Query approved.

Thanks sunilg for approving my query.

Thought I'll layout my point bit more to give a clear picture.

Let me start of with the rider.

I am 6'1" close to 100 kg, 29-year-old. My first bike was my classic pulsar 150 (i call him pushkaran), rode it for nearly 8 years (he'll be 8 on December 2nd). Never really rode any other bike not even for a test ride. Now I am married with a 2-year-old who likes to ride in front of me (he just would not sit behind, always wants to feel the wind). I cannot go for a car like so many of my friends and relatives have suggested (including my wife and in-laws) just coz i dont like them, there's something about riding a bike that I dont know how to explain, but all of you must already know that. So that is about me.

Now about the ride am looking for and how I narrowed down to thunderbird and classic.

1. First of all, I want something that is better than my pulsar in terms of ownership pride which was great when it was launched but now I feel with so many pulsars around it would'nt be same, so thought about RE. I mean, what better than an RE right?

2. I was looking for a comfortable bike to ride both for me and the pillion for long and short rides. So narrowed down my search to Avenger, RE bikes, and karizma.

3. Ruled out Karizma coz of the sporty look, guess I am out of that phase right now. So, that leaves me avenger and RE bikes.

4. Went to RE showroom to look at all the bikes available and spoke to the head mechanic, found out all 350 engines are same and only the looks are different (dont want 500 cc right now, may be after 5 years).

5. Ruled out electra and std for the looks and that narrowed down my list to Avenger, Thunderbird and Classic 350.

6. Saw too many Avengers from that point on in Bangalore. I mean wherever i looked, i saw one avenger or a pulsar, they seem to be fast replacing chetak and splendor on the streets now a days. So, semi-ruled out Avenger.

7. That boiled down the whole thing to Thunderbird and Classic 350, and thats when my dillemma started. Both look good, have the same engine.

8. Brother, brother-in-law, wife, and the head mechanic suggested classic. Dad also feels classic is good.

9. But my two main problem with classic is a.) the waiting list and b.) the ride comfort. From that point on I am pondering with this idea. checked out a whole lot of reviews and threads but every time its the same 50% thunderbird and 50% classic.

Sorry for rambling on guys, just could not help it. Which one should I go for?

Congratulations for making the best buyer's choice in the world, and happy hunting!

i suggest you try the two bikes, take test rides, and then judge them.
though it appears that the same engine does duty on both of them, the response is very different, is what i've heard and read!
it would be difficult to say, without you finding out which one suits you better.
and in this process, you may also start liking one of the two!

can refer to this thread as well..


technically speaking, CL is marginally superior. but not much matter in city ride..

I always thought TB is for tourers and CL for city ride.. depends on you though..

happy thumping..

The seating position and handlebar ergonomics of Thunderbird is suited for long distance biking and will be difficult to manage in everyday city traffic. Even Classic 350 is difficult in stop & go traffic.

Since the requirement is mainly for city riding and occasional touring, I would suggest Classic 350. (I own one and happy with it). But in seating comfort, Thunderbird is better.

regards

san

Thanks a lot for the feedback guys , think i'll stick to classic!! but the waiting period is killing man!!

I wanted to ask you guys one more thing that is a bit off topic (not sure if i can put this here, moderators please help me if i am posting it in a wrong place)

Anyway, the thing is ever since I narrowed down my choice to a single bike, i am having a stronger liking to my pulsar. I am giving too much attention to my bike (which includes just staring at it for couple of seconds before and after riding it, etc). Its almost like the feeling you get just before your marriage where you are excited and want to jump into your new life, but dread the things you are going to miss from your bachelor life. My question is, is this natural for most riders or is it just me???

PS: My wife thinks its all natural and totally understands it, so no issues there

HAHA , superb!!!

... and yes its perfectly normal for you to feel like this

Happens

Same here dude. I owned a Pulsar for 5 years and then sold and got a new STD 350. The guy who bought the bike was 2 buildings away from mine. I used to go there and see the bike and check if it was ok . Then to my relief he sent the bike to his village in UP.

Regarding your query, I have ridden the Thunderbird and its a gem. Also once you get used, moving in traffic is also cool.

Comfort and seating in Thunderbird is awesome. Classic I have not ridden so cant tell about that but I have heard that its great too.
Both have the same engine too.

You can go for the Classic (if you are ok with the waiting period).

Regards,
Subu.

hah....i thought i was the only one!
i feel the same way for my activa... yup,my 8 yr old rickety activa!
will be booking my TBTS by December,
n congo on the Classic,,gr8 choice :P

Dude although I'm glad you have decided to stick with the CL350, not too thrilled to read your text in bold above!
If that is the case, don't buy a bike, get a car, if you have one already then use it!
Really surprised that you should mention something like this in a forum where safety is put foremost.

I really appreciate your concern here, but I think there is a slight misunderstanding. My son do like to ride in front of the bike but he gets to ride only for few meters everyday after work around the block, I am sure as hell not going to jeopardize his safety putting him in the bike!! It was my wife's idea to add the last two statements in the post as she wanted an activa and thought a kid in the front will entice someone to suggest an activa. In fact we had a little bet that if someone suggests an activa, i'll have to get her that. Well I should have edited my post, my bad!!

Ahhh then no problem dude... Good for you...

Thanks guys, you have no idea how much relief it is to know am not the only one!! showroom guys told me the waiting list now for all the RE bikes are almost same so i guess there is not much to choose from in that front.

Yesterday was having a little discussion (more like an argument) with my brother regarding which bike to go for. Though at the end i rubbished all his comments saying it was just silly (am bigger you know) but something he told me did strike me and is still lingering on in my head, so thought i will put it here.

His point was apart from bigger engine and the name and legacy of RE and looks to some extent, RE bikes have nothing going for them in terms of performance, reliability, and features and do not justify its reputation. There is a false hype created around RE by the fans of RE. People who own RE bikes are RE fanatics and believe all its shortcomings as the character of the bike and learn to live with it (and even appreciate it). Comments you get about an RE are like "A bullet is a bullet" or "nothing can be compared to it," and so on. Fans of bullet put it in a completely different league making it the only one running in that race and it is obvious to come first.

On the other hand, the owners of bajaj or HH or other jap models have options to chose from, intensifying the competition between these models and forcing the manufacturer to improve quality.

So guys, what you think?

(btw he is a fan of avenger)

Personally I feel your brother has a point there. I myself wanted to buy a Classic 500 but was forced to buy a 220F DTSi in Sept due to the long wait period of 10 months in Pune. Even I thought on the same lines that what extra does a RE offer? I weighed the pros & cons & eventually decided that it would be a good idea to go for the Pulsar 220F DTSi right away. I know ardent RE fans will tell you a different story. I'm no RE hater, in fact love the road presence & thump. Am actually thinking of booking the Classic 500 as a 2nd bike! Don't mind waiting for 10 months now that I've the fastest Indian to rely on.