Royal Enfield launched its new 500cc Thunderbird at the Expo and revealed plans to launch a Café Racer in the first half of 2013. The Thunderbird currently sells about 1,000 units every month out of total average sales of 7,000 motorcycles for the company. The bikemaker closed the year 2011 with sales of 75,000 units, up from 53,000 in 2010.
The new Thunderbird has new styling elements like a ‘black’engine, redesigned seat to suit new footpegs position, removable pillion suit to accommodate luggage, more ergonomic handlebar, new mirrors and an LED tail-lamp. styling with a powerful 500cc Unit Construction Engine and a 27.2 bhp power output being fed through an electronic fuel injection system- the Thunderbird 500 makes a distinct statement on the Indian roads.
The instrumentation includes two digital trip meters, allowing riders to keep a track of total trip mileage as well as intermediate mileage between tankfulls. The speed and engine rpm are shown via analogue clocks, housed in all new twin pods at the front. The main ignition lock also functions as a central steering lock. The inclusion of hazard lamps in the switchgear, the company says, is a first for a motorcycle manufactured in India.
The new headlight with a 55W projector lamp for its low beam and a 55W halogen bulb for the high beam, addresses the biggest challenge of night time visibility faced by most motorcyclists while cruising on the highway. There’s also a 20-litre tank and improved braking with the addition of a disc brake at the rear, among other improvements.
Royal Enfield has also introduced its ‘Black’ range of merchandise which includes biker apparel, bike and riding accessories.
Launching the Thunderbird 500, Siddhartha Lal, MD & CEO of Eicher Motors, said: “When we launched Thunderbird in 2002, it was a one-of-its kind model on Indian roads that redefined the cruiser segment. With the long running success of Thunderbird 350, the Thunderbird brand has built its own cult following as a comfortable touring motorcycle. Today, with the launch of the Thunderbird 500, fitted with the UCE and a host of design enhancements, Royal Enfield has again upped the ante in leisure motorcycling.”
Speaking about the development of the new Thunderbird, Dr Venki Padmanabhan, CEO, Royal Enfield, said: “We listened very closely to the needs of highway cruisers in India and covered improvements on a variety of fronts – range, ergonomics, looks, braking, night riding visibility, luggage carriage capability, even clothing and accessories.”