ROYAL ENFIELD METEOR 350 (BS6)

According to me, the year 2020 is not going that bad actually. As ROYAL ENFIELD has launched it’s all new 350cc motorcycle, which comes under J-platform. As the RE Thunderbird 350, and 350X got discontinued, this year 2020 RE finally got a substitute of this Cruiser the all new RE Meteor 350.

Now if we talk about it’s engine, then it is a J-type engine which is powered by an all-new 349cc air-cooled SOHC 2-valve motor with fuel-injection. The engine produces 20.4PS at 6100rpm and 27Nm at 4000rpm, and it comes with a 5-speed transmission. Well I wasn’t expecting that it comes only with 5speed transmission. The engine is counterbalanced for optimum refinement, which is a first for a 350cc Royal Enfield. The engine nestles inside a double downtube split cradle frame linked to a 41mm telescopic front fork and twin 6-stage preload-adjustable emulsion shock absorbers at the rear. The brakes comes with 300mm front disc and a 270mm rear disc unit with dual-channel ABS as standard. At 191kg kerb, the Meteor 350 is 6kg lighter than it’s sibling, the RE Thunderbird 350x.

This machine now gets a semi-digital instrument cluster with smartphone compatibility which is associated with GOOGLE. The secondary pod houses the display for the turn-by-turn navigation, which is a first for a Royal Enfield. Details like the speed, tripmeter, odometer readings, gear position are shown in the main pod. There’s also a USB port on the left switchgear and a dedicated hazard lamp switch on the right switchgear which is the most required systems. As now we talk about it’s safety, the it’s safety is concerned, the bike gets a dual-channel ABS as standard. The bike rolls on a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear alloy wheel along with tubeless 100-section front and 140-section rear tubeless tyres which should also help in handling punctures much better than tubed ones.

Engine	Single-Cylinder, 4 Stroke, Air-Oil Cooled Engine
Displacement	349cc
Emission Type	BS 6
ABS	Dual Channel
Max Torque	27 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Max Power	20.4 PS @ 6100 rpm
No. Of Cylinders	1
Ignition	EFI
Transmission	Manual 5-Gears
Drive Type	Chain Drive
Fuel Type	Petrol
Fuel Tank Capacity	15litre
Chassis	Twin Downtube Spine Frame
Suspension	Front: Telescopic, 41 mm forks Rear: Twin tube emulsion Shock absorbers with 6-step adjustable preload
Disc Brakes	Front: 300mm Rear: 270mm
Length x Breadth x Height	2170 x 810 x 1120mm

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 looks a lot similar to it’s sibling, the Thunderbird 350X. This cruiser gets an easy-to-reach handlebar and forward-set footpegs, which almost gives the vibes of Harley Davidson to ensure a laidback riding stance. The round halogen headlamp gets LED DRL for a slightly more modern look. The tear-drop shaped fuel tank flows cohesively into the low split-seat setup. Though it looks almost similar to it’s sibling. So while taking a test ride on it, I didn’t find much difference than Thunderbird. But now its more smoother than it’s sibling and it produces less vibrations at higher rpm. Also now it’s top variant gets a windshield which helps to reduce windblast in the highway. Rounding off the retro appeal is the circular LED tail lamp.

Now let’s come to it’s price, this cruiser comes with 3 variants:

1.Fireball (Base Variant) – Rs1,75,186

2.Stellar (Mid Variant) – Rs1,81,327

3.Supernova (Top Variant) – Rs1,90,509

Now the best part that I love the most is that, that it comes with more and more color options i.e. 7color options according to it’s model variants, Fireball Yellow, Fireball Red, Stellar Red, Stellar Black, Stellar Blue, Supernova Brown and Supernova Blue.

After the launch of this cruiser, Honda, Benelli, Jawa, and more will get a very tough competition. As Royal Enfield is a well known and a very popular brand for cruisers and almost ruling the country since 1955. Well I’m well satisfied this motorcycle. Well done ROYAL ENFIELD!

KTM ADVENTURE 250 (BS6)

KTM Adventure 250, an adventure touring machine for which people have been waiting for many months. Now this machine is the younger sibling of Adventure 390. It gets almost same features of ADV390, except few features as it costs almost 50k less than 390.

So if we talk about it’s engine, it comes with 248cc single cylinder DOHC BS6 compliant engine. And it generates 30PS power at 9000rpm and a peak torque 24Nm at 7250rpm. As it gets same engine of DUKE 250. So there is not so difference in case of it’s performance. It’s more fuel efficient than DUKE250.

It comes with 6speed manual transmission gear box. If we talk about it’s chassis then it gets Steel Split Trellis Frame, Powder Coated. Also it gets WP upside-down telescopic front suspension, and a WP mono-shock rear suspension. So while going through of-roads you won’t gonna feel uncomfortable as it’s made only touring purpose.

