[rki2007]

I am seeing a tbts 500 everyday in my office, I feel something is disproportionate. To be very true , I am a fan of tbts 350. I think something is wrong with me,lol. The second half of the bike looks very much disproportionate to the first half . The new led tail lamps look good only when illuminated with lights and in the day light, it's not eye catching .

I am actually desperately waiting to take a test drive and will do that soon .

[sam_b]

Originally Posted by sausi007

Thanks for the link sam

My pleasure

Originally Posted by sausi007

I was under the impression that the efficiency would be somewhere in the range of 29-32 kmpl. This figure is quite a surprise (a good one, though!).

Me too.. But honestly, we should probably not expect anything higher than 30 kmpl. Anything better, though, would be gladly accepted.

[sausi007]

Originally Posted by rki2007

I am actually desperately waiting to take a test drive and will do that soon .

Ride was the deal breaker for me, I rode it for 20 mins and was in love with it.

Originally Posted by sam_b

we should probably not expect anything higher than 30 kmpl. Anything better, though, would be gladly accepted.

Yup, 30 should be more than enough.

One doubt, although I have booked the Matte Black, I am still getting thoughts of changing to the Midnight, any pics around for comparison?

[sam_b]

Originally Posted by sausi007

One doubt, although I have booked the Matte Black, I am still getting thoughts of changing to the Midnight, any pics around for comparison?

I doubt you'll notice the real difference in pics, as midnight looks pretty much like flicker. The difference between the blue and black is very subtle. You may want to visit the showroom again to take a look in person.

I personally liked the matte black, but got worried once i saw a sticker on the tank saying 'no warranty on the color by RE'. So opted for the flicker.

[ventoman]

Originally Posted by sam_b

I personally liked the matte black, but got worried once i saw a sticker on the tank saying 'no warranty on the color by RE'. So opted for the flicker.

Same here. I went with the intention of booking Matte Black, but ended up with flicker!
And the agonising wait continues.

[sam_b]

Originally Posted by rki2007

I am seeing a tbts 500 everyday in my office, I feel something is disproportionate.

It has fatter front forks than the earlier 350. Maybe thats why..

Originally Posted by rki2007

To be very true , I am a fan of tbts 350. I think something is wrong with me,lol.

Nothing is wrong bro, you simply haven't taken a TD on the 500.

Originally Posted by rki2007

I am actually desperately waiting to take a test drive and will do that soon .

Do so soon. I wanted to book a 350, TD of both made me change my mind to 500

[sausi007]

Originally Posted by sam_b

I personally liked the matte black, but got worried once i saw a sticker on the tank saying 'no warranty on the color by RE'. So opted for the flicker.

But does this disclaimer not appear on other Matte finish models like the Desert Storm and Battle Green?
Even I am worried by the thought of paint chipping off after a few months

[shan2129]

I Got the delivery of my TBTS 500 in Twilight colour on 10th Dec ( though I booked Stone - The matte black one ), after about a month of wait. No doubt, TBTS 500 rides like a charm though I am not so happy with some tiny details that RE should have worked on.

The very first being :
1. a little tilted tail section ( yes, it's with every TBTS )
2. My rear tyre constantly generates a sound. something like a old door creaking.
3. Rear Disk brake is just weird non-existent ( the """ RE Engineer""" says "" TBTS has ABS). I had no answer to this. lol
4. There is no fourth.

I used to own a STD CI 350 & as much as I loved the thump, I am enjoying the endless power TBTS generates.

Will be writing a full review with pics soon.

[sam_b]

Originally Posted by sausi007

Even I am worried by the thought of paint chipping off after a few months

My thoughts exactly, and not helped by the response of the RE salesperson who bluntly repeated what is written on the disclaimer.

Originally Posted by shan2129

3. Rear Disk brake is just weird non-existent ( the """ RE Engineer""" says "" TBTS has ABS). I had no answer to this. lol.

Are we surprised by the 'engineers' knowledge

Originally Posted by shan2129

4. There is no fourth.

Do you mean the fourth gear is difficult to engage? or implying something else?

