Author Topic: Rider magazine reviews the 650s  (Read 2717 times)

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Richard230

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on: November 29, 2018, 10:56:25 pm
The January 2019 (already?) issue of Rider magazine contains a glowing 6-page review of the Interceptor and the GT.  Nothing new here, but the magazine should be on most book stands if you want check it out. The only negative thing that they had to say was that their test Interceptor had a weeping fuel gauge sending unit that was fixed by their local shop as a warranty repair.  Attached is a photo of the dyno test from Jet Tuning, a local shop that dynos all of their test bikes. Maximum HP was 43.6 @ 6,900 rpm and maximum torque was 37.4 lb-ft at 5,400 rpm.  Fuel mileage ranged from a low of 50.8 mpg to a high of 64.9 mpg, with an average of 59.2.

The sidebar titled "Royal Resurgence" mentioned that: "More than 90 motorcycles were shipped to California for the press launch, and they'll be distributed to U.S. dealers for demo rides. And when new motorcycles are shipped to the U.S. starting in earl 2019, we'll require dealers to keep at least one demo unit on hand." said Rod Copes, RENA's President.
2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM Duke 390, 2002 Yamaha FZ1


GlennF

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Reply #1 on: November 29, 2018, 11:12:21 pm
It would be nice if one of these reviews did more than repeat the same details about HP and handling and answered some questions like " is it an O ring chain and how hard is it too adjust" or "how accessible is the battery" .


Richard230

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Reply #2 on: November 29, 2018, 11:24:07 pm
It would be nice if one of these reviews did more than repeat the same details about HP and handling and answered some questions like " is it an O ring chain and how hard is it too adjust" or "how accessible is the battery" .

Dream on...  :-[
2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM Duke 390, 2002 Yamaha FZ1


hpwaco

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Reply #3 on: November 30, 2018, 12:21:13 am
Or were are the fuses?   Which the salesman at REFTW couldn't tell/show me when I bought my 14GT.


9fingers

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Reply #4 on: December 02, 2018, 02:57:33 am
Impressively flat torque curve. Should be great fun to ride. Thanks for posting.
9fingers
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ace.cafe

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Reply #5 on: December 02, 2018, 07:42:19 pm
IMO, the 535 Continental GT looks better than the 650 twin CGT.

Not a fan of the stripes or the color schemes on the 650.  And it looks chunky to me.

I do like the looks of the Interceptor, especially in chrome. But, I would put a set of Clubman style handlebars on it for my preferred lower riding position.
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Kevin Mahoney

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Reply #6 on: February 17, 2019, 06:14:30 pm
I was surprised at the actual dyno test results in comparison to the claimed HP. Very close which is great. As a reference point the iron barrel which had a claimed 22hp actually produced 13.

The so called "lack of power" is a joke. 43 is plenty to do the job. In reality dreaming aside no one will buy the bike looking for HP other than on paper.
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