Announcement

**J.Ravi** · 05-30-2013, 03:58 PM

Handlebar Holder For My Blue Bird

Today, I received the made-in-China handlebar holder from Deal Extreme costing 601.49 for holding my navigator for my long distance riding. The next in the list is either 12 V charger with switch and fuse or a power bank for energising my navigator!

**J.Ravi** · 05-30-2013, 05:29 PM

Re: Handlebar Holder For My Blue Bird

Originally posted by TranquilRage

How do GPS devices fare when you tour?

Thanks, [MENTION=61439]TranquilRage[/MENTION]. I have 3.5 year old MapMyIndia Lx130 navigator with the version 8.0 maps. They are accurate and guide me 95% correctly. I have used it extensively during my tours in my Linea. I am satisfied with MapMyIndia navigator and maps. I have subscribed for 2 year upgrade plan comprising 4 map upgrades in 2 calender years costing 1,750. Please visit their website for the latest costs of their products.

**J.Ravi** · 06-06-2013, 03:51 PM

My Blue Bird Flies Across Bangalore

Yesterday and today, my Blue Bird was busy with shopping errands in Sheshadripuram and Malleswaram. I rode my bird in the lanes, bylanes and conservancy lanes behind the Malleswaram cross roads without any difficulty disproving the popular urban myth that 500 cc Royal Enfields were unfit for city ride.

My Blue Bird recorded a fuel efficiency of 28.20 kmpl after today's tankful of petrol.

**parasharj** · 06-08-2013, 01:46 PM

Reduced braking efficiency during rains/wet roads

Hi everyone.. with the onset of the monsoons, I guess the subject of braking properly becomes an important one.. I rode my Thunderbird in moderate rain and on wet tar roads for the 1st time yesterday, and noticed a significant difference in the quality and efficiency of braking. It felt as the brakes weren't strong enough and because I was afraid that applying the brakes too strongly may cause skidding, invariably the bike took much longer to slow down as compared to braking in dry road conditions. I'm assuming this must be the case with everyone... This is normal brake behavior right? Any precautions that we can take to take care of the brakes and the bike in general with respect to the rains etc?

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

By the way, does any one know whether the original seat cover for the front seat of the new Thunderbird would be available at the RE ASC? I think a cat jumped onto my bike and damaged the seat cover in a few places with her/his claws

**classic.infinity** · 06-08-2013, 03:40 PM

re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

Hello, you can get a new seat from any oF the RE ASC.- spare parts dept. I doubt, if they only sell seat covers.

Kawasaki Bajaj Caliber 2000 - Sold
Yamaha RX 135 5 Speed 2002
Honda CB Dazzler 2010
Royal Enfield Classic 350 2013

**J.Ravi** · 06-11-2013, 05:36 PM

Bangalore To Chennai

My Blue Bird took me to my Chennai Royapettah home safely and comfortably by 11:45 am today. I left my Bangalore Basaveswara Nagar home at 4:45 am today. I took my first break of 10 minutes at Chittoor bypass after riding 190 km in about 2.5 hours. The next break of 40 minutes was for breakfast at Sangeetha's located near Chennasamudram toll plaza.

I wore my Cramster jacket throughout my ride including the ride from Porur to home under scorching sun of Chennai! I found my Cramster all-weather gloves were more comfortable than the water-proof Technic gloves presented by my friend.

My Blue Bird's digital display started reminding me of the next service although it is 1000 km/1 month away!

**J.Ravi** · 06-12-2013, 08:41 AM

Re: Bangalore To Chennai

Originally posted by TranquilRage

Not raining in B'lore or Chennai?

Not when I rode from Bangalore to Chennai. It rained in Chennai in the afternoon after I reached my home.

Nice to see Twilight in the streetlights. Now I know how my bike will look

Thanks, [MENTION=61439]TranquilRage[/MENTION]. Advance congratulations.

**J.Ravi** · 06-13-2013, 06:07 PM

Re: Bangalore To Chennai

Originally posted by J.Ravi View Post

My Blue Bird's digital display started reminding me of the next service although it is 1000 km/1 month away!

Now, the service reminder icon is gone. I turned the ignition on; pressed both select and set buttons for more than 3 seconds; turned the ignition off, and then, on again while keeping the buttons pressed; the service reminder icon is gone for now. I don't know, when it would bother me again before the scheduled second free service.

**J.Ravi** · 06-13-2013, 08:22 PM

Best FE So Far 33.1 kmpl

This evening, my Blue Bird had 11.37 litres of petrol costing 66.85/litre at Woodlands Enterprises, Chennai 600004 upto the brim of the tank for a distance of 376 km, recording a fuel efficiency of 33.1 kmpl for the highway riding, the best recorded so far.

**J.Ravi** · 06-18-2013, 01:51 PM

RC With Wrong Spec Received

Yesterday, Royal Enfield Brand Store, Chennai, called me to inform that I could collect my Blue Bird's RC and insurance policy. Today, I rode on my Blue Bird to Royal Enfield Brand Store and collected the documents. To my horror, my Blue Bird was downgraded from 500 cc to 350 cc with wrong weight in the RC. However, BHP and colour were correctly mentioned. In the insurance policy, all these specs are correctly mentioned. When I pointed out these blunders, I was assured that RC, duly corrected and counter-signed, would be given to me in a couple of days.

How to differentiate the RE bikes manufactured in the new Oragadam plant from the ones made in the old plant? According to the sources, the engine and chassis numbers would be the same, if made in the old plant; would be different, if made in the new plant. The paint quality of the bikes made in the new plant is also better than that of the old plant's bikes. My Blue Bird was made in the old plant, if these sources are correct.

**J.Ravi** · 06-19-2013, 06:32 PM

Re: My Blue Bird Flies Across Bangalore

Today, the company-operated service centre at OMR took 5 hours for chain adjustment and brake overhauling! But, they did water-wash and cleaning of my Blue Bird without my telling them to do that. The chain adjustment was required as I heard dak..dak sound from the chain touching the chain-guard. Similarly, I heard some noise from the front brake necessitating brake overhauling. I was charged 3 only for the split pin.

**J.Ravi** · 06-21-2013, 11:14 PM

Blue Bird Crosses 2,000 km

My Blue Bird completed 2,000 km on the odometer tonight at Kodambakkam High Road, Chennai.

And, this is my 100^th post in xBhp!

**J.Ravi** · 06-28-2013, 04:49 PM

Chennai>Pondy>Chennai

Today, self and wife rode on our Blue Bird Chennai>Pondicherry>Chennai. Left our Chennai Royapettah home by 5 am, reached Pondy at 7:45 am, had a darshan of Manakula Vinayakar, breakfasted at Adyar Ananda Bhavan, hand a tankful of petrol at Ashram BP pump costing 65.44 per litre, visited our relatives, left their home by 11:30 am and reached our Chennai home at 2:30 pm. While going, I took the East Coast Road [ECR] in a good climate and for the return journey, NH 66/45 via Tindivanam under scorching sun.

**raghav_706** · 07-04-2013, 06:47 PM

Re: Chennai>Pondy>Chennai

i have a thunderbird 500. What precautions i must take as i am leaving out of station for 50 days and have to leave my sweetheart?
The bike would be standing in my parking

.
So kindly advice.

**J.Ravi** · 07-04-2013, 10:14 PM

Re: Bangalore To Chennai

Originally posted by raghav_706 View Post

What precautions i must take as i am leaving out of station for 50 days and have to leave my sweetheart?

If somebody could start the bike and keep it idling for a few minutes once in a week, that will be the best option. Otherwise, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery and re-connect it when you return to avoid battery discharge.

Announcement

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

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