Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Twin & Continental Gt 650 Twin Revealed

[Eoin Christie]

I bought one a month or so ago - Should be in KL now, waiting for me when I get back from Angola. I took a couple out for test rides before I left, and it suits me. I have a 1974 500 Bullet down in Perth, so the only way is up in terms of reliability and bits falling off (although it’s actually been very reliable, and no bits have fallen off that I can recall).
I’m looking forward to getting back over end of September, doing the initial run-in, then heading North to make sure that any bits that are scheduled to fall off get a fair chance to do so.

 

[Marmite]

I bought one a month or so ago - Should be in KL now, waiting for me when I get back from Angola. I took a couple out for test rides before I left, and it suits me. I have a 1974 500 Bullet down in Perth, so the only way is up in terms of reliability and bits falling off (although it’s actually been very reliable, and no bits have fallen off that I can recall).
I’m looking forward to getting back over end of September, doing the initial run-in, then heading North to make sure that any bits that are scheduled to fall off get a fair chance to do so.

Nice one!

I'm still waiting for delivery (3 months now) and my colour still hasn't come in.

I'm not too worried though, as its not really riding season yet.

 

[Eoin Christie]

Nice one!

I'm still waiting for delivery (3 months now) and my colour still hasn't come in.

I'm not too worried though, as its not really riding season yet.

I’m on the hunt for a small set of crash bars (most are big enough to hang your washing off), a skid plate (TEC one looks good), and a grill for the oil cooler. First serious outing is destined to be Phongsali and surrounds, so it better get used to mud, and lying down for a spontaneous sleep.

 

[Eoin Christie]

I've organised the crash bars ('compact', meaning a single small loop), and still working on a bash plate. Oil cooler guard looks sufficient as is. Bike is now scheduled to arrive in KL on 15th August - Still another 6 weeks before I get home to see it.
Phillip has sorted me out with a Guglatech in-tank filter (Thanks, Phillip), so I can fill up with mud and rainwater.
The Bullet I have down in Perth has been with me for 20 years. These 2 are both fully-fledged adults now (unlike the bloke on the Bullet):

001 by Eoin Christie, on Flickr

 

[Ian Bungy]

I’m on the hunt for a small set of crash bars (most are big enough to hang your washing off), a skid plate (TEC one looks good), and a grill for the oil cooler. First serious outing is destined to be Phongsali and surrounds, so it better get used to mud, and lying down for a spontaneous sleep.

Burning Shop here in Chiang Mai had some stuff for the Royal Enfields but not sure if He has what You were looking for? Search for it on Google. BNS-Speed is also it's name. Good Luck. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Burning-Shop/360675207340913 .

 

[Eoin Christie]

Burning Shop here in Chiang Mai had some stuff for the Royal Enfields but not sure if He has what You were looking for? Search for it on Google. BNS-Speed is also it's name. Good Luck. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Burning-Shop/360675207340913 .

Thank you, Ian. All my (non-existent) Sherlock Holmes interwebby skills are being put to the test with this bike.

 

[Eoin Christie]

Bike is in KL now (I'm still in Angola). I have to do a side excursion to Equatorial Guinea on the way back, so I'll end up only with 2 days in KL (1 in the office and 1 picking up the bike & bits) before I head North. I wanted to do the full run-in, but I won't have time for that, so I've got someone else doing the 1st 500km, so that it's had its initial oil change before I pick it up.

 

[Marmite]

Mine was delivered a couple of months ago, and its better than I thought it would be. Its beautifully made and rides really nicely. Its perfect for getting lost on Isaan's back roads.

The only negative, as ever, is the dealer in Udon's lack of knowledge and accessories. I'll probably get the touring saddle and tall flyscreen sent over from India.

 

[monsterman]

I have ridden a couple in UK brilliant bike but when you press on The rear shock shows its limitations its too soft and causes a speed wooble at over 140kph

a mate in UK George he is 82 has just obtained a S&S 850 bigbore kit for his enfield ,, should be fun he has upgraded the rear shock to IKON units .... and some after market megas

 

[Eoin Christie]

I picked mine up in KL in October, had 1 day in the office, then rode it 7,000km up through Thailand and Laos and back. It was much better than me - It did not miss a beat on the journey, despite me running it ragged through the track following the Mekong up to Xiengkok. I fitted small crashbars, a bash-plate, and fork gaiters before I left, and each performed as required (dropped the bike 3 times on the right side and once on the left, hit the bash-plate countless times, and the fork gaiters were covered in mud and dust throughout most of the trip.
After dropping the bike three times in the mud on the Mekong track (along with crossing 2 streams that were 18 - 24" deep), I found that, although the road tyres had no perceivable grip, the smooth torque at just above idle allowed momentum to keep me going most of the time.
Now the bike is back to commuting in KL traffic, and behaving just as well as it did on an adventure it was never designed for.

