Royal Enfield has launched the trendier versions of
the Thunderbird, the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350X and the Royal Enfield
Thunderbird 500X. The two bikes will be available at Royal Enfield dealerships
across all major cities and bookings are open from today.
With the new Thunderbird X range, Royal Enfield
targets ‘individualistic, bold, urban riders’. The cruiser comes with an
overall blacked-out theme, with contrastingly coloured fuel tanks. The 500 cc
variant is available in two colours- Getaway Orange and Drifter Blue. The 350
cc model comes in Roving Red and Whimsical White.
The bike come in tank colour-matching rim stickers
as well. The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350X costs INR 1,56,849, while the Royal
Enfield Thunderbird 500X retails at INR 1,98,878, both ex-showroom Delhi. In
comparison with the standard Thunderbird range, the 350X is INR 8,000 more
expensive and the 500X is INR 12,000 dearer.
Royal Enfield has equipped the two urban cruisers
with 9-spoke alloy wheels. The 19-inch front and the 18-inch rear are shod with
MRF Nylogrip Zapper tubeless tyres. They measure 90-section front and
120-section at the rear. The 350X and the 500X are the first modern Royal
Enfields to have alloy wheels and tubeless tyres.
The cruisers sport a new flat handlebar that has
been dropped to give a more aggressive, and leant-in riding attitude, and makes
for a more committed riding stance. The ‘gunslinger’ style seat coupled with
the new split grab-rail and shortened rear mudguard give the bikes a cleaner,
less cluttered look.
The mechanicals and cycle parts are the same as the
regular variants. The 346 cc single cylinder mill makes 19.8 bhp of power at
5,250 rpm; and 28 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The Thunderbird 500X gets a 499 cc
single cylinder engine that is good for 27.2 bhp at 5,250 rpm and 41.3 Nm at
4,000 rpm. Gearbox for both the bikes is a 5-speed unit. Suspension bits
include telescopic front fork and twin gas-charged rear shock absorbers. 280 mm
front and 240 mm rear disc bring the two bikes to a halt. Royal Enfield has
introduced a small Gear capsule celebrating the spirit of bold urban
expressionists. The regular Thunderbird variant will continue to be available
in the market.