Author Topic: UCE 500 Thunderbird (Read 1418 times)

Oddjon · « **on:** July 18, 2012, 12:54:26 PM »

http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/motorcycles/2012-royal-enfield-thunderbird-500-launch-corner-uncamouflaged-test-mule-spotted-60506/

Sexy silencer....sexy bike!

TWinOKC · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2012, 01:15:31 PM »

Nice looking bike.

Engine cases are painted (not chrome), cassette is gone.

Will it be available in the US?

McDude · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2012, 01:23:02 PM »

Good looking bike. I still like the c5 better tho. I can't wait to see the cafe come out.

Ducati Scotty · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2012, 01:27:43 PM »

Looks too American for me.

Arizoni · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2012, 02:19:42 PM »

IMO the Thunderbirds have always been designed to give the Indian buyers a Harley look at a RE price.
With Harley setting up shop in India it doesn't surprise me that Royal Enfield would make the 500cc engine available in place of the 350cc engine they have been putting into their Thunderbirds in the past.

Except for the new production front fork, the new headlight, fuel tank and the disk brake it looks to me like the bike is just using the same T'bird accessories the old one used.

hortoncode3 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 18, 2012, 02:42:53 PM »

I agree. And Oooooh..27 hp? So now we can do 85.8 mph? Lol. I seriously doubt Harley is shaking in it's shoes.. actually it looks more Japanese..not a bad thing but do we really need more of that look?

Drifter · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2012, 02:48:28 PM »

I like the blacked out engine!

TWinOKC · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2012, 04:05:53 PM »

Quote from: hortoncode3 on July 18, 2012, 02:42:53 PM

I agree. And Oooooh..27 hp? So now we can do 85.8 mph? Lol. I seriously doubt Harley is shaking in it's shoes.. actually it looks more Japanese..not a bad thing but do we really need more of that look?

+1

So there will be a B5, C5, C5 Special, G5, C5 military, now a Thunderbird.
All UCE 500 cc singles. Wheew, something for everybody.

motorat · « **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2012, 04:09:19 PM »

+1 on the blacked out engine.
i like the nacel on the c5 better.

Drifter · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2012, 04:11:27 PM »

TW, works for Harley they have 20 different models with the same engine.

gremlin · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2012, 04:41:10 PM »

If I wanted a sportster, I would have bought a sportster.
I hope the staff here realize it would be a dog in this (U.S.) market.

Jim

Arizoni · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2012, 04:54:41 PM »

I didn't see anything that said the 500cc Thunderbird would be sold in the U.S.A.

That would probably be up to Kevin and I seriously doubt that he would want to import a cruiser to compete with all of the other cruisers that are fighting for a bit of the pie here in the US.

I know I would not have any interest in buying one.

Hobbydad · « **Reply #12 on:** July 18, 2012, 05:09:00 PM »

Me neither. Bring on the Cafe bike.

Oddjon · « **Reply #13 on:** July 18, 2012, 07:02:05 PM »

Latest i've read on cafe is mid to 3rd quarter 2013.

meph1st0 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 06, 2012, 10:28:00 PM »

Thunderbird 500 is being launched on Oct 11th
http://www.royalenfield.com/thunderbird/
It will be a good touring option in India as it will less than 1/3rd entry level Harley price and it has features like rear disk brake, projector head lamp, slightly forward control and larger 19l tank.

ace.cafe · « **Reply #15 on:** October 07, 2012, 03:18:53 AM »

The Thunderbird has not been an export bike up to this point. They have had the Thunderbird model in all the engine types, Iron Barrel, AVL, and now UCE.

To me, it looks like a clone of a 1978 Yamaha XS650 Special.
I think that it does have some use for parts, in case anyone wants a triple-tree and separate headlight and twin clocks to change the look on their bike. That is a popular conversion using those parts off the T-Bird.