L034 by Eoin Christie, on Flickr

L030 by Eoin Christie, on Flickr

L031 by Eoin Christie, on Flickr

L033 by Eoin Christie, on Flickr

L032 by Eoin Christie, on Flickr

 

[Eoin Christie]

The bike's the same colour as Marmite's (plus a little clay toning)...

IMG_0692 by Eoin Christie, on Flickr

 

[Ian Bungy]

Don't You love the Sound of these Bikes! Brilliant for a Standard Exhaust System!

 

[Marmite]

I visited an old friend this afternoon and managed to draw a crowd of people interested in the bike. Its all old farts in Udon, so there were many people with stories relating to Enfield, either in the UK or India.

I never had that with my Hondas...

 

[Marmite]

The bike's the same colour as Marmite's (plus a little clay toning)...
View attachment 133188IMG_0692 by Eoin Christie, on Flickr

Excellent pictures and more evidence that RE have knocked it out of the park with the 650 twins.

 

[Marmite]

Don't You love the Sound of these Bikes! Brilliant for a Standard Exhaust System!

I've seen so many people on YouTube who have replaced the exhaust with something louder/brasher, but its not for me. All the aftermarket pipes I've heard, lose the bottom end rumble which is much of the bike's character.

 

[Eoin Christie]

I visited an old friend this afternoon and managed to draw a crowd of people interested in the bike. Its all old farts in Udon, so there were many people with stories relating to Enfield, either in the UK or India.

I never had that with my Hondas...

I found it worked a treat at Immigration and Customs at both Sungai Golok / Rantau Panjang and Chiang Khong / Houayxai. Officers coming over and talking to me about it (and only 200B total for the crossing from Thailand into Laos, with no escort or fee required).

Smiles all round!

 

[Marmite]

I had a couple of tweaks made to the Enfield, with the help from the guys at K-Speed Udon.

Ohlins rear shocks, YSS inserts at the front, all LED lights, powdercoated most of the shiny bits, removed the tank badges & fender extenders and remade the seat.

Not OTT, but exactly how I want it.

 

[DavidFL]

I had a couple of tweaks made to the Enfield, with the help from the guys at K-Speed Udon.

View attachment 135487 View attachment 135488

Ohlins rear shocks, YSS inserts at the front, all LED lights, powdercoated most of the shiny bits, removed the tank badges & fender extenders and remade the seat.

Not OTT, but exactly how I want it.

Looks smart alright.
"All LED lights" are we talking about the turn signals, or the headlight as well?
If yes, exactly what?

 

[Marmite]

Looks smart alright.
"All LED lights" are we talking about the turn signals, or the headlight as well?
If yes, exactly what?

Indicators are from K-Speed's Diablo range, rear tail light is a modified Diablo lense mated to the Enfield's mounting piece and the headlight has an LED bulb upgrade.

 

[Eoin Christie]

How have the suspension changes worked out? That’s one property that leaves a bit to be desired (not that I’m getting any riding in during our lockdown here in KL).

 

[Ian Bungy]

That looks great. The Polish on the Engine Cases gets marked easy so requires constant polishing, the Powder Coating solves that problem. How did You do the rest of the Engine You obviously can't strip the entire engine and do all the Parts?

 

[Marmite]

How have the suspension changes worked out? That’s one property that leaves a bit to be desired (not that I’m getting any riding in during our lockdown here in KL).

I've managed to have a short, sneaky run out near my village and it was way too firm. The bike also sits higher (this can be adjusted on the rear shocks) which is fine as I'm fairly tall. We softened off the suspension and I had a quick buzz up the street and it feels better. I think it will take a while to dial it in, but its not easy to do presently.

I'll post an update once the zombie apocalypse has ended.

 

[Marmite]

That looks great. The Polish on the Engine Cases gets marked easy so requires constant polishing, the Powder Coating solves that problem. How did You do the rest of the Engine You obviously can't strip the entire engine and do all the Parts?

Hi Ian & thanks!

The side covers weren't really polished, so they're quite drab looking unless you put some effort in (not gonna happen), so it was a simple decision to make. But you're right, the covers and other small bits are easy to take off and get powdercoated, but the engine casings were done by removing the engine from the frame and painting my hand with a normal black gloss engine paint. Then the fins were sanded back to metal.

 

[Eoin Christie]

I've managed to have a short, sneaky run out near my village and it was way too firm. The bike also sits higher (this can be adjusted on the rear shocks) which is fine as I'm fairly tall. We softened off the suspension and I had a quick buzz up the street and it feels better. I think it will take a while to dial it in, but its not easy to do presently.

I'll post an update once the zombie apocalypse has ended.

Thanks, Marmite. I suspect that may be later, rather than sooner. My bike rests, forlorn in its park, dreaming of the touch of asphalt.

 

[Marmite]

Thanks, Marmite. I suspect that may be later, rather than sooner. My bike rests, forlorn in its park, dreaming of the touch of asphalt.

At least you have time to thoroughly clean it now. I bet there's still some Laotian mud stuffed up in a few hard to reach places!