I am the owner of the actual bike Micheal reviewed in this video. I am in my 60s and have been riding bikes for over 40 years. I have just returned to biking after an accident 6 years ago. This was the perfect bike to help me get my confidence back and I ride it as often as possible - it's a very satisfying little motorcycle. I expect I will buy a larger bike next year (my last bike was a 1450cc Harley), but hope to have enough room to be able to keep this Meteor. Had I seen this review before I bought the bike, I would have got to the bike shop even sooner!
I recently bought a meteor 350. The fireball version in Yellow and I love it. As you said, it is the first motorcycle in a long time that gives me back that feeling of true motorcycling. Relax and deeply enjoy the ride because of the ride, not because of the speed or acceleration. Have had a lot of bikes and the nervosity of the other bikes, just because of the lack of power isn't noticeable in this bike. Hardly more power than a 125cc but it gives me the feeling riding a heavy cc bike. And that thanks to the fine engine culture. Low in rpm, "high" in torque. Unbelievable that it could be yours for such a low price but a pretty high finishing standard. Love it
I bought one pretty much for the reasons you concluded at the end..having had 40 odd bikes over a 45year riding career I wanted comfort , good looks, simplicity, back to basics and since I ride the country routes around Northumberland and the Scottish borders the Enfield is perfect after a few tweaks and is capable of riding anywhere at a leisurely pace , with a gentle thrum from the somewhat over- silenced exhaust and it's a very de-stressing experience and I'm a very proud owner indeed! It's just not a bike for those in a hurry!
@@michaelmam I'm not enjoying winter😂but the bike is beautiful the riding position sublime and would I like 10more hp at the back wheel..of course but all that stuff will become available over the next few years from speed restrictor deletes to big bore and high compression kits, ohlins shocks , Vance & Hines pipe etc etc once they have been around long enough..they may even use the 450 watercooled motor ..40hp would be fabulous and like the bullet , efi etc they will be around for many years with specials already appearing in India..It has a great finish and is well put together and I can't wait for the spring & summer warmth! Great video!
@@stevied6286 I have been there! I bought an Interceptor and 18 months later it is 865, cam , exhausts, gas flowed etc etc 😂. I did enjoy the Meteor. Very relaxing to ride..
@@Chris-kh2fm funnily enough I just watched their excellent video about some of their planned parts..great that a bike part developer 20 mins from my home is working on cool stuff for my bike..cheers Chris
I ordered the 2022 Meteor in black. I've had many bikes over the last 30 years, but this will be my first NEW bike! It should arrive in March. Can't wait!!! Thank you for the good and candid review.
Nice honest review Michael, and thank you for it. Here in Australia mine is due to arrive next week. I'm 68 yeas old and feel like a kid counting down the days to Christmas ..lol.. I guess that's what bikes can do to you. I'm on the Gold Coast and the winter temp will soon be plunging to 22c so might have to wrap up a bit :P I only just found your channel and glad I did. Stay safe and upright so you can post plenty more !
At 78 & wanting an option to join or replace my Goldwing at 900 lbs. found this a top candidate. Extremely comfortable seating and would have to only adjust to its power limitations. Love the looks and the price with the warranty is a steal in my mind. Your review was spot on and nailed me as a prospective buyer. Well done!
Thanks for this informative and well presented review. It summarises all the reasons I ordered a Meteor last week, and I’m looking forward to getting it sometime soon.😀
I hope you have more luck than me. I ordered at the end of October with an ETA of before Christmas but still waiting. Though I have heard they seem to come in in batches not according to orders so you wait longer for a popular colour.
@@seankearney6915 I ordered mine (Supernova, brown) two weeks ago (on 5 Jan) and had a call from the dealer today (Balmer Lawn, my local RE dealer, close to Southampton) with the good news that the bike will be delivered towards the end of next week. Hopefully that will prove to be true ….
@@petersimpson4211 That's good. Perhaps I should have done that. I have relatives in Portsmouth. I am dealing with Preston Motorcycles. Though it's all through the save importer. I think the yellow Fireball is more popular than expected. I think they pre-ordered more of the Stellar and Super Nova models.
