2012 Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 Review plus some more Details inside.

Royal Enfield’s solitary launch for 2012 will be the Thunderbird 500, a motorcycle that wowed show goers at the Indian Auto Expo by literally being the showstopper at the Royal Enfield pavilion.

The Thunderbird 500 has been perhaps one of the most anticipated offering from the Royal Enfield stable considering that the Thunderbird 350 has been doing yeoman service for the last ten years. The Thunderbird has built for itself a reputation of being a comfortable touring motorcycle and is often the first choice amongst the Royal Enfield models for touring enthusiasts. The Thunderbird has earned itself the reputation of a capable highway tourer and established itself firmly in the cruiser market. The Thunderbird broke away from the mould of Royal Enfield’s traditional motorcycles and redefined a new lineup. In that direction, the new Thunderbird has come as fresh motorcycle.

Royal Enfield is nothing short of a phenomenon in countries where it’s standing out since the past many generations that have passed. Thunderbird is undoubtedly the most stylish and performance oriented addition to the lineup. The bike is the attractive mix of both retro as well as modern concepts in styling and technology both. The bike falls under the cruiser segment and this time the rider could be sure of more comfortable ergonomics and refiner power coming after that throttle roll.


Design & Styling :

The ‘black’ engine is one of the first styling elements that catch your attention the moment you see 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.

The instrumentation also includes two digital trip meters, allowing riders to keep a track of total trip mileage as well as intermediate mileage between tankfuls. The speed and engine rpm are shown via tastefully designed analogue clocks, housed in all new twin pods at the front.

Engine and Transmission :

The engine is 499 cc 4 stroke, single cylinder version that could make a 27.2 bhp power output through an electronic fuel injection system and delivers a prodigious peak torque of 41.3 Nm torque in the chamber. The bike is said to be featured with Classic’s 500cc UCE engine with EFI. The engine is mated to a five speed gearbox and uses maintenance free hydraulic tappets.

What's new in the Thunderbird 500 ?

The bike comes up with features like digital twin pod LCD console to make tracking speeds smoother in the night and low light conditions.
The saddle height has been reduced to enhance the stability and overall comfort during those long trails with no one else but you under the sun. The front wheel is a 19” spoke rim which has the sturdy grip of 41mm forks to hold them to their place.
The headlight has also got a projection type headlamp of 55/55 W H7 Bulb that could illuminate the roads much brighter than you could imagine. The rear wheel has also been given a 240 mm Disc brake to help it reach a halt in time.

Top Speed
The Thunderbird 500cc could get a maximum of 130 km/h on the road.


Dimensions
The length of the bike is 2120.00 mm, width is 750.00 mm and the height 1080.00 mm.

Shades Available
The color of the bike is only going to be in contours of black like Midnight, Matte and Arctic Winter Black.


Price and availability
Actual sales of the vehicle may begin only near mid 2012. It comes with a price tag ranging between Rs 1,40,000 to 1,90,000  for the Indian buyers.

RE Thunderbird 500 high points at a Glance :

• Matte black finished engine
• Seat has been completely redesigned to suit the new foot pegs position.
• Separately mounted pillion seat can be removed to accommodate luggage.
• Bungee hooks are provided to strap up that extra luggage during those long rides.
• The most noticeable is the tail lamp which is LED, unlike the earlier round shaped tail lamp. We found this to be a little out of sync with the design of the bike.
• The trip meter is now digital and a projector lamp is provided for low beam along with a halogen lamp for high beam.
• Rear Disc Brake

With increasing demand from several locations across the country, Royal Enfield has also embarked on widening its reach and improving after sales services . In addition to production and dealer ramp up, the company is also charting to launch its Thunderbird 500 motorcycle, which was showcased at the Auto Expo, in May or June. With this, it hopes to strengthen the brand position further in leisure motorcycling in the country.

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Royal Enfield USA unveils new model: C5 Special

Royal Enfield USA's top-of-the-line Bullet Classic 500 now comes as a bigger motorcycle, the C5 Special. You may need a magnifying glass to see the difference in photographs, but you'll feel the difference in your bottom.

The difference to your bottom line is likely to be only about $100.

For that you get a larger, 19-inch front wheel (as opposed to two 18-inch wheels on the C5 Classic), a somewhat different riding position and a straight front fork as opposed to the offset fork on the C5 Classic. The fork is the same length as before, but with different geometry.

The C5 Special will be available in all 50 states.

According to a notice that went out to U.S. Royal Enfield dealers last week, the C5 Special will appeal to larger riders who find the C5 Classic smallish but prefer its styling to the B5 and G5, which use the 19-inch front wheel.

The new fork and larger front wheel will give a more cruiser like feel on the highway. The C5 Classic will remain the choice for those who want maximum handling.

It is made in India and exported around the world. A bike that costs around Rs 1,20,000 (or around USD 2600) sells for almost the double the amount. Yes, bikers around the world seem to love it and that is the reason why Royal Enfield is all set to launch the Bullet Classic C5 Special in the US market for around US $ 6350. The company will also sell another variant, the Bullet G5 for around US $ 5995.

