Author Topic: Thunderbird 500 ??  (Read 10128 times)

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Royalista

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Reply #15 on: February 28, 2014, 02:21:47 am
Hmm, I'm not into cruisers so I might not be best suited to judge.
However, thinking of the Thunderbirds as sported by our Indian brethern, comparing these to the rebel, I say Thunderbird wins hands down.  8)
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JVS

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Reply #16 on: February 28, 2014, 04:29:49 am
Nothing against the T-bird...but with the UCE500 and the amount of power it produces, I don't think it will appeal to many average joes who travel on the highway quite a bit. Just saying. Unless the rider plans to take in the scenery and takes country roads  :D

It is more suited to Indian roads and traffic, no?
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nigelogston@gmail.com

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Reply #17 on: February 28, 2014, 10:53:54 am
I am not so sure about that.   I hear that comment a lot , and maybe for "superslab" freeways it is true,  but where I am from , the max speed on our roads is 100 kph (62 mph) even on the multilane highway 401 through Toronto.   This is well within the limits of any of the Enfield models ---even within their comfort zone for vibration and "all day long" endurance, (though I would say definitely pushing the Rebel's limits which would also be pretty skittish at such speeds or with passing transport truck air-wash) .  Now I will freely admit I have not had the chance to ride any of the Enfields.  I do however commute daily on a Honda Sabre 1100 , which though capable of 100 mph, I seldom push above 70:  for one thing I am just not in that much of a hurry, and for another , I don't need the tickets.
So as to the difference between Indian roads and ours, I would say that by and large that has more to do with potholes, and an equal argument could be made that are are far better suspended bikes than RE's for potholes in India.  The common factors globally are fuel prices, and human emotion.   In terms of motorcycles the last is probably the biggest.  Royal Enfields have that something that tugs at the emotions and passion.  The fact that they are road capable economical, and now much more affordable I think makes them very real contenders. I prefer the styling of the G 5, but would definitely be swayed to the T 500 just by the combination of the huge tank and incredible mileage.  As far as "cruiser vs standard" , whats in a name? Both are pretty much upright sitting. I kinda like the higher bars on the t 500. And I really like front and rear disk brakes.    Nigel


GreenMachine

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Reply #18 on: February 28, 2014, 03:57:52 pm
Why not try one of these..My wife has the carb cruiser model..The new ones are FI, under 4k and have close to 30 HP at the rear....They get excellent gas mileage and come in a variety of configurations....

http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/new_product/introduction.asp?Cat=StreetBike&model=GT250&year=2014

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Craig McClure

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Reply #19 on: February 28, 2014, 09:56:24 pm
I DON'T LIKE THE THUNDERBIRD. I know it's basically a UCE with EFI. Riding with forward pegs is goofy & very hard on the back, handling suffers, & you look like your sitting on the toilet. I don't like the seat or the aluminum junk behind it. Don't care for the rest of the surface gimmicks, or overall cosmetic styling. It's a WANNA BE SOMETHING ELSE BIKE to me, that looks like it was designed by a committee, to be more "Hip, Now & With It" & completely misses the point of prolonging something already excellent, that does not at all need a garish facelift. Why pander to the uninformed? Let them buy their own rattle can of paint. 
If I offended anyone, I'm only a slightly sorry.
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Royalista

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Reply #20 on: February 28, 2014, 11:52:00 pm
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #21 on: March 01, 2014, 12:34:39 am
I DON'T LIKE THE THUNDERBIRD. ... It's a WANNA BE SOMETHING ELSE BIKE to me, that looks like it was designed by a committee, to be more "Hip, Now & With It" & completely misses the point of prolonging something already excellent, that does not at all need a garish facelift. Why pander to the uninformed? Let them buy their own rattle can of paint. 
If I offended anyone, I'm only a slightly sorry.

I think that's a very limited view point.  The bike wasn't made for the US, it was made for India, and for many reasone in that country you can't go out and easily buy a Harley or Japanese clone we see everywhere in this country.  It's their style of cruiser.  It blends the heart and parts of the RE into their vision of the raked out, forward controls classic bike.  Not your style?  RE makes four other bikes.

Riding with forward pegs is goofy & very hard on the back, handling suffers, & you look like your sitting on the toilet.

I don't like forward controls and what a cruiser does to my back either.  I don't generally like the way cruisers handle or feel.  So I didn't buy one.  I also can't sit on most sport bikes for more than a few minutes without pain, so I don't have one of those either.  There are plenty of people out there who aren't uninformed, they just want something different from their motorcycle than I want from mine.  Some of them I really enjoy hanging out with, some I don't at all.

I really don't like the Thunderbird at all, so I move on with my day and don't really think about it.  If someone in this country wants one I don't feel the need to call them uninformed or tell them they'll look like they're sitting on the toilet.

Scott


JVS

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Reply #22 on: March 01, 2014, 01:05:29 am
I am not so sure about that.   I hear that comment a lot , and maybe for "superslab" freeways it is true,  but where I am from , the max speed on our roads is 100 kph (62 mph) even on the multilane highway 401 through Toronto.   This is well within the limits of any of the Enfield models. 

I seldom push above 70:  for one thing I am just not in that much of a hurry, and for another , I don't need the tickets.
So as to the difference between Indian roads and ours, I would say that by and large that has more to do with potholes, and an equal argument could be made that are are far better suspended bikes than RE's for potholes in India.  The common factors globally are fuel prices, and human emotion.

