ROYAL ENFIELD THUNDERBIRD TWIN SPARK FINALLY IN SHOWROOMS
The much awaited and anticipated Royal Enfield Thunderbird is finally in showrooms now. The dealers are awaiting formal launch from the company before they go ahead and start the delievries. For Royal Enfield, this is the first major rework on the engine after bikes with lean burn technology in collaboration with AVL of Austria were launched. The new engine besides being smoother, torquey and more powerful will also help the bike maker to meet the ever tightening emission norms in the country.
The styling is exactly the same as the old thunderbird but what matter is in the head. The engine features a totally redesigned head to accomodate an additional spark plug alongwith a new crankcase. It also features unitary construction and an integrated gearbox. The gearbox itself is a 5-speed unit mounted on the left side while the rear brak is on the other side. Maximum power is now 20 bhp up from 18 bhp of the older model, with a claimed top speed of 125 kmph.
The self starter position has been changed slightly to make it more reliable. The earlier starte position of RE bikes was prone to failures pretty early in its life span. The number of clutch plates have been increased to six for smoother operation and strain free riding given that engine makes more power and torque. The engine is auto decompressed too due to which starting the bike isnt a chore it used to be.
The complete list of changes in the new RE Thunderbird.
1) Totally redesigned head for the additional spark plug.
2) New crankcase.
3) Unitary construction for the engine with integrated gearbox.
4) Gearshifter and brake at their usual positions i.e. left and right respectively.
5) Halogen lamp for fuss free riding at night.
6) Uprated clutch to handle extra power and torque from the engine.
7) Hydraulic tappets for precise valve timing and control
The bike will be available in three colors namely: Silver, Red and Black. The pricing details for Delhi are yet to be announced. Time to choose your destination and just ride on, the news couldnt have been better for RE Fan’s.
33 People have left comments on this post
great news finally. but i am interested in the sound of the engine. how does it sound now? will there be any diff due to the extra spark plug?
coz of patent
@Nitin…Bajaj wont object since their patent is for engine capacity below 250cc. Twin-spark plugs have been used in motorcycles for a long time now. Bajaj got a patent for using it in engine’s with cubic capacities below 250cc.
Its good to hear of some innovation from Royal Enfield. More than the twin spark thing the unitised gearbox is a good thing. The shift to the Universal pattern of left foot gear and right foot brake is most welcome. Hope they have been able to fix the traditional Bullet gremlins.
@Nitin… There is no patent for using twin spark plug in higher engine capacities, the technology has already been there for a while.
http://sandeepdatta16.blogspot.com/2008/05/new-thunderbird-tbts.html
i have been very eagerly waiting for the thunderbied TBTS. i want to know what the price will be in kolkata and also when it will be available. im at my wits end waiting for this beauty.
Pratyush,
This bike is close to 1 Lakh rupees on-road Chennai. The pricing will be close to this in Calcutta too.
Hi,
Read from a forum that the twinspark launch is delayed by “3 months”.
Is it true? Anybody got any updates?
Read it here…
http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/showthread.php?t=16460&page=2
-Vipin-
I saw the bike displayed in Southern Motors Chennai. Looks good. they told me its 99K onroad…chennai price. I saw them unloading the TBTS from a truck. At least 10 were there. So i think its already launched.
Well I have scoured the internet, read at least 30-40 blog posts, and i have come to the conclusion that, TBTS is definetly a step forward towards better performance bikes from the stables of Enfield, minus the thump ofcourse and the usual traditionalist expectations.
One will get a significantly low maintenance, less problematic bike ( a bird enthusiast will know what i mean). Btw its launched for sure, i had just recently spoken to the marketing guy at Eicher, though only in chennai. For the rest of the people in India it would take another month tops ( the guy says logistical problems, i wouldnt believe that). I have already booked this baby. Going to ride this one for a while, find out whats missing ( compared to the bulls) and get it there.
Cheers
P.S Cant wait for my first kick start, that would be something to remember
@Kris… Keep us updated with your ownership experience.
Friends,
Has anyone spotted Thunderbird TwinSpark in Bangalore
Any guess on Bangalore price, booking & delivery
Last week I had been to RE Brand showroom at Jayanagar, they have no idea about the bike, modifications, price, launch etc. It seemed that I had more idea than them, from the internet.
I also went to the HSR service center (near the erstwhile AGRO), the person there had some details atleast, though through the internet.
As far as I know, there are only three showrooms in Bangalore (RE Brand showroom-Jayanagar, Tecnik-dealer-Indira Nagar & HSR - Mission Road). Two dealers have started accepting booking for 1000 bucks. RE Brand store has not started booking (their booking amount is 5000 bucks.)
Any updates/info will be great…
-Vipin Blr -
hi guys
plz tell me when is tbts coming to kolkata
hey guys can anyone tell me when the bike is expected in mumbai
Gorgeous Bike… Finally Royal’s are Back…. They just need to keep them Coming….
hi re lovers
i am frm uttaranchal can any body tell me how can i get this bike there at my place
or in delhi anywhere ????
Its all over for Re if your going to make something like that. I have just been to India and bought one of the last Iron barrels ,–A piece of history.
If I want a 350cc UCE it wouldnt be in an Indian built job.
