Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, it nearly never happened but became A world best selling Motorcycle!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- The intriguing story about how the Interceptor 650 came into existence and what it is about the bike that made it one of the worlds best selling motorcycles!
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PATREON. / stuartfillingham
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pps a big shout out to hitchcocks ,,, one of the few genuinely top blokes imho .. ya get what ya pay for ,,,and and Allen does a sterling job imho !
had to look up what imho meant!
You have a great name there ;-)
@@stevenwatson3963 thanks. You too 😁✌️.
Agreed!
@@morrisminor56 I remember the Morris Minor growing up, it was my dream car,
Morning Stewart. I think you nailed it once more. My brother-in-law is 82 and last year he hung up his helmet along with his life long mate who is 76. His mate could no longer kick over his 1961 Triumph 650. That said he missed riding last summer especially in all that glorious weather we had so guess? He bought a second hand Royal Enfield Hunter. It's lighter and comes with an electric start, so no more painful knees! And now my brother-in-law is being bullied into getting one so they can continue riding together. It's in the blood as all old bikers know!! Great vid, enjoyed watching it and the RE history. So till next time, safe enjoyable riding Stewart 👌😁.
Don't say bullied, say aggressively encouraged 😂
I wonder if I can ride when I am 82. I hope I can 🙈
I would buy a new Enfield Twin and Stewart does them great service . However , I dream of my old Laverda SF2 from 1975 and wish someone would make those again , with a big weight reduction and more power and ease gained from decent fuel injection available now ! Yeah right . Not a normal modern Triumph though , nor the new BSA , mind you the new Commando rocks my boat . Give me more power on an Enfield and I would be happier ... I am 65 !
Now thats the energy & approach to life !!!
LIVING BEING IS OUR RACE, MANKIND IS OUR RELIGION, HINDU,MUSLIM,SIKH,CHRISTAIN, THERE IS NO SEPARATE RELIGION
ALMIGHTY GOD KABIR is the father of all souls that JESUS, MOHAMMAD, GURU NANAK, VEDH was telling in BIBLE, QURAN, GURU GRANTHA SAHEB
As a young new rider with very little idea of what he actually wants from his first bike that isn't a moped, I'm grateful to RE for providing affordable yet superbly reliable and well finished machines that allows me to buy one without having to sell a kidney and without fear of having made a huge financial mistake. This is exactly how a company brings about the next generation of riders
R.E definitely been lucky & bringing out the 650 Twin was a stroke of genius & a gamble.Saw a gap in the market that no one else was doing the iconic 650 from the 60's.Indian's love thier small cc bikes & the 650 is a big boy over there & tariffs on imports are massive in India & I mean massive average working man in India struggle to get a import & could own 2-3 Royal Enfield's.
Made like a Gun,would be a Ak-47 rugged & simple & reliable.
...or a 303.
Right on the nail , my Interceptor has exceeded my expectations in many ways , I look at the twin instruments the basic styling the riding position and that gem of an engine and think how did they know I wanted that …. Because they are motorcyclists and they listened to motorcyclists , also Thank you Stuart , while I was keen to buy an interceptor I tried to justify my purchase in many ways and procrastinated , your videos ( and your wisdom !),gave me a better understanding of the bike and made my decision to purchase much easier , I have not regretted that decision in any way . Again thank you .
Right here says it all...." Because they are motorcyclists and they listened to motorcyclists"
Triumph make some beautiful, quality bikes, but their attitude seems to have played right into Royal Enfields hands. I remember seeing a TH-cam review a few years ago where the Triumph representative was asked about the 650 twins and said that Triumph did not see them as competition. This just made me want to buy the Interceptor even more. I think in the future, the Interceptor will be included in a lot of 'best bikes ever' lists - not bad for 6 and a bit k!
I did some contracting for Triumph and told them the Interceptor was going to be an absolute smash success, They were arrogant enough to not even consider it a competitor.
I love my T100 but my relationship with Triumph UK has been soured by their aftersales department which seems to be run by accountants and solicitors rather than people with an interest in loyal customers and their motorcycles. Their attitude has even perplexed my local dealer who have been great - but their hands are tied by the parent group. Triumph seem to think that they can treat their customers with complete contempt and still sell bikes. This will bite them in the bum in due course I'm sure of it.
@@captainpugwash788That's exactly the kind of answer a Triumph executive recently have when asked about if we can see the launch of 200cc Triumph bikes, after the launch of Triumph 400 Twins!
