I have always been an admirer of Royal Enfield bikes, Bullet in particular. I've spent a lot of time reading and watching about the history of RE, how they started, different bikes that were produced, how it entered the Indian soil and how it has attained the cult status in India. I have watched videos related to RE on youtube many times and still I've never got bored. I have been fascinated by the looks, the sound, and everything about the bike.
I have been wanting to own a Bullet from a long time. In fact 4 or 5 years back when I bought my bike, I wanted to buy a bullet. Because of affordability factor and based on the needs, I had to opt for a more economical and a city commuter. But I always had interest on this bike and somewhere on the back of mind, I always knew that Bullet was the bike I want to own! There have been so many times that I had considered changing my bike to one of the RE bikes, but that never happened!
Now, the thought of changing the bike and getting a RE is back and it has grown to such an extent that I've already visited the showroom couple of times and I have also taken test rides! I would like to write here the first experience of test riding the RE bikes. Before that, let me tell you my favourite RE bikes. Firstly, Standard Bullet has been my favourite all along. Secondly, had a craze for Classic 'coz of the looks, the single seater-I wanna ride solo, and I love the thought! But now for some reason I have lost interest on the classic, maybe coz of the poor experience I have had when I was a pillion rider on my friend's classic-350 a couple of times. It was not a comfortable ride (more on this later, maybe?) Thirdly, Thunderbird - I neither disliked nor liked this one.
Now back to the main topic the test rides:
We went to the showroom and generally asked about the different options and specs of the bike (even though I know most of the things about this bike) I felt I have more knowledge on the bikes than the showroom person! Anyway, I just wanted to do test rides. I was told that I can take Classic 500 and Thunderbird 500 for test rides that day.
Classic 500:
First, I took the Classic 500 for the test ride. I was feeling very happy on the inside and I was smiling to myself and was looking forward to experience the bike. I started the bike with the self start, the sound made me more excited. But the excitement was little dampened seeing the mirrors and the handle vibrate heavily, I know that there will be vibrations but never expected so much! First gear and started riding, once on the second it was kind of smooth and the vibrations were not being felt. As I gained the speed and went on higher gears, the bike was cruising. Whenever I had to slow down or break, the vehicle used to vibrate crazily! sometimes it was hard to even look at the rear view image because of the vibrations! When I ended the test ride, I was left disappointed! I had high expectations and this left me disappointed. As I said earlier, my interest on the Classic was reduced. This test ride made it easy for me to eliminate the Classic 500 from the list of options!
Thunderbird 500
After the disappointing experience with Classic 500, I was little sceptical about this bike as well. Sat on the bike, seat was comfortable, the handlebars felt at right positions. Started the bike, there were less vibrations than the Classic 500, thankfully! Took the bike for a ride, was easy to manoeuvre, felt confident while riding, The pillion seat is also pretty comfortable. I felt happy about this bike, when I reached back the showroom, I was feeling I should go back for one more ride! Thunderbird, now is a good option to buy for me!
Showroom person asked me how I felt, would I want to go ahead and make a booking. I told her, I would want to test ride the Bullet 500 standard as well. I was asked to come back again next week. With Thunderbird's experience in mind, I left the showroom. I will be writing my experiences of test riding Bullet in the next post.
I have been wanting to own a Bullet from a long time. In fact 4 or 5 years back when I bought my bike, I wanted to buy a bullet. Because of affordability factor and based on the needs, I had to opt for a more economical and a city commuter. But I always had interest on this bike and somewhere on the back of mind, I always knew that Bullet was the bike I want to own! There have been so many times that I had considered changing my bike to one of the RE bikes, but that never happened!
Now, the thought of changing the bike and getting a RE is back and it has grown to such an extent that I've already visited the showroom couple of times and I have also taken test rides! I would like to write here the first experience of test riding the RE bikes. Before that, let me tell you my favourite RE bikes. Firstly, Standard Bullet has been my favourite all along. Secondly, had a craze for Classic 'coz of the looks, the single seater-I wanna ride solo, and I love the thought! But now for some reason I have lost interest on the classic, maybe coz of the poor experience I have had when I was a pillion rider on my friend's classic-350 a couple of times. It was not a comfortable ride (more on this later, maybe?) Thirdly, Thunderbird - I neither disliked nor liked this one.
Now back to the main topic the test rides:
We went to the showroom and generally asked about the different options and specs of the bike (even though I know most of the things about this bike) I felt I have more knowledge on the bikes than the showroom person! Anyway, I just wanted to do test rides. I was told that I can take Classic 500 and Thunderbird 500 for test rides that day.
Classic 500:
First, I took the Classic 500 for the test ride. I was feeling very happy on the inside and I was smiling to myself and was looking forward to experience the bike. I started the bike with the self start, the sound made me more excited. But the excitement was little dampened seeing the mirrors and the handle vibrate heavily, I know that there will be vibrations but never expected so much! First gear and started riding, once on the second it was kind of smooth and the vibrations were not being felt. As I gained the speed and went on higher gears, the bike was cruising. Whenever I had to slow down or break, the vehicle used to vibrate crazily! sometimes it was hard to even look at the rear view image because of the vibrations! When I ended the test ride, I was left disappointed! I had high expectations and this left me disappointed. As I said earlier, my interest on the Classic was reduced. This test ride made it easy for me to eliminate the Classic 500 from the list of options!
Thunderbird 500
After the disappointing experience with Classic 500, I was little sceptical about this bike as well. Sat on the bike, seat was comfortable, the handlebars felt at right positions. Started the bike, there were less vibrations than the Classic 500, thankfully! Took the bike for a ride, was easy to manoeuvre, felt confident while riding, The pillion seat is also pretty comfortable. I felt happy about this bike, when I reached back the showroom, I was feeling I should go back for one more ride! Thunderbird, now is a good option to buy for me!
Showroom person asked me how I felt, would I want to go ahead and make a booking. I told her, I would want to test ride the Bullet 500 standard as well. I was asked to come back again next week. With Thunderbird's experience in mind, I left the showroom. I will be writing my experiences of test riding Bullet in the next post.
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