[GSS]

Didn’t think that I would be buying a 350 but decided to get one after all the rave reviews. As always, Marty at GoMoto in Minneapolis is amongst the best and most dedicated RE dealers around….bike was ready to go at the front door.

First impressions devoid of all the social media influences and freebie magazine sales pitches…..

1. Fit and finish is excellent….very nice compared to the previous RE 410s, 500s and 535s, and clearly a bit better than the 650s…..very similar to current bikes manufactured by the mainstream Japanese companies.

2. Other than the metal fuel tank, the side panels, mudguards, throttle body covers etc. are all plastic but well made.

3. Nice idle sound.

4. Engine smoothness is no different than a 410, maybe a bit lumpier but in all objectivity this was my first 50 miles on an unbroken engine at under 50 mph. The twin 650 is (as expected) way smoother.  The media hype suggested a Tesla like smoothness 

5. Gear shifting is more precise than the 650s and 410s

6. Bike is larger than expected and the first few miles were very comfortable (6 ft tall), but the seats were terribly uncomfortable for the lower back after 25 miles, and for a mere couple of hundred bucks RE will sell you less terrible seats.

7. Why BROWN seats on a blue bike?

8. Navigator paired up easily but the app requires your DOB and phone number…..this privacy intrusion was disappointing.

9. LED tail/brake light is good. Nice color and intensity.

10. Lovely instrument cluster with blue numbers that match the blue bike

Overall a nice little bike that seems well made.  Ride and handling is good….almost a touch too nimble at slow speeds.

The interceptor 650 still remains my favorite after minor handlebar and footpeg relocation, and a better aftermarket seat.  Thanks.

GSS

[Dexter]

Thanks for the report. When you speak of the "engine smoothness", are you meaning there is a noticeable vibration in the bike, whether through the bars, footpegs, etc.?

How is the performance of the windshield?

Re the seat, yes the brown seat doesn't make a lot of sense on any Supernova model, except for the Supernova Brown model.

I've only seen a Stellar model in the flesh, so far, but the size of the bike is more "substantial" than I was expecting for a 350CC engined machine. Kinda explains the 421 pound weight, but I like it.

Please post your opinion of the touring seat option, should you choose to order one, but yours is the first complaint I have seen in numerous video reviews, regarding the seat comfort. It certainly has to be more comfortable that the stock Interceptor seat, right?

[GSS]

The engine is excellent….absolutely no excessive vibrations anywhere….I was mostly commenting on the social media excitement over a smooth engine….I still like the good old vibrations in the old bullets and UCEs.

There is no windshield on the US supernova….apparently did not meet standards from what I could gather. Ideally they could have honored their commitment by including a DOT approved aftermarket windshield.

The stock seat felt way more comfortable initially than any other RE seat, but definitely was tough on the lower back after 25-30 miles. One ride isn’t enough for a definitive opinion but am still going to try the black touring seats so that I can get away from the brown color as well. The interceptor seat was definitely tough on the rear end….on my second aftermarket non-RE seat now.

Overall a very nice product from RE…I love the size…wouldn’t have bought it if it was less substantial.

[Dexter]

There is no windshield on the US supernova….apparently did not meet standards from what I could gather. Ideally they could have honored their commitment by including a DOT approved aftermarket windshield.

Thank you for your further comments. Good to get some first hand knowledge of these things before my Stellar arrives.

Well, I'd be severely pissed if I had ordered the Supernova and it came without the windshield! My original thought was to get the Supernova Brown model, but the dealer is not expecting any Supernovas at all, hence my Stellar Blue choice now.

However, the explanation you were given sounds very plausible, as I wanted to order the shield here in Vancouver and the parts guy says RE North America does not and will not be stocking it, which surprised me, but he did say the same thing about "standards" at the time.

Instead, I have ordered one through Hitchcock's, via the same dealer and expect it to arrive sometime this week, before I even have the bike! I hope customs doesn't inspect these things for such regulations!

I may order the seat as well, if your experience proves to be the same for me. I've been truly well spoiled by the very expensive Russell Day Long seat on my ST1100, which literally allows me to ride 10 - 12 hours (with a food and fuel stop) with nary a twinge in my butt.