I liked my interceptor so much that I bought another one. I have one as a city bike and one as a country bike. Both are heavily modified!
Could you please provide the modification details of both the versions of bikes here or if possible in a video?
You once again nailed it. I have a Scram, Int 650 and now going to add the meteor 650. Excessive some may say. But. From my point of view i get a selection of what i want to ride depending what mood i am in. Yes. I get all three for less than the price of a new Harley.D. Now that to me is value. Long may you and RE do well.
I have both bikes as well! INT was first, but about 6 was later, after watching Stuart's review on the Scram, I snag one of those, too. Absolutely love both bikes and really like the Super Meteor. I may wait to see what happens with the Shotgun 650, though. Best to you and ride safe!
LIVING BEING IS OUR RACE, MANKIND IS OUR RELIGION, HINDU,MUSLIM,SIKH,CHRISTAIN, THERE IS NO SEPARATE RELIGION
ALMIGHTY GOD KABIR is the father of all souls that JESUS, MOHAMMAD, GURU NANAK, VEDH was telling in BIBLE, QURAN, GURU GRANTHA SAHEB
Thanks Stuart. My Interceptor was purchased on July 3rd 2019, your videos were a great source of inspiration. Living in the USA it said INT650 which I could never swallow. Last June I came back to the UK to visit all my family and my son had purchased the side panels declaring Interceptor 650!!! As a Brit abroad I wanted something as British as possible, albeit made in India. I love this bike and I have no plans on selling it while blood still pumps from my 61 year old heart!!!!
I ride mine interstate in Australia and comfortwise it's really no different to riding a BMW GS. The riding position is perfect and it's a great thrill to nip through backed up traffic. Lots of compliments too. Not a lot to dislike about this iconic bike.
Any Suspension upgrades? Thanks
@@gtptvanbuuren3795 none at all. To be honest I rode it to my farm a few times and thought it'd make a decent scrambler with an upgrade and knobbies.
what distance you travelling a day am thinking of buying one i,m in gippsland vic i,d like to travel to home in NW NSW on one thanks
@@gtptvanbuuren3795 I put an YSS kit on mine, front and rear. The best "mod" I've ever made. HIGHLY recommend it.
I just love my 350 Meteor. It's lightweight and just enough powered for me (i'm not a speed seeker). I can just as easily go to work with it and also go on my weekend/vacations adventures. It's perfect and very economical.
It's a smashing bike is the 350 Meteor and very good value too.
I also have a 350 Meteor it sits along side of my Classic 500 in my garage. The Meteor 350 gets a lot more mileage put on it per annum than the classic for some reason. Although I love both bikes the 350 seems to be my go to bike as it is such a light easy ride and so comfortable I can stay in the saddle for hours.
My first motorcycle was a BMW R75/6. It was a pure joy to ride. My 2022 Interceptor 650 reminds me so much of that old BMW without the Bing carburetors, the crummy stainless steel front brake rotor and the shaft effect experienced in the most in opportune times. Chain drive, EFI and decent ABS brakes makes for the perfect riding experience for me. And yes, as I have stated before, I have owned over fifty motorcycles in my 61 years here on planet earth. My Interceptor is a keeper. I have never said that about any other motorcycle I have ever owned.
That's quite the testamonial. I'm still fine tuning mine, also have an '18 Himmi for exploring the back country and a modified TU for packing my shepherd around. No one messes with her bike. She's a rabid biker gal. 😆👍
Talking about making bikes with useable power, can anyone here remember when at the height of Japanese domination, back in the Seventies, when the old Triumph 750 Bonneville was the best-selling big bike in Britain? Perhaps the majority of riders have always desired practical bikes, but the manufacturers have not complied? Perhaps I might add, that mostly when the Japanese have attempted practical bikes, they mostly have been hideous plastic monstrosities, whereas the Enfield looks gorgeous.
Yes, I can remember those days. And also the general flack and negative comments from other motorcyclists about my T140. Strangely enough none of them had ridden one of even knew anyone with one (except me) , so seemed to be relying on preconceived ideas and biases. I was the only one still riding the same bike after a few years, then five years then ten. Granted "some vibration was apparant", but it was a decent high speed cruiser. I did briefly own a Honda cb750 the same time as my bonnie, but found the power was only really usable on certain roads, the rest of the time it felt heavy with poor brakes and uncertain in the wet. Exceptional engine though.
