Royal Enfield @ Auto Expo 2012

write2sankar · 8th January 2012, 17:20

Wow the Cafe Racer looks absolutely stunning :O A stand out design concept from RE! I really love the clip on RVM. But is this a solo riding bike as I cannot see enough space for the pillion?

highway_star · 8th January 2012, 17:33

LED tail light, digital trip meter, and the font used to write 'THUNDERBIRD' on the side panel are not in keeping with the overall character of this type of bike.

The pillion backrest seems to small to provide comfort.

The projector lamp within the headlight looks odd. Maybe it will look good when the lights are switched on at night.

The Red Devil · 8th January 2012, 19:18

I hope they bring out the Cafe Racer soon. The design team has got it just right. But I wonder who designed the TB 500? Did the out source it to a Chinese company? Whats with the LED tail lamp. I have no problem with LEDs being used but what were they thinking when they designed the casing. Also the pillion back rest looks out of place too.

Anyway Great job with the CAFE Racer.

akshayasok · 8th January 2012, 20:05

Cafe Racer concept looks great , quite similar to the Clubman available in the UK Royal Enfield Clubman , except for tht sweet Ohlins suspension!

jaysmokesleaves · 8th January 2012, 21:22

Can anyone shed light on the approximate cost of the Thanda bird 500 ?
Looks quite neat.

parrys · 8th January 2012, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by saargoga

Did anyone got information regarding the accessories esp the leather bags and gears? How is the quality of that?

The bags and other riding gear sure looks stunning. We do not know the prices but you can surely get all of these in the dealerships soon.

The helmets especially looked amazing. While we were clicking pictures, i could notice guys standing besides me talking about how good the helmets looked.

rakesh_r · 9th January 2012, 10:14

The cafe racer simply looks amazing.If priced right,this would be my next addition.I hope it makes into production.

ra'ul M · 9th January 2012, 11:33

Awesome stuff by RE. For some reason I really like the TBird also. Looks be damned, I feel it's going to very comfortable and functional. The updates to the lamps will aid in better visibility too.

And the Cafe racer

P.S.- If the cafe racer does not make it to the production line, what will they do with the one already made? Sell it in an auction perhaps with only one bidder

. Anyone with contacts in RE?

arrpiem · 9th January 2012, 12:56

I think it will make more sense if RE were to launch a Cafe Racer conversion kit instead. That would work well as many existing RE owners too would like to convert their bulls into cafe racers.

Sad not to see anything in the 750cc vicinity, was hoping for an incarnation of the interceptor coming our way.

_abhishek · 9th January 2012, 14:17

I guess Cafe Racer will be the show stopper for RE this time. Its a real beauty. Good to see the facelift for TBTS with 500cc engine. But now it makes me wonder if the CL500 sales are going to be affected? Both are cruiser bikes and both have same specs. It will just boil down to the looks for someone who wants to buy these.

neil.jericho · 9th January 2012, 14:59

Two words spring to my lips when I see pics of the RE Cafe Racer - hubba hubba !

Ive been eyeing the 600 cc segment for my next bike but if RE comes out with this bike in some classic paint schemes, I just might shelve all plans of Ninjas & GT650s and enjoy the RE Cafe Racer instead. Bliss!

Too bad RE cant come out with military green paint schemed bikes.

dreamseller · 9th January 2012, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rehaan

Hopefully.

Though do remember that it was also shown as a concept at the Auto Expo 2 years ago (2010), and there were talks of it making it to production even back then. Anyway, it looks a lot sexier now!

cya
R

Yes I agree. And it does look production ready this year!

Quote:

Originally Posted by write2sankar

Wow the Cafe Racer looks absolutely stunning :O A stand out design concept from RE! I really love the clip on RVM. But is this a solo riding bike as I cannot see enough space for the pillion?

Yes. The Cafe Racers in general were meant to be ridden solo. They are not very good handlers but are the real pocket rockets when it comes to straight line acceleration.

Quote:

Originally Posted by _abhishek

I guess Cafe Racer will be the show stopper for RE this time. Its a real beauty. Good to see the facelift for TBTS with 500cc engine. But now it makes me wonder if the CL500 sales are going to be affected? Both are cruiser bikes and both have same specs. It will just boil down to the looks for someone who wants to buy these.

IMHO, the Thunderbird brand doesn't quite appeal to the Royal Enfield pursits. So, rest assured that none will encroach into each other's sales.
I think the Thunderbird 500 is the best cruiser you can buy now, this side of the HDs and Triumphs.

saargoga · 9th January 2012, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by parrys

The bags and other riding gear sure looks stunning. We do not know the prices but you can surely get all of these in the dealerships soon.

The helmets especially looked amazing. While we were clicking pictures, i could notice guys standing besides me talking about how good the helmets looked.

Thats an excellent news I am excited, thanks Parrys for the info

saargoga · 9th January 2012, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalsa777

Here are some pictures of the merchandise

Thanks for the pics, open face helmets are looking good

u_chill · 9th January 2012, 18:41

I wasn't too excited with the idea of a T'bird with just engine upgrade. But looks like RE has put some serious thought into the design and functionality elements for this version....i.e. it is not just an engine upgrade. It looks impressive IMHO, kudos to the design team.

