New Royal Enfield Interceptor.

[Riggers]

Looks like a little beauty. The only details I have are that its a 650cc pushrod twin. 

 

[attachment=o10561]

[Rallyist]

According to the manufacturers blurb sheet its a single overhead cam mate bought a leaflet to me 2 models to be produced a GT model and a standard called the Interceptor

 

Looks like a little beauty. The only details I have are that its a 650cc pushrod twin. 

 

Royal-Enfield-Interceptor-650-Twin-Orange-Press-shot-left-side.jpg

[Swarf]

That's bonny....

[Quartermaster]

I'll be interested to see what price they pitch it at because if it's much more than the singles it is going to have to complete with some of the Jap offerings, MT-07 for example. OK so it's a slice of" how things used to be in the good old days" but I owned many British bikes from that era and they were a bit crap really.

[Riggers]

According to the manufacturers blurb sheet its a single overhead cam mate bought a leaflet to me 2 models to be produced a GT model and a standard called the Interceptor

 

 

Yep, having looked at the web site I agree - SOC with 270 degree crank like the 9er.  :good:

[daveRapide]

Very handsome indeed, as were the later versions of the original Interceptor. I'll be interested to learn the weight: at my age (nearly 69). tall heavy bikes are losing their appeal. Still fine once they are moving, but a bugger to manoeuvre once you have stopped.

[Jsiddle]

I saw it at the NEC last week. I really liked it.

 

Since photobucket died I haven't tried putting photos on, so I've attached the file (which might work)

[Rallyist]

Very handsome indeed, as were the later versions of the original Interceptor. I'll be interested to learn the weight: at my age (nearly 69). tall heavy bikes are losing their appeal. Still fine once they are moving, but a bugger to manoeuvre once you have stopped.

Kerb weight 198kg with empty fuel tank, seat height 790 - 795mm depending on which seat option is fitted

[daveRapide]

Kerb weight 198kg with empty fuel tank, seat height 790 - 795mm depending on which seat option is fitted

 

<b>​Thanks. No fairy then, but lowish seat, so manageable.</b>

[flea]

I'll be interested to see what price they pitch it at because if it's much more than the singles it is going to have to complete with some of the Jap offerings, MT-07 for example. OK so it's a slice of" how things used to be in the good old days" but I owned many British bikes from that era and they were a bit crap really.

from what iv read , estimated at about 9000 aust $ , same as all first model bikes personally would wait for the 2nd yr out so they can start to fix any problems , enfield never did fix a lot of probs with their prev bikes , doestnt mean I don't like them though

[SingleCylinder]

Nice, but I suspect there will be the usual quality control issues....

[marko67]

Nice, but I suspect there will be the usual quality control issues....

Hmmm, is that bike in the pic Korma orange? I reckon it will be pretty sound. It's old tech and India is industrially very progressive. I notice that the group who own Royal Enfield are in partnership with Volvo and Polaris for other vehicles. It may not be to Japanese standard but I doubt it's shite. 

 

Not my cup of tea but the more bikes the merrier I say.

[bjorge]

Compared to my XS650 from 1976: ~same weight, 3 HP less, about same looks. How much are you willing to sacrifice to have a bike that looks like the ones you used to drool over ? 40 years of improvement ?

I am charmed by the (also newer) classic Enfields, but find it hard to believe that this factory will come up with a good bike in the normal meaning of "good".

[Quartermaster]

Compared to my XS650 from 1976: ~same weight, 3 HP less, about same looks. How much are you willing to sacrifice to have a bike that looks like the ones you used to drool over ? 40 years of improvement ?

I am charmed by the (also newer) classic Enfields, but find it hard to believe that this factory will come up with a good bike in the normal meaning of "good".

I agree totally Bjorge. My local motorcycle club has a number of members with Indian RE singles and everyone bar one has had problems which would never have occurred with a Japanese made motorcycle 40 years ago. The one that hasn't had problems was stripped by the owner from new and rebuilt with upgraded bearings, electrics etc.

[ChrisG]

Apparently RE have been spending a fortune at their new technical centre in the UK, and have got some ties with Triumph presumably in engineering design, so their quality should be on the way up.

[Rallyist]

Still depends where they source the bearings from, as that is the weak point with all Enfields

[Robodene]

The referred to MT-07 is more fun, is lighter and gives 100% reliability.

[Riggers]

The referred to MT-07 is more fun, is lighter and gives 100% reliability.

 

 A mate's just bought an MT-07 and it's a great bike that goes like poo under a shoe, and is low and light ( which suits him as he's only about 5' 5").

 

But I think the Enfield is aiming at a different kind of biker, like someone of my age (64) who used to ride Bonnies in the 70s and would like to re-live the experience without all the vibrations and breakdowns. If it fulfils that objective it could be a winner IMHO. 

 

Riggers.

Some on here have mentioned Enfield's new UK Research and Design centre. Here's a pic of it at Bruntingthorpe....

 

[attachment=o10564] 

[alanfavell]

That's bonny....

 guessing the sidestand is less of a left-hander hindrance

[Robodene]

Triumph proves there is a market for 'old school' bikes and presumably RE will sell them in millions in Asia.