FROM THE FRONT
The new year is certainly turning out to be entertaining – not least on the 2-wheeled front. So far it’s included a surprising Honda (I doubted that was even possible) and a brand-new Royal Enfield – a twin. You can read a lot about the former and a little about the latter in next month’s magazine – this issue was already too far into production to change by the time I got to ride the bikes.
I always try to approach a bike asking myself the same question – do I want to buy this? That’s putting it very simply, because it’s a very complicated question reduced to a too-simple single sentence. And it’s almost impossible to answer honestly, too, because if it was easier I’d struggle to move at all in The Shed, because there are a whole load of machines out there which I would buy, were it not for… and that’s the rub. The terms and conditions. ‘If I didn’t already have that old Supreme, then I’d certainly buy the Super Supreme, but the old one goes well and I like riding it…’ And endless variations on the excuse theme. These usually involve money and space – or the lack of either – and are always entirely valid.
The Honda was a difficult call. Because not only was it unusual – I’ve ridden an almost uncountable number of Hondas down the years, although never one like this – but also because it was such a surprise. You can read about it next time. Which is when you can read about the nearly-new RE Interceptor, too. That was also remarkable. Not least because it is probably the machine which has generated the most interest since we set out on the RealClassic journey fifteen years ago.
I was pondering this. Triumph’s seriously long-legged Bonneville was reissued before RC burped into existence, and was certainly hyped to the skies by a big company’s PR spend, while Norton’s current Commando generated enough hot air to float several big balloons – and in that case I was sufficiently impressed to mortgage the cat and buy one. I should have ridden one before putting down the deposit. You’ll be able to read an interview with Norton’s head honcho in next month’s action-packed issue – he’s very frank about the early twins, and it’s easier to read that than it must have been to admit it.
But the Interceptor? It’s really remarkable to ride. So much so that next month will see a short piece, just to set the scene, if you like, and the full-lead version, complete with comparisons to the last of the old Interceptors and with its current competitors, will follow when we’ve had the chance to ride one for a proper ride involving luggage and motorways and mountains, and things like that. And by then we’ll have collected second opinions from several other RC types, several of whom have also been out and about, RE-style. That in itself should be saying something: is a new bike really so interesting? Yes it is. Are we confident that RC readers want to read about a new machine with an old name?
This is the joy of social media. I floated a few words and pictures out there in the ethers, and the response was remarkable. Just like the bike. If you’re interested, go and bag a test ride, take a few decent pics and send us your thoughts so we can compare notes. Hang onto your wallet, though…
Ride safely Frank Westworth Frank@realclassic.net