Nice video. The expression ‘less is more’ comes to mind when thinking about these RE bikes ( and Guzzi TBH ). Elegant, handsome, timeless, fast enough to be fun and enjoyable, affordable. I’ve ridden one, my good friend owns one (Interceptor) and it’s lovely. I own a V7 Guzzi BTW. I’ve had all the high power stuff it’s a cul de sac, a dead end. Speed limits are coming down, speed cameras are everywhere. Back to the future. 👌
Your great comment along the lines that most motorcyclists wish for a simple analogue bike in this over complicated throw away digital world is priceless!
At last a 'feel good' submission, well done Stu, it's good to have the interceptor back in the frame again. It's a riders bike & not a dealers bike, in that I can do everything on it myself & I also love riding it! Safe riding mate
Excellent and spot on Mr. F. My Interceptor, in Ravishing Red ! , is the perfect blend of all aspects needed on a midsized (650) motorcycle. Plenty of power, handles well and looks like a proper, classis motorcycle. I've said it before and tell others, The RE 650 is the twin all other manufactures have been trying to build for the pass 80 years. 😎
Nice one Stuart, RE have nailed it with all their models so far. The Super Meteor and the Hunter also look like they're going to be winners....
So glad I bought my Interceptor back in 2019, I will never sell it, such a great bike!!!
The interceptor is what got me on 2 wheels. As a complete package it ticks all my boxes as a new rider. I can only afford one bike, so it needs to be good. And ain't it good? Royal Enfield as a brand talks to me in a way that triumph can't seem to. Don't get me wrong, they make fantastic bikes, but it's going to be a long time before I get one, if I ever buy one at all. Royal Enfiled last year had a whole range of bikes that I desired. Desired enough to go out and pay the exorbitant amount it costs these days to learn to ride.
Same here,i only got into biking to own a enfield,,im goibg thru my direct access,only mod 2 to pass on 11 feb23👍🤞
A interceptor tem um estilo que apaixona , comigo foi amor a primeira vista .
Perfect bike for me at 60. This video has inspired me for a ride out today after the frost clears 🏍 😎
yup. Just waiting for the rain to wash the salt off the roads to get out again on a mild day here on the west coast of Canada. Enjoy your ride. Ronn
Yup, Enfield nailed it and I hope the Interceptor stays this good and this basic for years to come, regardless of other Enfield models.......Trexit !😉
You've hit the nail.firmly on the head Stuart .
Royal Enfield have something very special and let's hope they carry on , I still.head the odd ,,but it's Indian comment and more fool.then . You really can't get more British than an original company that's Indian , the quality is brilliant the pricing is epic and I've just bought my first brand new motorcycle.
A meteor 350 , I get it very soon and can't wait for the sunshine
Again Stewart , Spot ON ! people still come up and talk about my Orange Crush Interceptor when I park it up ,,,, anywhere .
They hit a spot with all people as to what a motorcycle should look like and be .
Thank you again Brother from OZ .
ps. I have booked a ride on the new 650 Super Meteor in early March as it's now avaliable in Australia ,,, looking forward to it .
Totally enjoyed your video Stu, well done! Started riding 'big bikes' like the XS2 650, CB750K2, Guzzi 850 LeMans, California, T3.. Triumph 750 Tiger... pretty early on.. started a family and the motorcycling took a pause for about 40 years (66 yrs old now).. it's funny how it's always somewhere in your blood though isn't it. I've just retired which coincided quite nicely with the Interceptor coming onto the market... THAT bike was made for me.. I probably wouldn't have returned to biking without it being in existence, another Guzzi appealed but the prices were beyond my budget. Nearly 3 yrs later I still love this bike.. improved the suspension with YSS and fitted a 16t front sprocket.. it's even better.. I'm thoroughly enjoying riding..more that ever and tour all over Europe on it (with the standard seat even). That engine is bulletproof! Thank you Royal Enfield.
As per usual uncle Stu - your videos are absolutely spot-on. I started off on an NSU Quickly moped to a BSA 250.......Suzuki 250........Kawasaki 400.......Yamaha 1200......Ducati 900.......Ducati 916 (a MUCH better bike than I am as a rider so what was the point?). Personal finances dictated that I could no longer afford to own the 916 and a car so the Duc had to go. Some 15 years later, after watching and being inspired by (mainly) your good self with various TH-cam vids, I went out last year and bought my Interceptor. That bike never fails to put a smile on my face everytime I ride it (albeit during warm days). As you so rightly point out, many bikers no longer want the risk of getting badly hurt on rocketships, or risking yet another series of points on their licences. I loved my 916 but I was younger then (and no doubt more foolish, although somehow I survived). But as regards the Enfield, I love the expression "an analogue bike in a digital world". Nail on the head! It is truly a pleasure (and a privilege) to be able to ride an old school bike - but with modern reliability. Thank you for your videos, Stu - always informative and great to watch.
