Royal Enfield 650's US bound - motorcycledaily

[pmillar]

Not bad looking bikes. Lightweight and certainly priced right at under $6K. I suspect they will win some reasonable sales - perhaps at the expense of some V7 sales [Guzzi content]. Power looks comparable.  If they can deliver the build quality, dealer network and reliability I suspect they have a winner.  Sounds a little familiar... 

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2018/09/royal-enfield-650-models-announced-with-north-american-pricing-and-availability/

[JJ]

Agree on all points...   I am starting to think "lighter" is the way to go in the future.

There is a dealer now in the Scottsdale AirPark (also Indian) "Double-D's" which will have Royal Enfields in stock.

[Gliderjohn]

Do they have a scrambler version in this 650 series? I would give that serious thought for just bombing down non-paved roads in my area that are fairly well maintained for the most part.
GliderJohn

[pyoungbl]

Wow!  I was expecting something much heavier.  With only 40 hp from a 650 the engine is under-stressed and I would expect that to mean reliable, much like the V7.  At that price point these two offerings might even get some of the younger riders to buy.  Now it's up to Royal Enfield to not screw this up.

[yogidozer]

Looks like a great deal!

[Kiwi_Roy]

I looked at the Enfield Himalaya in Seattle yesterday, looks really robust.

[JJ]

Do they have a scrambler version in this 650 series? I would give that serious thought for just bombing down non-paved roads in my area that are fairly well maintained for the most part.
GliderJohn

Yes..."The Himalayan"

[Gliderjohn]

The Himalayan is 400cc though. Probably enough for what I need however. Local dealer price is $4,599.
GliderJohn

[pmillar]

Do they have a scrambler version in this 650 series? I would give that serious thought for just bombing down non-paved roads in my area that are fairly well maintained for the most part.
GliderJohn

I would be very surprised if they didn't have a scrambler on the drawing boards with the 650 engine. It would probably cannibalize some Himalayan sales, but you win some, you lose some. 

[daytonars97]

  See an ABS ring.... Mmmmm. One of my requirements.

[luthier]

444pounds with 40hp? Yuck!
My ST3 Duke is only 447pounds with 102hp. And it is reliable.[If you service it.]
Those Enfields look like a clunky version of  an old Matchy twin.
I'd get a new Bonny over that any day or get a retro one from 2007 for much less money.

[grebmrof]

Not bad looking bikes. Lightweight and certainly priced right at under $6K. I suspect they will win some reasonable sales - perhaps at the expense of some V7 sales [Guzzi content]. Power looks comparable.  If they can deliver the build quality, dealer network and reliability I suspect they have a winner.  Sounds a little familiar... 

A little hard to understand their pricing as it seems to then bump into what is asked for their big singles.  When we were at the Cleveland MC Show, we were told pricing would come in at around $7K or more...so this pricing is quite a surprise.

[Bisbonian]

Agree on all points...   I am starting to think "lighter" is the way to go in the future.

There is a dealer now in the Scottsdale AirPark (also Indian) "Double-D's" which will have Royal Enfields in stock.

It looks like GoAZ in the Phoenix area just picked up Royal Enfield as well (in addition to Moto Guzzi) so more options are out there.

[Shorty]

I already have 2 in the garage....opps, they are those non authentic Bloor Bonnevilles....




 


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[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I'm really "digging" this bike. Priced right. Dealer in Silver Spring, MD. Hmm...

[xackley]

Here's hoping you all buy one and decide to sell your V7. It would help to saturate the used V7 market and level out the prices.
By looks that is more British than the current Bonnevilles.

[JJ]

I'm really "digging" this bike. Priced right. Dealer in Silver Spring, MD. Hmm...

I like it to...47 HP...445 pounds...6-speed...will cruise at 70-75 mph....priced right...and a nice looking alternative to the Guzzi V7 / Triumph Bonneville...now let's hope the QC / service / parts / dealership will support the sales of this bike!

[Rhodan]

I'd take a good look at reliability if it's going to be an "only" bike.  I watched a video where someone went to India and snagged a Himalayan (different model but...) part way through their Adventure ride.  They got their money's worth. ;)  I think after the 1st day they had to bump start it to go anywhere.

Obviously issues can happen with any bike and they have a good warranty but there have been quite a few growing pains reported with that model.  I do believe Royal Enfield is trying to address the issues.

[JJ]

I'd take a good look at reliability if it's going to be an "only" bike.  I watched a video where someone went to India and snagged a Himalayan (different model but...) part way through their Adventure ride.  They got their money's worth. ;)  I think after the 1st day they had to bump start it to go anywhere.

Obviously issues can happen with any bike and they have a good warranty but there have been quite a few growing pains reported with that model.  I do believe Royal Enfield is trying to address the issues.

Again, overall reliability is the big unknown here...

