Royal Enfield recently launched the Thunderbird 500X in the Indian market. The bike is based on the standard Thunderbird 500, albeit with cosmetic upgrades. It competes with the Mahindra Mojo and UM Renegade Commando. We find out how the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X fares against its closest rivals.
Design and features
The Thunderbird 500X is positioned as a city cruiser targeted towards the youth. The bike sports features like a shorter grab rail and handlebar along with a single-piece seat. The engine, suspension, exhaust and other components have been finished in matte black. Royal Enfield is offering the bike in two loud colours schemes- white and red; these colours only feature on the tank and rim tape while the rest of the bike is black. The blacked-out components with flashy paint jobs boost the custom inspired appeal of the Thunderbird 500X.
The bike comes equipped with 9-spoke alloys shod with tubeless tyres, a first for Royal Enfield. It continues with the LED DRL and projector headlamp; however, the unit now gets a smoked reflector. The bike gets a twin-pod instrument cluster that includes an analogue tachometer and speedometer along with a small digital display. The digital unit displays fuel-gauge, tripmeter and odometer.
The UM Renegade Commando sports a laidback riding position thanks to the low-slung seats and higher set sweptback handlebars. The bike also sports a pillion backrest unlike the Thunderbird 500X, making it comfortable for long hauls. The Renegade Commando also gets blacked-out components to boost its modern appeal. The UM Renegade Commando misses out on LED lighting for the headlamp and tail lamp. The bike comes equipped with a USB charging port as standard.
It sports a round instrument cluster that includes an analogue speedometer with a digital unit that displays the odometer and trip meter and fuel gauge. The console has been mounted on the fuel tank, inspired by traditional cruisers.
The Mojo’s design features a mix of streetfighter and tourer characteristics. The bike sports a wide handle bar, long seat and Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres. It sports distinctive-looking LED DRLs above the twin headlamps along with an LED tail lamp. The Mojo also gets large radiator cowls and dual exhausts that add points to its road presence.
The instrument cluster gets an analogue tachometer along with a digital display. Besides the standard functions, this console also shows a speed test meter which records the 0-100kmph time, a maximum speed recorder, a malfunction light along with an RPM recorder.
Cycle parts
The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X rides on conventional telescopic forks up front and a twin-shock setup at the rear. Braking duties are taken care of by a 280mm disc at the front and a 240mm disc at the rear. It gets a fuel tank capacity of 20-litres.
The UM Renegade too rides on a similar suspension setup as the Thunderbird 500X. It gets telescopic front forks and a dual-shock setup at the rear. Braking is done by a 280mm disc at the front and a 130mm rear drum brake. UM does not offer a rear disc as optional accessory. The Renegade Commando sports an 18-litre fuel tank.
Meanwhile, the Mojo gets upside down forks for the front and a monoshock at the rear. Stopping power comes from a 320mm front disc and a 240mm rear disc. The Mahindra Mojo has a 21-litre fuel tank; the largest in its class.
Engine
The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X is powered by a 499cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that produces 27.2bhp and 41.3Nm of torque. This unit is mated to a five-speed gearbox. The Thunderbird 500X produces the most torque thanks to its higher displacement.
The UM Renegade Commando gets a fuel-injected system and is powered by a 279cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. This engine now delivers 25bhp and 23Nm of torque, and is mated to a six-speed gearbox.
Powering the Mahindra Mojo is a fuel-injected, 295cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. This unit delivers 27bhp and 30Nm of torque through a six-speed transmission. The bike also gets a limp home mode which restricts the engine to 5000rpm in case of an engine malfunction.
Pricing
The Mahindra Mojo, given its features is a value-for-money product priced at Rs 1.74 lakhs. The UM Renegade Commando comes in second with a price tag of Rs 1.77 lakhs. On the other hand, the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X is the priciest motorcycle here at Rs 1.98 lakhs
All prices ex-showroom, Delhi