That's interesting. The one thing that's holding me back is that it means waving goodbye to my Ducati monster 695. When reading road tests you don't know if the persons experience is heavy, poorer handling machines. I love my little Ducati, but it's not as general purpose as my old Bonnie. Not just luggage carrying but also needing to be focused more on things like the extremely powerful brakes (with no abs) whereas i suspect the interceptor might be more forgiving, allowing for a more relaxing ride. A test ride next week is called for i think.
I'm a new rider in the U.S I just passed my MSF course to get certified and I'm thrilled that RE is providing small-mid capacity bikes at a price I can afford new at 25
Errr, after many bikes my garage now has an RE Classic and an Interceptor. Smile per mile😃😃. Economical, low emissions, reduced congestion…what’s not to love?
Stu, I LOVE the Interceptor-sweet bike! I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Royal Enfield is following the old playbook that the Big Four used decades ago when they took the motorcycling world by storm: offer a good looking, fun, well built, basic bike at a price folks can live with, and you'll sell a ton of them. Royal Enfield bikes have tech where it makes sense (EFI & ABS), while their bikes' cockpits look like they belong on a bike, not a spaceship. RE offer bikes with a classic, vintage look, while skipping the typical vintage bike problems of finding parts, constant attention, and so on. RE motorcycles have everything you need, and nothing you don't. That's why I'm a fan!
Great, getting up, having the first coffee and watching nice summer biking pictures while listening "Uncle Stu" telling a story of a humble, tiny but so beautiful and wholehearted Motorcycle, reminds me of listening in my childhood to my Granddad reading from book of fairy tales the story of Cinderella. What a nice and relaxing way to start the day. Thank you Stuart and have a great day.
I agree, manufacturers of everything, motorbikes, cars phones, TVs work on the basis of "we'll tell you what you want", or "let's stick as much hi tech on it as we can". All the whizz bang stuff may attract people to start with but eventually some realise that they never use most of the extra stuff they are lumbered with. I have some buttons in my car I have never pressed. It's refreshing that RE come from the other end "tell us what you want and we'll make it". The good old KISS principle still holds good.
You talk a lot of down to earth sense stu ,I’m a Lancashire lad you’re a Yorkshire lad we both have a lot in common one being we talk proper and get to the point ,love watching and listening to you p.s I own a meteor 350 22 model and love it .🥰😍👍
Well done Stuart. My thinking has always been that so many bikes are unnecessarily complicated. With the advent of PCP finance, manufacturers can hike up the prices to include these expensive gadgets because most owners only ever finance a proportion of the bike anyway.
Was just at my RE dealer yesterday picking up a few parts. They are also a Triumph and Ducati dealer. All my salesman could talk about was the new V4 Duck and how I should ride it and this and that. I stopped him and aksed "Why"? I asked him where one could possibly use that kind of power and just because they could afford one were they actually able to wring the performance out of it. As I was a race mechanic at the local track for years and even helped with the Honda AMA team at local races I told him that I knew professional racers that would crash on Supersport machines at almost every race. Hell I'd seen guys get killed at the club level on 600's. He had no answer for me. It all seems to be prestige, sort of who's little guy is bigger or whose wallet is deeper. And as you know I have an '06 CBR1000RR which is blindingly fast but you can never use all the power and performance on the street, freeway or canyon road. I told him the future is in the middleweight class that you can actually ride nearer to it's limit. That's why I got the RE. My Honda goes 20 mph faster in first gear than the RE does in fifth but the little Classic is just so much more enjoyable to ride. Still prayin' for a J-Series 500 😁
Another Aussie rider here. My Interceptor gets a lot of grins from other riders. Your video explains why I bought a RE. So sick of upgrading tech
Nice video dear Stuart Sir, Please do a video of Super meteor 650cc when you ready .
Cracking vid Stuart.
Spot on. Difficult to beat for the money. I like your Apple/Samsung comparison - excellent video, as usual
Design Price Timing The Interceptor is one.of those products that got absolutely everything right for it's intended customers.
A ravishing red ! Universally accepted as the sexiest of the Interceptor along with thier riders , especially when recently adorned with a wingman bag 👍🏻
I know this is only my opinion but you can either agree with me or be wrong ! 😄
Was that the big bore 'ceptor ? Looked like the crossbar wasn't quite straight it was all I could see !
