Rony

Company Release Thursday, January 5, 2012

The Thunderbird 500 has been perhaps one of the most anticipated offering from the Royal Enfield stable considering that the Thunderbird 350 has been doing yeoman service for the last ten years. The Thunderbird has built for itself a reputation of being a comfortable touring motorcycle and is often the first choice amongst the Royal Enfield models for touring enthusiasts. The Thunderbird has earned itself the reputation of a capable highway tourer and established itself firmly in the cruiser market. The Thunderbird broke away from the mould of Royal Enfield’s traditional motorcycles and redefined a new lineup. In that direction, the new Thunderbird has come as fresh motorcycle.




Styling:

The ‘black’ engine is one of the first styling elements that catch your attention the moment you see the motorcycle. The seat has been completely redesigned to suit the new foot pegs position. The handle bar too has received changes for better reach and ergonomics. The seat now opens using a lock mechanism, accessible through the side panel. True to its design concept as a more touring friendly motorcycle, the separately mounted pillion seat can be removed to accommodate luggage. The pillion grab rail is an all new pressure die cast component and lends to the modern design of the motorcycle. Bungee hooks provide the much needed bungee points to tie luggage. Other small styling elements that a keen enthusiast will notice are the Royal Enfield logo on the all new foot-pegs, new design mirrors and the LED tail lamp.

The new front end lends itself nicely to the muscular stance of the bike. The instrumentation also includes two digital trip meters, allowing riders to keep a track of total trip mileage as well as intermediate mileage between tankfuls. The speed and engine rpm are shown via tastefully designed analogue clocks, housed in all new twin pods at the front. The main ignition lock also functions as a central steering lock. The inclusion of hazard lamps in the switch gear is a first for a motorcycle manufactured in India. The tank cap is placed asymmetrically on the top right hand side of the tank, instead of the conventional central mounting; a distinctive styling element of the Thunderbird 500.



Technology:

It now comes loaded with a 500cc Unit Construction Engine (UCE) and additional power makes covering distance an easier task. The seamless torque delivery will keep the rider entertained through the twisty sections. A flick of the right wrist is all it takes now to overtake a slower moving vehicle or climb up a twisty section. When it was time to build a Thunderbird 500, Royal Enfield decided that it had to offer more than what customers were used to seeing from the Thunderbird in its current guise. Apart from the larger engine, the bike now features 41mm thick forks in front and an oval section swingarm at the rear to allow the rider to handle the additional power. The inclusion of a rear disc brake will now allow the rider to confidently explore the upper limits of the motorcycle’s performance capabilities.

The ergonomics are now oriented to the cruiser character of the motorcycle. The seat has been completely redesigned to suit the new foot pegs position. The handle bar too has received changes for better reach and ergonomics. The seat now opens using a lock mechanism, accessible through the side panel. True to its design concept as a more touring friendly motorcycle, the separately mounted pillion seat can be removed to accommodate luggage. The pillion grab rail is an all new pressure die cast component and lends to the modern design of the motorcycle. Bungee hooks provide the much needed bungee points to tie luggage.

Night time visibility has been the biggest challenge faced by most motorcyclists while cruising on the highway hence the new headlight with a 55w projector lamp for its low beam and a 55W halogen bulb for the high beam addresses that issue. The lighting is at its brightest with the high beam on, working in combination with the projector lamp giving ample spread and penetration on the road. The high rise handlebars, forward placed foot-pegs and a low seat height enable a rider to cover distances comfortably for longer periods of time. But what a waste it would be if the rider had to stop frequently for fuel and for exactly this reason the Thunderbird 500 features a large twenty liters fuel tank for an enhanced range.

Stopping power has been aided with the addition of a disc brake at the rear. The braking system is supplied by Bybre, a fully owned subsidiary of Brembo. It is mounted on the new improved oval section swing arm. These changes will enhance the riding experience of the motorcycle on the highway. The Thunderbird 500 comes as a fresh, completely new design. The test mules have been put through intensive endurance cycles, giving the development team constant feedback. It has been a hectic last twelve months at Royal Enfield with the design, product development and other teams working on extremely tight deadlines and targets to give shape to this motorcycle.

Beyond the motorcycle – Accessories:

Available with the motorcycle, will also be a range of accessories available for both rider and machine. The rider accessories include jackets, boots, clothing and eyewear. They will be on display at the Auto Expo 2012. The Thunderbird 500 will redefine the levels of performance offered by a cruiser in India, just like the first Thunderbird 350 did. It will have the ability to cover distances comfortably yet retaining its practicality for regular use. See you on the highway!

Source : Welcome to Royal Enfield Motorcycles | Motorcycle India

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sunilg

News approved.

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(Been There Done That) x 3.25

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Rony

Thanks for approving suniljee ... I hope you had gala time at the auto-expo today !

I would like to summarize the highlights of TB500 :-

1. The ‘black’ engine with the same specs of classic 500. (27.2 bhp @ 5250 rpm - 41.3 Nm @ 4000 rpm torque - 500cc Single Cylinder, 4 stroke,Twinspark - Keihin Electronic Fuel Injection engine)
2. Stopping power has been aided with the addition of a disc brake at the rear. The braking system is supplied by Bybre, a fully owned subsidiary of Brembo.
3. The seat now opens using a lock mechanism, accessible through the side panel. True to its design concept as a more touring friendly motorcycle, the separately mounted pillion seat can be removed to accommodate luggage.
4. The pillion grab rail is an all new pressure die cast component.
5. Bungee hooks provide the much needed bungee points to tie luggage
6. Royal Enfield logo on the all new foot-pegs, new design mirrors, two digital trip meters and the LED tail lamp.
7. A 55w projector lamp for its low beam and a 55W halogen bulb for the high beam.
8. The tank cap is placed asymmetrically on the top right hand side of the tank, instead of the conventional central mounting; a distinctive styling element of the Thunderbird 500.
9. 41mm thick forks in front and an oval section swingarm at the rear.
10. Finally, a humongous 20 LTS fuel tank.

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tarunkuril

Kudos to RE...Really distinctive !!!

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If yesterday was the day, why i am still alive.....if tomorrow is decided for me, i cann't change it...let it come...they way it wants to...i might not win...but i will make sure that even you would not win easily...

A kind note, with love

To The Death God...

Centaur

Seems like it's time to think about my 13th bike

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There are drunk riders. There are old riders. There are NO old, drunk riders.
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You don’t stop riding because you’re getting old, but you get old when you stop riding.

princesirohi

first time i am seriously thinking of owning a bullet. best bullet till date.
can someone upload a top view of bike specially of instrument cluster.

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Tyre Sizes _ Spark Plugs

Pirelli & Michelin Tyres for Indian Bikes

Motorcycle Headlight Focus

ASHTAVINAYAK & SHIRDI BIKE TOUR WITH WIFE

patil9

Instrument Cluster of Thunderbird 500

Attached Thumbnails

 

Rony

Nice pic dude ... was waiting for the console pic ... I think they could have made it more impressive ... anyways sharing another pic of the thunderbird 500 from the expo itself :-



Source : 2012 Delhi Auto Expo live streaming (coverage), car and bike launches and unveilings | Rush Lane

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oilburner

Just a Question to the guys at Auto Xpo is there oxygen sensor included in new thunderbird unlike classic 500. can someone find out

raghu123

really awsome bike .... wish i could buy it in the near future

love the rear and front disc brakes .....

well just a query .. well RE products are of 350 / 500 cc producing good horsepower but still it dosent reaches top speed of a 250 cc like a CBR .. is it just because of is weight or ????

what will be the top speed of the thunderbird TS 500 ?