[r_nairtvm]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Improvement areas -

Those grand silencers are not really in perfect alignment - Initially I dismissed it as the eyes playing tricks due to the saree guard on one side -

Attachment 1825402

But then the right silencer is clearly a palm length away from the rear splashguard

Attachment 1825403

Sujai

The RE Developmental Engineers seems to have copied 'something' in total but seem to have over did it.

I am not in Blore now, hence cant confirm it -I have a feeling that this is the case with T100s as well. Specially the 2009 models. I am pretty certain the right one's pea shooter tip is 0.5" to 1.0" further away from the tyre than the left one(certainly not a palm length away)

Will put up the pictures once I am back in Blore.

A well written report . The pup in the picture looks really good, did you bring him home ?

Best Regards & Ride Safe

Ram

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by r_nairtvm

The pup in the picture looks really good, did you bring him home ?

Was a happy family of six healthy pups and the mother around - very friendly and playful with the visitors there. Everytime i kneel down to take a shot of the bike, two will try to climb my jeans. Would have been a torture seperating them, plus my wife is the fiercest cat lover around.

I keep visiting the place just to watch the sunrise in silence. Will see if they're ok, update some pics if and when possible.

[ALTIMAed]

Just to add another point. I felt the handle grips (accelerator and left hand side) too thin. I would need to modify to to fatter grips. Please advice

[k_ajay]

Originally Posted by greenoval

Most of the bookings seem to be for the Interceptor 650. Wanted to know if the riding position on the GT 650 is so committed that it is putting off people from going for it? How much more or less is the lean compared to Ninja 300 or Yamaha R3? I am yet to test ride the twins though my first preference is GT 650 (personally, I think GT looks better than Interceptor). Also, will someone of 174 cms height be able to flat foot the GT? I know a test ride will clear all my doubts but I'm a bit pressed for time.

Well from my understanding speaking with motoring enthusiasts and reading online, I don't think it's the committed riding position that's a put-off. When spending such big money (3L on a bike in India, still is for many) people like it to be multi purpose. For that singular reason, the Interceptor makes a lot of sense for riders. Out on the open stretch - highway cruising and mile munching, city riding, fun fast breakfast runs, very mild off-roading, the purposes is beyond a single fold.

Compete that with the GT 650; due to the aggressive riding position, the Cafe racer stance makes it most suitable for just city rides and fast riding for breakfast or any other, within a 70-80kms range. Long distance touring, off the road aren't stunts anyone is going to keenly explore or pull off with the GT650.

As one reviewer said, the GT650 can be a great 2nd bike in the garage. For people who're trading their bike or buying their first bike/ first big bike, Interceptor is bound to be the choice.

Owning the Mahindra Mojo, I'm keenly looking at bringing home the GT650. It's a bike for the ages and the classic Cafe racer will age very well..

[Funny]

Originally Posted by ALTIMAed

Just to add another point. I felt the handle grips (accelerator and left hand side) too thin. I would need to modify to to fatter grips. Please advice

This reminds me of my experience with the handlebar grip which wasn't so good. I felt uncomfortable with the thin grip having some texture. The handlebar grip on Mojo doesn't have any texture and feels good to hold compared to the ones on RE Twins. More than the thickness I really hated that texture don't know why. I guess I am not used to such grips. Changing the grip would be on my priority list once I get the bike.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Funny

I guess I am not used to such grips. Changing the grip would be on my priority list once I get the bike.

Even I felt it thin when holding with bare hands, but since I do all the riding with full gauntlet gloves - never faced any major issue with the texture. Infact, feels grippy when held with gloves.

[param22k]

Originally Posted by mohansrides

I am not a fan of any of the machines in the RE stable, except for this pair of bikes. My personal preferences aside, one has to hand it to Sid Lal. It may be a slight exaggeration; but Sid Lal is to RE, what Jobs was to Apple. These people understand their customers and markets at a visceral level, and know the right investments to make.

With due respect to your opinion, I believe comparing Sid Lal with Steve Jobs would be unfair. No doubt Sid has done an amazing job transforming RE into a globally competitive brand and disrupted the 650-800cc market segment by delivering unbelievable value with the twins. However, Steve was a visionary who lead industry defining innovations that have had transformational impact on society as we know it. While one has transformed a company by disrupting a market segment, the other transformed multiple industries and continues to have an impact on our lives beyond his lifetime.

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad

Managed to take a short test ride of the interceptor last week. My 2 cents:

!

Great review.

So are you buying it or are you buying it?

[Urban_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Great review.

So are you buying it or are you buying it?

