What reincarnation of Norton was that? At some point the name becomes a tee shirt company.
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Royal Enfield 650 not so affordable?
- Thread starter iblastoff
- Start date
TK4
Well-known member
Norton is now owned by TVS, another Indian company.
Norton widen their net: Partnership with sportscar firm announced for latest dealership
www.motorcyclenews.com
TK4
Well-known member
FYI - Jaguar Land Rover is a part of Indian automotive company Tata Motors Limited and has its root office at Whitley, Coventry, England. The principal activity of Jaguar Land Rover Limited is the design, development, manufacture and sale of vehicles bearing the Jaguar and Land Rover marques.
If you're one in a million in India, there are 1,300 just like you.
If you're one in a million in India, there are 1,300 just like you.
TK4
Well-known member
As promised, here are some first impressions (admittedly after only 2 weeks of ownership).
The basic bike is everything I expected - fit and overall finish is as good as anybody's. Even the plastic parts don't seem cheap.
EFI is flawless, as is the transmission and slipper clutch (downshift only). Seat and foot peg position are fine - I'm 6'0" - after taking a little time setting up the controls to my personal liking. It won't rip your arms out, but it hustles through the 6 speed box and is turning about 4,000 rpm @ 100 kmh. Engine is very smooth at all speeds with a nice, not obnoxious sound. Brakes are good, ABS is unobtrusive. I tried it out in the rain the other day with no surprises. Centre stand - YES !
Basic servicing looks pretty straightforward, I already downloaded the service manual and parts list so I don't anticipate any problems that way. Grabbed a few spares with the bike (oil filters, air filter, etc.) and the dealer claims they can have anything I need in 3-4 days from RE's parts warehouse in Texas if they don't have it on the shelf. BTW, parts pricing is very reasonable.
Oddities, there are a few. No helmet holder/lock or parking lamp (?) Analog speedo reads in MPH and KMH but the outer part of the meter is in MPH and seems a trifle optimistic. Fuel gauge starts flashing around 200 kms but when you fill up it only takes about 12 litres. More experimentation (and break in) required to determine range. Switches are basic, built to a price and show it. Ignition and turn signal switches are sticky even after lubing.
Handling - back end seems fine, haven't had to move shock preload off softest setting yet, time will tell. Front end, because of the fairly steep 24 degree steering head angle it seemed to 'fall in' to a corner at low speeds. The forks at stock setting sit proud of the top triple clamp about 2cm, I lowered them so they sit flush and added 2.5cm preload spacers as per RaceTech's recommendations and it steadied right out at all speeds. I will continue to experiment.
Tires as fitted are spec Pirelli Phantoms, definitely old school. Not bad, not great, but when I burn them down I will look for something better.
Its a World Bike, and shares everything except handlebars, tank, seat and foot controls with the Continental GT so impressions as stated can be applied.
Bottom line - I'm happy and don't regret my decision in the least. If you're looking for a retro styled bike at a realistic price its tough to beat.
The basic bike is everything I expected - fit and overall finish is as good as anybody's. Even the plastic parts don't seem cheap.
EFI is flawless, as is the transmission and slipper clutch (downshift only). Seat and foot peg position are fine - I'm 6'0" - after taking a little time setting up the controls to my personal liking. It won't rip your arms out, but it hustles through the 6 speed box and is turning about 4,000 rpm @ 100 kmh. Engine is very smooth at all speeds with a nice, not obnoxious sound. Brakes are good, ABS is unobtrusive. I tried it out in the rain the other day with no surprises. Centre stand - YES !
Basic servicing looks pretty straightforward, I already downloaded the service manual and parts list so I don't anticipate any problems that way. Grabbed a few spares with the bike (oil filters, air filter, etc.) and the dealer claims they can have anything I need in 3-4 days from RE's parts warehouse in Texas if they don't have it on the shelf. BTW, parts pricing is very reasonable.
Oddities, there are a few. No helmet holder/lock or parking lamp (?) Analog speedo reads in MPH and KMH but the outer part of the meter is in MPH and seems a trifle optimistic. Fuel gauge starts flashing around 200 kms but when you fill up it only takes about 12 litres. More experimentation (and break in) required to determine range. Switches are basic, built to a price and show it. Ignition and turn signal switches are sticky even after lubing.
Handling - back end seems fine, haven't had to move shock preload off softest setting yet, time will tell. Front end, because of the fairly steep 24 degree steering head angle it seemed to 'fall in' to a corner at low speeds. The forks at stock setting sit proud of the top triple clamp about 2cm, I lowered them so they sit flush and added 2.5cm preload spacers as per RaceTech's recommendations and it steadied right out at all speeds. I will continue to experiment.