@@seankearney6915 Yes, it could be something to do with the obvious popularity of the yellow Fireball. Before I ordered my Supernova I contacted several RE dealers to check delivery times and they all gave me pretty vague answers, one even suggesting I may have to wait for up to 16 weeks. So I was a bit suspicious when my local dealer suggested 2-3 weeks. But the info on the delivery I received today apparently came directly from the RE importer, so hopefully this is correct. Hope yours will turn up soon too. 😀
Very kind . Thank you . As you know I have been making these for about 10 months and have quietly been working on improving the quality of filming , light , sound , photos and editing . Stuart Hall has been helping me with the later and has camera equipment that makes my bikes look value for money 😂 Thank you for noticing and commenting 👍
I think that you summarised it very well, and didn't fall into the trap of saying its great for new riders, which so many other reviews have, I have a stellar blue and I enjoy the simplicity and easy of riding it, OK its not fast, but the smile per miles factor is big 😊
Thanks Michael…..great review of this wonderful little Meteor…..I definitely get it why folk like it and RE as a manufacturer. RE are definitely in it for the long run as they are making some terrific bikes for all tastes in the retro market. Can’t wait to see your review of the new RE Shotgun when Kings two wheel centre get one in. I’m sure they’ll be delighted to let you have a little go on one. Well I hope they do when they get one. Nice chatting on messenger btw. At least I’m not barred from RUclips yet! 😉
100% agree with your assessment, and would imagine there would be a great 2nd hand market for them in the years ahead. RE do have their finger on the market, save for a Speed twin/RS900 offering, but I assume their focus is on the Indian market..... maybe one day
I would be surprised if RE didn’t have half an eye on the bigger market . Clearly the bulk of worldwide sales is in smaller bikes but the mature markets do like bigger bikes . I guess it will depend on whether they can do so quickly enough and whilst the environmental regulations are viable ?
Very enjoyable and informative review! Yes, count me as yet one more of those "veteran" riders (50+yrs!) who is ready for something smaller and simpler than the Victory Kingpin and other big-dog bikes I've owned. (Your insight into the market is far better than most reviewers.) With any luck, I'll have a Fireball Yellow Meteor next week!
I'm going for a test ride on 23 April from a local dealer. I'm 70 and ride a Can Am Spyder RTS. I need to get back on 2 wheels and your review has gotten me motivated. I just don't need the Can Am (which is nothing but luxurious). I've had them all but am ready to relax 😌 😎
@@michaelmam I really enjoyed the ride! I would of course adjust the preload in the tear shocks. It handled nice and we got to 70mph on the highway. Might could go to 75? It handled very well. In town I would rarely need to use 5th gear. The instrumentation was at a perfect angle for me. I would buy one in a heartbeat.
I've removed the rear pillion seat and installed a tail pack..I'm also having the seat reworked to be 2 inches longer and 1 inch higher to support my big arse better, along with a gel pad . I'm happy to say this is the last bike I'll be owning after 40- something previous bikes all with their own positives and negatives..the long distance comfort is being improved to make the bike a perfect package for me. The installation of a DNA filter cover dramatically improved the rideability of the bike and whilst you will never be blasting out of bends it's roll on power is fantastic in the right conditions and it makes a great noise!! Thoroughly recommended way to de-stress
I love the look and the seating position of the meteor, the only reason I haven’t ordered one is I’m a little bit dubious of the low power and would prefer it to have the option of a bigger engine, (either single or twin)…..
If they made it as a 500 I'd trade my classic EFI,. I just want that little bit more power to be able to overtake other vehicles a bit easier. I love the style of it, seems daft they can't make some with a bigger barrel. I was interested that you said you got 75 mpg, others have said 107 mpg,. I get 94 mpg on my classic.
thank's for that very informative video, it's very much like my own opinion of the bike having had a test ride so when the weather gets better i may even buy one, cheers.
You mention the low power output but nobody seems to take in to account the euro 5 crap it is lumbered with ,I personally think it does well ,the British 350 s of the fifties and sixties managed around 16/17 bhp without all that emissions junk.
Great review, am seriously thinking of one to get back into riding after 30 odd years. I'm short in the leg length, how did you find it, with the saddle height?
Hi I bought one in January. I'm 64 and have been biking for almost 50 years. It's really gentle and forgiving. It just putters along. I made the mistake of getting the touring screen which I can't get on with, I'm 5.8" and I get lots of wind noise and buffeting over around 35 mph. I've done around 250 miles and it has its first service at 310 miles which will need the tappets doing as it's got a bit noisy. Overall a good not great bike.