Lol! A good friend and fellow Bhp-ian "Sammyboy" asked me this exact same question yesterday

I cannot think of buying a motorcycle that does not have off-road-ability. That's most of my riding now. I am addicted to riding trails over the weekend and love thrashing my cheap and cheerful Hero Impulse around

I also recently modded the front forks on my Katoom and added another 35 MM of suspension travel (15 mm short of the Himalayan) and will play around a bit with damping and preload adjustment (spacers, oil weight / quantity etc.) this month. Will slap on some new knobbies in Jan and see how it does on our local trails. Still undecided on the front wheel 19 inch conversion but lets see how that goes

So basically, I am very happy with what I have in my garage. But whatever I go for next has to have off road chops straight from the factory (save for minor upgrades like tyres). Its non negotiable!

That said, the Interceptor is an awesome bike for what it is. It will excel as a road tourer no doubt and will leave the owners grinning from ear to ear. In case you do take it off road, you will really need to pussyfoot your way around a rough patch or even a simple hard packed trail. Don't even think of putting your foot down when she slides out (say) in the sand and lay her down gently if you value your feet

If I ever think of buying one though, it would probably be a used one; maybe a year or so down the line

I know, I am boring

[mohansrides]

Originally Posted by param22k

With due respect to your opinion, I believe comparing Sid Lal with Steve Jobs would be unfair. No doubt Sid has done an amazing job transforming RE into a globally competitive brand and disrupted the 650-800cc market segment by delivering unbelievable value with the twins. However, Steve was a visionary who lead industry defining innovations that have had transformational impact on society as we know it. While one has transformed a company by disrupting a market segment, the other transformed multiple industries and continues to have an impact on our lives beyond his lifetime.

I don't want to drag this thread into a tangent. But, to be clear, I did not say that Sid Lal = Steve Jobs. What I said was that Sid Lal is to RE what Jobs was to Apple. What that means is that Sid Lal is as important to his company, i.e Royal Enfield, as Steve Jobs was to his organization, i.e. Apple.

It's incidental that Apple is in the business of making products that touch a larger market. So undoubtedly, Jobs's visionary ideas and thinking had a wider reach (as compared to the market and reach of RE).

But, that aside, there is no denying that RE's unprecedented business success is in no small measure due to the image of the brand that Sid Lal has vividly painted in customers' minds. He is the face of the company; and he has taken ownership of brand with his ideas - be they to develop the Himalayan or these new Twins.

This becomes clearer when you compare RE to other automotive brands in India and even the world. Can we name one person in any organization who we associate with that organization's brand/s?... Anand Mahindra? Ratan Tata? No. Not really. Both Mahindra and Tata have a wider portfolio of businesses, and it is hard for the principal to be the force behind one business, i.e. automotive.

By contrast, all media material about the development of RE's new products feature Sid Lal talking passionately and knowledgeably about the product development journey. He appears to be doing nothing else other than focusing on motorcycles. And that is the difference I think.

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad

I know, I am boring

No you're not. On the contrary, a lot of these bikes are so yummy and and reasonably priced, you question whether you ought to just buy them right away (YOLO and all that crap).

I'm trying to hold out for the Xpulse.

[Urban_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

I'm trying to hold out for the Xpulse.

I hear you. I am eager to see what the 390 ADV brings to the table. It has to offer off road performance far greater than what I have been able to achieve with my desi jugaad

The Xpulse though ... I don't know man. The more I look at it, the more I question it.

Power - 18 something BHP (going by what the Xtreme puts out). Not an able Highway cruiser. The Impulse puts out 13 IIRC. A big bore kit, CDI, Race cams and a free flow will definitely take you closer to the Xpulse's number while still being lighter (looking at Xtreme 200's weight). The difference in top speed between the Xtreme and what my friend's modded Impulse put out is less than 10 kph

Ergos - The SAME GODDAMN forward set pegs, like the Impulse. They need to be pulled back at least a couple or so inches. When I stand up, I have the handlebar in my lap. Slightest twist of the throttle means I get thrown back. To counter this, I really have to scoot my butt back and my chin is barely inches away from the cross bar. I am afraid one of these days it might smack me in the face. An ideal standing position would be where you are able to grip the bike through the air box and the cockpit doesn't feel cramped when you stand up. This way, the Himalayan is near damn perfect!

