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. The 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 (0-81089 01786) 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.