Finally after almost six months of waiting, Royal Enfield today, on 5th Jan, unvailed their Thunderbrid 500cc at 11th Auto Expo in Delhi, 2012. The engine is same of Classic 500, which was available now and was exposed in Auto expo 2010. We haven’t yet more photos or datails of this brid. Though we are expecting a price of 1.5Lakh to 1.6Lakh. More detail will be updated soon. Keep your eyes in this section.

The auto expo, the largest automotive show in India also said the only complete Automotive show in World is having 1500 participants from 23 countries this time. Another segment where we are keeping our eyes is Rajputana Custom Motorcycle, known as RCM is also displaying their first customized Harley davidson in this Auto Expo, they named the motorcycle as Rajmata.

Like every time Royal Enfiled stall was at the center of the attention even at the morning when the Auto Expo was started.

There is marginal difference in the shape as compared to the current model. The silencer is completely different to the Thunder Bird 500. The concept also has a projector headlamp. The backlight and the rear mudguard looks really pretty. The mirror shape is changed as well. The Bird comes with a rear disk break.

Royal Enfield have also launched a range of accessories, jackets and boots. More detail to come soon.

Join the Official Thunderbird 500 Facebook Page to get frequent updates, click the Like button.

Siddhartha Lal MD & CEO of Eicher motors, at the launching time, said that Royal Enfield has grown from 50,000 to 73,000 motorcycles last year. The new bike will be on the market by mid 2012.

“The accessories will be available from the middle of the year, coinciding with the launch of the new model,” Royal Enfield CEO Venki Padmanabhan said. “After 10 years of launching the Thunderbird, we have completely redesigned the model, especially for the urban and the long distance travellers,” Eicher Motors MD and CEO Siddhartha Lal told reporters here.

“We don’t plan to discontinue the 350cc model. The new variant is just an extension of the Thunderbird range,” Lal said.

The company has also announced the launch of accessories like helmets, jackets and boots through its dealerships across the country. On the launch of its Cafe Racer, Royal Enfield Fury, Lal said the bike would be available from the first half of 2013.

Technology:
(by Royal Enfield Thunderbrid Company Release)
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.

Visit http://royalenfield.com for more.