Here’s to 120 years of keeping it simple
Everybody wants to win the heritage war, including Royal Enfield, who claim they’re the oldest motorcycle marque out there in continuous production – since 1901. Does it matter that about half those years were in India? I guess it shouldn’t. Do car manufacturers battle it out to be the oldest?
Never mind. With the introduction of the really excellent GT650 and Interceptor 650 twin-cylinder bikes in 2018, Royal Enfield’s quality quotient rose by approximately a quantum leap. And now, Head of Product Strategy and Industrial Design Mark Wells, says the new Meteor 350 is the next big step forward. Ever since RE bought the UK’s legendary Harris Performance, the Indian/English collaboration has been strong. The Meteor 350 is the latest fruit of the symbiotic relationship between Royal Enfield’s UK Technology Center in Leicestershire, and RE’s sprawling new plant in Chennai, India. In another bid to keep up with the American Joneses, RE USA is also upgrading its Milwaukee HQ/museum, and planning a bunch of get-togethers for its people. We’re told there are now 140 RE dealers in the US, and 14 in Canada.
Anyway, the Meteor 350 is an all-new motorcycle that keeps it simple, air-cooled, and inexpensive. But with just enough tech to get by in the modern marketplace, including a balancer shaft for smooth running and turn-by-turn navigation in its own “Tripper Pod” instrumentation.
Royal Enfield Press Release
METEOR 350 TO ARRIVE AT NORTH AMERICAN DEALERS349cc single-cylinder Meteor available in May Milwaukee, Wis (Wednesday, April 6, 2021) — The Royal Enfield Meteor 350, announced in late 2020, is set to debut at Royal Enfield dealerships across North America. Drawing on Royal Enfield’s rich history, the middleweight Meteor revives the iconic name given to its predecessor, which was released in the 1950s. The Meteor 350 will be priced at $4,399. |
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The Meteor 350 is a new design built from the ground up, created by designers and engineers based at Royal Enfield’s two state-of-the-art technical centers, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and Bruntingthorpe, UK.
With a fuel-injected 349cc air-oil-cooled single-cylinder engine, the Meteor generates 20.2 bhp and 19 lb- ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Designed with a balancer shaft, the new platform gives a smooth and well- mannered riding experience, while retaining Royal Enfield’s “thump.” The Meteor 350 also features a twin downtube spline frame, a seat height of 30.1 inches and a curb weight of 421 pounds, making it an approachable and fun motorcycle for nearly any rider. “The Meteor 350 is a perfect balance of fun and style for any rider,” said Breeann Poland, Marketing and Communications Lead-Americas. “Riders will have the opportunity to choose the Meteor 350 in three model trims: the Fireball, the Stellar and the Supernova, each with its own unique personality and styling. The Meteor displays Royal Enfield’s commitment to our global position as the leader in the middleweight segment, offering a diverse lineup of motorcycles to all riders.” 
Fireball in Yellow, $4,399 The Meteor 350 will be available in eight color variations. The Fireball will be available with blacked-out trim pieces and pinstripe wheels, while the Meteor 350 Stellar will offer a passenger backrest. 
Stellar in Blue, $4,499 The Supernova will offer both a windscreen and a passenger backrest. A constant-mesh five-speed gearbox and multi-plate wet clutch handle shifting duties and deliver a smooth, linear feel to the rider. The Meteor 350’s 19-inch front alloy wheel features a 100/90-19 57P CEAT tubeless tire, while the rear is equipped with a 17-inch 140/70-17 66P CEAT tubeless tire. The Meteor 350 comes standard with telescopic 41mm front forks and twin emulsion adjustable rear shocks, with six-step preload settings to adjust ride characteristics. |
Supernova in Brown, $4599 Making its debut on the Meteor 350 is the new TBT (Turn-By-Turn) navigation pod, known as the Royal Enfield Tripper, a navigation display device for real time directions, built within the Google Maps Platform. The Tripper displays the best route to reach a destination using Google Maps’ navigation. Paired via the Royal Enfield App to the rider’s smartphone, the Tripper is simplicity itself, clearly and efficiently giving the required level of information whilst remaining unintrusive.
A full line of Genuine Motorcycle Accessories will be available to further customize the Meteor 350 depending on the rider’s preferences, including parts such as windscreens, backrests, larger foot pegs and more. The Meteor 350 is set to arrive at dealerships in May. For more information, visit your local Royal Enfield dealer or www.royalenfield.com. |
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About Royal Enfield The oldest motorcycle company in continuous production in the world, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield has created the mid-size motorcycle segment in India with its unique and distinctive modern classic motorcycles. With its manufacturing base in Chennai, India, Royal Enfield has been able to grow its production rapidly against a surge in demand for its motorcycles. Royal Enfield is a leading player in the global middleweight motorcycle market. |
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