Nice video ! 👍🏻
Yeh that was a fragment from his vid of the big bore Int the bent steer gave it away
Good morning and great video as usual. I do like my interceptor. Reminds me a bunch of that 650 Triumph I had so many years back. I just don't have the leaks, hard starting and forgetting to shut off the fuel with this one. RE I agree did it right.
i dont need all that electronic from BMW or DUcati. I want a motorcycle not a computer on two wheels.
I bought my Continental GT650 on July 8, 2019. A few days prior I had seen an episode of Jay Leno's Garage where he reviewed it. The next day I called Triumph of Seattle and bought it sight unseen with my debit card. Drove to Seattle (6 hours each way) with a trailer and picked it up. My impulse buy has given me 3.5 years of happy motoring. I still love it! Both for riding and modifying. RE made a great decision to make a bike you can modify in many directions and make it truly your own.
IMHO the best bike in the world. Simply definition of the motorcycle.
Just watched this video and really enjoyed it. Was looking for interceptor content as have just bought one and pick it up tomorrow. Will watch your other videos on this bike now. 👍
Hi Stuart another very good explanation of the RE history, I had an RE back in late 80s and was taken the mick of, however it was a spot on commuter. I have a very modern Honda but it’s time to ride something more suited to my riding now so will be checking the new models out to see if there still for me. Love your channel mate it’s refreshing to here as it is👏👏
I love my Royal Enfield GT 650.....sold my 2022 GSXR 1000 because I wasnt riding it anymore
Hello Stuart...you so right ...lm so sick of the over priced motorcycles...l like to make a few comments on Facebook for hardly Davidson ..which is.." led rather have a Royal Enfield and save the money for a very long holiday which has got many likes 😉..."..money to my mind well spent on the latter...stay safe Stuart ...peace .✌️
I saw the Interceptor at the local motorcycle show. Hadn't heard much about them before other than the older small bikes which I had no interest. It looked good and at a price point much better than the Triumph of Guzzi so I bought one. Hitchcock's has been a great place to but accessories. Ordered on Sunday, delivered to Canada on Wednesday.
Great video, although I have a Meteor the story you tell is music to ears.
Best regards from Serbia
I think you nailed it, Uncle Stu, in your assessment of why Royal Enfield have been dominating the midsize motorcycle market. Of course, there is a popular expression that goes “I define good taste as taste that agrees with mine”! Now, how do we get you to California, for a West Coast Tour???
Morning Uncle Stu, yep we're all bored to death with the constant leap frogging technology of manufacturers, I've always preferred basic motorcycles that I use my own senses and feelings to control, that's what the connection is all about , and for me 650cc's is the ideal capacity and why I enjoy my Interceptor so much .
As for Triumph they missed the mark for me with the Bonneville, it isn't even a 650 like the original, I owned a '68 Bonneville back in the day , it was a slender looking bike like the Interceptor now is , the modern Bonneville looks like it's had a botox jab ,
Great video as usual, cheers 🍻
Yes, i can't bring myself to like the new triumph models being a long term old Bonnie rider. They just look bloated to me.
@@DirkGentley42 that's exactly it, as I see them 👍
love mine and i have a cozy sidecar on it can't believe how much fun i can have on it i just have to adjust my engine braking a bit
The very fact that Triumph is now trying to build a low cost motorcycle with Bajaj in India, is in itself a sign that Triumph is looking to appeal to the "non-Bonneville" buyer.
Stuart, your spot on, the beauty of an Enfeild both the bullet and interceptor is they are simple, designed to be owner maintained with basic tools. And that's what used to be the attraction with Harley Davidson, Triumph,BMW and many of the older brands. Then suddenly they got complicated!! Full of unnecessary doodads and deedaws, that really didn't make the riding experience any better, just made them more expensive and less accessible to the rider maintained bikes of the 70s and 80s. I've been a engineer for 40 plus years and fell for the techno crap, which is fine until it packs up, then it gets painful. In interceptor is simple, looks nice( like a bike should look) and does what you NEED a bike to do, I sold my new Goldwing and bought an 865 T100 Triumph as a temporary stop gap and I love it, but its going up for sale in the next couple of months and I'm going to look for an interceptor because I should have bought one before the Goldwing, but the technology swayed me!! But I woke up one day and realised I had 30k sitting there I hardly used, because I couldn't just nip down the shops on it like every other bike I'd had, it was just not being used as a bike. The Triumph is, it's a do all, as the interceptor is, pop down the shops or tour Europe, It'll do all you need and not cost a lot doing it. Well done Royal Enfield, long may they continue.
