Royal Enfield twin

[Seeker]

I've been following this bike's development for a while and it has now been announced at the EICMA show. The leaked reports said it would be a 700cc twin but it is actually a 650cc.

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-...50-twins-eicma

I like retro styling generally and these bikes look good to my eyes but I don't understand how you can start with a clean sheet of paper and produce a modern OHC 650cc engine that only produces 47 hp and 38 ft/lb of torque and then make a bike that weighs 200 kg. Maybe it's a durability/longevity concept with the home (Indian) market in mind?

[Grim-Lock]

Makes it A2 learner legal too like the Honda 500s


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[SV650rules]

I wouldn't like to go too fast on roads in India, don't forget cows have complete right of way over traffic. This bike probably uses as many parts from existing Royal Enfield models as possible. Guy Martin chose a Royal Enfield for his TV tour of India, no good taking an exotic bike as if it broke down it may never get fixed. I bet octane of available fuel is limited as well. As long as seat can carry 5 people and a crate of chickens it will sell well.

That cut-off front mudguard on the one model may be asking for trouble on Indian roads, especially with the oil cooler radiator.

[R1ffR4ff]

A couple of years ago I saw three,"Ladies" riding around the small country roads I like around here on the UK re-built/built REs and they did look retro-cool and sounded awesome

It's nice to have variety in the World IMHO

[Bibio]

Originally Posted by Seeker

I suppose my point is that a 1968 Triumph Bonneville produced 46 hp and 37 ft/lb torque and only weighed 165 kg. The engine was based on Edward Turner's Speed Twin, a 1937 design. I'm sure by modern standards the 1968 engine would be considered "dirty" but allowing for cleaning up the engine emissions I would have expected more power (and less weight from the complete bike) from a new design. Still, it's always easy being an armchair critic who has never designed a bike in his life and I don't what their design goals were.

the people buying a Royal Enfield are not buying them for their power. BHP is not everything, in fact that's the 'pleasure'

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by Bibio

the people buying a Royal Enfield are not buying them for their power. BHP is not everything, in fact that's the 'pleasure'

This

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[SV650rules]

Originally Posted by Seeker

I've been following this bike's development for a while and it has now been announced at the EICMA show. The leaked reports said it would be a 700cc twin but it is actually a 650cc.

http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-...50-twins-eicma

I like retro styling generally and these bikes look good to my eyes but I don't understand how you can start with a clean sheet of paper and produce a modern OHC 650cc engine that only produces 47 hp and 38 ft/lb of torque and then make a bike that weighs 200 kg. Maybe it's a durability/longevity concept with the home (Indian) market in mind?

Triumph sell their T100 Bonneville and street cup 900cc twins with only 54 ponies. They weigh in at around 220KG

[Sir Trev]

Originally Posted by SV650rules

Triumph sell their T100 Bonneville and street cup 900cc twins with only 54 ponies. They weigh in at around 220KG

As a 2017 T100 owner I can vouch that it feels lighter and has plenty enough mid-range torque for every day riding. 50 odd ponies are plenty and it sounds wonderful. Bibs and Smithers are quite right that some of us are quite happy trundling around on a modern classic.

[Geodude]

I like the look of that 500 desert storm.

[Talking Heads]

Originally Posted by Seeker

I suppose my point is that a 1968 Triumph Bonneville produced 46 hp and 37 ft/lb torque and only weighed 165 kg. The engine was based on Edward Turner's Speed Twin, a 1937 design. I'm sure by modern standards the 1968 engine would be considered "dirty" but allowing for cleaning up the engine emissions I would have expected more power (and less weight from the complete bike) from a new design. Still, it's always easy being an armchair critic who has never designed a bike in his life and I don't what their design goals were.

Weight of bikes are given fully oiled and fuelled these days.
That figure for the 68 Bonnie is dry.
Add four imperial gallons of unleaded and fill it with oil.....
Oh wait a minute, it might not like ethanol blend unleaded, not as good quality or as potent as the old four star....