[gharika]

Here is my Aug 2019 Interceptor, bought pre owned in Dec 2020.
The mods you see here are :
1. Vesrah front and rear ceramic disk pads
2. Gators from Himalayan, INT ones didn't last as long
3. Himalayan windshield, cuts the air better than the bigger Carbon Racing and Meteor 350 ones
4. Meteor 350 handlebar, controls, grips, levers and master cylinder
5. Pillion footrest relocators
6. Meteor rear 17 alloy with Anakee 3 150 section tyre
7. 10mm front fork spacers
8. New Rolon brass coated chain set
9. Fuelx Pro

With these done, the only lack I feel is with the rebound of the rear suspension that is too sharp.

[adrift@life]

Originally Posted by gharika

Here is my Aug 2019 Interceptor, bought pre owned in Dec 2020.
The mods you see here are :
6. Meteor rear 17 alloy with Anakee 3 150 section tyre

How does the riding dynamic differ with a 18"front and 17" rear?

[gharika]

Originally Posted by adrift@life

How does the riding dynamic differ with a 18"front and 17" rear?

There is no noticeable change due to the tyre being a 150/70 coming close to stock. My idea was to add to the stability instead of a sharper turning, that has been achieved as the front does not go down quickly with added preload. Also the front forks are zeroed removing the top 5 mm that used to stick up, it's more of a scrambler stance now.

[ashenoy]

Originally Posted by tharian

I was checking the costs for Vredesteins and they quoted 20k for a pair! Another shop where I picked up a set of 19" Reise tyres for a Bullet quoted 11k for the same, but they were early 2023 make.

I picked up a pair of Vredesteins from the Apollo tyres shop at Kammanahalli (right next to Sena Vihar) for 13k. This was about 6 months ago.

[livyodream]

Team, I am kind of confused with the varying prices with Genuine accessories.

Interceptor alloy wheel costs 23K in a showroom and the same is quoted 16.5K in Fixwell motors. Both are genuine.

Is there such a huge difference in prices or am I missing something?
Will a showroom keep such a huge markup of the same parts which is available in any random RE accessory shop?

[AtheK]

Maybe official prices have increased and dealer has old stock. I remember paying 16.5 in showroom last year.

[pachchu77]

Originally Posted by livyodream

Interceptor alloy wheel costs 23K in a showroom and the same is quoted 16.5K in Fixwell motors. Both are genuine.

Is there such a huge difference in prices or am I missing something?

As I had shared in the same thread a few weeks ago, Vredestein tyre prices were revised rather absurdly from 9.5k to 20k in RE (for the pair) while the same can be obtained from the market @ 12-13k (for the pair). But alloys pricing was still untouched at 16.5k (for the pair).

After seeing your post, I called up Spare parts section @ RE Company Store Service Center @ BTM Layout Bengaluru and got the confirmation that alloys are still retailing at 16.5k (for the pair).

[sandeepmohan]

Its been 3 years and 7 months I've had the Interceptor. The odometer ticked over the 30,000 mark about a month ago. Except for an after market air intake unit and AEW exhaust system, I've not done anything to the bike in terms of improving it. I am happy with the way it goes. Seat comfort remains an issue and the front end can have a mind of its own on certain days. I don't really know what triggers that. Ambient temperature causing havoc with the way the fork oil responds to load is all I can think of. I've made my peace with it. I thought of upgrading the seat to the one Trip Machine sell but I don't think it will solve the issue of comfort. What it will do is improve the aesthetics. As a motorcycle package, there's lots to love about the Interceptor. It has the right amount of power that complements New Zealand's not so fast or perfect roads.

I've still got the issue around the Low Battery Light staying on for extended periods. It has not caused any issue around starting the bike, even after several weeks of staying idle so I've decided to leave it at that.

I continue to maintain the same service intervals as before. Between 6,000 and 7,000km. The oil filter was not changed (previous to the last service) and the bike had run with same filter for >12,000km. I may get by with it here as the weather is cool. Not worth risking it in hotter climes.

