Royal Enfield is all set to launch an all-new motorcycle in India. This new motorcycle will replace the Thunderbird 350 and while being called Meteor 350 Fireball. Royal Enfield has updated their entire product lineup to meet the BS6 emission norms except for the Thunderbird 350 range. The new Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is based on the J1D platform and it looks more like a replacement of the Thunderbird 350X than the standard Thunderbird. Recently, the leaked images of the new Meteor 350 Fireball surfaced online. The images give us complete idea about the exterior design as well as the expected mechanical changes. Let us see how Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Fireball stacks against the Thunderbird 350.
Royal Enfield Meteor Fireball 350 vs Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350: Price in India
Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Fireball is likely to be priced at Rs 1.68 Lakhs (Ex-Showroom). Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 Price is Rs 1.55 Lakhs (ex-showroom). The Meteor 350 Fireball will be expensive than the Thunderbird 350 but it’s reasonable considering the addition of new features and accessories. In fact, Royal Enfield Meteor 350 will be cheaper than almost all the BS6 Classic 350 variants.
Royal Enfield Meteor Fireball 350 vs Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350: Features
As for features, the new Meteor 350 gets the same fuel tank, side panels, and the fenders. It gets new alloy wheels. Instead of the simple straight spokes, it boasts of Y-shaped spokes. The Meteor 350 also boasts of a halogen headlamp with LED DRLs instead of a projector headlamp. The new headlamp also gets a black bezel on the inside. It gets the split seat setup but the seat profile and height remains the same.
The Meteor 350 gets the same twin-pod instrumentation like the Thunderbird 350X. However, the two instrument-pods on the new motorcycle are now asymmetrical instead of the symmetrical ones found in the Thunderbird 350X. The smaller pod is expected to get the tachometer. While the bigger pod is likely to get a digital insert, analogue speedometer, and a few tell-tale lights.
The major highlight is the change in chassis. While the Thunderbird 350X was based on a single-downtube frame, the new Meteor 350 uses a double cradle chassis. The new chassis has been developed with the help of Harris performance, company’s performance partner. The suspension setup will remain the same with telescopic forks at the front and twin shock absorbers at the back.
Royal Enfield Meteor Fireball 350 vs Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350: Engine Specifications
Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Fireball is expected to debut an all-new BS6 compliant engine equipped with a single overhead camshaft (SOHC) and an electronic fuel-injection system. The engine will churn out 19.1 bhp of maximum power and 28 Nm of peak torque, coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Thunderbird 350X is powered by single-cylinder, 4 strokes, twin-spark, air-cooled engine churning out 19.8 bhp of power and 28 Nm of peak torque. The only difference is that the Thunderbird 350X delivers more power than the Meteor 350 Fireball.