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Royal Enfield unveiled the Thunderbird 500 at the 2012 Auto Expo. The motorcycle is highly awaited by Bullet fans and the Chennai based automaker will launch the motorcycle next month. The Thunderbird 500 has got many changes including the addition of a 55 W projector headlight with LED ring. The instrument cluster has been revised as well and now incorporates a digital display for odometer and twin trip meters. The cluster is finished in blue and has chrome surrounds. The Thunderbird 500 will be available in 3 colours – matte black, arctic black and midnight black.
Other than the cosmetic changes to the Thunderbird 500, the biggest change is the change of heart. The Thunderbird 500 is powered by the same engine which does duty in the Classic 500. The 500cc, single-cylinder engine is air-cooled and produces 27.2 BHP of peak power. However more importantly this motor produces a massive 41.3 Nm of peak torque at just 4000 RPM. This will give the Thunderbird 500 very good cruising abilities on Indian highways. The twin-spark engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
Royal Enfield has also added a rear disc brake to the Thunderbird, which is a first for a Royal Enfield vehicle in India. The seat are now split and the pillion can hold on to a new grab rail. The front forks are now 41 mm, which is fatter than before and the 20-litre fuel tank gives the motorcycle very good range. The Thunderbird 500 will be priced around Rs. 1.4 lakhs (ex-showroom). The delay has been caused due to testing of the bike but homologation has been done now. Mr. Adolf Hitler wasn’t impressed with the delay and you can checkout his reactions to the Thunderbird 500 delay below.
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