Author |
Message |
Jaimec
| Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2018 - 10:01 am: |
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The two new Royal Enfield twins reviewed: http://tinyurl.com/y9vlvyzc I really like the fact they're not BURIED in techno-gee-whiz features. I really don't understand the current move to create motorcycles so powerful you need all kinds of computer controls to keep you from killing yourself. I'm hoping these bikes sell well and start a trend towards more "friendly" motorcycles. Knock out all the electronic crap and you can keep the costs down, too. Thoughts? |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2018 - 10:15 am: |
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I think a lot of people feel that way. We can't keep Groms in stock. Price point has a LOT to do with it as well - people simply don't want to pay. Pull the IMU and all the electronics, you can drop the price and appeal to more buyers. |
Mnscrounger
| Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2018 - 11:01 am: |
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Those were on display at the IMS last time it was here. Including a 650 twin Himalaya. I was really impressed with the look of the Continental, and the promise of a smoother power delivery than the big singles. I don't know what the weight of this new 650 is, but the right setup would be a truer scrambler than Ducati or Triumph's. (I rode Triumph Scrambler a couple years ago and it felt HEAVY). I'm no expert on build quality, but the workmanship on welds, machined surfaces and edges, paint,and chrome on the show bikes was certainly good enough for my money. I want them to succeed just so they can eat into Hero's market share, (but I'm not bitter.) |
Strokizator
| Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2018 - 11:00 pm: |
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Nice looking bike with underwhelming components. 45hp from a 650? Both Kawasaki and Yamaha are getting 67hp measured at the rear wheel. Similar deficiency with torque but probably due to the low compression ratio so it'll run on junk gasoline. They'll sell a boatload of them and I won't criticize anyone's purchasing decisions. Just my 2 cents (which in Canada is rounded down to zero). |
Slaughter
| Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2018 - 11:59 pm: |
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They MUST overcome the reliability question. |
Pwnzor
| Posted on Friday, October 05, 2018 - 06:38 am: |
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See... this look appeals to me...
...BUT... what Slaughter and Strokizator said. |
Jaimec
| Posted on Friday, October 05, 2018 - 06:58 am: |
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45hp from a 650 tells me the engine is under-stressed so it'll probably last. Reliability is certainly a big question mark BUT I also suspect these bikes are very USER serviceable, which is something you really can't say about most other modern motorcycles. |
Natexlh1000
| Posted on Friday, October 05, 2018 - 08:54 am: |
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I would love a Himalayan thumper. I'm too broke even to afford that! The amount of money it costs to get twins through daycare is STAGGERING. |
Chauly
| Posted on Friday, October 05, 2018 - 09:02 am: |
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Ratbuell, What's the dealer you work at? |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Friday, October 05, 2018 - 09:27 am: |
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Twigg Cycles in Hagerstown |
Sifo
| Posted on Friday, October 05, 2018 - 09:43 am: |
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45hp from a 650 tells me the engine is under-stressed so it'll probably last. Hard to say. I'm sure it was engineered with a power level in mind. It could simply have smaller bearing journals, and cheaper materials throughout, to keep costs down. Reliability is certainly a big question mark BUT I also suspect these bikes are very USER serviceable, which is something you really can't say about most other modern motorcycles. I have to agree with liking the user serviceability part. I really dislike vehicles that loose a big part of their value because they are almost due for a certain service interval. |
Jaimec
| Posted on Friday, October 05, 2018 - 11:01 am: |
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Modern bikes (like modern cars) are putting the small service station owners under a lot of stress. Most of them now require proprietary computer diagnostic equipment and sometimes a lot more electronic knowledge (also, often a closely-guarded proprietary secret) than a generic shop can afford thus forcing you into brand-specific dealerships for service. Right-to-Repair suits are becoming more and more commonplace because the manufacturers are trying to use DRM as justification for requiring a licensed dealership to work on their products. If you own a Harley or a Honda very likely you won't have to worry much about finding a servicing dealer but other brands? Not so much. Bikes like Royal Enfield and Ural are looking more and more attractive to THIS aging curmudgeon every day... |
Mnscrounger
| Posted on Friday, October 05, 2018 - 11:22 am: |
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"45hp from a 650? Both Kawasaki and Yamaha are getting 67hp measured at the rear wheel" True, but compared to the Suzuki S40's 31HP that's a lot more power for similar money, and it comes with the smoothness and music of a parallel twin. The RE's might be a bit heavier, but I think one would be a longer stable resident than the two Savages my wife rode. |
Tootal
| Posted on Friday, October 05, 2018 - 12:34 pm: |
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I'll never forget my friend Bill that ran the shop at BMW Motorrad. He had a stroke so he retired but he was still getting around. I ran into him one day and we were talking BMW's of course. He asked why I wasn't riding a BMW and I told him I rode one and hated the new "electric" brakes. He explained how great they were and how you just need to get used to them etc. etc. After that he told me he got a new bike. Which model did you get? (assuming he bought a BMW) Then he said he bought a Triumph twin! His reason was it's just simpler! I've had two friends own used Royal Enfield's and both had problems and both paid money to fix them and they ended up worse! That was a few years ago but still, buyer beware. |
Jaimec
| Posted on Friday, October 05, 2018 - 02:37 pm: |
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Yeah, those electric brakes were the single DUMBEST idea BMW ever came up with. Took them long enough to see the light. |
Chauly
| Posted on Friday, October 05, 2018 - 03:30 pm: |
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Joe, I'll have to stop by and say Hey! |