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Proper retro
dials get a digital
fuel gauge
The Interceptor
has genuine
old-school charm
can’t have been accidental on Enfield’s
part. Nor can the delicious ‘snick’ you get
from the gearbox when changing up, again
very much like a proper classic. This is the
kind of inbuilt character that separates a
forgettable retro from a really good one,
and this Interceptor is definitely the latter.
Strip away the obvious nostalgia and the
Interceptor still delivers. Light steering and
an excellent turning circle make this a
ROYAL ENFIELD brilliant town bike, as do the light and
responsive controls. Equipment is spartan
2 INTERCEPTOR 650 but what you get is good — neat, functional
It’s a true ‘classic’ for the modern world clocks; decent mirrors; solid switchgear,
and even knee guards to prevent you from
Price £6039 Power 47bhp Torque 39lb·ft Weight 217kg Seat height 805mm burning your knees on the cylinder heads.
Of course, it’s not perfect. The brakes,
while adequate, lack feel and the kind of
Royal Enfield has hit a sweet spot with the Then there’s the aesthetics. In stock bite you’d normally expect of a front disc
Interceptor. Last year, this 650 twin was the form, the Interceptor radiates ’70s chic, that size. Piggyback shocks are stylistic
UK’s fourth best-selling motorcycle above with bold single-coloured tanks but this overkill on a bike of this type. And black
125cc. Only BMW’s perennially popular ‘Chrome’ model — at £6593 it’s £500 more rims work against the bike’s overall
R1250GS — in basic and Adventure spec than the base model — evokes the style of aesthetic; chrome rims, as fitted to the
— and Triumph’s Trident 660 sold more. the ’60s. From the mirror-finished tank stock Interceptor, would look so much
That’s an astonishing achievement for an and buffed aluminium clutch case cover, to better. But I can forgive all that and a whole
Anglo-Indian machine that wouldn’t have the cross-stitched seat and stylish upswept lot more because the Enfield — even this
looked out of place 50 years ago. chrome pipes, the Interceptor looks, well… flash one — costs almost £3000 less than a
But that’s the point. Royal Enfield offers just right. That’s why it’s proved such a hit Bonneville T100.
something completely different to most with those who love the idea of owning a We live in a frenetic, multi-connected,
manufacturers – an authentic blend of classic but don’t want to pay £10,000-plus 24-hour world and the Royal Enfield
nostalgia seamlessly spun with modern for the privilege or have to deal with the Interceptor is the perfect antidote to that.
production and engineering values, that’s constant hands-on maintenance that’s It’s easy to see why this twin has proven
allowed the Interceptor to rise above the required of most period machines. On the such a hit with owners. JIM MOORE
many pretenders in the retro scene. Interceptor, you thumb the starter and go…
Capturing the feel and essence of a Enfield has also raised its own bar in
classic isn’t easy, but RE has really tapped terms of engineering and quality control,
into its heritage to create the Interceptor. joining forces with legendary British
The firm’s own 692cc Constellation and chassis-builder Harris to develop its bikes.
Interceptor twins of the 1960s are this Admittedly, the Interceptor won’t win any
machine’s most-obvious influence but the races but it feels solidly built and well
650cc capacity is also deliberate, designed, more so than Enfields of old.
referencing the size and layout of Indeed, modernity has touched many
Triumph’s original Bonneville and Norton’s aspects of the bike: the fuel-injected
old Dominator. The noises produced by its engine is Euro5 compliant; braking is
twin chrome pipes also play into the bike’s bossed by a massive 320mm disc and ABS; The feel and charm of a
nostalgic charm. and the neat twin-dial instruments boast a classic without the cost
digital fuel gauge. And yet none of this or hassle.
detracts from the bike’s old-school charm. You’ll be forever
Brakes look Performance is modest. In fact, it feels polishing the thing to
great but lack bite cruel to force every last one of the motor’s keep it looking its best.
and feel 47 horses out to play. Better to snick up well
before the 7500rpm redline and waft along RIDE VERDICT A great-value
at more modest revs (70mph comes at machine that is a perfect
4500rpm, so motorway cruising is antidote to mega-money
relaxed). The way the engine thrums along supernakeds. Pure
is reminiscent of old British bikes, too. It motorcycling.
plies its trade to a similar rhythm and that
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