Both are similar on paper, cruisers, but both are way different in nature, offering different experiences to the rider.
BHPian TorqueMonster recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Now that it has been a couple of months since I’ve had the bike, I think this will be the right time to compare it with the experiences I have had with previous Enfields. Based on the price point, many people, who probably already own existing Enfields would certainly put this bike in consideration for an upgrade. For this, I have decided to do a thorough comparison of my Thunderbird 350 and the Super Meteor 650.
The 2 bikes standing right next 2 each other. The first and most basic differences look wise is how one is totally blacked out, while the other is just chrome galore. Overall, I still slightly prefer the Thunderbird’s looks since I am a fan of spoked wheels, despite its inconvenience. But once again looks are subjective, and for that matter, both bikes are excellent looking.
Looks-wise, the first and major difference between the Thunderbird 350 and the Super Meteor is that of the lighting used. I have switched mine to LED, but by stock, the Thunderbird comes with Halogen Bulbs. They have a decent light throw, and for 80 per cent of your lifetime riding, they would never pose an issue. But for that occasional 20 %, you may need lights, the same way I have also attached auxiliary lights to my bike.
The next major observation would be on how there lies a twin-pod display for the Thunderbird. This, in my opinion, should have been the default design choice, it just makes the instrument cluster much more proportional with the bike. Secondly, it could be seen how the bike uses Telescopic Forks, which do a very decent job at filtering out most bumps and can handle tough roads very easily.
The Super Meteor, in aspect of looks, is certainly a looker, the only minor gripe being the lack of a Dual Cluster. For what is essentially the most expensive Enfield, they could have just added dual cluster, as it would be much easier to read, plus a tachometer being also present. The bike comes with USD Forks, over which I would have very mixed opinions. The components and quality of the suspension are excellent, there is no denying that. But it’s also tuned in such a way that its best use lies on a highway, unlike the Thunderbird having a best-of-both-worlds situation, where it is comfortable and planted on highways, but with enough travel to pass through bumps easily.
The LED lights are decent, they are bright and have decent coverage. I have not taken it out on a long-distance ride at night yet, but at least for my day-to-day usage, I have not faced the need for any auxiliary lights. If not, I would be updating this thread to include changes that are needed.
For both the Thunderbird and the Meteor, the side view is the best view of the bike. And for the Thunderbird, it certainly is a looker, and despite the 350cc displacement, certainly looks like a huge bike, which it is. The seating position is fairly comfortable for the rider, with a wide seat, but at the same time, the wideness of the seat does not interfere with placing a planted foot on the ground, due to its low ground clearance (which is still good enough to clear any and all bumps put forth its way). The pillion seat is decent, it is thin, but with a slight change in the seat, it could be made into an excellent place for the pillion to ride around without any disturbances. This, coupled with the backrest makes the Thunderbird an excellent bike for the Pillion.
Regarding footpeg placement, they are slightly forward facing, but not properly forward set like the Super Meteor, which means while the handlebar and seating position is favourable to cruising, it is not a bike with an aggressive cruiser stance and can easily be taken as a city bike.
The Super Meteor has the quintessential cruiser looks, large engine with the bike in itself having huge proportions, raised handlebars and forward set footpegs. And this allows for an almost excellent seating experience too, at least for the rider. The seats are extremely comfortable, even more so than the Thunderbird, and this with the forward-set footpegs makes for a comfortable highway mile muncher. The handlebar is raised, but it is raised at a lesser angle than the Thunderbird. It is raised at a lesser angle but is also facing slightly more forward towards the rider, unlike the Thunderbird where the handlebar is raised at a higher angle.
The Handlebar placement here becomes important as it entirely changes the handling of both bikes. The Thunderbird for that matter, is much more easier to ride around in the city, and to manoeuvre around gaps in traffic and to go small lanes. Not to discredit the Super Meteor’s handling inside a crowded city, but the wide handlebars and larger turning radius, combined with the bulk make it slightly cumbersome to ride along in the city.