A very fair review - we're similar in age and experience (we've chatted elsewhere), and I have 5 other bikes up to 800cc. I bought this for comfort, and having a damaged left foot, the heel and toe change. Yes 5 or 10 hp more would be nice, 5 may be available with some tweaks I suppose, but it is a pleasure to ride provided you're not in a hurry. It always provokes comment wherever I go, and all, note all comments have been positive. This is not like an old school Enfield at all really, it is in another league.
I was going to say that would look good with the rear seat removed and frame chopped but went and looked on RE's site and found they have already done it and called it the Classic, just needs the 650 twin in it now. 👌
I am the owner of the actual bike Micheal reviewed in this video. I am in my 60s and have been riding bikes for over 40 years. I have just returned to biking after an accident 6 years ago. This was the perfect bike to help me get my confidence back and I ride it as often as possible - it's a very satisfying little motorcycle. I expect I will buy a larger bike next year (my last bike was a 1450cc Harley), but hope to have enough room to be able to keep this Meteor. Had I seen this review before I bought the bike, I would have got to the bike shop even sooner!
Its a great little bike Dave . I was impressed with how much fun it was and easy to ride . Perfect for a return to motorcycling . Have fun 👍
I recently bought a meteor 350. The fireball version in Yellow and I love it. As you said, it is the first motorcycle in a long time that gives me back that feeling of true motorcycling. Relax and deeply enjoy the ride because of the ride, not because of the speed or acceleration. Have had a lot of bikes and the nervosity of the other bikes, just because of the lack of power isn't noticeable in this bike. Hardly more power than a 125cc but it gives me the feeling riding a heavy cc bike. And that thanks to the fine engine culture. Low in rpm, "high" in torque.
Unbelievable that it could be yours for such a low price but a pretty high finishing standard.
Love it
I'm loving my Stellar Meteor 350 Royal Enfield. I bought a 0 km motorcycle, and I am really satisfied. All my weekends, it's nice.
I bought one pretty much for the reasons you concluded at the end..having had 40 odd bikes over a 45year riding career I wanted comfort , good looks, simplicity, back to basics and since I ride the country routes around Northumberland and the Scottish borders the Enfield is perfect after a few tweaks and is capable of riding anywhere at a leisurely pace , with a gentle thrum from the somewhat over- silenced exhaust and it's a very de-stressing experience and I'm a very proud owner indeed! It's just not a bike for those in a hurry!
Sounds like you are enjoying it 👍
@@michaelmam I'm not enjoying winter😂but the bike is beautiful the riding position sublime and would I like 10more hp at the back wheel..of course but all that stuff will become available over the next few years from speed restrictor deletes to big bore and high compression kits, ohlins shocks , Vance & Hines pipe etc etc once they have been around long enough..they may even use the 450 watercooled motor ..40hp would be fabulous and like the bullet , efi etc they will be around for many years with specials already appearing in India..It has a great finish and is well put together and I can't wait for the spring & summer warmth! Great video!
@@stevied6286 I have been there! I bought an Interceptor and 18 months later it is 865, cam , exhausts, gas flowed etc etc 😂. I did enjoy the Meteor. Very relaxing to ride..
@@stevied6286 TEC bike parts has one and is working on improving it's speed and a few other improvements
@@Chris-kh2fm funnily enough I just watched their excellent video about some of their planned parts..great that a bike part developer 20 mins from my home is working on cool stuff for my bike..cheers Chris
I ordered the 2022 Meteor in black. I've had many bikes over the last 30 years, but this will be my first NEW bike! It should arrive in March. Can't wait!!! Thank you for the good and candid review.
Nice honest review Michael, and thank you for it. Here in Australia mine is due to arrive next week. I'm 68 yeas old and feel like a kid counting down the days to Christmas ..lol.. I guess that's what bikes can do to you. I'm on the Gold Coast and the winter temp will soon be plunging to 22c so might have to wrap up a bit :P I only just found your channel and glad I did. Stay safe and upright so you can post plenty more !
Have fun Chris . Thank you for watching and commenting 👍 Wrap up well for that 22c plunge😂
i am 72 have a meteor ,had it a couple of months. love it . i enjoyed your view.
Thank you John . Have fun!
Very perceptive insights indeed. I've been an everyday rider since the 70s and this is a perfect machine for me at this point in life!
Have fun !
Style-wise, it's a nicely proportioned bike.
At 78 & wanting an option to join or replace my Goldwing at 900 lbs. found this a top candidate. Extremely comfortable seating and would have to only adjust to its power limitations. Love the looks and the price with the warranty is a steal in my mind. Your review was spot on and nailed me as a prospective buyer. Well done!
