Author Topic: MY Continenta GT Test Ride .... Photos  (Read 13235 times)

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wildbill

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on: March 07, 2014, 01:38:47 am
Well after ordering and waiting about 2 years for the Continental GT it has finally arrived .......and picked up yesterday.
First impressions - Great looking bike and the paint an  finnish was well above average. So with my bike 10/10 Bike arrived with the standard factory exhaust and blacked out wing mirrors. Bar ends and sports exhaust are a combined 4600 option.
Bike was fueled up and showed about 23 klm on the odometer. Giving it the once over first at the dealers and again prior to my 30kl or 20 mile ride today - i have no complaints.
Prior to the 30kl run i removed the factory spark plug and fitted the ngk iridium. I've always been happy with these plugs and i know the standard job will do BUT I like these and don't care what the price is.
Kicked it over first hit with the electic start and it idled away at about 1200 rpm.Gave it about a two minute warm up and time to hit the road.

THE RIDE.
Once sitting on the bike it is way different to parking yourself on a C orB5. Very long and slender tank and your in a partly streatched out position.
Selected first gear and stalled it immediately. Back on the starter and a bit more revs and i was mobile. First impressios - lot quicker off the mark than either of my previous enfield purchases - the C5'S  and B5.
Right of the bat I could feel that the steering felt a way lot heavier than my previous enfields - the bike more slender plus it felt like i was higher off the ground.
First stop sign got the front Bembo brakes active my right foot missed the rear brake pedal completely........This happened several times on the test ride. That said the front brake has great stopping power with little application pressure to apply.
Gear shift is extremely good - during the 20 mile run NOT ONE false neutral. The continental GT has a firm and positive click into each and every gear - up or down. Far better than any other of my previous Enfield bikes and a pleasure to use. No-one will complain about this box lol

THE GAS TANK

Beautiful looking work of art but once you sit on the bike and ready to ride - your gut is just about laying on it. I'm about 80 kgs so the gut isn't that big so with a leather jacket on - Paint will not last long. I was totally aware of this and did the test ride minus my leather jacket till I think of some way better protection for the paint.

THE RIDE

I found it a very well behave bike on the road. It feels nippy and although I didn't exceed 80 kph or 50 miles per hour it ran aklong well. At no time did i exceed 3000 revs so 50 mph gets you in at around 27 or 2800 revs.
Ride is firm but I'd say no worse than a C5 which i classed as hard. I actually thought my B5 was a better rider. Never said looker - rider!
At 3000 revs in top gear you could feel a bit of vibration through the handle bars. Slight vibration and nothing serious. factory mirrors were fine to look in but i did manage to get a leg cramp from the riding position plus felt a bit of strain on my wrists. Might not happen if your only in the 20 or 30 plus age group.
Instruments were very easy to read and the speedometer needle was rock steady ....No more bounce!
About 10 miles or 16 kl out I pulled over and stopped. Bike idled beautifully and drama free. Took off in first and again surprise how quick it moves off the mark from scratch.
THE SEAT
Although the seat is a bit on the thin side the padding inside is very supportive. No sore bum when I got off the bike and overall pretty happy with it. This solo seat was always my main concern and i thought I'd be in for -ONE HARD RIDE. Not the case. May be different on a long run though.

SUSPENSION
I found the suspension on the Cafe job fairy firm but solid. It appears to track well and contributes to the bikes really nice handling. Although I never pushed it along today other potential buyers can fill this in.

Well that about does it for me. Overall impression being a nice looking very well presented bike and I'm happy with that. Here in Oz at $9800 ride away I think it is really good value for the money. The standard factory Exhaust id pretty quiet when cruising and I will be keen to get the optional sports job when it arrives here in Australia.
I found the side stand a bit trickey to get your foot too. I'd say once on the bike a few times this will sort it out plus i had trouble finding the neutal light after i stopped in my drive way. I tool quite a lot of photos so will be uploaded with details shortly


GSS

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Reply #1 on: March 07, 2014, 02:19:33 am
Excellent! That sounds very promising. A couple more weeks and we should start to thaw out and I can get my toy on the road as well!

GSS
2022 Continental GT 650 Dux Deluxe
2019 Himalayan Snow
2019 Interceptor 650 - Chrome...off the first boat!
Previous REs:
2021 Meteor 350 Supernova Blue
2014 Continental GT 535 - Red...lowest VIN off the first boat!
2010 Classic 500 - Teal Chrome


wildbill

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Reply #2 on: March 07, 2014, 02:34:02 am
the experience starts off with better quality key lol































































heloego

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Reply #3 on: March 07, 2014, 02:47:50 am
Nice report, wildbill! Glad you're enjoying the ride!
Good show on the pics, too, and thanks for sharing!
Looks like the bottom end is unpainted, looking like bead-blasted bare metal? I like the look. Just looks better than grey paint.  :)
Like the new rear wheel adjusters, too. Over all looks to be a great bike.
Congrats!!!!  ;D
« Last Edit: March 07, 2014, 02:55:32 am by heloego »
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wildbill

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Reply #4 on: March 07, 2014, 02:51:17 am
thanks whoever buy one of these bike will be very happy. i am but it did take me 4 bikes lol


singhg5

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Reply #5 on: March 07, 2014, 03:12:53 am
Very nice pictures and great report. This bike is in a different league from other REs. Wish you many happy miles of thumping on GT.

