UM Renegade Sport: First Look Review
UM Global will officially enter the Indian market in February next year, at the 2016 Auto Expo. Though the US-based manufacturer is yet to reveal its line-up, we believe that the Renegade Sport will be one of the first few UM models to go on sale in the Indian market.
The Renegade Sport gets the minimalistic look of a traditional bobber, though it does keep its front fender. With low-set handlebar, low-ride height and peanut-shaped fuel tank, the Renegade Sport seems to draw inspiration from the Harley-Davidson Sportster series. The round headlamp and windscreen complement the bike’s retro appeal. The shiny chrome accents on the forks and the exhaust contrast neatly with the blacked-out chassis, 13-spoke wheels and the engine. It will be offered in two seating layouts – single saddle seat or convention dual seats.
The single-pod instrument console integrates an analogue speedometer and a digital display. The Renegade Sport comes with a USB charging port, service alert system, blind spot mirrors. It also gets some unique features like a 360-degree LED light system to improve the bike’s visibility at night and an anti-flat system for the tubeless tyres. The Renegade Sport will be available with a host of personalisation accessories, including saddlebags.
Globally, the most powerful Renegade Sport comes with an air-cooled 196cc single-cylinder engine, which delivers 15bhp and 15Nm of torque. We expect UM to offer this same engine in the India-spec model, if not a more powerful 300c unit. The Renegade Commando rides on 16-inch front and a 15-inch rear spoke wheels. The suspension setup consists of conventional telescopic forks at the front and a twin hydraulic spring suspension at the rear. It gets a disc brake at the front and a drum unit in the rear.
UM has already set up a research and development centre in Delhi to develop new products especially for the Indian market. UM is currently developing a new 300cc engine for the Renegade Sport’s bigger sibling, the Renegade Commando, and there is a possibility that this engine might end up in the Renegade Sport too. All the motorcycles sold in India are going to be locally produced at Lohia Auto’s plant in Kashipur, Uttarakhand, which should help the company offer competitive pricing.
The Renegade Sport will be available in four paint schemes – black, green, burgundy and silver. The Renegade Sport will compete with the Royal Enfield Electra. We can expect it to be priced around Rs 1.25 lakh.
