My local BMW dealer is taking on the RE lineup

[ohiorider]

I was looking over the Royal Enfield website, and searched to see where dealers were located close to me.  One, within 10 miles, was interesting. When I copied and pasted their address into Googlemaps, I found it was my local BMW motorcycle dealer.  I think RE had jumped the gun by a few days by listing them as a dealer, but they are a dealer.

They have set aside a totally separate section/building of the dealership to showcase the Enfields.

If the new twins are as good as many reviews make them out to be, then this might be a good move,  The new twins don't seem to compete with most of the Beemer line up.  Well, maybe they do cut into the 310 series Beemers, but those play to a different audience.

I think these 650 twins might stir a resurgence among the younger generation, who aren't going to throw $10 - $12k at a motorcycle purchase, but might find $5900 acceptable.

I'm scheduled for a demo ride. After riding a W650 for 50,000 great miles, and a Bonnie 790cc for almost as many, I'll be interested to see how I react to this lovely little 650.

I wish the dealer luck in this endeavor.

Bob

[Murray]

I was looking over the Royal Enfield website, and searched to see where dealers were located close to me.  One, within 10 miles, was interesting. When I copied and pasted their address into Googlemaps, I found it was my local BMW motorcycle dealer.  I think RE had jumped the gun by a few days by listing them as a dealer, but they are a dealer.

They have set aside a totally separate section/building of the dealership to showcase the Enfields.

If the new twins are as good as many reviews make them out to be, then this might be a good move,  The new twins don't seem to compete with most of the Beemer line up.  Well, maybe they do cut into the 310 series Beemers, but those play to a different audience.

I think these 650 twins might stir a resurgence among the younger generation, who aren't going to throw $10 - $12k at a motorcycle purchase, but might find $5900 acceptable.

I'm scheduled for a demo ride. After riding a W650 for 50,000 great miles, and a Bonnie 790cc for almost as many, I'll be interested to see how I react to this lovely little 650.

I wish the dealer luck in this endeavor.

Bob

I fillowed a Himalaya up to a  bike show recently on the open road, it didn't exactly dazzel me with is speed or performance even through the corners now this may be entirely down to the rider but it didn't leave a good impression. BTW I wasn't on a bike I was in my 1988 diesel 110, towing a trailer.

[CT Dharma]

I was looking over the Royal Enfield website, and searched to see where dealers were located close to me.  One, within 10 miles, was interesting. When I copied and pasted their address into Googlemaps, I found it was my local BMW motorcycle dealer.  I think RE had jumped the gun by a few days by listing them as a dealer, but they are a dealer.

They have set aside a totally separate section/building of the dealership to showcase the Enfields.

If the new twins are as good as many reviews make them out to be, then this might be a good move,  The new twins don't seem to compete with most of the Beemer line up.  Well, maybe they do cut into the 310 series Beemers, but those play to a different audience.

I think these 650 twins might stir a resurgence among the younger generation, who aren't going to throw $10 - $12k at a motorcycle purchase, but might find $5900 acceptable.

I'm scheduled for a demo ride. After riding a W650 for 50,000 great miles, and a Bonnie 790cc for almost as many, I'll be interested to see how I react to this lovely little 650.

I wish the dealer luck in this endeavor.

Bob

did they have 650's in stock? My local RE dealer [also a BMW dealer] does not have any yet and is saying probably early summer. I would be very interested in your thoughts after the demo ride.

[Bert Remington]

Visit the fine folks at the 650 Twin forum: https://forum.classicmotorworks.com/index.php/board,30.0.html

[JACoH]

Here in Willamette Valley Oregon, the local Harley Davidson dealer is handling them, (hidden away in a back corner for now, plans to put them in an adjacent out building).  But, they add a $1000 set up fee for the singles, making them over $6000! I can only imagine what they will try to sell the new 650's for, which have an MSRP of only $5799 and $5999. At $100 per hour that is 10 hours to set them up?

[Huzo]

I fillowed a Himalaya up to a  bike show recently on the open road, it didn't exactly dazzel me with is speed or performance even through the corners now this may be entirely down to the rider but it didn't leave a good impression. BTW I wasn't on a bike I was in my 1988 diesel 110, towing a trailer.

Oh dear, Muzz...

[twowheeladdict]

I was looking over the Royal Enfield website, and searched to see where dealers were located close to me.  One, within 10 miles, was interesting. When I copied and pasted their address into Googlemaps, I found it was my local BMW motorcycle dealer.  I think RE had jumped the gun by a few days by listing them as a dealer, but they are a dealer.

They have set aside a totally separate section/building of the dealership to showcase the Enfields.

If the new twins are as good as many reviews make them out to be, then this might be a good move,  The new twins don't seem to compete with most of the Beemer line up.  Well, maybe they do cut into the 310 series Beemers, but those play to a different audience.

I think these 650 twins might stir a resurgence among the younger generation, who aren't going to throw $10 - $12k at a motorcycle purchase, but might find $5900 acceptable.

