Royal Enfield Thunderbird with Twin Spark

Gregory · 27th July 2008, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollywoodhogan

well, looks like bajaj are going to be at it again! twinspark patent infringment allegedly by royal enfield this time! (rajiv bajaj, please take a break and chill man!!) for heavens sake, twin spark technology has been around since world war II. amazing what corporate greed can do combined with outdated indian patent laws.

maybe bajaj should stuff the dtsi up their you know what and keep it there

balenopower · 27th July 2008, 23:49

Just rode the TBTS to leh ladakh and back.The bike is absolutely fabulous.I really think madbullram got a defected bike cause my bike had braking of the highest order and im rating it even better than my karizma.The gearbox allthough has lots of false neutrals still slots home way better than a machismo 350.Whack the throttle at 3500 rpm in 3rd and the bike gives you enough shove to plaster a smile.3000 kms of murderous riding conditions and i dint even hear a squeak coming out of the bike by the time i finished the trip.The only problem i found was a leaking fuel cap and an outrageous price tag of a lac of rupees.Im all hooked!!

jkdas · 27th July 2008, 23:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by balenopower

Just rode the TBTS to leh ladakh and back.The bike is absolutely fabulous.I really think madbullram got a defected bike cause my bike had braking of the highest order and im rating it even better than my karizma.The gearbox allthough has lots of false neutrals still slots home way better than a machismo 350.Whack the throttle at 3500 rpm in 3rd and the bike gives you enough shove to plaster a smile.3000 kms of murderous riding conditions and i dint even hear a squeak coming out of the bike by the time i finished the trip.The only problem i found was a leaking fuel cap and an outrageous price tag of a lac of rupees.Im all hooked!!

Thats nice to hear and guess what one would want.5k and no trouble/noise.

What abt FE and other numbers?

balenopower · 28th July 2008, 00:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkdas

Thats nice to hear and guess what one would want.5k and no trouble/noise.

What abt FE and other numbers?

Got a consistent 40 plus kmpl.Flat out with the helmet chin on the speedo i saw 120 kmph on the speedo.But its forte will never be top speeds.It was happy ambling around at 90kmph.Im pretty sure RE is on the right track as far as reliability is concerned.Will put up a short video for those who have doubts about the bikes handling.

Sankar · 28th July 2008, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by balenopower

Flat out with the helmet chin on the speedo i saw 120 kmph on the speedo.

Isn't it a bit.. ehm.. slow

considering you were flat on the tank? Or was the bike piled up with luggage?

balenopower · 28th July 2008, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sankar

Isn't it a bit.. ehm.. slow

considering you were flat on the tank? Or was the bike piled up with luggage?

Knowing bullets hope you dint expect 140 kmph..No the bike wasn't really loaded..but yea..thts the max she will do.

msvg · 28th July 2008, 14:39

40 kmpl is decent enough ,
balenopower looking forward for ur video

Sankar · 28th July 2008, 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by balenopower

Knowing bullets hope you dint expect 140 kmph..No the bike wasn't really loaded..but yea..thts the max she will do.

No i didn't expect 140kmph. But i expected a true speed of 120kmph on the new TBTS considering 20bhp motor, new transmission, mini skirt piston etc etc... So if you say that you saw 120kmph on the meter then the true velocity would be much less which is disappointing.

solly · 28th July 2008, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by balenopower

Just rode the TBTS to leh ladakh and back.The bike is absolutely fabulous.

Hey how did it perform in higher altitude >15000 ft?? Especially while climbing changla?? My karizma was really struggling with not enough air, the pulsar dtsi was doing lot better, may be because of the twin spark or the air filter design.. I'm also looking to upgrade from my Kari....unfortunately the R15 is not fast powerfull enough!!

hillram · 28th July 2008, 16:01

This gives me enough motivation to acquire on TBTS.I was thoroughly convinced when i saw the bike and test rode it.I particularly liked the new mods on Kick Start,added Electical power for accessories.
Will acquire one by Diwali

agbenny · 28th July 2008, 22:33

I took a test drive last week; Man... Bajaj can't even come close to it. The ride was amazing. Its vibration is reduced very much.

However, when i went to book that, the dealer in Coimbatore said that they do not know about Coimbatore launch date, and he refused to take the order.

Any one kno why really they do it? Don't they or RE needs the business?

hollywoodhogan · 29th July 2008, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by agbenny

However, when i went to book that, the dealer in Coimbatore said that they do not know about Coimbatore launch date, and he refused to take the order.

