Indians love products yielding more value for their hard earned money; few companies have been smart enough to understand this and have hit the right note.
Indians love products yielding more value for their hard earned money; few companies have been smart enough to understand this and have hit the right note. United Motors International, popularly known as ‘UM’ is an American bike manufacturer all geared up to take up the challenge of catering to one of the most demanding customers of any bike segment, here in India.
We pitch UM Renegade Classic against the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350
Renegade Classic
Engine:
The Renegade Classic packs a 278cc, air-cooled single cylinder engine that produces 25PS of power and 22Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed transmission while the RE Thunderbird gets a 346cc single cylinder, 4 stroke, twin spark, air cooled engine. The maximum power output of RE Thunderbird is 19.80 bhp @ 5,250 rpm while torque figures stand at 28 Nm @ 4,000 rpm with a 5-speed transmission. UM claims that Renegade Classic can reach speeds of 125 kmph while the Thunderbird 350 has a slightly lesser figure to show of 107 kmph. While the Renegade’s 278 cc unit displaces less air, on paper it makes for a better engine. At 172 kg, the Renegade Classic also lugs lesser weight than the Thunderbird (192 kg) thus improving its overall maneuverability.
Features:
As far as standout features go, the Renegade Classic has a USB charger on board which helps riders stay connected with the world on long rides. It also gets “blind-spot mirrors” that give riders a better view of the rear’s surroundings, which may not be entirely necessary. However, additional safety features are always better. The RE Thunderbird comes with a projector headlamp which can illuminate acres of space at night for better visibility. Sadly, both bikes miss out on ABS.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350
Brand Appeal:
Royal Enfield has a cult following in India which may not be easy to break into. The Miami-based UM may find it hard to sell itself as a viable alternative to RE partly due to the lack of a significant brand image amongst average Indians. This is where Royal Enfield wins hands down, which has made the company grow leaps and bounds in the last few years after a period of stagnation. With the ‘Bullet’ now a cult figure of sorts, the UM Renegade Classic has its work cut out…
Pricing:
While the Thunderbird 350 costs about INR 1.48 lakh, the UM Renegade Classic will set buyers back by INR 1.69 lakh making it a tough decision.
Conclusion:
It ultimately boils down to whether you want outright performance or do you want that brand appeal and individual brand preferences. The Renegade might find it tough initially but with time, it could see success down the road.
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