The new C5 Special will be available in all C5 colors except the Red Chrome.
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Royal Enfield plans launches, capacity ramp up

After a record sales year in 2011, iconic Bullet manufacturer Royal Enfield Motors intends to ramp up its production capacity further due to strong order book amid long waiting periods. The company also has a strong pipeline of new launches that it plans to roll out beginning second quarter of the present calendar year.

The company, part of Eicher Motors, recorded a volume growth of 42 per cent at 74,626 units in 2011 and also achieved its target of monthly production and sales of 7,000 bikes by the end of calendar year 2011. With demand continuing to outpace supply with waiting periods of over six months, the company intends to ramp up the production capacity to over 8,500 units a month by the end of 2012. “Our intent is to grow well above 90,000 units in the present calendar year,” Venki Padmanabhan, CEO, Royal Enfield Motors told Financial Chronicle.

With increasing demand from several locations across the country, Royal Enfield has also embarked on widening its reach and improving after sales services. “We have added new dealers in poorly represented markets as most of our customers have to drive over 100 kms for good service support. Last year, we crossed over 200 dealers across India. All the new dealers are investing heavily in sales and service infrastructure (service bays), and we have set up two repair technician training facilities in Chennai and Chandigarh for equipping the dealer’s staff in servicing the new Bullets sporting our new engine platform (unit construction engine) besides older iron barrel motorcycles. We have also increased our spare parts supply to the market considerably, he said.

In addition to production and dealer ramp up, the company is also charting new launches beginning middle of this year. It will launch its Thunderbird 500 motorcycle, which was showcased at the Auto Expo, in May or June. With this, it hopes to strengthen the brand position further in leisure motorcycling in the country. The next launch is that of the Cafe Racer and is expected during the first quarter of next year. “In our opinion the reintroduction of a classic racer is a new segment in India and response of its preview at the Auto Show was overwhelming,” said Padmanabhan.

“Exports will be a key focus area with significant ramp up visible from 2014-15 onwards and their contribution is expected to grow over 10 per cent from the present six per cent.
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ROYAL ENFIELD GETS A MAKEOVER: REBORN IN TEXAS, RICK FAIRLESS STYLE

Born in UK, brought up in India, mesmerizing the world. One word for all these, Royal Enfield. It is a legacy in itself and out of the many breath-taking models we are concerned with the one that kills, BULLET.
Proud of being the longest motorcycle production of all time, it has admirers and fans around the world. Enfield has to work hard on a very tight routine just to suffice its demand all over this planet. Within the pocket and some major remodelling, including a twin spark unit construction engine on all models, and the flagship 500cc model that flaunts an EFI, it has rekindled the interest from European and US markets.
Seeing the potential of Enfield’s market, Strokers Dallas has bagged this opportunity. Boss Rick Fairless sees a lot of sense in customizing the factory bikes, and takes a personal initiative for this one. His mission “to make the coolest royal Enfield on this planet” and going by the outcome of his teams efforts, mission accomplished.

 

 

 

 


A 2011 C5, 500cc Bullet Model was chosen for the transformation. First to go were the wheels, 17” stock wheels replaced by taller Ride Wright 21” spoke wheels dressed in Metzeler. Then came the front end and to modify it, Vince Doll of RednecK engineering was called upon for one of his customary mono-spring front ends. Though, I have doubts if it is strong enough. For Fine tuning the appearance, EFI was moved to under seat, without any effect on its performance.

A polishing treatment was ordered for the rough engine case, as Rick saw it fitting. While it took time rear section was said goodbye, new fender fabricated and an installation of a pair of taillight at the end of each strut. Gas tank from Paughco fitted with crime scene Gas Cap. A stainless steel seat, engraved and left bare. Rick thought it was enough, for the bar hopping task this bullet will be performing. Controls, grips & pegs from Ford Stell, bars from Flanders, risers from Victory and shocks by Fournales.

Everything that one would want in a mean machine, assembled and beautified. Dressed in candy green and gold paint, pictured by Gary Queen and Mike Cissell from OSC, it is enough to get some hearts beating. Rick is all praise for his team, GM Gene Slater, Ford Stell & Derek Tollenar, a team that has never failed in his vision.

If you hear a loud throbbing, beastly bike sound, mostly heard in the mornings in an Indian neighbourhood, don’t confuse. It’s still where you slept last night, but it’s the bullet passing by.
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Royal Enfield's long waiting periods to get shorter in 2012.

Royal Enfield fans smitten by the very retro looking Classic 500, often are having to stare at waiting periods running up to ten months. Frustrated, many of these potential customers even junk their plans of buying the Royal Enfield Classic 350/500 because of this inordinately long waiting period.

Royal Enfield has, for long been a niche player in the motorcycle market and was thence totally under prepared to deal with the huge demand that played out with the launch of it’s latest range of reliable and fuel efficient UCE engined, retro motorcycle models.Finally things seem to be moving at Royal Enfield, with the firm now planning to up production to 100,000 units a year in 2012.

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