Royal Enfield Meteor, which could replace the RE Thunderbird motorcycle in India has been spied during TVC shoot.
It’s been rumoured for a while now that Royal Enfield will drop the ‘Thunderbird’ name in favour of ‘Meteor’, a name the company trademarked early last year. However, the latest spy images of the upcoming motorcycle have now confirmed that Royal Enfield’s all-new motorcycle will be called the Meteor 350.
The Meteor 350 will be Enfield’s first bike from the new J-platform. There are radical changes to the chassis as well as the motor. However, the styling remains quite similar to the Thunderbird 350X. The bulbous tank arrives in an eccentric yellow colour. The triangular black side panels bear the new Meteor 350 badging. Even the blacked-out rims get body-coloured rim tapes.
The highlighting thing with the Meteor is that it will sport a brand-new double cradle chassis and that it will also run a completely new engine. Royal Enfield has worked hard to ensure this motor keeps its classic design, but we’re sure to expect a more modern SOHC system for the valvetrain, and, of course, fuel injection.
The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is likely to be the new global nameplate for the motorcycle. The Thunderbird name is owned by Triumph in several markets, and this is a good opportunity for the brand to establish the motorcycle differently. The Rumbler nameplate used in Australia and New Zealand for the Thunderbird could be discontinued as well.
