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Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500
Love for new TBTS was at the first sight when I saw it parked at my sis-in-law’s apartment’s basement. This was in the month of January (2013) when I went for personal visit and happen to pass by the bike. I still remember the expression as well as excitement on my face and couldn’t believe that RE has crafted such a beautiful cruiser bike.
Now it’s easy to predict that I finished meeting family mates in few minutes and came down to take another look at the bike. Again same impression “how the hell RE crafted such a beautiful cruiser”.
I went back home and started on line research, watched you tube video (official RE TBTS 500 launch video) close to 7-8 times same night, got exposed to forums like xbhp & team-bhp same night. (Trust me I was not aware of xbhp or team-bhp before Jan 2013) Read a lot about different ownership experiences, travel logs, got exposed to wonderful photographs and finally after 2 months thought of booking the bike.
March 2013 booked the bike @ Jaynagar RE Brand Showroom in B’lore by paying 5K. I was informed about 6-8 months of waiting. Not to mention I drooled over other’s ownership experience, read about accessories, do’s & don’ts, PDI checklist etc. I became a regular visitor of XBHP & team-bhp to read new stuff about bike etc.
Somewhere in July-Aug came to know about new plant of RE in Chennai and started chasing RE customer care for early delivery. RE customer care transferred my query to RE Brand store manager, gave me his cell number for further communication. As a typical RE fan I started shooting emails to him regarding status and we exchanged close to 20 emails, 5-6 sms’s, 18-20 phone call chasers between Aug-Oct and on 12th Oct I got an email about making the payment and collecting the bike within 3-4 business days.
Ironically, same day my nephew was born and I have to travel to Delhi to meet my sis and new born. I sent RE manager the cheque of difference amount (on road price less 5K of initial booking amount) to ensure when I come back from Delhi and go for hassle free delivery.
Saturday- 26th Oct 2013 I was back in town, and got a call form RE showroom in the morning that bike’s PDI is done, and its going for RTO registration, I can collect the bike @ 1600 hrs. I went around 1400 hrs to do the PDI by myself and found a paint bubble in the tank. Showed it to RE’s floor manager and he assured me to come back on Wednesday and he will replace the tank.
Pic with a small paint bubble on Petrol tank
Took the delivery and went to RE service station (1 Km from showroom) to get the crash guard fitted. Crash guard’s cost was 1650 (inclusive of all taxes & fitting charges). Post that started my ride back home. Oh boy!! What a feeling it was, cold breeze, greenery everywhere, really felt like I am driving my dream and as instructed by various folks in this forum, was not exceeding speed of 40 kmph.
Image showing crashguard fitted @ RE Service station
Again as usual, I was expecting people stopping by and asking about price, mileage, engine etc. on traffic signals and petrol bunk. I was questioned by 3 different guys asking very funny questions. Funniest conversation was with the guy @ Indian Oil petrol bunk near silk board.
Guy: Sir- how much this bike costs?
Me: close to 2 lakhs
Guy: Sir- what’s the average?
Me: (laughed before answering, as I can imagine what will be his face expression post my answer)- close to 30 KMPL
Guy: (made a weird face as he wants to console me) Sir- 2 Lakhs & only 30 Avg???????
Me: (I was still laughing inside, because his face expression was weird that what I imagined) that’s how this bike is; I bought it because I liked it.
Guy: Ok Sir- Thank You.
Me: No problem
Got the bike home, showed to family, and then took it to get seat covers done. Called Just dial, got the number of closest seat cover guy near Domlur, spoke with him over the phone to confirm if he can do seat cover for RE TBTS 500, and went to get the seat covers done.
Finally short listed the material, bargained the price, (Shop keeper told 500 Rs, bargained to 375 inclusive of all labour, stitching & fitting charges). He took 1 hour and made exact covers like showroom, same cuts, same design (stitching design), pasted the new one as is over the original seat. I was impressed with his art work.
On Sunday morning, was calling few famous shops in JC road to get the saddle bag fitted, but no one picked up. Then thought of riding to JC road to see if in case there are other shops open. Luckily found an accessories shop opposite to RE showroom near Urvashi theatre before JC road.
Got the safari case (STUDDS) fitted from him; cost was 800Rs with fitting. First I shortlisted the cruiser case (STUDDS), but found it to be too big for pillion to sit comfortably, so went with safari case.
As of now bike is running very smooth, no issues reported in handling or riding. I am keeping my eyes and ear open while riding as notified by various owners about engine niggle or noise from chain etc.
