It comes as no surprise that Royal Enfield has now launched the new Thunderbird 500X ABS version at a revised price of INR 2.13 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Thunderbird 500X is differentiated from its regular 500 counterpart by way of the sportier colours for the fuel tank, tubeless tyres, flat handlebar and uniquely designed alloy wheels and now ABS. It continues with its 499 cc single cylinder air cooled fuel injected engine that makes 27 BHP and 41 Nm of peak torque.
Suspension duties are performed by telescopic forks and twin shock absorbers at the front and rear respectively while there is a 5-speed gearbox paired to the engine. Disc brakes occupy pride of place for both front and rear too. The newly introduced Thunderbird 500X ABS should certainly be more attractive to buyers in this segment.
Royal Enfield has been upgrading several models in its line-up with ABS over the last few months in order to comply with upcoming safety regulations. These state that bikes with engine capacities exceeding 125cc will have to offer ABS while CBS (Combined Braking System) will have to be offered for bikes below 125cc. The first to be updated was the Classic 350 Signals Edition in August this year followed by the Classic 500, Himalayan and the Thunderbird 350X last month. Royal Enfield’s newly launched Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 have been equipped with dual-channel ABS right from the start as well.
