Royal Enfield Thunderbird X

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X India Launch May Happen In January 2018

Royal Enfield has added new, bright colour options to its Thunderbird 500 motorcycle. Christened Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X, the new motorcycles were recently spied at what appears to be the Company’s warehouse.

What’s new over the standard Thunderbird 500? The new Thunderbird 500X features visual upgrades only. The motorcycle was seen in a dual-tone paint job — something that we previously saw with the Royal Enfield Classic 350 Redditch Edition — with four new colour options : Yellow, Blue, Red and White (we’re sure they’d have fancier official names). The motorcycle is expected to carry a slight premium over the standard Thunderbird 500 so expect the prices to hover around INR 2 lakh (ex-showroom).

Apart from the new colour options, the Thunderbird X comes equipped with a relatively flatter handlebar instead of the cruiser style unit, and a single-piece saddle instead of the split-seat setup. Moreover, the wire-spoke wheels are replaced by a pair of alloys which will enable the installation of tubeless tyres. The pillion backrest was missing but we’re pretty sure that’d be available an optional accessory. Chrome bits are bare minimum while most of the parts get a black finishing. Other features include LED tail-light, projector headlight with LED DRL, and disc brakes on both ends.

There are no mechanical changes to the motorcycle and the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X continues to use the 499cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine that is tuned for 27.2 bhp of power at 5250 RPM and 41.3 Nm of torque at 4000 RPM. The engine comes mated to a 5-speed transmission.

While there is no official statement from Royal Enfield, the motorcycle is expected to reach showrooms in India in January 2018.

2 thoughts on “Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X India Launch May Happen In January 2018”

  1. There’s more to the picture. Pillion backrest isn’t missing, instead it is replaced by grab rails on both sides. I can read 350X on the Thunderbird. So X edition won’t be 500cc exclusive..

    Moreover, silver classic in the back houses a rear disk brake which isn’t available in 2017 model. Plus that covered tank looks black. If that’s the case than, that classic will belong to Redditch series.

  2. There’s more the picture. Pillion backrest isn’t missing, instead it is replaced by grab rails on both sides. I can read 350X on the Thunderbird. So X edition won’t be 500cc exclusive..

    Moreover, silver classic in the back houses a rear disk brake which isn’t available in 2017 model. Plus that covered tank looks black. If that’s the case than, that classic will belong to Redditch series.

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