Should I consider the Meteor 350 or the new Classic 350.
BHPian puntra800 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
I am a 33-year-old currently riding a modest Bajaj Pulsar 150 for more than 12 years now. Currently, I am in a dilemma, I have always wanted a Royal Enfield from my college days but considering my physique (I am 5′ 6″ but still I don’t feel out of place on a Pulsar) I always shied away from even going to the showroom to check them out and over years other priorities took over and the desire was parked somewhere in the dark corner of my grey matter.
Now since my bike is reaching the 15-year mark I wanted to change it and the dormant devil woke up again now with double the vengeance (fuelled by my better half, she is also a big RE fan). My brain on the other hand started working exactly in the opposite direction of my heart just telling me to think logically.
- My riding pattern, I prefer 2 wheels over 4 wheels for short drives but when it comes to long drives I refrain from touching 2 wheelers just for safety reasons (Even if I drive safely I do not trust others on the highways) so in other words its mostly going to be a city use vehicle with occasional long drives.
- The little boss, I have a little one now and if I take her on a 2-wheeler even for 10 km, I am pretty sure I am going to get a sound lecture from both parents and the parents-in-law.
- The uncle feels, as I am growing old my role as luggage bearer and transporter is becoming more. A scooter makes more sense in this case. Easy storage easy moving around for groceries and veggies.
- The demon called traffic, since the usage is majorly in the city and I stay pretty close to the metro line I doubt I will be taking it for a longer distance within the city as well, courtesy namma Bengaluru city traffic.
All the above points seem logical but then again there is this famous dialogue in Tamil “Inga enna solludhu” (In a literal sense, what is the heart saying) and the heart says “RE, RE, RE”.
Requesting BHPians for their suggestions as people say different perspectives matter.
Also, If I go for a RE would it make more sense to go for a Meteor or the Classic? If I sway away from RE which would make an ideal replacement for my humble Pulsar.
Here’s what BHPian shankar.balan had to say on the matter:
Follow your heart. You only live once. Watch that old Hindi movie Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and take inspiration.
You’re only 33, you have a long enjoyable life ahead of you God Willing. You deserve to chase your own happiness and if RE makes you happy and you can afford it why ever not? Go for it!
Here’s what BHPian ranjitnair77 had to say on the matter:
Given your usage pattern, it’s likely that your RE will gather dust in your parking. It’s just not meant for short, congested commutes. And here’s the thing with most material possessions: Once you have it, it starts to steadily lose value. The thrill is almost always in the chase, not in ownership.
But then again, your heart has been beating for an RE for many years. It might just awaken the rider in you, given the active RE rider ecosystem. In case you find yourself not using it, you will have no issues in selling it off with minimal financial impact. You should just go get yourself a Classic 350.
Here’s what BHPian GreyNomad had to say on the matter:
I bought my first RE (BS4 C350) when I was 35yrs old. Same as you, always dreamt of one but at 5’6” and 63kgs was a bit intimidated by it. I too owned a Pulsar 150 for 10 years but was hardly using it. Once I got the RE, I started on the beautiful journey of motorcycling. And it’s not just about riding. It’s about the holistic experience. Knowing the bike, ‘feeling’ it, personalising it, growing more comfortable with it. And then you start the real riding – increasing the distance slowly, finding and settling into a rhythm where you and the bike become one. That’s the real joy! If the heart wants it, the heart will show you the way to use the bike more often.
I am on my second RE now – the Interceptor650. My 8yr old daughter and I go for 10-15 km rides on the Inty – a ritual that’s slowly but surely becoming ‘our thing’. These are usually weekly errand rides with breakfast or light snacks thrown in. She talks about growing up fast so that she can get her own RE and do father-daughter longer rides!
You want a RE because you have always desired it and can now finally afford to indulge in it. Get it and let it become a part of you. The minor details will take care of themselves.
From a practicality PoV the Hunter is the best suited, from a ‘feels’ PoV, the Classic is unmatched. TD all and take a call on which. But get one and you’ll never look back!
Keyword: Should I buy a Royal Enfield? Upgrading from a 12-year-old Pulsar 150