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

I guess I am posting in the right thread:

Here's something that might help the buyers who will be taking the delivery of Royal Enfield in future. This sheet was shared by the sales person by mistake. It lists the breakup of each and every cost head what they charge us for. In Bangalore the dealers does not give out printed number plates but if you will look at the breakup in the amount they charge us for a cost of number plate printing as well.

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

VT31 is Thunderbird 350 and NT 51 is Thunderbird 500

My TB500's Tank's Inside Painted - Already Peeling Off

My Thunderbird 500 Twilight [March 2013 make] has its tank's inside painted grey. Worse, it has already started peeling off at the mouth and floor. When I rubbed my fingers at the mouth, a portion of paint layer came out with my finger. Whatever may be the layer, paint or anti-corrosive or epoxy or galvanising, the layer peeling off is not a good sign.

Re: My TB500's Tank's Inside Painted - Already Peeling Off

Hi Bulletiers !!!

After much of fuss for choosing my next bike after Pulsar 150 UG3, I have narrowed down to Thunderbird 350. There has been some criticism in other threads about quality of materials and the engine itself, but then riding and owning one is itself a matter of pride, at least for me.
Apart from technicalities, most important reason for me to choose Thunderbird was that I wanted to break my boundaries of touring around Pune; which surely needed more powerful and torque machine.
From what I know about the production plants, old plant is notorious for its quality issues and the new Thunderbird 350 comes from the same assembly line. Though, its 500cc sibling come from the new plant which is more automated and this, I think. makes it more reliable bike. Now, my practical aspect doesn't allow me to go for 500 : Budget, Power requirement, FE. I already have exceeded my budget from 1 lac to 1.5 to accommodate 350. Now since its a matter of lifetime of owning a bullet (at least 10 years+), I need your advice on choosing between 350 or 500 Thunderbird.

Please advice.

Thanks,
Rohit

Re: My TB500's Tank's Inside Painted - Already Peeling Off

I would anyday go for 500cc one,cause the difference in power is really felt.And if you are looking for long term ownership the also 500 is better as it will keep up with the new fast bikes!
I heard that a carb model 500 is there with the body of std bullet...if its true that would be my first choice...
Also the continental(cafe racer..I dont remember the name) looks promising...
500 power will keep you entertained!
Stay off from the fuel injected version...

Re: My TB500's Tank's Inside Painted - Already Peeling Off

Yeah..you are right, 500 will keep up with competition and enough grunt for the power; I find it more reliable since its coming out of more automated and modern assembly line. But what about Fuel Efficiency, I mean I cannot live for FE equivalent to my car !!!

I sincerly need your advice on my buying decision before I go and my choice this weekend.

Re: My TB500's Tank's Inside Painted - Already Peeling Off

Yes that happens, Petrol is very corrosive as is, frequent friction with the petrol hose will peel off the paint there. Dont worry about it.

A bullet 350CC engine will ride similar to a 150CC engine, is most enjoyable between 60-70Kmph and does not like to be pushed beyond 80Kmph. But if you try it will touch 115Kmph or so, but that relaxed feeling of riding a bullet starts to fleet once you cross 80Kmph.
That said, I would recommend a 500CC, standard bullet edition. The engine feels at home at 80-90 Kmph and does 100Kmph with ease, but here too the engine loses its relaxed character beyond 100Kmph.
Yes, the thunderbird is 'modern' but the mechanic at the service center says that the new birds give some issues, comparing to the other models like, std or electra.

[QI dont know if the FI version is better compared to carburetted one, but bullets were always known for their simple engineering, if you have a carb even a roadside mechanic will look into it and no roadside mech will touch the FE thing if problem arises.
Choice is yours.

Re: My TB500's Tank's Inside Painted - Already Peeling Off

That has already shattered my ground for opting TB350 Also, I agree to your point of having Carb version of 500cc then Fuel Injected one. But I am stuck up with the design of new Thunderbird, they appeal to me so much. STD / Classics dont appeal to me. I guess I have to wait till RE launches TB500 in carb version. Also, I am thinking if 500 can give FE figures of 35+ in city (atleast 30).

