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.

To be honest, the engine of Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 is the same as Classic 500 Desert Storm; it has the same 499 cc, 4 stroke, twin spark, air cooled, single cylinder engine. Maximum power measured is 27.2 BHP at 5250 RPM and highest torque have been measured to be 4.17 kgm at 4000 RPM. Once on the road on Thunderbird, you would realize that these measurements don't matter much. As soon as you hear the ignition thunder, you feel a surge of power, all in your hands to tame. Lots of power could be felt in the gears, thus easily making it one of the swiftest ride, traffic or no traffic, city or highway. It could brake to a standstill easily and as easy would be to pick it up on second or third gear, without feeling a jerk.

The most comfortable speed of Thunderbird 500 is 100-115 kmph, a speed when the bike would seem like a tune right out of Bach's composition. The bike could be rode at 120-130 kmph as well, however, the feet would start feeling jerked, this speed does not seem to be its forte at all. To be noted is the fact that it would reach the maximum speed of 100 kmph in a mere 12.5 seconds. Now since we have earlier likened the bike to Classic 500, it is here a must to mention that this 12.5 seconds time of Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 is a bit slower than Classic. This, and the other fact is that the T'bird 500 would reach from a speed of 30 kmph to 70 kmph, fourth gear, in just 8.72 seconds. Then again, once having gained speed, lowering it down could be a problem. For sure, RE has given an upfront 280 mm disc brakes with twin pot callipers and 240 mm single pot calliper disc at the rear, with a weight of 195 kgs the bike takes some time to slow down. This shows a huge improvement in braking of the bike, however still, scope remains for further improvements.

Gears and clutch are absolutely smooth to use, howsoever, some deliberate efforts were to be put in while shifting gears. A fuel efficiency of 26 kmpl, which is quite impressive. The bike stretches fuel efficiency a lot better if not revved up too high. The bike has been specially called a highway bike, and for some reasons, one being the well-gripped ride, the seat, the corner-turning ability, and the huge fuel tank 20 litres in a go, making it a true bird!

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.