Any one kno why really they do it? Don't they or RE needs the business?

agb, its less supply v/s more demand even in bangalore i am told. production is yet to meet the demand of just 4-5 cities where the tbts has been launched. so until the first launch cities get reasonably sufficient supplies, guess that other cities will get none.

avi.k · 29th July 2008, 00:58

Personally dont like the new TB twin spark. Lost the old charm of giant looks and feel. The drive chain and the brakes being shifted to the right makes the left side look more ugly. Its time that Enfield starts giving its customers the rear disc brakes. The era of rear discs have already started in India with the RTR and the R15. Dont agree that the chain and the brekes on the same side would improve performance. Look at the Herohonda it has the chain to the left and the brakes to the right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by te_jus

i am about to buy the new electra 5s.wanted to know how is the bike performance or should i go for TB

The electra is a great machine. If you like the traditional bullet go for the Electra. I would not suggest the new TBTS. Does not feel right. You should wait for some time till the report card is out plus Enfield should be coming out with rear discs very soon; It has to. I personally use the old TB 350 its great except for a bit rough ride inside the city. I am very very happy and i thank God that I bought it before the new TBTwin Spark came out. The new TB has the improved performance but looks really bad. If you are a modern guy with not much values for the traditional bullet and the thump go for the new TB. It should not dsappoint you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sridhar_blr80

Hi All,
I am a little puzzled about choosing my Bike, Please help!

Seems like you dont like the R15 looks. Would suggest the Electra 5S for you. Personally would not suggest the TBTS in its new state atleast not at this point of time when Enfield is itself not decided about its path in the future. They surely are planning to phase out the older engines slow and steady. But i say why should i buy the new compact engine from Enfield when there are better performers in the market.

balenopower · 29th July 2008, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by solly

Hey how did it perform in higher altitude >15000 ft?? Especially while climbing changla?? My karizma was really struggling with not enough air, the pulsar dtsi was doing lot better, may be because of the twin spark or the air filter design.. I'm also looking to upgrade from my Kari....unfortunately the R15 is not fast powerfull enough!!

Well any bike would struggle at that altitude, and the TBTS was no different.But compared to the old Tb there was so much more power in reserve.I literally had to ride someones old TB to feel the difference.The classic bullets,electras were not even in contention with huge power drops.The brake shifted to the right has def increased the braking potential of the bike.The bike will do a true top of around 116-117 kmph which is not bad at all.I would HIGHLY recommend this bike.

Sankar · 29th July 2008, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by avi.k

Dont agree that the chain and the brekes on the same side would improve performance. Look at the Herohonda it has the chain to the left and the brakes to the right.

The reason is because on the Enfield the rear brakes are inside the chain sprocket. Chain sprocket is the brake drum.

With all these changes to the Engine and frame they should've engineered a modern rear brakes too and ditched the sprocket brake system. This would've made it possible to have the chain on the left side.

Enfield being Enfield they don't have the habit of doing things right the first time. I wonder if they retained the sprocket drum brake as a last ditch effort to retain as much Bullet charm as possible.. LOL

27th July 2008, 23:49	#77
balenopower BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 956 Thanked: 467 Times View My Garage	Just rode the TBTS to leh ladakh and back.The bike is absolutely fabulous.I really think madbullram got a defected bike cause my bike had braking of the highest order and im rating it even better than my karizma.The gearbox allthough has lots of false neutrals still slots home way better than a machismo 350.Whack the throttle at 3500 rpm in 3rd and the bike gives you enough shove to plaster a smile.3000 kms of murderous riding conditions and i dint even hear a squeak coming out of the bike by the time i finished the trip.The only problem i found was a leaking fuel cap and an outrageous price tag of a lac of rupees.Im all hooked!!
	() Thanks

28th July 2008, 14:39	#82
msvg BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA / Bangalore Posts: 209 Thanked: 24 Times	40 kmpl is decent enough , balenopower looking forward for ur video
	() Thanks

28th July 2008, 16:01	#85
hillram Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,941 Thanked: 1,329 Times View My Garage	This gives me enough motivation to acquire on TBTS.I was thoroughly convinced when i saw the bike and test rode it.I particularly liked the new mods on Kick Start,added Electical power for accessories. Will acquire one by Diwali
	() Thanks

28th July 2008, 22:33	#86
agbenny BANNED Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: TN38 Posts: 1,081 Thanked: 294 Times	I took a test drive last week; Man... Bajaj can't even come close to it. The ride was amazing. Its vibration is reduced very much. However, when i went to book that, the dealer in Coimbatore said that they do not know about Coimbatore launch date, and he refused to take the order. Any one kno why really they do it? Don't they or RE needs the business?
	() Thanks