Test Ride and Review of Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

Royal Enfield first launched its Thunderbird cruiser in 2002. & the latest variant of the Thunderbird 500 was first seen at this year’s Indian Auto Expo. We’ve recently ridden the latest T’bird on the Bangalore Ooty highway to bring you this first impression.

An immediately visible change is a new headlight featuring a projector lamp. Stylish new instruments display an analogue speedometer & tachometer, with a digital display including a clock also in place. The new grips feel decent & both control levers have a solid, meaty feel to them. A hazard warning switch is standard, making for a Royal Enfield first.

The fuel tank is larger, well proportioned with its filler lid offset at the top. & you now have the option of removing the pillion seat to increase luggage room. The 500 also gets a revised exhaust, LED tail lamp & RE logos for its foot pegs.

The latest Thunderbird borrows its 499cc, single cylinder, air cooled & four stroke engine from the Classic 500. The large capacity engine belts out a trademark Royal Enfield thump. There’s ample low & mid range power, but peak power output at 27.2bhp could be more, given such a large capacity engine. The T’bird 500 is good for a top speed of 130kph, but feels best when cruising at speeds of between 80 100kph. A five speed gearbox shifts in the one down, four up pattern.

The riding saddle is comfortable, & the rider’s footpegs have been shifted forward, making for a more comfortable cruising experience.

The T’bird 500 employs a single downtube frame, with an oval section swingarm used at rear. There’s also a 240mm disc brake at rear, working with a 280mm single front disc for improved stopping power.

Royal Enfield has priced the new Thunderbird 500 at Rs 1,82,571 (on road, Mumbai). See the first ride report in our shortly releasing Nov 2012 issue for more details.









Fact File
Price Range (in lakhs)*
Ex showroom price Rs 1,65,708 (Ex showroom, Mumbai)
Engine
Fuel Petrol
Type Single cylinder, air cooled, four stroke, 499cc
Power 27.2bhp at 5250rpm
Torque 4.17kgm at 4000rpm
Power to weight 139.5bhp per tonne
Transmission
Gearbox 5 speed, 1 down, 4 up
Dimensions
Length 2060mm
Width 790mm
Height 1205mm
Wheel base 1350mm
Ground clearance 140mm
Chassis & Body
Weight 195kg
Wheels Wire spoke
Tyres 90/90x19 inches(f), 120/80x18 inches (r)
Suspension
Front Telescopic forks
Rear Dual gas charged shocks, oval section swingarm
Brakes
Front 280mm disc
Rear 240mm disc
Economy
Tank size 20 litres

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