Just Ride.

Should this ride thread be just a.... well, thread? Or should there be a dedicated Forum topic?

  • Yes, it's own topic in the Forums

    Votes: 19 90.5%

  • Nah... threads good enough.

    Votes: 2 9.5%
  • Total voters
    21
  • Poll closed .
jetmechmarty said:
I’ve got four days cumulative total on the Interceptor. I like it very much. Great bike. If I wanted a new bike instead of all this XS650 stuff I could have it and be happy. But, it’s too much the same as the XS650. The RE being new is easier to accessorize. With XS650s in the garage, I can’t justify it. If not for that, I’m sure I’d be happy living with the RE.
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I went and bought an Interceptor, without a test ride, but that wouldn't've told me what I needed to know. I like it very much, it really is a great bike, I found the engine had definite character, the 270° crank trick, gives the bike a bit of off-beat warble. Mine's had aftermarket spending, Commando-style silencers, more comfy seat, money spent on the suspension. And it was always going to be hard to justify having the Interceptor as well as the XS650.

And a short test ride would not have answered that point. After running the Interceptor for a while, began to use Miss November again and it's the RE that's been advertised. More than two months now, wish somebody would hurry up and buy it.
 
jetmechmarty said:
Yes. I contend they’re all filling the same niche.
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In fact, my last bike was a 2007 Hinckley Bonneville. It reminded me so much of the XS650 I had back in 1976, I went and sold the Bonneville and bought an XS650 again.

Biggest gripe I have of the modern retro bikes is that they're maybe 50kg heavier than they should be. Progress?
 
Its been a long time said:
. . . Biggest gripe I have of the modern retro bikes is that they're maybe 50kg heavier than they should be. Progress?
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Exactly that! Far too many of the retro bikes but notably Triumph and H-D have forgotten the simplicity of the originals - a loss that seems to involve extra weight.
 
Raymond said:
have forgotten the simplicity of the originals - a loss that seems to involve extra weight.
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Was browsing through the Victor book last night and was amazed to see the empty weight is listed as 255lbs... that's for a '68, 450 class street/scrambler.
If they made a retro Victor, it'd most likely be at least 50lbs heavier.
 
Jim said:
Was browsing through the Victor book last night and was amazed to see the empty weight is listed as 255lbs... that's for a '68, 450 class street/scrambler.
If they made a retro Victor, it'd most likely be at least 50lbs heavier.
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Perhaps sir could be interested in the modern equivalent? The BSA Goldstar? A mere 201kg or in old money just 442lbs.

I like the new Goldstar in principle. But that is a stupid amount of mass for what should be a simple lightweight motorcycle.

https://www.bsacompany.co.uk/bsa-goldstar/
 
Its been a long time said:
Progress?
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Maybe, but I’m not feeling it. I have a task to do next week. It’s about six hours on the XS650 to get to that location. I have no concerns about making the trip on the XS650 other than will I be able to tolerate the heat. Will I be able to tolerate the heat? The bike certainly can.

The last iteration of the air cooled Sportster was up over 50 lbs over the previous. The newest Sportster is related in name only, so I don’t consider it. I expect it’s heavy, I know it’s expensive, and I know I’m not interested. For kick in the ass, I still have an XS1100.
 
Its been a long time said:
Perhaps sir could be interested in the modern equivalent? The BSA Goldstar? A mere 201kg or in old money just 442lbs.

I like the new Goldstar in principle. But that is a stupid amount of mass for what should be a simple lightweight motorcycle.

https://www.bsacompany.co.uk/bsa-goldstar/
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It’s not a Goldstar any more than the newest Sportster is a Sportster.
Stuart did three comprehensive reviews on it. The takeaway is that it’s a good bike. Once again, I believe it fills the same niche as my XS650.
 
Jim said:
Was browsing through the Victor book last night and was amazed to see the empty weight is listed as 255lbs... that's for a '68, 450 class street/scrambler.
If they made a retro Victor, it'd most likely be at least 50lbs heavier.
Click to expand...

255 sounds optimistic I remember them heavier than that
Here are some specs for the 1969 BSA Victor 441:


  • Engine: Single cylinder, air-cooled, 441cc, OHV, bore x stroke of 79mm x 90mm, compression ratio of 9.4:1, Amal Concentric 30mm carburetor, battery and coil ignition, 28 horsepower at 6,500 rpm


  • Transmission: 4-speed gearbox, chain primary, wet clutch


  • Frame: Tubular steel, semi cradle


  • Forks: BSA telescopic


  • Rear suspension: Swinging arm with Girling shocks


  • Brakes: Front 8 in, rear 7 in


  • Tires: Front 3.25 x 19, rear 4.00 x 18


  • Seat height: 790 mm


  • Wheelbase: 1346 mm


  • Weight 139 kg = 305 lb
 
Its been a long time said:
Perhaps sir could be interested in the modern equivalent? The BSA Goldstar? A mere 201kg or in old money just 442lbs.

