Thunderbird 500 Key Highlights | |
---|---|
Engine Capacity | 499 cc |
Mileage | 28 kmpl |
Transmission | 5 Speed Manual |
Kerb Weight | 195 kg |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 20 litres |
Seat Height | 775 mm |
The Royal Enfield Thunderbird is the Chennai-based bike maker’s speciality cruiser motorcycle. Launched in 2005 in the 350cc avatar, it got the 500cc engine in 2013 and shares this mill with the standard 500 and the Classic 500.
The Thunderbird 500 is powered by a 499cc single cylinder mill that produces 27.2bhp and 41.3Nm of torque. The engine has been mated to a five-speed gearbox.
The bike is underpinned by a single downtube chassis which uses the engine as a stressed member. In the front, RE has fitted the Thunderbird 500 with 41mm telescopic forks and a 280mm disc brake while the rear gets five-step adjustable gas charged units and a disc brake. ABS is a Rs 14,000 option.
In terms of features, the Thunderbird 500 gets an electric start, full instrument panel with digital trip meter and a host of other sensors like side stand and low oil. The RE Thunderbird 500 is available in four colours. It is priced at Rs 1.9 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). It competes with the Jawa and UM ranges of motorcycles.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 is available in the following colours in India.
1/3
Marine
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The average of the Thunderbird 500 is 28 kmpl, as per the owners of the bike.
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4.3/5
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
Value for money
TORQUE MONSTER
1 year ago
M Abdul Kareem
Very much surprised about the negative review of this Macho 500cc. I own this machine For 10 years, mine is a 2013 model and Today is 2023 almost the year's end but still, this bull Never ever gives up and makes me feel shit and done. The fact is that I own this bull as my family member. I care for this bull. My maintenance is just 3000/- a year and I have just changed my tires and clutch wire now . No major issues so far I have ridden to 25000kms. The torque of this bull is no match with any bike. I have touched 150+ with a curd weight of 200kg of this bike + mine 95kg. The only drawback is weight apart no major issues.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Comfort
Service experience
Value for money
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
15000+ km
Got mileage of
30 kmpl
Tips for other riders
Change oils every 5000kms , chain sprocket every 15kms and carburettor if if want a lesser power but more durability
Was this review helpful?
0
0
No Quality
1 year ago
Jayaraj K Raghavan
The engine is excellent Overall Quality is very poor. The braking system is Very weak & Non Comfortable. Electrical items are very cheep quality. Material quality is very poor.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Comfort
Service experience
Value for money
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
15000+ km
Got mileage of
24 kmpl
Tips for other riders
Verry Un Comfortable
Was this review helpful?
0
0
Royal enfield thunderbird 500 owner review
2 years ago
Vikas
I have purchased this bike in 2019. It is great to ride it. It is fun to ride it having 500 cc engine. It looks very good. It has great performance. I have served it in royal enfield service center. Pros1. Very good for riding.2. Great torque and power.3. Beautiful look.4. Tough body.5. Fun to ride.Con.1. Very poor average per liter. 2. Costly maintenance. 3. Heavy to handle. 4. Engine is not refined as compared to other brands.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
0-5000 km
Got mileage of
25 kmpl
Tips for other riders
Service at an authorized service center. Change oil on 3000 km. Put oil on the chain after 500 km. Check the brake every 500 km. Use tubeless tyres. Ride every 3 to 4 days a week.
Was this review helpful?
0
0
Birdie yaar
2 years ago
Jagannathsamal
I bought this for 2,00,000on the road market price. My riding experience on this bullet is awesome. It is 4-5 years old. I am still using it. It's worth it. My riding experience is too good. Its look is dashing in black color. I have also bought a black color helmet matching my bullet. Its service mileage is good. You can easily trust.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
15000+ km
Got mileage of
80 kmpl
Was this review helpful?
0
0
The worst bike ever
2 years ago
Kam
I bought this bike in 2015 and driven is for 2400 kms. So far I've spent more than 1 lakh for repairs and replacements. I've hardly enjoyed driving this bike. This is one of the most horrible high maintenance bike. There are many other owners of this model regret buying this bike. I rather would recommend honda who gives less maintenance bikes.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
15000+ km
Got mileage of
30 kmpl
Tips for other riders
Get service done every alternate day
Was this review helpful?
4
2
Thunderbird the perfect cruiser cum scrambler
3 years ago
Gaurang Zalariya
Bike is in excellent condition rarely used. Timely services done. It was with me like a baby with full of care. Perfect acceleration perfect comfort made for long routes nice pickup. Hassle free ride. Ride it like a king. The thing I want to say that you have to maintain your bike or vehicle as each and every vehicle required. So that the bike mileage will boost up second thing is that everyone suggest you to service your bike timely and by professionals that means in registered company service centers only.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
5000-15000 km
Got mileage of
24 kmpl
Was this review helpful?
