The Royal Enfield Classic 350 has a cult fan following around the world, America included. It’s an affordable, old-school, and thumpy cruiser that gets you from point A to B without the complexities of modern-day motorcycles. While this makes it perfect for many of you, some people (us included) prefer a little more spice in life.

Enter the 2023 Hunter 350–Royal Enfield’s newest offering in America. Though based on the Classic platform, the Hunter promises to be a more peculiar product–with a pinch of sportiness–and intends to make the entry into the RE world a tad easier on the pocket. But which one is for whom? And more importantly, which is the wiser pick? Well, allow us to explain just that.

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Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs Classic 350 - Which Has Better Performance?

Royal Enfield Being ridden across country
Royal Enfield
Side-view of a Royal Enfield Classic 350 riding countryside

Both motorcycles employ Royal Enfield’s new J-series single-cylinder engine that displaces 349 cubic centimeters. It produces 20.2 horsepower and 19.9 pound-feet, all sent to the rear wheel via a five-speed transmission. Pretty simple, right? Well, not exactly. You see, the Hunter 350 has the upper hand here, thanks to its enormous 30-pound advantage over the Classic. This gives it a better power-to-weight ratio, which, coupled with its tweaked power delivery, makes it faster off the line. To claw back some points, however, it’s the Classic 350 that has the better fuel efficiency of about 97.7mpg at city speeds–roughly three more than the Hunter. Neither will feel relaxed at freeway speeds (~70mph), though.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs Classic 350 - Which Will Ride Better?

Red 2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 doing a burnout
Royal Enfield
Rebel Red 2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 in a pack doing a burnout

Like the engine, there are many similarities here. Both motorcycles employ the same suspension (41 mm telescopic forks and twin shocks), chassis (twin downtube), and brakes (300 mm front and 270 mm rear disc with ByBre calipers). But, the difference is in the details. For starters, the Hunter has a sharper rake and trail than the Classic, alongside a shorter wheelbase. You also get 17-inch wheels here, unlike the Classic’s 19/18-inch setup. Together with its lower weight, these will make the Hunter swifter and more sure-footed in the city as well as the twisties. Whereas the longer wheelbase will make the cruiser more highway-friendly, as it should be.

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To talk comfort, the Classic 350 has a comfier riding triangle than the Hunter. And it’s not exactly a surprise, given its taller handlebar, scooped saddle, and comparatively forward-set footrests than the Hunter. What comes as a surprise, however, is the Classic’s higher ground clearance, which is uncharacteristic for a cruiser.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs Classic 350 - Which Looks Better?

Royal Enfield 350 Classic with a horse in a field
Royal Enfield
A red and chrome Royal Enfield Classic 350 standing with wildlife 

Design is a subjective affair, so this is for you to decide. But according to us, the Hunter 350 takes the cake here. The all-black mechanicals, indented fuel tank, and alloy wheels create a stylish Triumph Speed Twin-like neo-retro aesthetic, with better attention to detail than the chrome-laden Classic. Yes, we know you can have these alloy wheels and blacked-out mechanicals on the cruiser too, but they come at a higher MSRP. If you dig chrome and want more color options, however, the Classic is undeniably the way to go. It comes in Halycon Black, Halycon Green, Halycon Grey, Dark Gunmetal Grey, Dark Stealth Black, Signals Marsh Grey, Signals Desert Sand, Chrome Red, and Chrome Bronze, compared to the Hunter’s Dapper White, Dapper Grey, Dapper Ash, Rebel Black, Rebel Blue, and Rebel Red options.

Once you hop aboard the motorcycles, the Hunter again offers a better experience. This is thanks to its new instrument cluster with concentric digital and analog readouts, which feels superior to the Classic’s comparatively basic digi-analog setup. The former also boasts tubeless tires as standard–a big plus if you ever encounter a puncture.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs Classic 350 - Verdict

Blue 2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 on the kickstand
Royal Enfield
Rebel Blue 2023 Royal Enfield Hunter 350 at the curb on the kickstand.

Finally, let’s talk price. The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 has debuted in America at $3,999, which makes it $600 cheaper than the Classic 350. This might not be a huge price difference, but we believe it seals the deal for the Hunter as a good commuter at an easy-on-the-pocket price. Heck, you can even opt for the fancier Rebel color options (priced at $4,199), throw in some official RE accessories, and still save money over the cruiser. However, there’s no denying the Classic 350 is crazy good value with heaps of swagger–if a no-frills cruiser is your top priority. Not to mention, RE also has the Meteor 350 on sale, which basically offers the best of both worlds, albeit at a $4,699 MSRP. So which one will you take home? Let us know in the comments!