I think it might be best to keep them all in India from now on . Im certainly not interested in one of those.
Re is a classic bike and nothing more, it is not considered serious transport in developed countries.
@Graham… We totally understand. When you have the likes of Fazer’s and the Goldwings and BMW R1200’s, RE surely isnt a serious transport. I dont think this bike is headed your shores, I really doubt it is.
Hi friends,
I got my RE Thunderbird TwinSpark (Magic Black color) delivered on Friday (06.06.2008) from HSR Services, Bangalore.
The on-road price is INR 1,07,500/- in Bangalore. The Owner’s Manual is not available with the dealer yet, he tells that RE has not provided the manuals as the bike is not yet launched. Did anyone get an owner’s manual with the bike? This dealer has sold around 15 bikes, all without manuals.
The machine is awesome, with the UCE engine. Since this is my first bike from the RE stable, it will not be good for me to compare it with any other RE bikes. I only have the experience of trying an old Thunderbird, that too for just for half a kilometer which made me take an instant decision to upgrade from my Yamaha Enticer and started saving money ;-).
The power is great, considering that I come with a mere 11 bHp experience. I have the restrictions to ride within 45-50 kmph for the first 500kms. Once I reach the 4th gear, the bike acquires 50kmph and I have to control the speed. The kick start is easy with the auto-decompressor, feels most like any normal 4 stroke
bike. Technical specifications not known as owner’s manual is not available.
There are vibrations, and I am not sure whether they are the trademarks of a RE bike. The gears fall to false-neutrals, may be due to my lack of experience.
I had a bitter experience too. On the second day, the Regulator-Rectifier unit burnt out. It was Sunday evening and I was really lucky that this happened near a local “Bullet” expert’s workshop. He helped me in identifying the RR unit problem, reconnected the battery and told me to take to the dealer for guarantee replacement. Next day I had been to the HSR Service Center, they started telling the usual story that “spares not available, leave ur bike here etc”. Luckily the Service Manager helped me by replacing it with an RR unit from a new bike. Hope this will not konk again. The spanner which came with the bike broke when it fell down; imagine what if these happens to you during a trip, in the middle of no-where. Well, an RE owner should be prepared to face all these kinda issues, right?
Any other experiences/suggestions?
Happy biking…
Vipin Blr.
guys,
The bikes being launched in chennai on the 18th along with a press release at the Taj Coromandel. The manuals will be available after that. Can any present owners of the Twinspark tell me about the thump of this one. I hope all this technological advancement didn’t kill what we buy an enfield for.
guys..
i just passed out from college. need a t’bird. guide me. dnt knw nething bout bikes. n also the price including tax n insurance !
i m in bnglr. i can go for an old model too..
is the Twin spark plug available on all the models. If yes , can somebody provide me wit the on road price of the Royal Enfield “ELECTRA “??……
Hi all,
Thunderbird TwinSpark has been finally unveiled in Chennai on 18.June.2008.
Here is the news.
http://news.google.co.in/news?hl=en&um=1&resnum=1&q=Thunderbird+TwinSpark&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=news_result&resnum=1&ct=title
@John - Electra TwinSpark will be launched only in 2010, as per the company communication.
-Vipin Blr-
I am surprised….250cc engine or 350cc engine….
Engine is very small………20bh-> straight away power to zooom ahead…r they trying to make it as a racing bike??
I own 2007 model Thunder Bird that itself beating is smooth….
now twin spark…. it will be similar to elimiator or inticer beating….
Bad luck guys who wanna own new thunder bird……
So plan early go for other models(Electra,machismo 350 and 500),…..
Otherwise you may loose punch of enfields……
I booked thunderbird for ex showroom price - 95K approx.. ‘n onroad iz 1,06,000 Rs. .. 19 June 2008
Hey dudes,
I got this one… the bike as such with no extra fitting is 100000.
Rides smooth…
Dont expect the thump with this silencer… If you change to the short one, you’ll get it as i did.
Its wonderful.
Great pickup… 0-60 kmph in 6 seconds.
Top speed is 128 kmph… But I am sure it will go atleast until 130 kmph as I didn’t have better oppertunity.
Milege in city is 40 kmpl. 47 on highways.
Keep Thumping…
Hi All,
The On road price in Chennai is 1,03,450/- and you can get it in 1 week if you pay full cash ( got it that way), otherwise it takes 15 days time. The technology is superior to the previous model of Thunderbird for sure - do visit http://www.royalenfield.com offical site where the specs are available for this model, happy riding…
Hi Friends
I am planning to bike Thunder bird Twin spark, but i am only 5 foot 6 inch tall.
I really good in handling 150 cc pulsar. Can any one suggest that i can handle this dream machine.
ya it’s look like cruser Bike
well ,I am waiting for UCE Electra 5S .want the old looks and a good engine ,which UCE is.
for foreigners ,thunderbird will not be launched there.
but electra’s and all are coming from 2009 starting.the engine is very very much refined than what you see with avl or CI engines.it is almost like new age bikes provided you have to be accustomed with false neutrals in gear.
those with a cast iron engine will be lucky in coming days.RE India will be stopping CI engine models by 2010 permanantly
