Hands down, this is my favorite video of yours as I got to see so much of where you live and what is around. Style of buildings, cars, signage flags, traffic flow. It had it all, I was not into the bike so much, so I was seeing your surroundings. Thank you!

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Blakester ! Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, I can imagine that traffic free roads, beautiful views and the occasional goat won't always cut it. Hence why I occasionally venture out into the "big city" for you ! I actually like Almería, now that I know my way around. When I first came to Spain I was terrified to go there, thinking that it was going to be some kind of manic metropolis like London or New York. But no, it has a large town vibe and is fairly easy to navigate around. Make the most of this video because we will be back to deserted roads and goats soon enough 😂 Cheers buddy, Garry & Ruby

ER, you have done a great post once again 🌋🥳. We (Sophie and I, poor Angel is with us no more 😭) are watching it for the second time. I'm not sure how long the paint work will last on the Shotgun, but it looks good. My preference is still the Classic Red / Chrome, but Royal Enfield are doing a great job in providing so many options, before and after purchase. We're buying you a sossige or coffee, hooray for Garry ER. 👍

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

HI Bill and Sophie. So sorry to hear about Angel, that's terrible news 😭 Now it's up to you two to make sure you look after one another in her absence ! Thank you so much for the kind words and we're really glad that you liked this video. Thank you too for your SuperThanks, you are too kind but Ruby is already getting quite excited by the prospect of new Bill and Sophie "sossidges". Thanks you two. Take care and RIP Angel 😇 Love from Spain, Garry and Ruby ❤🐕

I love economical rides videos and I want to see more!

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Awww thanks mate but one a week is all I can manage at the moment 😂 Even that's a struggle, particularly when the weather is like it is currently ! But rest assured, I will keep plugging away, putting something out as often as I can 👍🏻 Cheers me old Blakester, Garry & Ruby

@BlakesPipes

3 ай бұрын

@@economicalrides this comment will make more sense when I make the pastie video. You will see it on many channels I watch.

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

@@BlakesPipes OK. Look forward to it 😂👍🏻Cheers Blakester !

Bloomin marvellous Garry! ooohhh I do like the look of the Shotgun, i'm gonna have to give the RE dealer a wide berth until temptation has been thoroughly subdued! 🤣🤣Paul's already been in to the dealers and sat on one so watch this space. I’ve obtained a commitment from him that if he trades any of his bikes in for a Shotgun it mustn’t be his Hunter! 😂 Looked as though Ruby enjoyed her sossidges, brilliant! cheers Garry & Ruby 👍 P.S. Thanks a million for the glowing mention for the channel, you're a gentleman and a scholar! 🙏😀

@Lanes-Explorer5733

3 ай бұрын

He is, Dave. And we love Ruby 😍

@MerciaMoto

3 ай бұрын

@@Lanes-Explorer5733 absolutely Peter, ain’t she a charmer 😀

@Lanes-Explorer5733

3 ай бұрын

@@MerciaMoto she certainly loved your sossidges 😂

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Peter ! Yes. Sossidges apparently always taste better with a smattering of gravel. "Belly ballast" she calls it 😂 Greetings from storm whatever it is that tore my fence down last night. Storm Bastard, perhaps ? Garry & Ruby "Belly ballast !" 🐕

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Dave ! Thanks again for the "sossidges" which Ruby clearly enjoyed along with a mild smattering of gravel 😂 You are more than welcome to the mention, it probably won't be the last, I really do love your channel ! I am seriously tempted by the Shotgun myself. Having a cruiser based sports bike in the fleet would be nice. Something to go out and hustle down a mountain road from time to time. Unfortunately Buddy and Norman are keepers and I can't see myself ever spending over 7k on a new third bike, which essentially is just a toy for me. I might pick one up second hand in 18 months or so. I can see the appeal of the Shotgun at 5500 EUR because it would add something to my fleet. But I am too sensible to go out and buy a new one right now. There is another dealer in Murcia ( spelt differently to your one 😝 ) and I need to find out if they are getting a Shotgun as a demo bike, since my dealer isn't. I would love to try one to see if it does deliver that sporty ride that I think it will. Then I might have to start looking behind the sofa for lost change ! If I can get a go on one somewhere, I'll probably make the effort because it is a bike that interests me in theory. Just not today and not at 7+k EUR ! Cheers Dave, Ruby sends licks ! Garry & Ruby

4 hours road driving. 1 hour test drive and maybe 1 or 2 hours to edit the video. 😲 Thank you very much for the hard work. 😀 Cheers to Ruby & ER 🍻

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

That's about right William. Probably 4 hours editing though ! I was really glad to get it done, with the weather being so changeable at the moment. The wind got worse as the day progressed but at least I managed to record what I needed, just about. Thanks for appreciating the effort, it means a lot. I almost certainly wouldn't have done that ride without you lot pushing me on, so I feel as though I have you lot to thank for giving me a lot of motorcycle experiences that I may have otherwise never had ! Cheers William 👍🏻 Garry & Ruby ❤️🐕

Evening ER and Ruby 😊 RE seem th have upped their game again with the Shotgun.I really like the necel and the blacked out engine 😊

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Jamesworth ( sorry James but that name is sticking 😂 ) Funny you should say that because I would have originally liked the Super Meteor much more if they had made a blacked out "Fireball" version ! Presumably they didn't because they knew that the Shotgun was coming and that they were going to save the blacked out look for that. I like everything about the Shotgun ( although I concede that the silencers are very long and end up a long way from the sides of the bike by the end of their run - could be improved - aftermarket system perhaps ? ) and am intrigued to have a go on one. I am trying to find a dealer who has one on demo and isn't crazy far away ! You definitely have a lot of weight over the front on the Shotgun, which suggests that it could be a confidence inspiring, sporty ride in the twisties. A sports cruiser would be of interest to me. I have Buddy for relaxed cruising, Norman for the dirty stuff and then a larger, sportier cruiser style bike for being a bit of a hooligan on. I could see me riding a Shotgun far too fast on those mountain roads around here. Proper exhaust with a decent sound to it. Oh yes. I can see the appeal. And then of course I could spend a fortune buying custom bits for it, just to make it my own. You could probably really go to town on one. Oh yes. Blimey. Stop it Garry, stop it now. You are not spending seven grand on another new bike. Just stop it ! 🤗 Cheers James. Probably too expensive for my tastes but if I can get a go on one, maybe it can convince me to not be such a tight wad for once in my life ! Say hi to Mrs Ainsworth for us ! ❤️ Garry & Ruby