Yep, see, as long as the speed bike maintains about tops of 62mph/100kmh, they can be enjoyed. However, these speeds are probably around the max Indian commuters can reach on a proper 'highway' with enough room to stay at that speed for a decent amount of time. Otherwise, they will barely go faster than 30-70km/h in everyday situations because of the traffic and what not. Now, at these speeds, these engines can be enjoyed a lot and will last the owner for a long, long time (with great mileage). It can go all over India, including demanding terrains at low-moderate speeds and still keep a smile on the rider's face. Thus, the bike is almost perfect as a 'cruiser' for the typical Indian motorcycle rider.

But when it comes to speeds in US/Euro/Australia/NZ, I am sure the limits can reach 70mph in places. At these speeds, there isn't much torque left for the bike to do quick/evasive overtakes. Accelerating from the lights on an Enfield doesn't happen in a flash either. The bike makes you go through each of the 5 gears by the time you reach 40mph/64kmh. But it has quite a bit of torque when needed (or you make the bike go through its paces). But there's no point, at least on a stock UCE anyway.  A passionate rider will love it for what it is, but it will not be the cup of tea for commuters looking for some 'decent' amount of power.  The key will always be to stay in the slow lane and keep your distance, instead of going fast. And you know this  ;)

Also, I think that not all riders want to enjoy the ride for what it is, i.e. some may prefer speed/reaching destination as quickly as possible.

Just an extension of my previous post.
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gashousegorilla

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Reply #23 on: March 01, 2014, 02:37:50 am
  Speaking as an American Motorcyclist. With an American motorcyclists point of view.  The question of how would the Thunderbird sell here ? How would the cruiser market people receive it here?........  Not well IMHO.   Especially with it's small displacement for a cruiser.
  It may have some interest as a "beginners" bike for those who want a larger cruiser ?  But.... the Harley draw is huge here, and they now have a "beginners" bike.   Harley's Marketing and Mystic is enormous here.   I have a feeling.... because of the Thunderbirds styling, like many other "clones", it would be shunned here by many in the cruiser crowd.  Many.... not all...people who buy Clones here, Wind up selling their Clones to get the "real" thing,  through marketing, peer pressure , hype or whatever.  AND , the small displacement Clone cruiser market is not big here to begin with.

 Americans who go to brands like RE, Triumph, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Ural, and etc. Are generally looking for something different, and certainly not a Clone of what they don't want... for the most part I would think. 

 But, with all that said. America is a big place and I think they would sell some of them.  Some Enfield enthusiasts ?....  People who like the idea of having something different perhaps?  Like us !

 And not a perfect comparison now, but I don't think Triumph sells a huge amount of  Bonneville America's here?  A better analogy may be...... Trying to sell Pizza Hut or Domino's Pizza in Italy ?.... Juuuust not quite right some how ?  Keep it REal....... 



 

« Last Edit: March 01, 2014, 05:10:57 am by gashousegorilla »
An thaibhsí atá rattling ag an doras agus tá sé an diabhal sa chathaoir.


Royalista

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Reply #24 on: March 01, 2014, 07:17:08 pm
Right on the money Gashousegorilla.
Goes as well for Europe too, and I would dare to include Australia and New Zealand too. Because they lack the mystic of the vintage, as we know, csq knew, it.
There is a parallel in both perceptions, though.  ;)
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gashousegorilla

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Reply #25 on: March 02, 2014, 12:59:56 am
Right on the money Gashousegorilla.
Goes as well for Europe too, and I would dare to include Australia and New Zealand too. Because they lack the mystic of the vintage, as we know, csq knew, it.
There is a parallel in both perceptions, though.  ;)

  And I always thought french fries where ....... From France ?!   :o  Sheeesh.....  Americans   ::) ;)

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/belgian-fries/
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Royalista

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Reply #26 on: March 02, 2014, 01:27:23 am
Fun link.  :D
An alternate version claims the term french does not refer to a nation but is an archaic term describing the method of slicing the potatoe (or potato).  :-\

If you ever happen to be in Belgium skip the official museum frietmuseum in Bruges for the unofficial one in Antwerp. Probably the single Museum in the World where you are encouraged to take and enjoy your fries indoors.  ;D

Oh, and you eat them with carbonades (stewed meat), and a decent beer (choice of over 200). Deli  :-*
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gashousegorilla

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Reply #27 on: March 02, 2014, 01:38:27 am


Oh, and you eat them with carbonades (stewed meat), and a decent beer (choice of over 200). Deli  :-*


   That would be like... " Irish  Corned beef "  ::)  With fries, instead of red potatoes ? Ummmmmmm.  And over here I have recently discovered Leffe, which I like quite alot  :P
An thaibhsí atá rattling ag an doras agus tá sé an diabhal sa chathaoir.


gremlin

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Reply #28 on: March 02, 2014, 04:48:41 am
Why not try one of these..My wife has the carb cruiser model..The new ones are FI, under 4k and have close to 30 HP at the rear....They get excellent gas mileage and come in a variety of configurations....

http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/new_product/introduction.asp?Cat=StreetBike&model=GT250&year=2014

My wife has one as well. (GV250) metal skirted fenders, and, performance that rivals my B5.  she's very happy with it.
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #29 on: March 02, 2014, 03:50:37 pm
Fun link.  :D
An alternate version claims the term french does not refer to a nation but is an archaic term describing the method of slicing the potatoe (or potato).  :-\

If you ever happen to be in Belgium skip the official museum frietmuseum in Bruges for the unofficial one in Antwerp. Probably the single Museum in the World where you are encouraged to take and enjoy your fries indoors.  ;D

Oh, and you eat them with carbonades (stewed meat), and a decent beer (choice of over 200). Deli  :-*

French does refer to the cut of the potatoes, think French cut green beans, long thin pieces.  And I believe Belgians are credited with developing the twice fried cooking method.

There's a French fry museum???   There are two?????  Two more things added to my bucket list :)

Scott