Setting my hair on fire.

[JerryHawk250]

I know that feeling. I just sold my Hawk. I was kinda attached to it. It's the bike that got me back into riding again after being laid up for so many years with my back injury. I have 5 other bikes that will get me through these hard times. Lol

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

I know that feeling. I just sold my Hawk. I was kinda attracted to it. It's the bike that got me back into riding again after being laid up for so many years with my back injury. I have 5 other bikes that will get me through these hard times. Lol

I am not quite so attached to my Hawk as I am the VFR. I just don't see the point in getting rid of it at this point. I will never ever get out of it what I have into it. I am still considering it and replacing it with something that gets better MPG, like a scooter, but with getting a new big bike on the horizon I may as well hold on to it a bit longer. I can't own more than 2 bikes at a time. Takes up too much space and I always end up neglecting one. Plus, I kind of like the idea of having one bike suited to the end of the world scenario. Simple and carbureted. Nothing else on the cheap chinabike market quite catches my eye, although the Lycan comes close. Most of the road bikes just don't fit a man my size well either.

[Megadan]

I said goodbye today, just an hour ago. A part of me is sad, but also excited. The new owner is a great guy who was super passionate about it and drove 4 hours and missed work to get it, and that really takes the edge off. I can tell he is going to care for and love it just as much as I did.

[Megadan]

A little sneak preview if what is to come. I didn't buy this one (it's their Demo bike) but I put a deposit down on a Stencil White version right after that test ride.



Power wise it's everything we all wish our Hawks would/could be. It has zero problem going the highway speeds I need it to, and has more than enough power to get the job done. It's so smooth too.

One thing I absolutely love about it is the almost conplete lack of plastic,. Almost everything on this bike is metal. That's probably also why it weighs 529lbs with a nearly full tank of fuel lol.

In the short ride I got on the Demo bike I fell in love with it, despite a couple of small issues, but they were also expected.

First is the front brake has zero feel to it. Seems to be a common theme with the RE Bybre brakes. The rear brake is stupidly strong though, so it helps make up for it. I will probably look into options for upgrading at least the brake hose and pads to something different.

Second. Me, being the bigger man that I am, find the front suspension to be too soft on the spring rate side of things. It's not the worst ever and I even went over some good bumps and they never bottomed out, but it will happen eventually if I don't do something about it. Currently there isn't anything bike specific out on the market, but being Upside down Showa Single Function Big Piston forks, there is bound to be a spring out there for it that works. I just need to call Race Tech or another company and talk to them.

Now I just have to wait. My bike will be here sometime this week. I hope Tuesday so I can bring it home before I start work, but at the latest I will be picking it up Saturday.

The rear suspension is almost perfect as-is, most people complain about it being too stiff, so of course it works great for me lol.

This is what the Stencil White looks like.

[Thumper]

With your stature, Dan, you will have no problem putting it anywhere you want to on the road, and I'll bet that extra weight of the bike just translates to a smoother, more stable ride for you. And it will buck the wind better on gusty days too.

It's a really great looking bike.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Thumper

With your stature, Dan, you will have no problem putting it anywhere you want to on the road, and I'll bet that extra weight of the bike just translates to a smoother, more stable ride for you. And it will buck the wind better on gusty days too.

It's a really great looking bike.

My GL1000 and my VFR1200 were both heavier than this bike by about 50lbs lol. It is a good looking bike for sure.

[TominMO]

What persuaded you to choose this over the Interceptor?

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by TominMO

What persuaded you to choose this over the Interceptor?

well, it certainly wasn't the weight This bike is 50lbs heavier.

It calls to me. I can't really explain it better than that. I was actually looking at the 2024 Interceptors on the Royal Enfield website when I noticed "Shotgun 650" in the menu, and I clicked it just out of curiosity. I had no idea this model even existed as a concept.

If you have ever seen my GL1000, a bike I built to fit my style, and you would see where my tastes tend to lay when it comes to bikes. The VFR was an exception to my normal, and I loved it to death, but most modern styled bikes look like ugly transformers.

My GL1000 (my favorite picture of it)


I love retro looks, but with a modern twist, and I think RE hit it out of the park with the Shotgun styling. The bike looks modern and new, but also would fit in at a classic bike rally. C'est magnifique!

Other reasons include:
- I have wanted a cruiser of some sort, but I am not the biggest fan of forward controls. This has mid controls. which I adore, just like a Goldwing, but without the annoying cylinder heads making my feet hot.
- It's got a unique "Doesn't fit" quality to it. It doesn't fit any real class of bike, or any single purpose. It's a blank canvas. Want to make it a small CC Touring bike? You can. Want to make it a city runner/commuter? Sure. Want a more laid back bike but with a little tiny bit of sportiness to keep things fun? Yup.
- I like it.

[TominMO]

I get it. I have always liked the idea of a stripped-down Gold Wing. Personally I'd keep the front fender, perhaps bobbed a bit, and some of the rear fender. For the REs, I'm still inclined to the Interceptor but I like the solo seat and luggage rack on the Shotgun. Don't care for the name, sounds too much like pandering to the wannabe-macho American types. But I could overlook that if I was OK with the mid foot controls. I've never cared for cruisers per se. More the traditional naked bike look.

My more or less local dealer doesn't have any Shotguns, but they do have two new 2022 Interceptors for $6000 OTD. But I'm not buying anything this year. Paying off both credit cards in the next 12 months, then I am free and clear of all debt (paid cash for my fixer-upper house). Just groceries, utilities and my small property tax.

