Re: Ridden: Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 & Continental GT 650 Twin Booked - Royal Enfield Interceptor
Dealer - Kolkata Ride Zone, Chinar Park
Colour - Silver
Booking amount - Rs 5000/- (used my debit card)
On road price - Shall come to know when the vehicle is allotted
Accessories thought of - Crash Guard
Showroom and Test Drive experience
07th December 2018, drove down to the Chinar Park showroom. The showroom looked nice, neat, clean and well organized. Asked the SA for the test drive of the Interceptor, for which he requested me to be seated as the bike was out for a test drive.
In the mean time, he took a copy of my DL, brought a brochure and we started discussing colour options. On looking at the brochure, i fell for the black and mentioned the same. Just then, his colleague mentioned that the bike is back, and I could proceed for the TD. I must have waited for about 5 mins.
The TD bike was the Silver Spectre, which looked much better than black, so tilted towards silver.
Kindly keep the following in mind before I proceed
1. I shall be riding a 4 stroker for the first time
2. I shall be riding a bike after 18 years
3. 18 years ago I owned a Kawasaki Bajaj KB100 RTZ Delta, which i rode for 8 years
4. I have ridden the RX 100 and RD 350 couple of times (28 years ago)
5. I am 6 feet 1 and a half inch tall and press the weighing scale at 120 kgs
6. First time riding a bike with push button start and ABS
The SA provided me a helmet and also a shower cap (nice gesture). The helmet was comfortable, though without a chin guard. The clasp clicked well in place and I made sure I adjusted the straps for a snug fit.
The TD bike had 1307 kms on the clock. The SA mentioned the gear shift pattern ie one down rest up. I asked if the clutch had to be kept depressed when hitting the starter button, he replied - not required.
I saddled the beast - had a look at the twin information pods. Turned the key, loved the needles swing. Unfortunately the information on the pods looked plain jan, more on that later.
I fired the beast. Let it idle for some time - the feeling was as if one is on his / her first date and both are really apprehensive as what to expect - hence the awkward silence. Twisted my wrist - wow the sound impressed. Since i have never ridden the Bullet (just heard its beating sound), ofcourse the difference in exhaust sound is like cheese and chalk.
Slotted 1st, nice positive engagement. Very light clutch, which I released and off we went. Rode towards Rajarhat and then towards Eco Park. Loved the torque. Did not exceed 60 kmph as Kolkata Police hate the opportunity to dish out an overspeeding chalaan.
The road was a mix of bad stretches, speed breakers and smooth stretches. Managed to stall the bike once, as I could not access which gear I was on after I crossed the speed breaker - gear position indicator is definitely required, hope Siddartha Lal and RE are listening!!
The mirrors - with my built, no matter how much I adjusted them, I just could use 15% of the mirror area, the rest being blocked by my arms / shoulder. Please suggest a remedy for this.
The seat - felt extremely soft. I am pretty sure, 6 months down the line, I shall feel as if I am sitting on the metal frame. Suggest remedy please.
The suspension - Felt extremely hard. Maybe the rear suspension was set on the hardest setting or maybe the tyres were over inflated I do not know, but I could feel as if the suspension was dead.
The distance of TD 12 kms.
Torque - Amazing amount available at low rpms, really impressive.
When I reached the showroom, the SA was waiting outside. He asked me, Sir, how is the bike - I said, I shall book it!!
Once back inside the showroom, I was requested to give a feed back on a questionnaire on the SA's phone. I mentioned three dislikes
HARD SUSPENSION
TOO SOFT SEAT
NO GEAR POSITION INDICATOR
Ensured that the booking amount is fully refundable in case I change my mind.
Also, one day, need to visit them again, after sun set to check the head light beam (which is very important for me - this could be a deal breaker - please suggest good powerful aux lamps)
The RE twins have been dissected by practically all the automobile buffs, my review is just a lay man's personal experience.
Hope these lines add value to prospective Interceptor buyers. |