Tag Archives: 650 Interceptor

Industry News, Latest News, Manufacturers, Royal Enfield

Royal Enfield Marks 120th Year With Anniversary Edition Models

Royal Enfield Marks 120th Year With Anniversary Edition Models Of The Interceptor And Continental GT 650 Motorcycles.

To commemorate Royal Enfield’s landmark 120th celebrations and their heritage as the oldest motorcycle manufacturer in production, the brand today unveiled the 120th Year Anniversary Editions of its popular 650 Twin motorcycles – the Interceptor INT 650 and the Continental GT 650 at EICMA 2021. 

Conceptualized and designed to showcase Royal Enfield’s rich and storied legacy, the motorcycles present a unique opportunity for global enthusiasts to own a piece of motorcycling history. With a limited production run of only 480 units; distributed as 120 units each for Europe, India, South-East Asia, and the Americas – 60 Continental GT 650 and 60 Interceptor INT 650 – these motorcycles are true collectors items. 

The globally successful 650 Twin motorcycles – the Interceptor and the Continental GT – have received immense love from riding enthusiasts across the world and in the process have also raked in numerous, coveted global automotive awards. Inspired by the legendary Royal Enfield Interceptor 750 and Continental GT 250 of the 1960’s, these motorcycles have been instrumental in the brand’s global expansion and success over the last few years. The significance and relevance of the Interceptor INT and the Continental GT 650, both in Royal Enfield’s glorious past, and modern history, made them an obvious choice for the anniversary edition. 

The 120th Year anniversary edition Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 have been designed and handcrafted by the company’s teams across the UK and India. The unique, rich black-chrome tank colour scheme has been developed in-house using Royal Enfield’s industry-leading chroming technology at the company’s original 1950’s manufacturing factory in Thiruvottiyur, Chennai – India. 

To complement the black chrome tanks, both the Continental GT 650 and Interceptor 650 will feature, for the first time, completely blacked out components with the engine, silencer and other elements in an array of black colour schemes. The motorcycles will also come equipped with a range of Genuine Motorcycle Accessories such as flyscreens, engine guards, heel guards, touring and bar end mirrors amongst others in a black disguise to complement the overall design. 

In celebration of the brand’s renown for finishes by hand, the 120th Year Anniversary edition motorcycles will feature a very unique, handcrafted, die-cast brass tank badge. These exquisite looking brass badges have been made in collaboration with the ‘Sirpi Senthil’ family who are multi-generational artisans from the temple town of Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. Particularly specialized in making the elegant brass effigies for the most revered temples in India for centuries, this is the first time that these artisans have collaborated with any automotive brand. The motorcycles will also be finished with the legendary Royal Enfield hand-painted pinstripes.

To make each motorcycle even more exclusive, the tank top badge will feature its own unique serial number indicating that it is 1 of 60 unique motorcycles in any of the four regions mentioned around the world. Additionally, the motorcycles will also adorn a side panel decal that is a tribute to Royal Enfield’s 120 years. 

Speaking on the launch, Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director of Eicher Motors Ltd. said, “Few brands can celebrate the kind of legacy and history that Royal Enfield has enjoyed over the last century and there was simply no better way of celebrating this milestone than sharing a piece of it with our consumers around the world in the form of the 120th Anniversary Edition 650 Twin motorcycles. Both the Interceptor and the Continental GT enjoy huge global success just as they did in the 1960’s, and truly represent our heritage of making simple and enjoyable motorcycles” 

The 120 Limited Edition units will be available to the European market in Q1 2022 (calendar year). Prices and route to market to be shared in the new year. 

About the Royal Enfield 650 Twin Motorcycles 

Launched in September 2018, the 650 Twins have been extremely well received by motorcycle enthusiasts in Europe and across the globe. The Interceptor 650 – a quintessential roadster, won several awards globally, including MCN’s (UK) Best Retro Motorcycle of the Year 2019 and 2020, becoming the only brand to win this particular accolade twice in a row. It has also been the highest selling naked style motorcycle for calendar year 2020 in the UK (as per MCIA data from January 2020 – to December 2020) dominating the mid-sized segment for over a year and propelling Royal Enfield to become one of the fastest growing motorcycle brands in the country.

