Royal Enfield Interceptor looks ok.
Discussion
Following Norton debacle had a look at who's doing what.
Royal Enfield Interceptor looks like a good first effort at a proper larger capacity bike.
They have the basic platform now so I can see some nicer looking ones in the future.
They seem to have made a bike based on the use it will get. No big hp and expensive suspension. Just enough for the plod
down to the coast and the dynamics probably closely match an old 50s and 60s bike if you push on.
TBH I didn't think I would like it.
Royal Enfield Interceptor looks like a good first effort at a proper larger capacity bike.
They have the basic platform now so I can see some nicer looking ones in the future.
They seem to have made a bike based on the use it will get. No big hp and expensive suspension. Just enough for the plod
down to the coast and the dynamics probably closely match an old 50s and 60s bike if you push on.
TBH I didn't think I would like it.
Rave reviews in the press - looks nicely made & great VFM.
However: not enough go for me. I'd like to see them do something different, i.e. not retro, with double the power....
No chance of RE going tits up like Norton - they are a massive outfit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Enfield_(India...
However: not enough go for me. I'd like to see them do something different, i.e. not retro, with double the power....
No chance of RE going tits up like Norton - they are a massive outfit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Enfield_(India...
Biker 1 said:
Rave reviews in the press - looks nicely made & great VFM.
However: not enough go for me. I'd like to see them do something different, i.e. not retro, with double the power....
No chance of RE going tits up like Norton - they are a massive outfit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Enfield_(India...
A big company, with an even bigger parent company.However: not enough go for me. I'd like to see them do something different, i.e. not retro, with double the power....
No chance of RE going tits up like Norton - they are a massive outfit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Enfield_(India...
When i spoke to the head honcho a few years ago his plan was to become the biggest brand in mid-range motorcycling in the world by doubling production.
At that stage they had no plans to create anything bigger than a 750cc, so i think you'll be waiting a while for the V4 Supersport version
boyse7en said:
so i think you'll be waiting a while for the V4 Supersport version
I would love a 750 with north of 100bhp, light weight, minimalist. Why couldn't RE build something like the CCM Spitfire, but with a bit more go & the financial clout/dealer network to back it up?? Seems a no brainer to me. 
Surely there is someone here on PH who works for, or know somebody in RE R&D department? Spread the word!!To me Royal Enfield are a company that make cautious steps forward, marketing models that will sell large numbers across many markets. The new 650 twins look very good with the Interceptor and Continental GT, but they are certainly offering bikes that suit the current trend, but at a lower price-point. I guess a bit like a Triumph Bonneville for the cost-conscious.
They seem great bikes but I wouldn't be expecting any dramatic 'premium' models any time soon. That would be a lot of R&D to step into a very risky market, populated by lots of players..
Still, I can't take anything away from the what R.E are achieving. They're doing a fine job.
They seem great bikes but I wouldn't be expecting any dramatic 'premium' models any time soon. That would be a lot of R&D to step into a very risky market, populated by lots of players..
Still, I can't take anything away from the what R.E are achieving. They're doing a fine job.
srob said:
They're one of the few companies that could pull the heritage thing off with a v-twin and take on Indian, Harley etc
...or Indian could re-enter the market for vertical twiins and take on Royal Enfield 
In fact there is a connection there; after the original Indian company went broke in '53 the Indian name (and sales business too I think) was bought by the UK business Brockhouse Engineering in the late 50s. They then sold Royal Enfields in the USA painted and badged-up as Indians (including the Indian mascot on the front mudguard/fender). So from about '59 through '61 you could buy a vertical twin 700cc Indian Chief...which was actually a Royal Enfield. Not surprisingly it kind of bombed....but back on topic. the Enfield looks quite a nice bike. Soooo much better than all these adventure-style thingies that are really lost on me.
I rode a friends a few weeks ago in India, I have my own 2015 RE classic Desert storm. It's very nice bike, rides very differently to your average RE. It's basically a smooth riding modern(ish) bike with retro looks.
Personally I found the riding position awkward after riding my RE classic, which is like sitting in an armchair.
Has more than enough oomph for Indian roads, I'm sure it would be lacking in the UK though. Looks gorgeous too!
Personally I found the riding position awkward after riding my RE classic, which is like sitting in an armchair.
