The Perfect Budget Cruiser For A First-Time Shopper

By Pune Media On Apr 30, 2025

You are ready to think about buying your first new bike, and think you’d like to go with the cruiser model family. With so many base models and variations from which to choose, knowing which features you need can be a little overwhelming. It sounds simple, but if you don’t know, you don’t know, and probably can’t even imagine some of the things that will turn out to be important later. There may be more American-style cruisers being made elsewhere now than at any point in history, and Royal Enfield gets in on the action with its

Meteor 350
.

Originally a British marque, the factory is headquartered in Chennai, India, with dealerships around the world. Many of its models reflect its British ancestry, but not the Meteor 350, which looks more like an older Harley-Davidson Sportster than anything. Brands from abroad don’t always get it right, that American-style cruiser look, especially on a scaled-down machine, but not Royal Enfield. The factory manages to nail the target look, but with a small-displacement engine that is non-threatening to new riders, and low sticker-shock for buyers on a budget. Base MSRP for the U.S. is $4,699.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Royal Enfield and Honda. The information and specs given are current as of the time of this writing.

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Classic Charm Meets Modern Simplicity

Royal Enfield’s 349 cc thumper blends British-inspired design with beginner-friendly engineering

Royal Enfield

Royal Enfield powers its

Meteor
with a charming little thumper that displays clear British DNA in its outward appearance with its vertical air-cooled jug, old-school engine side covers, and post-unit engine that shares a common casting with the transmission. This makes for a compact drivetrain that can be plugged in as an assembly with no fiddly alignment procedures required.

Classic cooling fins take care of most of the waste heat dissipation, but this engine also comes with an oil-cooler for an extra layer of protection. That engine water jacket will also attenuate some of the noise from inside the cases for quieter operation. It’s a long-stroke mill with a 72 mm bore and 85.8 mm stroke for a 349 cc total displacement and a mild, 9.5-to-1 compression ratio that will tolerate low-octane fuel just fine. A five-speed transmission and chain-type final drive complete the drivetrain.

Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Engine And Performance Specifications

Engine	Single-cylinder
Displacement	349 cc
Compression	9.5 : 1
Power	20.2 HP @ 6,100 RPM
Torque	19.9 LB-FT @ 4,000 RPM
Transmission	5-speed, wet clutch
Top Speed	75 MPH, limited

Solid Bones, Smooth Ride

A strong steel frame, premium suspension, and dual-channel ABS

Tubular-steel members on the Meteor 350 make up the double-downtube/ dual-cradle backbone skeleton that’s self-supporting with no need to use the engine as a stressed member. The yoke-style swingarm uses a rectangular cross-section for strength to complete the standing structure. A set of telescopic, hydraulically-dampened forks float the front end on 5.11 inches of travel opposite coil-over shocks that come with a six-position spring-preload setting, giving you a cushy ride without being mushy.

Cast-alloy rims run a thin-spoke design meant to limit inertial and gyroscopic forces, and they happen to be rather spiffy looking. As for brakes, a single 300 mm front disc and twin-piston caliper handle most of the stopping effort with a 270 mm disc and single-pot anchor out back. A dual-channel

ABS
feature comes stock. It will be eager enough in the corners, but will be a tad tender to crosswinds and the like, especially at interstate speeds, which is pretty much the top end this bike can handle.

Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Chassis And Suspension Specifications

Frame	Double downtube/ cradle
Front Suspension	41 mm forks
Rear Suspension	Coil-over shocks
Wheels	Cast alloy
Front Tire	100/90-19
Rear Tire	140/70-17
Front Brake	300 mm disc, twin piston caliper
Rear Brake	270 mm disc, single piston caliper

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Sportster Vibes, Cruiser Comfort

With classic elements, the Meteor nails the cruiser look

We said the Meteor was

Sportster
like, and we stick by that. The fenders are neither bobbed nor too full, but just right for the build, with plenty of protection where you want it. The teardrop tank is reminiscent of the tank used on some of the 1,200 cc Custom models from the

Evolution lineup
, and it comes with a choice between chrome badging and plain script depending on which of the ten colorways you choose. Some of those paint packages are really nice too, with something for everyone it seems.

The flange-style tank joins with the scoop seat with a hop back up to the pillion pad for that classic cruiser flyline. Folding footpegs and beefy J.C. handles complete the passenger’s amenities. A low seat and short-pullback handlebar join with foot controls that almost qualify as forward controls for a relaxed rider’s triangle and comfy posture. This makes it easy to find the ground when you need to put your feet down.

Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Design Specifications And Dimensions

Length	84.25 inches
Width	33.3 inches
Height	44.88 inches
Seat Height	30.12 inches
Wheelbase	55.12 inches
Ground Clearance	6.7 inches
Fuel Capacity	3.96 gallons
Curb Weight	421 lbs

The Meteor’s Alternative Stablemate: The Classic 350

The Meteor 350 has an old-school sibling that really reaches back in history for design inspiration in the aptly-named Classic 350 model. If the Meteor isn’t quite what you wanted, the Classic might tick all your boxes. This version still looks Sportster-ish in its proportions, but more like an Ironhead-powered model that came and went before the

Evolution engine
came on the scene. Full fenders run with old-school braces meant to support the weight and prevent warping.

The fuel tank is the same shape as the Meteor 350, but some of the colorways come with the classic knee pads on the tank Bonneville style. Covers hide the upper fork tubes with a combination speedo/headlight housing up top in either black or color-matched paint, depending on package choice. The engine and drivetrain are identical to the Meteor, and it rolls for $4,499 MSRP.

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Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Rival: The Honda Rebel 300

Offers a modern take on the cruiser, but lacks the Meteor’s character

Honda recently revamped its aging original Rebel line with an all-new ground-up rebuild meant to carry the torch into the 2020s and beyond, and the

Rebel 300
looks like a good competitor for the Meteor 350. Mid-size sheet metal lends it a sporty look without taking things too far, but it’s the tall tank and its precipitous fall to the solo saddle that gives the new Rebels that crucial cruiser connection.

An exposed Trellis frame adds an element of the industrial to the mix, which goes well with the overall modernization efforts. Power comes from a 286 cc liquid-cooled mill with 25 horsepower and 17.6 pound-feet of torque in a trade-off between power and grunt, but with no clear advantage either way. Honda loses on color, big time, with a choice between black, black, and black on the palette. MSRP starts at $4,849.

Meteor 350 Vs Rebel 300 Engine And Performance Specifications

Model	Meteor 350	Rebel 300
Engine	Single-cylinder	Single-cylinder
Displacement	349 cc	286 cc
Compression	9.5 : 1	10.7 : 1
Power	20.2 HP @ 6,100 RPM	25 HP
Torque	19.9 LB-FT @ 4,000 RPM	17.6 LB-FT
Transmission	5-speed, wet clutch	6-speed, slipper clutch
Top Speed	75 MPH, Limited	85 MPH

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