Two test mules of the upcoming Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350X and Thunderbird 500X were recently caught in action on Indian roads. The motorcycles, which were recently snapped at what appeared to be the Company’s warehouse, are expected to be launched in the coming weeks and we may see the official glimpse of the new Thunderbird 350X and Thunderbird 500X at the 2018 Auto Expo in Delhi.
The motorcycles were caught on a short, 14 second YouTube video. Check out the footage below (Courtesy Rushlane):
Apart from the new colour options, the Thunderbird X comes equipped with a relatively flatter handlebar instead of the cruiser style unit, and a single-piece saddle instead of the split-seat setup. Moreover, the wire-spoke wheels are replaced by a pair of alloys which will enable the installation of tubeless tyres. The pillion backrest was missing but we’re pretty sure that’d be available an optional accessory. Chrome bits are bare minimum while most of the parts get a black finishing. Other features include LED tail-light, projector headlight with LED DRL, and disc brakes on both ends.
Besides the visual upgrades and new colour options to select from, both motorcycles would continue to use the same mechanical specs as the standard models. So, the Thunderbird 350X will continue to draw 19.8 bhp of power and 28 Nm of torque from its 346 cc single cylinder engine while the 500X will use a 27.2 bhp, 41.3 Nm 499cc single cylinder motor. Both motorcycles will use a five speed transmission.
The new variants are expected to carry a slight premium over the standard Thunderbird models. We’re yet to hear any official details about the upcoming motorcycles. We’d keep you posted with all the latest updates as and when they’re available.