Announcement

**Naveen Vajja** · 01-25-2016, 07:55 PM

Regulations: Dakar

As of 2011, the engine capacity limit for all motorbikes competing in the Dakar Rally is 450cc. Engines may be either single or twin cylinder. Riders are divided into two groups, "Elite" (Group 1) and Non-Elite (Group 2), with the latter subdivided into two further groups - the "Super Production" (Group 2.1) and "Marathon" (Group 2.2) classes. "Marathon" competitors are not permitted to change such key components as the engine (including the engine case, cylinders and cylinder heads), the frame, the forks or swinging arm, whereas those in the "Super Production" and "Elite" classes may replace these components.^{[15]

Source: Wikipedia and Dakar}

**Deathmate.Zed** · 01-25-2016, 08:13 PM

Originally posted by Naveen Vajja View Post

Could the 400 be hinting towards Dakar ...

Regulations: Dakar

As of 2011, the engine capacity limit for all motorbikes competing in the Dakar Rally is 450cc. Engines may be either single or twin cylinder. Riders are divided into two groups, "Elite" (Group 1) and Non-Elite (Group 2), with the latter subdivided into two further groups - the "Super Production" (Group 2.1) and "Marathon" (Group 2.2) classes. "Marathon" competitors are not permitted to change such key components as the engine (including the engine case, cylinders and cylinder heads), the frame, the forks or swinging arm, whereas those in the "Super Production" and "Elite" classes may replace these components.^{[15]

Source: Wikipedia and Dakar}

The Dakar is the world's most grueling race event for both the machine as well as the rider. RE has a long long way to go to reach that level of endurance. Still if this is what they have in mind, I will be super happy that they are headed into the right direction.

**The Monk** · 01-27-2016, 11:45 AM

**Naveen Vajja** · 01-27-2016, 12:05 PM

Originally posted by The Monk View Post

^^^ Unlikely, TVS who have been in racing/ rallying at the national level for sometime participated in the Dakar for the first time last year. Even they didn't go alone, they teamed up with Sherco from France who had considerable Dakar experience.

There is zero chance that this bike would last a day at the Dakar!!!

Agreed ... It's a thought to justify with their going out of their way to build a whole new platform.

**maverick_rider** · 02-15-2016, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by The Monk View Post

^^^ Unlikely, TVS who have been in racing/ rallying at the national level for sometime participated in the Dakar for the first time last year. Even they didn't go alone, they teamed up with Sherco from France who had considerable Dakar experience.

There is zero chance that this bike would last a day at the Dakar!!!

Thank you for echoing my thoughts Monk, I am not sure about Dakar unless someone entirely rebuilds the engine, makes it vibration free, makes it a stronger chassis and then removes the inherent RE qualities (lack of spares for "premium" bikes, lack of service or knowledge by Service Center guys etc) I don't think it would even survive this

Years ago, when the Machismo 500 LB was launched (yes, I own the curse), the same hype sans Social Media was made through showrooms and magazine back covers. It hardly can sustain 100 kmph without panting and rattling your ancestors knees and elbows, this was without luggage. I have done 74,000 odd kilometers with the same and have maintained it more studiously than I maintain my Wife's favourite sofa while having a drink

I went an bought a premium and "traditionally progressive" curse.

Given the recent experience with Continental GT and seeing the same team has worked on the Himalayan, I am doubtful about it long-haul capacity (REs do haul but by rattling your bones, feeding mechanics on the way and worrying your mind) and durability. They built a cafe racer which undermines your confidence gained from years of riding (my posterior mileage is 2 lakh+ KMs on a plethora of bikes {CD100 to Mahindra Mojo}), makes your knees and elbows feel like a 50 year old's and creates so much stress about the noisy engine post 90 kmph in your mind that you forget what riding is all about.

RE just wants to feed off the love people like us have for nostalgia, straight looks and street cred. Not to mention, bikes made of metal. If you are someone who wants an RE and something that stands apart, please buy the Himalayan.

If you have already burnt your hand with REs and are short of money, please wait for something else to come along. India's economy is booming, even URAL might be here someday.

If you have some dough to spare, please buy a Triumph or a Benelli 650 GT.

So in short, anyone excited by the looks and hype, be prepared for long term disappointment and owning a curse.

I hope this comes to India sometime soon - this can do all that is promised of an RE without the fuss and if it comes via the CKD unit, price will be cheaper too.
SR400 2016 - Motorcycles - Yamaha Motor Europe

A cursed RE owner

**deejayrox** · 02-16-2016, 03:40 PM

Originally posted by maverick_rider View Post

RE just wants to feed off the love people like us have for nostalgia, straight looks and street cred. Not to mention, bikes made of metal. If you are someone who wants an RE and something that stands apart, please buy the Himalayan.

