Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 is one of the most loved laid back cruisers in the country when one talks about the mass market segment. The bike comes with a rounded headlamp upfront that has LED DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) housed in a curvy fashion. The motorcycle has been fitted with a cruiser type handlebar due to which the rider sits upright and gets a comfortable riding position.  The Thunderbird 500 is now being offered in unique glittery paint schemes, making for another highlight that adds up to its popularity. The motorcycle gets split seats that come well padded and have been designed to offer a decent amount of comfort to the rider and pillion. The Thunderbird 500 also receives a pillion backrest, which is a rare feature to find in a motorcycle of this segment and price.

In terms of features, the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 comes with dual disc brakes that offer a good stopping power. The bike also receives Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) housed within the main headlamp that look stylish. The pillion backrest along with gas charged shock absorbers are some elements due to which the Thunderbird 500 delivers a soothing and comfortable ride quality.

Meaty is the first word that comes to mind when you first start braking while flying with the bird. The clutch has been given apt weight, front brakes have been given enough muscles. RE has come a long way now, what with 280 mm disc brakes at the front and 240 mm disc brakes at the rear, along with telescopic front forks, twin gas-charged shocks at the rear make a great combination. Well said. However, brakes is one section where the bike falls short of, minutely though. Though it would glide like a bird, a powerful bird, even in the cities, and would brake smoothly, however, if on higher speeds, the bike lacks the enthusiasm while braking. The RE-typical sound from the discs can be heard or felt while braking.

Handling of Thunderbird 500 just could not have been better. Twists and turns are smoothly taken care of. Nimble and planted, howsoever steep are the turns, and whatsoever speed the bike is running at. The now fatter front forks have improved the front stability a great deal. And it is the merger of the forks with the box section swingarm, first time ever used by RE, that the bike has such perfect handling especially since it has been tagged a cruiser. The other factors that minutely improve its handling are the new handlebar, it allows smooth direction changing, the foot pegs, placed a bit forward than normal. However, must is to mentioned the minute stiffness felt in the suspension, which might look as good while on the typical pot-holed Indian roads.

All the features together make it a superbly safe bike to ride, be it in the cities or the highways. It can be said that brakes in this bike need improvement, however, 280 mm of disc brakes at the front and 240 mm discs at the rear are smart, and conspire good enough with the 41 mm front telescopic forks and twin gas charged shock absorbers to provide safety to the bikers. The backrest and the pillion seat make the pillion comfortable enough. Suspension might get jerky on pot-holed roads, though once the bike gets old and is much rode, no such problems would surface, would rather be a smooth ride for both the rider and the pillion.

I might be biased, but I really liked the rear view mirrors on the bike. Most of the times, the major problem faced is the riders' shoulders view in the rear view mirror. No such thing happens in T'bird 500. The large headlamp, which shines real bright, are just adorable with its shape.