Hi Garry, I have heard they make the Shotgun deliberately for being customized. So I am pretty sure it was easy to find handle bars for this bike which will fit your needs. And of course, a great video as always. Almeria looks to be very pretty. Cheers to you and Ruby Wolfgang

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Wolfgang, yes, good point ! It probably wouldn't be too hard to fit the Super Meteor bars to a Shotgun. Then you probably would have something more akin to a Meteor 650 😝 At over 7k it's just too expensive for me though and I don't really need any more power or speed from my bikes. I would be interested to ride the Shotgun, just to see how RE's take on a sporty cruiser feels to ride in a sporty way. Another dealer might have one on demo somewhere, so I will have to have a look around and see if I can get a test ride on one ! Yes, I enjoy Almería. When you live in a remote village, it's nice to be in a city, with everything on your doorstep, for a few days at least. After a while I would probably long for the peace and quiet of where I live now but I could see myself living in Almería and being quite happy there. It has an old town ( with great tapas ), a port and a very long beachfront. There is something there for every season of the year really. Parking is a bit of a problem but that's probably the case in any city these days ! Thanks for watching Wolfgang, glad you enjoyed the video 🙂👍🏻 Garry & Ruby

Great vid as usual, those shotgun silencers from the rear look like the torpedoes sticking out the bow of the steam boat on the film the African queen when the a going to sink the gerry boat out on the lake scenes. Personally I prefer the silencers on the s/m 650,just a personal choice. Each to their own, keep up the good work👍

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Douglas. Yes, unfortunately all of the 650 models have the exhausts splaying out like that. The longer the silencer, the further the exhaust comes out. On the Shotgun they have gone with a very long silencer, which looks cool from the side but because of the angle where the exhausts exit the engine, by the end of the run the silencers are a long way proud of the rest of the bike. If I bought one, I would be hoping that somebody makes an aftermarket system to keep the style of the exhaust but get it to have a straight run, tightly along the side of the bike from front to back. I've noticed the same issue on the Interceptor and Continental. Their exhausts would look better tucked in but with their relatively short silencers they don't look AS BAD as the exhausts on the Shotgun. You would need a full system on the Shotgun though ( to eliminate the angle from the header end ) or at the very least, shorter silencers with the original headers ( but then they probably wouldn't look great from the side ! ). Cheers Douglas. Thanks for watching and commenting ! 🙂👍🏻 I intend to try to find a dealer with a Shotgun on demo and if they're not too far away, I will be keen to take one for a spin. I still don't see me spending over 7k on a bike, ever, though 😂 Why pay more ? 😇 Garry & Ruby

Thanks

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Thanks again Bill & Sophie, too kind but very much appreciated ! ❤🐕 Garry & Ruby

very enjoyable Gary . liked the look of the Shotgun and the colour , also the Super Meteor colours very stylish , Almeria looks nice . thanks for taking us along and as always the lovely Ruby . keep safe .

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi there John. Thanks. It was a shame about the wind at the end there, which also ruined the ride home, but I did manage to do everything I intended to do and with the weather being so bad this year, that was quite an achievement in itself ! Thanks again and love to you both. Garry & Ruby ❤️🐕

@johnbellamy6449

3 ай бұрын

@@economicalrides thanks Gary .

Hi G, Looking forward to seeing your test ride on the RE Shotgun. Quent

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Quent, yes, I will have to find a dealer who is getting one on demo. Unfortunately this dealer is getting a Himalayan 450 and selling the Super Meteor soon. No plans to get a Shotgun demo bike unfortunately. If I can find a dealer who isn't too far away who has a Shotgun to demo, I will probably make the effort to have a go on one. I am intrigued by the notion of a sporty cruiser ! Get some loud pipes on it, personalise it a bit and it could be fun to hooligan about on one on the mountain roads. I am intrigued by the prospect 🤔 but it would have to deliver on the handling front. I need to ride one ! Cheers Quint, thanks for watching and commenting 🙂 Garry & Ruby

Aaargh not sure if removing that RE quality assurance sticker was sensible really, Garry 😂 Almeria looks interesting and rather attractive. Sunshine makes a difference, doesn't it.

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

😂 Now the quality of my RE is no longer assured ! What have I done ? 😱 Initially I thought that Almería was ugly but since I've got to know it properly, it is a nice city, wouldn't hate living there ( would need a garage or two though ! ). With the old town centre, the port and the beach, it has a few different vibes going on. Great tapas in the old town, would never tire of that ! Parking is a pain if you don't have your own spot though. But I could see myself living there and not being depressed about it, so it must be decent enough 🤔 I enjoy it in short bursts. It's nice to have everything on your doorstep like that. But after a while I'd probably long for the remoteness and solitude my current abode provides. Cheers Peter, much love ! Garry & Ruby

Glad you had a better experience with the sm650 mate, shot gun looks good, not sure if I love it though 🤔 Nice town 😊 love to Ruby

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Aussie, well I think it could be a bit of a hooligan tool. Get some louder pipes on it and ride it hard down a mountain road and I imagine that you would have a huge grin on your face ! It has the same problem as the Super Meteor though. Too expensive ! I can't see me ever spending 7k on a weekend toy but I am intrigued enough to want to have a go on one. If I like it after riding it, maybe I will look for a second-hand one in a couple of years...... Cheers mate. Did you catch any bigguns on your holiday ? Hugs to Budders, Garry & Ruby

Well done Garry, very interesting video👍

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Thanks David. It was a shame that the wind got up around midday and ruined the ride home but at least I was able to get out, film and do what I intended to do that day. With the weather we've been having so far this year, that was quite an achievement. The weather has been carp again ever since and last night the wind tore my garden fence down 🤬 We're hunkered down now, just waiting for the wind to drop enough to be able to take Ruby for her walk ! Glad you found the video somewhat useful. 🙂 I'd really need to ride a Shotgun to be sure but I think it will be much more fun to hustle down a mountain road than the Super Meteor and also a decent option for somebody who doesn't get on with the Super Meteor's foot position. Maybe fit Super Meteor bars to a Shotgun and then you'd be pretty close to having a Meteor 650 😝 I would have liked to see a heel/toe shifter on the Shotgun too but I suppose that is more of a cruiser thing than something you'd expect to find on a bike considered to be the sporty option, so I understand that choice by RE. I dare say that one would be available from India, somewhere, eventually. Thanks again David, take care. Garry & Ruby