A riding buddy had his late model RE Bullet 500 "exploded" after only 20,000 miles.  He did FLOG it however, and it's amazing it last that long! (lol) 

[Gliderjohn]

If I am understanding correctly the "coming to the US" bikes are being made in a near new factory with all the latest robotic technology in use. My guess is that alone will up the quality/reliability quite a bit. They are a HUGE motorcycle company trying to seriously go worldwide so I am guessing that they realize their compitition and are putting some serious money into R&D and quality control...but then I have been wrong before.
GliderJohn

[Rhodan]

I also read they've set up an "pre-delivery inspection" location.  I'm not sure if it's intended to be temporary or permanent.  This is post-QA being done at the factory. 
They verify the bikes meet certain specs before they're shipped on to the dealers.  The March article appeared to indicate it was checks a dealer would normally do but RE wanted to remove them from circulation faster if there were issues.  https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/royal-enfield-addresses-himalayan-reliability-issues-in-india

From a flow perspective it seems like it would make more sense to do this in India but then again, I've never been in the motorcycle manufacturing/selling business so they may have their reasons.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I'm really "digging" this bike. Priced right. Dealer in Silver Spring, MD. Hmm...

It's a nice looking scooter.. very British looking don't you know.. I like it.

[Gliderjohn]

From Luthier:

444pounds with 40hp? Yuck!

Like an older Guzzi it is over engineered and overstressed. My first 11 years of riding was on a GS400 so this wouldn't be a disappointment power wise. If I bought one it would be for local off pavement roads with just a bit of two lane blacktop here and there. From what I have been reading here and there so far is it appears to be a fairly simple bike to maintain and repair and at best I am a simplton mechanic so we may be a match made in Heaven.
GliderJohn

[Chuck in Indiana]

You know what?
My CX has about the same power to weight ratio and I find it can get me around pretty good even loaded for long distance travel.

It'll  even run with the modern Triumphs on tight twisty mountain roads in SoCal.

On tight twisty mountain roads, it's the guy swinging the hammer, not the name on the hammer handle.. 

[jas67]

I'd get a new Bonny over that any day or get a retro one from 2007 for much less money.

Used Triumph classics (Bonnie, T100, Thruxton 900, etc) and Guzzi V7's are going to tough competition for the RE 650's.  But, there are always those who want new, and this gives them a lower priced option in the classic/retro market.

Between the RE 650s and the V7, I'd pay the extra for the Guzzi just because its shaft drive, as I don't like cleaning chains.

The RE 650s are great looking bikes though, and many people could care less about shaft vs. chain.   

As I already have two V7's and a W650, I won't be jumping to buy one, but, I do hope they do well.

As others have said, don't screw up the quality, build out the dealer network, and they'll sell well.

[jas67]

Having bought 1 new dealer leftover 2012 Royal Enfield C5 bullet at less than $3,500 OTD I'd never EVER pay more than 60% of MSRP for any new RE. Wait 1 year until dealer stock is languishing on the floor and watch the prices drop worse than a 1 year old V7 series Guzzi.


I have nothing against the brand and would love to owned another RE. They just are not worth at or near MSRP.

Hmmm, you sound like a typical Guzzi buyer / owner.     

[ohiorider]

A fookin' Honda?  I know, an inline four doesn't produce the classical British exhaust tone, and its silhouette is definitely Honda, not Triumph or BSA.  However. after lots of fiddling with the suspension on my leftover 2014 CB1100, and getting it very close to where I want it, some of you might want to consider one of these leftovers.

I bought my 2014 Black Standard CB for $6995.00 over a year and a half ago, with very little extra going to the dealer.  Currently, some dealers are selling new leftover 2014's for $5995.00  That leaves a lot of $$ in the event the stock suspension doesn't work for you.

It is a lot of motorcycle for that price.  Air-cooled 1140cc dohc engine, 6 spd tranny, good instrumentation, lots of torque low down, and approx 88hp.

So, it isn't British Retro, it's Honda Retro.

It took me a while to adjust to Honda Retro, but I'm now used to it, and thoroughly enjoying this bike ..... probably the easiest riding bike I've ever owned.  Clutch takeup and throttle response are nice.  And the dual front discs don't require more than a couple of fingers to apply them.

Not Superbike-fast by today's standards, but I think it'd run with most of those bikes we remember as being 'blindingly fast' from the 1970s and 1980s.

Again ....lotta bike for the bucks.

Bob

[jas67]

A very positive review from motorcycle.com:
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/royal-enfield/2019-royal-enfield-continental-gt-650-interceptor-650-review-first-ride.html

I'm really liking the Intercepter.   Sadly for RE, I'm very happy with my V7 III and W650, and don't need another modern classic twin.
Even with the price difference, the V7 beats the RE for me, because its shaft driven, but, if the RE 650 twins are of good quality, I'd likely choose one over the Triumph Street Twin, because it's air cooled, and likely a more genuine classic feeling ride, and likely lighter as well.

[motogoro]

Last Friday I rode a demo Interceptor on a spirited "memorial" ride.  Nice bike, particularly for city use.  I was impressed. 

If I wasn't so committed to Guzzi and the community we'd be buying a RE immediately as that light bike for my "golden years". 
Maybe, I can get Helen to replace her Sportster?  Unlikely.  LOL

However, I am still on the lookout for a lighter bike than the Cal Vin...

[jas67]

However, I am still on the lookout for a lighter bike than the Cal Vin...

V7 III or V9.