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

I wonder always, how come people like a kilometre of exhaust pipe (a burn hazard to legs), a deafening exhaust note from the bullets. It has kept me away all the time to consider one to be owned.

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

Really, a kilometre long exhaust pipe? with legs of matching length to burn? all in good jokes .

cant help people right...They ride not only REs but many regular 150cc or some 2-stroker bikes too with modified loud exhausts, decorations, lights, and to top it all they'd stunt, race and most dangerously, use phones while riding...

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Hi Tappet! (nice choice for username)

First and foremost, Stay away from pre-owned vehicles, unless its from someone you know and one who keeps maintains hi vehicles as good as new in all possible ways.
Buy a fresh bike, maintain it in top condition yourself.

The choice of 500cc is definitely not a problem in any way. Your intended usage is occasional and weekend rides. That would be good for this version. It will give you all the torque you need, be it in 1^st gear or Top. Daily city use and traffic jams will leave you with a tired clutch hand and with a very hot and angry engine.

You will definitely have to figure out your Footing and its reach before you get a bike because in worse of conditions it will be 100% necessary that you be able to stabilise the 190+ kilogram bike with both feet planted and with a pillion too (if at all).

This is a 500cc single piston engine, so there is no escape from vibes, but vibes are not that harsh at its intended speed/rpm range, and in stock conditions the vibes are pretty much dampened. At very high speeds, or at idling you will experience some vibes, can help; Single cylinder...

You have graduated from 150cc to 250cc bikes in past and in that case everything generally improves, better speed, better pickup, smoother engine. But DO NOT EXPECT a similar experience now that you plan a 500cc engine. It will give you all the torque, like a locomotive, but it wont give you those 3 digit speeds beyond 120 or so. This is just not that kind of a bike.

However as long as you keep it in its speed territory, it will keep munching away the miles as steady as a clock work, without breaking sweat and with no signs of stress, and that’s exactly its nature.

Niggles or no niggles depend on how you run in the bike and how you maintain it (one of the reasons to NOT go for a second hand bike). This is definitely not a fill it and forget it type of bike and you must pay attention to any minor symptom and get it checked before it becomes trouble. With that being said, this is also not (anymore) a bike that you sit with, with a spanner and wrench and keep on fixing it for eternity and or drag it to mechanic at all times. The newer engines have changed this.

Though there are certain known problems that people observe/face with certain models, like fuel gauges are never accurate, hose pipes age very quick, etc. ASCs are definitely a trial and error affair till you find a good and trustworthy one.
You said this will be your first and only RE. So better go for a fresh bike, enjoy the peace of mind of warranty and if you feel apprehensive of breakdowns leaving you stranded, opt for RSA as well.

Other than that, whether you use your bike only weekends or even lesser, it will be a good practice to keep cranking it atleast once in 2 days.

Other than that, if you are looking for a bike in 300cc and above category and hence venturing into the idea of RE ownership, then perhaps you will have to take second thoughts. Buy an RE only if you are looking for an RE.

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Hi PrashNagpal,

Whether TB or CL, this depends completely on the posture and seating position you want. CL has slightly shorter saddle height and ample pillion seating space, lower handle bars. TBTS has slightly taller saddle, raised handle bar and foot pegs are slightly forward and not under the knee like in CL as well as a shorter (in length) pillion seat.

With 85-90% city usage, 500cc may not be the best option to select from. A traffic jam will leave you with tired clutch hand and a heated up engine.
500cc will generate more heat than 350cc, ergo it will need you to feed it appropriately some more speed for the engine block fins to cool down.

Whether RE or not, and Why…that is what You need to commit before you decide whether TB or CL…

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Hey Buddy, a wierd new noise, different engine behaviour, something loose, dangling, out of place, un-even tire wear, unusual vehicle behaviour, vehicle pulling to one side, slow pickup, engine stall at unexpected speed+gear combination, unusual fuel consumption, faulty flickering electricals, oil levels under minimum, etc...these are some of tell tale signs you need to watchout for, in all your vehicles, whether 2 wheels or four (or more ).

same things you need to watchout for with RE as well. nothing more.

With any vehicle you would definitely need to give a thorough look to the vehicle and familiarise your self to all parts and their purpose, otherwise not only would you Not be able to detect a problem before it grows, but also the mechanics would take you for a ride when you take your car/bike in to their garage.

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

Bullet exhaust is very loud, can't stand the decibel! Highly annoying sound.

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

Hi rugved, thank you for the insight. I'd better forget about going second hand. I have been closely following RE 500 ownership reviews across the forum for the past couple of months to prepare myself for the RE ownership and fairly understood the amount of attention and care one has to spend. No, I have not looked at any other motorcycle other than the STD 350 & 500. The RE will not be an upgrade or replacement for me, rather its a decision purely based on my heart to experience RE. I have set my eyes on the STD 500 in Black color.

Choosing a Royal Enfield? Ask here...

