It was my dream to own a Royalenfield bullet. I was very much impressed when I saw Thunderbird for the very first time. On the way to the office sometimes I used to stop in front of the Royal Enfield showroom and enjoy looking at the chrome beasts. Hmmm...
My dream came true by the year 2006, I bought a MAGIC BLACK THUNDERBIRD with Electric Start and Disc Brake for Rs.93, 000/- on road and it is really a beast that steals everybody’s thunder.
It has an amazing look and fantastic engine power. It is very much suitable for taller people (Min 6 ft.(well, I’m 6.2ft)). No matter if he is slim or well built, it is cool.
Few stuffs that are negative about this bike;
1. Headlight has not enough power to see the road. (definitely got to change)
The silencer does not produce the THUD THUD sound. (I fixed Retro silencer and its amazing)
The chromes, nuts and bolts get rusted pretty soon (may be because of me living near the sea shore).
Couldn’t get much genuine chrome accessories (Pls let me know if anybody know abt it in Chennai)
The gear system might be a little problem until you get used to it as it has neutral between each and every gear.
It gives 36-38 Kms of mileage approx. for city ride and 38 to 40 on highways. What more can you expect?
The pick up is not bad. Good comfort. Perfect break system (apply both the brakes simultaneously).
My Experience:
Last month (February 2007) I decided to ride down on my bike to my home town (Tirunelveli) which is around 660Kms from Chennai alone. As it was a sudden decision, I couldn’t take the bike for a check-up.
I packed my things on the pillion seat and left home by 8:00 in the morning, filled the fuel tank and hit the road. Wow... it felt so wonderful to ride the bike on the highways. The road was too good and I was going in 110 Km/Hr. The bike didnt wobble or vibrate much. More faster you go more smooth the bike goes. At Viluppuram, some stupid govt. bus driver deliberately cornered me and I almost hit a parked lorry. Well, somewhat I managed to stop the bike and unfortunately as soon as my bike stopped it fell down and the right foot rest got bend. No injuries for me. So, I lifted the bike resumed my journey. But I started getting pain on my right leg as the foot rest was not on the right position. So I spent some 2 hrs to search for a good mechanic in Viluppuram and get it fixed. After that... no problem... I stopped twice on the way (10 min each) to have some coffee. Thats it, I reached my home town by 7.00 in the evening. Where ever I stopped, the people there wants to talk to me abt the beast. Happily and proudly I answered their questions. It was a very good experience. The bike gave 40 Kms/Lr during the trip (But guys I was going like a nut case on the road and for that its a pretty good mileage)
Me and my bike got a very good understanding after the trip. During the entire trip, I enjoyed the THUD THUD sound... Wow...
I didn’t want to take the risk to ride the bike back to Chennai as HE needed a service. So I took the bike back to Chennai in the Train.
After that, I have traveled to so many places in my bike for example
The bike didn’t give any trouble and till now HE had never let me down. Most of the trip, I went on my own. And in all the trips I got loads of people’s attention.
I and my friend are planning to go for an ALL INDIA trip. Just waiting to save enough money for the trip. The budget will be around Rs. 45, 000/-. Anybody ready to sponsor? Pls contact me if u r willing to sponsor!!!
Somebody might say that they had some terrible problems with their bike but I would say "YOU SHOULD BE THE CHOSEN ONE TO RIDE THIS BEAST"
Well, overall its a wonderful, sexy, manly bike to go around the city and as well as on the highways. It might be expensive to get this beast but, its worth it.