Royal Enfield 650's US bound - motorcycledaily

[oilhed]

I'm really liking the Intercepter.   Sadly for RE, I'm very happy with my V7 III and W650, and don't need another modern classic twin.
Even with the price difference, the V7 beats the RE for me, because its shaft driven, but, if the RE 650 twins are of good quality, I'd likely choose one over the Triumph Street Twin, because it's air cooled, and likely a more genuine classic feeling ride, and likely lighter as well.

WHAT HE SAID 

[leafman60]

Wow!  I was expecting something much heavier.  With only 40 hp from a 650 the engine is under-stressed and I would expect that to mean reliable, much like the V7.  At that price point these two offerings might even get some of the younger riders to buy.  Now it's up to Royal Enfield to not screw this up.

I think I read 47 HP.

.

[73eldorado]

The Interceptor looks like a winner to me! It definitely will compete with the V7 for sales in the entry market.

[Rough Edge racing]

 Hmm, I'm too cheap to pay 8500 for that...But it looks like a motorcycle and an if it performs ok for what it is...Then it's a deal for someone

[Calculon]

It's a nice looking bike for sure, but I'm not sure it's much of an upgrade over what I got now, other than the ABS.  I'm back to cleaning chain then too, so I'd rather have the shaft.  There's no dealers anywhere near me.  I wonder how that'll go.

According to specs on REs website, the weight of the Interceptor is 445 pounds without fuel, so maybe 470-480 pounds with fuel.  While while not chunky, I don't think it's a lightweight either.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Hmm, I'm too cheap to pay 8500 for that...But it looks like a motorcycle and an if it performs ok for what it is...Then it's a deal for someone

8500?

Royal Enfield    Continental GT 650                                                       Interceptor 650
MSRP    $5,999, $6,249 (Custom), $6,749 (Chrome)    $5,799, $5,999 (Custom), $6,499 (Chrome)

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I like it but the 270deg crank is a show stopper for me.

Why? Seems like a good idea to me, better than a 180 or 360 crank IMO.

[kirkemon]

I'd rather have a Kawasaki W650.
Bevel-gear overhead camshaft with 8 Valves

Manufacturer   Kawasaki
Production   1999–2007
Engine   676 cc (41 cu in)
Top speed   180 km/h (110 mph)[1]
Power   50 hp (37 kW)@7,000 rpm[1]
Wheelbase   1,455 mm (57.3 in)
Weight   195 kg (429 lb)[1] (dry)
Fuel capacity   15 l (3.3 imp gal; 4.0 US gal)

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Ha!
Short answer...doesn't sound right...

:-)

So, you've already heard the 650 Enfield in person? I'll wait until I've seen, heard and maybe ridden them before making any judgements of that sort.

[tazio]

.....Probably an old Norton in my future.

Hell yeah!!!

[Rough Edge racing]

8500?

Royal Enfield    Continental GT 650                                                       Interceptor 650
MSRP    $5,999, $6,249 (Custom), $6,749 (Chrome)    $5,799, $5,999 (Custom), $6,499 (Chrome)

 I thought someone said 8500...I have no idea what new bikes cost...I would not  pay 6000 grand , lot of nice used bikes for less money...And  I can ride my 79 Bonneville for a true Brit bike experience...Every ride is an adventure...

[ohiorider]

Short answer...doesn't sound right...  Won't..fixed it poor choice of words.




No I have not, however the 270deg crank phasing will certainly not be the 360 timing I like very much..old Brit or BMW boxer. Just a personal preference, that's all.

Probably an old Norton in my future.

It's a personal thing with me, too.  I love the sound of a Brit-bike with 360 degree crank.  With balance shaft(s), you get the lovely sound without the vibes.  When I want 270 sound and feel, there's always a Guzzi or Ducati.  I was sorry to see Triumph abandon the 360 degree crank on their new range of Bonnevilles.

[Rough Edge racing]

It's a personal thing with me, too.  I love the sound of a Brit-bike with 360 degree crank.  With balance shaft(s), you get the lovely sound without the vibes.  When I want 270 sound and feel, there's always a Guzzi or Ducati.  I was sorry to see Triumph abandon the 360 degree crank on their new range of Bonnevilles.

  Balance shafts add cost , weight and complexity...A 270 crank is a simple fix......

[kingoffleece]

According to Triumph, when the new L/C motors were being developed the focus groups were all over the 270 as opposed to a 360 or 180.

[grebmrof]

I think this new RE twin looks very interesting, I would be concerned about quality - but that won't become known until riders start to flog them - which will take a little while to come out.  WRT 270 vs 360 - doesn't bother me, both sound great and with the two newer Bonnevilles that I have, I have a 360 and a 270 and love them both.  The new '16 I have is a big improvement on my '08 but I don't really think it is worth over 2x the price of a nice used air cooled new Bonneville (w/carbs - '01-'08 in the states) - but I'm getting older and didn't want to wait to buy a used LC model to save some $$.

