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Bought a Continental GT 650 instead of a big Triumph: Experience so far

29th August 2024, 11:45 by Utkarsh Chaudhary

I am more confident flicking through traffic with my twin-cylinder Royal Enfield than the KTM 390 Adventure, which is lighter.

BHPian a_chelat recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The GT came home this month. It's been three weeks since delivery; Odo hit 500 kms on Sunday and is up for the first scheduled service this Friday. I don't intend to "review" the bike as I am sure everybody knows by now what the GT has to offer. But thought I'd pen down some of my experiences.

Why the GT?

I wanted a new motorcycle, period. I didn't need one but the more motorcycles I have, the more joy in life. That was the only reason behind my initial buying decision.

I was honestly not looking at the GT or shopping in this price bracket for that matter. I have been a long-time admirer of the Triumph Modern Classics and was finally in a position to afford one without a loan. My first preference was the T120 but the fact that it had tubed tyres was a major turn off. This pushed me towards the Speed Twin 1200. I wouldn't say this was really a second choice. I think it is the most beautiful bike in the lineup and obviously the better performer too; I was leaning towards the T120 as I wasn't sure if I really needed all the power the Speed Twin offered and the fact that the T120 was a bit more pillion friendly.

What threw a spanner in the works was the infamous Triumph experience. I just couldn't get a test ride. I have experienced the earlier iterations of these motorcycles but I was not going to plonk 15 lakhs on a machine before I had a proper chance to test it. Without going into the details, the Bangalore dealerships - both Keerthi and Khivraj - were not very interested in selling the motorcycle. Khivraj experience was marginally better and while they did offer a TD at home, apparently their TD vehicle met with an accident and was at the workshop. They wanted me to follow-up and remind them about my inquiry; though I found it odd, I did so for a couple of weeks before giving up. That and the notorious service experience which was always at the back of my mind was finally enough for me to look at other options.

And that is when the GT came in. Just like the Modern Classics, I have been lusting over the GT for a very, very long time. Ever since I first saw a red GT 535 zoom past me. I briefly flitted over the idea of buying one when the 650 twins were launched but gave up considering it is not a very practical motorcycle. It still isn't but my priorities had also changed during the time. Now I have an Adv 390 if my wife wishes to tag along so I can just keep the GT for myself.

So if I couldn't get one dream bike, I was going to get another. The fact that it cost less than a third of my budget made the decision easier. It allows me to come back to the Triumph in another year or two and hopefully, that is enough time for Bajaj to make things better. I will enjoy the GT till then. Chasing one dream at a time.

The RE Experience

I owned an Electra (UCE) for 8 years before I sold it. Except for the service experience at Teknik Motors, Bangalore, I only have good memories of the motorcycle and RE in general. So while I am not a hardcore fanboy, I do have an emotional connect with the brand. I was always sure that I will get one again. Only question was where from?

I decided to go with the RE Company Store though Teknik Motors, Indiranagar, is a 15-20 mins walk from home. And I am glad I did. Everything was seamless, from the TD to paperwork to delivery. I was assisted by Mr. Sajid and the best part was that I never had to call him for anything. They were very prompt with everything and always delivered on what they promised. I think the fact that they did not commit to anything they couldn't be sure of (unlike other dealerships) helped. 10/10, would recommend it.

The GT Experience

I am not going to list out the pros and cons which have been discussed at length over the last few years. I knew what I was getting into.

The engine is a gem. I am keeping the RPMs below 4k during the run-in period so I cannot say I have had a lot of fun but even within these limits, it is a very enjoyable machine. Very nimble and picks up speed fast (for an RE).

It is also a very desirable motorcycle, quite the looker. Pick any shade and it won't disappoint. Although my wife looked at the Mr. Clean and said the tank looks like an aluminium kitchen vessel placed upside-down and I can't unsee it now, lol.

Rode around with spoked wheels for about 100 kms while Bhushan from TopGear Thumpers procured the alloys. Very professional and cheaper by almost 4k compared to the quote I received from RE dealers. Again a 10/10 experience, would recommend.

There are also a few things I am learning to live with, mostly stuff that I underestimated:

Weight - The GT is very nimble. In fact, I am more confident flicking through traffic with the GT than the Adv 390 which is lighter - just that the lower stance inspires more confidence in me personally. But the weight is definitely felt when I try to move it around in the parking, a bit more than I expected.
Riding Position - Again something I underestimated was the stress it was going to put on my wrists. I was fully prepared for the committed riding position on the GT and had no complaints during the test rides. I even had a 400 km ride this Sunday and didn't feel any discomfort. But riding it in peak Bangalore traffic is tough - the constant stop-start-stop motion does take a toll on the wrists. I have also gained 20 kilos in the past one year so that doesn't help either. Time to get fit.
Tank Range - I am still working out the tank range to be on the safer side. I tried calculating the highway FE and it seemed to return 27kmpl. Isn't this the ARAI FE? I am not sure if I missed anything as I was just making mental notes at the time. Anyway, I expect the figure to drop post first service - there is no way I will be able to ride it as sedately as the run-in period, which is surely the reason for the higher FE. Fuel stops at every 200 kms or so should be a safe option. A better tank range and fewer stops would have been great, but it is what it is.

A couple of pictures to sign off.

On delivery day: