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Re: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 Owners Experiences
Hi XBhpians
I have been attached to this community for long time even before I bought my Thunderbird 350. Royal Enfield has always fascinated me as a Brand & legacy. I always wished to own a RE bike someday. While searching for reviews about the RE, I came to know about this wonderful community. In 2009 (I guess) when I first time seen the Classic, it overwhelmed me & was kind of best bullet bike so far. But you know it comes with cost & I wasn't ready at that front. Time passed by & I kept on reading blogs & travel stories on bullet.
It was 11th Auto Expo in Delhi in 2012 when I saw RE Thunder Bird first time & like many RE lovers I too got mesmerized by the looks & especially the LED cluster in head light. I remember it was 500 cc by then. By now I was completely sure about my first RE. But due to some issues I could not plan for buying it. Finally its 2014 when I was ready to own this machine. I book the bike in August 14, by then new color & logo was embossed on RE Thunderbird also the Stone Black color made available in 350. I booked for 350 as I got to know about some issue with FI system in 500 (I didn't want to take chance). Finally I got my Bird on 7th Sep, and let me tell you I was on 7th Heaven on that day. It was certainly great day for me.
Since then till now, I covered 16,000 + kms without any major issue. First I thought that by the time I spent one year, my attachment would depreciate with the Bird, but honestly its growing day by day. Its a lot like love......
Servicing:
There is tons of blogs about the high servicing expenditure & maintenance cost. But based on my 15 months experience I did not feel so, rather if the Bird is handled carefully, there is no way it disappoints you. The free servicing (4) did cost approximate 1200-1300 per trip (in the gap of 3000 kms), post this it cost roughly 1700-1800. Here the highlight is: you got to listen to your bike very carefully even a minute rattle might result into a big failure of part.
Clutch Wires: Clutch wires got replaced twice till now. I think you need to be careful when it run for 5000 + kms; also keep a spare one in case of long trip. I got it broken due to normal wear & tear but luckily it happened in the morning when I was about to move to office. Since then I became extra cautious about it. Also please keep the bike in neutral instead of using clutch in traffic lights, it will save the performance of Clutch mechanism.
Chain Tension: Alignment of Chain with the rear side of bike frame creates spontaneous friction & results into loosened chain. There is a rubber block on the frame to avoid direct connection with chain. In case if proper checking is not done, the chain would create sever cut on rubber block. The idea is to check the chain tension during every servicing to avoid any issue on this front. I can say that its the only "achilles heel" in my Bird which I observed so far. Also use chain lube spray to lubricate (I use 3M & it does the job well). Below is the snap of the area:
Riding & Handling:
The overall riding posture is very comfortable & I must say this Bird is having a commendable suspension system. It never hurts you back while maneuvering through mighty Indian potholes (unless you are at great speed
). Both the suspension systems are upto the mark & I dont see any issue in them.
The maximum distance I covered on my Bird is 680 kms on single day (Delhi-Raebareli) and I can say that next day morning when I woke up, I was completely fine. Obviously there were some side effects on my bum
, but that can happen when you sit on the couch relentlessly for 14-15 hours in a single day. It was done just to test my & my Bird's capability. I cruised it on 70 avg all the day (with sufficient stops). I also cruised it in Mountains & did not feel a slight indication of loosing control. Though its lot depends on one's riding style & speed but overall I have 100% confidence on my all rides.
Front & Rear Disks do their job perfectly, but there has to be a proper balance between both. Its sufficient to stop the Bird at expected distance. No hiccups so far in this area.
No major vibrations occur till 80, but crossing 80 there will be vibrations & the more you rev after that things will go shakier. But till 80 you can rev all day no problem.
MRF Tyres are good for the job but I expected it to be of wider profile. Nonetheless its not a serious issue & you can always get it replaced. Though I did not feel it to replace, its more than enough for me.
Avg Mileage:
I know this is never a reason or deal breaker for RE fans, but for the sake of update guys; I get 40+ kmpl on my Bird every time during all type of rides. Which is not bad for this capacity of engine.
Silencer & Alloys:
Guys let me confess that when I was about to own my Bird I was very sure of changing the silencer but at that time loud TBTS silencer was not available. And I was quite disappointed with the fact. But gradually I started liking the muted thump of My Bird and now I really love it and would never change it with any loud pipe.
Regular spoke wheels were changed to Alloy, & there were two reasons for this. First, there was a play in rear wheel & I got it fixed but could not fix it permanently. Now alloy wheel doesn't have any such play also I feel smoother ride. Second was maintenance, despite all efforts to clean the spokes there were visible rusty spots on both the wheels. Also it took lots of efforts to clean it up. Following is a snap, hope you guys would like it:
Switches & Circuits:
All switches look & feel of premium built & it’s working fine. The headlamp holding both low & high beam lamps & they are doing good job. Though I would highly recommend to avoid any night trip as it’s not safe. Bike horn is very loud & good for highway cruising. Though I had faced some issue in my odometer console after servicing & washing but its rectified immediately & no major issue on this front. I drenched in rains many time but no seepage of water was observed all instruments are working fine. Though the digital clock in console gets delayed after some time which is not a major issue & can be fixed.
Kick Start a Day:
Every morning I do some false kicks (by pressing clutch) & then a slight swing of the kick generate life in engine. During very cold day, I use choke to start but I never use self to start at first time in Morning.
Guys this all what I felt about my Bird in last 15 months & I wish to cover more & more miles with it. I did not mean to offend anyone but if I do so by any of my thought, I apologize.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s a lot like love, it grows on you, it suits you but then you need to listen to Machine very carefully…………………..