Nitpick - Most off road oriented bikes (save a very few) have their rear brake pedals go over the footpegs so they don't crash into things when you have it fully depressed (Enfield walas will know exactly what I am talking about). Xpulse has it under the pedals. Maybe it has enough clearance for it to be a non issue. Lets see. Also, I personally am not aware of many dual sport / off road bikes that have the engine as a stressed member of the frame. Again, not an issue but is probably not the most popular design choice when putting together an off road oriented bike

My 2 cents - spend 30 - 40K and get yourself a used Impulse. Mod it for power (notated above) which should be around 20K, no more. You will have a very competent and fun off roader at half the cost ... and no waiting

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by Urban_Nomad

My 2 cents - spend 30 - 40K and get yourself a used Impulse. Mod it for power (notated above) which should be around 20K, no more. You will have a very competent and fun off roader at half the cost ... and no waiting

I think this makes a lot more sense and far cheaper to boot. Just was looking for something to bash trails with and amble around in Bangalore. Have always loved how the Impulse looks by far over anything else in the market.

I think the 390 ADV will be a great dual sport option to ride across our country if and when it launches. And by all means allow the first gen year to pass out.

Once I kind of decide, will give you a call and not reinvent the damn wheelie.

[neil.jericho]

Wow, this is quite an amazing review, Crazy Driver (Rider?), I tip my hat off to your eye for details and flair for capturing them. One without the other is of limited benefit to all of us readers! Every day I keep visiting this thread and checking for updates on who else has booked the 650s while agonizingly, here in Cochin, the showrooms are still to receive registration details for their test ride bikes. Sigh! The wait continues for me.


Meanwhile, here are some thoughts from my side
- I was getting increasingly annoyed each time someone mentioned the pup in the photos because I didn’t see any despite going through all the initial posts with a fine tooth comb. It was only on my third reading of the first page that I spotted the cute dog. I blame Royal Enfield’s design team and CD’s photography skills in equal measure, for making me miss the dog completely and only focus on the bike in the pictures.

- I find Royal Enfield’s seat strategy to be quite head scratching. Here is what I would have done. The Interceptor would have come with the same seat as today for the period look. The GT 650 would instead have come with the single seat with the cowl, just like the GT 535, to stay true to its roots. The Sports Touring seat would have been optional for both bikes. This is so much more logical than today’s approach.

- I think there are a lot of visual elements that are shared with the GT 535 such as the headlights, indicators, clocks etc. I need to take a closer look to confirm though.

- If I were a 650 owner, I would immediately swap the stock rear view mirrors (RVMs) for the GT 535s. Not only are the mirrors from the older biker wider, they also can be tightened with 3 screws that hold them solidly in place.

- From what Im told, the seating on the GT 650 is a lot less aggressive than the older GT 535. With the correct posture (nicely relaxed and arched back, loose hands, strong core that doesn’t let you push your upper body forward while braking), long distance rides will be easy peasy on the GT 650. It takes a lot of time to unlearn the old way of riding but once you figure out the correct way to ride the GT650, it will be a breeze. Ive got 22,500 kms under my belt with the GT 535, I should know!

- Wind blast is going to be the biggest challenge with this mile munchers and after market specialists will surely be lining up to launch good quality windscreens. Givi had a very useful one for the GT 535 that I have installed on my bike and the difference it makes when compared to a stock bike is enormous. For those on a budget, the Himalayan screen should also fit.

- I didn’t understand why the simple instrument cluster will remain a concern area for people. Royal Enfield has stuck to the theme of creating classic motorcycles and hasn’t aimed at designing a half analog half digital instrument cluster or a fully digital cluster. Purists (and I use the term loosely) will love the simple clocks without 100 screens to scroll through and decipher. Sometimes simple is best.

- I wonder what engine oil owners will gravitate towards once they start coming in for services. For those who do not know, Royal Enfield refuses to accept oil that owners bring in, even if it is in the same specifications as what they have officially listed. So you can only use the Royal Enfield engine oil if you want to retain warranty. With the GT 535, Motul’s top of the line 300V has proven to be an excellent engine oil. If the 650 engines are this smooth with Royal Enfield's liquid gun (I presume) oil right out of the crate, imagine what it would be with a Liqui Moly or Shell or Motul fully synthetic oil instead?

- I can see some 650 owners replacing the 5 level Gabriel rear suspension with the excellent Piaoli shocks from the GT 535. I know of Triumph Bonnie owners who have replaced the OEM shocks with those of the GT 535. Its quite easy to adjust at a local FNG (or if you have a C spanner) and it does make a noticeable difference.

[stormsearcher]

Why is no one asking why such a modern engine in a brand new design is still running SOHC? It makes no sense.
Are RE expecting to introduce a DOHC as an upgrade a couple of years down the road?