Royal Enfield, the oldest motorcycle company in continuous existence, rolled outs its most expensive model till date, the Thunderbird 500 cruiser in the Indian bike market on October 11, 2012. The company launched the latest motorcycle at a price tag of Rs. 1,82,571 (on road price for Mumbai) and finally the wait of bike enthusiasts of the country has come to an end. Royal Enfield unveiled the monster of a bike - Thunderbird 500 at the 2012 Auto Expo and the cruiser instantly stole the show from all other two-wheelers.
The 2012 Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 promises to be the most exciting and powerful bikes from the stables of the much fawned upon company. The new Thunderbird comes with a 500 cc single cylinder air cooled motor, which churns out a maximum power of 27 bhp and a peak torque delivery of 41 Nm. The power-mill will come mated to a five speed gearbox and is believed to be of most refined quality from Royal Enfield. The Thunderbird 500 cruiser could deliver an impressive fuel efficiency of 25 km per litre, considering its mammoth of an engine.
Speaking at the launch ceremony of the 2012 Thunderbird 500, Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Eicher Motors Limited said, “When we launched Thunderbird in 2002, it was a one-of-its kind motorcycle on the Indian roads that redefined the cruiser segment. Over the years, the Thunderbird brand has built its own cult following amongst Royal Enfield customers, as a comfortable touring motorcycle. Today, with the launch of the Thunderbird 500 with its unique 360-degree design language and its higher powered engine that has our signature flat torque curve, Royal Enfield has again upped the ante in leisure motorcycling. With touring enthusiasts forming the core of our customer base, the Thunderbird 500 gives them more power, comfort and style for long-distance riding.”
Expressing his delight at the launch of the 'Ultimate Highway Cruiser', Dr. Venki Padmanabhan, Chief Executive Officer , Royal Enfield said, “Royal Enfield has set its sights firmly on delivering traditionally progressive motorcycles around the world. We listened very closely to the needs of highway cruisers in India and designed a motorcycle that is extremely suitable for long distance riding with its range, ergonomics, looks, excellent braking, night riding visibility, luggage carriage capability, even clothing and accessories. We hope that with the Thunderbird 500, our customers will see affirmation of the fact that Royal Enfield is a company bent on listening, imagining and delivering.”
At a first glance, the Thunderbird 500 looks like one of a kind beast in the guise of a cruiser bike and thus, the company calls it 'The Ultimate Highway Cruiser.' The bike flaunts its lower saddle height, black powder painted engine and a very comfortable sitting posture. Royal Enfield has done some very stylish detailing, such as brand new headlamps and innovatively designed LED tail lamps. Further, the pricey quotient of the cruiser comes from its array of cutting edge attributes like the brand new digital LCD console, fuel injection in engine, gas charged suspension, front disc brakes and projector headlamps.
In order to ensure that the 2012 cruiser Thunderbird 500 features all the top-class safety features, the engineers of Royal Enfield have gone great lengths towards achieving the kind of perfection that the new bike conforms with. Accordingly, the main ignition lock installed on the Thunderbird 500 cruiser functions as a main central steering lock as well. The new cruiser is the first bike to be manufactured in the country, which incorporates hazard lamps in its switch gear.
Royal Enfield has bestowed some incredible attention catching additions to the 2012 Thunderbird 500 cruiser bike, such as the new instrument panel comprising digital odometer, fuel meter and trip meter. Further it has been revealed that the new bike will be available in three colour options, mainly Arctic Winter Black, Matte Black Metallic and Midnight Black.
