New 650 Twin

Fast Eddie · Mar 1, 2019

The RE 650 was tested in this week MCN here in U.K.

It received good praise and 4 out of 5 stars.

N0rt0nelectr@ · Mar 1, 2019

I called a local dealer up in Fort Worth asking when they would be getting one so I could look at it and maybe get a test drive. They wanted to know if I wanted to buy one and I replied maybe but I need to see and ride one first. I think they wanted me to put a deposit down. They didn't have a release date for the new bikes.
John in Texas

trident sam · Mar 12, 2019

I saw my first 650 twin on the road yesterday, was in a shop and heard the old familiar noise so looked out and seen a new orange Interceptor going past, looked and sounded good .
sam

storm42 · Mar 12, 2019

Interesting crank.

oldbeezer · Mar 12, 2019

90 deg crank. will give it a bit of v-twin character

storm42 · Mar 12, 2019

oldbeezer said:
90 deg crank. will give it a bit of v-twin character

Exactly, and yet they don't make a fuss in the sales blurb.

cliffa · Mar 12, 2019

trident sam said:
I saw my first 650 twin on the road yesterday, was in a shop and heard the old familiar noise so looked out and seen a new orange Interceptor going past, looked and sounded good .
sam

That's my favorite Colour (and style) Not so keen on the GT style m'self.

Fast Eddie · Mar 13, 2019

oldbeezer said:
90 deg crank. will give it a bit of v-twin character

Is it only me who is slightly disappointed by this?

I’ve always kinda assumed that if I wanted v-twin character I could... well... buy a v-twin!

Personally, I like the traditional Brit 360 twin character (minus the destructive vibration, so I’d welcome balance shaft technology) and think it would be great to be able to buy that.

I’d love my 961 even more (I assume) if it were a 360 !

oldbeezer · Mar 13, 2019

Fast Eddie said:
so I’d welcome balance shaft technology

How 'bout isolastic technology?

Fast Eddie · Mar 13, 2019

oldbeezer said:
How 'bout isolastic technology?

It’d never catch on...

storm42 · Mar 26, 2019

I have just had a test ride on the orange one.

So, new bike with 370 miles on the clock, made in India, new design, horrible looking seat, not a lot of power and only £5500.

Sounds like a list to justify slagging it off, but I can't!!!

Sounds like a v twin if a little quiet and whilst you know it is running, there is very little vibration. the frame is good, very solid handling although I didn't push to much, suspension is basic but good enough for the power, the brakes are progressive and adequate but not too powerful, the gearbox is slick and that seat isn't too uncomfortable plus when you are sat on it you can't see it.

I liked the riding position and there was enough room with her indoors sat on the back and she also liked the bike. If these things prove reliable I could see them being a big success for RE. The first thought when we set off was that it would be a good bike for a lazy tour through Europe. I can see an owners club springing up around them.

I am impressed and I will find a way to make space for one although I have a feeling the wife will be riding it more than me.

trident sam · Mar 26, 2019

Pretty sure I'll be having one of them next year.
sam

storm42 · Mar 28, 2019

trident sam said:
Pretty sure I'll be having one of them next year.
sam

How about one of these?

storm42 · Mar 28, 2019

Hmm, It looks like our lass really liked the Interceptor, deposit payed, delivery of a black one next week.

kommando · Mar 28, 2019

From the reviews it sounds like a Goldilocks bike, in the middle and doing things well enough. Nothing wrong with that.

nortonmews · Apr 8, 2019

These two clips show that the potential for the new bike:

There are multiple clips on YouTube along similar lines including a 10 exhaust super test.

At the price the bike certainly has potential and must surely have Triumph worried.

Graham

trident sam · Apr 13, 2019

I saw my first one close up today, orange one like above but with standard bars.
The bike looked great glinting in the sunshine, sadly I never got to speak with the owner.
The only thing I thought let it down was the naff looking seat, but at the bike's price that could be sorted pretty easily. I'm having one next year.
sam

storm42 · Apr 13, 2019

Mine arrived on Thursday but I haven’t had time to look at it, too busy getting ready for this weekends racing.

Fast Eddie · Apr 14, 2019

storm42 said:
Mine arrived on Thursday but I haven’t had time to look at it, too busy getting ready for this weekends racing.

So, that’s RE ride report AND a race report required ASAP please...

storm42 · Apr 15, 2019

Went out into Derbyshire tonight on the Interceptor, only done 50 miles but it has carried on where the test ride left off as in, it is impressive. I cannot say it is a sports bike but it goes well enough and is totally planted handling wise, the suspension is a bit unforgiving over the bigger bumps but that just adds to the taught handling and its neutral feel allows it to be thrown about down the lanes.

Glad i went for the black one, apart from the seat I think it looks good.

Even ignoring the price, it is difficult to find fault, the clocks are easy to see and are stable, the controls are light, I had a play on some grit and the anti lock works well on both wheels, I called for a pint and it went dark whilst I was out and the lights are decent, the gearbox is so smooth that on the down shifts I wasn't feeling it but it was changing.

So if there is any kind of reliability built into the bike, for me it is a winner, a daily ride that is just a bit different, so far I like it.

New 650 Twin

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