Author Topic: Interesting Royal Enfield Article (Read 2573 times)

knockerjoe · « **on:** October 14, 2020, 05:59:11 PM »

I was able to see the RE line up at the dealer a few weeks ago.
I was impressed with the build quality and price point but I was
not able to take a test ride. This is a very detailed article about the
man who took over the company and turned things around.
I am most impressed with his emphasis on QC and bringing in German and
Japanese tooling to achieve this.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-10-14/india-s-royal-enfield-motorcycle-is-coming-after-harley-davidson-hog

huub · « **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2020, 12:27:40 AM »

Quote from: knockerjoe on October 14, 2020, 05:59:11 PM

I was able to see the RE line up at the dealer a few weeks ago.
I was impressed with the build quality and price point but I was
not able to take a test ride. This is a very detailed article about the
man who took over the company and turned things around.
I am most impressed with his emphasis on QC and bringing in German and
Japanese tooling to achieve this.

https://www.bloombergquint.com/businessweek/india-s-royal-enfield-motorcycle-is-coming-after-harley-davidson-hog

article for suscribers..

SIR REAL ED · « **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2020, 05:42:51 AM »

Quote from: knockerjoe on October 14, 2020, 05:59:11 PM

I was able to see the RE line up at the dealer a few weeks ago.
I was impressed with the build quality and price point but I was
not able to take a test ride. This is a very detailed article about the
man who took over the company and turned things around.
I am most impressed with his emphasis on QC and bringing in German and
Japanese tooling to achieve this.

https://www.bloombergquint.com/businessweek/india-s-royal-enfield-motorcycle-is-coming-after-harley-davidson-hog

copy and paste the title into google. a couple of different sources will let you read it. often works as a way to get around paywalls.

grebmrof · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2020, 07:02:42 AM »

I must be doing something wrong, that doesn't seem to work for me...even if I use only part of the title in Google...I'll keep trying...

knockerjoe · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2020, 07:08:01 AM »

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-10-14/india-s-royal-enfield-motorcycle-is-coming-after-harley-davidson-hog

grebmrof · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2020, 07:09:20 AM »

Ha! Thanks, got it...

twowheeladdict · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2020, 08:09:31 AM »

Enjoying my Himalayan. I've had it 18 months now.

I test rode the 650s and a 500cc Trials replica bike. The 650s are too like my V7III to have one in the garage, and I really wanted the trials replica, but the pegs were too far forward to stand while riding.

jackthebiker · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2020, 11:33:48 AM »

Royal Enfield is doing a great job with its products. The bikes are giving Triumph, Moto Guzzi, and some others competiition for sure. But Bloomburg is full of crap if they think anybody interested in a Harley Davidson would even look a one.

knockerjoe · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2020, 12:03:41 PM »

The title of the article is misleading as it is really a story of how RE made a turn around in marketing
and QC. It is interesting how HD is trying to follow their playbook by trying to make their bikes more exclusive by
limiting models and discounts. Will it be 1999 for HD again when their bikes had a long waiting list and their showrooms only had empty floors and full of apparel? I’m not getting that feeling.

twowheeladdict · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2020, 02:21:40 PM »

Quote from: jackthebiker on October 15, 2020, 11:33:48 AM

Royal Enfield is doing a great job with its products. The bikes are giving Triumph, Moto Guzzi, and some others competiition for sure. But Bloomburg is full of crap if they think anybody interested in a Harley Davidson would even look a one.

I did. But not as competitive, as complimentary. The Himalayan goes where I won't go on the Harley, and vice versa.

Solorider73 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 15, 2020, 08:15:01 PM »

RE is doing a good job with their bikes. They are making a cheaper Bonneville, so Triumph is the one who should be concerned not Harley. Harley has their own self inflicted issues (another thread). I did read that due to some early quality slip ups in the USA, RE is now performing quality checks (fasteners, cables etc) in Texas before bikes are being shipped to dealers. This tells you they are taking quality and reputation serious. Of course they should come out of the factory without needing a quality check. I hope RE does well and I'm always open to new motorcycles tempting me.

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #11 on:** October 15, 2020, 08:39:12 PM »

The Infield truck at the Springfield Mile was impressive. It sat where Vance and Hines USED to sit. I think I'd like that Himalayan in the Ozarks boondocks

sidmonsters · « **Reply #12 on:** October 18, 2020, 08:04:00 PM »

I got the first Himalayan for my wife's first bike (used a Vespa 250 as a gateway drug and got her hooked!) and then bought another for my adult sons to learn on and ride. It's a bit hard to go from my Stelvio to the Himalayan, but honest to God if I could only have one bike for whatever came my way, the Himalayan might be it, especially considering the price point.
Steve

Perazzimx14 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 18, 2020, 08:09:09 PM »

Having had a RE in the past the QC of the UCE bikes was higher than its predecessors. But in all fairness the bar was not set very high in fact the bar was laying on the ground.

The newer stuff is certainly getting better and kudos to RE for upping their game.

Motormike · « **Reply #14 on:** October 18, 2020, 08:28:09 PM »

Quote from: knockerjoe on October 15, 2020, 12:03:41 PM

Will it be 1999 for HD again when their bikes had a long waiting list and their showrooms only had empty floors and full of apparel? I’m not getting that feeling.

Not a chance. That ship has sailed. Harley would have to shut down production for 10 years for the used inventory to even begin to dry up.

JJ · « **Reply #15 on:** October 18, 2020, 08:49:36 PM »

Quote from: Motormike on October 18, 2020, 08:28:09 PM

Not a chance. That ship has sailed. Harley would have to shut down production for 10 years for the used inventory to even begin to dry up.