If you have already burnt your hand with REs and are short of money, please wait for something else to come along. India's economy is booming, even URAL might be here someday.

If you have some dough to spare, please buy a Triumph or a Benelli 650 GT.

So in short, anyone excited by the looks and hype, be prepared for long term disappointment and owning a curse.

I hope this comes to India sometime soon - this can do all that is promised of an RE without the fuss and if it comes via the CKD unit, price will be cheaper too.
SR400 2016 - Motorcycles - Yamaha Motor Europe

A cursed RE owner

Though I can empathize with you, I would personally hold my horses till the product released and we get ownership reports. I also own a 2015 C500 since last july and did approx. 5000kms, all of them daily 50+50 kms office commutes, and never have it let me down till date (I hope I don't jinx myself writing this

). This after dropping it twice on wet roads, and everytime I just picked her up and continued, without any drama.

That being said, most RE launches have used their early adopters as beta testers, with numerous niggles in their production vehicles, for example classic models, even though it was in development for 10+ years as per internet lore... I hope RE would fare better this time around.

The LS400 engine also supposedly comes with a counterbalance shaft to reduce vibrations, so lets wait to see how this motor performs in the real world.

About the company itself, there is no denying that they have a new sense of direction under Sid Lal. This guy is first to admit that he can never compete on volume game and he cannot compete on VFM game. He also admits he has no idea about the market potential of Himalayan, which is pretty stupid thing to say on the launch of a new product, but still it is the truth, as they are entering uncharted waters here.

End of the day, still fact remains that there will be no competitor for Himalayan in the price range of 2 lakh. Fact also remains that the Himalayan need to succeed, if other manufacturers should start to recognize the potential of low cost ADV market in India. At least we may get an Impulse with Karizma engine and front and rear jerry can mounts!!!

**maverick_rider** · 02-16-2016, 06:13 PM

Originally posted by deejayrox View Post

Though I can empathize with you, I would personally hold my horses till the product released and we get ownership reports. I also own a 2015 C500 since last july and did approx. 5000kms, all of them daily 50+50 kms office commutes, and never have it let me down till date (I hope I don't jinx myself writing this

). This after dropping it twice on wet roads, and everytime I just picked her up and continued, without any drama.

That being said, most RE launches have used their early adopters as beta testers, with numerous niggles in their production vehicles, for example classic models, even though it was in development for 10+ years as per internet lore... I hope RE would fare better this time around.

The LS400 engine also supposedly comes with a counterbalance shaft to reduce vibrations, so lets wait to see how this motor performs in the real world.

About the company itself, there is no denying that they have a new sense of direction under Sid Lal. This guy is first to admit that he can never compete on volume game and he cannot compete on VFM game. He also admits he has no idea about the market potential of Himalayan, which is pretty stupid thing to say on the launch of a new product, but still it is the truth, as they are entering uncharted waters here.

End of the day, still fact remains that there will be no competitor for Himalayan in the price range of 2 lakh. Fact also remains that the Himalayan need to succeed, if other manufacturers should start to recognize the potential of low cost ADV market in India. At least we may get an Impulse with Karizma engine and front and rear jerry can mounts!!!

Definitely deejayrox, there is no competition to RE in any case apart from performance and sensibility. After all of these bitter experiences I still own the M500 and STD 350 and am putting up with them for various reasons, I was 26 when I brought the curse upon myself, there is a whole lot of money in the market now and need to have street cred, everybody learns it the hard way with Enfields and I pray to all Gods (foreign and domestic) that you do not endure any of the bitter experiences. My experience has been too bitter to believe anything RE has to say or do till some miracle happens or Steve McQueen decides to endorse RE for free.
Unfortunately even with the UCE, the same thing.
1. STD 500 (UCE) - exhaust port popped on 659 kms of running ( I curse myself for approving the purchase of my friend), he never even crossed 3000 RPM.
2. Desert Storm - handle bar holder nuts and coupler rusts on 8th day out of showroom.
3. Electra 350 (worst part - my superior), has a hole in the exhaust bend-pipe, expert advice from showroom supervisor, "it is there to let water out incase water gets in, saaar".
4. Classic 500, bike wiring beneath the seat catches fire while returning from the service station on a flyover!!!

The reason I still have the M500:
1. I need a straight bike but cannot afford a Triumph yet.
2. Boxer 150, Bajaj V and other of the same line are too underpowered.
3. Hoping that Yamaha brings the SR400 or URAL comes to India. This is the prayer I say every morning instead of asking for a hike

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Himalayan from a RE guyďż˝s point of view!

Himalayan from a RE guyďż˝s point of view!

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