Help: Thunderbird 350 or Electra? Edit: Booking Thunderbird 350

[appus]

However, speaking from a strictly personal belief, I'd always pick up a carburetted motorcycle over a fuel injected one (more so if it were an Enfield), if long trips were on my agenda purely because anyone can repair a carburettor anywhere but things are not quite the same when it comes to EFI/ECU. Old Zen saying: "When reliability questionable, go for repairability."

You do have another option if you want to go the 500cc route - test ride the 500 Carb. It even has a better seat than that of the Thunderbird. If you like the power, its just a matter of fitting a Fat Boy type handlebar on it to enjoy more relaxed ergonomics. Even its price is almost the same as that of the Thunderbird 350.
Win win?
Dont grin
Take the 500 Carb out for a spin

See, Enfields make poets, so what of they are bad ones?

The Thunderbird 500 is definitely less fuel efficient than it's 350cc counterpart by about 7-10 kmpl, but things are never mathematical with fuel efficiency since a lot depends on how you ride/drive.

You mean 500 carb ->Bullet 500 Carb ? . Now you understood how much i know about bullet ! Almost zero knowledge

About EFI, I have raised the same question in another thread . You were spot on.

Called them up while writing this. They said Standard 500 Carb is not yet launched. ! So, again confused. Which model I should take test drive.

So are you taking a decision or shall I edit the thread title to 'even more confused now' ?

Please do that for me.

For many years, I wanted an alloy wheel for my bike. Splendor in 2002 did not have it. Unicorn in 2007 did not have it. Avenger - Do not have it. Activa/Access -No way. Thunderbird - Just forget it. (I am no longer a alloy wheel fan)

One of my friend here is getting 40 km/ltr mileage for 500 TB. But as Sam said its all depends how and where you drive.

I would vote for 500TB. Carb vehicles usually have more vibraion, emission where as injection method have usually have less vibration, less maintenance, more mileage, more ecofriendly with less emission and not to mention more power too. So, I would fondly force you to go for TB 500. All the best.

Thanks Raaj. If i go for 500CC, Waiting period starts as a fresh booking it seems. Another 4 months !

 

[Raaj]

Better late than a regret. But first pls do a TD of TB 500 preferebely a longer drive and compare yourself. 'Coz we all give our openions as per our experience. But overall, you would be a best judge according to your own experience. All the best mate and give us a good news and invite us for the party. :)

 

[Sam Dinkar]

You mean 500 carb ->Bullet 500 Carb ? . Now you understood how much i know about bullet ! Almost zero knowledge.
Called them up while writing this. They said Standard 500 Carb is not yet launched. ! So, again confused. Which model I should take test drive.

Welcome to the world of Royal Enfield where ignorance is bliss and blessed are the thumpers for they shall inherit heaven.

Attached image is for your info. PM me your contact details and I shall have someone from Royal Enfield call you up for a test ride of the 500 carb.

 

[Skay]

Interesting thread. I had a similar confusion. My confusion was between Thunderbird and Classic. Since my purpose of buying a bike is mainly for touring, decided on the Thunderbird, of-course after test riding both the models.

Then my confusion took a diversion, whether to buy TB350 or TB500. Like others mentioned, I thought I should not regret after buying. So, took a test ride of the 500. And believe me the power and feel was way better than the 350. Hence made my decision to book the TB500.

 

[appus]

Sam,
I am going to RE Showroom near my office in a while. I called up after seeing the 500 Carb one on the website. They said 'It is on website sir, it is not launched' ! Anyways, I will go to the showroom now.

I was not at all thought of 500CC till yesterday (even when starting the thread). Now the title should read 'Help: Thunderbird 350cc or 500cc' :)

 

[appus]

Here is the update from RoyalEnfield showroom Jayanagar (East End Circle) Bangalore.

1. They do not know the price of new 500cc carburetor standard bullet. It is not there anywhere in Bangalore. It may come by next month.