@davidhawkins120

3 ай бұрын

@@economicalridesI've noticed they have got the rear wheel spindle position correct in the Shotgun giving the full range of chain adjustment unlike the Super Meteor, Best wishes to you & Ruby

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

@@davidhawkins120 Hi David. That's a good spot ! I just checked the video again myself and you are right, the spindle is at its forward most position with the chain presumably at the correct tension. Maybe RE have finally found some shorter chains for these bikes 🤷‍♂ Mind you, if I owned one I think I'd probably be looking to do the belt drive conversion asap. A belt would also look good on this type of bike. Cheers David, Garry & Ruby

Very enjoyable, just need the foot pegs off the SG onto the SM then it would be perfect fit for me :)

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Yep. And a heel/toe shifter too please ! One solution would be to fit SM bars to the Shotgun I suppose. That would get pretty close to feeling like a big Meteor. Having said that, it sort of defeats the object, with the Shotgun clearly intended to be a sportier ride, which to be fair, does have its charm. I just want them all really 😂 One bike for each day of the week sounds reasonable ! Cheers Shardlake 👍🏻 Garry & Ruby

That’s a nicer colour on the Shotgun. Suits it. I am not a fan of the rack mounted seat pad although I can see it makes sense.

@economicalrides

Ай бұрын

Hi Jonathan. Yes, the pillion seat subframe is not very pretty but at least it means that when you convert it to a single seater, it doesn't leave behind any exposed brackets or mounting holes. That was the mistake they made with the Meteor 350. Having the pillion seat attached directly to a bracket welded onto the rear mudguard. If you take the rear seat off, you end up exposing this ugly mounting bracket which can't be removed. By the time the Classic 350 came out, RE had realised their mistake and the Classic 350's rear seat came with its own subframe, making removal easy and more importantly clean. Since I never carry a pillion, if I ever bought a Shotgun, the first thing I would do is bin the rear seat and probably mount a luggage rack in its place. Far more useful than some fat passenger slowing me down 😂 Cheers Jonathan, Garry

Top job ditching that sticker. The trickiest weight saving job is getting rid of the hideous E5/E10 tank sticker. But be advised that it's a difficult s#d to shift if you don't warm it slightly with a hair dryer (just ask LanesExplorer)🤬 It's not lacquered over, so no worries and when you've done it, you can have a sossidge👍

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Paul, sorry for the late reply, KZread put this comment on the naughty step for some reason and I've only just found it. Yes, I was reluctant to remove the 'Quality Approved' sticker to be honest, fearing that it may come away in micro pieces. leaving me with a sticky, papery mess to sort out. Fortunately that sticker comes off nicely in one piece and leaves hardly any residue. I only did it because after three years the corners were starting to fold and it looked a bit tatty. Definitely a top mod though and judging by the way Buddy flew over those mountains in top gear, it seems to have given me a decent performance boost 😂 I'm slightly reluctant to remove that sticker from the tank Paul. As I get older, I might reach the point where I'm grateful of a reminder on the tank as to why I've just pulled into a petrol station 😉 It might also stop me from putting diesel in there 🤦 I don't know if removing it is a good idea for me. I will sit down and have a think about it because we both find the idea of a "sossidge" afterwards quite appealing 🤔 Cheers Paul 👍🏻 Garry & Ruby

@paulholmes1682

3 ай бұрын

Very wise to take no notice of my ramblings but I've just got a thing about stickers. However, I'm delighted to be on the naughty step, I've not managed that for quite a while@@economicalrides

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

@@paulholmes1682 😂👍🏻

Hi ER. So... Any conclusions? I know your doing it for your videos, and as usual, it was great and very enjoyable as always. However I haven't test ridden the super meteor for the simple reason is that I love my meteor so much. I think there is an obsession now ( mostly inspired ( in my humble opinion) by American philosophy) that a 350 is not big enough, with a very low bhp( even a 650 is now considered only mere middle weight ). The words ' keeping up with the traffic ' ( Why would you want to ) or ' getting out of trouble whilst overtaking ' ( why put yourself in trouble anyway. The meteor keeps up with the traffic quite happily ( if thats whats important )and is fine for motorway riding if you have to. The joy of the 350 is just that... The joy ( of motorcycling ).

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Tim, thank you for the kind words. We are singing from the same hymn sheet here ! Your thoughts reflect mine exactly. Apart from the reasons you mentioned and the added cost and weight, two key reasons why I would stick with the 350 are a) fuel consumption ( the fuel level seems to go down at a rate I am no longer accustomed to on the Super Meteor ! ) and b) the character of that smooth, torquey single cylinder engine outshines that of the 650 twin for me. I do love a thumper and a twin seems almost unnecessarily exotic to me 😂 If you have too much money and you urgently need to get rid of some, then the Super Meteor is a nice bike. If you just want to enjoy your motorcycling whilst spending as little as possible, then the Meteor 350 is hard to beat. I suppose you could also make a case for the Super Meteor if you did most of your riding at 60+ mph because at those speeds you wouldn't feel like you were being cruel to it. Your words really resonate with me. I've lost count of how many times I've told people that we're allowed to do 60 mph on the motorway ! 70+ mph is not obligatory and at 60 mph I never feel unsafe. You just need to keep an eye on your mirrors, just in case somebody is texting on their phone or whatever and you always have the shoulder you can use to get out of their way ! I totally agree with you. And once run in, the Meteor 350 will hold 60 mph just about anywhere, so it's fine to take it on the motorway IMO. Wise words Tim. As you may have guessed by now, I don't see the point of spending all that money and burning all of that fuel by buying an RE 650. I want to try a Shotgun because the sportier riding position might be fun but I seriously doubt that I would spend seven grand on one ! I've had my Meteor 350 for just about three years now and have done 6000 miles on it. It still makes me smile, every time I take it out. I don't think any other bike that I've owned in 37 years of motorcycling has ever done that to me. It is just a special thing and it embodies the joy of just riding a motorcycle. Take care Tim and have a great weekend. Garry & Ruby

@timbalchin9601

3 ай бұрын

Hi Garry and Ruby. Thank you for your wonderful response.. Yes, I agree with all of what you say. A cracking single thumper indeed. A cracking presenter in yourself and a cracking assistant in Ruby. Always great and enjoyable content. Keep up the good work. All the best and enjoy your weekend too. Tim.

