Feb 19, 2015 09:37 PM
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My first review on Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500.
Purchased my new Thunderbird Twinspark(TBTS) 500 on 07-02-2015. It is Lightning Brown. I had previously owned Royal Enfield Standard 350 1995 model for 11 years. Sold old bullet to opt for one of the new 150 cc bikes available in the market. In my search for a new bike, I test drove the following -
1. Yamaha FZ the carburettor model.
2. Yamaha FZ version 2.0 fuel injection.
3. Royal Enfield Classic 500(Desert Storm).
4. Royal Enfield Standard 350.
5. Royal Enfield Standard 500.
6. Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500.
7. Bajaj Pulsar 180.
The old bullet I owned was a good vehicle so long as the speed was kept between 35 - 55 kms. Try riding above 55 kms and the vehicle really strains. Compared to this, the new generation 150 cc bikes did achieve speeds above 60 without much ado. What I looked for in a new bike was(a) looks(b) riding comfort(c) good power and accelaration(d) vehicle suitable for daily commuting(e) Thrill every time the bike is taken out on road.
It is to be mentioned that mileage was not at all my criteria when selecting a bike. My old bullet fulfilled criteria(a), (b) and(d) to a great extent. However, after riding 11 years, I sort of became bored with the performance and after long thought, decided to part ways with it. I thought that I am done with Royal Enfield bikes. This feeling was confirmed when I road the Classic 500 and standard 350 once again, which did not give the comfort or ease of handling that my old bullet 350 provided, thus feeling smug about my idea of buying one of the 150 cc version bikes. But I was totally taken aback by the ride quality of Standard 500 and Thunderbird 500. Both bikes have superlative ride quality.
The major difference being that Standard 500 comes with a carburetor and TBTS 500 with fuel injection. Both are really handome bikes. Standard 500 has smoother acceleration being fueled by a carburetor. However, TBTS 500 thrills by its sheer power and acceleration. Add to it the overall look of the bike like the split seat, the speedometer with clock, two trip meters, fuel indicator, service reminder, RPM meter, Hazard lamp switch, the projector headlamp, front and rear disc brakes, electric start, black powder coated Engine, laid back seating position with the foot pedals pushed a little bit more to the front etc. one finds it very difficult to overlook the bike.
The Standard 500 costs apprx. 1.70 lacs and the TBTS 500 cost 1.96 lacs on the road. The Standard 500 shows greater vibration than the TBTS 500 when pushed above 60 kms. All these factors lead me to finally decide on the TBTS 500. Initially, I found the bike a little cumbersome to handle. However, now I have become comfortable with it. The bike with its goodies really thrills you every time you take it on to road. It is best when driven with a pillion. The major disadvantage I felt was there was no place to store the papers of the bike. After searching through different models of panniers I purchased a Studds box to match the overall styling of my bike. I have clocked 160 kms on tbe odometer and as on date am very satisfied with the bike.
