A Royal Enfield test mule rider has
confirmed the Meteor name for the Royal Enfield Thunderbird successor on
camera! This happened when one of the Royal Enfield Meteor prototypes was out
on test for NVH levels.
Several sources closed to the development
have suggested that the Royal Enfield Thunderbird successor will be named Royal
Enfield Meteor. The upcoming street motorcycle has been codenamed Royal Enfield
J1C0 and will utilise the modular J-platform. The Chennai based two-wheeler
maker is expected to spawn several different models from the platform.
The test rider also confirms that the
Royal Enfield Meteor will have an all-new engine which is different from the
350 cc mill of the Royal Enfield Thunderbird. Besides that, the test mule is
also shod with new tail lamp and all-digital single-pod instrumentation.
The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 uses
pushrods to move the intake and exhaust valves in the engine. However, for the
new powerplant in the Royal Enfield Meteor, we expect the company to move to an
overhead cam layout. Both the Royal Himalayan and Royal Enfield 650 Twins are
shod with a single overhead cam engine.
Vibrations have often been a major problem
in the current generation Royal Enfield motorcycles. We expect that the Royal
Enfield Meteor to offer a significant improvement in terms of noise, vibrations
and harshness. The company has also confirmed that it will stop selling the 500
cc versions of the Bullet, Classic, and Thunderbird by March in the domestic
market.
Several sources close to the development
also suggest that the next-generation Royal Enfield motorcycles will be fitted
with a bigger engine.