Another good one uncle Stu you are part of the reason I bought a RE intersepter
Fantastic video😊 40 years old and I’m considering a 650 interceptor as a garage queen for sunny days.
You have absolutely hit the nail on the head. I myself come from the likes of KTM 1290 SuperDukes and every time I got on it I had to spend 5 mins turning off all the nanny electronics off as they all come on via default each time you start the bike.
I’m all for ABS as this could easily save you laying your bike down but all the multi option suspension settings and library of riding modes is rather ridiculous.
If a bike makes 150,180,200HP I want that all the time.
I have always had a soft spot for classic looking bikes,my dad had a BSA DBD 34 Gold Star which mum made him sell back in the 90’s because he was to old to ride she said!!! That bike would of been worth £20k upwards now with its matching frame and engine numbers all in clubman trim.
RE are absolutely smashing it at the moment,simple yet attractive classic looking bikes without the weekend spanner work that true Brit classics often need.
Triumph are slowly turning in Harley Davidson and relying on sales of clothing and product placement in films and TV to promote there bikes.
I’m not knocking Harley Davidson they make some great bikes and I have owned a Sportster and a Fatboy in the past. I’m also a huge fan on the Triumph Speed Twin but you could by 2 Enfields for the price of one Triumph.
I think my money is going go on the Enfield,and been reasonably handy with a spanner it hopefully won’t ever need to see a dealer 😂
Hope your Enfield doesn't object to that BMW keyring!
Absolutely spot on, couldn't have put it better myself. The interceptor is an old school styled and to a great extent built modern classic that has inbuilt character without old school unreliability and without the starship Enterprise electronics and gadgets that is traditional motorcyclists neither want or need.😊
Hi Stuart,
I love your channel.
Tell me though why zero comment on the "W" series Kawasakis?
(Asking for a friend 😅)
Just never got round to it. local dealer doesn't have a demo!
Very good video, thank you. 👍
Thanks Uncle Stu! I think the other change in the market because of the RE philosophy of doing something simple and right and cheaply to the market, is bringing a lot more riders into motorbikes. Also bringing old riders back after families - like myself! Lol! Triumph may even gain more sales 2 years later when folks graduate from an A2 license... and have the money for something with more hp and dollars. Jm2c... Graeme NZ
Yep! Talked about it with my riding mates the other day. Those smartphone bikes just don't do it. I can see an RE Interceptor in my future. That black/red one in your film looks so good!
Thank you mr Fillingham!
Here in Spain a friend owned a 500 Bullet Cafe Racer...it was fitted out with all the usual Cafe Racer parts... race style tank and seat, clip ons and rear sets, a swept back with mega the only thing it lacked was umff!! He used it for Motorcycle concentrations so top speed wasn't really an issue. It looked good and sounded good. In India the intercepter is transformed for racing a single class... Anyone who may be interested will find them on TH-cam...Top marks for a CEO with foresight....
The 650 Interceptor and Continental GT are that perfect blend of price, styling, power, and timing to be a sales success.
They come at a time where the industry is stepping away from balls-to-the-wall inline-4 race bikes for the street to more useable bikes like the Aprilia 660. The demand for retro styled bikes is high across the automotive industry with the rise in popularity of resto-mods in cars, naked bikes, and cafe racer style bikes in the motorcycle market but at a high price point (looking at you Thruxton RS with your gorgeous styling but expensive price, same for the Ducati Scramblers) the price is low enough that a lot of people can buy one without breaking the bank and the quality is finally there for RE.
Again, you nailed it. At least according my understanding. Well done.
Quite right, your statement of an analog bike in a digital world hits the spot. Many want analog. Riding is, or should be an experience to be enjoyed and all kinds of electronic interference with that is just unnecessary. All of us who buy bikes have of course our own reasons for doing it, but especially experienced and mature riders are mostly after the pure enjoyment. And that does NOT include playing with electronic riding modes. Younger people who are buying their first bikes mostly do not want to pay excess amounts of money for their rides, and too much power only scares them. And rightly so. RE has impressed me totally with what they have done these last years, it is an amazing feat to make over the brand image from questionably and cheaply made to almost premium in this short time. They are good at learning as they go also, and listening to the market. Well done!
