Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350

Yup you could say that. While you would have issues, just take good care, it wont be a problem, I think you'll manage that just fine.
You clearly seem to want the RE, so I would go with that, at the end of the day, after all the technical aspects, you should go with what your heart wants, otherwise you'll always feel a pang of regret about it (I have it too, at times I wish I had gone for the Ninja as that was the dream bike for me)

All the best!

Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350

Thanks man
You're right.
Re it is
No regrets.

Just one thing about RE
Is it advisable to fit electric start on the standard(bullet)?
The only reason I'm going for Electra is disc and electric start.
I can later fit the disc I'm OK with that.
But as for electric start?
Cause I like the standard.
Or shall I just go with the electric and avoid the hassle?


I heard standard has a heavy crank which is good for city use? Is that useful?

Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350


Brother, you want to fit aftermarket stuff (disc brakes and electric start), on an already unreliable vehicle.
And the aftermarket stuff deals with the 2 most important things on a vehicle, Brakes and engine.
Not a smart move. The stock RE already is a pain in the ass, wouldn't suggest doing any modifications on it. Better to go with electra.

And to people who think this is just RE bashing. Please check out the RE ownership threads, read them back to back and then abuse me.

Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350

I have used Honda CBR 250(ABS) in Bangalore traffic for a good 3 years. Now I am using Thunderbird 500 in Mumbai since 1 year. Few points:

Honda CBR 250 (ABS)

• the only maintenance I ever did was regular servicing
• amazing bike, more than enough power for our roads and also for occasional highway sprints
• absolutely reliable engine and electricals - have ridden on good roads, bad roads, no roads, in lashing rains, etc.
• ABS is a life-saver. Not even once I have fishtailed under emergency braking

Thunderbird 500

• I got the TB 500 only because it is fuel-injected bike; good instrument cluster, comfortable
• Apart from regular servicing, I have had an issue with a wire snapping due to which the engine would simply die. Service center chaps fixed it.
• Have been riding it daily for office commute, not many other issues.
• Battery is an issue - you don't get a sealed MF battery for thunderbird 500. It has to be lead-acid one and requires topping up, etc. or it loses it's charge.

The only reason why I didn't buy the CBR250 in Mumbai is the complete lack of enthusiasm from the dealers to sell the bike. It's as if they're not bothered. That attitude irked me; they didn't give test ride, nor were they able to give a definitive timeline on when bike would be delivered, etc. So dropped the plans.

But if I could choose again, I would go with the CBR.

Most of the threads I have read on KTM Duke 390 mention unbearable heat issues from it's engine. So please read the ownership reviews before closing in on your purchase.

Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350

noted brother.
ill be going for standard mostly!

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Thanks for your info man!
KTM is totally off radar.

Royal enfield is 80% on and cbr 250 is 20% :P

But i guess ill set off on the enfield.

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Guys
The standard(Bullet 350) has a Thin tyre at the back.
Should that be an issue?
Shall i change it when im getting the bike? or use the stock
(Currently, i ride a Hero Maestro. and it has thin tyres too, but did not face any major slips.)
Please help me out

Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350

I don't think you should change the rear tyre because you will also have to change the swingarm. If you are going for std then buy the 500. It has 120 rear tyre. I have had TBTS 350 for 2 years.(Stolen now). I was very much inclined for a classic/std 500 but the only reason I am again going for Thunderbird is it's disc brakes. At the time of test ride both the std & chrome version had loose brake problem. Upon researching a bit, came to know that rear drum brake has an issue. Since I always rode with disc brakes, I found it to be very irritating & I was also not confident about the braking.
For the reliablity issue-what everybody is telling is true. If you are really passionate about a RE, then only go for it.

Happy hunting.

Ritabroto

Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350

Stolen? man that sucks
how?
I too had a thing for the TB but i did ride it for a while and it did pain in traffic, it just feels huge.( the only reason i considered this was Fuel gauge,trip meter etc)
i know most of you would be like, if you're getting a RE forget mileage.
But i do keep that in my head and thus am getting the 350, as i will be using it 80% in the city 20% highway. so 350 cuts it
Honestly, Im ok with the Bullet 350. I guess that seems more practical?
Though i will miss out on Electric start and disc(i can live with that) But fuel gauge? ah that's the only thing that bothers me a bit, but i guess i will get use to it
or maybe find a After-market trip meter/Fuel indicator?

I can live with the slim tyre, My only question was is it good enough for it?

Well, I am a DIY guy, and i have test ridden most of the bikes i mentioned here, and this was the most suitable for me
I drove a 90s Electra the other day which had after-market disc brakes fitted and man the braking was fine

I did TD the Bullet 500 and i did not see any problem(BRAKING), i feel if there is any problem with braking in the future i can always add it?

Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350

Allow me to add on to the confusion, Have you by any chance considered buying an RTR200, I see your usage pretty much needs the bike to maintain 80-90 kmph comfortably, with 80% of city travel, I somehow think that that machine (definitely under-powered as compared to D390) might serve you well with the sort of service costs, running costs you mentioned. The bike would last half a decade with ease, going by the number of old RTR160's I see on the road, and service feedback I've received for TVS from owners.

P.S. - I have to admit, I'm looking forward to the Fi version of the Carb variant I drove, it genuinely blew me away ! So my opinions may be biased.

Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350

Fuel Gauge in REs is useless. It will rarely show you the correct level. However mileage in the current REs is better. Electric start and disc should be of more importance than the fuel gauge. I agree with 80% city usage 350 makes more sense. The slim tire should not be a problem.

Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350

To be honest,
That was the first bike i took a test ride of.
and i loved it.
its just right(as compared to the ktm, ktm doesn't feel relaxed as compared to the rtr200)
i really liked it honestly, it felt refined, comfortable, right amount of power, brakes were good too.

The reason i cut it off was cause, its a new engine, cant be sure how it will be in the long run.
Also, are TVS bikes good? (im sorry i don't know) every new bike feels good, but its the age that tells the tale.
My family is skeptical about it, thats why i had to buy the hero maestro over the jupitor (which i dislike, cause i miss the front telescopic suspension, and im trying to find a scooter mod for that)


Me too, the fi+abs version will be really good. Carb was nice already.
But yeah, youre right on your end.

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really? well, that's a bummer.
I can live with lack of electric start, Disc is something, i'll get to know with time
Well, i guess than the Bullet 350 ticks all the boxes for me?

Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350

Disc is of utmost importance. Brakes on bullet suck. Take a back to back test ride and you will know.

Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350

I would consider the apache properly once again, all the reasons you've given are invalid as to the essential characteristics of the bike itself. From what I've heard, its one heck of a bike. My friend had the 180 rtr, it never gave any trouble, so don't worry about long term reliability. As for parents, I know that feeling [emoji14]
But you'll have to convince them as to what you want, after all you'll be the one riding it.
Its simple, for a minute just forget everything, all features and what not, and just see what you really want, which one appealed the most, and go for that

All the best!

Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350

Well, shall I install one later?
I will TD again.

Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350

Hmm well if you say its reliable
I shall have a look again
Abs and fi version though

I'll discuss again at home and see

Re: Finally decided! KTM 390 vs royal Enfield thunder bird 350

What I'm going to say now will make you more confused, but still why not wait for G310R :P

I was also confused between the CBR 250R and the Duke 390. CBR is pretty old, Duke is not so traffic friendly, RE is for uncles, Mojo has ugly headlights, TNT25 has issues.

Plus, I won't spend ~2L and get a non ABS bike.