Nandhi - My Bull. Review on Bullet ThunderBird

Hi All,

Owning this Bull since Sep-2005 in B'lore, by then the 2005 edition of ES/TB/Machismo were all just on the release and I think I might have been one of those early birds....

Before that owned an 1990 STD (2nd Hand) ...made some modifications to it and recklessly rode and again that bugger now is in Madras at a friends place... You just cant sell a bull...its like "Virasat"... You inherit it from Elders when you are ready and later pass it to an eligible heir and that goes on...

I dont drag within city limits..thats dangerous to others...so its always a duel on the highways and believe me with proper riding techniques all others are just kids...probably like young guns who would like to prove themselves to elders. I like their attitude but they just are not MAN enough....So when you mature riding and reach a "Seen it all, Done it all" stage... thats exactly when you admire one...

Why I bought this bike ? - Not out of passion...not out of preference... just coz Iam used to itI. I grew with it and started to ride it when I was in 7th grade ... Its a very easy bike to control and I know how to maintain it so when I think of a bike..... I think of a Bull and nothing else (all other's bycycles).

Decision was easy for me, just walked into the showroom and had a glance....Coz any bull would do...Took small test rides just to check the feel of bikes and I felt that Thunderbird gave me a bit taller stance than other Bulls and also it was 5 gears/electric start/disk brakes (By then it was only machismo and ES was still to come)...that was it...booked a Black ThunderBird.

I think it takes a relaxed and stable mind with a good physique to ride this beast. I’m 6"1 and weigh about 95kgs and didn't find even one apt bike to carry me in comfort and in safety....forget about style.

I made few a few modification's to this BULL as well,again the seating, side box, sproket/air filter and a little bit of other modifications as well, but not for the time being.

I dont think this bike looks strange but people do and also enjoy the comfort (I just dont care abt anybody...its my bull and my style)...As for my wife she can load anything on my bull and be taken in comfort where ever she says and when ever she says, the broad seat with a good back rest and she is very happy... Moreover she gets exited when somebody enquires abt the bike and enjoys all that attention that we get on the road. I'm used to it now :).

I took to long rides only after 6 months of city riding and after adhering to all preconditions and speed limitations. Nowadays its mostly with my wife as pillion.

Have done B'lore to Madras couple of times... Madras to Pondicherry, Madras to Chidambaram, Madras/B'lore to Tirupathi (so distance is between 180 km to 360 km). Bike is always comfortable and stable for cruising. Never made any extra preparation...just checked whether the weekend would be sunny and the regular air pressure, oil and petrol stuff. I am a sane rider and below 60 on a highway, bike seems to stroll and is happy when I do 70-90, keeps me happy as well...rather very very happy (mileage :)) )

Mileage is one thing which many onlookers ask me....I would say for my kinda riding its 40+ (City conditions) always... Initially between 1st and 2nd service it used to be 35 or so never below 32 or 33. Now on long rides with a pillion rider and some load (equivalent of a cabin bag 10 to 15 kilos) this gives me 44 to 47 which to me by any standard is amazing. My "Tiger" (previous bull gave me between 34 and 39 always).

Summing it all, Thunderbird's a great bike and can be converted to look like a family bike (else go for any other bull to give you that conservative look and keep that low profile).

Importantly it gives me a tall stance which somehow receives my attention all the time. 5G's are smooth (Always are...even my Tiger was smooth).... Mileage is also good.

Will recommend a bull to any aspiring young hot blood or a mature warm blood to go for this bike. And ride it atleast 5 to 10 years (atleast 5) before even commenting on it...I assure you will be a proud and well pleased owner.

Ride safely...

Cheers,

MJ