Thank you Howard . A 900 lb Goldwing at 78 is some feat . Well done sir 👍
Just got a supernova last month and at 77 yrs long time rider and loving it.
Thanks for this informative and well presented review. It summarises all the reasons I ordered a Meteor last week, and I’m looking forward to getting it sometime soon.😀
Thank you Peter . I am glad you enjoyed the video and appreciate you taking the time to comment . Most importantly , have fun on the bike!
I hope you have more luck than me. I ordered at the end of October with an ETA of before Christmas but still waiting. Though I have heard they seem to come in in batches not according to orders so you wait longer for a popular colour.
@@seankearney6915
I ordered mine (Supernova, brown) two weeks ago (on 5 Jan) and had a call from the dealer today (Balmer Lawn, my local RE dealer, close to Southampton) with the good news that the bike will be delivered towards the end of next week. Hopefully that will prove to be true ….
@@petersimpson4211 That's good. Perhaps I should have done that. I have relatives in Portsmouth. I am dealing with Preston Motorcycles. Though it's all through the save importer. I think the yellow Fireball is more popular than expected. I think they pre-ordered more of the Stellar and Super Nova models.
@@seankearney6915 Yes, it could be something to do with the obvious popularity of the yellow Fireball. Before I ordered my Supernova I contacted several RE dealers to check delivery times and they all gave me pretty vague answers, one even suggesting I may have to wait for up to 16 weeks. So I was a bit suspicious when my local dealer suggested 2-3 weeks. But the info on the delivery I received today apparently came directly from the RE importer, so hopefully this is correct. Hope yours will turn up soon too. 😀
Spot on
Great review, and great production quality as usual 👏
Very kind . Thank you . As you know I have been making these for about 10 months and have quietly been working on improving the quality of filming , light , sound , photos and editing . Stuart Hall has been helping me with the later and has camera equipment that makes my bikes look value for money 😂 Thank you for noticing and commenting 👍
Super Meteor 650 in making. Production spec mule spotted testing in india.
that might just be the ticket Deb,well spotted.
That would be perfect. Hopefully it will still offer good value for money as the 350 clearly does!
Wow very professional presentation and review of the bike. 👍👍
Thank you ! Hope you found it useful . 👍
I think that you summarised it very well, and didn't fall into the trap of saying its great for new riders, which so many other reviews have, I have a stellar blue and I enjoy the simplicity and easy of riding it, OK its not fast, but the smile per miles factor is big 😊
Thanks Kevin . Glad you are enjoying your bike .
No , I genuinely don’t see it as a new rider bike . The Scram would be much better for that 👍
Great review
Thanks Michael…..great review of this wonderful little Meteor…..I definitely get it why folk like it and RE as a manufacturer. RE are definitely in it for the long run as they are making some terrific bikes for all tastes in the retro market. Can’t wait to see your review of the new RE Shotgun when Kings two wheel centre get one in. I’m sure they’ll be delighted to let you have a little go on one. Well I hope they do when they get one. Nice chatting on messenger btw. At least I’m not barred from RUclips yet! 😉
😂 Yet ….
Thank you as always , for taking the time to watch and comment.
@@michaelmam 👏👏👏😂
100% agree with your assessment, and would imagine there would be a great 2nd hand market for them in the years ahead. RE do have their finger on the market, save for a Speed twin/RS900 offering, but I assume their focus is on the Indian market..... maybe one day
I would be surprised if RE didn’t have half an eye on the bigger market . Clearly the bulk of worldwide sales is in smaller bikes but the mature markets do like bigger bikes . I guess it will depend on whether they can do so quickly enough and whilst the environmental regulations are viable ?
Very enjoyable and informative review! Yes, count me as yet one more of those "veteran" riders (50+yrs!) who is ready for something smaller and simpler than the Victory Kingpin and other big-dog bikes I've owned. (Your insight into the market is far better than most reviewers.) With any luck, I'll have a Fireball Yellow Meteor next week!
Good Luck Pete . Thank you for watching and commenting 👍
I'm going for a test ride on 23 April from a local dealer. I'm 70 and ride a Can Am Spyder RTS. I need to get back on 2 wheels and your review has gotten me motivated. I just don't need the Can Am (which is nothing but luxurious). I've had them all but am ready to relax 😌 😎
Have fun . Let us know how you get on with the Meteor . Relaxing and easy bike to ride . I hope you like it !
