The Hindu Business Line : Check out for Royal Enfield Thunderbird

I recently met with an accident and the right rear tail lamp panel of my car is broken. Is it possible to change the panel alone or will I have to change the whole light assembly. Can I go in for locally available parts? Will they be of the same quality as the ones available in the showroom?

Pradip Krishnamoorthy

Most passenger car tail-lamp assemblies will look like a cluster of small, individual panels that have been put together. But if you look carefully, the differently coloured plexiglass panels for the brake light, turn and reversing indicators are all fused together to form the tail-lamp assembly.

So, in most cars, changing just one panel or a portion of the tail-lamp assembly will not be possible. It used to be possible with HM Ambassador's oval rear light cluster, but almost all modern cars come with fused units, which are also designed to keep away moisture and dirt. Any damage to the rear lights will require your changing the whole tail-lamp assembly.

Unauthorised company workshops abound in most cities. You may also find multi-brand components dealers in your city who may be able to offer you these types of parts right off the shelf. But the price differential between fitting it at the dealership or a company-authorised workshop is likely to be negligible. The risk involved with handling the car's wiring hardly needs emphasis. Further, if you intend claiming an insurance refund for the damage that will not be possible if you choose an unauthorised workshop.

I am around 6 feet 2 inches tall and plan to buy a new bike soon. I tend to get backache after long rides. Cruisers have always been my hot favourite but I really don't know which one to choose. I have narrowed my search to the Yamaha Enticer and the Bajaj Avenger. Are there other bikes which would suit me?

Vivek Damodaran

Cruisers are preferred for the great, comfortable ride position they offer. Low-slung, they offer a cosy seating position that makes the rider feel cosseted. Not surprising, in most cruisers the rider is actually closer to the centre of gravity of the bike than in any other type of two-wheeler. That is also partly why cruisers are easier to handle and comfortable even on long drives.

Both the bikes that you have mentioned can only mimic the feel of a cruiser. And between the two, the Yamaha Enticer, though much cheaper, has a poorer finish and a lower powered engine. The Bajaj Avenger, on the other hand, has a much better finish and a more powerful 180cc, 16.5 bhp engine. The suspension in the Avenger is also better with the longest travel 140mm telescopic suspension in the front and a five-way adjustable, triple rate spring hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear.

By design, cruisers are less demanding on the rider's shoulders and elbows. They are not necessarily better than other types of bikes in terms of reducing the strain on the rider's back. You may have to recheck the cause for your back pain before making the purchase decision. That said, while the Bajaj Avenger may be a good choice, you may also want to check out the Royal Enfield Thunderbird, as it will be able to offer you a better rider posture.

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