Cheers!

[Retro Rider]

Interesting that you found the seat disappointing. I’ve spent several hours straight on mine and never a bother - could be the height difference - heck could be anything - no two people are alike! That blue is really very sharp!

All the best - it’ll put a smile on with every ride. I think the value for the $$ is spot on.

[Dexter]

Interesting that you found the seat disappointing. I’ve spent several hours straight on mine and never a bother - could be the height difference - heck could be anything - no two people are alike! That blue is really very sharp!

All the best - it’ll put a smile on with every ride. I think the value for the $$ is spot on.

Since you already have a Meteor, maybe this is a question you can answer. Somewhere else on this forum, I saw mention of "no valves to adjust". Does the Meteor actually  have hydraulic valves? That would be nice!

[Dexter]

Since you already have a Meteor, maybe this is a question you can answer. Somewhere else on this forum, I saw mention of "no valves to adjust". Does the Meteor actually  have hydraulic valves? That would be nice!

Never mind. Brain fart. Of course it doesn't have hydraulic lifters with the OHC.  DOHHHHH! 

[GSS]

Inspect and adjust tappets….stated in owners manual.

Bike has zero storage space to carry anything….I was barely able to squeeze the insurance card next to the tool kit in the minuscule slot. RE meanwhile recommends carrying a spare spark plug, accelerator and clutch cables 

Not sure why they couldn’t have made the seats removable like the Himalayan and 650s and left some storage room underneath.

[Flexranger]

Thanks for the great report. Have you had any difficulties with insurance quotations in the Uk for the Meteor 350 as its a new bike? On Lexham seem to be the only company to  offer quotes and they seem expensive. I would love to hear from your experience.

[Dexter]

Thanks for the great report. Have you had any difficulties with insurance quotations in the Uk for the Meteor 350 as its a new bike? On Lexham seem to be the only company to  offer quotes and they seem expensive. I would love to hear from your experience.

GSS lives in the USA, so won't have an answer for you, however, I'm curious if the Supernovas are being delivered with the windshield over there, as North American models aren't, due to not getting a DOT approval - yet.

[Carlsberg Wordsworth]

Thanks for the great report. Have you had any difficulties with insurance quotations in the Uk for the Meteor 350 as its a new bike? On Lexham seem to be the only company to  offer quotes and they seem expensive. I would love to hear from your experience.

I'd need to cancel my current policy and take a new one if I want to insure the Meteor. Now, so I don't lose out on any no claims, this has been one of the reasons for delaying a potential order until my current one runs out. The quote I got was around £50 more expensive than my Bullet. I've not looked at UK comparison sites to see if it has been added in the last couple of months.

GSS lives in the USA, so won't have an answer for you, however, I'm curious if the Supernovas are being delivered with the windshield over there, as North American models aren't, due to not getting a DOT approval - yet.

I'll try to find out for you, I've not read anything to suggest that it doesn't over here. I have to admit though, it would be that smart looking little black screen for me regardless. Larger screens have never worked out for me. Good one day, crap the next.

[GSS]

It took less than 2 minutes for the insurance company rep to add the meteor…..a lot different than a decade ago when I had to spell out Royal Enfield, and repeat the VIN three times 

[re-rider]

I picked up my Blue supernova on the 3rd September, have only covered 180 mile so far but what a pleasure. I've returned to biking after a lapse of 10 yrs, but in my 69 years I have owned countless different bikes, and the finish on the Meteor I put up there with the likes of BMW and Honda. Well done RE! I added Octagon crass bars and a sump guard to mine, and hope to ditch the back rest and replace with Fireball grab rails in the future. Whilst surfing the web on Indian bike sites I have seen a nice rear package rack that replaces the passenger(Pillion) seat, which I am trying to see if I can get one sent to England. But, all in all though I really like the Meteor, and the riders seat is a doddle for my fat arse. The other good thing about the Meteor is that it refuses to pass Cafes, which I wouldn't have purchased if it did. Safe riding M8