50,000+ km that’s what the speedometer was showing and it was time for Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark 350 service though as per the owner’s manual 51,000 km was the correct time but I thought let’s go for service a little early because self-start was again not working nor horn was at its best.

But this time not at Sharda Motors and Sons (Goregaon, Mumbai) because I wanted to check the service difference between Royal Enfield Authorized Service Centre and the non-official service centre.

I selected Ishna Wheels at Nehru Nagar, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai. Ishna is Royal Enfield Authorized Service Centre.

Upon reaching the service centre I was requested to make an appointment. The mobile number was provided.

I dialled and tomorrow’s appointment at 10 am was fixed.

Thank you – said I.

Tomorrow – the service centre opens at 9:30 am. I reached at 9:45 am.

Jesu – The service advisor was present at the counter.

I told him I have an appointment for a motorbike service.

He inspected the motorbike thoroughly pressed a few keys on his tablet and requested to check mobile as an SMS was sent.

I checked my mobile – There was an SMS regarding the cost estimate for the service – Rs. 2849.92. Now it was up to me to go for service or not.

Ok – not too much – km driven is 50,000 plus – just a happy thought.

I told Jesu – the self-start is not working…horn also a few times not working though the neutral light on the cockpit is showing perfect green light. Please note: I have changed the battery recently, so I hope there is no battery issue.

He said – Don’t worry, we will check everything and if there is a self-start issue and horn issue we will inform you via mobile.

Ok – said I.

He requested to leave the motorbike and by evening the motorbike will be serviced. You will be informed by mobile call.

Ok – said I.

I gave the motorbike key to Jesu and started walking home.

In the evening hours, I got a mobile call from Jesu.

He said – self-start is perfectly fine, and the horn is also ok. The only issue was with the battery as it was not fully charged and some wiring issues. We have sorted out all the issues and the battery is on-charge. It will take 5-6 hours for the battery to be completely charged so you come tomorrow morning only.

OK – said I.

I drive only 10 km daily maximum since last almost a year because of the pandemic. So that may be the reason for the battery to not fully charged.

The next day, morning hours I visited Ishna again.

Jesu was present. He welcomed and handed over the motorbike. I was requested to pay the service amount.

Total amount – Rs. 2832.38.

Amount paid. A service Pre Invoice was provided which includes taxes.

I was very happy. I check the Invoice and below are the part description and labour description:

Chain Lubrication & Cleaning, Carburettor & Throttle Body Cleaning, Engine Oil Change, Oil Filter with O Ring Kit, Sump Drain Cap Assy., O Ring-Drain Cap, O-Ring Cap Oil Filter, Copper Washer, Tappet Cover, Filter Gauze Washer Copper, Strap Battery, R&R Front Brake Shoes/Pads(inclusive of wheel removal for drum brake), Paid Service, Wiring Harness Troubleshooting and Washing. That’s it.

Jesu showed Switch Module or you can say Handle Bar Switch was loose. The lock was broken but it was not available with them.

Now the question is:

What’s the difference between Royal Enfield Authorized Service Centre and a non-official Service Centre?

Almost nothing as per knowledge.

Authorized Service centres are much bigger in space than non-official service centres. Authorized Service Centre at one-time service 6 or 7 motorbikes and non-official service less number of motorbikes.

Authorized Service centres are much more organized and one has to take a prior-appointment but as per experience at a non-official service centre you may visit any time and after a few minutes wait you can get your motorbike issues solved.

Authorized Service Centre have their own parts store and non-official service centre as per experience also have RE original parts available nowadays.

Authorized Service Centre have motorbike washing facility but as per experience, non-official service centre does not have a washing facility. So once the motorbike is ready, one has to visit the washing centre to get the motorbike cleaned. And that cost you Rs. 150 extra.

Authorized Service Centre provide invoice and as per experience non-official service centre also provides an invoice.

Authorized Service Centre motorbike mechanics are good with their skills and the same with non-official service centre.

