Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650: 6 observations by a Thunderbird owner

The Thunderbird 500 might be from 2017 but it had cost me 60% lower money than the Super Meteor 650 and is still in impeccable condition, rides strong even for 300km ride with no strong excuses to turn it in.

BHPian venbas recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Very nice comparison. Was at the Royal Enfield showroom at Tambaram yesterday for some gear purchase. Now I have a Thunderbird 500 from 2017 and thought would give the Super Meteor a try. Apart from the observations made I had the following to add

• To its credit the Super meteor 650 had near zero vibrations, super refined almost honda like vibe-free engine. But my Thunderbird with RRP exhaust and motul Engine oil has that familiar bullet tuppu tuppu sound and near zero vibrations till the 90's :P

• The aggressively forward set cruiser mode of SM 650 is good for crusing but extremely uncomfortable for city riding. The changing of gears, maneuvering high traffic highways etc were a huge problem compared to the relaxed positions on the TB 500.

• The seating position and overall height is a big issue for tall riders in the SM 650. I am 6'1" and felt very uncomfortable especially in stop and go traffic. The TB 500 was a natural relax fit.

• The Turn radious issue has been rightly pointed out by others. Took the SM 650 to a 20ft road and had to make 4-5 3-point turn on the crowded narrow road to make a u-turn which was embarrassing. Never faced this on TB 500.

• I felt that the suspension of the TB 500 was better than the SM 650. The TB 500 soaked up bad roads and speed breakers way better as to the SM 650.

• The looks has been done to death. The TB 500 especially with it's spoke wheels and timeless design is a looker even from afar whilst the SM 650 looks a tad better when I come very near the bike.

All in all I decided *against* turning over my good old TB 500 atleast for now. The TB 500 might be from 2017 but it had cost me 60% lower money than the SM 650 and still in impeccable condition, rides strong even for 300km ride with no strong excuses to turn it in. Reckon the SM 650 was intended for butter smooth highways whilst the TB 500 was this practical blend between City madness, Chaotic roads and open Highways.

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