Royal Enfield has been upgrading its entire lineup with an anti-brake lock system (ABS) and the latest motorcycle to benefit is the Thunderbird 500X.

The new safety norms which come in effect from April 2019 state that all bikes below 125cc have to be fitted with at least a combi-braking system (CBS) with everything above requiring ABS as standard. Royal Enfield's entire catalog falls in the above-125cc category and hence the changes.

However, the Thunderbird 500X gets no other changes except ABS. It retains the same 499cc single-cylinder that gives 27.5 PS of power and 41.3 Nm of torque mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Braking is handled by a 280 mm disc at front and a 240 mm disc in the rear.

What distinguishes the 500X from the normal Thunderbird is the color scheme. A bright coloured tank contrasted by blacked-out body gives the 500X a chic look that should resonate with the younger audience that Royal Enfield seems to be targeting with this bike.

The bike also has factory fitted alloys and tubeless tyres, both of which are a first for a Royal Enfield bike.

With the launch of the Thunderbird 500X ABS, the non-ABS variant will probably be shelved. At a price tag of Rs 2.13 lakh (ex-showroom), the ABS variant is Rs 14,000 costlier than non-ABS version.