Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 (Standard)

The Royal Enfield Thunderbird is the Chennai-based bike makers speciality cruiser motorcycle. Launched in 2005 in the 350cc avatar, it got the 500cc engine in 2013 and shares this mill with the standard 500 and the Classic 500.The Thunderbird 500 is powered by a 499cc single cylinder mill that produces 27.2bhp and 41.3Nm of torque. The engine has been mated to a five-speed gearbox.The bike is underpinned by a single downtube chassis which uses the engine as a stressed member. In the front, RE has fitted the Thunderbird 500 with 41mm telescopic forks and a 280mm disc brake while the rear gets five-step adjustable gas charged units and a disc brake. ABS is a Rs 14,000 option. In terms of features, the Thunderbird 500 gets an electric start, full instrument panel with digital trip meter and a host of other sensors like side stand and low oil. The RE Thunderbird 500 is available in four colours. It is priced at Rs 1.9 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). It competes with the Jawa and UM ranges of motorcycles.