In case of it’s electronics, it gets the same 5.0inch TFT instrument cluster and a slipper-clutch like ADV 390. But there are few features are missing such as Cornering ABS, bi-directional quickshifter, traction control and few more. Also it gets a halogen headlamp instead of LED headlamp. But both ADV 390 and 250 delivers same mileage i.e upto 35-40kmpl.

Now let’s talk about its braking, the ADV 250 comes with dual disc brakes with dual channel ABS. This motorcycle is not so aggressive as compared to DUKE 250 thought they both have same engines. As this motorcycle is especially made for touring purpose.

Emission Type:	BS6
Engine Displ.:	248.8 cc
No Of Cylinders:	1
Max Torque:	24 Nm
Max Power:	30 PS
Top Speed:	NA
ABS:	Dual Channel
Head Lamp:	Halogen Lamp with DRL
Emission Standard:	BS6
Clutch:	PASC antihopping clutch, mechanically operated
Transmission:	6speed gear
Brakes:	Front: 320mm Rear: 230mm
Suspension:	Front: WP APEX 43 Rear: WP APEX Monoshock

This motorcycle is expected to be launched by the end of 2020 or early 2021. This motorcycle will get numerous of it’s rivals in the 200cc category such as BAJAJ Dominar 250, HERO XPulse200, Kawasaki Versys X300, and so on. So let’s see will this motorcycle be able to make it’s place in the India market?

Now, if we discuss about it’s price, the price of this motorcycle is to be expected approximately 2.5lacs (Official price has not disclosed yet). And it’s available in two colors Orange and Black.

HERO XPULSE 200 (BS6)

So, here comes the sibling of HERO Impulse 150, the HERO XPulse 200. Which comes with even more power and aggressiveness. It’s a pure off-roading machine.

Now as we all know the engine was updated to BS6 the power got decreased in every motorcycles. But this machine won’t make you feel regret if you get this motorcycle for offroading or adventure riding. This motorcycle comes with 199.6cc single cyclinder air-cooled, BS6 compliant engine. The new engine figures out of 18.08PS and 16.45Nm are 0.32PS and 0.65Nm which is lower than BS4 model. Not only does the engine get a chunky cat-con now but also an oil cooler. The XPulse comes with great improvement in the underpinnings over the old HERO Impulse. This bike comes with tubular diamond frame and it is suspended by 37mm conventional telescopic fork and seven-step preload-adjustable monoshock. Now if you’re looking this bike for touring purpose, then this bike will be a good choice as it comes with 13litre tank capacity, but it’s not better, coz this bike offers you single channel ABS. It comes with dual disc brakes in front (276mm Single Petal disc with single channel ABS) and rear (220mm Petal disc) respectively. So while touring in the monsoon on the highway, then while applying instant brakes the front brake will provide you an excellent braking, but the rear brake will skid on the slippery road. If you gained a great experience for touring then it will be quite easy for you to tour on this motorcycle. But if you’re new then it’s better to gain some good experience on this motorcycle and then you could be able to tour on this motorcycle.

But if you’re a serious off-roading guy, then dude this machine is obly made for you. All you need to upgrade this motorcycle with aftermarket off roading set, which will cost you around 40-45k. As it is an off-roading machine you’ll ground clearance of 220mm. So while doing off-roading or hill climbing you don’t have to worry about hitting on the rocks.

In my personal opinion, I’m not a fan of HERO motorcycles. As it always produces low displacement and powered motorcycles. But when I rode this motorcycle for the first, my whole theory on HERO motorcycles gone wrong. This motorcycle gave me an intense shock when I accelerated it for the first time, the 18.08PS horsepower pulls the motorcycle like a freaking rocket. Now, to be honest I love this off-roading adventure motorcycle and I would like to appreciate HERO motorcorp for making such a great adventure motorcycle.

Engine:	199.6 cc
Emission Type:	BS6
Power:	18.08 PS @ 8500 rpm
Mileage:	40 Kmpl
Gears:	5 Speed
ABS:	Single Channel
Bore x Stroke:	66.5mm x 57.5mm
Wheels:	Spoke
Tyre:	Tube
Seat Height:	823 mm
Frame Type:	Tubular Diamond
Kerb Weight:	157 kg
Engine:	199 CC
Colors:	White , Sports Red, Matte Grey, Panther Black
Brakes:	Front – 276mm Rear – 220mm
Suspension:	Front – Telescopic with double DU bush Rear -10 step adjustable monoshock
Tank Capacity:	13litre
L x B x H:	2222mm x 870mm x 1258mm

Now this motorcycle comes with the price range of Rs1.13lac ex-showroom Guwahati (Prices may vary in different cities). HERO XPulse 200 will be a great competitor of the other adventure motorcycles such as KTM ADV390 and Royal Enfield Himalayan and so on. This motorcycle comes with 5 different colours – White, Matte Green, Panther Black, Sports Red, Matte Grey.