Congratulations !
« Last Edit: March 07, 2014, 04:38:17 am by singhg5 »
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Ducati Scotty

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Reply #6 on: March 07, 2014, 03:13:26 am
Nice post and thanks so much for all the detail shots.  A little 3M or Tank Slapperz film on the tank will protect the paint but be invisible.

http://www.thetankslapper.biz

Scott


JVS

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Reply #7 on: March 07, 2014, 06:05:07 am
Well done, many thanks for the write-up and the pics! Seems like a lot of fun. I wish I could buy it too...sometime in the future, when I make me some moneyz  ;D

Regarding the firm ride, how many pre-load settings does the rear suspension have? Try the lowest setting next time, if it wasn't on it already ;d
« Last Edit: March 07, 2014, 09:02:57 am by JVS »
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High On Octane

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Reply #8 on: March 07, 2014, 12:14:20 pm
Nice!  But I'm dying to know.....  Are those Brembo front calipers 2 piston or 4 piston?  I assume only 2 piston as it still can't hit the Ton if factory form.  BUT if they ARE 4 piston calipers....  That's sick and I need to look into replacing the front end on the Blackhawk!    ;)  Speaking of front ends, did RE ever going to a taper cup bearing in the head set or are they still using ball bearings?

Scottie J
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wildbill

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Reply #9 on: March 07, 2014, 01:32:07 pm
not sure about the front disc - what i can tell you is the rear disc has plenty of bite. i read a few reports where they say there not much better than the c5's and such drum brakes.
i really those testers talk a lot of crap and the rear disc will bite well ...and the front disc much better has a very nice feel to it.
the engine casing has a nice metalic silver colour to it and looks great. i like the idea too of no more snails to adjust the rear wheel. i really hated those things period.
the seat removal is really easy. place key in side coverand remove and pull the handle. seat almost ejects lol. i will load those seat photos now
plus the spark plug change.original plug in bike had done about 12 miles



rear plastic mud flap only held on by 3 bolts. might get rid of these tomorrow



nice tidy clean lines for wiring etc.



latch which secures the seat to the frame



better look whats under the seat



will be interesting to see how accurate the bar reading is for the gas



nice shot of the petrol tank





ace.cafe

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Reply #10 on: March 07, 2014, 01:44:19 pm
They say this thing has a larger throttle body.
Can you find out what the inlet diameter of that TB is, so we can know if it REALLY has a larger throttle body, or not?

Home of the Fireball 535 !


barenekd

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Reply #11 on: March 07, 2014, 05:20:32 pm
Bill,
There is some clear tape on the market that's made to cover that is made to cover tank areas that are prone to being rubbed. I don't recall who makes it, but doing a bit of searching should uncover it. I've seen it on a lot of sport bikes, and it does a pretty good job without changing the appearance of the bike. you might check with you local sport bike dealer, if there's one close.  They may have it.
Bare
« Last Edit: March 08, 2014, 10:15:25 pm by barenekd »
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ace.cafe

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Reply #12 on: March 07, 2014, 07:16:53 pm
Great pics too!
Thanks!
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Royalista

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Reply #13 on: March 07, 2014, 09:44:52 pm
I'm impressed by the pictures. A lot of thought has gone into keeping stuff clean and neat; it's a pleasure to see the order and care.  :D
moriunt omnes pauci vivunt


wildbill

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Reply #14 on: March 08, 2014, 01:30:02 am
scotty and bare thanks for the info on film option to save paint damage on the tank. I missed a couple of photos which should be of interest to some.

really gotta say this is a very well put together bike from royal enfield. senior members would know how thing improved hereand there from one year to the other.
ive had 011-012-013 and now 014 and i have to say i think its that well to put together its bloody hard to find a fault.
only reason to comment on having the above year bikes id to give new or potential buyers - how well these bikes have improved.
looking over the bike ...whats wrong

paint 10/10
fit and finish 10/10
appearance of the bike 10/10
riding impressions ...pretty happy with it but im not a speed or handling bike rider so best wait for some-one more experienced in this dept.

can only find two items which may concern some owners.
1. the kicker swing out a fair stretch....and looks a bit silly lol  saying that they probably had no choice to this move and clear contact with the muffler.
2. plastic chain guard.

not concerned about the front/rear plastic extensions to the mud guards as i'd say most new owners will remove these.


get a load of this kicker.......widest by far i've ever seen lol



drive chain guard is plastic and a bit on the flimsey side




petrol cap locking



rear head steady section ...huge.



plenty of room under the tank and very neat









plastiv inner liber of rear guard covered in completely to the swing arm......nice touch