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

Hi guys..

Need help deciding on a RE.. I have narrowed down my search to DS500 and TB500, am in a serious dilemma, unable to decide, i have taken multiple test rides of both.

Things i was looking for was:

1. A Royal Enfield bike
2. 10+ years of ownership
3. more of touring than commuting

I would have taken the TB500 with closed eyes but due to the reduced wheelbase and smaller tire size and the tiny tail lamp the bike looks quite small!!! But at the same time the finish quality of the TB is light years ahead of the Classics. I some how feel the bike has been made too short and looks out of proportion.

The Desert Storm on the other hand has the retro looks to die for! except for the spring seats am satisfied with everything else on it.. but after seeing the TB500 not quite able to confidently book the bike, knowing for 10K more i get all the goodies on the dwarfed TB500...

I am aware of the issues of the Bulls since i had my 1983 STD and I dont expect it to show bullet proof reliability like the ZMA or the P220 which are my 2 bikes which i have owned after the sale of the bull.

any suggestions will be helpful..

please dont suggest other bikes, i have already been thro the filtering stages and removed the CBR and the Ninjas and the KTMs for its own reasons.

P.S. I said the TB feels small as i am 6.3 and about 100 kilograms of muscle & bones ...

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

My vote goes for DS, just for one reason.. The retro classic look. Both have the same engine, just the looks and few digital extra features on TB. Btw TB does have one considerable extra feature though.. The rear wheel disc brakes but nevertheless still I vote for DS for the looks to die for

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


Yea thats the issue, i am so used to the rear disc because of the 220, without it I kinda feel very uneasy doing high speeds. and its not even possible to retro fit the disk onto the DS... I am gonna take a final test ride tomo and take a call.. and any one here fitted a rear carrier on the TB ? from the looks of it, it looks like its not possible to fit one there. any ideas ?

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

Heard there is some issue regarding the rear disk in TBTS.. It gets jammed very often! Consider that!

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

I believe you have answered your own question. Spent a sleepless night after the ride...what better reason to go out and get one!!
Let me put it other way, imagine it was a girl, you fell in love with her and are spending sleepless nights...would go and do the calculations before proposing her :-) I guess not...


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

TB has more relaxed position for longer distance rides. Plus the seats are more comfortable. As you are looking for more touring, I would suggest the TB. Engine performance wise, there is no difference in the ride.

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

Hi guys,

I have recently sold my Pulsar 200 NS as I got a huge offer from my uncle to get my RE dream fulfilled. Now, It is up to me to pick the models. I have rode bullet which is old probably 20 years. But, by looks I'm in love with TB 500. I haven't taken test drive of any bikes yet and I'm planning to take it in near future. But, some of my friends have confused me a bit by saying TB is a tourer and blazing through the traffic is not possible with it. I'm also said the parts used are cheaper in TB, which I seriously doubt.

Yes, I'm going to take a TD. Other than that, I need some opinion from you guys. I'll use the bike for both commuting as well as touring. Compare the bikes with their +ves and -ve. And I'm cool with the sound of TB than classic or DS.

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

Took the test ride. Loved the classic and TB. Heart doesn't vote for electra. Bullet was not available.

Now its TB vs Classic

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

Thanks for the suggestions guys, however I went ahead with CBR 250R. dont ask me me why, but I had to decide on something before i went insane.

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

Hi guys. Need help. I am looking for a used Bullet. A guy has offered to sell me his 1986 STD 350. Though my heart is set on an Electra a friend of mine has vouched for older Bullets. Confused now. Please suggest. If I do opt for it will it be OK or should I look for an Electra?

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

Old CI bullets is good for Thump, but tend to give lot of issues w.r.t oil leakage etc etc and requires a lot of maintenance as well.

For trouble free experience, go ahead with the newer UCE engines bullets.. Rest is upto you.

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

Thanks dude. I think I ll let this one pass. Will wait for an Electra to come by. Btw,if any one here wants to part ways with his Electra, u know whom to PM,right?

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

So many models are available with 2 engine capacities, it is confusing to figure out appropriate model as not all the models are available everywhere for test ride. Is it possible to list unique points of riding/ownership experience for each set of model - Classic / STD / TB / ELECTRA?

