Royal Enfield will launch its highly-anticipated Thunderbird 350X and 500X in India on February 28, 2018. The new Thunderbird variants had been spied towards the end of 2017. Now, the bike maker will finally take the wraps off these motorcycles in the next couple of days. Now, leaked images of the brochure of the new Thunderbird range confirm the colours and few technical details.
The leaked image confirms that the new Thunderbird variants use the same engine and gearbox as the standard Thunderbird range. The 350X will employ the 346cc motor that makes 19.8hp and 28Nm or torque, while the 500X will be powered by the 499cc motor that produces 27.2hp and 41.3Nm of torque. Both the engines will be mated to a five-speed gearbox.
However, there are multiple changes that set it apart from the regular model, such as the new handlebar and seats. The bikes feature 9-spoke black alloy wheels and tubeless tyres (a first for a production Royal Enfield). The headlamp and tail-lamp are the same units as the standard model, replete with an LED daytime-running light and an LED tail-lamp, as well. Disc brakes will be standard at the front and rear; although ABS is unlikely to be offered. The first Royal Enfields to feature ABS will be the upcoming Interceptor/Continental GT 650 twins.
The 350X sports identical visual and ergonomic revisions as the 500X. It gets a blacked-out headlight dome with an LED daytime-running lamp and is also equipped with a new, shorter handlebar (as opposed to the ape hangers on the regular Thunderbird). The digi-analogue twin-pod instrument cluster also gets the blacked-out treatment with a chrome garnish around the dials. A major change is the all-new seat, a single-piece unit – unlike the split seat on the regular Thunderbird – which looks modern and in-tune with the rest of the motorcycle’s appeal. The grab rail is also a noteworthy feature – it is neatly integrated next to the pillion seat and ends in the tail-lamp unit. Also finished in matte-black are the exhaust and the telescopic fork, as well as the top and bottom ends of the dual shock absorbers.
The new Thunderbird models will be available in four colour options – Getaway Orange, Drifter Blue, Whimsical White and Roving Red. While pricing details are yet to be revealed, we expect the X variants to carry a slight premium over the existing Thunderbirds – which are currently priced at Rs 1.48 lakh (the 350) and Rs 1.90 lakh (the 500; all prices ex-showroom, Mumbai).