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

@@timbalchin9601 Thanks Tim ! Ruby and I are both blushing right now ! ☺️👍 Very kind of you to say so ! Thank you ! Garry & Ruby ❤️🐕

First off, apologie, for being a bit slow to catch up Garry. I've been finishing off my Ducati Website Roast (drops later today) which has required a LOT of editing and I've visited my Mum. And, I've been to the photography show. My BSA video has gone very well indeed as well, so happy with that. In terms of a comparison, I would say the BSA is nicer to ride compared to the Super Meteor and is more Retro. OTOH, the Royal Enfield is better finished and has better backup.

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi CC, ah ok, thanks for that. Yes, dealer support for BSA does worry me. Even more so here, where they've been a year later to launch. I can't see one being a viable option for me unfortunately, although it would be a real talking point over here. You are unlikely to see many of them out on the roads here, I would have thought. I'll just watch you riding yours. Probably a lot cheaper and a lot less stressful ! Cheers mate, will check out the latest video next time I'm in front of the tellybox. Garry & Ruby

Great video…Beautiful views..your pup is great….Just put my SM 650 in the shop for the first service. It’s pricey. I need to learn how to do the valve adjustments myself..Peace…

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi David, thank you. Ruby says thank you too ! Yes. Two cylinders, double the labour time. I must admit that it's a part of my reluctance to get a 650 twin. I can envisage me doing my own servicing on the 350 and the 411 at some point but once you start getting into multi-cylinder engines, my inclination is to leave it to the dealer 😂 Still, if you have the time, the tools and the workshop, definitely worthwhile watching a few KZread videos and learning how to do it yourself. I currently have neither the tools nor the workshop ( probably not the patience either 😂 ), so will suck up the dealers invoices for another few years yet ! At least I have a dealer whose mechanics seem to do a decent job, so I am happy to keep them occupied for now. Cheers David, Garry & Ruby ❤️🐕

I like the look of the Shotgun alot, with the exception of the rediculess sticking out silencers. A classic lesson in how to reck a good looking bike. The Super Meteor has a similar problem with the footrests being forward beyond reason. Alright for the Yanks I guess, but no thanks. I seem to have a much better relationship with my Meteor since modifying the gear change pivot and linkage. Been told (think it was Exeter Rider) that a set of Hunter rear shocks vastly improves the Meteor suspension. Ordered a pair as I was too lazy to steal them off my Hunter. Thanks for another episode Gary.

@Lanes-Explorer5733

3 ай бұрын

Agreed about the silencers. They should nicely be tucked in... . I think 🙄

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Peter, I think the GoPro made the sweep out more extreme than it appeared in real life. It's basically as per the Super Meteor. But yes, not tucked in tight and straight like on the 350s. Seems to be the same on the Interceptor and Continental too, they also have that outward sweep. Clearly a packaging issue with that 650 engine somewhere that necessitates the pipes leaving the engine with that angle. A straight run would definitely look better !

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

HI Tim, yes, I agree, although maybe the GoPro made the sweep look worse that it is. It's the same on all of the 650s really. Clearly a packaging issue with that engine/gearbox which necessitates the pipes leaving the engine with an outward angle on them. A nice tight, straight run of the exhaust would look a lot better, definitely. But if you look at an Interceptor or Continental, they have the same issue, just that the long silencers on the SM and Shotgun exacerbate the problem. Good luck with the Hunter shocks on the Meteor. Let me know how you feel about them. To be honest, with preload added, my rear OEM shocks are as soft/firm as the front forks now, so I feel as though everything is nicely balanced and can accept that I have to take speed bumps very slowly 😂 A soggier rear with stiff forks might not feel right and I sure as heck don't want to start upgrading the forks because that sounds like hard work 😝 Please let me know how you get on with them. I did notice that they change the stance of the Meteor when it's stood, because of the extra length, but of course that disappears as soon as you sit on it ! And yes, it was my mate Exmouth who mentioned it. He met someone who had done the mod last summer, when he had the Meteor 350 there himself. The guy kindly let Exmouth ride his modded bike around the block and Steve reckoned that it felt a lot better than his standard one ! Cheers Tim, Garry & Ruby

@timsatchell6713

3 ай бұрын

@@economicalrides hi Gary. Just fitted the Hunter shocks to the Meteor. There is no such thing as a 5 minute job. A standard Meteor would have taken about 20 minutes. My heavily modded one, involved removing some stuff and slackening all the fasteners for the rack and pannier system, fitting the shocks and reversing the process, so about an hour. Haven't been able to test ride yet but bouncing up and down on the Meteor shocks they hardly move. The Hunter shocks produce the movement I would expect, so I am optimistic. Update you after the test ride. PS the difference in shock length is less that a centimeter so not really noticeable. Will let you know.

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

@@timsatchell6713 Oh yes, I can imagine. I would have had to remove my panniers and probably the mounting brackets too, that already sounds like a nightmare ! My main concern is that the front forks are as hard as F anyway. They are the opposite of plush. If the rear is softer with the Hunter shocks, I'd probably start wishing that the forks were softer. And that opens up a whole new can of worms. With 2-3 clicks of preload, the OEM front and rear feel about even to me. Firm but bearable. I suspect that the Hunter shocks will be plusher at the rear but I do worry about the setup then feeling unbalanced. Thankfully you are trying it, so I don't have to 😂 Personally, particularly with the decent road surfaces we have here, I can't see myself going through the effort of changing the OEM units. But your experience will be valuable, particularly to UK Meteor owners who are fed up of crashing through potholes 😉 I look forward to your test ride results Tim ! Cheers and good luck with them 🤞 Garry

An interesting review Garry, I’m not really convinced about the super meteor, it’s a more capable highway cruiser than the 350 Meteor but that’s all, I think the 350 is better in all other respects and if you want something for the highway there’s better, lighter and more comfortable alternatives. To be honest the SM and the shotgun are too heavy for 650’s they are considerably heavier than the interceptor and even the 900 Triumphs, they look good, they are a good price but they are heavy for what they are. All the best buddy 👍

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Mike. Yes I agree. More bike than I need and heavier and thirstier on fuel. The 650s are not really cheap bikes anymore either. Over 7k for a SM or Shotgun is not cheap. As you say, once you get into that price range, brand loyalty has to go out of the window and you have to seriously consider your alternatives, of which there are then many. I'd struggle to justify any bike more expensive than the two that I have. They are only toys after all. If I buy something bigger it will be second-hand, to maybe scratch an itch and then sell it on without losing too much in the process. I can't see me ever spending 7k on a new bike unless it was going to be my only bike AND I was going to be using it almost daily. Then I could probably just about justify one, but not as a weekend toy ! Cheers Mike. The 350s are fine. Once you've seen the light, you realise that much more is just overkill and you're basically just wasting your hard-earned. I think you are better off saving your money to be able to go out and buy another 350 once the current one has been run into the ground 🙂 I certainly intend to always have one of the RE 350s in my garage, for as long as I am able to ride them. Garry & Ruby