Please can anyone suggests me for the colour of thunderbird.
I have booked the bike in marine colour and it has already arrived at the showroom. but whenever I seematt black TB I get second thoughts for marine (went for marine because there were no choices left).
The dealer says Matte black doesn't last more then 8-9 months and then during servicing workers put oil hands and all it become glossy very fast hence there is no point in going for Matte colours.
Guys please suggest that Matt black is really that tough to maintain and does not last 8 months?

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

Matt black looks good only when the bike is new or when the bike is washed, else the matt effect is not easily seen much.

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

I want to buy a re...my selection process ended with 2 choices
1. Electra 350
2. Tbts 350
needs
1.Daily commutting to office
2.occasional long rides(once in 2 or 3 months )
3.low on maintanance between these two (accepted the fact that re needs constant care )
4.High on mileage between the selected re bulls
5.which of the 2 is more comfortable
6.who gives more pillion comfort among the two
my experince
1.owned a unicorn
2. Read lot about selecting a re but still confused
3.ridden classic 350 but didnt find it as comfortable
4.sat on a standard 350 as pillion rider but didnt felt impressive on it
physical profile
height- 6 2"
Weight 80

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

electra 350 is being discontinued
so no need to buy it

tbts 350 is very high on maintenence
also not a reliable machine

i would suggest to buy a used standard 350
model which came before 2014

spend 10-15 k
repairing and ride it

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

Hello Folks,

anyone swapped tires of Classic 350 to tubeless? I am looking for a Classic 350 but my primary concern is tubeless tires and waiting period.

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

I own an electra 350 uce for 3 years and have ridden more than 50k kms. I found TB to be more comfortable both for the rider and pillion. TB I suggest you to go with TB 350. Please dont buy avl/cast iron unless short city rides and old world charm are what you are looking for.

Sent from my Z1 using xBhp.com mobile app

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

In addition, Maintanence is same for both Electra and TB, same engine output but electra may return a couple of more kms per litre owing to the skinny rear tyre.

Sent from my Z1 using xBhp.com mobile app

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

Good day everyone!
i had a few questions, please help me with all if possible!


1] Which royal enfields were imported back in the day? i recall hearing the ones made in 2000 to 2005 were to be more durable and if i ever plan to get an enfield, i should get that year one?
[Got this from an expert who reviews all sorts of bikes and cars]


2] why is the royal enfield thunderbird 2000-2005 so cheap? im getting it here in mumbai for 40-50k while the machismo, standard and electra are about for 70k? i mean all of them have the same AVL engine right? its just the body that is different?


3] I am more fond of the normal gearbox left gear and right side brakes. did the models of 2000 and above all have normal gearbox? or did it depend?


4] Lets say if i get the thunderbird can i change the tank to a electra or std one? i dont like the Raised up tank of the thunderbird, and nor do i plan to keep the bike stock, i plan to change its parts with the UCE where possible.
example Carburator etc.


Im sorry for so many question guys, i still cant make up my mind. i would have had my bullet by now, but we ran into some family trouble, thus im still here


please reply!

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

Guys,

ABS for two wheelers above 125 cc (I believe) is being made mandatory from April, 2018.

Does anybody have any information whether RE plan to introduce this in advance during the festive season to boost sales or will they wait until the deadline.

I am contemplating the TBTS 500 but only if it comes with ABS and would not like to wait till April 2018.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers


Sent from my SM-G935F using xBhp.com mobile app

RE lightning 535

He guys im planing to buy a lightning, for touring. Need your advices about this thumper. I am hoping for details about parts availability, maintenance. Also give me a realistic price for this beauty. All advices and opinions are welcome
Namaste☮️

Sent from my TA-1032 using xBhp.com mobile app

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

This is true to a great extent, not due to/only due to technicians at service, but due to weather and all factors together. Almost all TBs and DSs i've seen, older than a year and those which are regularly used, DO develop a shine eventually.

Only saviour can be any 3M or similar, matte paint protection if available for bikes.

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Choosing not to give point by point reply.

I feel the UCE engine only has revived RE to a great extent, and put more bikes on road than in garage.

Unless you are leaning towards owning an older generation bike, I would strongly say, go for UCE! Get a new bike, enjoy Slightly better peace of mind with service and spare part availability, paint and finish, gas charged suspension,LED headlights, Disc brakes and the over all chunky look and feel.

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I havent run a check online to see for availability, but as far as i've seen, alloy wheels are available to fit REs but Tubeless tyres are not, and owners still have to run tyres with tubes on their alloys.

Do check on availability.

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Hi, I am the same height as you and weigh 94Kilos. When i handled RE Classic, it looked too short to have a visual appeal. I made a choice to go for TBTS as it has a much taller body and saddle height as well as a Feet Forward positioning of foot controls/pegs.

the ONLY disadvantage of TBTS as opposed to RE Classic is seats...Pillion seat is shorter and can be inconvenient. Also Rider as well as pillion stock seats are stiff. Other than that, the taller handle position is much better for a tall person than that of a CL model.

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[MENTION=83909]Hollowback[/MENTION]... buddy were you not planning a build off of your own! Stick to UCE engine, my suggestion. If you liked the look and feel of the older RE Thunderbirds (or any other model), or feel that those chassis suit your future build requirements better, then you can use that frame with a newer engine and other modifications as per your design.