The Cafe racer is pure drool maal, who needs Triumph and Harleys if RE can do it right!

8th January 2012, 17:20	#16
write2sankar Newbie Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chennai Posts: 18 Thanked: 2 Times	Wow the Cafe Racer looks absolutely stunning :O A stand out design concept from RE! I really love the clip on RVM. But is this a solo riding bike as I cannot see enough space for the pillion?
	() Thanks

8th January 2012, 17:33	#17
highway_star BHPian Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Mumbai Posts: 120 Thanked: 127 Times	Re: Royal Enfield @ Auto Expo 2012 LED tail light, digital trip meter, and the font used to write 'THUNDERBIRD' on the side panel are not in keeping with the overall character of this type of bike. The pillion backrest seems to small to provide comfort. The projector lamp within the headlight looks odd. Maybe it will look good when the lights are switched on at night.
	() Thanks

8th January 2012, 19:18	#18
The Red Devil BHPian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 27 Thanked: 35 Times	Re: Royal Enfield @ Auto Expo 2012 I hope they bring out the Cafe Racer soon. The design team has got it just right. But I wonder who designed the TB 500? Did the out source it to a Chinese company? Whats with the LED tail lamp. I have no problem with LEDs being used but what were they thinking when they designed the casing. Also the pillion back rest looks out of place too. Anyway Great job with the CAFE Racer.
	() Thanks

8th January 2012, 20:05	#19
akshayasok BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MCR,GVA,TVM,BGR Posts: 44 Thanked: 10 Times	Re: Royal Enfield @ Auto Expo 2012 Cafe Racer concept looks great , quite similar to the Clubman available in the UK Royal Enfield Clubman , except for tht sweet Ohlins suspension!
	() Thanks

8th January 2012, 21:22	#20
jaysmokesleaves Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mostly Mumbai Posts: 1,702 Thanked: 1,466 Times	Re: Royal Enfield @ Auto Expo 2012 Can anyone shed light on the approximate cost of the Thanda bird 500 ? Looks quite neat.
	() Thanks

9th January 2012, 10:14	#22
rakesh_r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: MH14/MH02/KL09 Posts: 2,063 Thanked: 3,362 Times	Re: Royal Enfield @ Auto Expo 2012 The cafe racer simply looks amazing.If priced right,this would be my next addition.I hope it makes into production.
	() Thanks

9th January 2012, 11:33	#23
ra'ul M BHPian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 221 Thanked: 46 Times	Re: Royal Enfield @ Auto Expo 2012 Awesome stuff by RE. For some reason I really like the TBird also. Looks be damned, I feel it's going to very comfortable and functional. The updates to the lamps will aid in better visibility too. And the Cafe racer P.S.- If the cafe racer does not make it to the production line, what will they do with the one already made? Sell it in an auction perhaps with only one bidder . Anyone with contacts in RE?
	() Thanks

9th January 2012, 12:56	#24
arrpiem Newbie Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Mumbai Posts: 24 Thanked: 15 Times	Re: Royal Enfield @ Auto Expo 2012 I think it will make more sense if RE were to launch a Cafe Racer conversion kit instead. That would work well as many existing RE owners too would like to convert their bulls into cafe racers. Sad not to see anything in the 750cc vicinity, was hoping for an incarnation of the interceptor coming our way.
	() Thanks

9th January 2012, 14:17	#25
_abhishek BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 127 Thanked: 8 Times View My Garage	Re: Royal Enfield @ Auto Expo 2012 I guess Cafe Racer will be the show stopper for RE this time. Its a real beauty. Good to see the facelift for TBTS with 500cc engine. But now it makes me wonder if the CL500 sales are going to be affected? Both are cruiser bikes and both have same specs. It will just boil down to the looks for someone who wants to buy these.
	() Thanks

9th January 2012, 14:59	#26
neil.jericho Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cochin Posts: 3,871 Thanked: 20,612 Times	Re: Royal Enfield @ Auto Expo 2012 Two words spring to my lips when I see pics of the RE Cafe Racer - hubba hubba ! Ive been eyeing the 600 cc segment for my next bike but if RE comes out with this bike in some classic paint schemes, I just might shelve all plans of Ninjas & GT650s and enjoy the RE Cafe Racer instead. Bliss! Too bad RE cant come out with military green paint schemed bikes.
	() Thanks

9th January 2012, 18:41	#30
u_chill BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 100 Thanked: 2 Times	Re: Royal Enfield @ Auto Expo 2012 I wasn't too excited with the idea of a T'bird with just engine upgrade. But looks like RE has put some serious thought into the design and functionality elements for this version....i.e. it is not just an engine upgrade. It looks impressive IMHO, kudos to the design team. The Cafe racer is pure drool maal, who needs Triumph and Harleys if RE can do it right!
	() Thanks