Review of Thunderbird Twinspark

Posted by JAWWAD

Thunderbird Twinspark is a stylish bike from Royal Enfield revolutionary Unit Construction Engine and is known for pleasurable riding experience. Thunderbird Twinspark is priced Rs1, 03,000 in (Ex-showroom) and was launched in 2008 in Chennai. The bike comes with the Twinspark feature and has a UCE engine that offer high power, torque, fast brakes and fuel efficiency.

The company Royal Enfield initially launched the Thunderbird model in 2001 and it expecting to sell around 5,000 units of the new bike. These high priced bikes are known for technological advancement and are environmental friendly, as they comply with stricter emission norms.

Look of the Thunderbird Twinspark

Thunderbird Twinspark bike has been launched in three monotone colors silver, red and black .The twin pod instrument cluster is placed with speedometer, RPM meter, odometer, fuel gauge, trip meter and the instrument panel is blue black in color that enables it to be clear even in sunlight and view mirrors shows the passing rider instead of vehicle at the rear.

Thunderbird Twinspark has the electric motor starter placed on the inner side of the engine and it helps the bike to have low wear and tear in mechanical parts and to reduce problems of sprag clutch. There are six clutch plates to reduce effort required for controlling clutches and riding is easy. Even kicking has been comforted by the auto de-compressor fitted with the engine of the bike.

Thunderbird Twinspark has the UCE features that enables it to pump oil at high pressures and have proper cooling, that increases fuel efficiency. The bike offers a mileage of 42kmpl on city roads and is easy to drive. You don’t feel vibrations at high speeds and even hard breaking from a high speeds makes the bike stable without vibration and stops the bike in seconds. The bike vibrates when you try to change gear in crowded area.

Engine and Power

Thunderbird Twinspark has a 350 cc UCE engine having twin spark feature. The engine produces 19.8 bhp @ 5250 rpm maximum power and 28 Nm @ 4000 rpm maximum torque. The twin spark badges can be seen on the side flanks and twinspark decal is found at the rear of the bike. The new engine of Thunderbird Twinspark is featured for efficient combustion that uses the hydraulic tappet and it helps the bike to have zero clearance of pushrod that helps it to have optimal valve timings.

The bike is equipped with an auto de – compressor that gets activated at 250rpm and helps the rider to start the engine without much effort.

Riding and Confort

The design of the bike is very attractive that has ergonomically designed high density foam seats. It is very comfortable to ride on the bike, in long distances in high speeds and the brakes are very quick and easy. The 19 inches tyre and gas charged suspension that are designed in away to offer lowest vibrations in the bike even in high speeds.

Although the kick lever is placed uncomfortably and if you hit clutch regularly in crowded areas it becomes bumpy. An oil window is also provided to check oil levels. A halogen lamp is provided in the bike that has a better life than the regular lamps and bike has foldable foot rest for easy parking in crowds. The bike is heavy 168kg machine and rear brake cable and chain is moved to right side of the bike. The bike has heat shield on silencer and a large CV carburetor BS-29.

Features of Thunderbird Twinspark

• 350 cc UCE engine with Twin spark
• Engine: Single cylinder, 4 Stroke, OHV, Dual spark ignition engine, air – cooled
• Power: 19.8 bhp @ 5250 rpm and Torque: 28 Nm @ 4000 rpm
• 280mm disc-front brake and 150mm drum-rear brake for instant stop
• Heat shield on silencer
• Rear gas filled shock absorber
• Fuel tank capacity: 15.5Liters and Fuel Efficiency: between 45 and 50kmpl

Positive and negative specifications of Thunderbird Twinspark

Attractions of the Thunderbird Twinspark

• Twin sparks engine that offers high power and speed
• Bike has internal gear and clutches
• Hydrolic tappet adjustment system is present
• Low vibrations in high speed
• Bike has quick powerful brakes
• Stylish looking comfortable bike for long distance traveling
• Electric motor starter is present and an electronic flasher is present it the bike
• Bike has multi focal reflector for easy tracking
• This is a high power fast bike that gives top speed of 102kmh and mileage of 42 kmpl

Problems found in Thunderbird Twinspark

• The bike is heavy and costly
• Bike is equipped with 6 plate clutches and engine pickup is sometimes not very smooth.
• In low speed and in crowds, on hitting clutches, it gets less comfortable to drive.
• Mirrors do not show the rear vehicle.
• Handle position is differently made.
• Bike can be equipped with long route accessories and have more choices for colors.
• Technology is dominating too much in this bike.
• Bike needs extreme care and kick lever is placed differently.
• You can even get low fuel efficiency and leakage kind of regular problems in this bike.

Cost:

The new Thunderbird Twinspark will be available for around Rs.105940/- on road.