Royal Enfield is set to introduce a new variant based on its popular Thunderbird range. This new model line will be called the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X and is likely to hit showrooms next month. A first set of spy pics have surfaced online showing this new model in its production guise.
First up, the Thunderbird 500X, as the same suggests, is likely to continue with the same 500cc engine and gearbox that powers the standard Thunderbird range. However, there are multiple changes that set it apart from the regular model. First up, the handlebar is new and so are the seats. The bikes are shod with black alloy wheels and tubeless tyres and the engine gets a matte black finish instead of silver. The exhaust and suspension will also get a similar matte black-look.
The alloy wheels are ten-spoke units with 19-inch diameter in the front and 18-inch at the back. The model features disc brakes at the front and rear. The 500X's head and tail-lamp are the same units as the standard model, replete with an LED daytime running light and LED tech for the tail-lamp as well. The overall look of the bike is more like a Triumph Bonneville than a typical Royal Enfield.
With the new Thunderbird 500X, Royal Enfield seems to be targetting a younger set of customers, which can be identified by the bright paint-shade choices like red, blue, yellow and white. Expect more details on the model to surface once launch nears.
Royal Enfield is also readying its new 650cc range, which is slated to hit showrooms in the second half of 2018.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