Questions, questions! With the terrain you generally ride Buddy in (which is very similar to mine), do you see yourself moving to one of the new 650’s? Of the two “issues”, one being the forward controls on the SM and the other the flatter, further bars on the Shotgun, which bike would you gravitate to? And why? Seats? Handling? Other? (In my humble opinion, it might be easier to address the longer reach to the bars with risers than try to get fully acclimated to the forward foot controls. The 350 Meteor sits soooo well in both regards.) Thanks much! Your opinions are highly regarded - as are your videos! Pats to Ruby!! And very good to see you out and about!

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi there Retro and thanks for the kind words. Frankly, being sensible and a bit of a tight wad, I still really struggle to justify anything significantly bigger or more expensive than the bikes I am currently running. My logic gets in the way of my desire for something new, possibly more fun 🤷‍♂️ The 350 and the 411 will cover everything up to 60 mph and in reality I am never riding faster than that anyway. So I think that I am most likely to stick with what I have. I am considering expanding to three bikes at some point ( because Buddy and Norman are definitely keepers ! ) but if I do, I think the third bike is most likely to be second-hand rather than brand new. Now, if I had to choose between the Shotgun and the Super Meteor, I think I would lean towards the Shotgun, just because its sporty nature adds something different to the fleet. The Super Meteor and Buddy feel very much like cruisers and you just want to ride them in a gentle way. With that loaded feel on the front end, I could see the Shotgun being a lot of fun to grab by the scruff of the neck and really hustle through some bends. So rather than another cruiser, something a bit different would make more sense for me. And I think the Shotgun would deliver that. I would definitely need to ride one though, just to be sure ! Maybe I should just wait 18 months and pick one up second-hand for sensible money ? I have a bit of a problem spending 7k on a toy, so a new one is probably out of the question at the moment. Ruby says thank you 🙂 She's in the doghouse today because she kept me up all night, walking all over me. We are in the midst of a terrible storm and it makes a right racket, which in turn makes Ruby very anxious and when she's anxious and I am in bed, she spends the whole night walking about on the bed, trying to find somewhere "safe" to sleep. So I am writing this having had zero hours of sleep last night. Oh and the garden fence is gone 😂 Cheers Retro. For me, if I wasn't so sensible, the Shotgun is probably the one I'd go for, as long as a test ride confirmed that it delivered the sporty ride that I think it probably will 👍🏻 Take care mate and here's hoping we can all get out a bit more soon. Thanks for your comment too ! Garry & Ruby

nice review, I love my Meteor 350, keep thinking of buying one of the 650s, but it just to be able to cruise on the motorways at 80MPH instead of 65 to 70. And it didn't sound like it was fun at 75 or so either

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Chad, the 650 would do better if you were looking to sustain 70 mph for prolonged periods of time. But even on the motorway, the 350 will do 60-65 mph in bursts if required, so unless you need to do those speeds for hours at a time, where the 650 would be more relaxed, it's hard to make a case for the extra weight, complexity, purchase and running costs of the twin. I also actually prefer the character of a single cylinder engine over a twin, so that's another win for the Meteor 350 in my eyes ! If somebody needs to sustain motorway speeds often and for prolonged spells, then clearly the Super Meteor 650 would be worth considering. Thanks Chad. I've had my Meteor for nearly three years now and I still absolutely love it ! So much so that if it ever wore out, I'd almost certainly go out and buy another one. There are not many bikes I could say that about ! Cheers Chad, Garry

Good insight into the Super Meteor Garry. My son-in-law has one now, but I've yet to scrounge a ride on it, but I'm hoping to get to try the Shotgun demonstrator soon (maybe the same day I get my 452 test-ride) I had an Interceptor prior to the Himalayan, so I know it's a great engine. I would imagine that the Almería sea-front must be a heck of a lot busier once the season gets underway. 😎

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Martin ! Apparently the feet being blown off the pegs thing is an Almería thing. Two people have told me that it never happens to them. Must be the combined ambient wind plus road speed that's causing it for me. 50 kph wind + 120 kph road speed is simulating 170 kph road speed, so that's probably the speed at which it becomes an issue. I am just lucky that I get to test these things in my very own wind tunnel without putting my licence at risk 😂 Apparently the 650 smooths out a lot over time, which is good to know because even this one was quite vibey at 70 mph, although it only had 450 km on the clock, which I imagined was the problem. Be prepared to have some weight on your wrists with the Shotgun. I don't mind it and it would encourage me to ride it a bit harder but it might not be everybody's cup of tea. I think that if you fitted Super Meteor bars to it, you would have something very akin to a Meteor 650 though, which might be of interest to some. But I won't be spending over 7k on any new bike in this lifetime. I shall wait and see and maybe pick up something unnecessary second hand in a few years time ! And yes. You can't park a car for love nor money near the beach in the summer ! Nightmare. Best avoided ! Same applies to Mojacar in August btw. ! Cheers Martin, Garry

@martintraffordmoorlandbike7121

3 ай бұрын

To be honest Garry, I've never really subscribed to the feet-forward thing, reserved it for my laid-back later years, and I have to say that at 72 (nearly!) I have slowed down a tad, and I won't turn away the opportunity of a decent test ride. It's not just the crowds that put me off spending time across there in July/August, it's the perishing heat! (but I can't think of a better area to spend winter). 😎

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

@@martintraffordmoorlandbike7121 Well Almería is a lot hotter in the summer than where I am and more importantly also a lot more humid. Up here at 900m there is usually some sort of wind going on and we certainly don't get much humidity in the air, so it feels bearable in the summer. Except when you are stood around in biking gear setting up cameras and the like of course ! It can be tempting to ride in a t-shirt but so far I've managed to resist the temptation. The helmet is hot enough anyway, not sure that my mesh jacket is really the issue ! Cheers Martin 👍🏻 Garry

@martintraffordmoorlandbike7121

3 ай бұрын

I ought to realise having been there last year, but I didn't realise just how much above sea level you are - almost 3,000' in old money, or in mountaineering terms - almost Munro height! I have to admit that I did weaken last year, and snook across to a restaurant in shorts and tee shirt. 🤦🥴