For more Royal Enfield news check out our dedicated page Royal Enfield News

or head to the official Royal Enfield website royalenfield.com/

Industry News, Latest News, Manufacturers, Royal Enfield

Bad Winners Present the 650 Twins Motokit

Internationally renowned custom house Bad Winners have released their new purpose designed ‘Motokit’ for the Royal Enfield 650 TWINS range. Crafted and produced by Bad Winners in their Parisian workshop, this kit has been specifically designed to fit the 650 Continental and 650 Interceptor.

Back in 2019 Bad Winners took up the challenge given to them by Royal Enfield to design and craft a unique custom bike based on the 650 Interceptor. While the order was for one unique custom build, it seemed the logical next step for Bad Winners to independently develop a replica Motokit version which could then be bought and self-assembled at home by any Royal Enfield Twins owner.

Bad Winners’ motivation behind the development of the MotoKit was to add elements of their own signature custom build style to optimize the style of the 650 Twins and refine the riding experience, while bringing a contemporary touch and a premium finish to both the Twins models that have already become timeless classics.

At the front of the motorcycle, a Renthal Streetbar has been installed and customised to accommodate six push buttons and an adaptive electronics box to connect to the vehicle’s original wiring loom. A discreet and elegant Tiny Speedo Motogadget replaces the original speedometer, as do new Oberon Performance mirrors. In a continued effort to sharpen the look, the front end of the vehicle was fitted with a Koso Thunderbolt headlight to enhance the bespoke headlight shell. The turn signals have been replaced and are cleverly placed in the Bad Winners headlight mounts.

It is, however, the rear of the vehicle that presents the most notable modifications. Without changing the overall geometry of the motorcycle, kit owners are directed to cut the original rear buckle in order to install a new one that will shorten the seat by 5cm. The seat, in imitation leather or real leather (optional), is also handmade by Bad Winners, as are the mudguard and plate holder that are included in the kit. The rear light has also been replaced by an LED system that fits into the extension of the seat.

The mechanical aspect of the vehicle has also been customised thanks to the Performance Kit and the Suspension Kit that optimize comfort and riding precision.

The Performance Kit offers a choice of three different exhausts: a pair of S&S slip ons, the S&S 2-in-1 exhaust system or a pair of Spark classic silencers. The air filter and holder have been replaced with an S&S filter. The kit also includes a Dynojet power commander with a pre-configured mapping to optimize the functioning of all the kit’s elements.

Finally, the front and rear suspensions have also been replaced. The front fork is equipped with a YSS upgrade kit, while we offer a choice of three different rear shocks: Bitubo rear shock, YSS Nitro rear shock or YSS Nitro cylinder rear shock.

This Motokit is available in 4 mini-kits: Front kit / Seat kit / Suspension kit / Performance kit. It is sold as a whole kit, but each mini-kit is also available individually. The custom parts that were developed for this project are also sold individually in the Bad Winners store.

For more Royal Enfield news check out our dedicated page Royal Enfield News

or head to the official Royal Enfield website royalenfield.com/

Aftermarket, Industry News, Latest News, Venhill

Featherlight clutch cable for Interceptor

Venhill have developed a Featherlight clutch cable for Royal Enfield’s new 650 Interceptor – offering owners of the best-selling parallel twin a lighter, smoother, longer-lasting experience, for a modest outlay

Designed and made in the British motorcycle control specialists’ factory, the Featherlight cable provides a lighter, smoother action, improved feel, and increased durability compared to the OE version.

Each one features Venhill’s high quality Featherlight cabling: marine-grade stainless steel inner wire that resists stretching and a ‘teflon’ liner, for minimum friction and a lighter action. It also removes the need for lubrication.

The cables are all ‘Bird-caged’ – a special process applied to the end of the inner cable wire, which allows solder to penetrate the weave of the cable, making the bond with the nipple much stronger, while adding extra strength and durability. The process significantly reduces the risk of  cable breakage when put under repeated stress and pressure.

Venhill cables are a straight swap with the originals for ease of fitment – so there’s no need for any modifications.

The Featherlight clutch cable retails at £24.14 (incl. VAT) and is available in Black, Blue, Green, Grey, Orange, Red and Yellow. It fits all models of the 650 Interceptor (2019 on).

Visit www.venhill.co.uk or call 01306 885111 for further details.