Has more than enough oomph for Indian roads, I'm sure it would be lacking in the UK though. Looks gorgeous too!
tvrolet said:
...or Indian could re-enter the market for vertical twiins and take on Royal Enfield
In fact there is a connection there; after the original Indian company went broke in '53 the Indian name (and sales business too I think) was bought by the UK business Brockhouse Engineering in the late 50s. They then sold Royal Enfields in the USA painted and badged-up as Indians (including the Indian mascot on the front mudguard/fender). So from about '59 through '61 you could buy a vertical twin 700cc Indian Chief...which was actually a Royal Enfield. Not surprisingly it kind of bombed.
...but back on topic. the Enfield looks quite a nice bike. Soooo much better than all these adventure-style thingies that are really lost on me.
Royal Enfield were making v-twins about the same time as Indian thought it up to be fair. Just been having a glass of wine with the old man and trying to decide who was first; Enfield or Indian. Can’t decide! I reckon maybe Indian by a year or two? In fact there is a connection there; after the original Indian company went broke in '53 the Indian name (and sales business too I think) was bought by the UK business Brockhouse Engineering in the late 50s. They then sold Royal Enfields in the USA painted and badged-up as Indians (including the Indian mascot on the front mudguard/fender). So from about '59 through '61 you could buy a vertical twin 700cc Indian Chief...which was actually a Royal Enfield. Not surprisingly it kind of bombed....but back on topic. the Enfield looks quite a nice bike. Soooo much better than all these adventure-style thingies that are really lost on me.
Didn’t Indian make their own parallel twin in the late 40s? As in under their own influence not rebadged Enfield’s! The Indian name was also on the side of Velocette engined bike’s later too
Enfield would undoubtedly have a good shout at making a good v-twin though!
srob said:
tvrolet said:
...or Indian could re-enter the market for vertical twiins and take on Royal Enfield
In fact there is a connection there; after the original Indian company went broke in '53 the Indian name (and sales business too I think) was bought by the UK business Brockhouse Engineering in the late 50s. They then sold Royal Enfields in the USA painted and badged-up as Indians (including the Indian mascot on the front mudguard/fender). So from about '59 through '61 you could buy a vertical twin 700cc Indian Chief...which was actually a Royal Enfield. Not surprisingly it kind of bombed.
...but back on topic. the Enfield looks quite a nice bike. Soooo much better than all these adventure-style thingies that are really lost on me.
Royal Enfield were making v-twins about the same time as Indian thought it up to be fair. Just been having a glass of wine with the old man and trying to decide who was first; Enfield or Indian. Can’t decide! I reckon maybe Indian by a year or two? In fact there is a connection there; after the original Indian company went broke in '53 the Indian name (and sales business too I think) was bought by the UK business Brockhouse Engineering in the late 50s. They then sold Royal Enfields in the USA painted and badged-up as Indians (including the Indian mascot on the front mudguard/fender). So from about '59 through '61 you could buy a vertical twin 700cc Indian Chief...which was actually a Royal Enfield. Not surprisingly it kind of bombed....but back on topic. the Enfield looks quite a nice bike. Soooo much better than all these adventure-style thingies that are really lost on me.
Didn’t Indian make their own parallel twin in the late 40s? As in under their own influence not rebadged Enfield’s! The Indian name was also on the side of Velocette engined bike’s later too
Enfield would undoubtedly have a good shout at making a good v-twin though!
