I feel happy to write a review about my beast. A few sentences about me, I am identified as Business Analyst in a IT company in chennai.
Generally you may have seen many bulleters describing their bikes as Beast(including me), Because Royal Enfield being a niche product developer in this market with its very long and successful history has produced/producing many powerful machines, which is uncomparable to any other bikes in terms of its power and life of the engine per se. Thats why its called BEAST.This is the 1st bike that I own myself, previously was using 110cc bike (LML Energy fx) gifted by my parents.
Like all teenagers; Owning a Bullet was also a dream for me.....At last I made it true on road now.After doing a lot of research for more than 3-4 months on net and with enquiring about the bullet with many people (who own it) and with mechanics, service engineers, friends, I got a understanding about it and I finally accepted myself and prepared my mind to go for it. The bikes with I compared irrespective of its price and value was (TVS apache RTR, Pulsar 200 & 220, Yamaha FZ/R15).I don’t want to discuss here all the reason why I left out these bikes when compared to RE TBTS, One of the simple reason which I could say is "VALUE FOR MONEY" above all, though the mentioned bikes has its own pros and cons visible.
Finally it was on 6th October 08’ Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twin spark was delivered to me.
*Main Part of the review:
*I am interested to tell you the feedback about the machine instead of telling you the technical specifications and colors coz they are readily available on net and in product brochures.Before that few informations on New Performance standards that are added to this machine, which is very essential so have a look:
The Engine:
Its a Unit construction engine (UCE) which marks a dramatic shift in the traditional Royal Enfield engine architecture. This is world away from the traditional Royal Enfield engine, which has an external clutch and gearbox. In Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark, both these elements are integrated within a common crankcase space. This makes the Thunderbird Twinspark’s engine more compact and reduces transmission loss, friction, maintenance and while at the same time being more reliable than the traditional Royal Enfield Engine.The new Thunderbird Twinspark also incorporates hydraulic tappets - which are a first in India and combined with the new lean-burn combustion technology and twin spark plugs, give better power, torque and fuel-efficiency. The clutch in Thunderbird Twinspark has also been beefed up with an all new 6-plate one.This engine is built Indigenously by RE and the Noise, Vibration, Harshness is tested by Europeans or European Standards.In addition to this the chain sprocket is shifted to the right side of the frame, to have a direct link to the brake, which is very very effective in which the earlier models of TB has a rod connected to it which makes the brake ineffective after some few thousand kms.Automatic chain tensioner, Bigger SV BS-29 carburrettor, Unique TCI system, High RPM Auto engine cut-off, Trichoidal High flow Oil Pump, Auto Decompressor, High density foam seats.
*Feedback:
*Pros:
The power and torque is very very good and Pick up is superb so that you feel like racing with this 182 kg machine.
The seating comfort is excellent so that there is no stress in this city traffic,
Braking is fantastic, there is no skidding even on rain at 50-60km/hr.
Shifting gears are bit heavy but its a art I learnt it within a week time.
Couldn’t feel the weight of the bike when moving so its easy to control, turning radius is very maximum when compared to other bikes.
Headlight is more powerful than the other models in RE.
No oil leak and minimum vibrations.
Support from Royal Enfield is good thro’ net as they feel proud in solving their peoples problem.
Thiruvanmaiyur service station in chennai is excellent in handling peoples issues as its a company owned direct service station.
Mileage is decent within city as 42 kmpl* after 1st service.
These many pros and few cons are itself a pros isn’t it.
*Cons:
*1. The built quality is not that good, you may see some minor hick ups here and there but its adjustable when its solved in service.
For this heavy machine, the horn is very small it doesn’t sound loud - I changed Roots spider horn.
The side stand lever is very low so that it gets hurt when we ride above speed braker with a pillion, and the silencer is very long extending still back beyond the tail light so that people coming back with their bikes sometimes hit it in traffic.
Little vibration felt at 2000 RPM, but some bulleteer says it is good for the new bike as it is a part in running-in.
Regular maintenance is needed unlike other bikes as the parts made of iron even painted gets rusted in the rainy season.
Very little thumping sound from the silencer many don’t like it - But I like it.
*Conclusion:
*As a whole is a fantastic bike worth saying "Built Like a GUN, goes Like a BULET" - you will feel this once you ride this bullet. And I have made a stickering in my numberplate saying "The LEGEND rides on" - I feel proud to own this machine.
I will update with more on Top speed after completing my bulls running-in.
*1st Update: (Trip : Just completed running-in)
* Ist trip was to B’lore with Metal Men - a community especially for Thunderbirds. The trip was awesome, had very good experience and explored some different things which I have not done in my life since...so totally it was 2 beautiful days with my bull, enjoyed a lot.
The max. speed which I am able to attain is 120km/hr. There was a much noticeable vibration after that so I didn’t try beyond it moreover I felt personally that it might be hard to control this bull beyond this speed.
After the trip, I changed my silencer to a new one which is especially available for Thunderbird twin spark....(It looks like the short open type but slightly lenghty and circumference is big compared to it) The company people say that there wont be any drop in the mileage or pick up per se. I have not checked it mileage yet...will update with it later.
Happy Thumping