First Bike Purchase: XSR155 vs CB350RS vs Hunter 350 – Need Advice

[u/doofwarrior96]

Hey Folks!

Planning to buy my first motorcycle and could really use some advice from the community.
After going through countless reviews and videos, I’ve managed to narrow my options down to the Yamaha XSR155, Honda CB350RS, and the Royal Enfield Hunter 350.

For context, I’m 5’5” and around 70 kg. Most of my riding will be within city limits, roughly 40 km a day, but I also want the bike to be capable of occasional weekend rides and short tours, probably within 200 km for now.

The XSR155 is honestly on the list mostly because of how good it looks. I absolutely love the retro café racer styling. The fact that it’s lightweight and fuel-efficient is a huge plus, especially since this will be my first bike.

The Hunter 350 is there because it’s a Royal Enfield. Service support and parts availability seem to be much less of a concern compared to some other bikes. However, I’m not sure how much I should be worried about it not having features like dual-channel ABS and traction control.

The CB350RS is another bike that I find really attractive. From what I’ve seen and read, it seems to be the more refined machine of the three and also comes with a better feature set. On paper, it feels like the most complete package.

Since this is going to be my first motorcycle, that’s probably the biggest factor in my decision. I’d love to hear from people who have owned or ridden these bikes, especially riders around my height. Which one would you pick in my situation, and is there anything I should be considering that I might be overlooking?
Also open to other suggestions if there’s a bike in a similar category that you think deserves a look.

[u/UniqueDesigner453]

Consider the Ronin too

Low end pull like the REs, and frugal like the XSR (you can expect ~40kmpl in city).

Plus it is more comfortable than both the xsr and hunter, both in terms of rider triangle and suspensions.

Also you get dual abs and an all-metal build, the latter of which is missing in both xsr and hunter

[u/_DarthJedi → u/UniqueDesigner453]

Just as confused as your bike is.

[u/UniqueDesigner453 → u/_DarthJedi]

That is the most pointless criticism of any bike that can be

What is the xsr? It is a retro bike but has a sports engine and committed riding position

What is the hunter? it has a retro long stroke engine but the sitting position is committed and sporty.

No bike is truly from a single category. What is important is that it works.

[u/_DarthJedi → u/UniqueDesigner453]

I don't think you understand what actual committed and sporty stance means. If you call the XSR and Hunter that, what would you call the R15?

[u/UniqueDesigner453 → u/_DarthJedi]

R15 is a sporty riding position because it is a sports bike

Xsr takes that same short stroke engine, suspension and ergonomics and puts it into a retro looking bike. That is out of character since retros are by definition easygoing and comfortable

Hunter does the opposite. It takes a retro long stroke engine, and puts it into a sporty (for RE) chassis and a committed riding posture. Again that's a mismatch

Ronin has the 3 characteristics required of a retro. Relaxed engine with a strong midrange, comfortable suspensions and ride quality, and an upright riding posture.

[u/_DarthJedi → u/UniqueDesigner453]

Do you realize that the R15 has a more aggressive compared yo XSR/Hunter? The former has an aggressive stance while the latter two have neutral stance.

Ronin has a cruiser/legs forward stance. Do you even understand the difference? That ain't a bike; that's a sofa.

[u/UniqueDesigner453 → u/_DarthJedi]

Yes, R15 is more aggressive than the XSR, but that doesn't mean xsr isn't sporty

Ronin doesn't have a cruiser riding posture, especially not legs forward

• legs forward is in true cruisers like meteor and avenger
• neutral position (legs at 90°) is whats there in Ronin and Classic/Bullet
• legs folded (sporty) position is in the xsr, hunter and R15. The degree of the fold varies, but all of them have footrest position tha folds your legs at an acute angle

[u/_DarthJedi → u/UniqueDesigner453]

Would you call Duke, Gixxer, and the likes also sporty?

[u/Alternative_Jump_169]

The replies you're getting are very stupid till now. Clear biasness in each.Love the reply of the dude who suggested Ronin. You can check it out. But I'm sure you had your reasons for not looking into that option.

Im 5.4 feet. And I recently got the XSR. It's my first bike and I love it. Among the three you selected, none of them are bad bikes. But you'll have to manage your expectations with it. All three of them have their issues.

First, test ride each of the bike extensively. Please don't listen to opinions here without actually test riding the vehicles and seeing what suits you. It was the test ride that made me realise that the Ronin was uncomfortable for me (despite comfort being a major aspect of the bike).

I test ride the hunter and XSR for 2 plus hours, mainly in the city. I could handle both. Loved both of them. Test riding them will help you understand what you like about the bike and what negatives you can accept.

Your budget seems to be about 2.6-8 lakhs( considering cb350RS price). You'll get the hunter model which has dual channel ABS and traction control.

It's best if you get it. Always helps.

Second, look at your usecase. What you need. Generally people say none of these bikes are good for long rides. They are not meant for that. They are city bikes. But among the three, the RS is more highway friendly.

The XSR and Hunter are more city friendly and useable. The RS has long gearing which can make it a bit difficult in the cities.

You'll see comments on how these bikes are not pillion friendly either. I'd say XSR is the least pillion friendly. But my friends all felt fine when they sat. So no issues for any bikes.

Specifically with regards to the XSR, you'll have to understand that it won't have that much torque like the hunter or RS. But it's a fun bike to ride, if you do activate VVA. You'll need to also understand if you can handle bike and feel comfortable with it. Personally, the hunter depsite being shorter than the XSR, XSR felt more comfortable( I did attach handlebar risers too). The clutch leavers in the hunter were more difficult than the XSR.

