BREAKING: 2025 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 Launched - A Comfier City Slicker

Quick News Highlights:

• Prices start at Rs 1,76,750 (ex-showroom Chennai)

• It gets three new colours and an LED headlight

• The rear suspension has been revised

Royal Enfield has officially launched the 2025 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 at Rs 1,76,750 (ex-showroom Chennai). The updated version of Royal Enfield’s most affordable motorcycle was launched at the HunterHood festival today that was held in Mumbai and Delhi. The update brings several key upgrades like a much needed overhaul to the rear suspension, new colours, a slipper clutch, revised seat cushion, a new handlebar, and an LED headlight.

Pricing

The new prices for the updated Royal Enfield Hunter 350 are between Rs Rs 1,76,750 to Rs 1,81,750 (ex-showroom Chennai). Note that the updates apply only to the mid and top variants whereas the base Retro variant remains unchanged (but is now considered as a 2025 model). As a consequence, the price of the base variant has remained the same, which is pretty impressive considering it has remained unchanged ever since it was launched back in August 2022.

Should Be Comfier Than Before

The most crucial update that this bike needed was a revision to its rear twin-shock suspension setup. The previous iteration of the Hunter faced criticism for its stiff rear shock absorbers which were generally uncomfortable except on perfect, smoothly laid tarmac - which we know is rarer than diamonds in our country. The updated model now gets more progressively wound springs at the back - which are claimed to offer a more comfortable riding experience than before. While the change is promising, the efficiency of the suspension in the real-world still needs to be tested by us to give a more definitive verdict. 

The ground clearance has also increased by 10mm to 160mm possibly due to the new rear suspension. The handlebar has also been re-profiled, as some people complained about the previous version being placed too forward, and having to stretch their hands unnaturally. Additionally, the seat cushioning has also been replaced with a more comfortable one. Other components like the telescopic fork, disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS on all variants except the base - also stay the same. Notably, these changes only apply to the mid and top-variants of the bike, the base model continues with the previous hardware.

Haute Couture

The updated Hunter 350 introduces three new colour options: Rio White, Tokyo Black, and London Red. Rest of the bike’s plastic body panels like both the mudguards and side panels still remain painted black as before. So, basically only the fuel tank is painted, and complementing it are the matching rim stickers on the black alloy wheels.

The Rio White comes under the Metro variant, whereas the Tokyo Black and London Red are under the Metro Rebel variant. We feel the London Red doesn’t really capture the essence of the British city all that well (considering they’ve named it after the city). Perhaps a livery of the Union Jack would’ve been more appropriate to umm, ‘triumph’ over the hearts of the enthusiasts.  

Getting To The Digital Age

The Hunter finally falls in line with the rest of the bikes in the Royal Enfield stable - it now gets the same LED headlight that made its debut on the Himalayan 450, and is literally present on every other Royal Enfield bike currently - well, except the Bullet 350. Along with the new headlight, it also gets a fast charging USB type-C. and Tripper Navigation pod - all on the Metro, as well as Metro Rebel variants.

Slipper Clutch Finally

The 2025 Hunter 350 retains its tried-and-tested 349cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine that is shared with the Bullet 350, Meteor 350, Goan Classic 350, and of course the Classic 350. It makes 20.48PS at 6,100rpm, 27Nm at 4,000rpm, and is paired to a five-speed gearbox. The bike finally receives a slip-and-assist clutch with the gearbox this time around, but not for the base Retro variant. We found the top-end Hunter to have an unusually heavy clutch, so now the assist function should make it friendlier to ride.

ZigSays

The updated Hunter 350 introduces an important update that addresses the main pain point (quite literally) that the bike was bugged with since its launch - the uncomfortable ride quality. Instead of simply updating the rear suspension and calling it a day, Royal Enfield made a holistic change to the motorcycle by updating the handlebar as well as the seat.

Along with it, the LED headlight and the new colours are also a welcome addition to the bike. Even with the price hike, the Hunter still remains the most affordable Royal Enfield bike currently on sale. Even though it may have the tag of being the ‘cheapest’ Royal Enfield bike, it’s evident that the brand takes this product very seriously. Afterall, it has the potential to rope in new audiences which is crucial to a brand that does not simply sell a product, but an idea of a lifestyle. We will have more insights about the motorcycle once we get our hands on the bike for a first ride.