Looking at a couple of bikes. I miss two wheels for the street. (Ural isn't going anywhere) Bear 650 and Himalayan 450.
Feedback?
Feedback?
Royal Enfield
- Thread starter Wingboy
- Start date
When myself and three buddies (with lots of bikes and miles under their belts) went out to Erin to demo ride the REs last summer we were all impressed with the new 650 motor. Sorry @GreyGhost but this lump is no tractor motor.
The Himalayan has a cool ADV look. Whether it's just a "look" or the real deal I can't speak to.
The Himalayan has a cool ADV look. Whether it's just a "look" or the real deal I can't speak to.
I'm happy to be wrong. I havent ridden an RE. I've heard a few and wasn't impressed but they weren't being ridden in anger so that isn't a great test either.
No nanny crap. Abs capable of switching off rear. Simple screw and nut valve lash. Only 40hp but that's ok. I'm not 60 anymore. Ordered a few accessories, should be able to pick it up next week.
For the win!!
adoom
Member
I have the INT650, which is a very similar platform to the Bear (almost identical).
I like it. It's not whip your head back fast, but fast enough. Finishes are pretty good. Nice thing they did with the Bear is they changed the rim size. On the INT and GT they used 18" front and back. Finding tires is a pain in the arse. On the Bear they went 19" front and 17" back. Much easier to find tires, and improves the look (in my opinion).
If you want to make it a little zestier you can throw a DNA air filter at it, but really, it's just a smooth, predictable, little bike.
I like it. It's not whip your head back fast, but fast enough. Finishes are pretty good. Nice thing they did with the Bear is they changed the rim size. On the INT and GT they used 18" front and back. Finding tires is a pain in the arse. On the Bear they went 19" front and 17" back. Much easier to find tires, and improves the look (in my opinion).
If you want to make it a little zestier you can throw a DNA air filter at it, but really, it's just a smooth, predictable, little bike.
Thanks for the feedback
Morrissey
Well-known member
A buddy has had his INT650 for a few years now and is very happy with it. I had a chance to demo the INT650 and thought it was a fantastic street bike. I'm sure you'll be happy.
RE can't even make their rear brakes not fail, repeatedly, even after dealer servicing, repeatedly. Maybe do a little searching on GTAM and you'll find my thread about the recurring rear brake failures that many owners have faced (scary). You'll also find on here a thread from another Toronto rider who's RE suffered a total failure and needed to be completed replaced within a couple days of buying it brand new.
I honestly can't recommend this brand since I found out about the recurring brake issues because I have this mental problem called integrity and it creates a psychological block that stops from me recommending people spend good money after bad and possibly put themselves at risk in the process. Motorcycling is inherently risky enough.
Did I like my INT 650? For sure! I found it very endearing. It is a fun! Did my RE INT 650's paint and aluminum pit prematurely? Absolutely!
Does @TK4 love his INT 650. For sure! Did he also literally have to take the OEM brake components off and replace with aftermarket components to finally have a rear brake that didn't fail? Absolutely!
Sure, it comes with a two year warranty if you're crazy enough to buy new... but if the dealers won't or can't fix the recurring problem, because RE shrugs it off, and the end user is stuck sourcing his own expensive parts and doing his own labor, the warranty is a joke.
But TK4 will probably still tell you it's a great motorcycle. A lot of Royal Enfield enthusiasts are fanatical like that. And I get it, because like I said, it's a very endearing bike. You can show them the problems and they'll shrug it off like "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, it's juuuuuuuust brakes maaaan! Royal Enfield is great."
I like brakes that stop. I like bikes with paint, spokes, and engine cases that don't pit a few years after they're new. But some people just want a fun ride. If all you want is a fun ride, buy a Royal Enfield, I guess. You work hard for your money so you can set it on fire however you see fit and I'll still love you all the same.
I honestly can't recommend this brand since I found out about the recurring brake issues because I have this mental problem called integrity and it creates a psychological block that stops from me recommending people spend good money after bad and possibly put themselves at risk in the process. Motorcycling is inherently risky enough.
Did I like my INT 650? For sure! I found it very endearing. It is a fun! Did my RE INT 650's paint and aluminum pit prematurely? Absolutely!
Does @TK4 love his INT 650. For sure! Did he also literally have to take the OEM brake components off and replace with aftermarket components to finally have a rear brake that didn't fail? Absolutely!
Sure, it comes with a two year warranty if you're crazy enough to buy new... but if the dealers won't or can't fix the recurring problem, because RE shrugs it off, and the end user is stuck sourcing his own expensive parts and doing his own labor, the warranty is a joke.
But TK4 will probably still tell you it's a great motorcycle. A lot of Royal Enfield enthusiasts are fanatical like that. And I get it, because like I said, it's a very endearing bike. You can show them the problems and they'll shrug it off like "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, it's juuuuuuuust brakes maaaan! Royal Enfield is great."
I like brakes that stop. I like bikes with paint, spokes, and engine cases that don't pit a few years after they're new. But some people just want a fun ride. If all you want is a fun ride, buy a Royal Enfield, I guess. You work hard for your money so you can set it on fire however you see fit and I'll still love you all the same.
I thought country of origin was the important bit and it could transit through USA without attracting the stupid tax?
Probably open to interpretation.
i've had a gt650 for a few years which is essentially the same engine but the bear is tuned for slightly more torque i believe. had to get the bike replaced after about 2 weeks (bought brand new) due to supposed cylinder failure. warranty covered it. i've yet to hear this happen to anyone else though (and i peruse a bunch of RE forums as well as reddit etc) so i guess i had a lemon.
my second gt650 has been just fine since 2022. i appreciate the super low cost in maintenance (even if intervals are relatively short) and neutral actually works unlike my ducati. zero issue with power on the highway. weight distribution is a bit weird and annoying (i find it a chore to push it around) but during rides its fine.
maybe one thing you'll miss out on with the bear 650 is that you cant install a center stand but that depends on your usual maintenance routines.
one small annoying pain point is it takes 10w50 which is a bit more premium in cost vs more common variations. but im talking like..10-15$ more a jug so not that big of a deal.
there are rumors of a supposed 750 coming but personally i dont see the point unless they increase hp to like 60'ish or something.
overall i like the bike. but if honda ever comes out with a modern cb750 / 60-70hp bike in this classic style i'm probably switching.
my second gt650 has been just fine since 2022. i appreciate the super low cost in maintenance (even if intervals are relatively short) and neutral actually works unlike my ducati. zero issue with power on the highway. weight distribution is a bit weird and annoying (i find it a chore to push it around) but during rides its fine.
maybe one thing you'll miss out on with the bear 650 is that you cant install a center stand but that depends on your usual maintenance routines.
one small annoying pain point is it takes 10w50 which is a bit more premium in cost vs more common variations. but im talking like..10-15$ more a jug so not that big of a deal.
there are rumors of a supposed 750 coming but personally i dont see the point unless they increase hp to like 60'ish or something.
overall i like the bike. but if honda ever comes out with a modern cb750 / 60-70hp bike in this classic style i'm probably switching.
Rear stand, Jack and or chock are all ready.
Why not a Triumph Bonneville instead?