GA-DK · « **Reply #16 on:** October 07, 2012, 01:30:16 PM »

I wonder if the 20-liter fuel tank would fit my G5. That would be an improvement. GA-DK

barenekd · « **Reply #17 on:** October 07, 2012, 01:53:54 PM »

The gawdawful forward footpegs and pedals kill it for me.
Interesting, though are the straight forks on a G5 frame. I guess the forward axle forks are going to be obsolete.
Bare

wokka · « **Reply #18 on:** October 07, 2012, 02:26:36 PM »

There'd be a few parts I'd be interested in, especially the rumoured rear disc brake. That would finally open up sprocket choices

Those forward controls aren't that far forward, certainly not compared to the avenger, but i would like to see how they are mounted

Ducati Scotty · « **Reply #19 on:** October 08, 2012, 09:56:49 AM »

How do you know they haven't built the sprocket into the disc?

Scott

hortoncode3 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 08, 2012, 10:07:13 AM »

YAWN..nothing like changing out the ole paint scheme to attract new buyers..not.

Desi Bike · « **Reply #21 on:** October 08, 2012, 03:13:20 PM »

Quote from: Ducati Scotty on October 08, 2012, 09:56:49 AM

How do you know they haven't built the sprocket into the disc?

Scott

Its on the other side of the spokes from the pictures Scott.

barenekd · « **Reply #22 on:** October 08, 2012, 03:31:14 PM »

I don't think building a sprocket into the disk would be a great idea. It's amazing how detrimental a little chain lube would be to braking power!
Bare

Alan LaRue · « **Reply #23 on:** October 08, 2012, 04:07:47 PM »

I like it okay. It looks UJM to me. It's still retro, just 1970s instead of 1950s!

Ducati Scotty · « **Reply #24 on:** October 08, 2012, 04:14:15 PM »

Quote from: Desi Bike on October 08, 2012, 03:13:20 PM

Its on the other side of the spokes from the pictures Scott.

A) I was just kidding.
B) Don't put it past them to build a one piece disc/hub/sprocet that needs to be relaced to the rim when it wears out.

Scott

Arizoni · « **Reply #25 on:** October 08, 2012, 05:19:24 PM »

As I've probably said before, the T-Bird is a model for the 'wanna have a cruiser bike' that will undoubtedly make many people in India happy.
It will be a big hit there for the people who can't afford a Harley.

Outside India however there are so many Japanese cruisers that out power and outclass the T-Bird in both looks and quality that it doesn't have a chance of succeeding.

The old models of the RE however are unique and interesting on the world market and as long as they are made they will find buyers.
In this niche their underpowered 500cc single has the market cornered.

Ducati Scotty · « **Reply #26 on:** October 08, 2012, 05:26:57 PM »

I'm sure that bike has more appeal domestically. It kinda reminds me of the Virago. The Virago is a really, really a nice bike to ride but it's a caricature of the Easy Rider bike.

Scott

dginfw · « **Reply #27 on:** October 09, 2012, 10:51:42 PM »

I bought a C5 because I didn't want the typical jap-cruiser look...
But that blacked out engine belongs in the military bikes! I would love to have blacked out cases on mine.

meilaushi · « **Reply #28 on:** October 14, 2012, 08:57:11 AM »

In contradistinction to other fine folks, I think it's a peach of a bike. I like the 20 Liter tank, the headlight setup, the tach, the seats and disk rear brake, and the look of the thing, and I don't think the pegs are too far forward. They'd sure be a help to my old creaky knees that the doc won't put grease fittings on for me.

I.e., IMHO I LIKE the new thunderbird and would buy one in a minute if Kevin would begin importing 'em!

Alan LaRue · « **Reply #29 on:** October 14, 2012, 09:19:59 AM »

Well, I just watched the video, and I take back my "70s" comment. It just looks like a motorcycle! I actually think I prefer it to the Bullet.

dampking · « **Reply #30 on:** October 14, 2012, 11:50:59 AM »

It's good in one way! Now AVL users can use UCE parts

siddharthmenon · « **Reply #31 on:** October 16, 2012, 01:52:59 AM »

I am looking forward to scavenge some parts for my C500.

