Royal Enfield targets urban adventurers with new Thunderbird X 

Royal Enfield has launched the Thunderbird X, a new factory-built, custom- look motorcycle. Continuing the legacy of the Thunderbird cruiser motorcycle, the X version sports an all-blacked-out theme and four new colours – Getaway Orange and Drifter Blue for the Thunderbird 500X and Whimsical White and Roving Red for the Thunderbird 350X.

Introducing the Thunderbird X, Rudratej Singh, president, Royal Enfield, said, “The Thunderbird X is a custom-inspired Royal Enfield that takes inspiration from our Thunderbird community. Riders have been customising Royal Enfield motorcycles and the Thunderbird for decades. We took that inspiration and have created an evocative, engaging, yet fun-to-ride, factory-built, custom-look motorcycle that will offer great scope for further customisation and will appeal to new-age urban explorers.”

Speaking about the new motorcycle and its features, Shaji Koshy, head - India Business, said, “The Thunderbird X will create renewed excitement in the mid-sized motorcycle segment. Thunderbird X will be available at Royal Enfield dealerships across all major cities. The Thunderbird 500X is priced at Rs 198,878 (ex-showroom Delhi) and the Thunderbird 350X at Rs 156,849 (ex-showroom Delhi).”

The Thunderbird X gets alloy wheels and tubeless tyres, a first for Royal Enfield. The ‘gunslinger’-styled seat, coupled with the new grab-rail and shortened rear mudguard, lends a cleaner, less cluttered look. The blacked-out theme is uniformly carried over to components like the silencer, front forks, side covers, headlamp cover, indicators and grab-rail.

In high contrast, the vibrant colours of the tank are coordinated with other elements on the motorcycle, such as the stitching on the seat and rim-tapes on the wheels. The new flat handlebar has been dropped to give a more aggressive, and leant-in riding attitude, and makes for a more committed riding stance. Disc brakes, both in front and rear, ensure adequate stopping power for safety and stability.

The Thunderbird X is powered by Royal Enfield’s Unit Construction Engine – this single-cylinder, air-cooled, 499cc EFI engine develops 27.2 bhp at 5250rpm and generates 41.3 Nm torque at 4000rpm. The Thunderbird 350X has a single- cylinder, air-cooled, twin-spark, 346cc engine which produces maximum power of 19.8bhp at 5250rpm and torque of 28 Nm at 4000rpm.

Along with the Thunderbird 500X and 350X, the existing Thunderbird will also continue to be retailed.