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

I agree. But then you cannot take the plunge without reasonable confidence either, right?
I had horrible experience in the past with Kinetic/Sym (now Mahindra/Sym) vehicles and wouldn't ever buy a Mahindra vehicle again. And I cautious about about other purchases as well.

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

Hey buddy. I wont say 'i have an re and its running with no issues'. That'd be too typical. This opinion is something you have to build up. Coz thats where your confidence will stem from later on. If not, then it'll just be a nightmare ownership...

Re: Choosing a Thunderbird - 350-Carb or 500-FI?

Thanks for your detailed reply, this would be my primary and only ride (besides car). I don't want two or more two motorbikes for myself. My main concern is reliability with REs given their reputation for niggles, and lack of tubeless is another concern (though that can be taken care of by adding aftermarket alloys+tubeless)

Re: Choosing a Thunderbird - 350-Carb or 500-FI?

Dear Rider,

Keihin used to be the FI system used in 500cc variants of all REs (they mentioned so in the tech specs earlier), which is the same used in many other FI motorbikes available in market (even ninja). So the FI system is inherently reliable by make. A fuel pump, like any other fluid pump will be damaged by a dry running. Other than that, unlike many other REs, TBTS is blessed with a Fuel Gauge (not very accurate though) so in city driving you can manage to keep fuel levels high enough to be safe for FI. While touring, there can be several alternatives like, plotting your route with all fuel stations in consideration or Jerry can, can be implemented to keep the bike fuelled always.

Apart from that, the 500cc version (as told to me by the dealer) has many different sensors all over the bike used which input data to EFI system and helps it in determining the fuel mixture as well as certain safety objectives. Any of the sensor disconnecting,malfunctioning can cause the EFI to not work properly. But a regular checkup can keep you safe from such an instance.

The most prominent member of Xbhp goes by user name J.Ravi, his excerpts Me And My Bluebird include details on his ownership of his 500cc TBTS and he has literally scaled the country with his bike, with no failures at all!.

This goes to show that with a regular maintenance and an eye for daily visual checks, 500cc bikes can be as reliable as any other RE.

Fuel Economy of 500cc and 350cc might be around atleast 32 to at the most 40 kmpl respectively, then again there may be quite a few exceptional cases here.

Add to this the locomotive like power 500ccs pack!


As to your first concern, Which one makes more sense.:-

If you ITS NOT YOUR PRIMARY and ONLY Ride, and if you can afford it, 500cc makes more sense, purely because Why Not!. If you can afford it, and if it makes you happy go for it.

If you plan to take it more on tours and less on daily commute, 500cc makes more sense, the added power definitely comes handy.

If Its your Only bike and your usage is More for commute and occasionally for tours, then 350 may be more appropriate. This is because, REs are air-cooled engines, city traffic may not always allow you to get enough road (without stops, signals, traffic jams, etc) to get sufficient air to flow over the 500cc engine block and to allow it to get the necessary cooling.

(But then that is my personal opinion, and there may be difference of perspective out here)

Choosing a Thunderbird - 350-Carb or 500-FI?

Between Thunderbird 350 and Thunderbird 500, which one makes more sense? I like TB, and since I don't find any naked bike around 2 lacs appealing, I am seriously considering TB - I don't mind the cost difference if TB 500 indeed has significant advantages. I am little concerned about FI since it requires minimum fuel in the tank and I am worried how would that affect when I am touring and also about the quality of fuel. Moreover, I am also concerned about RE's quality of FI - as in failure of fuel pump etc.

Those who own TB-500, have you faced any issues as far as FI is concerned? Any problem with fuel pump or FI indicator for low fuel? Any problems with bad quality fuel? What kind of fuel efficiency (KMPL) one can expect from TB 350 and TB 500 respectively?

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

Atleast 35 in the worst of conditions. on the best of conditions you may even get 40-42kmpl with good driving and good quality/quantity of fuel

( I say Quantity as well because once i noticed FE dropped sharply and consistently, until i changed the fuel station and the FE came back to normal. No other bad fuel issues. So my only conclusion was, they were probably not pumping the whole litre)

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

What is the fuel efficency we can expect out of TBTS 350 in heavy stop and go traffic..?

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

Are you looking to buy a New bike? If yes:-

1. Aftermarket electric start. If you are buying a new bike, you wont need this as all the variants do come with an ES even the STD variant (but only 500cc).
And on an older RE, i am not sure how well an after market ES works with those. The way i see it, the less you fiddle with those older engines the happier they feel.