Back in 1995, I was on the list for a brand new black FLH-R Road King at the local HD dealer in Phoenix. I recall the dealer calling me and saying: "You have 1 hour to come down and put a deposit on that Road King that you wanted, or we will call the next person on the long list.....

My-my...how times have changed....

By the way, I did go down there, and put $1500 on the bike and got what I wanted...

Moparnut72 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 18, 2020, 11:35:22 PM »

On top of it all RE is running in the front in the production twins class in America Flat Track.
kk mlm

dlapierre · « **Reply #17 on:** October 19, 2020, 02:28:41 PM »

Well, I'm sure enjoying my Himalayan. Have put 1600 km on forest service roads with it, it carrying my fly rod at all times.
It handles exceptionally well on those often rutted logging roads.
I found the dealer support very good, too.
One of the common issues with this bike is its tendency to die at idle. The dealer is 7 hours away, and so the suggestion of me bring it in was out of the question. I described the idle problem, he queried it with what he referred to was the Royal Enfield technical folks, whoever they are, and they not only acknowledge the problem but suggested the fix.
Check the tps, they said, and gave me the desired settings.
I did that and it needed a tweak. Easy to do with a voltmeter.
But, in doing that I also found the connector to the ECU was a weak connection.
I fixed that with a carbon cleaner spray, the same thing one uses to clean carbon potentiometers when they begin to crackle. And that did it.
I can idle the biked at 1K rpm, now.
I told them about my fix and they thanked me.
Since when did you get that kind of interaction from other bike dealers? I sure never have.

AH Fan · « **Reply #18 on:** October 19, 2020, 05:25:11 PM »

In regard's to how things have changed I also was interested in a 1990 HD Springer and eventually acquired one in1990.
About a year past and I was not enchanted with it any longer and to my total surprise Trev Deeley offered me what I payed for it.......... I took the money.

They sent the truck to my place that afternoon......... Guess I could have gotten more???

Ciao

oldbike54 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 19, 2020, 06:37:50 PM »

Trev Deeley , there's a name i haven't heard in some time .

Dusty

sidecarnutz · « **Reply #20 on:** October 19, 2020, 06:52:15 PM »

I was VERY interested in a new Interceptor 650 and have read great things about it. I've had my old 2003 RE 500 Bullet for 6 years now, so familiar with them. But I have also spent my time from - selling stuff off I don't use and paying down debt. So instead of a new bike, I picked up a old one as a project for the winter. Got a 2002 Kawasaki ZR7S. I'd always had a sweet spot for the old Kawi inline 4's. Had a KZ750 when I was a young man and it was my favorite of my Japanese bikes. That motor had character. Now I have that same motor in a more modern frame with better suspension and brakes! Even better! Should be a nice solo sport touring bike. And this way, I own it and no more debt! Right now I have $2200 in it including all the parts to fix it back up!

Need to clean out the carbs and install a stage one jet kit. That will be some work to pull the rack, but the carb work from there is straight forwards enough. Then to wrestle them back in and synchronize! Last week I did the valves and they are GTG now. After 30 years on Guzzi's I felt like re-living a bit of my youth and this will probably be my last bike to play with.

JJ · « **Reply #21 on:** October 23, 2020, 12:31:43 PM »

I also like THIS Royal Enfield...and for the money....and for just putting around the hood!!

This one from Euro-Cycle in Las Vegas...

image host online

twowheeladdict · « **Reply #22 on:** October 26, 2020, 05:24:10 PM »

Quote from: JJ on October 23, 2020, 12:31:43 PM

I also like THIS Royal Enfield...and for the money....and for just putting around the hood!!

This one from Euro-Cycle in Las Vegas...

image host online

Just got home from exploring the Big South Fork area of TN with a little bit into Daniel Boone National Forest on my Himalayan. Just the right amount of bike for exploring the lesser travelled dirt roads, but can handle the twisties pretty well also.

egschade · « **Reply #23 on:** October 26, 2020, 06:39:46 PM »

Peter Egan did a very nice review (does he do any poor writing?) of the bike:

https://www.cycleworld.com/story/motorcycle-reviews/3500-mile-royal-enfield-himalayan-summer/

Compelling argument for it being an 'only' bike.

blu guzz · « **Reply #24 on:** October 27, 2020, 09:54:10 AM »

Really fun article. I would never have considered a bike like that except for having read this story. It sounds like a slightly shrunk and cheaper version of a V7. I like the emphasis on the joy of riding as opposed to specs and 0-60 times. It just sounds like a fun little bike at a fair price.

JJ · « **Reply #25 on:** October 27, 2020, 10:45:02 AM »

OK here is your choice for between $3200 and $4700....

Just a FUN little "tiddler" to putt around the neighborhood...

2021 Honda ST125....OR...2020 Royal Enfield Himalayan?

What Say Ye?!?

Wildroamer · « **Reply #26 on:** October 27, 2020, 10:50:10 AM »

Hmmmm, that is an interesting pair! I THINK I would go with the RE, but not sure. Never ridden either, though I've seen the RE.

twowheeladdict · « **Reply #27 on:** October 27, 2020, 10:00:10 PM »

Quote from: JJ on October 27, 2020, 10:45:02 AM

OK here is your choice for between $3200 and $4700....

Just a FUN little "tiddler" to putt around the neighborhood...

2021 Honda ST125....OR...2020 Royal Enfield Himalayan?

What Say Ye?!?

I would like one next to my Himalayan and Van Van.

News:

Author Topic: Interesting Royal Enfield Article (Read 2573 times)

oldbike54

Wildroamer