[arielguy]

Originally Posted by timuseravan

Am I missing something here? How is this different from the Thunderbird X?
Have they just renamed the bike?

Check the engine. the clutch is on the right side and the timing case
is on the left a la interceptor. The fuel tank is shaped like a harley tank. It has twin down tubes. Biggest change is it has OHC engine. How did you miss all this?

[arielguy]

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

This looks like a cartoon . The original meteor looks so classy . Wish they launch the constellation with the same old look and the twin engine.

Constellation? How many RE owners have seen a Constellation outside of a classic and vintage bike show? Even if they have seen it will they buy it? Not a chance. If the Interceptor is not selling how will the constellation?

The Interceptor was introduced having the 'OLD LOOK' i.e. like a bike from the 60s but sales was found to be poor. Only a small number of enthusiasts bought it. RE expected all the Classic lovers to dump their classic and buy the interceptor but it did not happen. The truth is that the die hard classic lover boys (in India) want only a slow noisy-exhaust thumper not a modern and fast twin cyl bike like the interceptor. ( I read somewhere that the Interceptor is selling well in UK and Europe but has poor sales in India).

That is why RE has designed the new Fireball like a modern Thunderbird and not as a retro. They hv realised that buyers who love retros are too small in number in India to make a profit. So they are catering to all the youngsters in India who buy classics and thunderbirds by designing a look alike Thunderbird with a modern single cyl engine.

[Frankenstein]

Not many know the Interceptor also . The Interceptor is an old look which our mass has not seen, they want the Bullet look .Compared to the Interceptor , the Constellation looks more butch on the lines of the Bullet or even better with the casquette etc . Instead of using and wasting that name Meteor for a cartoon , they could have developed a low cost version with a 500 twin or 350 twin . Thunderbird and all is fine, but why did they waste meteor name , they did justice to the Interceptor name but Meteor is just a joke. What next , put some stickers and call it Super Meteor.

We need a long stroke twin to appeal to the masses . Interceptor i feel is an old Triumph copy . Attaching pic of the Meteor and Constellation from the net.

[rajshenoy]

Perhaps the most detailed leak by RE yet on meteor. Slides are very crisp and full of details, so I am sure these are official. Overall this looks very promising for RE and a sub 2L price can set cash registers ringing

https://youtu.be/87sJdeNLsa0

[amrutmhatre90]

Some info from a insider. The name indeed is Meteor. Will be launching on 6th Oct.

[chefvikas]

Looks very cool to me. I am on the fence about getting a new bike after having sold my 11 year old 350 Standard - the last batch of such REs made. Wondering if they're thinking of some nice pastel shades such as the ones on the Java. Galactic Green on those is so classy.

[R.G]

As per the rumour and update from @amrutmhatre90 the launch should happen in 2 days ( Oct 6th ) .

I was unable to find any live event details from royalenfield site either : https://www.royalenfield.com/in/en/our-world/media/

Any tbhp-ian with updates on the launch ?

Also , this thread has got no updates after 22nd September. I felt a vibe of excitement and anticipation among the bikers in this community on the new RE launch , which for some strange reason is not reflecting in this thread . what gives ?

[MadTitan]

Originally Posted by R.G

As per the rumour and update from @amrutmhatre90 the launch should happen in 2 days ( Oct 6th ) .

I was unable to find any live event details from royalenfield site either : https://www.royalenfield.com/in/en/our-world/media/

Any tbhp-ian with updates on the launch ?

Also , this thread has got no updates after 22nd September. I felt a vibe of excitement and anticipation among the bikers in this community on the new RE launch , which for some strange reason is not reflecting in this thread . what gives ?

Probably the lack of promotion from RE and the launch of Honda's CB350 stole the thunder from the Meteor launch.
Also, the "leaks" on the design has received mixed opinions, so some are anyways not keen on the Meteor.

[rajshenoy]

Originally Posted by R.G

As per the rumour and update from @amrutmhatre90 the launch should happen in 2 days ( Oct 6th ) .

I was unable to find any live event details from royalenfield site either : https://www.royalenfield.com/in/en/our-world/media/

Any tbhp-ian with updates on the launch ?

Also , this thread has got no updates after 22nd September. I felt a vibe of excitement and anticipation among the bikers in this community on the new RE launch , which for some strange reason is not reflecting in this thread . what gives ?

Simple, Honda stole the limelight with a masterstroke.
Now RE must be working on changed strategy which mainly includes pricing as well. If they launch at a lower price, it will cannibalize their own hot seller classic 350 which is still running on old platform. Honda has set the ceiling already with 1.9L(estimate) So that's very little breathing space.

RE must be waiting for honda to start delivering so that the price is frozen and potential weak points come out in public domain (real world reviews).

However, expecting a launch by Oct end and with their wide dealerships, RE can reach to wider audience in no time.

[neil.jericho]

Originally Posted by rajshenoy

Simple, Honda stole the limelight with a masterstroke.
Now RE must be working on changed strategy which mainly includes pricing as well. If they launch at a lower price, it will cannibalize their own hot seller classic 350 which is still running on old platform. Honda has set the ceiling already with 1.9L(estimate) So that's very little breathing space.

RE must be waiting for honda to start delivering so that the price is frozen and potential weak points come out in public domain (real world reviews).

However, expecting a launch by Oct end and with their wide dealerships, RE can reach to wider audience in no time.

If Royal Enfield doesnt take away sales of their own bikes, Honda most definitely will! Diwali is just over a month away, RE cant afford to keep waiting and watching. Honda has put most of their cards on the table. RE should just go ahead with the Meteor launch with test rides in all their dealerships and get deliveries out in time for our festive season.

[rajshenoy]

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

If Royal Enfield doesnt take away sales of their own bikes, Honda most definitely will! Diwali is just over a month away, RE cant afford to keep waiting and watching. Honda has put most of their cards on the table. RE should just go ahead with the Meteor launch with test rides in all their dealerships and get deliveries out in time for our festive season.

Totally agree, however there is absolute silence from RE on this. Now is the time for RE to come out all guns blazing, as all those who deferred purchases due to BS6 and later covid will eventually go shopping during festivals.

[ebonho]

Junta should hold off on putting cash down for the Honda right now.

RE is a savvy company with a savvy CEO and senior leadership.

I am near 100% sure that Honda will be forced to cut its anounced price to move it's inventory 3-6 months down the line.

And existing first lot buyers will feel short changed ...

Cheers, Doc

[rajushank84]

I think it is a matter of pricing. RE should go in with at least 25K price difference, with the Meteor / Bullet / equivalent models coming in at least that much cheaper than the H'ness 350. Because Honda being Honda commands at least that 10% more of brand value, for reputation they've built in terms of reliability.

If RE does that one one hand and slashes prices of 650 twins in the short-term to take away some of the attention of the H'ness, that could work.

And then seal the deal by coming out with a 500cc version of Meteor & Classic that are still priced lower than the H'ness.

[amrutmhatre90]

Guys, some info. Honda indeed crashed the party. Launch delayed.
RE is somewhat looking to wait for the Honda's hype to go down. This gives RE to reconsider the pricing and judge the market.

This is just possible due to online launches which are happening currently. If this was a normal launch, the show couldn't have been rescheduled.

[Sebring]

Wise move. They can use the time to study the havoc that Honda has caused in this space, re-look at their strategy, and be ready with a fresh game-plan 3 months down the line.

Originally Posted by amrutmhatre90

Guys, some info. Honda indeed crashed the party. Launch delayed.