Looks and performance in a single package, and all at a reasonable price. That essentially all anyone would look for in a bike. We’re talking about the all new American-style cruiser, the Renegade Commando, which boasts all these features, making a stylish entrance into the world of cruisers.

With more than 76 units now running on Nepali streets, the Renegade Commando is already offering competition to its once-popular Indian counterparts, whether that be the Bajaj Avenger 220 or the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350/500. The bike is currently manufactured in China by a US-based company, UM Global, and is now making inroads into the South-East Asian market. Reports have emerged of the company’s plans to tie up with a local two-wheeler manufacturer in India, which is planning a roll-out from its own facility by April 2015.

Key features

The low seats and wide handlebars of the Renegade Commando make for a distinctive appearance, very much reminiscent of vintage American cruisers. According to UM Global, the “traditional headlights, dual silencers and a stealthy matte finish round up this bike for an unavoidably sexy figure that’s worthy of a double take”, and one can’t help but agree with that assessment when one gets a first glimpse of the bike. The bike is equipped with a 17-litre fuel tank with an emblem set above the fuel cap that reads ‘Conquer the World’—words that certainly ring true once you’ve taken a ride on the Renegade. The bike comes with a single cylinder 230 cc air-cooled engine that can generate a peak power of 18 hp @8000rpm, which is fairly average compared to its contemporaries, but its performance on the road really sets it apart.

Another unique aspect about the Renegade is how it’s been decked out with the latest technology. The bike comes with a USB port, located just under its headlight, enabling riders to charge their electrical devices. There is also the Blind Spot View (BSV), another rave feature that helps riders see vehicles in the background that they wouldn’t normally see in regular rear-view mirrors. According to UM Global, blind spots are “one of the principle causes of motorcycle accidents, especially when changing lanes or in urban terrains”, something that proves especially helpful on the streets of our city, where road rules are rarely followed and vehicles overtake each other from both directions. The bike’s tires are Anti-Flat Sealant, which means everytime one gets a flat, the tires essentially mend themselves. This feature makes the bike ideal for Kathmandu’s pot-holed, gritty roads.

Test-drive verdict

We took the Renegade Commando out around Kathmandu for a test drive recently and the stellar character of the bike really came through. The suspension worked well enough on the flats, but the transmission did not engage well at lower speeds, although it functioned smoothly at higher gears. The ground clearance was cruiser average plus some, so the fun didn’t end too soon on the turns we did encounter. The brakes worked well, delivering the stability necessary to stop a bike with a claimed dry weight of 150 kg, and the single 110mm front discs and 130mm rear provided surprisingly good gripping power. The brake pedal was well-positioned for the rider’s foot placement.

At highway speeds, the riding position felt optimal, with the minimised distance from the handle proving helpful in combating wind blast. The seat positioning was apt and the special UM Comfort Gel seat felt exceedingly comfortable. The blind spot view in the rear mirror provided an almost 180-degree perspective and ensured that we could safely switch lanes.

All in all, it’s a bike that is both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. For those who can’t quite afford an Enfield but don’t want to restrict themselves to the run-of-the-mill commuter bikes, the Renegade Commando makes for a perfect purchase.

Import USA, located in Gairidhara, is the sole authorised distributor of Renegade Commando bikes in Nepal. United Motors (UM), is a Florida-based motorcycle company that provides a range of stylish yet affordable motorcycles.

Log onto umglobal.com for more

Highs

-    Decent mileage (30 km/litre)

-    Ergonomically designed and great handling

-    Great response from the bike when you’re riding, especially on smooth roads

Sighs

-    Somewhat hard to steer during sharp turns

-    The transmission can leave something to be desired at times and can prove difficult to change gears under certain challenging conditions

-    The thin rear-view mirrors with BSV takes some getting used to