[antz.bin]

Why do they need twin exhausts for all their 650s? Can't they do away with one of them and save a bit of weight (and cost)? Its not as if that these motorcycles are featherweight and *need* the weight. It is not as if RE have any historical reasons for the twin exhausts. REs always had just the 1 exhaust since time immemorial. It was the Jawas which always had 2 exhausts on either side.

Probably one of my biggest reason why I refrain from even considering REs is all that excess weight. Losing some of it will make this reason less compelling. Come on RE! You did the hard work, this one should be easy.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by Senotrius

Looks more royal and substantial.....So why skip on alloy wheels!

Not a biker, so I am far from being able to say with conviction. Other than the non availability of spoke wheels-tubeless tyres combination in affordable bikes and looks, is there any other reason for preferring alloy wheels?

IMHO, the spoke wheels play a good part in the royal and substantial looks, though they are pain to clean. In an era where even the cheapest 100cc commuter bikes have alloy wheels, I am glad the Classic retains spoke wheels.

Originally Posted by antz.bin

Why do they need twin exhausts for all their 650s? Can't they do away with one of them and save a bit of weight (and cost)? Its not as if that these motorcycles are featherweight and *need* the weight. It is not as if RE have any historical reasons for the twin exhausts. REs always had just the 1 exhaust since time immemorial. It was the Jawas which always had 2 exhausts on either side.

As a non biker. the only reason I can give is that, it looks C-O-O-L. And it is not as if they gave twin exhausts for just looks sakes in a single cylinder engine. Twin cylinder, so let there be twin exhausts for looks and symmetry. I believe, there has already been scoop pics of single 2-1-1 exhaust Interceptors being tested. So RE could offer it soon in a facelift as a choice or even do away with the twin exhaust altogether.

[rakesh_r]

Originally Posted by DicKy

I believe, there has already been scoop pics of single 2-1-1 exhaust Interceptors being tested. So RE could offer it soon in a facelift as a choice or even do away with the twin exhaust altogether.

I believe that's for the 650 Scrambler, rumoured to be named as Hunter 650.

[WhiskeyTangoFox]

Originally Posted by antz.bin

Why do they need twin exhausts for all their 650s? Can't they do away with one of them and save a bit of weight (and cost)? Its not as if that these motorcycles are featherweight and *need* the weight. It is not as if RE have any historical reasons for the twin exhausts. REs always had just the 1 exhaust since time immemorial. It was the Jawas which always had 2 exhausts on either side.

One of the major features that makes the 650 twins stand out from any other bike in the segment is the twin exhaust system. It is absolutely beautiful to look at. Of course they could be a little smaller and lighter, like the aftermarket options but I suspect the weight may have something to do with emissions control regulations. It would be nice for RE to reduce the weight of the exhausts themselves, but I honestly believe that the twin exhausts must stay, but to each his own

[TheVDR]

If one focusses on how the seats are placed, this test mule gives (atleast to me) more of a Bullet 650 than a Classic 650 vibe. RE may have plans to launch both but there is still no definite answer to it, yet!

[Senotrius]

Originally Posted by DicKy

IMHO, the spoke wheels play a good part in the royal and substantial looks, though they are pain to clean. In an era where even the cheapest 100cc commuter bikes have alloy wheels, I am glad the Classic retains spoke wheels.

100% agree those thick shiny spokes look royal but 100% also a pain to fix tube tyre punctures on our roads. When my tubeless alloy wheels get punctured(car/bike), it's only a safe, gradual loss of pressure with warning and the fix is just a visit to any local tyre shop for 15-20mins. Tubeless spokes are costly and fixes like tyreX are not 100%.

Even on cars, old classic Jags for example, with those thick criss-cross shiny spoke wheels- awesome look! I agree with your point.

[sudipta]

As an existing Classic 500 owner, I have my eyes peeled for this one. For me, my current ride is the ultimate ride and can't think of changing it at any cost. Let's see if this can bowl me over. Keep them coming RE and only you can better your own products.

[AulusGabinius]

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

I believe that's for the 650 Scrambler, rumoured to be named as Hunter 650.

Actually, I think they've trademarked a name called the Interceptor Bear. Kind of like Himalayan Scram, I suppose.

P.S. I still think is the Shotgun, not the Classic. This close to production, the name would have been trademarked and that would have been leaked already.

[SNA411]

Potentially unpopular opinion:
What does this bring to the table?
The sitting position and the ergonomics are an exact copy of the interceptor.

[GreasyCarb55]

Originally Posted by SNA411

Potentially unpopular opinion:
What does this bring to the table?
The sitting position and the ergonomics are an exact copy of the interceptor.

The looks, the Classic name, better seating position and hopefully a better stock seat.

While the Interceptor is more upright than the Continental GT, it isn't the commanding riding position RE lovers are used to on the 350's so there's that.

I see the 650 line up as a spectrum, going from sporty on the left to comfort on the right. On the extreme left you have the sporty Continental GT, then on the extreme right the almost Harley like Super Meteor with the Interceptor in the middle.

As I've said the Interceptor is more upright than the Continental GT but not like the Classic 350 and the footpegs are still rear set compared to a Classic 350.

This new Classic 650 will sit between the Interceptor 650 and the Super Meteor 650, it's not just for people looking to upgrade from a Classic 350/500 but also for people who want something more comfortable/neutral than the Interceptor but don't want to commit to the Harley like ergonomics of the Super Meteor.

[aviator1101]

Originally Posted by SNA411

Potentially unpopular opinion:
What does this bring to the table?
The sitting position and the ergonomics are an exact copy of the interceptor.

Correct me if I'm wrong.
The Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 share the same frame. It's only the footpegs and handlebar which have been altered in both variants to change the riding ergonomics.

As per my understanding, the Super Meteor is a completely different frame with a different wheelbase, rake angle etc.

The Classic 650, Bullet 650 and Hunter 650 may or may not use this frame, but surely not the Interceptor frame, so it is less likely that the ergonomics would be akin to Interceptor. And pray to God it should not, otherwise the shin scraping quality would also be inherited



PS. The family tree of RE also hints more or less at the same.

[bharath79]

Originally Posted by AulusGabinius

Actually, I think they've trademarked a name called the Interceptor Bear. Kind of like Himalayan Scram, I suppose.

P.S. I still think is the Shotgun, not the Classic. This close to production, the name would have been trademarked and that would have been leaked already.

Shotgun is not seen to have spoked wheels in all pictures so far.

Regards
Bharath

[AulusGabinius]

Originally Posted by bharath79

Shotgun is not seen to have spoked wheels in all pictures so far.

Regards
Bharath

True, it could be a variant or something like that. Overall, barring the headlight and the wheels, it all looks too similar. If the launch is a year away, the name would still be trademarked. The Sherpa name is actually still extant without a bike to it, so I suppose it's possible the Himalayan 450 is actually the Sherpa. It would make sense if the current Himalayan is going to be sold alongside the new one, the differentiation would help consumers a lot.

[neoonwheels]

Is Hunter650 called Shotgun? a twin in Hunter dimensions and shape would be something I would prefer. Would look almost like a Triumph street twin

[aviator1101]

Originally Posted by neoonwheels

Is Hunter650 called Shotgun? a twin in Hunter dimensions and shape would be something I would prefer. Would look almost like a Triumph street twin

You are absolutely right.



The silhouette of the Hunter and the Street Twin are almost identical.

Now, see the pic below.
The Hunter like design with the upswept twin exhaust layout of the Interceptor 650 might turn out to be an exact replica of the Street Twin.




What Super Meteor 650 is to low end HD cruisers, Hunter 650 will be to Street Twin.