What do you if you’ve got around 1-1.5 lacs to spend on a cruiser? Well, you get yourself a Royal Enfield Thunderbird or a Classic 350. Don’t want an RE? Then you can either save a whole lot of cash and get yourself a Bajaj Avenger, or you can put in some more, a lot more, and get the Harley-Davidson Street 750. Those would have been your only options till last year, but now, UM has launched the Renegade Commando in India. Miami-based United Motors has launched three cruisers in the Indian market – Renegade Commando, Sport S and Commando Classic. So should you give the newbie a shot? Or should go for the tried and tested Royal Enfields? Find out here in our UM Renegade Commando vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Thunderbird 350 spec-sheet comparo.
Also See – Affordable Cruiser Bikes in India 2016
UM Renegade Commando vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Thunderbird 350 – Design Comparison
The UM Renegade Commando is a typical cruiser in terms of design. You get a round headlamp up front, a no-fuss well-rounded fuel tank and a relaxed riding position. Blacked out mechanicals, fat tyres and spoked wheels round off the design. The Classic 350 is unmistakably Royal Enfield with its retro design elements infused with a few modern touches. The Thunderbird, in comparison, looks fairly modern with its different riding style, projector headlamps, LED taillamps, etc.
In terms of features, the Classic 350 misses out on a tachometer, trip meter and a fuel gauge, but that is in line with the old world charm the Classic offers.
Also See – Royal Enfield Himalayan; UM Motorcycles
UM Renegade Commando vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Thunderbird 350 – Specifications Comparison
| UM Renegade Commando | RE Classic 350 | RE Thunderbird 350 | |
| Dimensions (LengthxWidthxHeight) | 2223 x 883 x 1050 mm | 2180 x 790 x 1080 mm | 2060 x 790 x 1205 mm |
| Kerb Weight | -NA- | 187 kg | 192 kg |
| Ground Clearance | -NA- | 135 mm | 140 mm |
| Engine Displacement | 279 cc Single Cylinder, liquid-cooled | 346 cc single cylinder air cooled | 346 cc single cylinder air cooled |
| Power | 25 bhp @ 8500 rpm | 19.8 bhp @ 5250 rpm | 19.8 bhp @ 5250 rpm |
| Torque | 21.8 Nm @ 7000 rpm | 28 Nm @ 4000 rpm | 28 Nm @ 4000 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed | 5-speed | 5-speed |
| Suspension | Front – Hydraulic Telescopic
Rear – Hydraulic With Spring |
Front – Telescopic, 35mm Forks
Rear- Twin gas charged shock absorbers |
Front – Telescopic, 41mm forks
Rear – Twin gas charged shock absorbers
|
| Brakes | Front – -NA-
Rear – -NA- |
Front – Disc, 280mm
Rear – Drum, 153 mm |
Front – Disc, 280 mm
Rear – Disc, 240 mm |
| Mileage | -NA- | 37 kpl | 37 kpl |
| Top Speed | -NA- | 130 kph | 107 kph |
| Price | INR 1.59 lacs | INR 1.29 lacs | INR 1.40 lacs |
Although the UM Renegade Commando has a smaller engine, in terms of capacity, the power output is higher in comparison to the Enfields. However, the Thunderbird’s and Classic’s 346 cc engine develops more torque and the peak power and torque figures are developed at a much lower rpm. Dimensionally, the Renegade Commando is longer and wider than the RE siblings.
Also See – UM Renegade Commando
UM Renegade Commando vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Thunderbird 350 – Price Comparison
| UM Renegade Commando | RE Classic 350 | RE Thunderbird 350 | |
| Price | INR 1.59 lacs | INR 1.29 lacs | INR 1.40 lacs |
all prices ex-showroom, New Delhi
The Royal Enfield Classic 350 is the cheapest of the lot followed by the Thunderbird 350. The UM Renegade Commando costs INR 19,000 more than the Thunderbird and a full 30,000 more than the Classic. However, as the Indian market tends to perceive foreign brands as more premium, the price difference between the UM and the Royal Enfields might not prove to be a big deterrent.
UM Renegade Commando vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Thunderbird 350 – The Verdict!
Design – The UM Renegade Commando looks like a typical cruiser. The Thunderbird gets modern touches all around while the Classic’s design’s biggest selling point is its old world charm.
Specifications – The Renegade might be more powerful, but it has lower torque figures. Also, the 346 cc motor powering the two RE’s develop peak figures at a lower rpm.
Price – The UM Renegade Commando costs 19,000 more than the Thunderbird and 30,000 more than the Classic.
So what do you think of our UM Renegade Commando vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Thunderbird 350 comparison? Do let us know via the comments section below and stay tuned to CarBlogIndia for more updates on UM Renegade Commando vs Royal Enfield Classic 350 vs Thunderbird 350.