Still on the factory valve setting and the bike is running fine. I will be doing it for the next service, even if there are no issues while running. The last thing you want is the whole thing seizing up.

Over the last year, I signed up on a Royal Enfield New Zealand Face Book Group and also joined NZREOR which is the New Zealand Royal Enfield Owners Register. There are some benefits being a part of NZREOR. They are partnered with a Insurance Provider and Official Dealer Network and offer discounts as part of the membership. I participated in a Group ride organized by the NZREOR early April. Rides happen every now and then. Its hard to attend every one of them. I thought of making this one as my work load was easing up at the Office and I could head out with my mind at ease. This event was the Royal Enfield Day at Whanganui and included a River Road Ride which was absolutely stunning. Whanganui is a little town on the West Coast of the North Island. I headed up the night before from Wellington as the event was to start by 8am. Wanganui is 200km one way and takes about 3 to 4 hours, depending on how many stops you make. Its an almost arrow straight roads, with some twists and turns, up and down section of road for the last 35km leading up to Whanganui. I left Wellington at 6pm and got to Whanganui by 930pm. Walked into a Motel that was close by to the start of the event, which was at 8am the following morning and at a Cafe called Red Eye. This cafe was once the original premise of the 1925 Percy Coleman Motorcycle Shop. He started as a Harley dealer and in 1930's, raced a Royal Enfield on the Isle of Man TT and came back to New Zealand as the official Royal Enfield Distributor. There is nothing that remains of the old dealership other than the building that is standing.

Temperatures tend to drop at this time of the year so by the time I got to Wanganui, I was quite cold. Had a hot shower and blasted the heat pump. A good nights rest ensured I was up early and in time at Red Eye Cafe. It was great to see a line of Royal Enfields parked outside. I was hoping to find older Royal Enfields, as I have come across some really old vintage MK2 Interceptors for sale online. Unfortunately, that was not the case. 99% of the 40 bike fleet were from the modern fuel injected era. One early 2000's Standard 350 was the sole old school cast iron Enfield. Two Custom motorcycles showed up from Napier. They towed the bikes all the way in a Trailer and unloaded them for this event. These were customized Super Meteors that now look like the new Shotgun. One thing was quite clear, The Super Meteors are doing well in terms of sales. It is already known that Royal Enfields offer tremendous value in terms of what you get for your money. The Super Meteors have further cemented that fact. A Cruiser for not a lot more than an Interceptor is quite the bargain, if you are after such a motorcycle.

Our travel itinerary looked like this. I didn't head back to Whanganui with the rest of the group as it was going to be a long day. I wanted to head home before the sun sets. The River Ride consisted of just this section, up to a place called Pipiriki with a stop in between at Matahiwi cafe. A cafe in the middle of nowhere. The section between Whanganui and Pipiriki is a good 80km of slow and twisty roads, right beside the river. It was nice not gunning it for a change. Very relaxing and I could soak in some of the surrounding scenery. Most of us were riding at the same pace. After the first pit stop at Matahiwi cafe, I started to ride along with a Gentleman by the name John on his late brothers Classic 500 Chrome. Man, this bike looks the part. It has a beautiful profile with that single seat arrangement. We were riding together for the last 70 or so kilometers leading up to Raethi and finally Ohakune, which was our lunch pit stop. This is a small ski town and the only area you will find snow in the North Island. Is usually jam packed in Winter months. Its also got a charm of its own that never ceases to amaze me, every time I visit this place. 40 bikes is enough to take up 50% of the town total street parking. Its that small. Also draws a lot of attention. Picked up a Pie and a soft drink, walked around a little bit, socialized with some of the others, reflecting on the route we just did. Everyone found it beautiful. Its also rare to find so many one make motorcycles gathered together. The General public were also quite intrigued looking at all the motorcycles. This was also the point where I big goodbye to the group. I decided to head home from here. There was prize giving and dinner after heading back to Whanganui but I decided to head home, as it would get too late. The ride back was uneventful. Ohakune to Wellington is exact 300km and is part of the Main State Highway 1 that connects Auckland to Wellington. Nothing exciting other than mostly straight roads with some ups and down. The entire country is like this.