[XLsior]

I think that era of wannabe macho Americana is a dead memory now at least in the USA.


This has modern bolly wood action movie written all over it. It's India making a bold statement that it actually has balls...


Also R.E was a firearms manufacturing brand during the Old British Empire phase so there's a little bit of a homage to that while blasting the door of its hinges type of feeling about it regarding the name.


Mostly though I think its the head CEO trying to turn a page of R.E away from its old hat ingrained origins while still keeping some of that old school magic.

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by XLsior

I think that era of wannabe macho Americana is a dead memory now at least in the USA.

I see that you are not all that familiar with Harley riders.....

OK, not saying they are all that way, but there is that subgroup in their population. I suspect it's a pretty big subgroup.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by TominMO

I get it. I have always liked the idea of a stripped-down Gold Wing. Personally I'd keep the front fender, perhaps bobbed a bit, and some of the rear fender. For the REs, I'm still inclined to the Interceptor but I like the solo seat and luggage rack on the Shotgun. Don't care for the name, sounds too much like pandering to the wannabe-macho American types. But I could overlook that if I was OK with the mid foot controls. I've never cared for cruisers per se. More the traditional naked bike look.

My more or less local dealer doesn't have any Shotguns, but they do have two new 2022 Interceptors for $6000 OTD. But I'm not buying anything this year. Paying off both credit cards in the next 12 months, then I am free and clear of all debt (paid cash for my fixer-upper house). Just groceries, utilities and my small property tax.

My Goldwing wasn't that stripped down. No front fender, and a flush cut rear fender. Everything else about the bike is pretty much how it was in 1975 other than the paint color and seat. The only reason I had no front fender was simply because I never had a front fender for it, and I liked the look with just the fork brace.

Mid controls aren't really a Cruiser thing. Just a "Standard" bike thing. All the UJM bikes back then had mids. Most manufacturers went to rear sets ,or some odd compromise between rear sets and mids in the last couple of decades, mainly for better cornering clearance I would assume.

As far as debt. I will have this bike paid off in 6 months, no sweat. I have no real debt other than a couple of credit accounts, both of which I could pay off in a month or two if necessary, but I keep active to help my credit score. Debt/Credit is a weird game to play. I am putting a third of the bikes price as a down payment and going for the 24 month financing for the 1.99% interest rate, but will then be paying double or triple on each payment.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by XLsior

I think that era of wannabe macho Americana is a dead memory now at least in the USA.


This has modern bolly wood action movie written all over it. It's India making a bold statement that it actually has balls...


Also R.E was a firearms manufacturing brand during the Old British Empire phase so there's a little bit of a homage to that while blasting the door of its hinges type of feeling about it regarding the name.


Mostly though I think its the head CEO trying to turn a page of R.E away from its old hat ingrained origins while still keeping some of that old school magic.

Oh, it definitely has a "macho action movie" vibe to it with the advertising. They are also playing off of the more American stereotype of the "Lone Gunman" western cowboy kind of vibe here in the U.S.

The name Shotgun is a little odd for a bike, but it also kinda suits RE. Hell, they have had a bike called the Bullet for decades. Again, a homage to the old days of gun manufacturing

You are right. The CEO and the brand as a whole are working to bring RE into the spotlight. They are one of the very few motorcycle manufacturers not floundering in the modern market. They can barely keep up with the demand for their bikes.

They are also modernizing a little bit, with the new 450 engine being liquid cooled and being put into the Himalayan, as well as a "scrambler" style bike. 40hp 450cc single road bikes? Once my Shotgun is paid off I may have to get one of those.

Oh, and I love Stuart Fillingham's review videos on this bike. It was actually that very video that made me consider going in to try it out over the Interceptor.

[Thumper]

Oh, famous last words!

"My Goldwing wasn't that stripped down."

No side by side, but the lock stock GL1000 had Chrome all over the place, and was meant/ready for aftermarket fairing/luggage.



Your Gold wing looks like a 60s Triumph chopper compared to the OEM vehicle!

Just sayin'

I had a friend with a faired GL1000. He drifted around on that bike all of Northern New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona, always had a girl on the back.

The original GL1000 was slower than my little 1976 GS550, but much more comfortable. He let me ride it, but I couldn't borrow one of his girlfriends.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Thumper

Oh, famous last words!

"My Goldwing wasn't that stripped down."

No side by side, but the lock stock GL1000 had Chrome all over the place, and was meant/ready for aftermarket fairing/luggage.

Attachment 31250

Your Gold wing looks like a 60s Triumph chopper compared to the OEM vehicle!

Just sayin'

I had a friend with a faired GL1000. He drifted around on that bike all of Northern New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona, always had a girl on the back.

The original GL1000 was slower than my little 1976 GS550, but much more comfortable. He let me ride it, but I couldn't borrow one of his girlfriends.

Right.. and if you change the exhaust and remove the fenders from view that's 90% of the "Chrome all over the place" missing from my bike. Other than the little grab handle at the back and the mirrors.

So, yes, minus 2 objects and a different exhaust, seat, and mirrors really isn't that different. My VFR had a different Seat and exhaust, paint job, different badging, and a removed lower tail section. Still basically the same bike. It's basic superficial changes.

Just sayin'

Also, the GL1000 was NEVER meant for fairings. Ever. ALL Fairings and bags on any GL1000 are aftermarket. Honda did't do factory luggage and fairings on the Goldwing until the 1200,and even the 1200 came in a "Standard" version, aka naked, all the way up to 1985. After that point, all Goldwings were giant full fairing and luggage equipped ocean liners.