Launch Report: 2012 Royal Enfield ThunderBird 500 & 350 – Price, Pictures & All Details

thunderbird 500

Royal Enfield launched its much anticipated and premium-most bike in India, 2012 Thunderbird 500. We updated you with live updates as soon as they happened from event. Below you will find a detailed launch report with all the details of the bike and more bike pictures from the event.

thunderbird 499cc

Thunderbird was first launched in 2002.

  • Royal Enfield says that ThunderBird 500 is an outcome of the feedback given by highway cruisers.
  • The company claims that ThunderBird 500 is suitable for long distance riding because of its range, braking, night riding visibility, luggage carrying capability etc.
  • Royal Enfield is targeting the bike among tourers and time and again the ‘touring’ was used to emphasize the utility of the bike.
  • ThunderBird 500 is powered by the same 499cc single cylinder 4 stroke Twinspark engine with Electronic Fuel Injection which does duty on Classic 500.
  • The peak power and torque outputs are also exactly same at 27.2bhp @5250 rpm & 41.3Nm @4000 rpm.
  • ThunderBird500 comes in 3 shades of black – Stone, Flicker and Twilight.
  • The rear seat can be done away with to enhance load carrying capability
  • Rear oval section swingarm has been redesigned
  • Handle bar with vibration resistance
  • ThunderBird 350 also gets updated with the new design theme
  • Thunderbird 350 comes in 2 color options – Flicker & Twilight
  • Thunderbird 350 doesn’t come with EFI
  • The company claims a total range of over 500kms in a full tank of petrol for 500 and over 600kms for 350 (Obviously under test condition’*’)
  • Royal Enfield also says that they have altered the footpegs and handle bars geometry and enhanced the overall riding posture for extremely comfortable long journeys.
  • The new Thunderbird also comes with a redesigned pillion backrest
  • Royal Enfield has stopped bookings of the older Thunderbird 350
  • The company also mentioned that they are working on improving the service standards and overall experience would be bettered.
  • The company also plans to launch the Cafe Racer sometime next year.

Features

  • 55W Projector headlamps
  • LED ring endowed tail lamps
  • 20 Liter tank
  • Bungee Cord mounts
  • New footpegs with Royal Enfield Logo
  • New design wider Rear View Mirrors
  • 41mm thick front forks
  • Blue backlit LCD display
  • Two trip meters
  • Hazard lamps – a first for an Indian manufactured motorcycle. (All 4 indicators glow at the same time)
  • 240mm single caliper Rear Disc Brake

Thunderbird 2012 Edition Price:

  • Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 : Rs 1,43,346
  • Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 : Rs 1,82,571

At this price, Thunderbird 500 is approximately 30k+ costlier than Classic 500. And the new improvised Thunderbird 350 is approximately Rs 25,000 over the older Thunderbird 350.

All prices On-Road in Mumbai.

Royal Enfield MotorCycle Gear

Royal Enfield has also launched motorcycle gear which includes

  • Riding Jackets
  • Riding Denims
  • Modular eye wear with ‘anti-fog’ treatment
  • Headwear
  • AGV branded Open and Full face
  • Motorcycle boots
  • Tee-shirts
  • Polos
  • logo pin badges

 

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 Specifications

ENGINE

Type Single Cylinder, 4 stroke, Twinspark
Displacement 499cc
Bore x stroke 84mm x 90mm
Compression Ratio 8.5:1
Maximum Power 27.2 bhp @ 5250 rpm
Maximum Torque 41.3 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Ignition System Digital Electronic Ignition
Clutch Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox 5 Speed Constant Mesh
Lubrication Wet sump
Engine Oil 5 W 50 API, SL Grade JASO MA
Fuel Supply Keihin Electronic Fuel Injection
Air Cleaner Paper Element
Engine Start Electric/Kick

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

Type Single downtube, using engine as stressed member
Front suspension Telescopic, 41mm forks, 130mm travel
Rear suspension Twin gas charged shock absorbers with 5-step adjustable preload, 80mm travel

BRAKES AND TYRES

Tyres Fr. 90/90 – 19
Tyres Rr. 120/80 – 18
Brakes Front 280mm Disc, 2-Piston caliper
Brakes Rear 240mm Disc, Single Piston caliper

ELECTRICAL

Tail Lamp LED Lamp with position light guides
Turn Signal Lamp Hazard Lights
Electrical System 12 volt – DC
Battery 12 volt, 14 Ah
Head Lamp Projection type headlamp, H7 55/55W

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase 1350 mm
Ground Clearance 140 mm
Length 2060 mm
Width 790 mm(Without Mirrors)
Height, Seat Height 1205 mm (Without Mirrors), 775mm
Kerb Weight 195 Kg
Fuel Capacity 20 Ltr

Check out more 2012 RE Thunderbird 500 and 350 from the event.

thunderbird 500 launch

thunderbird 500 pics

2012 thunderbird bike

thunderbird 500 front wheel

2012 thunderbird 090 thunderbird 500 disc brake

thunderbird 500 key

2012 thunderbird 114

thunderbird  500poster

Royal enfield helmet thunderbird 061

thunderbird 076

thunderbird 350