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

Hi Gagan, dont mean to rain on your parade, but:-

1. like you mentioned, you got it done for 10 years, in that case an honest and detailed answer to Question 1, can be obtained from your known mechanic himself.

2. if disc brakes are requirements, do consider TBTS as it has disc brakes at Both wheels.

New UCE Engines don't seem to be presenting the Tappet noise issue inherently.

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

Guys, any idea when Himalayan EFI version is getting released?

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

It's still in testing... And as far as Royal Enfield is concerned, that takes many months... Don't expect it to release anytime before September

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

hellow people,

I m looking to buy a new bike. i already have pulsar 180 cc 2007 model.
my mainly traveling will be in the city Mumbai, home-office-home in bumper to bumper traffic of around 40km daily. can any one suggest me the bike.
since i already have 180cc i m looking for bike 250+cc bike.

i m inclined towards thunderbird 500 but getting double thoughts on if it will be smooth in terms of maintenance and engine wise for city bumper to bumper traffic.

my budget is 2.3 lakhs.

please help!

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

It's a good thing you're planning to buy a new bike and the Thunderbird 500 tops the list. I would say go for a trial, see how comfortable you are riding it around traffic and then decide.

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

If that's the case, then what about the the 2017 Himalayan? Will it be just be a BS4 compatible Carb version? (And no ABS?) Any confirmed news about this?

I sold my P200NS, and looking to get something new in the next 3-4months (sub 2L). Though i prefer fast sports bikes, it wouldn't work out for family trips and longer office commutes (~75kms to&fro). My family loves REs. Me, not so much. But the Himalayan has got me hooked and interested (even though I am not a touring kind, may do 2 long road trips ~300kms per year), and it keeps growing on me as I read more about it. Now that it has got most issues sorted out, is the Himalayan a good bike for me to pick? Which I would only be using for weekend usage and may be once during weekdays for office traversal??

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

If there is anything specific you want to know Ram, let me know. Will share my experience with you regarding Himalayan

Peace!

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

Hi All

Further to my post on the What Bike section, I wanted to check on the thoughts/experiences of RE owners. What is your vote on RE reliability. The models I am considering are Bullet Std 500 (once it comes with FI - as that is on their website), Classic 500. According to all owners here, is the quality of Thunderbird significantly different/better than the Std 500 or Classic? If so, I will consider that.

My details:
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 70 Kgs (I am not too muscular or bulky, but fit)
Purpose: Mostly office commute - 25 Kms two way
Pillion comfort is important

The other options I am considering are the FZ25 and CBR 250 (waiting for post BS IV model). I dont want to go for Dominar because of personal preference/taste.

Awaiting your responses

Regards
Arun

Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

I took a explanation ride of tb500 for 3 days.i did 350kms.And due to vibration on the meter it got broke in between and I have to tie it with a rope for the rest of my journey and had to limit myself to much lower speed.

So,this how it's all going to be if I go for TB500?

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

If you're primarily gonna use it for office commute during traffic and want reliability go for the FZ25. If you're interested in weekend rides and can handle a faired bike in traffic please go for the CBR250. Dominar is bang for the buck. If you can live with niggles here and there think about it.

I always wanted an RE. But the bike has issues. My friend's Himalayan spends more time at the SVC than the roads. RE can launch dual disc with ABS in UK, not here even as an option. That's the biggest turn off

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

Are all these things still an issue with the Himalayan?

Alternator coil - Burning off due to overheating, fixed by providing better winding coil
Clutch assembly - too hard on hands, fixed by updating the clutch springs & hub
Clutch cable & router - wrong designed router which caused hard pull, fixed by updated router
Meter assembly - water seeping in, fixed by changing the sealant rings & rubber gasket.
Poor welding - caused rust formation/cracking. Fixed by improving welding techniques
Monoshock failure - fixed by new spring load
Paint chipping tank/rims - improved matte paints & laquer coatings
Chassis crack/Rust - improved casting & paint/weld techniques
T-Stem & coneset failure: caused by rusting bearings & stem. Fixed by new updated T-Stem/Coneset bearings.
Master cylinder/Brake caliper overheating - caused rear brake failure, fixed by correcting the brake lever play
Engine overheating - fixed by proper valve clearances, carb tuning, oil changes
Engine abnormal grinding noise - Fixed by Replacing with updated head & bore kit: Better valve seals, updated valves, camshaft, CCT, updated piston pin & rings
Engine head thread strip: Fixed by applying weaker loctite solution & lighter torque while tightening.*
Engine Misfiring - improved tuning with leaner tuning: updated carb jets, jet needle, slide spring, float, TPS, ignition timings
Plastic rear fender breaking off: Fixed by providing more flexible part with rubber bushes.
Saree guard breaking off: Better quality bolts & better fitment position.