While there was huge competition amongst sub £1200 , with upto 200 cc motorcycles, there were no other categories in India upto 1000 cc motorcycles that were imported. so one would either have to spend upto £1200 for rat bikes Or get imported high powered ones for min of £10000. RE offered the next level 2 wheeler upgrade that the Indians could afford, started around £1500 to £2000, and BOOM! now the range of motorcycles is much more vibrant under £3500/4000, appreciating the growing purchase power of Indians
simple fixing thats what i like stu
A thoroughly enjoyable and interesting video Stu. Filled in some gaps in my knowledge of RE as well.
Well said Stuart, how my favorite kind of motorcycle should look like.
Interestingly i have a need for a new car wich build around this same fundament, but this car does not exist.
Top video again thanks. Keep it simple, make look good and make it affordable.
Nice video, thanks
Very Interesting video Stu , and a nice tribute to a fantastic manufacturer , its partly your and a good friend of mines fault I ended up buying my Interceptor 650 instead of the T100/120 I was originally looking at , but hats off to you both I have had great fun on it. Also it seems to spark conversations whenever I pull up it just attracts so much attention and its great to hear other peoples stories and experiences about RE , I am blaming you for buying the Glitter & Dust colour scheme though after you bought your stunning chrome classic 500 I was sold 🤣🤣 , and now can never see me not having a RE in the Garage ,really enjoyed this one thanks Stuart 👍
I wish they had gone with proper foot peg placement instead of tacking them in place to leave the cases in view. A proper arm like a Norton Commando has, be dammed the cases would be a wonder in ergonomics.
Good video. I hope Royal Enfield keep this approach as they develop new models. Are they so far? That might be an interesting subject for a video?
I think your comment regarding a desire for a return to simpler machines should also apply to cars. Yesterday I had the surprise and pleasure of opening the passenger side window in a taxi, not in the UK, using a manual winder handle. Simple pleasures.
As well as an Interceptor, I have a 10 year old car of which 70% of the buttons, switches and controls don't get used, either because I don't need them, or can't remember what they do. 😊
I have a 2003 Bonneville. Pre-bells and whistles and no 'fripperies' to speak of. The newer models have too many features for my taste. I think I'd like the Interceptor, for the same reasons I love this first generstion 'new classic' Bonnie.
A very good potted history of Royal Enfield. I am certainly pleased with my Interceptor bought 1st April 2021. The point about the policy of Triumph and other manufacturers trying to offer more bells and whistles' interested me.
When I was a young motorcyclist in the 1970s we were interested in brake horsepower, reliability and top speed, as were our predecessors in the earlier post war years. Nearly fifty years on this has changed. The majority of us are fairly long in the tooth and realise we don't have the freedom to exceed speed limits as we once did and no longer desire to do so, preferring to be little late arriving at our destination rather than arriving early in the next world. The younger riders seem more interested in the looks and handling of a bike than pure performance.
My Interceptor will do a ton, handles well, sounds great, just sips expensive fuel, is easy to customise and is a very attractive to look at. Royal Enfield performed a master stroke with the interceptor. They made a reliable machine that ticks the boxes of experienced riders and young people alike.
Enfield have nailed it , I own an interceptor and a new classic 350 , can’t fault either , and I’ve owned more than 130 bikes
Re have nailed the today market. I am in Las Palmas right now, the doors of a huge fancy Triumph dealership opened as l walked past, so l went in.....the first bike l saw was some basic sparkly red Bonny, it looked great, just what l like.
14400 Euros! They've lost the plot, and just like Harley Davidson, they are hurtling up a dead end street.
another great video. Im 71 and feel I should sell my Triumphs and get an Intercepter and a Himalayan.
Thumb's up for another fine episode, Uncle Stu! Anyone sensible with functional cataracts would have to agree that those comments about Enfield's 650s not being a direct threat to Triumph sales by their Chief Muckymuck is just a double-load of horseshite and whistling through the graveyard--probably just an attempt to soothe investors. Personally, I find the newish 650s breeds to be _more_ attractive than the lumpy latter-day Bonnevilles. With their rakish inclined engines and reverse cone style silencers they are reminiscent to me of those lovely Norton Commandos of yore, but without all the fettling drama. Although I am still happily nursing along an elderly original pre-unit Bullet 500, I could well see myself giving a nice used Interceptor a good home some day, or even one of their still newer J-Engine 350 "Classics", also perfectly suitable for the sort of "relaxed" pleasure riding I generally do. In fact, I know of at least a couple of folks who've traded in their 650s for the new breed of 350, with "improved comfort" and overall lightness being their chief rationales.
not often do you get a good review I enjoyed this one ! yes I have two bullets a 350 and a 550 ( yes alloy barrel built in conjunction with the yahoo group bulletmods and dan holmes of AMA fame ) my 350 is a daily driver the 500 is being chopperized ..... I totally agree with your views on royal enfield ..I have always loved the 750 bonnie having owned one ,,,but my bullets can be customized any which way i like and I aint choping up history ! and one day Santa will deliver a interceptor
Nailed it.
