The Interceptor
Continental GT 650
Regular readers of Cafe Racer magazine will know how fond we are of Royal Enfield’s single-cylinder Continental GT. The spritley, 535cc thumper has long held a place in our garage fleet, serving us well as a backroads scratcher par excellence and a sturdy, everyday commuter ride. The Harris Bros. designed chassis and top-notch Italian Paoli suspension makes the GT a true factory cafe racer, while the 1960s styling brings smiles to the mugs of bike enthusiasts and everyday Joes. We’ve been hearing rumors of a new series of parallel twin Enfields for years now, as the company is eager to delve into the rich history it created back in the ton-up era with their quick, handsome Interceptor 750. Well, feast your peepers on the newly released Continental GT 650 and the classically-styled Interceptor, both due in dealerships for 2018. The bikes are based on the earlier GT’s Harris chassis and suspenders though they’re now fitted with six-speed gearboxes, anti-lock brakes and what’s said to be a 47 horsepower output at a smooth, untroubled 7,000RPM. The Interceptor’s lines are evocative of the original bike’s classic British design, but 21st Century updates include a hex-stitched brat-style flat saddle and orange, red or silver paint. The more racy GT looks very similar to the single of the same name, but boasts a true ton-plus top speed as opposed to the single’s 80-ish MPH max. We’re eager to throw a leg over both and RE has just informed us there’s a U.S. launch scheduled for early spring, so stay tuned.
