08-12-2024, 02:30 AM
Hmm... interesting topic.
To misterprofessionality's point, Royal Enfield does have a ways to go in quality, but it's a bike built to a price, and that price is cheap. I initially dismissed the Interceptor 650 as a "Harbor Freight Bonneville", but once I spent a day on a rental and became intrigued, and then looked at how cheap used bikes were with minimal mileage, I decided that yes the risk was low enough for the bike itself, but was concerned about parts availability. I priced commonly replaced parts on Ebay India before I pulled the trigger, and found them to be laughably cheap. So far, I've paid $24 to replace a speedometer cable. Valve checks are called for every 6k miles, but the tank comes off in minutes, and it has screw lash adjusters. I can do that in an hour with a cocktail in one hand.
Regarding BMW... Ugh, yeah, lovely, and initially the logical and practical German engineering was uber-kool, but when German stuff breaks, it does so in spectacular fashion. Been there, done that, love-em as rentals now, but it's nice to hand the keys back over when I'm done.
Moto Guzzi... I'd love a V7 850. But I'm hesitant... the appeal for me is like the Enfield 650, but I don't think the parts would be as cheap or easy to get.
KTM... my friends have 'em and love 'em, but the slanty, slashy orange/black styling just doesn't grab me.
What would I just not buy? A Harley or an Indian. I did my cruiser thing years ago, and just don't enjoy riding big, heavy yachts anymore. Yeah, Indian has the FTR, but it's not something that speaks to me enough.. maybe it's the price tag.
To misterprofessionality's point, Royal Enfield does have a ways to go in quality, but it's a bike built to a price, and that price is cheap. I initially dismissed the Interceptor 650 as a "Harbor Freight Bonneville", but once I spent a day on a rental and became intrigued, and then looked at how cheap used bikes were with minimal mileage, I decided that yes the risk was low enough for the bike itself, but was concerned about parts availability. I priced commonly replaced parts on Ebay India before I pulled the trigger, and found them to be laughably cheap. So far, I've paid $24 to replace a speedometer cable. Valve checks are called for every 6k miles, but the tank comes off in minutes, and it has screw lash adjusters. I can do that in an hour with a cocktail in one hand.
Regarding BMW... Ugh, yeah, lovely, and initially the logical and practical German engineering was uber-kool, but when German stuff breaks, it does so in spectacular fashion. Been there, done that, love-em as rentals now, but it's nice to hand the keys back over when I'm done.
Moto Guzzi... I'd love a V7 850. But I'm hesitant... the appeal for me is like the Enfield 650, but I don't think the parts would be as cheap or easy to get.
KTM... my friends have 'em and love 'em, but the slanty, slashy orange/black styling just doesn't grab me.
What would I just not buy? A Harley or an Indian. I did my cruiser thing years ago, and just don't enjoy riding big, heavy yachts anymore. Yeah, Indian has the FTR, but it's not something that speaks to me enough.. maybe it's the price tag.