RE Intercepter - thoughts?

[phatmanace]

I'm considering buying an RE interceptor as a second bike. Current bike is a 2015 tiger 800 - I fancy a second bike for shorter trips and the RE just appeals for some reason. The owners reviews on MCN are massively positive as are the journalist reviews I've read in magazines.

Anything I need to know or think about? planning to try and organise a test ride, to date, I've only seen them from afar and haven't actually sat on any or ridden one.

.. if the test ride yields massive disappointment, then I will direct attention to probably a Bonneville (which I know is quite a lot more money)

[Alimarsh]

A neighbour has one and absolutely loves it, mainly used for B road blasts in Yorkshire dales which he says it's perfect for. Has some aftermarket Scorpion cans on and it sounds cracking, if I was in the market for that type of bike it would be very high on my list

[TT1138]

I’ve not ridden one but went to have a good look as was potentially interested.

Great looking bike, and reasonable value for money but the build quality wasn’t great in my opinion. Yes they’re good value, but you can tell where the corners have been cut.

Wouldn’t necessarily dissuade me, just something to be aware of.

[phatmanace]

Thanks folks. yes, for the price, I'm sure there will definitely be compromises, but if you take them for what they are, they look like great fun to ride!

ace

[Dick Seaman]

I picked one up last week, only 200 miles so far and running it in but initial impressions are all very positive.

I've been riding a 2006 CBR600RR for the last few years, it's been a great bike, but, increasingly I've been finding it a little too hectic for general use. Anyway, this certainly won't be an issue with the Interceptor. So relaxed and easy to ride, light clutch, steers easily, sounds great, no great rush to do anything, puts a smile on your face. Here it is....



Open face helmet, bike jeans and a leather jacket, ticking all the mid-life crisis boxes. And really enjoying it.

[Pebbles167]

I'm a fan of these, and have been since they came out.

When the time came to buy one, it was a choice between the Interceptor 650, a T100 Bonneville, or the Guzzi V7 iii.

Ultimately I went for the Guzzi as I managed to get a great deal, but I'd happily own the Royal Enfield if I ever got the chance.

[Abdul Abulbul Amir]

phatmanace said:

Thanks folks. yes, for the price, I'm sure there will definitely be compromises, but if you take them for what they are, they look like great fun to ride!

ace

I took one out for a test ride late 2019 and had a good look over.

IMO the build quality was on par or better than the basic Bonny or Guzzi V7. The RE has a Harris frame and the components look good especially the wheels (silver ones over black).

It was a fun ride and I planned to get one spring last year but other events took over.

[zeb]

I had one, nice bike. It is built to a price and you can tell but rode very well. I changed it for a T100 bonnie which I still have and think its a far better package. I found the seat on the RE really uncomfortable but other options are available.

[phatmanace]

zeb said:

I had one, nice bike. It is built to a price and you can tell but rode very well. I changed it for a T100 bonnie which I still have and think its a far better package. I found the seat on the RE really uncomfortable but other options are available.

This is super interesting - was it just the seat on the Bonnie, or were there other aspects that were better... Can you elaborate more?

[_Neal_]

Dick Seaman said:

I picked one up last week, only 200 miles so far and running it in but initial impressions are all very positive.

I've been riding a 2006 CBR600RR for the last few years, it's been a great bike, but, increasingly I've been finding it a little too hectic for general use. Anyway, this certainly won't be an issue with the Interceptor. So relaxed and easy to ride, light clutch, steers easily, sounds great, no great rush to do anything, puts a smile on your face. Here it is....



Open face helmet, bike jeans and a leather jacket, ticking all the mid-life crisis boxes. And really enjoying it.

That looks absolutely excellent - I've also been looking at these as a second bike so watching with interest.

[Seight_Returns]

Great thread - I'm in a similar place of wanting a retro styled second bike alongside my VFR800.

Had narrowed my choices down to a Bonneville T100 or a MG V7 - hadn't thought of a RE but not sure why not.

Bonneville seems the safe choice but also the most expensive, always liked the MG horizontal V Twin look and like the idea of a shaft drive - but the RE looks great value and would leave some funds available to upgrade my VFR for a Tiger ......

[chappj]

I’m in exactly the same position as the OP. BMW R1250GSA is my main (commuting) bike and looking for a second bike for fun.

I’d be keen to hear if anybody has ridden both the interceptor and Continental GT for a comparison? I prefer the tank shape of the Continental, but ultimately want something more akin to a scrambler style.

When you compare the price difference between the RE vs T100/Street models it’s difficult to justify the extra cost unless the ride comfort is significantly better…

[chappj]

Dick Seaman said:

I picked one up last week, only 200 miles so far and running it in but initial impressions are all very positive.

I've been riding a 2006 CBR600RR for the last few years, it's been a great bike, but, increasingly I've been finding it a little too hectic for general use. Anyway, this certainly won't be an issue with the Interceptor. So relaxed and easy to ride, light clutch, steers easily, sounds great, no great rush to do anything, puts a smile on your face. Here it is....



Open face helmet, bike jeans and a leather jacket, ticking all the mid-life crisis boxes. And really enjoying it.

This is lovely! More pics please!

[_Neal_]

chappj said:

When you compare the price difference between the RE vs T100/Street models it’s difficult to justify the extra cost unless the ride comfort is significantly better…

And I think the comfort seat for the RE is less than £200 as well...

[Abdul Abulbul Amir]

_Neal_ said:

chappj said:

When you compare the price difference between the RE vs T100/Street models it’s difficult to justify the extra cost unless the ride comfort is significantly better…

And I think the comfort seat for the RE is less than £200 as well...

much cheaper if you buy from India on ebay

[zeb]

phatmanace said:

This is super interesting - was it just the seat on the Bonnie, or were there other aspects that were better... Can you elaborate more?

No problem mon ami. The handling mainly, the bonnie is set up perfectly and just flows through bends. The engine is a bit bigger capacity so there is less going up and down the gears. The clocks are better and have more functionality. Personally I think it looks better.

The general finish/quality of fastners etc is superior. The seat is better (not perfect but better) as the RE one was like a piece of wood!

At the end of the day its all subjective but for me the bonnie is a better package. You pays yer money yer takes yer pick as they say.....

[tdm34]

zeb said:

phatmanace said:

This is super interesting - was it just the seat on the Bonnie, or were there other aspects that were better... Can you elaborate more?

No problem mon ami. The handling mainly, the bonnie is set up perfectly and just flows through bends. The engine is a bit bigger capacity so there is less going up and down the gears. The clocks are better and have more functionality. Personally I think it looks better.

The general finish/quality of fastners etc is superior. The seat is better (not perfect but better) as the RE one was like a piece of wood!

At the end of the day its all subjective but for me the bonnie is a better package. You pays yer money yer takes yer pick as they say.....

There's a rumoured 750cc version in the wings with 65-70bhp, that should be a peach, the stock 650cc engine is restricted to meet A2 licence regulations, but it's easy to get that to the mid 50's with a DNA airfilter, a replacement airbox lid and a set of fruity cans.

[chappj]

Has anybody ridden the CCM Maverick? I’m somewhat taken by the romance of British built. I’d be interested to know if the single is too peaky?

[carinaman]

On YouTube there's a video of one with an aftermarket 865 big bore kit, I think.

[hiccy18]

S&S do the big bore kits but I'm left wondering what the point is, it's a budget bike.