Originally Posted by shan2129

I am enjoying the endless power TBTS generates.

Will be writing a full review with pics soon.

Congrats! Keep thumping and we await a review soon

[shan2129]

Originally Posted by sam_b

Do you mean the fourth gear is difficult to engage? or implying something else?

No I mean, there is no fourth disappointment. But, now when I think about it, The Instrument Panel is very shaky on bumps roads & feels weird plastic in nature.

Congrats! Keep thumping and we await a review soon

Thanks

[bhagathmp]

Originally Posted by sam_b

I personally liked the matte black, but got worried once i saw a sticker on the tank saying 'no warranty on the color by RE'. So opted for the flicker.

Originally Posted by sausi007

But does this disclaimer not appear on other Matte finish models like the Desert Storm and Battle Green?
Even I am worried by the thought of paint chipping off after a few months

I own a DS and have not heard or read any disclaimer of that sort . Dont recall seeing this while checking out the TBTS 500 at the showroom either. More over, while taking delivery I had noticed that the paint had chipped off already around the screws that bolt the tank onto the frame and also under the tank. When I pointed these out to the Service manager, he agreed to replace the tank under warranty and so he did. It took him well over 3 months to get the new tank though

The matte shades would be really hard to get hold of if you ever need a touch up. May be thats why the showroom guys are reluctant and coming up with such statements.

Regards
Bugs

[sausi007]

Originally Posted by bhagathmp

I own a DS and have not heard or read any disclaimer of that sort .
The matte shades would be really hard to get hold of if you ever need a touch up. May be thats why the showroom guys are reluctant and coming up with such statements.
Regards
Bugs

Well......I spoke to one guy at the RE Store in Bangalore, what he explained was - DS & All other colors, except Stone, have a one year warranty that covers the paint not fading, etc. But for Stone, there is a disclaimer that says there is no warranty on the paint, so I am assuming it is wrt to both, fading and paint chipping.
Being a guy who deals with materials a lot, I simply fail to understand this. Any paint, specially black(with the Carbon black added to it) should NOT fade. And if it is chipping, means that Either - the surface coating of the base material is not properly done Or The paint formulation sucks big-time.

I am going ahead with the Stone because that is the color I liked the most and if, for some reason, it fades or chips, I will have to deal with it, I will have to make some calls and spend a few thousand for a repaint !

But still, that disclaimer alone is such a big turn-off, to pay so much for a product and know that the engineer who did the paint-job is not confident of what he has done

[sam_b]

Originally Posted by bhagathmp

More over, while taking delivery I had noticed that the paint had chipped off already around the screws that bolt the tank onto the frame and also under the tank. When I pointed these out to the Service manager, he agreed to replace the tank under warranty and so he did. It took him well over 3 months to get the new tank though

Originally Posted by sausi007

But still, that disclaimer alone is such a big turn-off, to pay so much for a product and know that the engineer who did the paint-job is not confident of what he has done

Not something that amuses you when you are shelling hard earned money over 1.5L

Originally Posted by sausi007

I am going ahead with the Stone because that is the color I liked the most and if, for some reason, it fades or chips, I will have to deal with it, I will have to make some calls and spend a few thousand for a repaint !

Hey! Don't be defensive about it
Its great to be able to take a call; isn't that whats riding an RE is all about?

[shan2129]

Yeah, you should go ahead with Stone as your choice of colour. I wanted stone, but due to uncontrolled urge to own a TB500, i went in for twilight. Though Twilight looks Black & doesn't really shows any blue hint.

I didn't know this before, but UCE engine has hydrollic tappets. Starting a Cold engine sounds somewhat like beating a empty vessel with a metal stick ( though just for a few seconds )

[bhagathmp]

Originally Posted by sausi007

And if it is chipping, means that Either - the surface coating of the base material is not properly done Or The paint formulation sucks big-time.

Chipping for me was around the bolts. My guess is that they over tightened the screws and cracked the paint around it. Rest of the paint quality seems fine.

Regards
Bugs