Royal Enfield is all set to introduce a new variant of its popular Thunderbird model in India, called the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X. The Thunderbird 500X comes with considerable cosmetic updates along with some new features and equipment, but there are no changes to the powerplant. The new Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X series will come in a new dual tone colour scheme, a lot similar to the Classic 350 Redditch editions. Like the Redditch edition, the bikes will essentially come with a glossy black base coat with the fuel tank painted in a contrast vibrant colour. The images reveal that there will be a total of four colour options - Red, Yellow, Blue, and White. The side panel will come with the 'Thunderbird 500X' badging instead of the standard Thunderbird 500.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X's styling is similar to the Classic 350 Redditch edition
On the features and equipment front, the new Thunderbird 500X comes with all-new matte black alloy wheels with matching reflectors,and tubeless tyres, which are a first-of-its-kind on a Royal Enfield. The bike also gets a new matte black silencer instead of the chrome one on the standard Thunderbird. The split seats on the Thunderbird have also been replaced by a new one-piece seat and the rear grab rail with back support has been given a miss. The bike also comes with a new flat handlebar, while the projector headlamps and LED taillamps remain unchanged, although they are now in black colour. The suspension setup is also expected to remain unchanged, with the telescopic forks up front and twin gas-charged shock absorbers at the rear. Braking duties will most likely be handled by the existing 280mm disc, with 2-Piston caliper up front and 240 mm Disc, Single piston caliper for the rear wheel.
The new Thunderbird 500X gets matte black treatment, alloy wheels, tubeless tyres, one-piece seat
Mechanically, the bike is expected to receive no mentionable changes, and it will continue to be powered by the existing BS-IV compliant, fuel injected, 499 cc single cylinder engine, which comes mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The engine makes about 27 bhp at 5,250 rpm; and a peak torque of 41.3 Nm at 4,000 rpm. CarandBike did try to reach to Royal Enfield for a comment on a possible launch date of the new model, but so far there's been no response from Royal Enfield. Judging by the images, in which the bikes appear to be in full production guise, we expect the new Thunderbird 500X range to be introduced by January or February 2018.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X will be priced a bit higher than the standard model
The existing Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 is currently priced at Rs. 1.9 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Compared to it, the new Thunderbird 500X is expected to cost marginally more, owing to the alloy wheels and tubeless tyres.
Image Source: Rushlane