2. According to them, 350cc Thunderbird gives 35-45Km/l and 500cc Thunderbird (EFI) gives 25-30Km/l.

3. The on-road price for Thunderbird 350cc is 1,48,000 and 500cc is 1,88,000.

4. Waiting period for Thunderbird 350cc is 8 to 10 months and 500cc is 4 to 6 months. One has to cancel the booking and apply as a fresh one for converting one to another

Could not test drive any of the bikes as they do not give test drive after 5PM.

The above information is from showroom guys. As I mentioned previously, I do not have any idea about the same. I tried to argue about mileage part - Why not FI cant give more mileage / People who uses EFI 500cc are getting better mileage than 350cc. They said "it is not true". As Sam said, may be it is their "ignorance"

Thunderbird 350cc is having more waiting period !

@Sam Dinkar,
Did you hear from anyone in Bangalore test-riding the 500cc carburetor one? Have you seen it in MP?

@skay, I will do the test drive of both Thunderbird 350/500 in couple of days. (I never did any test drive before buying any bikes/cars :( )

Thank you.

 

[Raaj]

...I tried to argue about mileage part - Why not FI cant give more mileage / People who uses EFI 500cc are getting better mileage than 350cc. They said "it is not true". As Sam said, may be it is their "ignorance

Yes, It clearly shows they have less informed about the technology or It seems to me, they wanted to sell you 350 CC instead of 500 CC to seal the deal quickly.

Well, for a quick comparison of bikes available in India, You may see the recently launched Bikewale (Yes, it's sister site of Carwale). I compared the 350 TB and 550 TB and the link is,

Specs Comparison - Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 Standard vs Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 Standard

 

[appus]

Yes, It clearly shows they have less informed about the technology or It seems to me, they wanted to sell you 350 CC instead of 500 CC to seal the deal quickly.

Thanks Raaj. I agree on less informed. But, why they worry on selling a 8-10 month waiting period bike than less moving bike? They should be promoting a lesser waiting period ones right? Like Maruti giving offers on petrol versions /all other versions except swift/dzire ?

Thanks for the link. I had already compared after your previous post :)

 

[Sam Dinkar]

appus, I do know people in Bombay who have taken a test ride (car = test DRIVE; motorcycle = test RIDE) of a 500 Carb. Bangalore is supposed to be a motorcycle city. Why don't you ring up Enfield customer care and ask them about the availability of the 500 Carb at Bangalore?

The 350cc is more fuel efficient than the 500cc if ridden with the same load under the same traffic conditions by the same rider in the same style at the same speed(s) with the same number of gear shifts and braking with the same tire pressure over the same distance PROVIDED both motorcycles are in a proper state of tune and are absolutely stock. Get it?

There are many reasons for dealers not to push a slow selling model:

1. Low margins (not necessarily).
2. Who will stock an inventory of spares for only a handful of motorcycles/cars sold?
3. Training of mechanics.
4. In case of the Thunderbird 500, lack of expertise to fiddle with the EFI, etc. etc.

 

[rakeshkn]

I strongly recommend bullet 500. its wonderful bullet I ever driven. and there is a carb version also available so reliability is not an issue. TB 500 is also a good choice test ride both and decide :)

 

[appus]

appus, I do know people in Bombay who have taken a test ride (car = test DRIVE; motorcycle = test RIDE) of a 500 Carb. Bangalore is supposed to be a motorcycle city. Why don't you ring up Enfield customer care and ask them about the availability of the 500 Carb at Bangalore?

First of all thanks for correcting me TestRide & TestDrive :)
I talked to office person in Chennai and he said it is available only in two states and launch in this year in other states. Punjab & Kerala. Then called the regional sales manager Ebin Vargheese who takes care of RE Bangalore region. As per him, they are expecting the vehicle by end of this month or next month. Price could be around 1,64,000.

