Jason Voorhees
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- Joined
- May 15, 2020
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Its been almost 6 months owning a cruiser. Specifically the RE shotgun 650 this
Pros
-Amazing Engine
The engine is a real highlight. It's refined, torquey and super responsive. With peak torque of 52 Nm at 5,250 rpm and 80% of it available as low as 2,500 rpm there's barely any need to downshift. I've cruised in 6th gear at 60-70 kmph without any knocking it just pulls smoothly. It's no race bike but it comfortably does 100-120 kmph on highways. The pickup is also surprisingly good for a bike this hesvy.
-Very good looking and sounds great
The proportions, the paint job the lines the curves the blacked out engine fins.
Photos don't do it justice it looks even better in person. Riding it feels special. It's big, long and demands attention. You sit in a commanding posture and it announces itself everywhere. The twin-cylinder engine sounds great too-not the deep Harley thump, but still beefy and satisfying. You feel like you own the road when you are on this bike.
Cons
-Too heavy
The weight is too much. Yes once the bike gets moving you don't feel and yes royal enfield has done great job hiding the weight by balancing the front and rear but the weight in slow moving bumper to bumper to traffic is unmanageable even for someone my size. There's no traction control also so if the tire loses grip there's no saving the bike with your legs like you can with lighter bikes, you are losing your legs if you try that with this bike. It is falling down if it gets tipped over. I've dropped it a couple times and picking it back up also feels like a workout because of the weight. It feels like I'm riding some kind of tank
-The engine gives off heat
To be expected because it is 650cc engine so ofc it will produce a lot of heat but RE could have still done a better job managing it. In the hot tropical summers sometimes it does get unbearable in traffic.
-Stiff suspension
One of my biggest gripes with this bike. The suspension is so stiff and so uncomfortable. This could have somewhat worked if the roads in my shithole were California tier good but unfortunately roads here are full of potholes, speed bumps and uneven surfaces and you will feel all of it, it is uncomfortable and painful. When I weighed 102 kg, the ride felt more cushioned thanks to the low-pressure cruiser tires and the ride was okay and somewhat bearable but now at 85 kg, I don't get that same plush feel. Long rides have even left me with back pain.
-No luggage space.
There's no space for luggage to be mounted so it not very suitable for commutes or touring. The only place you can mount some luggage is by swapping the pillion seat for a rack otherwise a backpack is all you got
Overall, I like this bike despite the compromises I love how the bike makes me feel. It is not a very sensible purchase. It is heavy, it is hard to find parking spots, it is a gas guzzler, it will wreck your spine and it is impractical but I still love it.If you are tall, on the heavier side, don't ride daily, and aren't planning long trips or carrying cargo, it's a solid pick otherwise stay away from this bike and cruisers in general
Pros
-Amazing Engine
The engine is a real highlight. It's refined, torquey and super responsive. With peak torque of 52 Nm at 5,250 rpm and 80% of it available as low as 2,500 rpm there's barely any need to downshift. I've cruised in 6th gear at 60-70 kmph without any knocking it just pulls smoothly. It's no race bike but it comfortably does 100-120 kmph on highways. The pickup is also surprisingly good for a bike this hesvy.
-Very good looking and sounds great
The proportions, the paint job the lines the curves the blacked out engine fins.
Photos don't do it justice it looks even better in person. Riding it feels special. It's big, long and demands attention. You sit in a commanding posture and it announces itself everywhere. The twin-cylinder engine sounds great too-not the deep Harley thump, but still beefy and satisfying. You feel like you own the road when you are on this bike.
Cons
-Too heavy
The weight is too much. Yes once the bike gets moving you don't feel and yes royal enfield has done great job hiding the weight by balancing the front and rear but the weight in slow moving bumper to bumper to traffic is unmanageable even for someone my size. There's no traction control also so if the tire loses grip there's no saving the bike with your legs like you can with lighter bikes, you are losing your legs if you try that with this bike. It is falling down if it gets tipped over. I've dropped it a couple times and picking it back up also feels like a workout because of the weight. It feels like I'm riding some kind of tank
-The engine gives off heat
To be expected because it is 650cc engine so ofc it will produce a lot of heat but RE could have still done a better job managing it. In the hot tropical summers sometimes it does get unbearable in traffic.
-Stiff suspension
One of my biggest gripes with this bike. The suspension is so stiff and so uncomfortable. This could have somewhat worked if the roads in my shithole were California tier good but unfortunately roads here are full of potholes, speed bumps and uneven surfaces and you will feel all of it, it is uncomfortable and painful. When I weighed 102 kg, the ride felt more cushioned thanks to the low-pressure cruiser tires and the ride was okay and somewhat bearable but now at 85 kg, I don't get that same plush feel. Long rides have even left me with back pain.
-No luggage space.
There's no space for luggage to be mounted so it not very suitable for commutes or touring. The only place you can mount some luggage is by swapping the pillion seat for a rack otherwise a backpack is all you got
Overall, I like this bike despite the compromises I love how the bike makes me feel. It is not a very sensible purchase. It is heavy, it is hard to find parking spots, it is a gas guzzler, it will wreck your spine and it is impractical but I still love it.If you are tall, on the heavier side, don't ride daily, and aren't planning long trips or carrying cargo, it's a solid pick otherwise stay away from this bike and cruisers in general
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