The all-new 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is a small-displacement cruiser that packs a moderately modern punch while dressed in charming, classic styling. At a relatively low $4,599 MSRP this Enfield is easy on the wallet and its pleasant ride is a reminder to the escape of motorcycling.

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Royal Enfield centers the Meteor around a 349cc air/oil-cooled single cylinder engine for its traditional feel. As part of our testing structure, we ran the 350 on our in-house Dynojet 250i dyno, recording horsepower and torque measurements. This electronically fuel-injected, lightweight cruiser produced a very modest 17.9 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 18.2 pound-feet at 2,800 rpm at the rear wheel. Real-world power delivery is gentle and steady as it chugs along toward its maximum 70-75 mph top speed. An added boost of power would be gladly welcomed here, especially considering the safety factor of having extra roll-on power to squeeze through traffic. Advice: Stick to the slow lane and cruise! Regardless, the equipped balance shaft does an excellent job minimizing engine vibration at any speed.

Light clutch pull and a well-spaced, five-speed transmission complements the single’s pleasant power delivery, proving particularly rider friendly in the tight confines of urban riding. The Meteor 350 is fitted with a heel/toe shift lever as standard equipment, which takes some adaptation for riders accustomed to a traditional setup. A measured 29.7-inch seat height means easy flat-foot contact for this 5-foot-7-inch tester, while relaxed ergonomics boost comfort and ease of use—a nice touch for less experienced riders.

Tight dimensions, a measured 421-pound wet weight, 55.1 inch wheelbase, and a low center of gravity make for a neutral ride with great straight line stability. The 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel combination helps here, while adding to the traditional classic cruiser aesthetics. To add to that, a nonadjustable 41mm telescopic fork and preload-adjustable twin-tube emulsion shocks offer an awesome balance of small-bump compliance and big-hit support for the imperfections found on southern California tarmac.

The unimpressive braking performance is a reminder that the Meteor 350 isn’t made as a sporting machine. Brought to a halt via a single two-piston caliper clamping to a 300mm disc up front and single-piston caliper with a 270mm disc at the rear, the 350 recorded a measured 159 ft. 60-to-0 stopping distance. For reference, similar sized machines record in the low 140 foot range. Poor lever feel worsens the problem by limiting the understanding of brake pressure to the rider. The combination robs confidence in tricky situations, and might not be attractive to beginner riders.

Still, Enfield engineers packed a modern punch to the Meteor in the form of the Tripper navigation function found on the right side of the instrument cluster. Tripper is powered by Google Maps, pairing via Bluetooth with the Royal Enfield mobile app for turn-by-turn directions. Simplistic design makes for easy navigation and connection to the motorcycle, ultimately adding a welcomed 21st century feature to this budget-friendly model. An analog tachometer and small LCD display also display relevant information.

The 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is a pleasant ride in a budget-conscious package, but leaves engine and braking performance to be desired. Added grunt and stopping power would make the 350 more attractive in every riding scenario while adding a degree of safety useful to every rider. Regardless, the Enfield is a peaceful ride with a no-rush attitude that acts as a reminder to the simplicity of motorcycling.

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Videography/edit: Bert Beltran

Photography: Jeff Allen

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