Friday bike

Return of the Friday bike, and this time there are two variants of the one design. Royal Enfield have launched their much anticipated 650cc twin in two guises.

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650

 

Interesting bikes and similar in concept to the Triumph Bonneville and Thruxton models. Both are powered by the same 650cc 4 valve, DOHC engine that is fitted with a 270 degree crankshaft. This arrangement was previously used on the Yamaha TRX850, and gives the engine the same firing intervals and 'feel' of a V twin. This could be a hint towards which bike Royal Enfield seeing their bikes being in competition to - the Indian built Harley Davidson Street 750. (What, you thought Harleys were only built in the US? Better not mention the HD factory in Thailand then!)

Talking of the US, the Interceptor will be marketed there and Canada as the INT 650, I think Honda hold the rights to Interceptor in those countries.

As for the important questions - how good will it be? How much will it cost? When will I be able to buy one? - we'll have to wait and see. I know of someone who ordered a Royal Enfield Himalayan, but after months of waiting and numerous promises of delivery dates, it never arrived so he ended up cancelling and buying something else. If Royal Enfield want to be taken as a serious company, they have to address concerns like that.

Royal Enfield twins website, and here's a promotional video. Note that the bikes appear to have been developed at RE's R&D department in the UK.