Swing arms
Disc break & perhaps the Tyre
Break paddles
Foot rest, they are better than what we get on C500
And may be that mat black LHS & RHS engine covers

BRADEY · « **Reply #32 on:** October 16, 2012, 07:24:44 AM »

I have seen the TB 500 in flesh. And honestly apart from few very good features, the overall finish of the bike disappointed me. The bike stands nowhere close to the C500 in terms of Character and appeal, but will be certainly better suited for long......really long highway rides.
That's my take in short !

dampking · « **Reply #33 on:** October 16, 2012, 12:40:35 PM »

Very true! It's like an incomplete bike. Yet another RnD project on their own customers (By R.E) but one good thing is that now AVL and CI users will have more options. Like AVL users (like me) can use UCE heads and barrels and pistons for their AVLs as we don't get parts for our bikes that easily!

Desi Bike · « **Reply #34 on:** October 16, 2012, 07:17:57 PM »

You have to remember that for Eicher(or, how ever its spelled) the motor cycle line is a very small part of their business. Anything new from them is welcome.

ssg · « **Reply #35 on:** October 16, 2012, 08:12:28 PM »

In Indian scenario it will be another headache-here the dealers still don't know how to diagnose RE 350 properly,they try to avoid CE 500 or anything with EFI as the mechanics are mostly poorly paid and you can't expect expertise from them.I will never go for it.

1 Thump · « **Reply #36 on:** October 17, 2012, 12:55:57 PM »

Dampking: You want to put a UCE top end and barrel on an AVL crank ? You do understand that they are completely different engines. I'd wonder the cost of that engeneering project Vs. just buying a UCE bike.

saint45 · « **Reply #37 on:** October 17, 2012, 01:30:52 PM »

Yuck! Not my cup O' tea at all. Why make a cruiser style? Everyone makes these. Sorry but, I think its just ugly.

gremlin · « **Reply #38 on:** October 17, 2012, 01:59:42 PM »

I wonder how much they are relying on the popularity of Gerry Anderson's "the thunderbirds" to help market the bike in their home markets.

Fogrunner · « **Reply #39 on:** October 17, 2012, 02:23:04 PM »

I prefer the G5 or C5 to this bike. The Thunderbird looks too much like so many of the cheap Chinese Cruisers here in Philippines.

dampking · « **Reply #40 on:** October 17, 2012, 03:13:55 PM »

Quote from: 1 Thump on October 17, 2012, 12:55:57 PM

Dampking: You want to put a UCE top end and barrel on an AVL crank ? You do understand that they are completely different engines. I'd wonder the cost of that engeneering project Vs. just buying a UCE bike.

I have seen loads of such AVLs in here. Infact Mr Bose, a well known racer is using UCE head on his G2 350 cafe. I did ask few guys and according to them it's not that expensive. I know a bike which already clocked more than 40,000 kms on UCE head, Barrel. I ask him how much he spent on his bike. Usually riders do such kind of mods because AVL parts are pretty rare here in India.

-Sanket

Ducati Scotty · « **Reply #41 on:** October 17, 2012, 03:33:22 PM »

Quote from: saint45 on October 17, 2012, 01:30:52 PM

Yuck! Not my cup O' tea at all. Why make a cruiser style? Everyone makes these. Sorry but, I think its just ugly.

That's what I think too but remember, this is for the Indian domestic market. Anything imported is really expensive because of prohibitive tariffs, twice the price I hear. So anything made at home has an automatic price advantage. Why not get a piece of the cruiser pie?

I wonder if they're also bumping up efforts to have a cruiser model to put the new twin motor in when it comes out. Then they can really compete with Harley at home.

Scott

1 Thump · « **Reply #42 on:** October 18, 2012, 11:23:21 AM »

Quote from: dampking on October 17, 2012, 03:13:55 PM

I have seen loads of such AVLs in here. Infact Mr Bose, a well known racer is using UCE head on his G2 350 cafe. I did ask few guys and according to them it's not that expensive. I know a bike which already clocked more than 40,000 kms on UCE head, Barrel. I ask him how much he spent on his bike. Usually riders do such kind of mods because AVL parts are pretty rare here in India.

-Sanket

Thats pretty neat. More power to you guys !

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Author Topic: UCE 500 Thunderbird (Read 1418 times)