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

@@martintraffordmoorlandbike7121 Don't worry Martin, in Spain in the summer, anything goes. Even flip-flops 😂 I ride in summer civvies on the 50cc scooter though, which in theory is more dangerous because I am more likely to bin that because I try to take every corner without shutting off the gas and generally ride it like a teenager 😂 I'll send you an e-mail later, asking for your exact dates, so I can put them in my calendar and make sure that I will be around 👍🏻 Cheers Martin, Garry

I bought the blue one tested last time. Nothing wrong with it now, great bike

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi there. Thanks for that. Quite a few Super Meteor owners on here are reporting that the engines smooth out a lot in the first 3000 km, as I suspected ! Good to have it confirmed ! MM are soon selling this Celestial Red one. It is making way for a Himalayan 452 apparently 👍 Thanks for watching and commenting. Enjoy your Super Meaty ! Cheers, Garry

@DMS-be9kx

3 ай бұрын

I look forward to your test on the 452. Like you I have a 411, good machine. It will be interesting in seeing how the new one works on the roads down here

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

@@DMS-be9kx Yes. Reports out of India make me feel that I will be better off with the 411. Hearing that the 452 has an effective cruising speed of 100 kph too because although it will go faster, beyond 100 kph it vibrates quite badly. If that is true then there really is no point to it. However, I suspect that these bikes are brand new and not yet run in, so of course they will vibrate at those sort of revs. So I am taking that with a massive pinch of salt. Can't imagine that RE engineers wouldn't realise that a lot of people want the 452 to have added touring capability, i.e. be relaxed at motorway speeds. Also hearing that for technical trails the 411 is a lot easier to ride, the 452 needing a lot of clutch slip to get going again, any time the speed drops. I've grown to love Norman, my 411. I am curious to try the 452 and no doubt a lot of people will buy it, just because it's the newest thing. But I'm not expecting to feel the urge to buy one myself, not least because I don't do long distance trips and have my Himalayan primarily for mountain trails for which, by all accounts, the 411 is better suited. I am keeping an open mind with no great expectations. It's a real shame that the demo bike won't be fully run in when I ride it. It would be nice to get a conclusive answer to the vibration question but for that I'd need the bike to be fully run in and operating at its best. So it already feels as though any test ride will still leave important questions unanswered 🤷‍♂ Cheers DWS 👍🏻 Garry & Ruby

@DMS-be9kx

3 ай бұрын

It will be interesting to see. I hope they don’t discontinue the 411. Nothing out there to compare

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

@@DMS-be9kx Unfortunately they discontinued the Himalayan 411 at the beginning of November. They are currently still making the Scram but I imagine that its days are also numbered. But of course, the 411 Himalayans are available for as long as the importer still has stock to supply to dealers. I think it is a great shame that they aren't continuing to sell the 411 alongside the 452. KTM makes many different Adventures, so why shouldn't RE have two Himalayans for two different sets of customers ? The 411 is most likely the better "hard adventure" bike and the budget option. The 452 is probably more touring capable and has a higher spec and could be the more expensive option for those people who are less interested in going too far off-road. I think RE missed a trick by scrapping the 411 Himalayan but it may have been forced by capacity issues. They now have many different models in high demand, so at some point they are going to run out of production capacity. I suspect that they needed the 411 Himalayan production line for some other model, so since they already had its successor, it had to go. Presumably the Scram 411 will be discontinued once the Scram 452 is announced. Cheers DMS, Garry.

Well! You've made me feel suitably ashamed of the state of my bike, after seeing Buddy post wash! Mind you, I haven't washed it since last April so i guess it's nearly time 😜 Whats going on with the weird sort of splayed silencers on that Shotgun? I couldn't look at anything else once id initially seen them 🤣 I enjoyed your ride around town, it puts me on the edge of my seat because of the 'wrong' side of the road thing! What does Ruby have, hot dog sossiges? my lot are partial to them. They usually get a pigs ear each when i get home, it keeps them occupied for a little while 😊

@exeterrider

3 ай бұрын

You don't have to wash bikes with legendary status Ken, so it's fine. Buddy is still young.

@kenbrooks7794

3 ай бұрын

@exeterrider 🤣🤣 He's shamed me in to it without even realising it! 🤣

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

True. And Ken should see the state of Norman before feeling too ashamed ! I did think of washing some of the dust off but then I thought "No, he'll only get dusty again next time out. Do it in the summer when he is only going to be used on the roads". So that's the plan. He'll get his rinse off once the off-road season has ended ! Then I'll fit the OEM pannier boxes at the same time. Winter spec - soft bags - always filthy Summer spec - hard case panniers - always clean(ish). Sorted.

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Ken, don't worry, you should see the state of Norman ! I've decided that there's no point in washing him until the summer now, when the off-road season has ended. He'll get a decent wash then, I will refit the OEM hard case panniers and he will get to enjoy the summer on the roads whilst remaining reasonably clean 👍🏻 All of the 650s have the exhausts coming out like that, it's just that the Super Meteor and now Shotgun have longer silencers, so the effect is much more apparent. I agree that it doesn't look great but clearly there is a packaging issue with that engine, whereby the exhausts have to leave the engine with a bit of an angle on them. The longer the run of the exhaust, the worse it looks ! An exhaust pipe that long really needs a straight run on it, I agree. I imagine that somebody will come up with an aftermarket system that achieves that, eventually. Glad to hear that you enjoyed me riding in town. A lot of people do. Not my cup of tea but I suppose there is more for you lot to look at and take in. Traffic-free roads and stunning views ( with the odd goat thrown in ) appear not be enough for you lot 😉 Actually I don't mind riding in Almería city because I more or less know where i'm going. It's only when I am in city traffic and trying to navigate at the same time that I start to get flustered 🤗 Yes, Ruby is on the Frankfurters. I recently changed brands and the new ones actually don't taste too bad. So now Ruby has competition. I do eat one myself from time to time ! My previous dog used to love pigs' ears but since I've had Ruby, here in Spain, I haven't seen any. I think she might not eat them anyway. She doesn't really have the patience for anything hard. She seems to prefer easy bites like "sossidges" with optional gravel. Go down easier, more efficient eating, less chewing ! 😂 Cheers Ken and please don't feel bad about your bike being dirty. That's what it likes, I'm sure ! Please also give the girls a hug from Ruber and me ! Garry & Ruby

Good one Garry.. I have to say that I'm really enjoying my SM 650 in the celestial red as per the one to took for a ride. I'm a bit confused by the "feet blowing off the pegs" that I remember you mentioning the first time. As much as I try I haven't noticed that - Are you sure you took your flippers off after snorkelling and before riding the bike?. 😋 I've done 5500Km on mine, and like the 350, the difference is amazing and will still get better with a few more K's I would imagine.

