Address Vs RE Huntr

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 thinks it's going to happen.