[manojas]

Originally Posted by PistonCrown

Regarding the difference between the Celestial (touring) variant and the Interstellar (adding touring accessories of Rs 16000) variant, the primary difference would be that, as road tax and insurance are paid for touring accessories in the Celestial variant, and in the event of any untoward incident, an insurance claim would take into consideration that the windscreen was a part of that variant, which, by default, would not be covered for the Interstellar variant as the touring accessories were added later and not updated into the insurance accessories section.*

Insurance is a much smaller sum compared to road tax. In Bangalore, we pay 18% road tax on these accessories without any apparent benefit.

[ManneAtWheelz]

Got time today to see the SM650 in flesh so bumped into the showroom at Hitech city, Hyderabad.

My initial impressions and observations are as below:

• Bike is not as long as I read in the internet but decent enough as a cruiser.
• Fit & Finish, quality of parts, paint quality exude richness through out.
• I felt the bike little shorter when I sat on it to my heavy personality, I'm 6'2".
• No test rides yet, told after 20Feb, not sure how true.
• No Celestial Tourer in display which should have been the case.
• Should be cautious when on stand still as the bike may fall either side if not firmly held.
• Liked the sleek yet traditional RE ORVMs.

Can comment more once taken a test ride.
Also attached the dealer quotes for OTR prices on each variant including other models as well.

[PistonCrown]

Originally Posted by manojas

Insurance is a much smaller sum compared to road tax. In Bangalore, we pay 18% road tax on these accessories without any apparent benefit.

We agree that the 18% road tax is slightly high in your state.
It’s 15% here in Goa RTO for 2 wheelers with ex-showroom prices above 3 lakhs to 6 lakhs, which is 3% more than other 2 wheelers costing below the range.

[virajvroom]

I have been an RE hater all my life. It's only after the Himalayan that RE gained confidence about hatching from its cacoon, improving product quality, fit, and finish, and venturing into new designs.

RE has come a long way since then and finally has arguably created a true cruiser in all respects for the first time. This one will receive a huge welcome, especially in the west. In countries where everything is DIY and doesn't have cheap local mechanics like India, the so-called 'Harley' generation has grown old and is looking for a fun, smaller, lighter, and no-nonsense cruiser that is easy to handle and maintain. A similar phenomenon, if not the same, can be attributed to the KTM 390 lineup's success in the west.

[TorqueyTechie]

I was informed that test rides start only from 15th Feb in Bangalore. Is that true or did anyone have test ride already in Bangalore?

[Traveler]

Originally Posted by TorqueyTechie

I was informed that test rides start only from 15th Feb in Bangalore. Is that true or did anyone have test ride already in Bangalore?

Dealer in Yelahanka has no clue. I visited them yesterday. When we checked their DMS system it was showing promised delivery date of 25th Feb for my Rider Mania booking. They are not sure if the bikes will come by then.

No test drive vehicles have been received so far.

[WhiskeyTangoFox]

Originally Posted by Traveler

Dealer in Yelahanka has no clue. I visited them yesterday. When we checked their DMS system it was showing promised delivery date of 25th Feb for my Rider Mania booking. They are not sure if the bikes will come by then.

No test drive vehicles have been received so far.

Visited the E City Dealership today, the SA said that test rides will start by this weekend

[TM_Turbo]

Nagarbhavi dealership has been saying that test drive will be available next week from the day it launched but so far not able to test it, the delivery date is showing as June 27.

Will we get price protection for the bookings that have been made? I think the prices will increases post march

[tarmacnaut]

Found the Super Meteor in an office parking. In my opinion (subjective) the bike looked so small in person and does not have the presence of 4.5 lakh OTR bike. Initially, I almost mistook it for a meteor 350 from a distance.

Could be the colour, but going by the pics online I thought this was a 'BIG' bike. But not so much in the real life and not even close to the erstwhile Thunderbird 500 in road presence.

[TorqueyTechie]

Originally Posted by tarmacnaut

Found the Super Meteor in an office parking.

Was this a temp registered bike? Not sure how it can be inside a office parking unless it was already delivered or a test ride vehicle.

Originally Posted by Traveler

Dealer in Yelahanka has no clue.

No test drive vehicles have been received so far.

I was told from Koramangala and Jayanagar showrooms that it will be available from 15th Feb. So hoping next week to be a fruitful one

[tarmacnaut]

Originally Posted by TorqueyTechie

Was this a temp registered bike? Not sure how it can be inside a office parking unless it was already delivered or a test ride vehicle.

It was TN registered. Maybe deliveries already have begun in Tamilnadu.

[rajeevsulu]

I test rode the Supermeteor here in Erode. Test rides are on from Friday last and decent number of bookings have been done too. I was very impressed by the machine. As I am 6 4 , I found it a bit low for my liking. I find every bike to be low, so, not an issue. It is beautifully crafted and fit and finish is of top notch quality.

[diwa]

Originally Posted by tarmacnaut

It was TN registered. Maybe deliveries already have begun in Tamilnadu.

It must be one of media rides machine. Was it TN-07?, The brand showroom in Chennai also have not received the test bikes and are expecting it by this weekend.

[PistonCrown]

Goa dealership which I am in touch with has received 3 bikes allocated against the Rider mania bookings. They have not received the dealer booking bikes also as yet.
Another thing to mention was the delivery date is not sure as it should get updated by the system after which notification comes to dealer and the customer.

No test drives given here too.

[tarmacnaut]

Originally Posted by diwa

It must be one of media rides machine. Was it TN-07?, The brand showroom in Chennai also have not received the test bikes and are expecting it by this weekend.

Yes, It was TN-07 DB 5XXX something. Not sure how a media ride machine ended up in a software tech park.