Thread Starter
#1
I would like to share my Royal Enfield Thunderbird booking experience with you all.
Biking Experience:
Its been several years riding bikes, because of some reason (allergic to dust and sun). My bullet dream is there for a long time, may be from college days, but during those days the 2 strokes attracted much and I got a Shogun in 1993. And was happily riding it for several years. I also had a very short stint of racing career with this Shogun and participated in a couple of dirt races and TSD rallies in Coimbatore. Okay, those were college days.
Then in 2003, I bought myself a Pulsar 180. Though it was a good bike at that time, I was not much satisfied with the bike and I used this bike very sparingly. And my allergic problem didn't let me to ride this bike in the city traffic. Then I decided to buy a Car. Then I sold my Pulsar after a couple of years. There ends my two wheeler career.
Bullet Bug:
Several years after that, the bullet bug bit me some time last year. This actually happened when I got a chance to visit the Harley museum in Milwaukee on my trip to US. Something was going on my mind after that visit and was asking myself questions like what am I doing? Why did I lost my biking spirits? My allergic issue looked like an excuse for me to be sophisticated. The luxury of the cars took me in a different direction, may be![[frustration]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Frustration.gif "Frustration [frustration]")
. I realized that I am missing something in my life and decided to buy a bike. Then I started following biking forums and websites. I was more keen on Bullets, because I cant afford a Harley at this time. I am not interested in any other bike also, because my intention is to use the bike only for touring purpose. Hence decided to go for a Bullet.
Initially my wife was not happy with my idea of buying a bullet. And she was asking like 'whats wrong with you', 'are you mad' kind of questions, because its been almost 8 to 9 years I quit riding bikes. But finally she kind of agreed like 'get what you want' believing I might not realize my dream. This could happen many a times.
1st Test ride:
Once I decided to buy a Bullet, I had this confusion which many might have had. Whether to buy a Classic or a Thunderbird. Since I liked both in terms of styling and performance, I thought a test ride will help me to decide. Hence I went to the Royal Enfield Brand showroom here in Besent Nagar, Chennai. My wife and kid was accompanying with me. My son was very happy to see many bikes in the showroom and he sat on all the models and was riding burrrrrr. Spoke to the SA about my interest in buying a bullet and took a test ride of both Classic and Thunderbird. I was actually interested in the 500CC, but he had only the 350 cc models. But still I took the test ride, because I wanted to see how comfortable it is for me and whether it will suit to my height and built. (I am 5'7' and medium built). I was happy with both the models and more satisfied with the Thunderbird, because it was more comfortable with better riding position and also the seat height suited me well.
Note: Need to mention, that the test ride bikes were not in a good condition, especially the brakes and the vibration. Not sure how hard is to maintain their own bikes.
2nd Test ride:
By this time I kind of decided to go for a Thunderbird, but still wanted to test ride the 500 cc one. So after the first test ride, I asked SA, when can I test ride the TB500. He said that they have it in the service center and will arrange the following Monday. But the following Monday I was not able to make it and called up the dealer a few days later and made sure the 500 cc is available for test ride and went to the showroom. This time, with some of my colleagues, not with family. Since I was very keen on the Thunderbird, I only took the test ride of TB500 and was very satisfied than the 350 cc. I did felt the power difference and the torque compared to the 350 ones and came out of the showroom with a satisfaction. I told the SA that I will come with my family and make the booking, may be in a weeks time.
Booking day:
On 9th Aug, I went to the showroom with my family and spoke to the SA and said that I want to book a Thunderbird 500. Yes, made my decision to book 500 and don't want to make any compromise and regret later. The SA asked us to wait for a few minutes since he was dealing with other customer. Then he came to us and took the booking. He explained me the terms and conditions especially for the color, since I asked for the matt black color. Agreed. He also told me about the waiting period and booking terms. Since I already knew the waiting period is long, it was not a shock for me. The waiting period he quoted is 6 months, and I am also not in a hurry. Then he went and prepared the booking form and handed over to me, then I signed the form with the feel of happiness inside that I have booked myself a Bullet.![[:)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Smile.gif "Smile [:)]")
Biking Experience:
Its been several years riding bikes, because of some reason (allergic to dust and sun). My bullet dream is there for a long time, may be from college days, but during those days the 2 strokes attracted much and I got a Shogun in 1993. And was happily riding it for several years. I also had a very short stint of racing career with this Shogun and participated in a couple of dirt races and TSD rallies in Coimbatore. Okay, those were college days.