These are some snaps of my bird, I hope you will like it:
Happy Thumping
Hi XBhpians
I have been attached to this community for long time even before I bought my Thunderbird 350. Royal Enfield has always fascinated me as a Brand & legacy. I always wished to own a RE bike someday. While searching for reviews about the RE, I came to know about this wonderful community. In 2009 (I guess) when I first time seen the Classic, it overwhelmed me & was kind of best bullet bike so far. But you know it comes with cost & I wasn't ready at that front. Time passed by & I kept on reading blogs & travel stories on bullet.
It was 11th Auto Expo in Delhi in 2012 when I saw RE Thunder Bird first time & like many RE lovers I too got mesmerized by the looks & especially the LED cluster in head light. I remember it was 500 cc by then. By now I was completely sure about my first RE. But due to some issues I could not plan for buying it. Finally its 2014 when I was ready to own this machine. I book the bike in August 14, by then new color & logo was embossed on RE Thunderbird also the Stone Black color made available in 350. I booked for 350 as I got to know about some issue with FI system in 500 (I didn't want to take chance). Finally I got my Bird on 7th Sep, and let me tell you I was on 7th Heaven on that day. It was certainly great day for me.
Since then till now, I covered 16,000 + kms without any major issue. First I thought that by the time I spent one year, my attachment would depreciate with the Bird, but honestly its growing day by day. Its a lot like love......
Servicing:
There is tons of blogs about the high servicing expenditure & maintenance cost. But based on my 15 months experience I did not feel so, rather if the Bird is handled carefully, there is no way it disappoints you. The free servicing (4) did cost approximate 1200-1300 per trip (in the gap of 3000 kms), post this it cost roughly 1700-1800. Here the highlight is: you got to listen to your bike very carefully even a minute rattle might result into a big failure of part.
Clutch Wires: Clutch wires got replaced twice till now. I think you need to be careful when it run for 5000 + kms; also keep a spare one in case of long trip. I got it broken due to normal wear & tear but luckily it happened in the morning when I was about to move to office. Since then I became extra cautious about it. Also please keep the bike in neutral instead of using clutch in traffic lights, it will save the performance of Clutch mechanism.
Chain Tension: Alignment of Chain with the rear side of bike frame creates spontaneous friction & results into loosened chain. There is a rubber block on the frame to avoid direct connection with chain. In case if proper checking is not done, the chain would create sever cut on rubber block. The idea is to check the chain tension during every servicing to avoid any issue on this front. I can say that its the only "achilles heel" in my Bird which I observed so far. Also use chain lube spray to lubricate (I use 3M & it does the job well). Below is the snap of the area:
Riding & Handling:
The overall riding posture is very comfortable & I must say this Bird is having a commendable suspension system. It never hurts you back while maneuvering through mighty Indian potholes (unless you are at great speed
). Both the suspension systems are upto the mark & I dont see any issue in them.The maximum distance I covered on my Bird is 680 kms on single day (Delhi-Raebareli) and I can say that next day morning when I woke up, I was completely fine. Obviously there were some side effects on my bum
, but that can happen when you sit on the couch relentlessly for 14-15 hours in a single day. It was done just to test my & my Bird's capability. I cruised it on 70 avg all the day (with sufficient stops). I also cruised it in Mountains & did not feel a slight indication of loosing control. Though its lot depends on one's riding style & speed but overall I have 100% confidence on my all rides.Front & Rear Disks do their job perfectly, but there has to be a proper balance between both. Its sufficient to stop the Bird at expected distance. No hiccups so far in this area.
No major vibrations occur till 80, but crossing 80 there will be vibrations & the more you rev after that things will go shakier. But till 80 you can rev all day no problem.
MRF Tyres are good for the job but I expected it to be of wider profile. Nonetheless its not a serious issue & you can always get it replaced. Though I did not feel it to replace, its more than enough for me.
Avg Mileage:
I know this is never a reason or deal breaker for RE fans, but for the sake of update guys; I get 40+ kmpl on my Bird every time during all type of rides. Which is not bad for this capacity of engine.
Silencer & Alloys:
Guys let me confess that when I was about to own my Bird I was very sure of changing the silencer but at that time loud TBTS silencer was not available. And I was quite disappointed with the fact. But gradually I started liking the muted thump of My Bird and now I really love it and would never change it with any loud pipe.
Regular spoke wheels were changed to Alloy, & there were two reasons for this. First, there was a play in rear wheel & I got it fixed but could not fix it permanently. Now alloy wheel doesn't have any such play also I feel smoother ride. Second was maintenance, despite all efforts to clean the spokes there were visible rusty spots on both the wheels. Also it took lots of efforts to clean it up. Following is a snap, hope you guys would like it:
Switches & Circuits:
All switches look & feel of premium built & it’s working fine. The headlamp holding both low & high beam lamps & they are doing good job. Though I would highly recommend to avoid any night trip as it’s not safe. Bike horn is very loud & good for highway cruising. Though I had faced some issue in my odometer console after servicing & washing but its rectified immediately & no major issue on this front. I drenched in rains many time but no seepage of water was observed all instruments are working fine. Though the digital clock in console gets delayed after some time which is not a major issue & can be fixed.
Kick Start a Day:
Every morning I do some false kicks (by pressing clutch) & then a slight swing of the kick generate life in engine. During very cold day, I use choke to start but I never use self to start at first time in Morning.
Guys this all what I felt about my Bird in last 15 months & I wish to cover more & more miles with it. I did not mean to offend anyone but if I do so by any of my thought, I apologize.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s a lot like love, it grows on you, it suits you but then you need to listen to Machine very carefully…………………..
These are some snaps of my bird, I hope you will like it:
Happy Thumping
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