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Chris, actually you are the second person to say that they haven't experienced the wind lifting their feet of the pegs issue. I think it must be the wind. Like on this day, 50 kph wind plus 120 kph road speed = 170 kph effective airspeed. So effectively I'm simulating riding at 170 kph here, something you probably shouldn't try if you value your bike license 😂 I mean, I even have small feet, so if it's happening to me, it should be happening to everyone ! But no, both times I've ridden the Super Meteor it has been very windy, so that was almost certainly the cause of it. Great to hear that the engine has smoothed out over time. This one was still quite vibey for my tastes but I do acknowledge that an engine with 400 km on it is not yet operating at optimum smoothness. Very happy to hear that you are enjoying yours. Super Meteors are now starting to come up second hand, so if I can get one for significantly less than list price, I could be tempted to get one for myself at some point. I am already thinking that my next bike will probably be second-hand, so we'll see what's on the market whenever I decide to start looking. I loved the seat on the Celestial by the way but did feel as if the screen was causing turbulence at speed ( but again, extreme meteorological conditions may have been the cause ). From about 50 mph upwards I was getting booming around the helmet. Unsurprising though because OEM screens never seem to actually "screen" for me ! Cheers Chris, Garry & Ruby

To say it friendly - the Shotgun isn’t my cup of tea… Gerry it’s not the weight you feel at the SuperMeteor… it’s the high COG! My Sportster which has as a RubberMount 270kg dry and with all my touring stuff on it a bit over 300kg feels much easier to handle as the SM. Love the SM and its elastic engine which could go down in 3rd gear to walking speed and then accelerate without hacking the chain, but the high COG was the point that let me leave the idea of owning a SE! The other point the chain is now solved - there is a belt conversion available.

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Sexy 😝 Do you still have a Bullet on your horizon ? Didn't see one in the dealer's here yet but the idea of my old Bullet, just fitted with a smooth and reliable J Series engine is appealing to me. It's interesting that you found the Harley lighter to chuck about than the Super Meteor but to be honest, that 650 engine is extremely heavy for the power it makes. The Interceptor and Continental both feel very heavy too. So far I only notice the weight when heaving the bike up off the side stand. But I've never ridden a Harley, well only once, very briefly and in a straight line, so I have no idea how they compare. If you say that the SM felt awkward to you, I'll happily take your word for it 🙂 I really need to try my friend's Continental because that also felt very heavy when I sat on it. According to him it handles well enough. Yes, the belt drive mod for the 650s would be a no-brainer for me, if I had a 650 myself. Love belts. Hate chains ! Cheers Michael. I hope you do get that Bullet 350, I think you'd enjoy it ! Garry & Ruby

@SkysaxonDragonslayer

3 ай бұрын

@@economicalrides Still have a Classic or Bullet on my wishlist… … but my girlfriend wants a holiday this year (Island by car in September …😇) and so the Bullet has to wait… Sportster will be on the road this WE and then we will see what will happen to her…

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

@@SkysaxonDragonslayer Holiday ? What's that ? 😂 Still, if you want a peaceful life, it's probably necessary ! Fingers crossed you can get one later in the year or maybe by next year you can save a grand and pick up a low mileage second-hand one ? Great news about the Sportster, it's been a while !!! I'm sure you'll enjoy riding it again after all this time. Cheers you two, Garry & Ruby

That's odd. I own a Super Meteor and the wind hitting my feet at an angle where it feels like they are going to be pushed off the pegs has never been an issue. Could be that you are experiencing much higher winds than I have ever experienced while riding the bike.

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi there. Yes, almost certainly ! I was probably adding 50 kph wind to the 120 kph road speed, so I was effectively simulating riding at 170 kph in this one 😂 Unfortunately there is no such thing as a still day around these parts ( well, not anymore anyway ! ) but I can well imagine that it wouldn't happen at 120 kph without any wind around, yes. Thanks for your input. Glad to hear that it's a non-issue in less windy parts of the world ! Once I got used to the position of the foot rests and foot controls, I really enjoyed riding the Super Meteor. Just a bit expensive for me. Especially when I already have two bikes that I don't want to get rid of ! 🤷‍♂️ Enjoy yours mate ! Cheers, Garry & Ruby

Hi Garry, da hast du wieder ein tolles Video hochgeladen. Mich würde ja die Hunter 350 mal interessieren, die sieht optisch auch toll aus. LG Stephan

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Danke Stephan ! Ja die Hunter interessiert mich auch, würde ich auch gerne mal fahren. Ich habe vor dieses Jahr öfters zum Händler in Murcia zu fahren. Ist zwar zwei Stunden weg von hier aber die haben mehr demo Maschinen, RE und andere Marken. Ich hoffe dort eine Shotgun und eine Hunter zu finden, die ich dann auch fahren darf. Mal schauen 🤞 LG Garry und Ruby ❤️🐕

@stephanl.4857

3 ай бұрын

Aktuell wüsste ich gar nicht wo bei mir in der Nähe ein RE-Händler ist. Die würde ich gerne probesitzen.

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

@@stephanl.4857 Hi Stephan, es gibt Mototrend, Heckinghauser Straße 103-105, Wuppertal -42289 Die werden auf der offiziellen Webseite von RE als Händler aufgeführt. Dürfte dein nächster sein, denke ich. Oder es gibt einen größeren in Duisburg, anscheinend. Nicht dass ich möchte dass Du Geld ausgibst oder so 😇😝

@stephanl.4857

3 ай бұрын

@@economicalrides danke für die Info aber die Idioten von Mototrend haben damals meine Mash 400 Scrambler kaputt repariert. Außerdem kennt der Chef noch nicht einmal den Unterschied zwischen der Meteor Super Nova und der Meteor Stellar. Geht meiner Meinung nach gar nicht.

