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Nov 20, 2008

11 Royal Enfield launches Thunder Bird Twin Spark in India

Royal Enfield launches the Thunder Bird TwinSpark with a 350 cc Unit Construction Engine..

This post (and a few more in the coming days) is meant to chronicle the launch of motorcycle(s) in India between May-Oct 2008 (the period during which "The Bike Chronicles of India" was briefly inactive)..

On June 18, 2008; Royal Enfiled officially launched the "Thunderbird Twinspark" in India. Priced at around Rs. 98,000 (On Road New Delhi), it is one of the costliest models of Royal Enfield in India.


Royal Enfield 350cc Thunderbird Twinspark

So what is new in the "Thunderbird Twinspark"..??

    1. It is the first Royal Enfield model in India to feature the "Unit Construction Engine" (U.C.E).

    2. The U.C.E engine of the Thunderbird Twinspark features two spark plugs for its single cylinder engine.


How is the "Unit Construction Engine" different from the traditional Royal Enfield Engines?

    A. Traditional Royal Enfield engines have the clutch assembly and gear box are separate and bolted on to the engine. UCE means the engine, clutch and gear box are in a single compact unit.


What advantage does the UCE engine have over the traditional Royal Enfield engines?

    A. According to Royal Enfield, The UCE means that the bike has 20 per cent less moving parts, better combustion, more mileage and better lubrication.

    Apart from that the UCE engine of the Thunderbird Twinspark also features a Glass window on the engine to check the engine oil level, an automatic decompressor to make kick starting the engine easier, a lighter clutch (thanks to new springs and new 6 plate construction and a newly designed saddle.


Does the Twinspark design of the UCE infringe upon the DTS-i (Digital Twin Spark Plug Ignition) of Bajaj Auto?

    A. According to Royal Enfield, "We understand that Bajaj Auto’s patent is for an engine displacement between 75cc to 250cc. The engine displacement on the Thunderbird Twinspark is in the range of 350cc and above".


Royal Enfield 350cc Thunderbird Twinspark


According to Road test by Bike India magazine:

    "the engine felt much smoother and responsive. A twin-spark setup means complete combustion of fuel which lends a punchier throttle response in addition to other advantages..."


Thunderbird TwinSpark

    "At the end of the 60-70km ride, the new and much improved T’bird is definitely faster, smoother and efficient than its previous avatar. By shifting the brake linkage to the right side, the rear braking too has been sorted out. A new halogen lamp means better illumination at night..."



New Print Ad Campaign for the Thunderbird Twinspark:


Thunderbird Twinspark, Leave Home Ad Campaign

One thing that I would love to do on the Thunderbird Twinspark, is to get rid of the "Bazooka" like long exhaust and replace it with the normal shorter Royal Enfield Bullet exhaust..

Following the launch of the Thunderbird Twinspark, Royal Enfield has come of with a new Ad Campaign for the Thunderbird Twinspark. The theme of the new ad campaign is "Leave Home".. which according to me has hit the sweetspot..!!

In a way the campaign says.. "Grow up..!! Get a Royal Enfield and hit the road..!!"

The new UCE engine of the Thunderbird Twinspark looks like a modern unit and kind of reminds you of the "Triumph Bonneville".

One thing that I would love to do on the Thunderbird Twinspark, is to get rid of the "Bazooka" like long exhaust and replace it with the normal shorter Royal Enfield Bullet exhaust not just for aesthetic reasons but also for getting a punchier exhaust note. Now only if Royal Enfield could do something with the "UGLY" kick level..!!




Tech Specs: The Thunderbird Twinspark makes 19.8 bhp max power and 28 Nm of max torque.


  • Engine: Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, OHV, Dual Spark Ignition Engine, Aircooled

  • Displacement: 346 CC

  • Bore x Stroke: 70mm x 90mm

  • Maximum Power: 19.8 bhp @ 5250 rpm

  • Maximum Torque: 28 Nm @ 4000 rpm

  • Transmission: 5 Speed

  • Ignition: Electronic TCI

  • Carburetor: BS29 / UCAL


  • Dimensions

  • Ground Clearance: 135 mm

  • Width: 780 mm

  • Wheel Base: 1370 mm

  • Length: 2120 mm

  • Height: 1080 mm


  • Tyres

  • Front: 3.25 x 19", 6/4 PR

  • Rear: 3.5 x 19", 6/4 PR


  • Electricals

  • Electrical System: 12 Volts

  • Head lamp: 12V, 35W/35W Halogen, MFR


  • Brakes

  • Front: Hydraulic Disc Brake (Disc dia 280mm)

  • Rear: Mechanical, Drum Brake, Single Lead (Dia 152.4 mm or 6" drum brake)


  • Suspension

  • Front: Tele Scopic With Hydraulic Damping. Stroke 130mm.

  • Rear: Swing arm With Gas Shock Absorbers



Visit the Royal Enfield Website to know more.. click here



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Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.




11 Comments:

Sajal said...

A friend of mine is dying to get his hands on the bike and own one!!

Personally even I'm not a very big follower of Royal Enfields but still I feel it's one of the best machines available in India ... Royal and Classy!!!

Payeng said...

@Sajal,

I personally like the classic styled models of Royal Enfield more than the thunderbird..

Anonymous said...

they should have stretched it a lil bit

Anonymous said...

The TB2spark chugs like a toy steam-boat. No royal thump sound. Performance is cool, but who buys a RE for performance? I sure didn't.

GAGAN PREET SINGH said...

TB has certainly targeted those people, who are generally a no-go for a bullet, better performance and lesser maintenance advocates for this very fact.

Anonymous said...

stretch it a bit, change the oil tank and fill up the empty spaces around engine

Anonymous said...

THIRD BIRD IS PRIDE OF BIKES FAMILY - KULDEEP SINGH KAKKAR

GAGAN PREET SINGH said...

TB has certainly targeted those people, who are generally a no-go for a bullet, better performance and lesser maintenance advocates for this very fact.

tripaam said...

I like TB2Spark than other model based on look. I wander, is it suitable bike for a body height of 5'4'' person. All my fiends suggest it isn't good choice for me. Still i want to go for it.

Anonymous said...

fucking awesome

Vs Bharat Nadar said...

Super mileage

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