Royal Enfield has launched its Thunderbird 350 in Australia at AUD 6,790 (Rs 3.41 lakh). However, due to trademark naming rights (probably down to the Triumph Thunderbird) Royal Enfield had to go with another name and hence the bike is now known as the Rumbler 350 in Australia.
Other than the ‘Rumbler’ badging and law-mandated orange reflectors on the fork, the motorcycle remains identical to the Thunderbird 350 that is sold in India. It will be sold as a LAMS (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme) offering in Australia.
Royal Enfield says that the Rumbler 350 is targeted at ‘new riders, returning riders and those seeking a new cruiser with a stress-free and relaxed ride’. The Indian bike maker first launched its Thunderbird cruiser in India back in 2002. Since then, the styling has remained more or less the same. Over the years, the bike has received minor changes, like a revised headlight, seat and instrument cluster, among others.
Powering the Rumbler is the same air-cooled, 346cc single-cylinder engine found on the Thunderbird, Classic and Bullet 350 in India. Paired to a five-speed gearbox, it makes 19.8hp and 28Nm of torque. The Rumbler 350 employs a single downtube frame and gets a 280mm single front disc, along with a 240mm disc brake at rear.
While we can have the Thunderbird 350 in five colours (Stone, Marine, Lightning, Flicker and Asphalt), the Australian Rumbler 350 is only available in three of them (Stone, Marine and Lightning).