Battle of the roadsters: proper old-school classic vs modern neo-retro
Confused between the Hunter 350 and Yamaha XSR 155? Here's how these two different yet similar bikes stack up against each other, and which one could be the right pick for you:
Design
The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 follows a modern classic roadster design but with a modern twist. It looks simple, has a muscular tank, and a compact tail section. It recently got 3 new colours as well.
The Yamaha XSR, on the other hand, takes a neo-retro approach. It gets a round LED headlight, minimalist bodywork, and cleaner lines. The overall styling is more distinctive and modern.
Engine
The Hunter is powered by a 349cc air-cooled engine producing 20.2PS, 27Nm, and that's shared with other bikes like the Royal Enfield Classic 350. It's tuned for strong low-end torque, making it easy to ride in the city with minimal gear shifts. It feels relaxed and comfortable, but not very exciting at higher speeds.
The XSR 155 gets a 155cc liquid-cooled engine making 18.4PS and 14.2Nm, shared with the Yamaha R15 V4 and Yamaha MT-15 V2. It offers a rev-happy nature with strong top-end performance, making it more engaging for spirited riding.
Comfort
The Royal Enfield bike offers an upright and relaxed riding posture with a low 790mm seat height, making it accessible for most riders. The seat is wide and comfortable for both rider and pillion, especially for city use.
The XSR 155 has a slightly sportier stance with the handlebar being further away and lower, also a taller 810mm seat height. While it is manageable due to its narrow profile, the pillion comfort is limited and not ideal for long rides.
Features
The Hunter 350 keeps things relatively simple with a semi-digital console, USB charging, and optional Tripper navigation. The base two models get single-channel ABS, while the rest of the lineup gets dual-channel ABS.
The Yamaha bike offers more features including traction control, all-LED lighting, smartphone connectivity, though it misses out on navigation. Dual-channel ABS is standard across all variants.
Price
Royal Enfield Hunter 350 | Colour / variant price | Yamaha XSR 155 | Colour / variant price |
Factory Black | Rs 1,37,640 | Metallic Blue | Rs 1,49,990 |
Tarmac Black | Rs 1,49,900 | Vivid Red | Rs 1,52,990 |
Graphite Grey / Rio white / Dapper Grey | Rs 1,65,133 | Metallic Grey | Rs 1,56,990 |
Rebel Blue / London Red / Tokyo Black / Mumbai Yellow / Moonshot White | Rs 1,69,804 | Metallic Black / Greyish Green Metallic |
BikeDekho Says
The Hunter is ideal for riders looking for a comfortable, easy-going city bike with strong road presence and affordability. If you prioritise comfort and ease of riding, go for the Hunter.
The XSR suits riders who want a lightweight and sporty bike with better performance and handling. If you want performance and modern dynamics, the XSR155 is the better choice.