Team-BHP - The Twin-Cylinder 750cc Royal Enfield

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArizonaJim (Post 4248066)

IMO, buying any vehicle during the first year of its release is risky.

All vehicle companies do extensive road tests on their new design before it is released for production. That's why we get these candid pictures of new motorcycles riding on public roads.

That said, no company can afford to have its test riders ride millions of km before the product is released for production. There simply isn't enough manpower or time to do the job.

When they release the Big Twin, we can expect to see the same learning curve.

What you mentioned is absolutely true Jim. However, just for the reason that there are limitations with the testing due to time and manpower factors, most of the major tests are conducted virtually in computer simulations during the development phase.

But, don't you think that ,If the companies decide the public to find the issues for them then they are just making a fool of themselves , as nobody would buy a vehicle until the 3rd year with a hope that all issues are sorted.

Most companies know the issues in their products even at the time of launch, but they categorize based on the price and region, if the issue is a major one or can be put to the bottom of the list.
Even the best vehicle on the streets comes with an issue that a common man wouldn't be aware of, but the development team does.

I believe either REs virtual data doesn't correlate well with their testing or there's some major flaw with their manufacturing, especially with the welds failing in the structure, which I'm sure they must be taking care of in the new bike.

P.S. I just wanted to share my opinion from the view point of a Vehicle development Engineer and no way related to RE

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArizonaJim (Post 4248066)

Isn't this how the British motorcycle industry died? When the Japanese introduced machines that didn't follow this rule and never broke?

Maybe RE needs to stop being selective in their nostalgia and realize how they died the first time.

Why not invest in a ground up new frame for these new bikes instead of jugaad fix an existing one?

Himalayan fans were touting how the frame was "modified" for the application, which now cases of getting cracked are showing up. Welding flaw, or design flaw, anyone's guess.

Anybody taking bets on where it is going to fail when they plonk a twin cylinder in that same frame?

So, by the looks of it, not only are you getting the looks of a 60's British bike, you will be getting build quality of that era as well.

Cheers

Ride Safe

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgiitk (Post 4248856)

Is the layout 'big bang' with both pots firing at the same time, to preserve the pop-pop sound. Or it it normal which will lead to the loss of the typical Enfield engine noise. Remember the sound was the most endearing feature of the Royal Enfield.

It depends on the crank angle. You'd get the "big bang" sound if the crank angle were about 360° or so. Otherwise, the sound would probably be more akin to the Triumph parallel twins. A 360° degree crank angle would also unfortunately increase vibrations, as the counterbalancing effect of the cylinders would be lost as they would rise and fall simultaneously. But then, I suppose it would feel more like an RE that way :P

Quote:

Originally Posted by aravind.anand (Post 4249183)

Sorry, but this is not the Royal Enfield 750cc, but rather a RE Classic with a Carberry developed 1000cc, V-Twin UCE engine that makes 54PS, and 108Nm of torque. The engine is available for sale for 4.96 lakhs !!

Oh, my bad !

Thanks for sharing the info. :thumbs up

Mods, please delete or move the above post to a more appropriate thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aravind.anand (Post 4249183)

Just came across article on Economic Times. Interesting thing is that the facility was established in February last year in Bhilai and initial units of engines are available for existing Carberry bikes.

By the way, is RE going to use them in their bikes in India? Here is the link to the article.

http://auto.economictimes.indiatimes...ngine/59979898

Thanks,
Pradip.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArizonaJim (Post 4248066)

IMO, buying any vehicle during the first year of its release is risky.
All vehicle companies do extensive road tests on their new design before it is released for production. That's why we get these candid pictures of new motorcycles riding on public roads.
That said, no company can afford to have its test riders ride millions of km before the product is released for production. There simply isn't enough manpower or time to do the job.
..is pretty safe to buy one.
When they release the Big Twin, we can expect to see the same learning curve.

I assume this was restricted to buying a product from RE only.
ARAI takes data from ten bikes to collate and get its homologation kilometers done. Atleast this was the norm a few years ago, and I strongly think that would be the same now.
So for RE, to put ten mules with ten guinea pigs astride, they could run off 1 million km in like 45 days- this would not be impossible.
The point I keep making, all that engineering and riding- what reports were they filing with their own company- forget ARAI.
And now everyone fears the same with these new bikes.
No where in the world does one watch with trepidation on the performance of a product- probably no where in India too- save RE.
IF they take refuge under this 'curve' then its just tragic to have a home grown market leader behave with such tardiness.

As much as I'm excited to lay hands on the 750CC, I'm actually equally worried about the maintenance costs of the same machine! :Frustrati

When my 350CC RE Classic gulps 2.5L of Engine Oil once in every three months, how much would this mammoth do? :Shockked:

By the way, love the Bonneville-ish looking RE. Would definitely be one from the first lot to buy it. :D

Regards,
ToF

It's a great bike to look at and probably would be fun to ride as well just like those classic thumpers. I agree a wild 360 deg. crank would be explosive...!
But generally speaking, I think we need better scrutinising agencies of whatever comes off the production line in the Indian market. I have heard disturbing stories about the Himalayan frames cracking and stuff falling off and I have also personally experienced my Duke have all the problems under the sun in spite of it being a great motorcycle.
I don't believe that things breaking down in a bike and then one fixing them is the "character" of a motorcycle...No. That used to happen with my RD back then and I don't blame the motorcycle or the unavailability of quality spares during that period...but now, things are different. Manufacturing technologies and testing procedures, design have vastly improved.