Thanks so much for your advice, my plan to book a Thunderbird is now on hold. I will research / wait more.

Re: My TB500's Tank's Inside Painted - Already Peeling Off

I would say you are inviting unnecessary confusion to creep in, TBTS 500 appeal to you, go for it, the bike is by now tested and has proved it's presence.

But you are asking too much by asking for fe of 35+ in city, that is not going to happen how much ever carefully you ride until and unless you are running the Bull lean to the extent of inviting alarming danger to the engine, even in that case it would be very difficult but yes on highways that is realistic figure. 35+ in city is actually the expectation one should set for 350cc bull not for 500cc bull.

All the best

Sent from my X10i using xBhp Connect mobile app

Re: My TB500's Tank's Inside Painted - Already Peeling Off


You said it right, FE figures should be realistic and I admit I was expecting way too much from a 500 CC engine.

Even initial Duke 390 reports 30 kmpl on highways and if a 500 cc can give me the same, I am pretty happy with it.

One thing which is bothering me for 500cc engine : Fuel Injected Carb should be taken too much care ?

Now I have started saving every single penny possible for my TBTS500

Re: My TB500's Tank's Inside Painted - Already Peeling Off

Nothing like that friend, initially when RE had introduced EFI in the 500 cc it had some issues with ECU mapping, but that is long long back, now it is all done and resolved and CL500 has proved it's worth by now which is also EFI and the same one is there in TBTS 500 too which too has proved its worth. In fact instead you don't need to bother much in EFI if your Bull is running lean or rich or something else has to be done, it would take care all. But yes one thing is there, a local mechanic would be much comfortable working on carb than EFI and not many (read really really few) would have knowledge about it. You cannot expect it to be fixed by any roadside mechanic.

Rest just clear your mind from all the clatter, go for your dream and enjoy the RE. Enfields are meant for sheer pleasure, leisure and relaxed riding that does not mean by any sense they cannot be ripped.

I would not say much, once you own the Bull you would be the one who would be doing all the saying narrating the love affair with your Bull and how you are getting addicted day by day..

Re: My TB500's Tank's Inside Painted - Already Peeling Off

Feels like owning one immediately by fueling in all money I have !!!! But the real world in me knows that not possible in near future. I surely don't want to miss next NH17 and ROK trips.


Sounds a relief to me my friend. Thanks for that. I have read elsewhere that new FI systems are most reliable and works like butter even at 14000 ft above sea levels. KUDOS !!!

Re: My TB500's Tank's Inside Painted - Already Peeling Off

I can understand, after all I have had the experience of experiencing the painful wait.. Uff I would tell you it kills. I had gone mad, reading about RE, RE on YouTube, RE on fb, downloading pictures, drooling over them on roads, talking about it to friends only to annoy and bore them and what not.


Now you arrived. Yes they have been proven and passed the test of time. One of my relative has CL500 (off-course EFI) and he has done numerous trips in the Himalayan region, leh-laddakh, zanskar, kargil, drass and what not, and then to dead opposite climate of Rajasthan dry and hot all with stock set up and absolutely without any issues ..

Cheers

Re: Need the experts help in deciding my first ROYAL ENFIELD...!!

Hi All,

I am planning to get a new bike. Currently i am having Bajaj Discover-125.

I have decided to go for Classic 350, but i have few doubts and queries that i want to be clarified before booking CL350..
Here are my few needs and queries regarding the bike:

My everyday travel on an average is 30km..
I need comfortable seating position for both rider and pillon seat..
Weekly 5 days i have to travel in traffic, so is it good in traffic condition..
On weekends i prefer to go for long drive..
Expected FE: 40+..
What about the maintenance cost of the bike..

And the most important things is that, i have heard from many people that down the line many problem arises in this bike. Is it true..??
I want to have this bike for a long period of time, so will it deliver the same performance down the line..

Note: Any suggestions for other bike in this price tag is welcomed.

Waiting eagerly for the experts advice..

Re: Need the experts help in deciding my first ROYAL ENFIELD...!!

Classic has the worst seats of all REs. Go for Electra if you are hardcore RE fan. If open to suggestions about other brands, ZMR fits your bill perfectly. Cheaper by about 20 k too