If you are sure you like STD RE, you can think about 500cc version, you would get the Electric start and the added power and torque! Maintenance would be more or less same on both STD variants. and if your daily run is not too long, then the Fuel Economy wont bother you much with a STD 500.

2. Thunderbird, is the RE with smallest wheelbase not classic.

Hope this throws some light as to answers for the questions you've asked. I am sure you got more questions, feel free to shoot! (the questions i meant )

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The engine and fuel supply type, remains the same in both these bikes, with the only difference (that can affect Fuel Economy) being 5 odd Kgs of weight, TBTS being the heavier one. Hence the Fuel Economy would depend more on riding habits. The only reason (if at all there is) that TBTS user Might Get More FE, would be the Tacho, as you can keep a check on revs at all times then.

Gadgetry comes handy with TBTS, also the two disc brakes two of the few main reasons why I bought TBTS (when I actually loved the Blue CL350).

The 20 Ltr tank does come in handy but only when you take super long rides.

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Well, If you really like the STD 350, its a good choice. I feel its the manliest of all the RE variants (Personal opinion).

If you must have an ES, then its better to got for electra, or other model of your liking.

But hey with the STD variant, you can consider upgrading your choice to 500cc then. The company website does say 500cc STD has option for electric start. And being carbed verision, it wont be much of a difference or wont have the maintenance that other 500cc REs need with them being FI. Also you would get higher power head lamps in the 500cc version than the 350cc.

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

I was bit inclined towards TB350 because of on board fuel guage, trip meters and massive fuel tank of 20 lts, projector almps. Also, I heard TB350 delivers sligtly better Fuel efficency than Cl350.

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

Thunderbird is slightly taller than Classic. And seating position is slightly Feet Forward as compared to straight upright in CL.

CL has many variants to choose from and accessories to fit later on.

Maintenance for both would but one and the same.

Pillion seat in TBTS has lesser room as compared to any RE 2 seat variant.

I have a TBTS 350 and i Use it for a daily travel of 100kms.

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whoa hold on right there mate.

1. Which One Is More FUN, CI or UCE - that varies from person to person.
2. You rode CL500 (i am assuming new generation FI version) and fell in love with it. But You Prefer Single seat hence you tried bullet 500!? (i am going to assume STD500 you meant). CL is the only variant that comes with option to make it single seat bike!

STD 500 has a Unibody seat but its definitely still meant for two.

3. Ride quality was no way close to CL500. Thats probably because STD 500 is carb, while CL500s are FI. Hence. So its about the model, and not an issue with the particular bike.

4. You need help whether to go with CI or UCE. Well mate that is completely up to you. Its personal choice.

If you ask me, I would say UCE. For the pure reason of, CI= Used bike no guaranty and UCE = New bike+2 yrs warranty+RSA+easier (not lesser) maintenance than CI.

Well there you have it. Do let us know what choice did you make!

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

I am confused between classic 350 and thunderbird 350.

Help me choose one based on info:

- 5.6 ft height
- low maintaince bike
- daily travel 100 KMS.

THANKS,
Kashish

ThunderBird 350 or Classic 350 ?

Hi Riders,

I am graduating from pulsar 220, which is a super amazing bike in all aspects.

The only concern is rattling plastic body. Also, I am little bored of it.

Final Shortlisted bike are thinderbird 350 and classic 350. Please help me choose one among them, based on following info:

- Height 5.6 ft
- daily city travel - 100 Kms (approx)
- low maintaince.
- high reliablity.

Thanks,
Kashish.

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

I would like to know which one is more fun to ride between Bullet 500 and Classic 500 also between CI and UCEs. I had ridden a Classic 500 earlier and I just fell in love with the intoxicating ride quality of the bike and I decided to buy one but, I find the single seat to be more comfortable so finally zeroed on a Bullet 500 and took a test ride. I was expecting it to provide the same type of ride quality but to my disappointment the ride quality was no way close to the Classic which I rode earlier, both the bikes were used ones. I have also ridden a couple of CI ones and even that was not as fun to ride. So I would like to know whether is it specific to that particular bike or model or is it because its been abused? Please help me decide which RE to go for CL or Bullet, UCE or CI.

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

Thank you very much Vivek, gives me a lot of confidence to put my money down on the UCE 500

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

I have SB500 and can assure you that it can cruise at 100 easily.

And vibes are not that high