Forum

[Steve T]

https://www.thrustzone.com/royal-enfiel ... eal-spied/

[Mark M]

Very interesting Steve. This appears to be the same engine that was sneaky peeked last year. It was ugly then and sadly looks no better now! It reminds me of the Honda CB 450 "Black Bomber". However, design departments are adept at disguising motors in development so hopefully they'll clean it up a bit. Speaking as someone who's just got a Series 2 Interceptor on the road it can't compete on looks but each to their own!

REgards, Mark

[Bullet Whisperer]

Interesting, let's hope they go into production soon and have an adequate performance. Personally, I can't see much resemblance to the CB450/500T engines - these had massive and very handsome cylinder heads out of necessity to contain the double overhead cams and the infamous torsion bars. As an owner of a SII Interceptor, which WILL be on the road one day, and a Honda CB500T, I would like to see an engine looking something like an SII with the Honda cylinder head on top - now that would be one imposing engine ! Regards, Paul.

[Mark M]

I know what you mean Paul, to me the engine looks a bit Frankenstein like combining elements of Honda, Laverda twin, earlier Honda twins, Suzuki primary? Which is both irrelevant to a modern market which won't be interested in all that but also the point: since they could make it look like whatever they wanted it seems odd that it isn't it more distinctive?

REgards, Mark

[Paul M H]

Yes I see the same review on the MCN web site so it does look its really happening at last link below. There is a few changes i would like to see but in general it looks good.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new- ... ecret-750/

[nigelphoto]

Lets hope they can screw it together properly at Oragadam unlike the current Continental . . .see the thread 'Tossers' to get an idea just quite how BAD the GT535 really is.

[Thack]

Damn, it's a parallel twin. And unless it's got a balance shaft it'll be a 360-degree crank, as well, thus even firing intervals.



To me this is a massive disappointment - I think the 360-degree parallel twin is the most boring engine format by far. And what a strange idea to try to compete in a market that is already stuffed with similar sized parallel twins. What could possibly distinguish it from the dozens of Japanese and British bikes already in the market?



Perhaps a lower price. But surely it can't be long before the Chinese pick up on it and undercut it, perhaps with better build quality.



This would have been a great opportunity to do something different. An air-cooled Euro 4 V-twin would be much more interesting and striking, and have far less competition.



I'm disappointed.

[Bullet Whisperer]

Each to their own, of course and I doubt very much I will ever buy a new bike in any case, but I would take a parallel twin over a vee, every time, the 180 degree layout being my personal favourite. V twins are as common as muck these days, with just about all types of machine style catered for. I know pre war, R.E. made some fantastic v twins, but closer to modern times they made their 'beefy' big parallel twins and I think a nod to them is a good way to go. Regards, Paul.

[jefrs]

A 750 Consternation? With classic looks they'll go head to head with the Bonnie and V7. Me, I'd wait a year or two for them to sort the engine out. As for the chinese, every chinese bike I've ever looked at has far worse build quality than indian, plus absolutely no factory support from them, the only form of warranty is with their importers, and yes I know RE factory warranty means a jolly good argument but there is one. Quality control is something RE really, really needs to tighten up on, that and running in the motors on the bench. Personally I think they should have gone with more classic looks because it won't have the performance to match its sporty looks. A "double-bullet" 700cc Vee-twin might sell better but keep it small and keep it relatively light not lard-arse cruiser. OTOH the CGT frame does handle well, please don't call it a Continental though, that was a 250.

[jefrs]

I reckon if they brought out a vee-twin with classic looks reminiscent of a modernised Brough, they'd have a winner.