Hitchcocks Forum

Hi guys------Have just returned from the Bristol Bike show having had a good look and a sit-on the new 650 Interceptor twin...........Here are some images---------what do you think ??


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One thing. At 47bhp, it's pretty much bang-on the 35kw upper end for A2 restricted motorcycles. At that they've given themselves a real pop at a niche in the UK market. There will be 19-24 year olds for whom this is the most powerful bike they can ride. From previous power restrictions (like when they had the 33bhp restricted access one) bikes which are natively on the upper limit tend to be what people go for rather than being a bit under or a bigger bike with a restrictor.



That is, if they have been sensible enough to drop the listed power a smidgin because the 47bhp power output listed on the RE website is actually marginally over 35kw (35.05 to be prescise). That would be a very small margin to shoot yourself in the foot by.



Looks-wise. I'm afraid I find it a bit ordinary but that's personal taste I suppose. Ordinary isn't necessarily a bad thing either. Ordinary can build you a reputation for being able to build a workable, reliable motorcycle. Then go for out of the ordinary. It worked for Triumph. Their first "new" bike after their resurrection was a totally vanilla inline 4 sports tourer.

I'm not at all certain that fuel filler cap is construction and use compliant?? I thought they put a stop to sticky-up ones?

I think at this stage we must remember that this is a pre-production, demonstrator model to give potential buyers a general "feel" of the overall concept...........The other option model ( Drop handlebars and rear-sets ) wasn't even on show to day.....Here's the publicity}------- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8wIrOPf8-s

and here's a few more images}----------

To me the cafe racer version looks better and fits me better too, though why they didn’t call it the Constellation is a bit strange. I mean, Continental GT, for a twin? Come on. Also, the two variants are too similar. Why not one with decent mudguards, like the Bullet range, and silencers parallel to the ground? 47bhp is too weedy for me; I’ll keep my 69bhp Thruxton until RE does a full fat, preferably 360 degree, version. Just like the first BMW 1200GS l/c and, more recently, the Triumph Bobber 1200cc those who waited a year get s much better bike than the first edition. I’ll hang fire for a bit to see what happens....Hopefully the range won’t solely be aimed at newbies.

I'm for the other side of the coin }--- This machine with deeper front mudguard, a pair of hard, detachable panniers, an open rear rack and a medium-screen-----all set up for touring ......Yes, there's room for development there in both cases----come on Mr.H, get stuck in !!!

They've shown different versions of the bike in the States including a chrome tank model. I suspect they're testing customer reactions at the moment. I'll ask my inside source and see what he knows!

REgards, Mark

Sorry Mark--------he doesn't appear to be home at the moment !!------------------

Although I was able to sit on the bike I didn't have time to take it off the mainstand and use the prop stand etc.... or to feel the balance when actually on its tyres....but judging from the You-tube videos of the prototypes on test runs in India it would seem agile enough for my ageing needs LoL !!......I'm hoping that the local agent here in Shropshire will have one ASAP to try out..

The pictures show a handlebar brace: Which bikes have/need these and which don't?

I'd be interested to know; this bike, for example, doesn't look like a rough off-road model that's going to take a battering.

Any technical answers?

In answer to the original question, I would like to see this bike with fuller mudguards, not just plastic extensions. Probably a version in black, too, as I like black....