THE HOLY GRAIL
Rumours of Royal Enfield’s big twin circulated for years. When the Interceptor and Continental GT 650s finally arrived last year, everyone was talking about them. We took a quick spin, intending to follow up with an in-depth feature a little later. Like the bikes themselves, that story took longer than expected to reach you. Apologies for the delay: blame the importer who went curiously silent when we asked for a long-term test bike…
However, plenty of RealClassic riders have put the new 650s to the ultimate test. They’ve bought the bikes, spent the money and clocked up some miles. Who better to tell you what a motorcycle is like to own and ride than the people who’ve actually paid for it? That is, after all, what RC is all about.
Talking to actual owners, it rapidly become obvious that few 650s stay in standard spec for very long. Almost everyone adds accessories or upgrades the machine. Over last summer – and bear in mind that it wasn’t easy to buy a 650 at the start of the season in the UK – people rode between 500 and 5000 miles on their bikes. Most 650s were used for leisure, but a few have been drafted as daily transport to make the commuter run more fun.
If you’re considering buying a 650 twin then now is the right moment to grab one of the ex-demo and the ‘buyer’s regret’ bikes which popped up over winter on the secondhand market. Shop cannily and you’ll get an Interceptor with a thousand miles on it for a grand below list price. The basic cost of a 650 has risen since their first introduction, so if you want a brand new twin then it’ll set you back around £5700 – more if you opt for the snazzy chrome livery. Looking at all the cost-options which owners tend to fit, you also have to wonder if a more expensive but better equipped bike wouldn’t cost less in the long run…
To keep things in perspective, we’ve also talked to RC regulars who took a ride on an Interceptor or GT and who decided not to buy. The 650 twins seem to be ‘Marmite bikes’ which inspire instant infatuation or immediate apathy. Generalising wildly,
