I'm thinking of getting back into motorcycling...

[TheX]

Some sweet bikes in your blog! My last sportbike (02 R1) is now living room art, after several get offs I don't heal anywhere near as quick but have great memories!

The R1 will always be a favorite.

 

[slick204]

I recently went through a similar search recently. I originally wanted a Triumph 400X but my dealer had stopped selling them due to a high number of problems. The salesman pointed me to the Interceptor and I eventually got it (about a month ago). I did hold out for the color I wanted and silver alloy wheels.
I'm loving it so far. Lots of accessories available for a reasonable price. Good luck with your search!

 

[Warped9]

That's a very nice bike. Love the colour and the silver wheels.

While it's not at the top of my list the RE Interceptor 650 isn't off my list for consideration. Yes, there are criticisms of it, but they're all relatively easy to address.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I recently went through a similar search recently. I originally wanted a Triumph 400X but my dealer had stopped selling them due to a high number of problems. The salesman pointed me to the Interceptor and I eventually got it (about a month ago). I did hold out for the color I wanted and silver alloy wheels.
I'm loving it so far. Lots of accessories available for a reasonable price. Good luck with your search!

Looks awesome! Pretty much top on my list at this point.

 

[Warped9]

Royal Enfield is on a roll. It’s quite a story how they have arisen from being largely a local manufacturer of one bike model in India, all that was left of the oldest motorcycle company in the world dating back to 1901. Now they’re growing in markets all over the world.

And they seem to have a different mindset towards their bikes and their customers. Rather than chasing horsepower, specs and pure performance they’re focused on motorcycling as a total experience. They’re not focused on being the fastest, the biggest, the most powerful, best cornering or whatever. They’re something else and it’s working for them.

Another bike, from another very old company, is the Moto Guzzi V7. I think this thing is drop dead gorgeous.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I’d be interested in seeing what the demographics are of people that are buying their bikes. I’m thinking they picked the styling and the riding characteristics based on us old folks. It’s the main reason that I like the bike. It reminds me of bikes I had in the 70s.

 

[Warped9]

I’d be interested in seeing what the demographics are of people that are buying their bikes. I’m thinking they picked the styling and the riding characteristics based on us old folks. It’s the main reason that I like the bike. It reminds me of bikes I had in the 70s.

Retro classic bikes seem to be the thing right now. Also from what I understand despite so much attention given to sport and larger displacement bikes sales world over, including North America, are skewing more toward 600cc and under bikes. And the demographic for most of the sales are older buyers in their 40s and up.

 

[Warped9]

Two small things irk me some about the RE Interceptor 650. One is immediately fixable.

The first is the flat seat. I would immediately switch up to the upgrade seat available for the Continental GT. The bikes have the same frame so it would fit.

But the second thing is where the side panel fits into that triangle shaped part of the frame. Maybe if the side panel were the same colour of the bike it wouldn’t look so meh in my eyes, but that triangle shaped part bugs me on what is otherwise a very nice looking bike. The Triumph Speed Twin 900 is a similar looking bike and it doesn’t have that issue.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

Retro classic bikes seem to be the thing right now. Also from what I understand despite so much attention given to sport and larger displacement bikes the sales world over, including North America, are skewing more toward 600cc and under bikes. And the demographic for most of the sales are older buyers in their 40s and up.

My kids are in their 40’s! I don’t consider that old. My son prefers Buells and Ducati’s.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

Two small things irk me some about the RE Interceptor 650. One is immediately fixable.

The first is the flat seat. I would immediately switch up to the upgrade seat available for the Continental GT. The bikes have the same frame so it would fit.

But the second thing is where the side panel fits into that triangle shaped part of the frame. Maybe if the side panel were the same colour of the bike it wouldn’t look so meh in my eyes, but that triangle shaped part bugs me on what is otherwise a very nice looking bike. The Triumph Speed Twin 900 is a similar looking bike and it doesn’t have that issue.

What about this color combination for having the side cover match the tank.

 

[Warped9]

What about this color combination for having the side cover match the tank.

It's not so noticeable on a black bike, but for myself I don't want a black bike, just as I don't usually care for a black coloured car. It's just too much black.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

It's not so noticeable on a black bike, but for myself I don't want a black bike, just as I don't usually care for a black coloured car. It's just too much black.

I don’t mind it as much on a motorcycle. But definitely not all black. The local dealership has this one for 3999 usd. Just not keen on the color combination either. But I might have to take it for a ride.

 

[slick204]

Hitchcock's (in the UK) sells side covers to match all the paint schemes. I've been thinking about getting red to match the bottom portion of the tank, although they do have them in white/red to match the tank. They come with the "Interceptor" decal instead of the INT650, which is something I want.

 

[Warped9]

Just checked out Hitchcocks' website. Wow!

https://accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/


And for those lucky ones in the UK just released today is the BSA Bantam 350. I like that yellow one!

 

[slick204]

I'm a big fan of Stuart Fillingham's videos on Youtube. He has a whole series on the Interceptor (44 videos). He's very through (and a good man).

I just watched one from a year ago where he compares an Interceptor to a Shotgun 650. The Shotgun (and Super Meteor and Bear) are newer versions of the 650. He concludes the Shotgun is a better bike but that it loses some character of the Interceptor.

Royal Enfield INTERCEPTOR 650 -V- SHOTGUN 650! Side by Side Comparison which should YOU Buy?

The Kawasaki and the Guzzi look really good too. Lots of interesting choices!

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