Tires as fitted are spec Pirelli Phantoms, definitely old school. Not bad, not great, but when I burn them down I will look for something better.
Its a World Bike, and shares everything except handlebars, tank, seat and foot controls with the Continental GT so impressions as stated can be applied.
Bottom line - I'm happy and don't regret my decision in the least. If you're looking for a retro styled bike at a realistic price its tough to beat.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
I just worked out a deal for my buddy’s 1998 Bullet. It’s only got 30km (thirty, not 30k) been in his garage under cover since new, the only time it runs is when I fire it up for him a few times a year. Kind of excited to blow the dust off it, not excited that it’s a kickstart only 500 thumper.
Did you ever move the 920R?
Did you ever move the 920R?
TK4
Well-known member
The Bullet is a whole different beast, I wouldn't have bought one at gunpoint (pun intended).
The KLR and the 920R have both gone to new homes. I gotta say I miss the KLR, the 920 not so much, but it was a fun project.
Chris-CJ
Well-known member
That is an entirely valid "two cents".
(The kick back totally belies the 350 cc capacity!)
However the newer genre of the Bullet is a vast improvement, it shares the build of the "Himalyan" which itself is a rugged bike.
To be honest, buying a RE bike is not what I would call a compelling choice.
For a real world experience, check out Itchy Boots earlier YouTube series, she rides a Himalayan in those.
TK4
Well-known member
You are correct - old school design, not made in Europe, to RE specs.
Made for India only models come with Ceat tires because of import restrictions and duties.
TK4
Well-known member
The only thing the Himalayan shares with the earlier generation 350s and 500s might be the tank emblems.
Whole new act, with substantial design and quality control improvements.
TK4
Well-known member
Hitchcock's in England have everything for those old blisters. Just make sure that if you order stuff you make it big enough to ammortize the DHL shipping, brokerage and possible duties. Ask me how I know...
Chris-CJ
Well-known member
The REOC in the UK is a good resource for RE info and the folks there are helpful
www.royalenfield.org.uk
Home - Royal Enfield Owners Club
This is the website of the Royal Enfield Owners Club, established 1977.
www.royalenfield.org.uk
Yep agree. The 650s are the only RE I would consider and even then I don’t think they should be commanding the price they’re asking for.
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We had a 350 in our lives briefly, friends bought me a T shirt printed "Loud Valves Save Lives " . I'm not sure it ran long enough the hear them . I did seriously ride with a back pack to put pieces in, half exhaust came apart, stand shook loose, gear lever bolt fell out. Bought vise grips from a guy in his driveway to make a shifter.
Not saying I wouldn't buy another, but it would have to be VERY inexpensive.
Not saying I wouldn't buy another, but it would have to be VERY inexpensive.
Moto Guzzi Canada - Motorcycles - V7 III Racer
MORE PLEASURE TO OWN AND RIDE A V7Although maximum power increased 10% thanks to the introduction of the new engine, increasing performance was not the main objective driving the V7 revamping. The thimotoguzzi-canada.ca
View attachment 48422
this would have my mega bucks.
Yep, really nice, but some might find it a bit too flashy. If that's the case, how about a 2021 MG V7 Special? I think it's quite beautiful, not unreasonably priced, and the HP has been bumped to around 65 for '21, quite respectable.
nice! 850'cc at 65hp, and yet still manages to weigh about the same as the 650 royal enfield.
i dont get how royal enfield couldnt manage to make their 650cc/48hp bike lighter since they basically started from scratch. seems weird to me. a lot of reviews say its heavier than it should be and, specsheet-wise i totally agree. they still look so good though.
i dont get how royal enfield couldnt manage to make their 650cc/48hp bike lighter since they basically started from scratch. seems weird to me. a lot of reviews say its heavier than it should be and, specsheet-wise i totally agree. they still look so good though.
Yep, really nice, but some might find it a bit too flashy. If that's the case, how about a 2021 MG V7 Special? I think it's quite beautiful, not unreasonably priced, and the HP has been bumped to around 65 for '21, quite respectable.
i actually used to have a sym motorcycle haha. 150cc single beast! i learned how to clean carbs and jets and change oil etc etc on this bike. very basic no frills bike that worked pretty well tbh and very simple to service. it only took like a litre of cheap ass oil. now every other bike seems so expensive to maintain haha.
fast forward to my current ducati and im constantly looking at my tripometer for the next valve service and dreading it..
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