DITCH THE SINGLE LIFE AND TAKE OUT A TWIN
MANY bikers were saddened recently to see that a grand old name of motorcycling, Royal Enfield, was finally ceasing production of a stalwart in the form of its 500cc single.
However, the good news is that it was replaced with an excellent new 650cc twin and it’s employed in the model we are looking at here – the Interceptor 650.
The name was first used by Enfield back in 1960, when it launched a 692cc vertical twin Interceptor built at its Redditch factory in Worcestershire.
That was replaced with a much-improved 736cc version in 1962. Various modifications followed until production came to an end in 1970.
Now, the Interceptor rides again and it’s really rather special.
As with many bikes these days, it’s difficult trying to slot the Interceptor into a particular category.
A naked middleweight certainly, with plenty of retro style, but some up-to-the-minute features, too. Either way, it’s a great looking machine which harks back to the 60s with classically simple lines.
It’s available in seven different liveries and the paint finish and all-round quality is excellent.
The textured seat is a nice touch, as is the teardrop tank and badge, and Monza-style fuel cap.
On board, the ride position is upright, relaxed and comfortable. With 47bhp on tap, the Interceptor is never going to tear your arms off, but it’s plenty quick enough through the gears to put a smile on your face and it will more than happily purr along at motorway speeds, with a maximum of 100mph achievable.
The Bybre – Brembo offshoot – brakes are nicely progressive with plenty of bite when needed.
At just over £6,000, the Interceptor is one of the best value mid-sized retros you can buy, but that’s certainly not apparent in the looks, the build and finish quality, or when riding it.
If you push hard through the bends, the front suspension can feel a bit soft and wallowing, but really that’s the only gripe.
And, if you’re a more aggressive rider, that could be easily rectified with a suspension upgrade. Frankly though, that’s not what this bike is about. The Interceptor is for simple, affordable, fun motorcycling – and it delivers that in spades.