Then in 2003, I bought myself a Pulsar 180. Though it was a good bike at that time, I was not much satisfied with the bike and I used this bike very sparingly. And my allergic problem didn't let me to ride this bike in the city traffic. Then I decided to buy a Car. Then I sold my Pulsar after a couple of years. There ends my two wheeler career.
Bullet Bug:
Several years after that, the bullet bug bit me some time last year. This actually happened when I got a chance to visit the Harley museum in Milwaukee on my trip to US. Something was going on my mind after that visit and was asking myself questions like what am I doing? Why did I lost my biking spirits? My allergic issue looked like an excuse for me to be sophisticated. The luxury of the cars took me in a different direction, may be
. I realized that I am missing something in my life and decided to buy a bike. Then I started following biking forums and websites. I was more keen on Bullets, because I cant afford a Harley at this time. I am not interested in any other bike also, because my intention is to use the bike only for touring purpose. Hence decided to go for a Bullet. Initially my wife was not happy with my idea of buying a bullet. And she was asking like 'whats wrong with you', 'are you mad' kind of questions, because its been almost 8 to 9 years I quit riding bikes. But finally she kind of agreed like 'get what you want' believing I might not realize my dream. This could happen many a times.
1st Test ride:
Once I decided to buy a Bullet, I had this confusion which many might have had. Whether to buy a Classic or a Thunderbird. Since I liked both in terms of styling and performance, I thought a test ride will help me to decide. Hence I went to the Royal Enfield Brand showroom here in Besent Nagar, Chennai. My wife and kid was accompanying with me. My son was very happy to see many bikes in the showroom and he sat on all the models and was riding burrrrrr. Spoke to the SA about my interest in buying a bullet and took a test ride of both Classic and Thunderbird. I was actually interested in the 500CC, but he had only the 350 cc models. But still I took the test ride, because I wanted to see how comfortable it is for me and whether it will suit to my height and built. (I am 5'7' and medium built). I was happy with both the models and more satisfied with the Thunderbird, because it was more comfortable with better riding position and also the seat height suited me well.
Note: Need to mention, that the test ride bikes were not in a good condition, especially the brakes and the vibration. Not sure how hard is to maintain their own bikes.
2nd Test ride:
By this time I kind of decided to go for a Thunderbird, but still wanted to test ride the 500 cc one. So after the first test ride, I asked SA, when can I test ride the TB500. He said that they have it in the service center and will arrange the following Monday. But the following Monday I was not able to make it and called up the dealer a few days later and made sure the 500 cc is available for test ride and went to the showroom. This time, with some of my colleagues, not with family. Since I was very keen on the Thunderbird, I only took the test ride of TB500 and was very satisfied than the 350 cc. I did felt the power difference and the torque compared to the 350 ones and came out of the showroom with a satisfaction. I told the SA that I will come with my family and make the booking, may be in a weeks time.
Booking day:
On 9th Aug, I went to the showroom with my family and spoke to the SA and said that I want to book a Thunderbird 500. Yes, made my decision to book 500 and don't want to make any compromise and regret later. The SA asked us to wait for a few minutes since he was dealing with other customer. Then he came to us and took the booking. He explained me the terms and conditions especially for the color, since I asked for the matt black color. Agreed. He also told me about the waiting period and booking terms. Since I already knew the waiting period is long, it was not a shock for me. The waiting period he quoted is 6 months, and I am also not in a hurry. Then he went and prepared the booking form and handed over to me, then I signed the form with the feel of happiness inside that I have booked myself a Bullet.
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![[;)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Wink.gif "Wink [;)]")
![[surprise]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Surprise.gif "Surprise [surprise]")
a lot of money. But the satisfaction will be more I guess.
![[:D]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Big%20Smile.gif "Big Smile [:D]")