Image of my bike with safari case
Love for new TBTS was at the first sight when I saw it parked at my sis-in-law’s apartment’s basement. This was in the month of January (2013) when I went for personal visit and happen to pass by the bike. I still remember the expression as well as excitement on my face and couldn’t believe that RE has crafted such a beautiful cruiser bike.
Now it’s easy to predict that I finished meeting family mates in few minutes and came down to take another look at the bike. Again same impression “how the hell RE crafted such a beautiful cruiser”.
I went back home and started on line research, watched you tube video (official RE TBTS 500 launch video) close to 7-8 times same night, got exposed to forums like xbhp & team-bhp same night. (Trust me I was not aware of xbhp or team-bhp before Jan 2013) Read a lot about different ownership experiences, travel logs, got exposed to wonderful photographs and finally after 2 months thought of booking the bike.
March 2013 booked the bike @ Jaynagar RE Brand Showroom in B’lore by paying 5K. I was informed about 6-8 months of waiting. Not to mention I drooled over other’s ownership experience, read about accessories, do’s & don’ts, PDI checklist etc. I became a regular visitor of XBHP & team-bhp to read new stuff about bike etc.
Somewhere in July-Aug came to know about new plant of RE in Chennai and started chasing RE customer care for early delivery. RE customer care transferred my query to RE Brand store manager, gave me his cell number for further communication. As a typical RE fan I started shooting emails to him regarding status and we exchanged close to 20 emails, 5-6 sms’s, 18-20 phone call chasers between Aug-Oct and on 12th Oct I got an email about making the payment and collecting the bike within 3-4 business days.
Ironically, same day my nephew was born and I have to travel to Delhi to meet my sis and new born. I sent RE manager the cheque of difference amount (on road price less 5K of initial booking amount) to ensure when I come back from Delhi and go for hassle free delivery.
Saturday- 26th Oct 2013 I was back in town, and got a call form RE showroom in the morning that bike’s PDI is done, and its going for RTO registration, I can collect the bike @ 1600 hrs. I went around 1400 hrs to do the PDI by myself and found a paint bubble in the tank. Showed it to RE’s floor manager and he assured me to come back on Wednesday and he will replace the tank.
Pic with a small paint bubble on Petrol tank
Took the delivery and went to RE service station (1 Km from showroom) to get the crash guard fitted. Crash guard’s cost was 1650 (inclusive of all taxes & fitting charges). Post that started my ride back home. Oh boy!! What a feeling it was, cold breeze, greenery everywhere, really felt like I am driving my dream and as instructed by various folks in this forum, was not exceeding speed of 40 kmph.
Image showing crashguard fitted @ RE Service station
Again as usual, I was expecting people stopping by and asking about price, mileage, engine etc. on traffic signals and petrol bunk. I was questioned by 3 different guys asking very funny questions. Funniest conversation was with the guy @ Indian Oil petrol bunk near silk board.
Guy: Sir- how much this bike costs?
Me: close to 2 lakhs
Guy: Sir- what’s the average?
Me: (laughed before answering, as I can imagine what will be his face expression post my answer)- close to 30 KMPL
Guy: (made a weird face as he wants to console me) Sir- 2 Lakhs & only 30 Avg???????
Me: (I was still laughing inside, because his face expression was weird that what I imagined) that’s how this bike is; I bought it because I liked it.
Guy: Ok Sir- Thank You.
Me: No problem
Got the bike home, showed to family, and then took it to get seat covers done. Called Just dial, got the number of closest seat cover guy near Domlur, spoke with him over the phone to confirm if he can do seat cover for RE TBTS 500, and went to get the seat covers done.
Finally short listed the material, bargained the price, (Shop keeper told 500 Rs, bargained to 375 inclusive of all labour, stitching & fitting charges). He took 1 hour and made exact covers like showroom, same cuts, same design (stitching design), pasted the new one as is over the original seat. I was impressed with his art work.
On Sunday morning, was calling few famous shops in JC road to get the saddle bag fitted, but no one picked up. Then thought of riding to JC road to see if in case there are other shops open. Luckily found an accessories shop opposite to RE showroom near Urvashi theatre before JC road.
Got the safari case (STUDDS) fitted from him; cost was 800Rs with fitting. First I shortlisted the cruiser case (STUDDS), but found it to be too big for pillion to sit comfortably, so went with safari case.
As of now bike is running very smooth, no issues reported in handling or riding. I am keeping my eyes and ear open while riding as notified by various owners about engine niggle or noise from chain etc.
Image of my bike with safari case
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