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

My Thunderbird 500 had her share of quality issues and got some replacements under warranty, all in 2013.

1. Petrol tank was replaced as the stock OE one's inner coating started peeling off in patches. I hear similar problem continues to plague Himalayan too. The details are here.

2. Fuel float too was replaced as the fuel gauge showed erratic readings. Here are the details.

3. The last, but not the least, the instrument cluster got replaced due to cracked glass. Please see here for details.

Even now, the instrument cluster shows inaccurate readings. The odometer/trip meters show the distances with +6% error. The fuel gauge continues to be erratic. I don't depend upon them. On long rides, I refuel every 300 km just to be on the safer side. The digital clock runs slowly and needs correction every month! To give the devil his due, notwithstanding these niggles, my bird has not yet broken down/got punctured during a long ride! It has always brought me home safely and comfortably. Even after 32 k km in four years, my bird runs on stock OE clutch, chain, sprocket, front tyre, bulbs, etc.

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

Hey Vicky,

Sorry for late reply.
These issues were there in the initial batches, but the later ones (manufactured after Jan) are way better. The issues are not completely gone, but have reduced.

The company has taken a few proactive steps to replace the parts within warranty - Stator coil, clutch assembly, instrument cluster, engine head, cone-set, saree guard etc. If there is a problem or you can prove it that it's repetitive, they replace the part. Personally, I have got my cone set/T-stem replaced (the mechanic himself told that it's not proper and he got it replaced. I just asked him to check as I didn't know how to identify the problem), got my clutch assembly changed, stator coil - I haven't had any issue so far, but to be on the safer side, the mechanic has placed the order for the latest one.

Saree Guard - I removed it off. Mine hasn't broken.
Clutch assembly - I rode the Jan manufactured one, the gear shift was butter smooth (mine is Nov manufactured)
Meter assembly - I haven't had water seeping issue, but have heard a few of them having it - they got it replaced.
Monoshock failure - I have heard only one case so far, personally, the suspensions are the best part of the bike
Clutch router - It has been fixed (even mine had the latest one), if still if you feel hard, then re-route the clutch wire or change it to classic 350's clutch cable
Paint chipping tank - Haven't had that problem, Have heard they are replacing it if you have the issue
Chassis crack - Not really sure how it happened. (Can't answer)
T-stem - Proactive replacement - as said
Misfiring - It is still there. And don't have a problem with it
Engine grinding - Replaced with new engine head. By the way, I didn't replace my engine head but have rejetted my carb, I don't have the grinding noise now.
Engine overheating - This is there in city traffic - I must say when it gets too hot, the valve noises are high - have informed the mechanic about it, he has ordered the parts

Rest of them, I don;t have an answer to it.
These are based on what is happening now. I haven't yet done TD for the new H with FI as it wasn't available in the showroom so can't really say if they have rectified all the issues or not. But, the SC guys are co-operative in replacing the parts and trying to find a solution for us. I am happy with that. Problem is with parts availability.

All in all, though the H has its fair share of problems, but the comfort and pleasure it gives when riding is amazing.
Hope it helps bro.

P.S - I am not a RE fan.

Cheers

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

Hi all,
I am thinking of getting a Royal Enfield. But i am confused whether to go for the Standard 500 or shall i wait for the new himalayan?

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

Hello All

I was a CL350 owner from 2010 when it was introduced, but had to sell due to relocation for work - out of country on a long term. Back to India been trying to get a RE H but BS IV hpnd and its been delayed alot, now I am in a dire need of a bike.

Thinking of RE TB 350, any inputs on the latest versions of TB350 or suggestions of alternative.

Primary Use : Commute nearly 200+ KM's a week.

Thanks
MC