Non-official service centres provide roadside assistance within a few km with charges if the motorbike is broken-down and the Authorized Service Centre also provides the same facility if one has registered for RE road-side assistance for Rs. 1000 per year – valid till 5th year since the motorbike purchased.

To be honest, as per experience, I found both Authorized Service Centre and non-official service centre excellent. I called Sharda Motors and Sons (Goregaon, Mumbai) for Switch Module and it was available with them for Rs. 280.

So what I want to say is: you have to be on good terms and trust with both centres. You have to keep balance.

When I was in Rishikesh, I have taken motorbike service with an Authorized as well as a non-official service centre and I found both equally good.

In short, it depends how your terms and trust with both types of service centres. I suggest, if you want your motorbike to be always fit and fine then do not think too much of money spent on repair and service. Think only about your motorbike’s running condition.

Finally, as per experience: you may visit Authorized Service Centre or may visit a non-official service centre but visit only those service centres that are only into Royal Enfield motorbike service & spares though there are some exceptions.

Here I request Royal Enfield two things – 1. Please display spare parts with rates on your website. And 2. Please provide paid all India roadside assistance no matter which model RE motorbike is, because sometimes on city/town roads or especially on highways, motorbikes broke down and then there is a big problem for a rider.

Note: Royal Enfield has a roadside assistance facility at this toll-free number – 1800 2100 007. But it is FREE for the first year and from the 2nd year till the 5th year, they provide roadside assistance for Rs. 1000 per year, which is a very less amount.

After 5th year Royal Enfield does not provide roadside assistance which I don’t appreciate. That means we should sell the motorbike when it reached 5 years. Correct?

Hope after the pandemic, I will restart the journey via another mode of transport if not the RE motorbike.

50,000 km – that’s what the speedometer was showing and it was time to change the battery of Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350. Self-start was not working. Horn was not working. Neutral light on the cockpit or you can say Ignition green light, was also not at its full glow.

It’s more than a year or two since I changed the battery.

Sharda Motors – The one who always takes care of the motorbike, after inspection suggested changing the battery. Though Sharda Motors and Sons (Goregaon, Mumbai) is not an official Royal Enfield service center still I am happy with their motorbike service & repair. They do service & repair only for Royal Enfield motorbikes.

This is the fourth time (including the first battery with the brand new motorcycle – Exide MX Freedom – warranty 12 months) I am changing the battery since the motorbike was purchased in the year 2010.

10 years journey. Almost like yesterday only I started the journey.

Anyway, two times I have purchased Exide battery, and one time it was Amaron, if, I remember correctly.

This time Exide battery for Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 was not available in the market. I tried hard to find out if any dealer/distributor has any Exide or any other make battery available for RE Thunderbird 350 but the reply was – No.

I contacted Justdial to SMS contact numbers of motorcycle battery dealers/distributors. They send the numbers but again after dialing the reply was – No.

Then I got a call from IndiaMART and they provided the number of MALLIK POWER from Ghatkopar, Mumbai. I contacted them. The person on the line said – Yes, we have the battery for Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350.

How much does the cost? – I question.

3200 – He said.

Costly – I said.

But then he said – it’s EXIDE Xplore, 14 Ah and with 48 months warranty.

That’s interesting – I thought.

My question – Do you visit home to change the battery? Because the bike is not well in running condition.

He said – Yes.

And what about the old battery exchange price?

Rs. 200 – He said.

I said – fine. In the year 2012 when I changed the battery (Exide Bikerz with 15 months warranty for Rs. 2,400), the old battery replacement cost I got was Rs. 180 only. So that means I have to pay only Rs. 3000. I was happy because finally, I got the battery which is 14 Ah and with 48 months warranty, and during a google search I found the price shown by the results was high. I told them to visit home and change the battery. The person reached within one hour and changed the battery.

Rs. 3000 was paid and the old battery was handed over.

They gave me the warranty card and the Tax Invoice. The motorbike was working fine.

Thanks to IndiaMART and thanks to Mallik Power. I was very happy after lots of calls were done/received.

Now it’s time to restart the journey but the pandemic is there.

Maybe after a few months.