When R.E came to India in 1955, little did they realise that this would be the country that writes them a success story.
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The Bullet was running for years and people loved it. It was time for R.E to introduce their first so called cruiser to the Indian market.

The Thunderbird was launched in 2005 with the AVL lean burn engine and later came the massive 500 cc monster in 2013. The 2013 model was a Fi and has not looked back ever since.
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The Thunderbird has evolved from tank design to engine and some more add of and now minor colour changes. Let us have a look what the 500 has in store for us. We ride the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 2017 and share all the details on it.

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 2017 Price in India

Places Price (on-road)
New Delhi INR 1,99,727
Bangalore INR 2,17,973
Pune INR 2,10,769
Chennai INR 2,02,006
Hyderabad INR 2,11,963
Mumbai INR 2,22,496
Kolkata INR 209,663
Chandigarh INR 1,69,957

This is the 2nd cheapest cruiser at this price the 1st being the Bajaj Avenger. The bike has continued to sell right from the time of launch and shows no signs of slowing down. If at all it had competition it would be from its own sibling the classic 500.
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Now with UM entering the market, things can change.

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 2017 Top Speed

The Thunderbird reached a top speed of 130 km/h. Even though it isn’t much this bike can cruise on triple digit speed all day long. If you have been to Leh’-Ladakh it is either the Thunderbird or the Classic or the Bullet. Over the years the Thunderbird has gained more popularity over the Classic and the Bullet.

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 2017 Dimensions

Length 2060mm
Width 790mm
Height 1205mm
WheelBase 1350mm
Ground Clearance 140mm
Kerb Weight 195kgs

These dimensions are that of a big bike and no doubt that it is. For a cruiser even the ground clearance is good. What else would u want from a bike. Sadly the weight could have been asked to be a bit lighter but then again you would lose out on the R.E trademark heavy motorcycle. This weight may cause an issue in traffic but on highways it is very stable.

Also Read: Mahindra Mojo Price and Review | Bajaj Dominar 400 Price and Review

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 2017 Specifications

Engine 499cc
Power 27.20 bhp @ 5250 rpm
Torque 41.30 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Transmission 5-speed
Bore 84mm
Stroke 90mm
Starter Digital Electronic Ignition

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 2017 Design

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 2017 front end

The TB 500 is not your typical cruiser with a low stance. R.E has provided you with curved handlebars and step-up seats but that’s about it. From front we see the projector headlamp which is the only R.

E to have a projector. The front forks are almost vertical like regular bikes unlike cruisers that have it elongates towards the front. Right in between the handle bars you can see the dual pod instru cluster. One housing the tachometer and other the speedometer. There is also a small 1 inch screen that tell you the odo and finally a fuel indicator. All the other R.E’s have nothing beside a reserve light that always puts you in a panic situation. THe engine block is matte black finish and that is a nice touch. The long exhaust isn’t your typical R.E exhaust and has a black cap at the end. Though most R.E owners eventually change and put the louder phat-phat one. The seats are super comfy and there is no denying that. The backrest is small but works well for people of smaller structure.

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 2017 Colours

The colours available are

  • Stone
  • Marine
  • Lightening
  • Flicker
  • Asphalt

And yes Stone is the matte black while Flicker is the gloss black.

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 2017 Engine and Transmission

This as always the question. Why does a 500 cc mill produce such low bhp. Well that is what R.E has done their entire life span. Their focus has been on torque and the relaxed cruising manner of the bike. Like every other R.E this bike too has min gearshifts thanks to the massive torque, and the thud of the exhaust note which is thanks to the long 90 mm stroke. The gearbox is a five-speed one.

Royal-Enfield-Thunderbird-500-2017-front

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 2017 Mileage

R.E claims an efficiency of 32 km/l. This is a decent figure for a 500 cc bike. But then again the lack of power helps to make up a good mileage. The T.B 500 has a 20 litre tank and even if we consider 30km/l, that is an approx of 600 km before you stop for a refill. And for a tourer like me, that is a huge Khali size thumbs up. The big 20 litre tank is another reason for its heavy weight. 

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 2017 Ride and handling.

This bike is meant for long highway cruising and if that is your lookout, do not worry as you can munch miles without breaking a sweat. The high raised curved handlebars make you stretch out a bit and for a person with short hands like me riding it in city, cutting through traffic is a big pain. But like I mentioned before your gear shifts are less and that cuts off half the pressure. I wish like every other time I write about a R.E, I wish they could put better tyres. The MRF Zappers provide very less confidence especially on wet roads. As my mom would say this is a “ heart in the mouth situation”!

3 Comments

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  • HOW MUCH CASH? I’LL BUY THIS 500 THUNDERBIRD. IF THE CASH PRICE IS RIGHT.
    HOW MANEY KLS.
    NEED WINSHIELD AND THE PAPERWORK TO LEAVE INDIA. NO TAXIS
    price under 65000 under cash. 8826283533

  • Can anyone tell me if a 500cc 2017 RE is positive or negative ground?

  • Looking for well maintained and less KM covered TB-500cc, stone black.