Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark - TBTS
For the Royal Enfield, the Thunderbird Twinspark is a big technological leap and is seen as the important product. Also the twinspark engine will help the Bullet maker to comply stricter emission norms.
The TBTS is the same old Thunderbird in design and styling. Just two twinspark badges on the side flanks and a twinspark decal on the rear side are added. There is no UCE (Unit Construction engine) badge or a sticker on the Thunderbird Twinspark.
Special features of the thunderbird twinspark engine
- Royal Enfield Thunderbird’s new UCE (unit construction engine) adopts the superior twin spark technology for better combustion characteristics.
- Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark becomes the first Royal Enfield product in india to come with an integrated engine.
- The new integrated engine in the Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark employs six clutch plates for reduced clutch lever effort and hence stress free riding.
- Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark integrated engine has auto de-compressor which eases your kicking. Royal enfield has made sure that customers find it easy to start a Royal Enfield.
- Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark uses hydraulic tappet which helps to maintain zero clearance of pushrod at all engine operating conditions enabling uniform valve timing.
New Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark = Reduced Transmission
Losses, Lower Friction, Lower Maintenance, Higher Reliability.
Changes in the new Thunderbird twinspark
Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark -> totally redesigned head for the additional spark plug.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark -> New crankcase.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark -> Unitary construction for the engine with integrated gearbox.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark -> standardized Gear shifter and brake positions.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark -> Halogen lamp for fuss free riding at night.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark -> better clutch to handle extra power from the engine.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark -> Hydraulic tappets for precise valve timing and control.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark (TBTS) - What is Twinspark ?
Twin Spark (TS) technology was used first time in Alfa Romeo car in 1914. In the early 1960s it was used in their race cars to enable it to achieve a higher power output from its engines. And in the early and middle 1980s, Alfa Romeo incorporated this technology into their road cars to enhance their performance and to comply with stricter emission controls.
The two sparks on the Twin Spark engines fire at the same time per cylinder and this makes the fuel mixture burn faster than single plug ignition because it is fired from 2 different places simultaneously. So less ignition advance could be used and also leaner mixtures could be burned.
SOME CRAZY COMPARISONs.
Note: It is MAD to compare apples with oranges but both are fruits so we shall compare them. Please note that we have the experience of riding all the bikes we compare here, we hope you gain from our thoughts.
1) Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark vs Yamaha R15
Points to remember while comparing TBTS vs R15:
- Both are good, cost almost the same, TBTS is a cruiser R15 is a racer !
- R15 is high rev engine, TBTS has low rev. (for same power).
- R15 has plastic, TBTS has chrome + solid metal.
- which means… R15 is light, TBTS is heavy (but looks great).
- R15 gears (no false neutral), TBTS has good gears (some false neutrals but no problem really :-))
- R15 body is breakable - punch the faring and see it come off ! ( The R15 starts to look old soon )
- In Indian condition, R15 full faring is good house for dirt and dust.
- RE Chrome shines like new even after many years.
If you have not got the point yet, please note that we do love the Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark TBTS more than the yamaha R15, the Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark is good value for money and will be a good companion for a long long time. On the other hand, sports bike like kawasaki Ninja will soon intimidate the R15 in India but there is no alternative to a Royal Enfield and last but not the least, it is made in INDIA.
2) Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark vs Yamaha FZ16
Points to remember while comparing TBTS vs FZ16:
- FZ16 is a cheaper bike, good value for money - it is a great selling point.
- FZ16 is better to handle in traffic than TBTS (better commuter bike).
- Both look good, but TBTS looks special with all the chrome.
- FZ16 has awesome tyres - much better than TBTS.
- FZ16 is low on maintenance.
etc..etc..etc.. point is that if you want a simple commuter bike - FZ16 is the right choice - but if you want to have some fun, it takes more than 150cc to get that trippin feeling.
Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark is a COOL bike for The MAN.
Once upon a time, Indian customer had the complaint about the step-motherly treatment of Royal Enfield as it used to launch new products overseas grossly ignoring the domestic market. While, the 500cc bikes in EFI and twin-spark variants are in good demand abroad, the 350 models had to stop selling due to stringent emission norms abroad. Now they have decided to introduce a twin-spark set up with the smaller 350cc engine codenamed as TBTS or Thunderbird Twin-Spark.
TBTS is a winsome bike which would give us a delightful riding experience. The new model was launched in 2008 in Chennai and it operated on the UCE (Unit Construction Engine) coupled with the twin spark that churns out high power and torque with fuel efficiency. This high end bike is known for technological advancement and environment friendly qualifying the stricter emission norms.
Design And Comfort : Thunderbird Twin-spark comes in different shades of color with many striking features. 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 which remains clear even in sunlight. 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.
There are six clutch plates to reduce effort required for controlling clutches and riding is easy. The twin spark badges can be seen on the side flanks and twinspark decal is found at the rear of the bike. It has multi focal reflector to do the job of easy tracking. It is a good looking standard bike suitable for the long distance travels.
Ride And Handling : The high density ergonomically designed seats are very comfortable and serve a wonderful ride. The brakes are very quick and appropriate for the long distance journey. The 19 inches tyre and gas charged suspension are meant to restrict vibrations even in high speeds. Kick lever appears to be a blotch in this cool looking bike and is placed unfriendly with the user. In crowded areas, it becomes bumpy when we have to arrest clutch regularly.
An oil window is also provided to check oil levels. The bike now sports a better life halogen lamp than the formerly regular ones. Thunderbird Twinspark has the UCE features which would enable to pump oil at high pressures and give proper cooling to increase fuel efficiency. The new and much improved T'bird is definitely faster, smoother and more efficient than its earlier version. By shifting the brake linkage to the right side, the rear braking too has been sorted out. It comes to a halt from the top speed with good stability. But it is not so when we try to change the gear in the crowd now and then.
Thunderbird TwinSpark Photos
