New Enfield Thundernbird with Twin Spark

[madbullram]

Folks,
Here is some pics of the latest TBTS Thunderbird with Twin Spark. The first bike was delivered to Madras Bullet Member, check out his blog for pics:

SANDEEP DATTA

WIll post more details...

Cheers

[jkdas]

WOw! atlast! it took them 50 years for this.

Awaiting more details. No FI :(

[madbullram]

Its Twin Spark with integrated engine setup and churns out 20 Bhp...lets wait and see if its worth it. Supposed to be lighter, have less wear and tear, and have betterrrr performance

[islero]

First thing I did in the morning today was rip a nice ( read uncorked and properly thumping) Machismo up and down the main roads near my house. A great way to start the day.

Was just checking out this bike at Thiruvanmiyur service centre today. Couldn't bag a test ride, but from what I could see ( hear, rather).... it sounds like any of the 150cc bikes on the market today, even when being ripped. Even the little bit of thump left in the other bullets is gone....

They've changed the silencer back to the normal long type, from the enticer-style muffler tips.
Hope to bag a test-ride sometime soon. Will hold back any final opinion till then.


Jk, I think they sell some models with FI in foreign markets..... I could be wrong though.


PS: Is it me or does the TBTS look really weird? Like a little too short length-wise.....

[Sankar]

I have a cut away diagram & article of the UC engine somewhere on my harddrive. Enfield has gone back the older rocker blocks technology with this engine in lieu of the AVL type. It looks like some parts like the new improved piston can be grafted to the AVL engine.

Having the chain drive and the silencer on the right side has left the left completely blank and characterless.

I don't see why anyone should buy this machine once other bigger bikes of similar capacity (both foreign & home grown) would start selling here in India. It has lost that charm of a brit single.

Jk, they're launching a 500cc version in the foreign markets. It's with FI.

[madbullram]

Originally Posted by islero

PS: Is it me or does the TBTS look really weird? Like a little too short length-wise.....

Weird?????

U crazy....its called UGLY ... with its squarish head, chain and sprock changed to right the braking is pathetic to say the least and the bloody bike sways to right when u break, chirst, the bullet is dead man with this....

[Gordon]

Its a great move by them. Just that the engine looks ugly. But there are some good things too:

• The ugly rear frame that holds the mudguard and seat is changed.
• The rear brake is mounted on the right side of the wheel. This is good, since it should make braking better. I've ridden quite a lot of Machismo's and Thunderbird's and they have their brake pedal on the right, but the brake itself is mounted on the left. This makes braking pathetic! And you literally have to stand on the pedal for it to be effective!
  @madbullram: Probably thats why you mean that the bike sways to the right. Apart from this, I see no reason why the bike should behave like that.
  
• Thats a very weird kick lever. But maybe they did that to give more clearance for the leg.

The thing is that first most of us complain that Enfield doesn't do anything to improve quality, performance and technology. And when they do, everyone suddenly starts opposing.

[prabhuav]

All I am hoping is that they continue to make and sell the cast iron block engines. The true bullet.

The thunderbird crowd doesnot really care about the nostalgia of the bull and they can be happy with this wimpy sounding engine .

[Sankar]

Originally Posted by prabhuav

All I am hoping is that they continue to make and sell the cast iron block engines. The true bullet.

it seems they will pull the plug on the cast iron next year. Hope it doesn't happen. Well if it happens the resale price of the CIs would jump through the roof

[prabhuav]

Better buy a couple then

[Sankar]

Already got two... one is in dismantled condition

[prabhuav]

i should buy a standard without wifey finding out.

sankar - i lost your number can you sms me yours to 9845268678?

[madbullram]

Originally Posted by Gordon

The thing is that first most of us complain that Enfield doesn't do anything to improve quality, performance and technology. And when they do, everyone suddenly starts opposing.

Gordon: Trust me been with enfield for 20 yrs now and my love for them is as virgin as it is. Its big welcome that they are even trying!

The comment is more tuned to look and feel which is a big let down and sometimes they rush with things and leave small things not completed.

1. The braking sucks, when I brake the bike sways to one side, someone in the technical section of RE told me its bcos of the disk and rear barke both at the same side. I dont know if its the case, but braking sucks

2. I remember u r crib about the Thump, hear this one...i mean try to hear, concentrate and hear, still u wont...so really concentrate and hear ...hhaaa then u hear the beat, its lost its signature..again, i aint saying its not good...but its not a Bullet purely "Dil Se"

Thumbs up for Enfield for trying, did they give us what we want? triple thumbs down But lets wait and see the performance, hopefully that will prove much better than the design.

[bblost]

The only engine part replaced in my 03 Thunderbird with 70k kms on her was a small crown wheel under the tappets. Cost me 200 bucks.

Other than this I have had to replace only the cycle parts like tyres, chains and so on.

If this bike can come close to it, I dont see why anyone would not buy it.

I don't care about the thump, looks, style or any thing like that.

Its the way she runs on the road that matters.
But its time for a test drive asap.

[five46]

Originally Posted by bblost

I don't care about the thump

Man, you made a bold statement! Fortunately this ain't a Bullet thread either!