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

@@stephanl.4857 😂 Das wusste ich natürlich nicht. Aber auf der RE Webseite kannst Du problemlos 'Händlersuche' machen und Du siehst die ganzen Anderen auf einer Karte. Der in Duisburg scheint ja ein größerer zu sein und ich denke Michael war auch öfters da. Aber schaue einfach mal auf der RE Webseite nach und suche Dir einen aus 🙂 Ich würde gerne mit der Hunter mal fahren, wenn sich irgendwo hier die Gelegenheit anbietet ! Ist bestimmt eine schöne Maschine für den Alltag, zum pendeln, einfach sorgenfrei zu benutzen. Man kann die bestimmt fahren bis sie ausgenutzt ist und in der Zeit schon auf eine neue als Ersatz gespart haben ! Günstiger Transport eben, vor allen Dingen bei dem niedrigen Spritverbrauch. Erträgliches Wetter vorausgesetzt natürlich, was bei Dir eher nicht der Fall sein wird 😭 Wir wünschen Dir schöne Ostertage Stephan. Ich werde das lange WE benutzen um mein Frühjahrsputz durchzuführen. Oh joy !!! ( aber wenigstens ist das Wetter gerade Kacke, sonst hätte ich NOCH weniger Lust das WE so zu verbringen ! ) Viel Spaß und LG Garry und Ruby ❤🐕"Stephan sossidges !!!!"

The Shotgun doe's look really good...I thought it could work for me but having sensitive shoulders I think the reach may start to ache me...everything else looks sweet though. I should get one this year. Did you warm to the meaty 650 a bit more this time,or still the same feelings?

@exeterrider

3 ай бұрын

@@PeterHolland-mu7yn please don't mention congestion again, I've just lost a TV. Nope I get shoulder ache from pulling the kids out of bed from being late to school every day. It's normal daily routine😂

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Hi Steve. The Super Meteor remains a very nice, competent middleweight cruiser. My view on it hasn't changed and now I am assuming that the vibes I get on the motorway will not be an issue in the long run. It would be interesting to ride one that is fully run in, but as you know, that is rarely the case with demo bikes. This Super Meteor will be sold soon to be replaced by a Himmy 450 and it only has 450 km on it so far ! I still felt more vibes on the Super Meteor than I get on Buddy at 60 mph but it's a twin and it has two pistons and barrels to run in, so I imagine that they would feel more vibey during the running-in phase. I've ridden two Super Meteors now and they both exhibited vibrations at 70 mph, more vibes than I would expect, but not enough to become an issue. And I fully expect that the engine will smooth out a lot over time, I just haven't been able to try one that is fully run-in to confirm that. If you can get on with the forward foot controls, the Super Meteor will be a nice bike, although at its price point your brand loyalty could get tested because other alternatives are available from other manufacturers. Once you go beyond the 7000 EUR price point, you are no longer limited to Royal Enfield when looking for a decent quality new bike, are you ? I won't be getting a Shotgun, just because I am too tight to spend that sort of money on a toy. Well, unless I get a test ride on one and it blows me away. Then I might have to reconsider, of course ! Cheers Steve, look forward to your thoughts on the Shotgun. Looks great, puts your weight over the front wheel, could be fun to hustle down a mountain road and be a bit of a hooligan on. But as others have mentioned, because they've gone with a long silencer ( which looks great from the side-on perspective ), because of the angle that the header pipes have when they leave the engine, the silencers are a long way proud of the rear of the bike by the end of their length. That does look a bit rubbish. All of the RE 650s have splayed out silencers but the longer the pipe, the more splayed out they become. Would need a complete aftermarket system to eliminate that. I would definitely be looking into that possibility if I bought a Shotgun. It would look so much better with the exhausts tucked in tight to the bike ! Crap weather here. Video making possibilities limited. Thinking of live shows possibly being required soon ! Love to the crew ! Garry & Ruby

Looking at all those shiny bikes was in sharp contrast to the 1959 BSA A10 and rider I was chatting with yesterday. You'd have been absolutely appalled. I have seen 'barn finds' in better condition. It would have taken a bucket of Solvol Autosol and many brillo pads to get it anywhere near back to metal. He looked as though he hadn't seen soap and water for years either. And his helmet must have dated from the same era as his bike. 'Patina' I think it's called... 🤣🤣

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

😂 Sounds like a genuine enthusiast. It takes all sorts I suppose. If he is happy to keep it like that and it is mechanically sound and more or less reliable, good on him. Maybe traffic conditions have changed a bit since the 50s though, so perhaps the investment in some more modern safety gear would be wise move ? Thanks Peter. I think patina is a nice way of saying "I could never be bothered to really look after it" 😂 Love from Spain, Garry & Ruby

@Lanes-Explorer5733

3 ай бұрын

​@@economicalridesHello to you both and many thanks for all your replies. Just wanted let you know I've enjoyed reading them all Best wishes from me to you and Ruby ☺️

ooh = the weight ;; your too used to buddy ;;;;

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Yep. Although to be fair, I thought Norman was heavy when I first got him. You very quickly adapt though. But that 650 engine is a hefty beast. I recall feeling that the Interceptor and Continental were very heavy when I heaved them off the side stand back in the day. There is a lot of weight in that engine but at least RE try to keep it low down. Not a problem under power but I would struggle to scoot one about on my gravel without starting the engine, that's for sure ! Cheers Simon ! Garry & Ruby

Your serious explanations are very boring and logical, stick to the funny ones 😂😂 .. According to uncle Stu, the shotgun is more of modern version of the classic/bullet. p.s. The bars can be changed the raised .. I have some experience with that.

@economicalrides

3 ай бұрын

Can't see how the Shotgun is anything like the Bullet Stefan, not sure what Stu has been smoking 😂 It is very much a sporty cruiser. The intention was probably to do what Harley did with their Sportster. Bring out a cruiser that you can hustle a bit better in the twisties. I would need to ride one to be sure, but I think that the Shotgun is a hooligan cruiser. All of that weight on the front tyre will give you confidence to ride it hard in the bends. Get some loud pipes on it, a few custom bits to make it your own and I think it could be great fun ! But you won't catch me spending over 7k on a toy. Not going to happen. I already have the two bikes that I need. Maybe I will get one in a few years, when they start to come up for sale second-hand. The Shotgun would be a more tempting proposition at 5k in a couple of years time ! Yes. You could easily fit the SM bars to the Shotgun to make a Meteor 650, I reckon. Shame it doesn't come with the heel/toe shifter though. But then, it's supposed to be a sporty bike and heel/toe shifters are very "cruiser", so I understand their choice. Cheers Stefan 👍🏻 Garry & Ruby