The 350cc is more fuel efficient than the 500cc if ridden with the same load under the same traffic conditions by the same rider in the same style at the same speed(s) with the same number of gear shifts and braking with the same tire pressure over the same distance PROVIDED both motorcycles are in a proper state of tune and are absolutely stock. Get it?

Got it . After reading all the posts, I still cant get to a point whether TB350 or TB500 gives more mileage. Reason being - It is two technology. Here people are mentioned that TB500 gives more mileage.

I strongly recommend bullet 500. its wonderful bullet I ever driven. and there is a carb version also available so reliability is not an issue. TB 500 is also a good choice test ride both and decide :)

Thanks Vandipranthan :). Do you know the On Road price for bullet 500 (Carb/EFI) versions?

 

[Skay]

3. The on-road price for Thunderbird 350cc is 1,48,000 and 500cc is 1,88,000.

Oops, in Chennai the TB500 costs 1.8L on road.

4. Waiting period for Thunderbird 350cc is 8 to 10 months and 500cc is 4 to 6 months. One has to cancel the booking and apply as a fresh one for converting one to another
Thank you.

Since you have already waited for 6 months and you will be using it as daily commute bike, I would advise you to go for TB350, which is readily available for you in the showroom. If you want to change the booking, then you probably wait/waste another 6 months. This is just my opinion.

 

[Sam Dinkar]

they are expecting the vehicle by end of this month or next month. Price could be around 1,64,000.

Thanks Vandipranthan :). Do you know the On Road price for bullet 500 (Carb/EFI) versions?

The Classic 500 retails for around Rs. 1.6 lakh on road (Bangalore price would be slightly higher because of higher road tax) so I expect the 500 Carb to be certainly priced lower than that. Putting a carburettor instead of fuel injection should be good enough to chop off Rs. 15000 minimum.

Why don't you call up some Kerala Enfield dealer and ask him the quotes for Classic 500 and the 500 Carb? That'd give you a fairly good idea of the price differential. Ask for the price of the Classic 500, not the Desert Storm/Classic Chrome (these two are cosmetically different from the Classic 500 and retail for approximately Rs. 7000 more than the Classic 500).

 

[appus]

Thank you guys

Oops, in Chennai the TB500 costs 1.8L on road.

Since you have already waited for 6 months and you will be using it as daily commute bike, I would advise you to go for TB350, which is readily available for you in the showroom. If you want to change the booking, then you probably wait/waste another 6 months. This is just my opinion.

That is there in my mind too. As I will keep it for long time, wanted to make the best choice than regretting later.
The regional manager told me to mail the details of my booking so that he can try getting the 500 early.

The Classic 500 retails for around Rs. 1.6 lakh on road (Bangalore price would be slightly higher because of higher road tax) so I expect the 500 Carb to be certainly priced lower than that. Putting a carburettor instead of fuel injection should be good enough to chop off Rs. 15000 minimum.

Why don't you call up some Kerala Enfield dealer and ask him the quotes for Classic 500 and the 500 Carb? That'd give you a fairly good idea of the price differential. Ask for the price of the Classic 500, not the Desert Storm/Classic Chrome (these two are cosmetically different from the Classic 500 and retail for approximately Rs. 7000 more than the Classic 500).

Called up Kerala showroom. 1,54,000 is on road price for standard 500 carb & I.64 L for classic 500 . I have decided not to go for classic 500 as the seat high is much lower than thunderbird. I did not feel good while sitting in Classic.
Waiting period in kerala for Standard 500 is 2-3 months.


Now, options are.
1. Wait for this month end, next month till the Standard 500 comes to showroom. Test drive it, ask for immediate change and get in two months (as waiting period is not that much)
2. Test drive TB350/500 as soon as possible. If 500 is good, mail the details to manager and see whether they can do something on the waiting period. Or wait another 4 months for 500.
3. Go and buy TB 350 & keep quiet

 

[Raaj]

Too many recommendations = Too much confusion.

Just buy the one you liked/wanted the most.