@@michaelmam I really enjoyed the ride! I would of course adjust the preload in the tear shocks. It handled nice and we got to 70mph on the highway. Might could go to 75? It handled very well. In town I would rarely need to use 5th gear. The instrumentation was at a perfect angle for me. I would buy one in a heartbeat.
@@ChaplainKC that is great . Glad you liked it 👍 I got 75 out of a fully run in Meteor .
I own a Meteor..comfy riding experience ❤️. Only con is the rear seat, which sometimes become an absolute nightmare for pillion rider..
I've removed the rear pillion seat and installed a tail pack..I'm also having the seat reworked to be 2 inches longer and 1 inch higher to support my big arse better, along with a gel pad . I'm happy to say this is the last bike I'll be owning after 40- something previous bikes all with their own positives and negatives..the long distance comfort is being improved to make the bike a perfect package for me. The installation of a DNA filter cover dramatically improved the rideability of the bike and whilst you will never be blasting out of bends it's roll on power is fantastic in the right conditions and it makes a great noise!! Thoroughly recommended way to de-stress
I love the look and the seating position of the meteor, the only reason I haven’t ordered one is I’m a little bit dubious of the low power and would prefer it to have the option of a bigger engine, (either single or twin)…..
If they made it as a 500 I'd trade my classic EFI,. I just want that little bit more power to be able to overtake other vehicles a bit easier. I love the style of it, seems daft they can't make some with a bigger barrel. I was interested that you said you got 75 mpg, others have said 107 mpg,. I get 94 mpg on my classic.
Thank you
thank's for that very informative video, it's very much like my own opinion of the bike having had a test ride so when the weather gets better i may even buy one, cheers.
Thanks for watching and commenting Stephen . Spring is on its way 👍
Excellent review, I have a Himalayan (brilliant bike) but am tempted with an addition of a Meteor.
Looking forward to trying the Super Meteor in the Spring !
You mention the low power output but nobody seems to take in to account the euro 5 crap it is lumbered with ,I personally think it does well ,the British 350 s of the fifties and sixties managed around 16/17 bhp without all that emissions junk.
The gear change is abit awkward on these bikes, i believe there is a traditional gear lever available now, seen them on ebay. Great bikes though !
Great review, am seriously thinking of one to get back into riding after 30 odd years. I'm short in the leg length, how did you find it, with the saddle height?
Hi Michael. I think one of the advantages of the bike is the low seat height and how easy it is to ride as a result .👍
Hi I bought one in January. I'm 64 and have been biking for almost 50 years. It's really gentle and forgiving. It just putters along. I made the mistake of getting the touring screen which I can't get on with, I'm 5.8" and I get lots of wind noise and buffeting over around 35 mph. I've done around 250 miles and it has its first service at 310 miles which will need the tappets doing as it's got a bit noisy. Overall a good not great bike.
A very fair review - we're similar in age and experience (we've chatted elsewhere), and I have 5 other bikes up to 800cc. I bought this for comfort, and having a damaged left foot, the heel and toe change. Yes 5 or 10 hp more would be nice, 5 may be available with some tweaks I suppose, but it is a pleasure to ride provided you're not in a hurry. It always provokes comment wherever I go, and all, note all comments have been positive. This is not like an old school Enfield at all really, it is in another league.
Thanks for watching . It was good to chat “elsewhere “ . Appreciated your insight 👍
@@michaelmam You're welcome. I love the empty clean garage - I remember when mine was like that - a long time ago!
@@newhavenneil they are not all that clean 😂
Could you please tell me the name of this beautiful color Michael. Thank you. I really enjoy your videos........Sal : )
Glad you enjoy the videos . Thank you . The meteor was Stellar Red …
I was going to say that would look good with the rear seat removed and frame chopped but went and looked on RE's site and found they have already done it and called it the Classic, just needs the 650 twin in it now. 👌
😂 it is a different bike , for a different way to enjoy motorcycling .
@@michaelmam they have to be personalised. 😁
@@minimainiac1969 I guess the fact I have personalised my Interceptor suggests I agree ? That said I am a big supporter of each, to their own.
Supermeteor 650 due soon
Michael can you test out a Kawasaki ninja 1000SX?
I have test ridden one but didn’t have it long enough to make a video . Hopefully this summer …
@@michaelmam oh thanks for the reply Im looking forward to it!
KING PIN ANGLE
Explains the length difference ?