2
0
TORQUE MONSTER
1 year ago
M Abdul Kareem
Very much surprised about the negative review of this Macho 500cc. I own this machine For 10 years, mine is a 2013 model and Today is 2023 almost the year's end but still, this bull Never ever gives up and makes me feel shit and done. The fact is that I own this bull as my family member. I care for this bull. My maintenance is just 3000/- a year and I have just changed my tires and clutch wire now . No major issues so far I have ridden to 25000kms. The torque of this bull is no match with any bike. I have touched 150+ with a curd weight of 200kg of this bike + mine 95kg. The only drawback is weight apart no major issues.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Comfort
Service experience
Value for money
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
15000+ km
Got mileage of
30 kmpl
Tips for other riders
Change oils every 5000kms , chain sprocket every 15kms and carburettor if if want a lesser power but more durability
Was this review helpful?
0
0
Royal enfield thunderbird 500 owner review
2 years ago
Vikas
I have purchased this bike in 2019. It is great to ride it. It is fun to ride it having 500 cc engine. It looks very good. It has great performance. I have served it in royal enfield service center. Pros1. Very good for riding.2. Great torque and power.3. Beautiful look.4. Tough body.5. Fun to ride.Con.1. Very poor average per liter. 2. Costly maintenance. 3. Heavy to handle. 4. Engine is not refined as compared to other brands.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
0-5000 km
Got mileage of
25 kmpl
Tips for other riders
Service at an authorized service center. Change oil on 3000 km. Put oil on the chain after 500 km. Check the brake every 500 km. Use tubeless tyres. Ride every 3 to 4 days a week.
Was this review helpful?
0
0
Birdie yaar
2 years ago
Jagannathsamal
I bought this for 2,00,000on the road market price. My riding experience on this bullet is awesome. It is 4-5 years old. I am still using it. It's worth it. My riding experience is too good. Its look is dashing in black color. I have also bought a black color helmet matching my bullet. Its service mileage is good. You can easily trust.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
15000+ km
Got mileage of
80 kmpl
Was this review helpful?
0
0
Thunderbird the perfect cruiser cum scrambler
3 years ago
Gaurang Zalariya
Bike is in excellent condition rarely used. Timely services done. It was with me like a baby with full of care. Perfect acceleration perfect comfort made for long routes nice pickup. Hassle free ride. Ride it like a king. The thing I want to say that you have to maintain your bike or vehicle as each and every vehicle required. So that the bike mileage will boost up second thing is that everyone suggest you to service your bike timely and by professionals that means in registered company service centers only.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
5000-15000 km
Got mileage of
24 kmpl
Was this review helpful?
2
0
King on the road
4 years ago
Vinod Nair
Buying experience was good , the team at the showroom helped me in getting my bike ready. When you ride this bike you will feel you are the kings moving on the road.You will feel more comfortable ride long distance. The thunderbird 500 looks very beautiful with 20 litre tank shape. It looks more beautiful when you put on side stand.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
0-5000 km
Got mileage of
20 kmpl
Tips for other riders
You should service your bike at the Authorized service centre only for genuine spare parts.
Was this review helpful?
3
2
Bike for daily commute and touring too
4 years ago
Ajay
I bought the bike in 2014 since then i have done around 11000 km both in city mainly commuting to office market and also have done short and long tours my bike has a shiny black colour with some chrome thrown in the bike has a great pickup and also lot of low end and middle end torque the low end torque is especially useful in stop and go city traffic the seating posture is upright so that it is comfortable for touring the shock absorbers are fine and one does not feel any bumps except the potholes the seat is meant for cruising but the shape hurts your back after 2 hours of riding the brakes are ok with abs now in the new model the comfortable cruising speed is between 100 kmph the brake shoes require cleaning as sometime a squeaking sound comes also i had got the tank replaced as it got rusted inside it was only 4 months i had bought the bike it was replaced free of cost as it was under warranty the headlamp has a drl which looks cool all lights are led the clutch cable is prone to getting broken the engine is smooth and revs easily and the pickup is great overall a good bike
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
5000-15000 km
Got mileage of
24 kmpl
Was this review helpful?
1
0
No Quality
1 year ago
Jayaraj K Raghavan
The engine is excellent Overall Quality is very poor. The braking system is Very weak & Non Comfortable. Electrical items are very cheep quality. Material quality is very poor.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Comfort
Service experience
Value for money
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
15000+ km
Got mileage of
24 kmpl
Tips for other riders
Verry Un Comfortable
Was this review helpful?
0
0
The worst bike ever
2 years ago
Kam
I bought this bike in 2015 and driven is for 2400 kms. So far I've spent more than 1 lakh for repairs and replacements. I've hardly enjoyed driving this bike. This is one of the most horrible high maintenance bike. There are many other owners of this model regret buying this bike. I rather would recommend honda who gives less maintenance bikes.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
15000+ km
Got mileage of
30 kmpl
Tips for other riders
Get service done every alternate day
Was this review helpful?
