I was very close to trading my Thunderbird500 with Interceptor 650, but held on. Pound for pound a big single’s bottom end torque delivery is marginally better than a parallel twin.
BHPian navin_v8 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
It’s been 8 and a half years since I bought my Thunderbird500 brand new. The motorcycle so far has not given me any major issues worth mentioning. Regular servicing with preventive maintenance has kept my motorcycle looking and riding like new. Cosmetically too the Thunderbird500 has aged well, considering there is no covered parking in my building.
Only issue I faced was some minor bending in the rear wheel, thanks to the never ending construction, potholes and undulations on pathetic roads of Bombay. It was promptly resolved by wheel truing.
I was very close to trading my Thunderbird 500 with Interceptor 650, but held on. Pound for pound a big single’s bottom end torque delivery is marginally better than a parallel twin. Most people won’t notice it, but I do. However, I wish to make a switch to multi-cylinder sooner or later.
The cruising speed on my Thunderbird500 is around 90-100 kmph which is my sweet spot. I know it’s limitations viz. bulky weight, pushrod single, no ABS, top heavy, etc. But I find it reasonably comfortable on long rides, thanks to its weight that keeps it stay planted on the highways, without bothering about crosswinds from heavy vehicles. The 500cc motor purrs along at just around 3200 RPM at 80-90 KMPH which is sublime and unstressed. My motorcycle as you can see from the pictures is bone stock with zilch modifications (except the front fork rubber gaitors which are RE OEM for Himalayan). Tyres were changed sometime back with stock MRF Zapper, as I vouch by it’s durability and longevity with zero punctures, whatsoever during my trips. I keep my vehicles for long hence don’t modify them extensively. Considering there are no motorcycles in the Indian market offering a 500cc Big Single anymore, it is prudent to hold onto one’s 500cc singles. Due to emission norms there might not be another 500cc pushrod single available (fresh from factory) in the future.
As mentioned in my previous post attaching some photos that I took last Sunday morning:
Keyword: 8 & half years with my RE Thunderbird 500: Ownership experience so far