[parrys]

I had made it clear, from my experience with the Ceat tyres last week, that I was not confident on riding with those rubbers.

So today, fixed Vredestein Centauro ST tyres on my RE INT 650. All this, within 1,500 kms of riding, and in almost 45 days of ownership. The stock Ceat tyres were just not up to the mark, at least for me.

Picking up the tyres from the dealer.


For the first time ever, I saw two-wheeler tyres handed over in a box.


Here's a shot of the INT 650 in full frame, with the stock rubber.


Ceat - front tyre.


Ceat - rear tyre.


Ceat - rear tyre tread pattern.


Unboxing the Vredestein tyres. Do note, these are the same size (same tyres) as the CGT 650.


Well packaged.


Fitting them on the rims. Diwan tyres in Thane (Kothari Compound) understood my brief well. Handle with care, NO DAMAGE or MARK whatsoever.


Wheel balancing was necessary, and I had to accept those ugly looking shiny silver blobs on the black rim.


Special balancing machine for two-wheeler tyres. Again, handled with care.


A quick look at both the tyre tread patterns. New Vs. Old.


Rain gods gave me an instant testing opportunity. The day I decided to ditch the Ceat compound, I encountered a light drizzle. Today, for almost 30 minutes, there was proper monsoon-like rain. The new & unscrubbed Vredestein worked brilliantly. Good grip. Confidence to get on the gas. And confidence to grab the front brake too.


So far, so good. Going for a ride on the weekend. Will update more on the performance of these tyres soon.

[parrys]

After nearly 49 days since delivery...
After so many days of brainstorming and sobbing...
After spending 8,000 bucks on graphene coating...
After spending 2,500 bucks on black ppf...
After spending 750 bucks on sahara seats tank cover...

Finally, a 250 bucks vinyl wrap seems to be the best solution
I can keep doing this every month, or as and when this wrap starts to wear too much.

Am I crazy? Or am I crazy?

[parrys]

Adding to the retro fever, picked up a Shoei Glamster from Singapore. (Hand carried by a friend)

It looks period correct to me.
Also noticed, all my helmets as of date and few from the past, they had a black + red + white livery.

[V0rtex]

Originally Posted by parrys

Updating the final cost, for this purchase:


+14,500 (aew exhaust + fitting)
Total = INR 4,52,215/-

How has the performance of the biken been after you installed the AEW exhaust, have you noticed any drop in torque. I've heard users mentioning that they experienced a torque drop in the lower rev range.

[parrys]

Originally Posted by V0rtex

Absolutely not.
I am short shifting all the way to aural bliss.

Riding solo, or riding with a pillion, have not felt any drop in torque, especially at city speeds.

[parrys]

So, not even 3.5 months since delivery, the battery is dead tonight.
No signs of life at all.

Tried push starting it in 1st & 2nd gear, no luck.
Tried rolling it down a long steep slope, no luck.

Royal indeed.

Trip computer is over 2,500 kms I guess. Can't check, because...

Had gone for a 400+ km bike ride not more than 10 days ago.

[parrys]

Update for the day!

Tried to jump start - No luck
Kept the bike on charge with jumping cables - No luck

Tried to push start - No luck

Push start while kick-towing, fired up.

Took it to my close friends garage - RATS BIKERS CAFE in Thane.

Got the battery out, sent it to a dealer to charge and check status.
The battery does not hold charge at all, declared useless.

Battery is manufactured on 18/02/2024!

Called the Royal Enfield showroom & service centre Thane, same folks from whom I picked the bike up.

Information shared in sequence:
-Please call RSA
-RSA executive will arrive, when available
-RSA executive will check bike within premises, then suggest way ahead
-RSA tow-truck will arrive, when available
-Bike heads to the service centre
-Bike will be inspected
-Battery will be inspected
-Then based on their inspection, further chain of actions

Meanwhile, I am expected to wait. Patiently.

Bike purchase date - 29/03/2024
Battery dead in parking lot - 09/07/2024

I wonder why can't companies work faster, and not waste customers' time.
You can read the date of manufacturing, the battery is faulty, why not deliver on the claimed warranty promise ASAP?

I did not even waste my time taking the bike to the service centre, after listening to what the manager said. They want to stick to their process, and their process is only meant to waste time, without any guarantee.

Some might say, you should have gone to the service centre and tried your luck.
But time is precious, and I do not intend to waste it.

My decision, I would just buy a battery from outside and get bike bike ready in the next 30 minutes, rather than wasting any time with these employees from an extremely poor QC but GLOBAL brand.

I love my motorcycle.
I hate how Royal Enfield is operating.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by parrys

Update for the day!

I don't care what anyone says or reams of tech data and pages of battery geek discussion. Based on my experience with Amaron VRLA last two batteries on my Storme, I am never going back to Amaron. 8000 bucks those batteries are man. Not cheap. And they struggle to hit to 2 years, o a 24 + 24 standard warranty.

[parrys]

Originally Posted by ebonho

I don't care what anyone says or reams of tech data and pages of battery geek discussion. Based on my experience with Amaron VRLA last two batteries on my Storme, I am never going back to Amaron. 8000 bucks those batteries are man. Not cheap. And they struggle to hit to 2 years, o a 24 + 24 standard warranty.

