Instead of outright performance, I'd say focus on quality of life mods. There are things that can be done to make a big difference without sacrificing reliability, such as better lighting, improved ergonomics, and luggage options.

The cruisers are definitely raising the bar in modern times. Adjustable suspension and electronic ride modes make a world of difference on long rides. If I compare it to the current Thunderbird, as it feels dated.

I have owned both old and new REs and there is a night and day difference in reliability. The Thunderbird needs a lot more attention and a lot more frequent fixes. It’s charming, but as a daily rider, it can be frustrating.

If you’re into the classic RE vibe, it’s absolutely worth it. It’s not the smoothest ride out there, but that’s part of the fun. It lacks modern bells and whistles, but the thumping engine note and head turning looks more than make up for it.

I’ve done a couple of long tours on my Thunderbird and it’s been great. Yes, it's not as refined as the newer bikes, but if something were to go wrong it's easy and reliable to fix. If you don’t want to, just invest in some good aftermarket accessories.

The tyres for the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 are tube type in stock condition but they can be converted into tubeless tyres. The advantage of tube type tyres is more visible if you go on roads where the chances of a dent in the wheel are more as the tubes would hold the air inside while the tubeless ones are useful in cities whereas you can easily repair a puncture in the motorcycle. You can start your motorcycle by electric starter every time as the battery keeps on charging itself while the bike is ridden afterwards.

Both the bikes are actually the same body shells with different engines. The 346cc, Thunderbird 350 is a better option when seen from the value for money point of view. It returns a better mileage and comes with a price tag of INR 1,38,376. The engine produces 19.8 BHP and 28 NM of torque. On the other hand, the Thunderbird 500 is lesser economical with its 499cc engine producing 27.2 BHP and 41.3 NM of torque. It comes with a price tag of INR 1,75,715. Going for Thunderbird 350 is a better and practical option.

The best one from the both the above would be the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350. That is because the UM Global Renegade Commando comes with an underpowered 223 cc engine, making it more like a show stuff than the Thunderbird, which has a powerful and thoroughly tested 350 cc engine, producing far more torque than the rival engine. It comes with double disc brakes with high braking capacity and a projector lamp for better visibility. Both the bikes come under the equal price range, making it better to choose the Thunderbird 350.

Must Know Facts about Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350