I was riding with a large group after many, many years. The last time I did this was probably back in 2002 when I joined FM Tharian for a RTMC Ride (Royal Thunder Motorcycle Club). We used to ride all over the place but it was mostly just two of us. Generally stayed away from large group ride gatherings. Is rather unfortunate in this part of the world is that I don't see many young riders. Everyone was my age or much older. Feels like the motorcycle cult ain't gonna last very long here. As it is, spotting a cool looking motorcycle is almost impossible, other than at some gathering like the DGR or over a weekend.

Sharing some pictures from the event.
I have no clue who's bike this was but it was a pretty old.


All lined up at Red Eye Cafe


The two customized Super Meteors


A nice green 350 with the address of the manufacturer on the front mudguard


Pay attention and you'll notice a little cosmetic touches such as the steel brake reservoir cap, steel cable stays and a clutch cable cover on the side case


At Matahiwi Cafe


The only two Himalayans to join us. This is a very popular model in New Zealand. Perfect for the outback, which is most of what New Zealand is.


A transparent tappet adjustment cover.


The sole Standard 350. The only bike with a carburettor.


That beautiful Classic 500 Chrome. If I had this along side the Interceptor in my garage, I can totally see myself ride this more


That Conti GT, even in mostly stock form, looks really good.


Another look at the two modified Super Meteors



The only 650cc which had a completely free flow exhaust system, right from the bend pipe.


The Green 350.


Signing off from The Republic of Whangamomona

I am in good motorcycle company here. Note the very first Generation of the GL1000 Honda Goldwing to the far left of his photo.

[ijeet]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Its been 3 years and 7 months I've had the Interceptor.

Nice writeup @sandeepmohan. I am at Palmerston North, landed 20 days ago. been riding REs since 1995. Do you know if RE has rental bikes in NZ? I plan to pick up one as soon as I am able to snag a job but till then wanted to ride around.

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by ijeet

Do you know if RE has rental bikes in NZ? I plan to pick up one as soon as I am able to snag a job but till then wanted to ride around.

Thanks.
Welcome to Palmy, New Zealand.
I'll find out. Don't know of any, of the top of my head.

[Ravi@650]

@gharika - Looking for a quality Pillion Footrest relocator. May I know which once did you use?

[gharika]

Originally Posted by Ravi@650

@gharika - Looking for a quality Pillion Footrest relocator. May I know which once did you use?

These ones are from MK Designs India, pretty sturdy and simple to install.

[Kirthy]

On my 2019 Interceptor, I'd like to swap older BS3- type toggle switches for rotary switches (on 2023 models onwards). But I don't want to cut/modify the wiring in any permanent way.

I'd also like to swap both the front levers, clutch lever holder and the front brake master cylinder. I like the old grips, prefer retaining those. But if they don't integrate well, might swap them as well.

In short - swap all items on the handlebar except for the handlebar and mirrors.

Anyone who's done this before? Would welcome any tips or advice before I venture out to look into this - especially with switch connectors - are they plug and play or need some custom work?

I've attached the pics of new switches and levers for reference.

[ebonho]

Can someone please share the acceleration figures of this bike. I cannot seem to find them on Google or You Tube. I had a runin with one of them a couple of days ago on my way to work. Full enthu ambush. From behind. Mildly interesting. In that I never even shifted ...

Cheers, Doc

[livyodream]

So after waiting for a week after my initial booking, took delivery of Interceptor 650 Canyon Red.








As this model does not come with Alloy wheels and since I did want to deal with puncture headaches, I headed to Top Gear Thumpers.

I had spoken to the Owner (Bhushan) 2 days before about the requirement, who had made sure the Alloys and Vredesteins Tyres were sourced and fitted to the rim and kept ready for installation.






It was a 30 minute job and I was ready to head back home with the new set of wheels.









A big thanks to Fellow Bhpian @pachchu77 for helping me through the whole process and in recommending me the workshop TopGear Thumpers who did a fantastic job in the end.