Lastly, we see the Pillion Seat. This, I would say, is the biggest con of what is an otherwise flawless bike. It’s terrible, there is no 2 ways about it. It’s extremely thin, at least the stock seat, and this leaves no other choice except to get the touring seat or search for aftermarket options. It is thin and small and ideally should have been better thought of IMO.
When we look at other aspects, the bike is very wide, due to the large engine, and twin exhaust, along with some very wide tyres. The advantages of such wide tyres are that the highway stability is supreme, this is the most stable bike I’ve ridden on highways, and it can constantly move without hesitation at high speed. The tyres are made by Ceat and I’ve found them to be pretty good as of now.
The Thunderbird, like almost every 350 in existence, is powered by a UCE350 carburetted Engine, with around 19.5 HP and 28nm of Torque. The Horsepower figures are ignorable because firstly this bike wasn’t built for speed. Even if it was, there lies no speed that’s humanly rideable beyond 70. 90 if you are adventurous, 100 for the brave souls, 110 for a maniac provided there lies a downward slope.
What does matter, is the torque figures. And 28nm of torque is generous torque, for day-to-day use. This bike can climb any slope thrown in front of it, with luggage and pillion, easily. It can go through the roughest of roads, with no issues whatsoever. The Engine’s power all lies below the speed of 70 and provided that you live in a city with minimal or no traffic, this can easily double up as a great city bike, you can drive in 5th gear throughout an entire city run, and that too comfortably.
The Highways also are fine. Yes, 70 is a decent speed for a highway, but at times, especially during overtakes, one would always want that extra grunt from the engine, and it gets extremely annoying to drive beyond 70 courtesy of the trademark vibrations.
Regarding the gearbox, it’s slightly clunky. It’s not the smoothest and often falls into false neutrals often. This, coupled with the heavy clutch makes it rather annoying to ride through traffic in a crowded city.
The Super Meteor, on the other hand, is having an absolute gem of an Engine. The bike’s powerband is massive, right from lower speeds to almost its top speed in triple digits, this bike can pull. It’s exceptionally fast when compared to most bikes of it, and below its price, the gearshifts are extremely smooth, and the clutch in contrast to the UCE350’s is butter smooth. Despite all the small flaws ergonomics wise, all of that can be easily forgotten when you get the keys to ride this bike. It is fast, comfortable, and within a slight twist of the throttle, you can do speeds that a normal Enfield would never reach, even if it’s dropped off a cliff.
The bike is exceptionally stable even at high speeds, and this much power, along with excellent gearing from its 6-speed gearbox makes it an ultimate mile muncher, this bike can easily cover highway distances without even breaking a sweat. The bike is torquey and has decent powers, it can cruise at high speeds, while high slopes and tough terrain are also easy jobs for this vehicle.
Now, to the last part, on whether you should buy this or not. I’ll say yes. The Super Meteor is not the most perfect bike, but there are no perfect bikes. It is fast, it is comfortable for the most part, it looks elegant, and for the price, is a very well-sorted cruiser. And as someone who bought this as an upgrade to the Thunderbird, I am delighted with what this bike has to offer, and I’m pretty sure, a lot of Thunderbird or UCE350 Enfield owners in General can clearly distinguish both bikes and their characteristics. This could be a good upgrade for those desiring more power but wanting to stay in the Enfield Lineup.
For those who are used to 200cc or below bikes, but want an upgrade, then even for them, it makes a lot of sense to get this. Aside from the weight, this bike, despite having 47hp is easy to ride, and it takes minimal time to get used to the power delivery.
But like every bike, there are slight things which this bike lacks, which I have clearly noted. And this makes a clear case for why despite the Meteor, the Thunderbird still will continue to be a constant part of my motorcycle journey. Both are similar on paper, cruisers, but both are way different in nature, offering different experiences to the rider. I intended on making this comparison as most riders would have at least some experience of a UCE350 Enfield, or would be Enfield Owners looking for a more powerful bike.
Keyword: A Royal Enfield owner compares his Super Meteor 650 & Thunderbird 350