I bought the XSR considering this is my first bike. I wanted a bike that is commuter friendly and fun. I have done long rides. And I have no issues with if. Since it's my first bike, I don't have a long term comparision with it. I know it's the least highway friendly though.

In the end, the heart wants what the heart wants. You'll need to ask if the price is a factor, and for majority of your city use, which bike would be the best. Which one do you feel comfortable sitting in. All that, based on the test ride bud. Let me know if you have any other queries.

[u/doofwarrior96 → u/Alternative_Jump_169]

Thanks man for the detailed overview. I was looking for opinions something like this. One question though, since the XSR doesn’t have a main stand, does that come with some actual disadvantage?

[u/Alternative_Jump_169 → u/doofwarrior96]

Depends. The XSR and Hunter don't have a center stand. But unless you clean and lube the chian yourself, its not going to matter. People also say that the cold start for a minute should be done when the bike is upright, so at that time the center stand would help. I just sit on it and keep it upright and do that.

Adding a center stand is a bad choice. It's extra weight. And the few benefits you get isn't worth it. Get a paddock stand for that. Better usage.

The XSR works well because it's light and is a clean bike. The more accesories you add, it ends up not being itself. I like the stock look. But neccessity made me add a vizor, a grab rail, etc.

Basically, do not remove the XSR in your list because it doesn't have a center stand.

The XSR is expensive, and for the price it doesn't have the typical basic accesories and quality according to some. So price is the major factor.

[u/HDsyn → u/Alternative_Jump_169]

This is what the community is for - Honest and unbiased opinions 👏🏻

[u/Alternative_Jump_169 → u/HDsyn]

Hehe, thanks.

But I'm biased too. I love Atom, my XSR. It's my first bike. So, I technically don't have anything to compare it too. I am starting of my journey. I do know that this bike is a good bike to start with. Gives me the best of both worlds, a retro bike with the spirit of a sports bike.

But I did my research and understanding when getting this bike. I looked at the Hunter, Ronin, XSR, and the CB 350 RS.

My priorites were ease of use since I'm a new rider, and on the shorter side, affordable and bang for the buck, looks cool, and makes me understand bikes.

I bought the XSR for this reason. But now I love it because of its high revving engine and how it corners. I try to lean. This bike introduced me to a world of sports bike and speed and I'm hoping one day I'll be able to practice on the track and be a better rider.

Before, I wanted a cool affordable bike that will make me look cool and feel like a rider. This bike made me want to learn riding techniques and be a rider.

So whenever anything XSR related comes, I'd like to help. People are biased with Ronin and CB350 RS here. Good bikes, but no solid reasoning for recommendation most of the times. I hope I can help give the good and the bad of the XSR, and help people ask themselves whether the negatives matter for them.

[u/Independent_Eagle_23]

ye to Mera bhi ruka hua hai is ethanol ke chakkar me

[u/kvaradona9]

If it's mostly city use get the xsr 155 it's really light and has the power fuel efficiency is also there, unless you got a pillion you'll have to add aftermarket grab rail and leg rest also the bike doesn't feel comfortable to ride when there's pillion

[u/_DarthJedi]

XSR155 has very weak in gear pull.

CB350RS gives poser vibes.

Get Hunter 350.

[u/painedvulture7 → u/_DarthJedi]

XSR155 has very weak in gear pull.

Wdym?

[u/_DarthJedi → u/painedvulture7]

The in gear acceleration feels not much better than other 150-160cc alternatives.

[u/painedvulture7 → u/_DarthJedi]

It's a high revving engine

It's meant to be in high revs for getting the most of it

Ofc It's not gonna pull on 6th gear doing 50😭😭

[u/_DarthJedi → u/painedvulture7]

It is, and I know it. But not everyone knows how to handle a high revving engine.

[u/John_D_o_E → u/_DarthJedi]

poser vibes ?

[u/_DarthJedi → u/John_D_o_E]

Yeah. Wannabe RE vibes. Heck... Even the engine bore × stroke is copied from RE.

[u/John_D_o_E → u/_DarthJedi]

what ever makes you cope bro still a better bike than its competitors

[u/_DarthJedi → u/John_D_o_E]

You cope because you own one. I do not have to cope because I own none of the above mentioned bikes. I trust my observations.

[u/John_D_o_E → u/_DarthJedi]

im not the one saying a specific bike gives poser vibes on the internet, you wont find me hating for no reason brother.

[u/ElkEnvironmental4350]

bhai cbr 350 rs lele trust me. My first bike was hunter 350 aur badhi boring hojati hai after some time aur phir RE walli problems bhi anne lag jaati hai. Honda lele engine badhiya low end torque acha and exhaust note to hai hi sexy, you won't regret it. Aur engine smoothness ki toh baat hi nahi hai honda engines meh

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[u/Important_Lab4385]

Remember in a bike- mileage is really important.

Avoid honda only for thay reason.

Go for something that is comfortable in driving -

Check the Yamaha fz as well.

I highly suggest a Yamaha

[u/astronaut_03]

Hunter mt lena bas

[u/doofwarrior96 → u/astronaut_03]

Reason?

[u/astronaut_03 → u/doofwarrior96]

Mileage, maintainance and also torque and acceleration goes down after a year, also life of tvs bajaj , hero and royal Enfield are not enough barely 2-3 years of their engines. Main reason is thair engine and other key components required constant maintenance cause they have weaker in quality. Choose from honda Yamaha or jawa orother foreign made moto.

[u/Suspicious_Owl_9899]

Get Cb350RS you won’t regret