The Royal Enfield Hunter, as the bike is speculated to be named, has been spied several times in the recent past in camouflaged form. However, a couple of pictures of the production version of the motorcycle have been leaked online by Bikewale. The new pictures indicate how the motorcycle will finally look once it hits the showroom floors.
These front and rear three-quarter images hint that the new Royal Enfield Hunter will have a neo-retro roadster design theme, which makes it look like a scaled-down version of the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. This design theme makes it look more modern and contemporary than the Classic 350, with which it will be sharing its platform and engine.
Talking about the design of the Royal Enfield Hunter, the motorcycle will get a rounded halogen headlamp and turn indicators, which are encased in blacked-out housings. Even the tail lamps and rear turn indicators are rounded halogen units mounted on the chopped-styled rear fender, behind the rider’s seat.
The pictures also reveal that the Hunter will be getting blacked-out multi-spoke alloy wheels, rounded rear view mirrors, front fork gaiters and engine. There is a hint that the Hunter will be getting a single-pod instrument console, which is expected to be the same part-digital unit available in the Meteor 350. The rounded fuel tank and side body panels with rounded edges complete the motorcycle’s minimalist appeal.
J-Series platform
The new Royal Enfield Hunter will be sharing its four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled, 349cc J-Series engine, which first debuted in the Meteor 350 and later on became available in the Classic 350. Coupled with a 5-speed gearbox, this engine produces a maximum power output of 20 bhp and a peak torque output of 27 Nm. Even the suspension and brake units are expected to be retained from the other Meteor and Classic, with the former having a sportier setup for a nimbler riding feel.
Given its comparatively minimalist appeal, the new Royal Enfield Hunter will be positioned below the Classic 350 and Meteor 350 but above the bare-basic Bullet 350. Like the Classic 350 and Meteor 350, the Hunter might receive multiple variants, which will differ based on colour options. The motorcycle is set to arrive at the Royal Enfield showrooms before August and is projected as a direct rival to the new-age retro roadsters like Honda H’ness CB350, Jawa 42 and Yezdi Roadster.
Keyword: Royal Enfield Hunter leaked online before official launch