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

Break it down like this.....

First and foremost...Your power requirements....350 or 500.
1) If you are not a speed junkie 350 fits....will cruise all day at 70-80Kmph (it will go higher but it wont be happy at those speeds)

2) If you are a speed Junkie 500 sort of makes it up (the reason for saying this is cos i see many in this category going towards CBR250R) - Here you have options
A) You are hellbent on buying a Royal Enfield - Buy it eyes closed - Will do 80-100 Kmph all day (it will go higher but it wont be happy at those speeds)
B) You are into touring but not really hellbent on buying a RE and confused with Japanese bikes - Well in this case all the glaring short-comings of a RE start coming to life (Reliability, power Vis-a-vis similarly priced bike, handling, safety features like ABS etc) - Better dont lie to your self in this case, DONT get a RE motorcycle.

Having the power thing sorted out - Time to decide on which model you need to buy (Classic/STD/TB/Electra) - Lets get some basic stuff out of the way first
- All these aren't great handlers but for convenience sake i will rate them using a ROYAL ENFIELD HANDLING SCALE, that means the best handling RE gets '10'
and rest bikes are compared wrt it.
- RE bikes are not big on reliability. So, a rule of thumb in case of RE is that the more the gizmos the more reliability issues/questions.
- Carb vs EFI - This is one unending debate. Old school guys want carb, they like to play with it a bit. Roadside mechanic can also play with it, this can have cold-start issues, most sturdier of the two. On the other hand, EFI, better throttle response, negligible start-up issues BUT, roadside mechanic will not have expertise to repair it, this makes the bike costlier by a good 15-20K, and with so many sensors that have to be present for the EFI, you might want to refrain from a thorough wash every now and then. That said, i would prefer a CARB personally- keeps life simple. A Bullet is all about simplicity after all.

Lets start:

1) STD - Still retains the charm and the only bike still coming with hand painted fuel tanks. Does not come with disc breaks, has a lower voltage battery so in case if you want to
buy spanking new sets of high powered headlights, you might need to work on the original wiring (This will only stand for 350CC). That being said, will have least issues as it comes with least bells and whistles. For someone, who is a die hard fan of the vintage hand-painted Golden lines in the black background, nothing really stands-out - This is a bullet for the purists (who wont buy a used Cast iron one). Front tyre is 19' while rear is 18'. While i am writing this, i cannot see a STD 350 on RE website, so this one might be only available in 500CC engine option. Handling 6/10.

2) Electra - Bike which i owned and relished. This baby is only second in chrome after 'Classic chrome'. Comes with disc, seats are comfier compared to STD, some even report this as being faster than STD, looks great (subjective), 350CC with Carb (500CC Deluxe with EFI). One interesting fact is that both the wheels are 19 inchers, so you will have to have to have 19' spare tube with you at all times (even with STD as it comes with one 19') as these tubes are not readily available. Also, tyre options are very limited, compared to those 18 incher rear tyres present on STD, Classic or Tbird. Handling (8/10)

3) Classic - Style looks great. Seats are not so comfortable. Funky color options. Only available with EFI. Nothing really that stands-out here. You buy this one for the looks. Handling (8/10)

4) TBTS - This one is a completely different story in terms of bells and whistles and maybe even handling. Firstly, an advanced display unit - shows you RPM, FUEL INDICATOR, tripmeter, Hazard lights, Projecter lights, Biggest fuel tank 20 liters (compared to others 12-13 liters tanks), rear disc breaks, comfortable seating, a miniature (almost useless) backrest for the pillion, EFI. Best handling RE (until cafe racer is launched) gets 10/10. Only thing bothersome here is the presence of so many bells and whistles here, RE aint particularly known for the quality of its equipments, you might find yourself having to deal with something or another but, if you have money in your pocket and don't mind paying for such niggles then go for this definitely.

Disclaimer - I might be wrong with some ideas here, but hope to atleast touch the gist of an answer that the above question should get.

Regards,

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

Thanks for taking time to respond. I believe TB fulfills my needs. Projector lamps and FI are the reason I am more inclined towards 500 but not sure at this point.

I have no affinity for any particular bike. Just sorting out one which would fit my needs. I have a thread in 'what bike' section on this.