Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs TVS Ronin: Battle Of The Retro Roadsters

Do any of them have the potential to actually excite us enthusiasts?

• At Rs 1.49,900, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is stupendously priced. 
• TVS, on the other hand, has priced the Ronin at a rather pricey Rs 1,49,000 onwards
• Both adopt a neo-retro approach when it comes to design as well. 

The motorcycle market in India has been growing quickly, but the prices have also been increasing rapidly. To tackle this problem, manufacturers are focusing on making their products more affordable, especially in the lifestyle segment.

Royal Enfield recently introduced the Hunter 350 to attract a broader range of customers and make their brand more accessible. On the other hand, TVS entered this profitable segment with the Ronin. Both brands are targeting the same audience, but their approach and product positioning are different. So, which motorcycle should you choose? Are they distinct from each other? We have the answer for you.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs TVS Ronin: Design & Features

The Hunter motorcycle has a simple and attractive design, with well-proportioned features and no complicated or strange-looking details. On the other hand, the Ronin catches attention with its funky LED headlamp and gold USD fork, but it appears larger when compared to the Hunter.

The Ronin's larger appearance is mainly due to its taller, wider, and uniquely shaped fuel tank. It also has a thicker upside-down front suspension fork and a wider seat. In contrast, the Hunter is lower and slimmer, making it more appealing to newer or smaller riders who may feel less confident. However, existing Royal Enfield fans may not appreciate its petite dimensions.

While the Ronin looks larger, it has some peculiar design elements, such as the oversized chain cover that resembles a belt-drive system on a cruiser motorcycle. When viewed from the other side, its unnecessary size becomes evident. The Ronin also lacks real off-road capabilities, despite having blocky pattern tires. However, it does offer adjustable levers, stylish mirrors, funky LED indicators, and a cool-looking LED strip brake lamp.

Although the Hunter is relatively small compared to other Royal Enfield models, it is well-suited for most riders, and the riding position is comfortable and easy to adapt to. It has a sportier riding position with slightly rear-set footpegs and a slight lean towards the handlebar.

In comparison, it is the Ronin that provides a more traditional Royal Enfield riding experience. It resembles the Classic 350 in terms of foot placement, with forward-set feet and an upright seating position. The Ronin's seat is also wider and softer, offering an overall more comfortable riding position.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs TVS Ronin: Engines

Both the Ronin and the Hunter motorcycles are designed to perform well in urban areas, and their engines prioritize delivering ample low-end performance.

The TVS Ronin features a new 225.9cc, four-valve, oil-cooled engine that produces approximately 20 horsepower and 20 Newton meters of torque. The notable aspect is that the Ronin achieves its peak torque at just 3,750 revolutions per minute (rpm), which is even lower than the Enfield.

On the other hand, the Hunter utilizes the same 350cc engine found in the Classic and Meteor models, with identical gearing and power output. However, the Hunter's engine is tuned slightly differently, resulting in a slightly more aggressive sound from its shorter exhaust pipe. In terms of power, the Hunter is almost on par with the Ronin, but its larger engine can generate a higher torque figure.

While there are similarities in power delivery, the engines differ significantly in sound and feel. The Ronin's engine revs smoothly and emits a lively exhaust note, which is what you would typically expect from a TVS engine. In contrast, the Hunter’s engine has a distinct slow, thumpy beat at low revs, although it smoothes out as the RPMs increase. Interestingly, at higher RPMs, the Enfield engine actually produces less vibration than the TVS engine. In terms of the 5-speed gearboxes, once again, the Hunter offers crisper and more precise shifts.

The TVS engine has shorter gear ratios, allowing you to often ride in one or two gears higher than the Hunter. However, it tends to sound and feel like it's revving quite high once you surpass 80 kilometers per hour (kph). While neither of these motorcycles is intended for high-speed riding, the Hunter provides a more relaxed experience when cruising at speeds of 90-100 kph.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs TVS Ronin: Suspension, Brakes & Tyres

The Hunter has a front fork that is soft and not well-damped when it bounces back up after compressing. The twin rear shocks are very firm and come with the minimum amount of preloading from the factory. This can be uncomfortable, especially for lighter riders, especially if you ride on bad roads. On the other hand, the Ronin has a 41mm upside-down fork and a monoshock set-up that feels smooth and comfortable.

Some people online have expressed concern about the Hunter’s 150mm ground clearance, but we haven't experienced any issues with it so far, even when carrying a passenger. In fact, the firm shocks on the Hunter might actually help in this area. Neither bike provides excellent comfort for passengers, but the Ronin's seat, grab rail, and foot peg placement are slightly better than the Hunter's.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs TVS Ronin: Dimensions

The Ronin has a very easy clutch to use and its slipper clutch helps prevent the wheels from slipping. In comparison, the Ronin is also lighter than the Hunter by almost 20 kilograms, even though the Hunter is already the lightest bike you can buy from this company. You can definitely feel the difference when riding them, but to be fair, the Hunter is still easy to handle and steer. Both bikes have seats that are lower than 800mm, which makes it easier for riders. 

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 vs TVS Ronin: Prices

The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 comes in three different versions: Factory (Black & Silver), Dapper (Grey, Ash & White), and Rebel (Red, Black & Blue). The Factory colors are priced at Rs 1,49,900, the mid-range Dapper colors cost Rs 1,69,656, and the top-end Rebel colors are priced at Rs 1,74,655 (all prices are for ex-showroom Delhi).

The TVS Ronin is available in three variants as well. The single-tone variant is priced at Rs 1,49,000, the dual-tone variant is priced at Rs 1,56,500, and both of these variants come with single-channel ABS. The top-of-the-line triple-tone variant is priced at Rs 1,68,750 and it has dual-channel ABS (all prices are for ex-showroom Delhi).

Verdict

We really enjoy the Hunter bike. It has a more distinctive engine and it looks better too. Owning a Royal Enfield bike also comes with a sense of pride. However, when it comes to value for money and overall riding experience in our circumstances, there's no denying that the Ronin is the superior option. In our opinion, the Ronin is the better bike in this comparison.