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

I have a dilemma. There are 3 options
1. Electra 2009
2. STD 2010
3. STD 1984
All of the people who have ever owned a Bullet previously have advised me to go for the 84 STD. All 3 are within my budget. I would keep the bike for a reasonable period of time. What do the experts suggest

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

Look friend you just need to decide based upon what you want. It's just a clear cut division.

You want slow crusing, thumping, legendary feel then nothing beats the old bullet and that too if it is from 80s or even older then it would only add to the purpose. It would be slow on accelaration, less on top speed and would definitely have small niggling issues, not so good breaks and some oil leakage as well BUT a legendary feel, a perfect slow speed cruiser and most importantly the legendary THUMP, you don't have to bother much about thump. Just a decent short bottle silencer and if the oldy is in good condition then thump along majestically. Old bullets are slow reviving, even new bullets are slow reviving but comparatively old bullets rev at less 1200 less rounds. And forgot to say, that old bullet cult family and respect from Bullet mechanics and other fellow bulleteers can be a added privilege . Old bullets are still head turners especially with that legendary thump.

Now having said all the above things, the new bullet indeed capture that charm, indeed have that bullet waala feel but still a little different. They are comparatively fast on accelaration, more on top speed and most important far more reliable and maintenance less than old bullets. The thump is indeed there with the change of silencer but that slow, lazy, distinct thump of old cast iron bullet cannot be produced or replicated, reason being simple, 1200 rounds of more rev and Al block. You still get that all that bullet feel but with a twitch and difference.

Ps: If going for oldy then go for 84 model.

Now try to find out an answer for your queries in my reply. Written in short, if you need more throw some more

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

Please let us know of the current condition of the three (comparatively). The purpose you want your bike for?
Your height, weight, build?
More importantly time/tolerance that you think you can afford while these give niggles.....

I do agree to what gyaan has said about thump and that lazy-easy roll, go for that oldie

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

Hey Chandra,
Thanks for the help. Am listing answer to your queries.
I would be using the bike in and around town on weekends only and the occasional long trip out of town. I am 5'6" with average build and weigh 72 kgs.
I dont mind sorting out niggles in the bike,but if i am going to spend my weekends at the mechanic,then the purpose is lost. I havent ridden anything that requires me to be tolerant but thats a new chapter for me altogether.
About the bikes,

Electra 2009 - Decent condition. Still will need a new battery and a change of wiring. This is a superficial assesment. Bike has been idle for 2 months now.
STD 2010 - Bike in regular use. Still,will have to change fluids and do some touch up work.
STD 1984 - Moderate work to be done since its been standing for over 3 months.

However, today i came across a pre-95 STD,owned by a Parsi,hence maintained immaculately. Its within budget as well.

Please advise.

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

Hi gyan. Thanks
I have already replied to Chandra on some questions he raised. I am fine with the idea of sorting out a few niggles now and then. But if its going to be a pain and hindrance to the enjoyment the purpose is not served. If on long drives the Bull breaks down it will be tormenting. I know these have to cared for but I rather have something that doesn't cry out for attention every fortnight

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

I am seriously re-considering my Standard 500 booking after Triumph launch. My eyes are on the Bonnie. I'll give it a serious thought before cancelling.

RE On-Road Price Bangalore

Hello Friends,


I found it real hard to find the onroad price of a RE online, no one seems to post the price.


Here is the price list in Bangalore.

PS : Mods, I am not sure if this thread should be in this section. I hope this could be helpful for guys making buying decisions.

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

My first ever post on XBHP. My first bike ride was Bajaj Caliber in 2001, which was immediately taken by my brother. Then in 2002 I went with a Bajaj Boxer. This is truly a no-nonsense bike and I really miss it very much and regret selling it off in 2009. What a shame, I still look out for a used boxer and always the decision to buy a used one is red-signaled by my better half . In between May 2003 - July 2004, I used a Suzuki Samurai (2nd owner) and did not have sane pocket to re-build it up and went back to the Boxer. In 09 I replaced Boxer with XCD and it was a nightmare from day one. All the time it would me false gear change pattern, and I immediately replaced it with a used hoodibaba Caliber and spend a lot on it to maintain it. I just love it a lot and don't mind spending on it. In the so-called commuter bike segment, the best comfort for me is the Caliber. Yes, you may have seen that I am a Bajaj loyalist. It has been true to an extent, but for some reasons, XCD experience, I won't be buying another Bajaj ever. I may still one fine day buy a used Boxer, but this is for the emotional connect with the Boxer bike and not with Bajaj as a company. The quality control aspect is severely lacking and having driven over 2lakh Kms on Bajaj, my love does not go beyond Boxer and Caliber.