I like the new Goldstar in principle. But that is a stupid amount of mass for what should be a simple lightweight motorcycle.

https://www.bsacompany.co.uk/bsa-goldstar/
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Yep, and they can’t sell ‘em anyhow. Stupid deals available if you are interested.
I’d buy a Gold Star rep and enjoy the classic realism thanks.
 
Adamc said:
Yep, and they can’t sell ‘em anyhow. Stupid deals available if you are interested.
I’d buy a Gold Star rep and enjoy the classic realism thanks.
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Really? They're poor sellers? As it happens, I'm pretty much done with modern retro bikes now I've had the Hinckley Bonneville. I thought a new BSA would be a slam dunk sales wise. But I think a modern parallel twin would have been a lot more popular.
 
Its been a long time said:
Really? They're poor sellers? As it happens, I'm pretty much done with modern retro bikes now I've had the Hinckley Bonneville. I thought a new BSA would be a slam dunk sales wise. But I think a modern parallel twin would have been a lot more popular.
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Where I believe they went wrong is on the Power side
Back then parallel twins was Bought by young lads .. Here not many under 500 cc 650 the norm.
And they used the throttle .. Even so much that the people in town called the cops sometimes
They today have the looks. Mufflers and electronics. Emissions and so All in all OK
I dont believe the weight is a problem.

But who are going to buy it .If it is to tame it wont appeal to them had one older
Even if older Blokes now and dont ride as they used to It is a Buzz kill spending money and nothing happens the few times they are trying to keep up with the mates .

Perhaps the Royal Enfield can move but I cannot find any video someone revving it . Just a lot of talk
Action speaks louder than Words .. Sure it is not a sports bike .And there are better suited bikes for that.
but i find it Strange that no one is actually -- Driving it dynamically .. Braking cornering
It sends signals it is not capable doing it.
I dont know what they are after but perhaps a sport model Royal Enfield Interceptor SS
Would be different
In my View the XS 650 Roars and Move .. If one wants . Not so Bad.
If I get worse enjoyment with a new bike It is a difficult sell.
Perhaps they are after other buyers .. Beginners perhaps .But a begginer soon is no beginner and starts wanting more power.

Yamaha Needs to step up with the XS 650 -- 2.0 Series .. Again showing how it is done
But maybe I am to partial .. Some tell me it is the worst bike they have owned.
What do I care it is the sensation .. I am not after a slow low power silent non vibrating bike.
 
IMG_3197.jpeg

I went hauling ass up Angeles Crest on this thing over Thanksgiving. I think driving anything any faster on a twisted public road would have been reckless. I had it pasted to the rear of a Triumph sport bike. It also handled Los Angeles freeway traffic just fine. No, it’s not a sport bike, it’s a fun bike! It also looks retro cool. If you’re looking for a track bike, this isn’t it, but performs well on the street.
 
jetmechmarty said:
View attachment 333743

I went hauling ass up Angeles Crest on this thing over Thanksgiving. I think driving anything any faster on a twisted public road would have been reckless. I had it pasted to the rear of a Triumph sport bike. It also handled Los Angeles freeway traffic just fine. No, it’s not a sport bike, it’s a fun bike! It also looks retro cool. If you’re looking for a track bike, this isn’t it, but performs well on the street.
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Do you feel it is the same as XS 650 ?
And straight line ? -- Dropping a gear and give it max ?
 
Jan_P said:
Do you feel it is the same as XS 650 ?
And straight line ? -- Dropping a gear and give it max ?
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I don’t think it feels quite the same as the XS650. The power is about the same. The XS comes on sooner. The RE is butter smooth and doesn’t seem to mind running at 75 mph. @Raymond knows it far better, or @motormike
 
And riding off into the sunset.
uly bye.jpg
Not often I'll admit I've been defeated (I so understand Jan6th) but... At the intersection of work on it and ride this just would not pass go. Even if I won now I wouldn't feel secure that I had done so while out a thousand miles from home.
Now hunting for that elusive, feet forward, every bell and whistle, multi-state tour bike that weighs 400 lbs. :eek:
 
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