.
A trifecta of Pre-Unit Bullets: a Red Deluxe 500, a Green Standard 500, and a Black ES 350.