I have had motorcycles all my life, since I passed my test in 1965 on a Lambretta LD150. Since then I’ve had Triumphs. Nortons, Hondas, Royal Enfields, a Kawasaki, and a BMW. I still have the BMW.
My main two wheeler now is my Suzuki Address 110. Maybe it’s because I have always had bigger bikes, that I keep looking at other bikes that I would like. The Royal Enfield Hunter is the main contender.
But, I don’t know why! I keep reading glowing reports of the Hunter but when I analyse them I can’t help comparing it to my wee Suzuki scooter.
- Owners say it is light. But the Suzuki is a little over half of it’s weight (98Kg vs 181Kg)
- Owners say it is frugal. But the Suzuki is even more so (110mpg vs 85mpg)
- Owners say it is most comfortable between 45, and 55mph. This is the Suzuki’s cruising speed too.
- Owner say it can manage 70mph. OK, the Suzuki is really only good for 60mph.
- The Hunter has no luggage space as standard. The Suzuki has a big under seat storage space, and comes with a rack which
- takes my 45 litre topbox (which I have had for decades). It can also carry bags on the footplate.
- I live in Cornwall. Not many roads are good for speeds over 60, and traffic mostly goes around 30-50. Some rural roads are very narrow and have grass growing down the middle.
I don’t think a Royal Enfield Huntr is going to make it into my garage.
Update: April 2025:- Honda now have a 350 single.
Doing the comparison above
- Owners say it is light. But the Suzuki is a little over half of it’s weight (98Kg vs 178g)
- Owners say it is frugal. But the Suzuki is even more so (110mpg vs 94mpg)
- Owners say it is most comfortable around 60mph . Thats around 10mph faster than the Suzuki.
- Owner say it can manage 80mph. OK, the Suzuki is really only good for 60mph.
- The Honda has no luggage space as standard. The Suzuki has a big under seat storage space, and comes with a rack which takes my 45 litre topbox (which I have had for decades). It can also carry bags on the footplate.
Better than the RE, but not enough to make me change. I have a BMW R65 sitting in the garage waiting for me to get an MOT. Let’ try the comparison:-
- It is slightly heavier than the Honda or RE at 207Kg
- It is not frugal. 50mpg is about normal
- It is most comfortable around 60-70mph . Thats faster than either of the 350s..
- It can manage 95mph. Much faster than either of the 350s
- The BMW has two large panniers, each one can take a full face helmet. It also has toolboxes under the seat and at the rear of the seat.
- The Suzuki has a big under seat storage space, and comes with a rack which takes my 45 litre topbox (which I have had for decades). It can also carry bags on the footplate.
The only reason I would change the BMW for the Honda would be the weight. But I don’t think it’s going to happen.