first Indian v-twin was 1906. They did develop their own vertical twin in the late 40s and wasted what little money they had left on it. They also simultaneously developed a single which was exactly half the twin with shared piston, rod etc. Production of remaining v-twin, the Chief, stopped in 1949 in expectation of the new singles and twins coming on-stream. Only they weren't great and were launched under-developed. Production of the Chief restarted in 1951 with spangly new telescopic forks to try to get some sales back as the new range wasn't taking off as planned...but with the same sidevalve motor dating back to the mid 30s, and foot clutch and hand shift. But the whole lot went tits up in '53 - the Chief was too long in the tooth by then, and the new bikes weren't really a match for the then-being-imported British bikes. Then in the late 50s/early 60s various Velocettes, Matchlesses, Corgis (the paratrooper fold-up bike) and even Vincents got sold in the US as Indians by Brockhouse who by then owned the name. But only really the Royal Enfields were 'specially made' as Indians. But apart from cosmetics and trim I think the changes were limited to putting 16" wheels on them. [/off topic]
tvrolet said:
[off topic]
first Indian v-twin was 1906. They did develop their own vertical twin in the late 40s and wasted what little money they had left on it. They also simultaneously developed a single which was exactly half the twin with shared piston, rod etc. Production of remaining v-twin, the Chief, stopped in 1949 in expectation of the new singles and twins coming on-stream. Only they weren't great and were launched under-developed. Production of the Chief restarted in 1951 with spangly new telescopic forks to try to get some sales back as the new range wasn't taking off as planned...but with the same sidevalve motor dating back to the mid 30s, and foot clutch and hand shift. But the whole lot went tits up in '53 - the Chief was too long in the tooth by then, and the new bikes weren't really a match for the then-being-imported British bikes. Then in the late 50s/early 60s various Velocettes, Matchlesses, Corgis (the paratrooper fold-up bike) and even Vincents got sold in the US as Indians by Brockhouse who by then owned the name. But only really the Royal Enfields were 'specially made' as Indians. But apart from cosmetics and trim I think the changes were limited to putting 16" wheels on them.
[/off topic]
Interesting, thanks. I don't know too much about early American machines, although I thought it'd be pre-1910 that Indian built their first v-twin. From what i can gather they beat Enfield by a couple of years then. Enfield seems to have built too many bikes in about 1906-7 (all single cylinder), so they didn't really resume development until 1910 which is when their first v-twin bike (they'd built v-twin cars before then) was built. first Indian v-twin was 1906. They did develop their own vertical twin in the late 40s and wasted what little money they had left on it. They also simultaneously developed a single which was exactly half the twin with shared piston, rod etc. Production of remaining v-twin, the Chief, stopped in 1949 in expectation of the new singles and twins coming on-stream. Only they weren't great and were launched under-developed. Production of the Chief restarted in 1951 with spangly new telescopic forks to try to get some sales back as the new range wasn't taking off as planned...but with the same sidevalve motor dating back to the mid 30s, and foot clutch and hand shift. But the whole lot went tits up in '53 - the Chief was too long in the tooth by then, and the new bikes weren't really a match for the then-being-imported British bikes. Then in the late 50s/early 60s various Velocettes, Matchlesses, Corgis (the paratrooper fold-up bike) and even Vincents got sold in the US as Indians by Brockhouse who by then owned the name. But only really the Royal Enfields were 'specially made' as Indians. But apart from cosmetics and trim I think the changes were limited to putting 16" wheels on them. [/off topic]
I think only one or two of the Indian Vincents were built? I know there's a famous photo of Phil Irving on one
The Velocettes were much later, and I think it was just a name used by Floyd Clymer when he used up remaining Velocette bits. They're meant to be a lovely bike to ride though
I recently tried one as my first bike after passing my test. Having read all the reviews I was disappointed in it.
It was a demo bike with 18k on the clock and it felt worn already, maybe just unlucky.
The steering got very light over 70mph and the seating position was not good. Interesting a few reviewers have already fitted handle bar risers and changed shocks and fork springs so not just me.
VFM is incredible and they do feel solidly built so with a bit spent on them I am sure it would be much better
It was a demo bike with 18k on the clock and it felt worn already, maybe just unlucky.
The steering got very light over 70mph and the seating position was not good. Interesting a few reviewers have already fitted handle bar risers and changed shocks and fork springs so not just me.
VFM is incredible and they do feel solidly built so with a bit spent on them I am sure it would be much better
srob said:
...The Velocettes were much later, and I think it was just a name used by Floyd Clymer when he used up remaining Velocette bits. They're meant to be a lovely bike to ride though.
Floyd Clymer also made Interceptor Mk2 engined "Indians" with running gear (from Italjet) that was similar to the Velocette version, but only a few were built before Clymer's death.
Edited by gareth_r on Tuesday 11th February 23:36
Interesting that you can lust over one of those rare clymer models and then realize thats pretty much what you get with the new RE.
Would probably go for a 2nd hand RE one day but my worry is the ease of servicing access means many more will try. Generally balling up every thread and gasket.
The sort of thing that gave all old british bikes their reputations.
Would probably go for a 2nd hand RE one day but my worry is the ease of servicing access means many more will try. Generally balling up every thread and gasket.
The sort of thing that gave all old british bikes their reputations.
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