TBTS Review 23000KM

My Black Bird covered almost 23000 KM in a ten months. I am using it for my daily commuting and long ride. I don’t want to write technical specification or riding experience here because I already review the vehicle when it was new, check it here.

After purchasing the vehicle three services was done at Mangalore Dealership where I had purchased the bike, after that I found a nice mechanic Mr. Pradeep at Kasaragod and rest of the services was done by him. RE specifies to change the oil and oil filters at every 6000 KM but I am changing it with every service i.e every 3000Km, it cost around Rupees 1150 including labour charges. Apart from these regular services no major work came still bike running smoothly and giving 50KMPL. Clutch cable was broken at 6000KM and replaced cable still still running, around 12000KM bike start to make strange vibrating sound around 2500 RPM and at last I found that the fuel tank neck was broken and it leads to make sound., due to this cannot keep fuel tank full, this problem is still not fixed waiting sunny day for to fix it. Rear brake shoe was replaced at 14500KM. Around 21000KM ignition key and speedo meter light found loose connection it was cleaned now working OK. After that welding point of catalytic convereter inside the bend pipe was broken and it was welded. Chromium quality was not up to the mark silencer and leg guard shows signs of rusting. Now bike odo meter shows 22831KM front disc pad almost worn out and has to be replaced. Only extra fitting in my bike is a pair of root horn.

I almost covered all type of roads and took long trips around Shimoga and Mysore and really proud to own such a comfortable long run performer.

Strange Problem In my TBTS

One month back my TBTS showed a strange problem, after riding 25kms with head lamp on, and slow down the vehicle with both clutch and brakes are applied headlamp goes little dim but strange thing was engine was running in idling rpm but RPM needle goes down to zero, especially it happens when I try to descending in mud road, if I stop the vehicle completely and checked the needle it was still in zero it goes up only by switch off the head lamp or by revaluating engine hardly, starter motor also does not crank smoothly. So, I checked the battery voltage, it showed 11.60V after starting the vehicle it goes to 11.9V and if I race the engine to 3000 RPM then it will reach up to 12.6V maximum, and if head lamp on then it was 11.8V to 12.4V. According to the Royal Enfield it must be between 12.2 to 13.5 @3000 RPM. So, I think that it was battery problem and removed the battery to inspect the electrolyte and found it was O.K. same time I observed that sometimes the rear brake switch getting jammed if brake applied hardly. It was also corrected after riding two days that problem automatically gone today I checked the battery voltage aging it shows 12.60 V while engine off, 12.8V and 13.5V at 1000 & 3000 RPM respectively, either in head lamp on or off.

My problem is left, but I could not find out the reason, I have only two things to suspect one was rear brake switch and another thing I observed while removing the battery the terminal bolts are loose.

TBTS UPDATES

Now my TBTS already crossed 700km. Till 500km i never exceed 60 km/h now needle started to hit 70 km/h occasionally (only while overtaking cars) on highways. The best thing which i like on it is cruising on around 55-60km/h and the lazy engine emits music around 2000rpm, and yes I am calculated mileage roughly, if my calculation is not wrong than I am getting 45 Kmpl....! More updates on mileage on next Saturday that is my Fueling day.

AT LAST I GOT HER

After waiting 141 days, at last today I got my dream bike Thunderbird Twinspark. As I went there along with my brother every thing is ready bike was registered yesterday. Mechanic started to polish the vehicle (paid him Rs. 50/ as a tip?) . Rs. 1300 for army type leg guard and another 525 bucks for saree guard plus vat total cost of Rs.2050/-. Bike started with first attempt first destination is fuel pump just 100 mts from showroom, when I try to open the lid it's too tight unable to open fuel pump attendant also tried and said sorry....... I convinced my brother "Don't worry it's happens because it's "Royal Enfield" and went back to the show room there one mechanic attended the vehicle removed the cap and smear little oil to the rubber washer inside the cap and said now it's O.K it's tight because it is a new vehicle after some days it will easy to open. The great words of my own colleagues "ADE.... RUNNINGIL.... SHERIYAVU" (it will correct on running) flashed in my mind and went back to fuel pump and filled the fuel. After lunch around 3P.M I started from Mangalore and reached home at 5 P.M. It's easy to ride demands nothing from rider on level highway road just put her into 5th gear and keep at around 1500 to 2000 R.P.M (40 to 50 KMPH) it pulls like locomotive.

The - Royal Pain

This Article shows you how difficulty to get a Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twin Spark

Date of Booking : 12th June 2010

Dealer : M/s Subraya Nayak

Place : Mangalore

Booking amount : Rs. 5000/-

Delivery Assured on: After One and half Month

My first call to the dealer to know the status : Last week of July

Dealers reply : It will come first week of August

My second call to the dealer : Second week of August

Dealers reply : It will come after 25th of August

First call from dealer to submit the Demand draft : 28th of August

Demand draft submitted : 29th of August and dealer assured that bike will bill on 30th or 31st of August.

My third call to the dealer : First week of September

Dealers reply : Only Electra billed TBTS are not yet.

My fourth call to the dealer : First week of October

Dealers reply : It will come around 5th of October and assured delivery before 10th of October.

My fifth call to the dealer : 8th of October

Dealers reply : Not yet billed we are awaiting...

My first mail to customer care : 7th of October

Their reply : 9th August - mail forwarded Areal sales Manager

I got first call from ASM : Evening 8th of October assured me he will contact the dealer and plant and call back before 12'O clock on 9th of October

Second call from ASM : 9th October 11:51 AM - He told waiting period of the Thunderbird is 3 to 4 Months and dealer misguided me and definitely I will get the bike First week of November.

My current status : Spending Rs. 4000/- for my tried and trusted CBZ and waiting with new hope.