[oilhed]

I'd rather have a Kawasaki W650.
Bevel-gear overhead camshaft with 8 Valves

Manufacturer   Kawasaki
Production   1999–2007
Engine   676 cc (41 cu in)
Top speed   180 km/h (110 mph)[1]
Power   50 hp (37 kW)@7,000 rpm[1]
Wheelbase   1,455 mm (57.3 in)
Weight   195 kg (429 lb)[1] (dry)
Fuel capacity   15 l (3.3 imp gal; 4.0 US gal)

Absolutely. should bought one in 2001

[tris]

RE have invested £2.5M in a new Technology Center over here recently so hopefully the quality will be there

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgXA-KV9lRg

I was looking at a Himalayan a month or so back - nice bike

A  competitor to the V85 TT perhaps?

[steven c]

 At around 7:20 they do a drive by with sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zQMA_7WXbI&t=59s

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

A couple more videos:
https://youtu.be/k6R8XFiEbhQ
https://youtu.be/TOz3E7qs1M4
https://youtu.be/JrmXmHRk0HE
https://youtu.be/2y1vouT8BmE
https://youtu.be/zB3xXzeMrz0

[Beowulf]

I like the looks of this bike. Wouldn't mind trying it. Have to admit i do not have confidence in Royal enfield reliability. I read about problems and recent lawsuits with the Himalayan model which i guess been worked out.  To be honest im more pumped for the v85. Im curious to see how Royal Enfield holds up. I hope it does well it looks nice.

[jumpmaster]

A couple more videos:
https://youtu.be/k6R8XFiEbhQ
https://youtu.be/TOz3E7qs1M4
https://youtu.be/JrmXmHRk0HE
https://youtu.be/2y1vouT8BmE
https://youtu.be/zB3xXzeMrz0

Entertaining videos, Charlie - Thanks.  Aside from the reliability issue still in question, my only other concern is that the seat on the cruiser looks a bit thin to be comfortable.  However, I'm tempted to start looking for a buyer for my Norton to make room for a more modern "classic".  The Norton is great fun, but the riding time:maintenance downtime ratio is finally wearing me down!  And seeing another Royal Enfield, especially a 650, on the road with me would be nearly as rare as seeing another Norton    On the other hand, even a trashed Norton has a better resale value and potential than a 2 or 3 y.o. R.E., so I'd take a bath on resale if I got tired of it...

[Gliderjohn]

Sounds a bit like a Guzzi. Wait till you can buy one for a song used that has already been sorted and may end up with an inexpensive reasonably reliable bike.
GliderJohn

[Chuck in Indiana]

a 2 or 3 y.o. R.E., so I'd take a bath on resale if I got tired of it...

They don't cost much, so I'd say, maybe a sponge bath. If you want a really good bath, buy a new BMW, and decide you don't like it..

[jumpmaster]

They don't cost much, so I'd say, maybe a sponge bath. If you want a really good bath, buy a new BMW, and decide you don't like it..

LOL.  The only BMW that would even tempt me would be a 77 or 78 R100RS.  I had a 77 in 1987-88 & then sold it - immediately regretted it.  I've let a couple of them slip by me in the past 10 yrs that were REALLY good buys, but didn't have the space to keep one then, danged it!  Maybe I can find someone willing to trade me even for my Norton - just like maybe I'll win the next big lottery prize & I can buy a house with a bigger garage.

[kingoffleece]

I'll buy the low mile used bike from the guy who doesn't mod the seat (easy to mod and almost a must on any motorcycle) or the guy who decides the internal cadence is too much to live with (no matter to me) and save 3000K!

[bpreynolds]

I would certainly, absolutely buy either of these bikes before I'd buy a Street Twin.  The ST a superlative motorcycle but Triumph have almost engineered any hint of character out of them.  Having said this, there are a host - and I mean A LOT - of leftover V7s out there now to be had on dealer floors for as little as $6k-7k.  And make no mistake, the Guzzi would be my vast preference no matter how much I could possibly enjoy the RE.  That's just me, I love Guzzis.

[oilhed]

LOL.  The only BMW that would even tempt me would be a 77 or 78 R100RS.  I had a 77 in 1987-88 & then sold it - immediately regretted it.

I had a R65 (long frame with monoshock, single sided swingarm) always wanted one.  Bought it used then sold it so I could buy a new Ducati.  Always regretted it.

maybe I'll win the next big lottery prize & I can buy a house with a bigger garage.

If I do I'm renting a storage unit down the street from me to hold 2-3 motorcycles.  And buying a new Honda Super Cub 125 to keep at the house.

[kingoffleece]

Naw, get a big shed and hold 2-3 DOZEN if you win!

[Mayakovski]

It's sort of light weight.  Don't forget to add 30 to 40 lbs for fuel, I suspect the stated weight is dry.

[rdbandkab]

Looks like I have a couple RE dealers closer to me than my Guzzi dealer..