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Originally Posted by maker_of_things I don't get what you mean by "familiar". If you mean that it looks like a UCE, then sure it does. But I suspect most of the big capacity air-cooled long stroke engines do look like this. |
I am not too fond of riding around on a rather expensive modern-day motorcycle with the knowledge that it's crankcase has remained essentially unchanged since the pre WWII era. When RE and the media spoke of an 'all new engine' I was hoping that the engine really is 'all new'. Never mind the cast iron and AVL/UCE changes. I believe RE has the wherewithal
and the market to design and manufacture an all new engine from scratch. Given this belief, this is what I was hoping for.
This "carry over and build around an existing design" logic leads to compromises being made - ultimately it is us, the motorcycle starved-for-choices junta that pay for and ride these machines limitations and all.
Which brings me to this point:
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Originally Posted by maker_of_things Do you have something against 5 speed gearboxes? Gear ratios are far more important than the number of gears. |
Do you mean that you'd be happier riding and owning a
touring bike with a 5 speed gearbox instead of appreciating the possibility of it being offered with a 6th cog with overdrive? By that logic, why not 4 gears? After all, it comes down to gear ratios in your book.
How many of us have been in top gear at cruising speeds on a boring flat, long, straight highway and tried putting our vehicles into a (nonexistent) higher gear?
I was merely wondering if the crankcase of the LS410 has a limitation because of which it cannot accommodate a 6th gear.
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Originally Posted by maker_of_things If you'd look closely, the exhaust header is not the same. It just looks like the old ones. Last time I checked, most of the motorcycles have their exhausts which run along the bottom of the frame. |
I would have hoped that the header is routed away from the bottom such that it doesn't foul on sharp rocks. I'm thinking adventure bikes here. Oh, I did notice the aluminium bash plate but my concern stands.
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Originally Posted by maker_of_things To quote you, "The Himalayan is hardly going to be ridden by the vast majority like CSS has ridden it". I think you've answered you're own question. It was a torture test. And to know what he *really* thinks about it, send him a PM on twitter or instagram. He usually replies. |
You mean he's going to reply to a message from a total stranger and openly speak his mind about the failings he found in the Himalayan? As an official RE torture tester and brand ambassador? I would think not. Don't let this stop you though!
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Originally Posted by maker_of_things The prototypes seemed to work fine on the Himalayas, when a bunch of people from RE including some I personally know took it there. I doubt it should function any different on the production version. |
Did the people you know personally
personally check and compare the models, configuration, settings and jet sizes on the carbs during the rides in the Himalayas
and compare each of them to rides at sea level? According to the International Standard Atmosphere tables, air pressure falls to 69% at 10000 feet AMSL and Air Density falls to 74%. As a consequence, engine power drops to less than 70% at 10000 feet AMSL. This is at standard ISA lapse rates and assuming peak engine condition. In the real world, things can (and will) get a lot worse.
Therefore, unless there's some electronic magic in the carbs of the test Himalayans, they, like any other carburetted motorcycle would be gasping for air with the fuel mixture being too rich at altitude.
My question stands: Is RE likely to offer the Himalayan with an optional high altitude kit? This is a rather simple fix that can (and should!) be offered by RE.
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Originally Posted by naveenroy Aargh, they will come for you soon - the fans of the whatever-happens-metal-Royal-Enfield-bikes-are-the-best. |
This is absolutely hilarious! Very accurate prediction indeed. I did read this earlier but I just had to highlight these words. Thanks for the laughs.
Folks, I'm merely voicing my opinion and listing what I believe are shortcomings in the Himalayan. I'm probably as excited as you are and waiting for test rides to begin. This is a commendable effort by RE, but lets face it, the game has moved on and the bar has been raised - which in turn has raised my hopes and expectations.
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