I'm scheduled for a demo ride. After riding a W650 for 50,000 great miles, and a Bonnie 790cc for almost as many, I'll be interested to see how I react to this lovely little 650.

I wish the dealer luck in this endeavor.

Bob

The dealer I bought my Himalayan from is selling them steadily.  At $4500 for the non-ABS I bought and $4850 for the ABS bikes they are a bargain for what you get.  Not sure when he will get the 650s in, but I might take a look if they are as simple to maintain as the Himalayan. 

[Bert Remington]

Visit the fine folks at the Himalayan forum: https://forum.classicmotorworks.com/index.php/board,31.0.html

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

Here's a link to the RE North American demo ride schedule rolling into a city near you starting in May. 

https://www.royalenfieldna.com/?utm_source=wcemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MCC%20eNews%2004.25.19&utm_term=MCC_eNewsAll%20Subscribers&_wcsid=BF7FED60095E369EB6E6D94CEC8BC453CD8D11CD8B3BD1D7#cta

[Zoom Zoom]

Hey Bob, are you talking about the BMW dealer in Aurora?

John Henry

[twowheeladdict]

Visit the fine folks at the Himalayan forum: https://forum.classicmotorworks.com/index.php/board,31.0.html

More Himalayan action here:  https://www.royalenfieldowners.com/index.php

[ohiorider]

John, That'd be the one.  I sometimes order parts through them ..... most recently a 26AH battery for the R100GS.

BTW, are you and RK still headed to Cedar Vale?  Any others going with you?

Bob

.

[twowheeladdict]

I fillowed a Himalaya up to a  bike show recently on the open road, it didn't exactly dazzel me with is speed or performance even through the corners now this may be entirely down to the rider but it didn't leave a good impression. BTW I wasn't on a bike I was in my 1988 diesel 110, towing a trailer.

Well, he was riding.  You were hauling.   

The Himalayan isn't a sport bike.  Isn't meant to be a sport bike.  When you use it where it is meant to be used, it is a joy to ride.

[twowheeladdict]

Here in Willamette Valley Oregon, the local Harley Davidson dealer is handling them, (hidden away in a back corner for now, plans to put them in an adjacent out building).  But, they add a $1000 set up fee for the singles, making them over $6000! I can only imagine what they will try to sell the new 650's for, which have an MSRP of only $5799 and $5999. At $100 per hour that is 10 hours to set them up?

My dealer has no fees.  The '19s with ABS are $4850.  You pay tax and registration.  That's it.

Some dealers add those fees and then allow you to negotiate them away so you feel good about your purchase.  Did you see what they would seriously sell a bike for? 

[Zoom Zoom]

BTW, are you and RK still headed to Cedar Vale?  Any others going with you?

Bob

Yes we are, and no just he and I.

John Henry

[Murray]

Well, he was riding.  You were hauling.   

The Himalayan isn't a sport bike.  Isn't meant to be a sport bike.  When you use it where it is meant to be used, it is a joy to ride.

Glad you enjoy your bike however with just under 90hp and close to 2 tonne a 110 Perentie is not in its natural habitat on the road.



NB not mine random one of the internerds same paint job though.

[kingoffleece]

How can we possibly know what's going thru the rider's head?  He was at the pace he was at for who knows why.
I wouldn't draw too many conclusions.

[twowheeladdict]

How can we possibly know what's going thru the rider's head?  He was at the pace he was at for who knows why.
I wouldn't draw too many conclusions.

Absolutely!  People want to draw conclusions about a bike instead of the rider or the circumstances.

I have had to pass a few SS bikes on my Harley touring bike so I could enjoy the curves.  Maybe they were new riders.  Maybe they were one ticket away from a suspension.  Maybe they were lost.  Maybe they were taking in the scenery. 

The Himalayan might have still been in it's break in mileage so the guy couldn't rev it out or had fully scrubbed in the tires. 

I notice thought that Murray posts more negative posts than positive ones.  Must make him feel better about his lot in life.   

[jas67]

Here's a link to the RE North American demo ride schedule rolling into a city near you starting in May. 

https://www.royalenfieldna.com/?utm_source=wcemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MCC%20eNews%2004.25.19&utm_term=MCC_eNewsAll%20Subscribers&_wcsid=BF7FED60095E369EB6E6D94CEC8BC453CD8D11CD8B3BD1D7#cta

Wow, they're going to be at Summit Point Raceway on May 18th, demo day on the track!
That's one of my favorite tracks.    If I wasn't currently on the disabled list, I had been planning on being on the track at Pitt Race, but, otherwise, I'd have definitely made it a point to make this event.    I won't quite be in riding shape on on the 18th yet though 

[fossil]

My dealer (5 minutes from my home) has added RE to his line up. When I was there 2 days before to order a part for my 2013 Stone he had a beautiful Interceptor in red/black. What a beauty! And the price is very good at less than 6800 Euros.

Now he has all the (for me) desirably bikes in one showroom: The V7s, the V85TT, the Himalayan, the RE 650, the Scrambler Desert Sled, this nice little Suzuki SV 650, the Vespas, and so on. His showroom is always buzzing with customers, he even sells new Guzzis regularly...

