Forum

[neddy]

Too late, Japs have got it all for the price !

[apparently lucky eddie]

...And Triumph the name.

[jefrs]

Dunno, it looks like a motocross bike for fast off road zapping about, but if you see what they do up the Himalayas I'd want an old school trials bike, less gappy, lower CofG, actual mudguards to keep the crud off, bash plate, lower seat to get feet on the ground, light because you have to pick it up but capable of hauling a huge amount of kit and more power than a Bullet not less.

Jap bikes are all very well but can you mend them at the side of the track halfway up a mountain in the middle of nowhere. We had problems straightening the foot peg of a Honda in the New Forest.

[RoSy]

Sorry but to me it just looks like it's been put together in the garden shed from a load of assembled bits, a field bike something for ragging around a bit of waste ground.

[2cvandy]

I like the idea, and I can see RE need to expand the range if they're to have a long term future,,,,,,,,,,,,BUT,,,,,,,,,,, that is one UGLY motorcycle! Just MHO obviously,,,,,,,,,,,

[Nettshubby]

I would expect that bike to be tidied up and painted before it's shown. NEC perhaps? It's possible the exhaust for one is just used for testing and it too will (should!) be tidied up too. A small faring to fill the gap forward of the bars and house the headlight would be a good styling step.

[jefrs]

Himalyan spec is expected 28PS and 31Nm (with a good pinch of salt) and described as a scrambler. That's similar horses but 25% less torque than the EFi. Prolly sell well in home market as a Chelsea-tractor wannabe off-road nimble status symbol bike but lacking the proven Himalayas trekking ability of the more suitable, tougher Bullet family. For that you do not want a screaming street scrambler but a stable robust plodder when there's 3000 metre ravines to avoid. We've got nothing like that, our idea of a trail is a quick blast around a bit of tame Forestry Commission. It is in production, Any sign of it going for export?



But the 750cc twin, that has got to be for export.

[WDCO42]

Honestly, I'd prefer a BMW F650, at least, the engine is improved (based on the Rotax engine, a marvel) and in its way (even if it isn't my cup of tea), the design is finer...

[jefrs]

I've seen chaps riding the F650, they always look like they're fighting it. It looks like it's configured as a stand up on the pegs trials bike they're riding on a road. How comfortable is it for a 100 mile run?

[ChrisD]

Jefrs
I ride an F650GS (2006 single model). It does everything on the road I want – comfortable for a few hundred kms and more power than I need, 0-60mph in less than 5 seconds. And its VERY controllable on the road, with power like a Vincent twin too - a wonderful experience.
BUT, although I can sit comfortably with both feet flat on the ground (I’m over 6 foot), it is top heavy and the seat is VERY wide so, when paddling it around a parking lot (trying to avoid the gravel or oil stains) it is barely under control. As a result I’ve dropped it 3 times!
The weight on the front wheel in standard trim (full tank) is 97kg, and once I let it tilt more than ~10degrees off vertical, I cannot stop it falling. My 1996 500cc Bullet weighs just 65kg on the front wheel so is much more manageable. So although the Beemer does all I ever wanted in a road/gravel bike (and always works), I can’t wait to sell it off and buy a lightweight bike like a Suzuki DRZ400 or maybe the Himalaya with maybe only 30hp.
Cheers, Chris