My problem is, if your flagship product has a problem, and if it is so easy to evaluate the problem and solution (even a local mechanic can inspect)

-WHY ASK THE CUSTOMER TO SUFFER?
-Why add more load on the RSA teams?

I did tell them I can bring the faulty battery to you, and you can check it at your pace.

But they wanted the motorcycle! And I detest RSA or towing of any two-wheeler, as it is subject to transit damage possibility.

Had they agreed to accept the battery alone, I would have happily taken out time and hand over the battery to them.

But given their SOP, my decision is to avoid wasting time with these guys.
My motorcycle was and still is a heart over head decision.
I will pay money for my peace of mind rather than speaking to these guys, who have no value of time.

[setuniket]

Completely agree with the last part of the statement. Feb Manufactured battery can have problems due to defective RR or faulty battery which can be checked using a simple Muti-meter. Not rocket science!

Worst part, RE is well aware of the RR failing due to its location and over heating. Its alloy models still face the same issue despite all these years of replacement of RRs under warranty. There are chronic issues with the twins which is well documented online and from warranty claims by owners, yet the issues persist.

Originally Posted by parrys

Update for the day!

I love my motorcycle.
I hate how Royal Enfield is operating.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by parrys

My problem is, if your flagship product has a problem, and if it is so easy to evaluate the problem and solution (even a local mechanic can inspect)

That is a Royal Enfield thing, and I better not comment on it.

But make sure your next battery is an Exide.

[parrys]

Originally Posted by ebonho

That is a Royal Enfield thing, and I better not comment on it.

But make sure your next battery is an Exide.

Unfortunately, no dealer around had an Exide ready.

Had to pick up an Amaron.
However, the dealer is a known source for my friend's cafe, and he has assured that should there be any issue within the warranty period, there would be a no questions asked replacement.

A local vendor can assure you of such service.
But a self proclaimed globally leading brand (in a specific category) cannot.

Never mind, the AEWs are firing again, and I love my Interceptor.

Originally Posted by setuniket

Completely agree with the last part of the statement. Feb Manufactured battery can have problems due to defective RR or faulty battery which can be checked using a simple Muti-meter. Not rocket science!

Worst part, RE is well aware of the RR failing due to its location and over heating. Its alloy models still face the same issue despite all these years of replacement of RRs under warranty. There are chronic issues with the twins which is well documented online and from warranty claims by owners, yet the issues persist.

They're so busy launching new products, they have no time for quality control.

For someone like me, who knows, there's a problem, after having owned a RE Continental GT 535, but still picked up an INT 650; all I can do is hope that things work. Because, can't really expect quality & support from the other side.

[rajeevsulu]

I seriously cannot comprehend why Royal Enfield cannot solve this issue. This motor cycle has been around for so many years and still this issue persists. Guess they just don't care!!

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by parrys

Unfortunately, no dealer around had an Exide ready.

Had to pick up an Amaron.
However, the dealer is a known source for my friend's cafe, and he has assured that should there be any issue within the warranty period, there would be a no questions asked replacement.

A local vendor can assure you of such service.
But a self proclaimed globally leading brand (in a specific category) cannot. .

No worries. But this is a con. I'll tell you how. Even if you've gotten a new battery, it might help the next guy who reads this.

Your battery barely lasted 3 months. You get a brand new battery without paying a rupee. You relieved. You happy.

But this new battery number is transferred on the original Warranty Card. By the dealer.

Now you get no warranty. Its a one time replacement (full or pro-rated deal).

Now you hope you get some life that's respectable from your new battery. Or you pay full price when this one conks off too. 3 months, 9 months, 15 months, who knows.

I got 2 years from my first Amaron. Replaced it just within 24 months, so gor the new battery free. Paid 1000 bucks to my battery dealer for doing the legwork so I don't need to run around. Its always up to the battery manufacturers to decide on your claim. So best let their connects do the trick.

The new battery also conked off (one cell had gone. But it still showed green on the indicator window) inside 2 years. Now I was on my own. Shelled out another 8k but this time went with the Exide.

Btw, I had to make this post because our fellow BHPian Sukiwa was terrified that I was stuck on the Devil's Number and WhatsApped me in panic



Cheers, Doc

[parrys]

Originally Posted by rajeevsulu

I seriously cannot comprehend why Royal Enfield cannot solve this issue. This motor cycle has been around for so many years and still this issue persists. Guess they just don't care!!

They don't care.
They are riding high on their success (even with too many flaws, they are getting away with the cult following).

Previously, in my professional capacity, when I reached out to them, their PR team told us that they don't care much about local media anymore, as they are now a GLOBAL brand.

Originally Posted by ebonho

No worries. But this is a con. I'll tell you how. Even if you've gotten a new battery, it might help the next guy who reads this.

I fully understand that if this happens again, I might have to shell out a similar amount, but that is still better than:

1. Waiting for the service centre to follow their SOPs (If at all they follow them, to close tasks quickly)
2. Accepting the risk of parking the bike at the service centre, where they might scratch the exhausts in movement (dual exhaust = higher chance of exhaust scratches)

My friends laugh at me, that I sold a perfectly functioning KTM 390 ADV for this full of swag low quality motorcycle.
But I cannot explain to them what it feels to ride an INT 650, and that keeps my mind at peace, even with all the expenses.