Royal Enfield’s New Roadster To Take On Upcoming Triumph-Bajaj Bike & Jawa Forty Two Spotted

The test mule looks quite different from the Thunderbird 350X that was spotted late last year

• The new roadster will make use of Royal Enfield’s upcoming J-platform of engines.
• This bike features revised ergos thanks to a flatter seat and a new footpeg position.
• Expect Royal Enfield to showcase its next generation of motorcycles at EICMA 2020.

We’ve spotted the next generation of single-cylinder Royal Enfields that are expected to take the mantle forward from the current Classic and Thunderbird motorcycles yet again. Unlike test mules spied earlier, this new Roadster sports a couple of different items.

The major change between the bike spotted earlier and this one is the change in ergonomics. The rear subframe seems to be different as the entire sub-assembly appears to be lowered. It sports a flatter and wider single-piece seat as well. Also, the rider’s seat isn’t scooped out like the Thunderbird 350X. Even the footpegs have been pulled closer to the rider, from a forward-set position to a mid-set one. This should make for a rather more engaging riding posture than the T-Bird’s comfy and laidback position.

Nestled in the new double downtube frame is the next generation of Enfield’s single-cylinder engine. We believe the engine displacement will be slightly more than the existing UCE 350 motor as it will be replacing the now-discontinued 500cc motor as well. Expect it to pack a displacement of around 400-450cc with fuel injection. This roadster features a new upswept exhaust with a stubbier end-can. This is quite different from the older test mules or even the current crop of Enfields.

The underpinnings seem to be more or less similar to the ones found on the Thunderbird 350X. With the new engine, Enfield has switched the chain side, which means there is some minor revision with the swingarm and rear wheel assembly. The front disc brake too has switched sides. 

We expect Royal Enfield to showcase its new fleet of single-cylinder bikes at EICMA 2020, just like it did with the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 in 2018. Will it bear the Classic and Thunderbird names or be called the Sherpa or Hunter, the two names that were recently trademarked by Enfield? This new roadster could be the early response to the affordable Triumph-Bajaj bike that is likely to be launched in 2022. Stay tuned to BikeDekho for more info.