Royal Enfield Interceptor
Why this is Britain’s best-selling retro
THERE’S BEEN TIMES, over the last few months, where this humble sub-£6000 retro has been Britain’s best-selling bike. Back in June, in the chaos and confusion of a global pandemic, more Interceptors were sold in the UK than base-model BMW GSS and even as things returned to normal, its popularity continued. In September, the 195 Interceptors sold beat Yamaha’s Ténéré 700, Kawasaki’s Ninja 1000 SX and any sportsbike.
Royal Enfield sold 1278 Interceptors last year, to riders from existing after a second bike, to new licenceholders. So how has an Indian-built air-cooled SOHC parallel twin won the hearts of so many riders?
Its main rival costs 42% more
There is no getting away from the fact that the Enfield is basic. The engine is air-cooled, the wheels spoked, it has twin exhausts and items such as the two-piston sliding caliper brakes and twin shocks seem built to a budget, which they are as the Interceptor has a retail tag of just £5699. Or to put it another way, less than half the cost of the most basic GS — this is a bike the masses can afford.
Yet even against its rival retros, the Enfield is a bargain. The Triumph Street Twin (Thai-built remember), arguably its closest competitor, retails at £8100 — 42% more. There again, with the Triumph you do get more modern technology such as Brembo ABS brakes, traction control and even water-cooling where the Enfield only boasts ABS. Is this to its detriment? Oddly enough, no. In fact, this is a major part of the Enfield’s success.
It has the soul of a classic…
When you pick up the key to an Enfield and slot it in the ignition, initially it is a slightly disappointing experience. The ignition unit and key are mass-produced-looking items, the analogue speedo and rev counter are also a bit, as is the switchgear.
However, start that parallel-twin motor and all of these thoughts leave your mind as the sheer charm of the bike as well as its relaxed outlook on life is absolutely