Re: Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

Matt black looks good only when the bike is new or when the bike is washed, else the matt effect is not easily seen much.

Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

Please can anyone suggests me for the colour of thunderbird.
I have booked the bike in marine colour and it has already arrived at the showroom. but whenever I seematt black TB I get second thoughts for marine (went for marine because there were no choices left).
The dealer says Matte black doesn't last more then 8-9 months and then during servicing workers put oil hands and all it become glossy very fast hence there is no point in going for Matte colours.
Guys please suggest that Matt black is really that tough to maintain and does not last 8 months?

Re: Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

Hi rugved, thank you for the insight. I'd better forget about going second hand. I have been closely following RE 500 ownership reviews across the forum for the past couple of months to prepare myself for the RE ownership and fairly understood the amount of attention and care one has to spend. No, I have not looked at any other motorcycle other than the STD 350 & 500. The RE will not be an upgrade or replacement for me, rather its a decision purely based on my heart to experience RE. I have set my eyes on the STD 500 in Black color.

Re: Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

Bullet exhaust is very loud, can't stand the decibel! Highly annoying sound.

Re: Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

Really, a kilometre long exhaust pipe? with legs of matching length to burn? all in good jokes .

cant help people right...They ride not only REs but many regular 150cc or some 2-stroker bikes too with modified loud exhausts, decorations, lights, and to top it all they'd stunt, race and most dangerously, use phones while riding...

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Hi Tappet! (nice choice for username)

First and foremost, Stay away from pre-owned vehicles, unless its from someone you know and one who keeps maintains hi vehicles as good as new in all possible ways.
Buy a fresh bike, maintain it in top condition yourself.

The choice of 500cc is definitely not a problem in any way. Your intended usage is occasional and weekend rides. That would be good for this version. It will give you all the torque you need, be it in 1^st gear or Top. Daily city use and traffic jams will leave you with a tired clutch hand and with a very hot and angry engine.

You will definitely have to figure out your Footing and its reach before you get a bike because in worse of conditions it will be 100% necessary that you be able to stabilise the 190+ kilogram bike with both feet planted and with a pillion too (if at all).

This is a 500cc single piston engine, so there is no escape from vibes, but vibes are not that harsh at its intended speed/rpm range, and in stock conditions the vibes are pretty much dampened. At very high speeds, or at idling you will experience some vibes, can help; Single cylinder...

You have graduated from 150cc to 250cc bikes in past and in that case everything generally improves, better speed, better pickup, smoother engine. But DO NOT EXPECT a similar experience now that you plan a 500cc engine. It will give you all the torque, like a locomotive, but it wont give you those 3 digit speeds beyond 120 or so. This is just not that kind of a bike.

However as long as you keep it in its speed territory, it will keep munching away the miles as steady as a clock work, without breaking sweat and with no signs of stress, and that’s exactly its nature.

Niggles or no niggles depend on how you run in the bike and how you maintain it (one of the reasons to NOT go for a second hand bike). This is definitely not a fill it and forget it type of bike and you must pay attention to any minor symptom and get it checked before it becomes trouble. With that being said, this is also not (anymore) a bike that you sit with, with a spanner and wrench and keep on fixing it for eternity and or drag it to mechanic at all times. The newer engines have changed this.

Though there are certain known problems that people observe/face with certain models, like fuel gauges are never accurate, hose pipes age very quick, etc. ASCs are definitely a trial and error affair till you find a good and trustworthy one.
You said this will be your first and only RE. So better go for a fresh bike, enjoy the peace of mind of warranty and if you feel apprehensive of breakdowns leaving you stranded, opt for RSA as well.

Other than that, whether you use your bike only weekends or even lesser, it will be a good practice to keep cranking it atleast once in 2 days.

Other than that, if you are looking for a bike in 300cc and above category and hence venturing into the idea of RE ownership, then perhaps you will have to take second thoughts. Buy an RE only if you are looking for an RE.

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Hi PrashNagpal,

Whether TB or CL, this depends completely on the posture and seating position you want. CL has slightly shorter saddle height and ample pillion seating space, lower handle bars. TBTS has slightly taller saddle, raised handle bar and foot pegs are slightly forward and not under the knee like in CL as well as a shorter (in length) pillion seat.

With 85-90% city usage, 500cc may not be the best option to select from. A traffic jam will leave you with tired clutch hand and a heated up engine.
500cc will generate more heat than 350cc, ergo it will need you to feed it appropriately some more speed for the engine block fins to cool down.

Whether RE or not, and Why…that is what You need to commit before you decide whether TB or CL…

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Hey Buddy, a wierd new noise, different engine behaviour, something loose, dangling, out of place, un-even tire wear, unusual vehicle behaviour, vehicle pulling to one side, slow pickup, engine stall at unexpected speed+gear combination, unusual fuel consumption, faulty flickering electricals, oil levels under minimum, etc...these are some of tell tale signs you need to watchout for, in all your vehicles, whether 2 wheels or four (or more ).

same things you need to watchout for with RE as well. nothing more.

With any vehicle you would definitely need to give a thorough look to the vehicle and familiarise your self to all parts and their purpose, otherwise not only would you Not be able to detect a problem before it grows, but also the mechanics would take you for a ride when you take your car/bike in to their garage.

Re: Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

I wonder always, how come people like a kilometre of exhaust pipe (a burn hazard to legs), a deafening exhaust note from the bullets. It has kept me away all the time to consider one to be owned.

Re: Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

Thanks for the suggestion. I will need to give it a good thought before I decide to buy it.

Re: Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

Apart from regular service, you may face niggling issues which may crop up now and then which will require visit to service center or local trusted mechanic. You may not have to be knowledgeable to sort the issues yourself but you should learn to identify what is wrong with the motorcycle and report to the mechanic. As long as you are willing to take care of the motorcycle instead of just relying on scheduled service you can own a RE for a long time.

Re: Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

Would you still feel i can go ahead?

Re: Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

The only thing i can ensure is giving it for regular service at the service centres. More than this am willing to spend what it takes to do these regular services but when it comes to understanding what the issues are etc I won't be able to as i am not knowledgeable regarding these machines. Just love riding!

Re: Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

Please understand. You buy a RE only if you are ready to face the niggles and issues reported by others. If you are still confused you can consider other brands easily available in the market. I have made up my mind to spend time and money to experience RE ownership. RE is continuously improving the product quality but they still have a long way to go.

Re: Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

It was much smoother than classic 500. Still confused. Don't want to repent going in for an re after seeing so many ppl curse on forums.

Re: Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

Thanks SHAURYA1405. Do you think I can use the STD 500 primarily as my weekend rider? Or the bike has to be used everyday?


I'd suggest the Thunderbird for its additional features which are absolutely essential and super bargain for the mere Rs10k cost difference between Classic 500 and TB 500.

Projector headlamp
LED tail lamps
Tachometer
Digital clock
20 Liter fuel tank
Rear disc brake

Also I heard from some owners that Thunderbird's seats are better for long rides for both rider and passenger.

Re: Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

Guys please takeout some time and do give your feedback as i am completely new to RE's. Just wondering if this is the right choice for me.

Re: Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

My preference after today's test ride was tb500 as I found it more relaxing and comfortable. Also the goodies it comes with are worth 10k extra I felt.