4
2
Inferior spare parts
4 years ago
Jayesh
I brought this in 2014 july month. There was no issues till i rode and done 2nd service. First complaint was with petrol gauge sensor's. It wasn't working and they had replaced. But it got failed repeatedly. 2nd issue was with the self start. Almost all the parts with related to this issue was replaced. At-last from dasarahalli showroom they have changed the wiring which cost me around 5500/- i feel the parts are not upto the mark and inferior in quality. I won't recommend this vehicle to anyone.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
15000+ km
Got mileage of
18 kmpl
Tips for other riders
Self start is a big issue after 1 year. Initially it starts with battery and you will end with changing the wiring.
Was this review helpful?
1
1
Royal bikes are lovable bikes
5 years ago
Ramabhadrarao
High maintenance of this bike , and always the petrol pump is the main issue of this bike, it doesn't have a carburetor ,the pump injects the fuel . That is the main and utmost drawback of this bike .Re sale is too less and clutch cables are cutting off , when in heavy traffic, they are not reliable.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
15000+ km
Got mileage of
17 kmpl
Tips for other riders
Never buy thunder bird 500 ,it's better to go for 350 of any Royal bike, I even cannot sell the 500 cc thunderbird bike. Maintenance is very high ,if you touch the bike spares, are in thousands.
Was this review helpful?
3
1
Looks good works poor !!!
5 years ago
Bhagwatrv
Owned and using tb500 since march 2016. Average 20kms/day...48000kms approx done. Buying and servicing experiences were good. But the performance of the bike is terrible. Brand new and within 4 months had to replace the fuel pump(costs rs.15000 !!!)...Fortunately it was covered in the 1 year warranty and i was saved. The front mud guard is a joke...Its there only for show, but doesn't do what its supposed to... Bike runs over a small water patch and you have water sprayed on both your feet. Imagine the scene in the rainy season...Your trouser legs as well as shirt front are covered in muddy spray which does not wash off easily....Rear mud-guard also does a good job of spraying the back of the person riding with you... I wonder what kind of donkeys re have in their design department who think only about looks and appeal, but not a thought given to utility and well being of the rider. Also, within 1st year i had to replace ignition assembly as the ignition switch shorted out because of rain water entry !!!...Lots of other bikes around from different companies...They don't get shorted ignition switches. But tb500 does !!!....Replaced fuel gauge (twice !)...Bcoz it just keeps showing wrong level...After 2nd replacement i gave up bcoz it still shows the wrong levels...,and in the next year the chain sprocket assembly, handle fork cone-set, brake pads (twice),...And about 4 months ago, in march 2019 the bike just shut off in mid-ride...Went dead !!!... Rsa technician managed to burn my wiring while checking the fuse box, and there was a battery death due to 2 weeks(!!???!!) bike inactivity when i was out for a holiday in may 2019, and yesterday morning (6 july 2019) the same thing like 4 months ago happened...Bike just went dead in mid-ride. Red ignition switch dead !!!...Self-start or kick start doesn't work...Currently at service center awaiting problem diagnosis from service advisor.I had tvs victor gl for 12years until 2016,...She was a gem...Never troubled me once for first 7 years!!!...Just change oil on time and she was good...Neither my daughter's tvs wego troubled me since 2010. These were cheaper, less powerful, non-premium bikes...But no hassles...And tb500??...2lakhs in 2016 and just look at the headache i brought home !!!I have decided to sell it off asap...Just not sure whether to go for another re model...Bcoz their spares quality doesn't seem to be much, considering the amount of replacements i've had to make. If you're thinking of buying tb500 then think 10times, and be ready to shell out a lot for maintenance, not to mention the headache and irritation !!! stay away !!!
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
15000+ km
Got mileage of
28 kmpl
Was this review helpful?
13
3
Beauty with power
5 years ago
Sachin Khadtare
Buying a royal enfield bike is like taking a step into history of bikes. The name speaks everything. Hi i am sachin. I own a royal enfield thunderbird 500cc marine variant. Got impressed by the first look of the bike and decided to go for it. Being 500cc the average is below 25kmpl but that doesn't matter as the one who goes for enfield mostly the 500cc once don't look into these details. The bike make its mark in design and looks. Performance is good i must say. The only thing one face is servicing and maintenance that's for sure. Its been 4 years i am riding this beauty but never satisfied with the servicing till date. Tried many service stations but no one solved my issues on the first go. Yes when it comes to beauty you have to compromise in some way, i am talking about cons. The bike is good for long distance. You feel the power while riding. The bike needs attention a lot. Don't miss a single service schedule or else get ready the stitch the hole in your pocket. The few things you have to surely change the next year are fuel gauge, spocket, shock absorbers front and display digital meter for sure.
Rating Parameters
(out of 5)
Design and styling
Reliability
Performance
Comfort
Service experience
About the Reviewer
Ridden for (If Owned)
15000+ km
Got mileage of
25 kmpl
Tips for other riders
Best of luck
Was this review helpful?
6
1
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