UM Renegade Commando Classic & Mojave Test Ride Review

UM Renegade Commando Classic & Mojave

Bike Tested: UM Renegade Classic & Mojave; Road Test No. 852; Test Location: Kashipur, Uttrakhand

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 2,02,100/- (Classic), Rs. 2,13,050/- (Mojave)

The UM Commando bikes are solely cruisers, an alternative to Royal Enfield

The new kid on the block here is United Motors, this so-called American manufacturer has been making motorcycles since the early 2000s and yet is yet to gain popularity as it isn’t a very well known brand worldwide. Let alone in India, it has a distribution network in 25 countries with just 200 outlets overall. They have been selling motorcycles in India since 2016 and have been getting mixed reactions from our consumer market. Having already launched two iterations of the Renegade, UM has decided to launch two more iterations of this bike called the Classic and Mojave. These two motorcycles come to India by promising premium quality and feature loaded American cruiser appeal. They not only promise style but performance too but do they deliver?

Motor Quest: UM Global is a Colombian distribution company. The bikes are manufactured by a Chinese company called Xcross Motorcycles. These bikes are sold in bulk for approximately Rs. 38,000 to 60,000/-. What we get is simply rebadging with a few cosmetic changes.

Styling – When it comes to style, these Commandos deliver what you’d expect from an American cruiser, even though this isn’t actually American. I love how UM has added the leather saddlebags as standard adding to that authentic charm. The Commando Mojave gets its name from the largest desert in North America. It has blacked out bits with a blacked out exhaust and ditches any sort of wind protection which the Classic gets in the form of a windshield. The tank is covered in cloth giving it a more bare and rugged look. The Mojave gets a very eye catchy and unique desert coloured matte paint job.

The Commando Classic is given the complete chrome treatment everywhere. The motorcycle also includes a very purposeful tall non-adjustable windscreen, chrome exhaust and a part leather finished tank with a handy storage pouch. This stallion comes with a two-tone metallic finish in the shades of copper cream and glossy black. The Classic managed to get a lot of attention with its chrome letting out a more premium feel to it especially in the shade of black that we had our bike in. Also I’d like to mention that both these bikes come with good quality leather seat covers with their names embedded into it.

Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – Both the motorcycles come with a white tank mounted console that houses a speedometer, gear position indicator, fuel meter, odometer and a trip meter. The quality of switchgear is good and they are well positioned. These newbies also get a USB charging port placed next to the console as standard. Personally, I hate the positioning of the speedometer, as it is very inconvenient to look at and the lack of a tachometer takes away that involvement from a rider.

Ergonomics – The UM Renegade Commandos have an easy going riding posture with little or no strain on your wrists. Pillion comfort too is on the higher side as the seats having a decent amount of cushioning and even a backrest for the pillion. While the suspension is stiffly sprung but with a pillion and luggage on board, the suspension felt comfortable and more compliant. The motorcycle comes with an astonishing 18-litre fuel tank ensuring lesser fuel stops.

Performance – Both the Commando and the Mojave come with the same free-revving 279cc single-cylinder engine that makes its peak power of 25 BHP at 8500 RPM and peak torque of 23 Nm at 7000 RPM. The engine redlines at 9000 RPM which surprisingly is high revving and un-cruiser like. It’s clear that this motor has been designed for the highways as it is smooth and linear but still feels like it could do with more refinement. The vibrations are more evident when the bike is in its powerband i.e. at the higher revs. The exhaust has a decent sound to it too and gets better as you rev hard.

The engine feels too laid back and the surge in power is gradual

The gearbox is very smooth but it tends to have lots of false neutrals going from second to third and third to fourth gear. However, it remains fun to shift without being much clunky. The power surge is linear and only tends to get exciting only at the top of the rev range. The throttle response is decent and the Renegade Commandos are apt for the highways as they lack the usual choppiness found on rivals. I somehow can’t seem to get over how fun it is to rev this engine all the way to its redline but sadly I can’t even see it. Thankfully this motorcycle doesn’t end up feeling like a slouch and can keep its pace but you need to keep that throttle wide open.

Riding Dynamics – In terms of handling, the UM Renegade Commando Classic and Mojave feel agile once you get going and stay surefooted at cruising speeds. However, the front weighs up and the bike does not flick much at higher speeds. At 179 kgs, this machine is lighter than its rivals and it feels more confident around the corners. It gives you a sense of confidence to lean and go fast without worrying about the ride getting unsettled. When you start to dip in for a corner, there is very little weight that’s felt and it holds the line as you unwind the throttle mid-corner.

The suspension set-up is great for highway cruising speeds

The TVS tyres offer decent grip but what puts it off is the fact that it has a 280 mm front disc and a 130 mm drum at the rear. While the front brakes have a gradual bite, the rear ends up feeling a little spongy and lacks the initial bite. It won’t matter much while you’re in tight traffic but out on the highway where you’re relying on your rear brakes just as much as you need the front, they strip you of some confidence with their feel. One of the major sore points about these bikes is that they still lack ABS but I’ve been told they’ll have it in India next year.

Verdict – The performance cruiser segment offers very little competition at this point as it’s coming only from Royal Enfield’s range of motorcycles. However, these bikes do outrank Enfields in terms of build quality and equipment but they just don’t bring the same appeal, finding themselves priced right between the classic 350 and Classic 500. So, if outright quality is what you seek then look no further. But if you’re more of a retro person who likes his motorcycle to come with a little history, then you’re probably better off finding value in one of the Royal Enfields.

What’s Cool

* High revving engine and sounds good too
* Has a handy USB charging socket and pouch
* Bike feels agile and planted even around corners

What’s Not So Cool

* The rear brake feels spongy and the front lacks initial bite
* The NVH levels are not up to the mark of a quality built cruiser

UM Renegade Commando Classic & Mojave Specifications

* Engine: 279cc, Single-Cylinder, 4-Valve, Liquid-Cooled
* Power: 25.15 PS @ 8500 RPM
* Torque: 23 Nm @ 7500 RPM
* Transmission: 6-Speed, Synchronous Mesh Overdrive
* Fuel Consumption: 29-34 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Bone Type
* Suspension: Hydraulic Telescopic (Front), Twin Hydraulic With Springs (Rear)
* Tyres: 110/90/16 (Front), 140/90/15 (Rear)
* Brakes: 280 mm Disc (Front), 130 mm Drum (Rear)

UM Renegade Commando Classic & Mojave Dimensions

* Length x Width x Height: 2257 mm x 780 mm x 1149 mm
* Wheelbase: 1545 mm
* Ground Clearance: 200 mm
* Seat Height: 750 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 18-litres
* Kerb Weight: 179 kgs

Further Reading –

UM Renegade Commando Classic & Mojave Video Review