[TusharK]

Spy images of what appears to be a Royal Enfield Interceptor with a single side-mounted exhaust have surfaced online.



There are a few tell-tale details that lead us to believe that this is an Interceptor. The tail lamp unit and the rear fender are identical to those of the Interceptor 650. The golden canister on the rear shock absorber is also clearly visible.



The bike has an upright riding position, which also suggests that it is likely to be the Interceptor. However, the biggest difference between this test mule and the Interceptor 650 is that it has a single side-mounted exhaust. Therefore, it is speculated that it might be a 350cc version of the Interceptor.

The Interceptor 650 is powered by a 648cc, air -cooled, fuel-injected, parallel twin cylinder engine that makes 47 BHP and 52 Nm.

Source

Link to Team-BHP News

[chinmaypillay]

Interesting and looking forward to this version, but the 350cc is bound to be the one from the recent Meteor. The silky smooth nature of the 650cc will surely be missed if this is the case!! Exciting times ahead!

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by TusharK

a 350cc version of the Interceptor.

The Interceptor 650 is powered by a 648cc, air -cooled, fuel-injected, parallel twin cylinder engine that makes 47 BHP and 52 Nm.

So another 20-something odd bhp RE doing 120 kmph.

With 20 different color shades.

Gazillion customisation options on a special app with all the online farkles thrown in.

And a parallel industry out of the UK, Europe, US and Australia in aftermarket hop-up big $ parts to make the bike feel faster, and rectify factory bits that do not work from the factory (like suspensions).

Hope I'm wrong this time. Maybe the coming decade will be different.

Cheers, Doc

[Abhi_Automobile]

Originally Posted by ebonho

So another 20-something odd bhp RE doing 120 kmph.

With 20 different color shades.

Gazillion customisation options on a special app with all the online farkles thrown in.

And a parallel industry out of the UK, Europe, US and Australia in aftermarket hop-up big $ parts to make the bike feel faster, and rectify factory bits that do not work from the factory (like suspensions).

Hope I'm wrong this time. Maybe the coming decade will be different.

Cheers, Doc

Oh, come on doc!

It’s a bit harsh I feel! Eventually, people like you and I are too skeptical to trust RE fully (I spent 2x money on my Bonnie even though Interceptor offered 80% of everything on paper!)

But Int/GT as well as Meteor are par for the course. Neither of them could be called great in any sense, yet they both do the job adequately, including non vibey engine!!

Honda CB350 (vis a vis Meteor), and Bonnie Street Twin/Kawa W800 (vis a vis Interceptor) aren’t much superior bikes either. The recent RE products (actual products, not cameradrie on brotherhood type crap) have been pretty decent I feel

[Porschefire]

Originally Posted by TusharK

Therefore, it is speculated that it might be a 350cc version of the Interceptor.

Oh no no no no no no no no no no NO!

RE, please please please please do not do another Pulsar! Please!!!!

[SuhairZain]

Originally Posted by TusharK

it might be a 350cc version of the Interceptor

Isn't the highlight of the Interceptor the silky smooth engine that's a far call from the erstwhile RE engines? Haven't driven the Meteor, so I'm not sure if they have worked the same magic into the 350.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by Abhi_Automobile

Oh, come on doc!

It’s a bit harsh I feel! Eventually, people like you and I are too skeptical to trust RE fully (I spent 2x money on my Bonnie even though Interceptor offered 80% of everything on paper!)

I agree man. Its harsh.

Been waiting a long long time for the Madras boys to do something that softens the stance of old/ex Bulleteers.

The stance is not changing, neither are the Madras boys.

Only both are getting older.

And what is "par for the course" about a 20 bhp 350 cc man? Or a 47 bhp 650 cc twin pray tell? We must be serving parallel courses because these numbers are from another century ...

There is a guy who I've ridden a lot with. Hardcore biker. He's here and silent ....

He has seen both the Meteor and the CB 350 in the flesh. The fit and finish of the CB 350 is per him far superior even to this much improved RE launch. Its not only about the numbers. That's never the full story.

Cheers, Doc

[Mafia]

This was definitely on the cards for RE. The number of models they are planning to launch would mean all possible permutation and combinations possible with the currently available engines and models.

I agree with Doc on how they are dragging their feet in the development of proper performance machines. On the flip side, RE is happy measuring its success on sale numbers alone. While the number is an important indicator, it is not everything.

The new 350 and the 650 engines are really good. But not enough for their entire portfolio.

With Honda CB 350, there is a real threat to RE in their territory and at the same price essentially.

Panic will set in the RE HQ if another brand manages to repeat what Honda has done with CB 350.

And here is hoping that Honda does bring in the twins soon and at a reasonable price.

[tanayr]

The only spy shots are from the rear. Are we sure it's the Interceptor? Could it not be that 'low-cc, lightweight bike' that was rumored (sherpa?) or something?

[texmonster]

Originally Posted by tanayr

The only spy shots are from the rear. Are we sure it's the Interceptor? Could it not be that 'low-cc, lightweight bike' that was rumored (sherpa?) or something?

It seems to be the RE Hunter 350.

[Sebring]

RE shouldn't lose 'character', by launching just about anything. They're on a good wicket with the current line up. Regarding the new brand, it could be NORTON

Originally Posted by Mafia

Panic will set in the RE HQ if another brand manages to repeat what Honda has done with CB 350.

[ninjatalli]

Don’t we all just love to speculate!

Hold on people, till we get better pics and updates!

[Vibhav-Van]

While it is too early to judge if this is a good move or not, something else caught my attention - each indicator is in a different color. First I assumed the left one might be blinking, and hence orange. But it doesn't feel that way. Or could it be that it was nicked by someone?

Why do I notice this you ask? Because 10 years ago, my Bullet 350 rolled out of the showroom with clear indicators at the front and orange ones at the rear.

Enfield has obviously come a long way from those days, but I just couldn't help notice it.

[Venkatesh]

Here is the video, spotted in Chennai

https://youtu.be/gkd74GUIQcw

[surjaonwheelz]

In this form, it just looks like RE's answer to the CB350! No?

Let's see, might be for South American markets too!

RE had a 175cc/250cc lighter bike,

Sherpa/Crusader 175 cc 1963–1980 (India specific model)
Motorcycle with a two-stroke 175 cc Villiers engine. Sherpa was rechristened Crusader after a restyling job in 1970.

Crusader 250 cc single 1956–1962
A unit construction 248 cc OHV engine with 13 bhp. Its purpose was a commuter bike.

Crusader Sports 250 cc single 1959–1966
A unit construction 248 cc OHV engine with 17 bhp. A bit more sporty as the standard Crusader.

Source

/surjaonwheelz