There's little doubt a triumph is superior in so many ways but not enough in any way to keep me from enjoying all 32,000 miles on my interceptor.
In short, 100 mph is quite good enough
Great video Stuart. I agree with everything you say about the Inter ,mine has been a revelation, easily the best all-round bike I have owned.( and i have had a a LOT!!!!)
The comparison to phones is on the nose. Most people want longer battery life and good cameras. Phone manufacturers are doing everything else but the former.
There are some eye catching , adorable bikes in the world and interceptor 650 is one of them . Looks so simple and cool specially shape of the tank in crome looks super sexy.
I need to ride one of those, I imagine it's not too different than a early seventies 650 Bonnie which I really enjoyed even with it spitting oil on my leg as I indulged in a purely analog experience. I do love the power of a Triumph 1200 modern classic but absolutely hate the electrical nature that is attached to it. If I could get my Thruxton transformed to analog with just gauges I would be in heaven. Speedo, tack, alternator, oil temp, and water temp, and nothing else. Brake lines going directly to calipers and an actual cable attached to carbs or injection.
A simple un adulterated experience is the best. I do hope manufacturers come around to see this at some point.
As always great vid, What you said about what riders want and tired of bigger, faster more gadgets is certaily true for me, one of the reasons I bought my RE is because of what you said its just a streight up motorcycle, no frills. Very interesting vid thanks.
Decent bike at a decent price .
People are fed up or cant afford to pay car prices for 2 wheels and an engine.
My interceptor is my therapy, I bloody love it, this is motorcycling in its purest form, good for the soul.
All of the British motorcycles at the end of their were pushed beyond design limits. Edward Turner was right when he said 650 and 6500 rpm.
I have a chrome 2019 Interceptor (glitter and dust) with the DNA air filter and love it. Although I'm looking to move from Australia to Dubai soon and if I do I'll have to sell. I've put 14,000kms on it and it has never missed a beat, plenty of power for me and gets plenty of compliments. Hopefully there'll be some Interceptors in Dubai. Great vid Stu, I enjoyed with a beer. Hopefully petrol motorcycles won't be banned in the future, we will have to put up a good fight.
This video really hit the mark. Simple and easy to follow, whilst conveying a message I think most people can recognize. Well done Stuart!
You summarized a lot of what's going on in the motorcycle industry. I recently traded a 10 month old tiger gt for an interceptor. And I couldn't be happier. Tiger just got away - to darned fancy. I wanted a great looking machine that was comfortable reasonably priced, I could work on myself and one that didn't have a warranty that was an insult to my intelligence. INT feels like I'm always going fast- tiger - couldn't ride it fast enough. I don't have the skills and the roads are a blood sport arena - got onto backroads.
Fast on the track, cautious on the road. Keep on keepin' on! Ronn
Royal Enfield literally redefining " motorcycle "
The question is after the 650cc , what next?
They will need another 100 years to bring a bigger engine?
Why to invest so much money to upgrade to big bore kit for the people who want better hp ?
Or to improve the times between valves adjustment ?
These questions keeps me for not choosing an Enfeild bike.
Ex onwer of a Bullet 500 & sold it cause of frequently required service intervals.
Again, I could only wish that they would get a dealership closer then 300 miles. Love the entire line of RE.
I really think this will be the bike I buy when I start riding again. Hope I like it when I test it out
It's what I bought when I "got back." Best investment I've ever made.
I just bought a 2023 Interceptor. It’s a fun motorcycle and I like that it doesn’t have modes and fancy electronics. I would gladly give up abs brakes and use the savings on steel fenders. A kickstart as well as the electric would be nice. There is something special about kicking a bike alive.
Hi Stewart, i think you forgot me as a motorcyclist….50BHP? C’mon, my granddaughters trike produces more hp by pedal power. However, of all the former Brit bikes this is the one i might, but only slightly consider as a purchase. Vance and Hines, are you making go fast kits for this India made bike that the UK forgot how to build?