Now, with over 12 years of experience, I have decided to take the long long dreaded plunge! In fact took my wife and kiddo today, and unfortunately all the showrooms were closed on Sundays . What is my confusion? I am split between two Bulls! The Bullet 350 and Thunderbird 350. I am a starter in this planet and hence don't want to jump to 500's out-rightly. Now, I am planning to continue the use of Caliber for city drive as it servers me well. I need a bike which can be driven over long weekends! Basically, I am looking for a cruiser type of bike and TB350 was my only choice. However, the Bullet 350 seduced me to love it too! The dilemma is on these lines:


1. The Bullet 350 does not come with a self-starter, and I badly need one. I am just 5'5'' and about 70kgs. A decade back I just could not start a Machismo. But that was a CI and the current one is AVL. Are the AVL's easier to kick-start? Does retro-fitting the electric-start void the reliability? I am not really worried about warranty.


2. Is the headlight beam of Bullet 350 as good as TB 350? Since I invariably travel a lot in night, this is very vital for me. I have to go with the one which gives the best headlight beam. If its TB, I will have to bid adieu Bullet with a heavy heart, but bid adieu I must.


3. I need primarily a cruiser bike. Is the TB really advantageous over Bullet?


A month back when I enquired the waiting time at the Lalbagh dealer, Bangalore, I was told TB350 has 10 months, and Bullet 350 about 4-6 months. Are the waiting times different across the dealers? I would be booking one over the next week and any help/guidance would be welcome.

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

Hello friends, I am new here in the sense that this is my second post. However in the past 2-3 months I have gone through almost all material available on RE in this forum.

I booked my TBTS 350 before I actually read through ownership experiences and i feel it was not a bad decision after all. Cost or mileage was not really a decision making factor for me. But to own a cruiser has always been an exciting prospect and finally i took the plunge.

My T-Bird is available for pickup at the showroom (just two months of agony since I booked it in Oct 13). However i look forward to contributing and sharing on this forum once i start riding.

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

Hi guys,
I finally laid my hands upon a 97 STD. Brought home on 29th Dec which is my birthday. After searching Bullets across Mumbai,even making enquiries in other states,I found one not more than 8 kms from my house. Got the servicing done at a guy who doesn't touch anything except Bulls. Though I am yet to get used to riding Bulls,my friends who have Bullets tell me that he's done a tremendous job. Rode her to office today and was really happy to feel the throbbing of the power plant. Rides smooth even though I found the gears a little hard,which would require getting a little used to. This was the first 'long' ride (35 km). Looking forward to many more really long rides. Let me know on how to keep the Bull happy

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

Congratulations mate

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

Congrats Andy. 97 CI STD with right side gear shifter right? Now if maintained properly you surely gonna fall in love with it . How many kms it has run and for how much you got it?

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

Dunno the running as the speedo wasn't working hang it showed just 1800 when I first saw it. Got the speedo wire and drive replaced and now it works fine. Paid 70k for the deal

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

Ok and does the Bull still requires lots of work to be done or it is good to hit the road with confidence. And how is the THUMP

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

Fortunatley for me it was a ready-to-ride one. However there was some issue with the carburetor with a petrol leak which was solved within 10 mins and just 20 bucks. And yes,I spent 3 days learning how to kick-start since it was a new thing for me. Apart from that no work was needed. Still I got it washed and polished. Then off to get it serviced. Oil,oil filter,air filter,breather pipe,petrol lock,gear springs,gear oil, speedometer wire/drive were changed. A missing taillight was fixed,a side-indicator was replaced and it was as good as new. Oh yeah a new seat cover too. Total cost incurred was 2700;1500 for the parts,500 for labour,400 for seat cover and 300 for wash and polish.
Rode to the office. The thump is old variety. Not too loud to irritate and not too muted like the newer models

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