Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

Is it available online and any other color options?

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Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

i'm getting it for 900rs in jaipur

Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500


Hi,
From where did you get the windshield? How is the wind protection, price and quality of the fiber?

Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500


Isnt that the Eliminator screen upfront ? how is the fitting done ? Is it sturdy ? and how much does it cost ?

Looks much better that the boring shapeless flat and obnoxiously priced screen from RE.

Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

Hi Friends,

New year brings new beginning and I would like to gift myself new RoyalEnfield. Only thing finalised is that it would by .5 litre Engine not 0.35L.
The two models I am inclined are TD500 and DS.My heart says go for DS but mind says go for TD500 while wife is pretty much inclined to DS.
Guys please help to decide which would be a better buy. My criteria would following:
1: Less visit to Service Centre.
2: No paint peeling off or in-consistencies.
3: Better engineering.
4: Best riding position for longer trip including pillion comfort.
5: Fuel economy.

Early response would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

[COLOR=\\\\\\\"silver\\\\\\\"]----consecutive posts auto-merged-----[/COLOR]

Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

Friends..
I'm riding for Rider Mania 2015 Chandigarh..
Starting my Ride on 14.Jan 2015 from barmer..
Anyone going via this route or wanna join me is welcome..

As a Road Survivors we are hosting this years RM..

C u there

Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

Hi Friends,

New year brings new beginning and I would like to gift myself new RoyalEnfield. Only thing finalised is that it would by .5 litre Engine not 0.35L.
The two models I am inclined are TD500 and DS.My heart says go for DS but mind says go for TD500 while wife is pretty much inclined to DS.
Guys please help to decide which would be a better buy. My criteria would following:
1: Less visit to Service Centr
Cant be guaranteed when you are buying Royal Enfield

2: No paint peeling off or in-consistencies
Matt finish will demand more attention
3: Better engineering.
Both the bikes have the same technology and specs
4: Best riding position for longer trip including pillion comfort.
Definitely, TB500 is much more comfortable both for the rider and pillion for long trips
5: Fuel economy.
​Again same for both the bikes(Highway ~ 40, City ~ 25)

Early response would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

[COLOR=\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"silver\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"]----consecutive posts auto-merged-----[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

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

Hi Friends,

New year brings new beginning and I would like to gift myself new RoyalEnfield. Only thing finalised is that it would by .5 litre Engine not 0.35L.
The two models I am inclined are TD500 and DS.My heart says go for DS but mind says go for TD500 while wife is pretty much inclined to DS.
Guys please help to decide which would be a better buy. My criteria would following:
1: Less visit to Service Centr
Cant be guaranteed when you are buying Royal Enfield

2: No paint peeling off or in-consistencies
Matt finish will demand more attention
3: Better engineering.
Both the bikes have the same technology and specs
4: Best riding position for longer trip including pillion comfort.
Definitely, TB500 is much more comfortable both for the rider and pillion for long trips
5: Fuel economy.
​Again same for both the bikes(Highway ~ 40, City ~ 25)

Early response would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

[COLOR=\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"silver\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"]----consecutive posts auto-merged-----[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

My two cents:
1: Less visit to Service Centre.- There is no sure shot proof or evidence that one bike would always be less trouble free than other. Thanks to consistence inconsistence quality of RE. But I do hear TB guys having complains about the digital console.
2: No paint peeling off or in-consistencies.- Again no guarantee but matt finish requires a little more care
3: Better engineering.- Both the engines are exactly same just that TB spots a different swingarm and rear disc brake
4: Best riding position for longer trip including pillion comfort.- I guess TB scores here
5: Fuel economy.- Both has same FE but TB being at little heavier side I feel DS should have a slightly better FE.

Do let us know if you need more info.


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Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

Thanks buddy, if I go ahead with DS then do you see any issue? And in general DS will fetch what average?

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Thanks buddy, if I go ahead with DS then do you see any issue? And in general DS will fetch what average?

Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

I didn\'t get your query as in what did you mean by \'if I go ahead with DS then do you see any issue?\' Anyways from whatever I comprehended, I don\'t see the list of issues different from TB as I said they both has exactly same engine just that they spot a different body and TB has digital console about which I have read many bad reviews complaining it to behave erratic. Regarding the FE I have read/heard/seen people claiming the FE between 28-33 in city conditions from DS.

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

I didn\'t get your query as in what did you mean by \'if I go ahead with DS then do you see any issue?\' Anyways from whatever I comprehended, I don\'t see the list of issues different from TB as I said they both has exactly same engine just that they spot a different body and TB has digital console about which I have read many bad reviews complaining it to behave erratic. Regarding the FE I have read/heard/seen people claiming the FE between 28-33 in city conditions from DS.

Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

Hi All,
Here is my experience so far, post 1263 KMs.


I got my bike delivered on December 20. Fitted the black powder coated version of chrome leg guard that J Ravi sir has fitted, from Quality Metals Chennai.


Its been 1 Month & 6 days of ownership.


Did first service on Jan 8th at 490 KMs.


Issues reported during first service were:
1) Then rear wheel makes very slight hissing sound when turning. Seems the brake pads are slightly touching.
2) Replace the clutch cable since the outer covering skin was slightly teared. Nothing to do with RE quality here, since that was entirely my mistake.
3) Apart from the each days first start, the self start wouldn\'t start the engine without a very very slight turn of the accelerator. After 3 tries the low battery indicator would blink. Strangely this is only observed when the bike has been heated up after a short run.
4) Hearing a slight chain clatter noise mostly during a gear change. This is mostly observable when a pillion rider is present.


