Wow! What a time to be alive and riding!
Day 1: 650 with an insane price tag.
Day 2: Gorgeous 42 with okay price tag. Perak too is a head turner.
Day 3: I wish Bajaj had launched the Husqvarna 401 twins just to keep the momentum going.
I'm split between the two bikes (42 and 650) as much as I'm split between Vitpilen and Svartpilen 401. In this duo, the Svart is the logical one.
The 42 in turquoise has me dreaming. Hopefully, it's refined, reliable, and sounds good.
Group rides are an attraction for me. Even though I'm not a fan, I like finding new roads to ride and examining them before heading out on my own. It's also a good place to connect with like-minded people. I hope they have this piece sorted.
I hated the way Mahindra goons were asking the guests to get off the stage. I would not buy if this kind of cocky behavior continues. I've been to several press launches and not seen this ... ever. Triumph launches are my favorite. Mr. Vimal Sumbly is easy to catch hold of after the event and he stays for as long as journos are there to bug him. He's also straightforward with most questions AFAIK. Now, he's with RE.
In my experience, Mahindra have been dodgy. They still haven't been able to explain how their XUV petrol generates diesel-like torque at diesel-like RPMs. And what compression it's running.
I was just telling a colleague that Jawa is back. He hadn't heard about the launch. I showed the 42 and he's like "this isn't the original Jawa, the headlight isn't the same". Then I showed him the newly-launched "original" Jawa and he immediately started telling me how its lever needed to be moved from 'gear' mode to 'kickstart' mode. I didn't know these things. His dad owned one. So there's certainly the nostalgia factor in the Jawa bikes. If people know and remember these bikes, they're also likely to buy one.
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Originally Posted by R-Six Well, I think with the spoked alloys, there is no option but to keep a tube in the tires to ensure that the air is not leaking. |
There are tubeless conversion kits available. Outex, as mentioned in the thread is one. Tubliss is another. Expensive? Yes. Usable? May be. Not for off-road. Because you run the risk of breaking the bead. I'd hate to be in that situation.
Some manufacturers have found a workaround. The Suzuki V-Storm 650 has the spokes don't penetrate the rim. BMW R9T have the spokes meeting the rim at the edges to avoid the beads.
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Originally Posted by ashwinprakas
I've experienced several punctures while riding but never a blow-out, so can't comment on that. |
I have, and I still prefer tubes unless I know I'm not hitting the dirt even a little bit. I'm almost always dressed for the occasion as if crashing was on the agenda. But, they're definitely a pain. On the Impulse, for example, there's no center stand. Taking off and slotting the rear wheel is a pain even for professionals...while the bike is on a jack...and I'm holding a few parts to help align everything.
On the Navi, it's too easy. There's the benefit of "single-sided swingarm" if you can call it that.
I haven't tried my hand at replacing the tube, let along fixing a puncture. But I intend to learn how to do that before I take the Navi on a road trip.
I'm always being extra careful with the Gixxer.
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Originally Posted by samcan123 The 42 has got me thinking now.. Should I go for the 650 or the 42? I know they are in different leagues but still..
Should I upgrade from my GS150R to 42 or 650?
My heart says 650 - Enjoy the retro looking and very well put together package with the extremely value for money as the icing factor.
My mind says 42 - Save the 1 lakh rupees difference and still enjoy the retro looking bike.
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We're in the same boat. I'm just looking at it from the other end. My heart is with the 42 and my head is with the 650. This RE is such a logical purchase that it makes me wonder if it's RE enough. REs have traditionally been the most emotional purchases for many.
I agree that they're in different categories but some of us know exactly what to get in each category. I'm just looking for value, even if it comes at a cost.
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Originally Posted by samcan123 I understand that certain aspects like commuter-bike-like rear brake pedal and gear lever, absence of clock and gear indicator, etc can be justified so as to maintain the retro feel but it is hard to accept misaligned mudguards (both front and rear), MRF nylogrip tyres and absence of rear disk brakes. |
I noticed the alignment too. But I was like, what the hell, it's a classic. It's not like REs are the benchmarks in QC. And yet they sell. As long as the bits that could get me stranded are working well, I'm okay.
For the price, it's certainly better equipped than the 350s. There's FI. More power. They're lighter. I can't stand heavy bikes that are also low on power and features. There are trip meters. I'm just glad there's someone to challenge the RE's might.
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