Royal Enfield Interceptor - Alternatives?
Discussion
I've been eyeing up the new Royal Enfield Interceptor as a nice new replacement for my Fazer. The bike seems to tick most boxes for what I want, but I thought I'd check for any alternatives that may be worth looking in to.
I'm after something with the 'retro styling', with a nice flat seat and upright riding position (open to a slightly more leaned over cafe racer position)
I'm not overly fussed on power, around 50bhp is enough as I'll only be using it to potter round town and I'm not a fan of silly speeds on bikes.
Budget is around £5500 - 6000
Ideally under 5 years old
I've briefly looked at the Ducati Scrambler (2015 model), Triumph Bonneville 865 and the Kawasaki W800. Does anyone have any other suggestions or experience with any these/others?
Thanks, Andy
I'm after something with the 'retro styling', with a nice flat seat and upright riding position (open to a slightly more leaned over cafe racer position)
I'm not overly fussed on power, around 50bhp is enough as I'll only be using it to potter round town and I'm not a fan of silly speeds on bikes.
Budget is around £5500 - 6000
Ideally under 5 years old
I've briefly looked at the Ducati Scrambler (2015 model), Triumph Bonneville 865 and the Kawasaki W800. Does anyone have any other suggestions or experience with any these/others?
Thanks, Andy
Edited by AndyBMX on Wednesday 30th January 11:58
I took an Interceptor out the other day and was very impressed with it. This isn't a budget bike with a budget price tag. It's a very well finished and very refined machine that just happens to not cost a lot of money. Other than power I couldn't see why a Bonneville would be any better, and I like that the Interceptor feels that bit more authentic as nothing is bolted on to cover up what lies underneath as it is on the Bonnie.
As for resale price, I've been running a Himalayan the last year and it's been interesting to watch them cling on to a decent second hand value. Because they're cheap to begin with they don't seem to have far to fall before they hit the floor. Paying £4k for a bike and still getting £3.2 for it a year down the line isn't bad appreciation in my book, and I think the Interceptor will be the same. A year down the line I reckon you'd still get £4200-£4500 for it, simply because it's a good bike and I think demand will be high. Perhaps not as much character of the Enfields of old, but it felt Japanese smooth to me.
As for resale price, I've been running a Himalayan the last year and it's been interesting to watch them cling on to a decent second hand value. Because they're cheap to begin with they don't seem to have far to fall before they hit the floor. Paying £4k for a bike and still getting £3.2 for it a year down the line isn't bad appreciation in my book, and I think the Interceptor will be the same. A year down the line I reckon you'd still get £4200-£4500 for it, simply because it's a good bike and I think demand will be high. Perhaps not as much character of the Enfields of old, but it felt Japanese smooth to me.
Agreed on the Moto Guzzi V7 - looks that bit better to my eyes but I'd want a decent dealer fairly nearby. Other than that the Royal Enfield does look really nice.
The other option is a Harley-Davidson 883 Sportser..? I'm not a huge fan as they don't really stop or handle but they do have style and grin factor.
The other option is a Harley-Davidson 883 Sportser..? I'm not a huge fan as they don't really stop or handle but they do have style and grin factor.
Thruxton, the model before the current one. Lots of tuning goodies etc available for these as well.
This one: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
This one: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
SteelerSE said:
Agreed on the Moto Guzzi V7 - looks that bit better to my eyes but I'd want a decent dealer fairly nearby. Other than that the Royal Enfield does look really nice.
The other option is a Harley-Davidson 883 Sportser..? I'm not a huge fan as they don't really stop or handle but they do have style and grin factor.
My money would go on the Enfield or the Guzzi. I’m a big fan of triumph but I’m not sure the Bonneville is worth the extra premium.The other option is a Harley-Davidson 883 Sportser..? I'm not a huge fan as they don't really stop or handle but they do have style and grin factor.
Thanks for all of the suggestions!
I've spoken to my local dealer who does have an Interceptor in to demo, but he also said that they're only getting around 35ish in, and some of them have sold already. In grey (the colour I think I'd prefer) they're only getting three! He said that if I ordered one soon it would be around Feb/March time delivery, but if I waited to order until then, it would probably be summer time before I got one..
I've looked into the Bonneville a bit more which looks like it could be a potential choice! I guess the ideal thing to do would be to test ride one..
In regards to the other suggestions.. I'm not overly convinced on the looks of the Moto Guzzi, SV650 or Thruxton, and I think the CB1100 is a bit too big.
On a side note, does anyone want to buy a fazer?
I've spoken to my local dealer who does have an Interceptor in to demo, but he also said that they're only getting around 35ish in, and some of them have sold already. In grey (the colour I think I'd prefer) they're only getting three! He said that if I ordered one soon it would be around Feb/March time delivery, but if I waited to order until then, it would probably be summer time before I got one..
I've looked into the Bonneville a bit more which looks like it could be a potential choice! I guess the ideal thing to do would be to test ride one..
In regards to the other suggestions.. I'm not overly convinced on the looks of the Moto Guzzi, SV650 or Thruxton, and I think the CB1100 is a bit too big.
On a side note, does anyone want to buy a fazer?
Andy_RS200 said:
Thanks for all of the suggestions!
I've spoken to my local dealer who does have an Interceptor in to demo, but he also said that they're only getting around 35ish in, and some of them have sold already. In grey (the colour I think I'd prefer) they're only getting three! He said that if I ordered one soon it would be around Feb/March time delivery, but if I waited to order until then, it would probably be summer time before I got one..
I've looked into the Bonneville a bit more which looks like it could be a potential choice! I guess the ideal thing to do would be to test ride one..
In regards to the other suggestions.. I'm not overly convinced on the looks of the Moto Guzzi, SV650 or Thruxton, and I think the CB1100 is a bit too big.
On a side note, does anyone want to buy a fazer?
Tell me more, I'm after a commuter...I've spoken to my local dealer who does have an Interceptor in to demo, but he also said that they're only getting around 35ish in, and some of them have sold already. In grey (the colour I think I'd prefer) they're only getting three! He said that if I ordered one soon it would be around Feb/March time delivery, but if I waited to order until then, it would probably be summer time before I got one..
I've looked into the Bonneville a bit more which looks like it could be a potential choice! I guess the ideal thing to do would be to test ride one..
In regards to the other suggestions.. I'm not overly convinced on the looks of the Moto Guzzi, SV650 or Thruxton, and I think the CB1100 is a bit too big.
On a side note, does anyone want to buy a fazer?
ash reynolds said:
Tell me more, I'm after a commuter...
2000 (w) model in gold/Black38k miles
MOT until August (one advisory for low centre tread on rear tyre
Cosmetically fantastic
Decent service history (Due a service as it was last serviced in 2016)
Only done around 500 miles in the last year or so
£1200ono
Located in Basingstoke
Andy_RS200 said:
2000 (w) model in gold/Black
38k miles
MOT until August (one advisory for low centre tread on rear tyre
Cosmetically fantastic
Decent service history (Due a service as it was last serviced in 2016)
Only done around 500 miles in the last year or so
£1200ono
Located in Basingstoke
Cheers, any chance you can set your profile up to accept emails?38k miles
MOT until August (one advisory for low centre tread on rear tyre
Cosmetically fantastic
Decent service history (Due a service as it was last serviced in 2016)
Only done around 500 miles in the last year or so
£1200ono
Located in Basingstoke
Ashley.
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