Post First service :
1) The disc hissing sound is still there.
2) The chain clatter noise has decreased in frequency.
3) Frequency of self start issue has also decreased.
4) A very loud squeaky from sound from rear disc brake was observed when the bike was driven after leaving it alone for couple of days. But this is not very frequent, it would go away after 300 meters or so. This has happened only once.


Clocked a total of 747 Kms & on 17 Jan got my Odometer console replaced under warranty since the glass was very slightly cracking from the sides .

Asked them to lubricate the chain when they replaced the odometer. Seems they adjusted the chain as well without me telling them to do.


Niggles :
1)One day after a short run heard a real squeaky noise from the front disk. The squeaky noise is gone leaving behind a slight hissing sound when the wheels are turned by hand.


2) After a 25 KM run today I observed a evenly coloured brown ring on both disc brakes on the outer edge. The discs do make occasional slight hissing sound when turning (NB: When the bike is kept on center stand). When the bike is in motion the sound is not heard since it would get drowned away in the roar of the engine. Regardless of the color, the discs don\'t seem to be extra-ordinarily hot.


Since both brakes are working pretty good I am not sure whether I need to ask the RE ASC guys to check and correct the slight hissing noise. Owners please let me know the thoughts on this issue.


3)The odometer console shakes in lower gears & potholes, that it hits the metal region surrounding the bike lock key area. I can hear a real tick tick hitting sound when it does. (hope you get the point here)
I tired keeping a small piece of leather between both. But it slipped out after a 100 KMS. Now occasionally I do keep 1 or 2 very thing papers folded in between both for some peace of mind.




Now the good parts - The pros:
1) Always puts a smile on my face during each ride.

2) I really like the way the bike moves forward in first gear !! It just takes off like locomotive. Also love the way it moves during U turns. ( provided there is no traffic to obstruct you) Wonder how it be during hair pin bends.

3) The throw of the lights is pretty good.

4) Even at 80 kmph its seems very stable & composed. ( more on this post second service)

5) The riding position has spoiled me. When I ride my old pulsar nowdays it gives me joint pains even for short rides. Damn I been riding that bike for 6 years have never felt so except during long runs.

6) Best riding experience when done without a pillion. Since the pillions added weight would slightly affect the pull of the bike ( not as much compared to my old pulsar 180) . Even with a pillion the bike moves forward like a charm. After a few KMs I tend to forget that I have a pillion unless he/she talks !!

7) The front brake is way better compared to the rear. It did actually save me from an accident when two dumb drivers crossed my path from a blind spot. I think I was travelling 60kmph. When I tired braking I didn\'t think it would stop (neither did the onlookers or the dumb drivers) . But it did without any apparent skids.

8) 29.9 KMPL in city, calculated using tank full to tank full method . I haven\'t taken any long trips till now. All rides are less than 120 kms per day.

Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

Hi guys need some help..

I've been riding my 04 karizma for over 10 years and thousands of km for commuting and touring. And looking for a replacement(2nd bike??) and hence considering the tb500.

One of the issues that worries me with the bike is the EFI problems I've read about - how serious are these? Can it be avoided? Is the bike reliable? Does the Thunderbird have an o2 sensor in the exhaust(I've read that it's omission is an issue for the c500)?
Also can someone tell me at what rpm does she hold 90-100 kmph while cruising?


I usually tour with my wife and the karizma has never left me stranded and that's my biggest concern with a royal Enfield.

I've test ridden the bike and I really liked it. But need to clarify the above points before I take the leap.

Thanks in advance.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

I would definitely recommend it, however out of hundred there are only 10% chances of the EFI failing on its own and 40% chances of it failing due to user error. eg- running the bike on empty tank would cause the fuel pump to go kaput, also using low grade fuel, contaminated fuel or watter in the fuel tank would mess up the system. However I believe that RE has resolved the fuel pump issue by introducing a expensive one. Don't know how true that is.
I have removed the EFI system on my bike and running on a carborator (Mukini VM36) it's running like a breeze!
Apart from that it's a brilliant motorcycle, have already covered 89000 kilometers in a span of 2 years. Last year did a southern trip and the year before north east!

Regards,
White Knight

Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

Thanks white knight..
I can live with a 10% chance. The remaining 40% are the basics of an FI system.

However reading that you swapped out your efi for a carb wasn't encouraging. What was the main reason for this and how much of your 89000 was done before the carb? Is there a noticeable drop in performance / change in fuel consumption?

Also do you remember the 90-100 kmph cruising engine rpm?

Sorry for the number of questions, but any help is much appreciated.

Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

I Believe I swapped the EFI for a carborator somewhere close to 65000KM, and the main reason was for me peace of mind. On my trip to north east specially in MP, UP, Bihar the quality of fuel was very bad, and somewhere in bihar a unknown place called Mohania, my fuel pump decided to not work. And that incident had really upset me. Hence when I came back From that trip I removed the entire EFI system. I believe the RPM is around 4000 -5000 range not too sure.
After moving to the carborator I'm getting better fuel economy and a little bit more juice during pick up.
Not a major change but now I'm confident that I won't have to toe my bike in a tempo.

Regards,
Melwin Parmar