[h.s.r]

I have never been fan of Thunderbird.
It rattles more and early than any other RE.
Rear tyre profile doesn't suits this type of chopper.
I am in love again with my RE Std 350.
Although few things i liked in Thunderbird 500 which are
1. Rear Disc Brake.
2. Projector headlamps

[palash987]

Kudos to the Royal Enfield for bringing in the Thunder Bird Twin Spark 500.

It seems as if Enfield are listening to their customers.

With 20 litres fuel tank,
they have very much covered the need for extra jerry cans to some extent.

Projectors do seem to provide enough illumination though.

Rear disc brakes were a long demanding feature that enfield got right with the thunderbird 500.

All in all a great package with the royal enfield tag and cult following.

[ventoman]

Hi,

I currently own a 2007 350cc TB purchased as second-hand last year. The bike is doing very well except for few niggles here and there. After contemplating a lot and my increased love for TB, I went ahead and booked the all new TBTS 500 (Flicker). I was debating between the new 350 and 500cc. Finally the presence of EFI (only in 500) and a glorious test drive near Jayadeva Flyover blew me away.
Delivery expected by end of Jan and my old one will appear in classifieds soon.

Cheers.

[adnaps]

Hi Forum Members,

Any new product has its fair share of criticisms , lot of it justified, some are matters of opinion. Aesthetics in particular will always be debated. I have attempted to list out the Pros & Cons of the new TBTS 500 in an Excell sheet . I request all members to add to the sheet and share their comments on the evaluation. This will go a long way in helping confused buyers like me.

[apachelongbow]

No matter what criticisms come from the bullet enthusiasts, I love the new Thunderbird. Finally RE has made a bike which looks far more attractive than that WW2 recycled hash of a 500 Desert storm/classic or the 'dudhwalla' standard bullet.

This looks somewhat like a Harley Iron clone and I mean in a good way. Good work RE!!!

[hollywoodhogan]

great job by re and i love the product! looks great and feels great to ride and a true cruiser in my opinion. booked the twilight color yesterday and looking forward.
a lot of criticism is flying around on this thread and ok, i accept most but i don't agree with most either. anyway, each one to his own means and i can't wait to get my hands on my tb500.
i have been using a tbts for 3 years now and still find it a comfortable cruiser and the tb500 takes cruising to the next level.

[navin_v8]

Originally Posted by apachelongbow

No matter what criticisms come from the bullet enthusiasts, I love the new Thunderbird. Finally RE has made a bike which looks far more attractive than that WW2 recycled hash of a 500 Desert storm/classic or the 'dudhwalla' standard bullet.

This looks somewhat like a Harley Iron clone and I mean in a good way. Good work RE!!!

The second sentence in your first paragraph has provoked me to tell you that you are either completely ignorant or have zero knowledge about the original Bullets. Bullets still sell because of their old design and old world charm associated with it. Agreed that the Thunderbird is a good bike but that doesn't mean all the other older bikes from RE are crap. As is evident from your tone and shows your lack of knowledge when you say "WW2 recyled hash" and "Dudhwalla Standard Bullet". Your way of comparing an RE with a Harley Davidson shows that you know nothing about the iconic Bullet.(Dont get me wrong but one cannot compare these two bikes as they are totally different. YES different look wise as well as engine wise). A Thunderbird cannot be compared to the standard and classic models. How many Thunderbirds are exported in the international markets(UK, US, etc.) today?? Its NIL.

If you are happy with the new Thunderbird good, but don't insult the iconic Standard Bullet and Classic Bullet.

Regards,
navin_v8

[The King]

Post deleted by the Team-BHP Support : Please do NOT post one-liners that add little or no informational value to the thread. We need your co-operation to maintain the overall quality of this forum.

Please read our rules before proceeding any further.

[tharian]

Originally Posted by apachelongbow

No matter what criticisms come from the bullet enthusiasts, I love the new Thunderbird. Finally RE has made a bike which looks far more attractive than that WW2 recycled hash of a 500 Desert storm/classic or the 'dudhwalla' standard bullet.

This looks somewhat like a Harley Iron clone and I mean in a good way. Good work RE!!!

I like the new TB too. But , REM is what it is todaY because of the models you have explained as well as the older Cast Iron ones and which is why they could spend on R&D and bring out the TB500.

[John Jacob13128]

A beauty from RE.Projector headlamps ?! Now thats something we didnt expect but definitely welcome. Loved the TB 350, the sheer torque just floors you. 500 would be a killer.This would truly be the best cruiser, though i cant help but think " kitna deti hai ?? "

[sam_b]

The first ride review is out there by Zigwheels. See http://www.zigwheels.com/reviews-adv...t-ride/14329/1

[giri1.8]

Good update from RE.I am glad that they didn't just slot the 500cc engine and call it TB500.Color option is slightly disappointing since they have only 3 different shades of the same color.Hope They launch the cafe racer soon.

[ArizonaJim]

"...Color option is slightly disappointing since they have only 3 different shades of the same color...."

Perhaps they have been studying the history of the first model T Fords?

It was said, "You can have any color you want as long as it is black."

[COUGAR]

Originally Posted by Rollin' Thunda

I am in no way negating your experience, I am just pointing out that there are others, like me, who have had an extremely positive experience with RE, which is why the brand survives.

You know this reminds me of some of the interactions I have had with a subset of bullet owners. Heres a sample of a conversation with just one of them:

RE-Fan: Whatever people may say, bullet is the most reliable bike of all machaa! these honda-phonda just dont have that reliability factor no? I would never have the confidence of doing Ladakh if it werent for my ol' Doppie!

Me: but RE bikes also have more problems than other bikes no?

RE-Fan: Whatchya talking about dude? See it all boils down to these wannabe newbies, you know this whole call center trash! They dont understand a bull has to be nurtured. Its become so easy to buy a bike these days no: easily you get loan-woan, buy bike on EMI, join a club and then become a bulleteer: its not like that. They dont take care of their bikes and then blame RE! I have never had a problem with any of the RE's I have owned!

Me: Didnt your brand new, 2 month old Classic 500 crack its engine casing on our breakfast ride to DD hills last year?

RE-Fan: Haan but that was a production fault, not RE fault! And I just called TTPL (Tours n Travels Pvt Ltd- popular nickname of aforementioned RE employee), told him my problem and he ensured that the whole engine was replaced under warranty! And he did the same for the 4 other people in our club who faced the same crack in casing issue! what service macha!

Me: oh nice! It took 4 months no but? long time to go without a bike!

RE-Fan: yeah man! but totally worth it! bike feels more powerful after this replacement!

Me: oh! Ok, then what about the time you burnt your CDI of your previous TB on our Leh ride?

RE-Fan: That was a minor fault with the alternator wiring: how can you blame RE for that machaa? Big Big bikes, small small problems happening only!

Me: Yeah, but ride gets sc***d no? like the time your bike caught fire on the Kudremukh ride?

RE-Fan: again, you cant blame RE for this da! Its only these newbies who are whining and complaining! See I have owned 3 bulls in past 12 years no? I am telling you: RE makes the most reliable bikes!

:facepalm: :facepalm:

Originally Posted by Rollin' Thunda

Whenever you are in a hospital, you only meet people who are ill!

Touche! :P

[naveenroy]

Originally Posted by COUGAR

You know this reminds me of some of the interactions I have had with a subset of bullet owners. Heres a sample of a conversation with just one of them:

Bwahahhaahah!

I know this is OT and we are all digressing here but still that was hilarious.

I have heard this countless number of times from my RE Club members. But I am glad that my club members own many different kinds of bikes and respect other "plastic" bikes and people who give "excuses" like this are in a minority.