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Wow, they're going to be at Summit Point Raceway on May 18th, demo day on the track!
That's one of my favorite tracks.    If I wasn't currently on the disabled list, I had been planning on being on the track at Pitt Race, but, otherwise, I'd have definitely made it a point to make this event.    I won't quite be in riding shape on on the 18th yet though 

Summit Point is a good location, but only utilizing the track and not riding any of the local roads is a big mistake IMO. Everything I'd want to know about how well the bike works for me would be told from a ride in the "real world", not on a track. Summit Point might not be billiards table smooth, but it definitely won't work the suspension like the roads in the area.

Guess I'll wait until they're in the showroom for a test ride.

[Joe A.]

My stepdaughter bought the RE  café last week, hopes to get it around mid May.

[jas67]

Summit Point is a good location, but only utilizing the track and not riding any of the local roads is a big mistake IMO. Everything I'd want to know about how well the bike works for me would be told from a ride in the "real world", not on a track. Summit Point might not be billiards table smooth, but it definitely won't work the suspension like the roads in the area.

Guess I'll wait until they're in the showroom for a test ride.

Very good points.     Summit Point was repaved last years, and is quite smooth now.

[twowheeladdict]

Summit Point is a good location, but only utilizing the track and not riding any of the local roads is a big mistake IMO. Everything I'd want to know about how well the bike works for me would be told from a ride in the "real world", not on a track. Summit Point might not be billiards table smooth, but it definitely won't work the suspension like the roads in the area.

Guess I'll wait until they're in the showroom for a test ride.

Doesn't it depend on how fast they let you ride at the track?  If you are able to run at speeds you can't on the street you will be working the suspension. 

Plus, how many people take the time to set up the suspension for their weight and riding style before a test ride?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Doesn't it depend on how fast they let you ride at the track?  If you are able to run at speeds you can't on the street you will be working the suspension. 

Plus, how many people take the time to set up the suspension for their weight and riding style before a test ride?

Not for me it wouldn't. There's no way I'd push someone else's unfamiliar motorcycle to a speed that would work the suspension anywhere near as well as a 20 mile loop of the local roads. Plus, it's not just the suspension compliance that I would get a better "real world" feel for on a street ride.

[twowheeladdict]

Not for me it wouldn't. There's no way I'd push someone else's unfamiliar motorcycle to a speed that would work the suspension anywhere near as well as a 20 mile loop of the local roads. Plus, it's not just the suspension compliance that I would get a better "real world" feel for on a street ride.

How many aftermarket suspension and seat companies are there?   

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

How many aftermarket suspension and seat companies are there?   

Frankly, I won't buy a bike knowing that a change of seat and suspension will be necessary to make it work for me.

[kingoffleece]

That would preclude some of us from ever buying a new motorcycle.  For example, OEM suspension is set for a specific weight parameter.  Some are outside those specs.  And seat to peg distance is critical for some.  Those with bad knees come to mind as well as others.

Auto seats are adjustable and don't force the driver to adapt to them.  The other way around is preferable.  One wonders when motorcycles will have some basic adjustability build in.  For example, the new Can-Am Ryker is brilliant in the way the machine can easily be adapted to the rider with split second adjustments to the ergonomics.

[twowheeladdict]

Frankly, I won't buy a bike knowing that a change of seat and suspension will be necessary to make it work for me.

I don't think I have ever had a bike with the stock seat that I rode very many miles on.   If all of your riding is 20 miles at a time you probably won't notice a difference, but if you are riding 8 - 12 hours you will cuss the oem seat. 

Suspension is dependent on your weight and riding style.  If all you are doing is Sunday riding at a leisurely pace and have never experienced good suspension then you will be fine with most any bike. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I don't think I have ever had a bike with the stock seat that I rode very many miles on.   If all of your riding is 20 miles at a time you probably won't notice a difference, but if you are riding 8 - 12 hours you will cuss the oem seat. 

Suspension is dependent on your weight and riding style.  If all you are doing is Sunday riding at a leisurely pace and have never experienced good suspension then you will be fine with most any bike.

Of the three new motorcycles I've bought, the only one that had a seat that I felt it was necessary to change was the '86 Le Mans 1000. It was fine for local riding, but after a long weekend trip to Watkins Glen, a Corbin was the first thing I ordered. My average ride is 200+ miles, the only time I ride "20 miles at a time" is when test riding customer bikes. The seat on my Mille GT was okay, the one on my '86 Morini K2 was perfect.

I guess I am a "Sunday rider". Leisurely pace? That depends on your definition I guess. I'm not "pushing the limits", "dragging pegs", running 80 in a 55 zone or anything near that, but can cover a lot of ground in a fairly short time when I need to. Good suspension for me is any that has good compliance without the bike wallowing in turns or nose diving on braking. So yes, I am "fine with most any bike". 

All of this just because I questioned the wisdom of track test rides only instead of "real world" road rides.  The elitist attitudes of some folks here are very off-putting...