I've went for the Interceptor. I have bought it second hand. I could have had a Street twin or even a scrambler for the same price (wich was my dream bike for several years). but, if Triumph quality if far better, it feels too modern for me, from the engine, to the feeling of the controls. I am a classic car owner, and I have vintage bikes. The interceptor, in that point of view, is much more authentic, much more old school.
The scrambler makes more sense don’t they ?? I don’t know about the street twin but I also get the RE interceptor 😂😂😂 it’s been 3 years i loving every bit Cheaper parts and lower maintenance and easily repaired at home with simple tools is a 5 star for me anyday
Yes, it's a "conscience decision", whether Royal Enfield or Triumph. Two years ago I went through the same process: my menu included Moto Guzzi V7, T100, Harley Davidson Sportster, Ducati, BMW R-Nine-T, and Kawasaki W800 and more. The price differences are of course enormous, but...I didn't care, I could have managed somehow: I wanted to give myself a present for my 60th anniversary! I rode the Ducati, the BMW (goood), tried the Kawasaki, unfortunately only briefly a Triumph Scrambler 900 because of the weather, no chance with the Harley and Moto Guzzi - a pity... The most impressive thing for me was the lightness and handling of the Royal Enfield, the moped looked authentic, just like in the old days. The engine - without liquid cooling, with a really excellent sound, smooth and free-revving with perfectly adequate torque - really impressed me. The whole thing didn't seem over-designed, too heavy or too sluggish. The liveliness, despite only 48PS, is "enough" for me. I thought about it for a day, the strongest competitor was the Kawasaki W800, which I liked similarly, but seemed heavier. The BMW was too much money, too many extras, too much horsepower, but too short a seat, no rev counter, and more negative pimples when I saw the price tag. The Ducati seemed "put on", never quite right (in my eyes), weird cockpit. Now I'm still happy with my new big love, about 10.000km, I'm just sitting in the garden tonight, it's still warm, and I've got myself a comfy chair with a perfect view of my (Indian) beauty...call me crazy...ok
I am a ex Hayabusa owner who moved to an interceptor and a Goldstar. It has completed changed my view on riding a bike! I love them both so relaxing to sit back and enjoy the ride. Thank you both for introducing me to this kind of riding😀
I was looking at T100 when a 2003 kawasaki W650 came along with 1300 miles on the clock, now theres a bike with character. Great video as always guys👍👍👍😆😆
Just bought an interceptor dark version last week.. very tempted by the T100. the interceptor is a lot closer than it appears on paper... it came down to money in the end, 23 plate 300 mile interceptor for £4.5K or close to £8K for the same age trumpet... I don't regret my decision.. really enjoying the bike 👍
I was in the market for a new bike. Had plenty of Harleys but wanted a parallel twin. I rode all the Triumphs, including the 1200cc beasts. What did I buy? INTERCEPTOR 650. The collaboration between Harris Performance and S&S has produced one hell of a bike. Ride it as-is or customise until your heart's content. It's full of character and so much fun to ride. You've got to get yourself a test ride on an 865-converted Interceptor. What a grin inducing monster! I totally understand people's comments about a superior fit and finish from Triumph, but the character just isn't the same.
The extra $3,000 is found after the first 10k miles. I have a T120 my friend has an interceptor. 1.) my service intervals are 1/3rd as her. 2.) the quality difference becomes increasingly apparent the longer you have it. She has pitting in the chrome and the start of rust. I have neither. Off the show room floor I agree they are very close. Long term ownership I would say the gap more than makes up for the price difference.
Also the 80Nm of the T100 which is 28Nm more which is a lot more. I owned a Interceptor & loved it but had it short comings.Soft steel bolts front forks ain't that good & lots of cast bits.The RE 650 engine casing is 20% to big looks wise rear pipe is real heavy & needs to be replaced.Interceptor is best RE but needs atleast 1.5-2k nz dollars spent on it YSS forks,rear pipe,Air filter atleast then there's levers mirrors etc & can add up quick but still cheaper than T100.I would go for the T100 or Speedtwin 900 which I got,& maintenance schedule is alot longer & quality better & resale value better.Used RE 650's are cheap as chips & now these tons of them about when I had mine not many around & a modified RE 650 sold for more than a new one but not now there's tons about.
I have a continental GT 2020, still looks new, air cooled! Performance wise can keep up with the Triumph and handling as good. You can pick them up for around £5000 from some dealers.
@@pauleckett6713 I think EU is different than a lot of places in the US. For one, anywhere we get snow the roads are salted to an inch of their life. The salt sits around well into spring. I'm not saying RE is "bad". I think its tremendous value for money. I DO think a Triumph is much more a "for life" bike, where as RE is a for the next 5 years bike. It is however almost inarguable that the service intervals of 3k miles Vs 10k can eat into initial savings over time. 3k also means you are taking it in a couple-several times over the course of a season. 10k means once, maybe twice a season. Its the total cost of ownership on Triumphs that exceeds REs.
The triumph is almost 'japanese' in its quality and performance on the road. The service intervals alone would never make me consider the RE. Besides, the only reason i bought a z900rs is becase the t100/street twin has only a single disc at the front, otherwise i would've bought Triumph.
@DerpEye Streetwjn,Speedtwin has a front 4pot Brembo which is more than adequate as the T100 only has a front 2 pot Brembo but is 14kg heavier. Z900 is a great bike.
I went into a Triumph/Royal Enfield dealer about two months ago to buy an Interceptor. I ended up testing out an Interceptor and a Bonnie before passing a used 2019 Street Twin that already had the exhaust, mirrors, and indicators that I wanted. Bought the used Street Twin for $7500 and could not be happier
I tried both and found more differences. (In fact, I tested the T120) The Triumph is way better for short riders. Its weight is lower (I could really feel it), seat is lower. The Triumph 1st gear is very long! Too long for cities like Brussels (speed limit is +/- 20 mph nearly everywhere 😢). The Interceptor seemed more stable to me, the Triumph direction was too ”nervous” for me. So, between these too, I'll choose the... V7 😂
My 4 year old Interceptor with 45000km on the clock still looks bloody good..no rust or anything like that. It's a very capable and ultra reliable bike made even better with a 16t front sprocket, DID 525 chain and YSS suspension front and rear. I love the T100 don't get me wrong and it's overall probably better... but three grand better, not for me. I quite fancy the Guzzi though!
The maintenance intervals on the Triumph make the difference in money worth considering. That, and the torque of the engine places it in a higher category.
I have a 2019 Interceptor and have put over 24k kms on it. The addition of sports pipes and DNA filter kit takes it up to a new level of performance and enjoyment. It also gets admiring glances and comments every time I take it out. The best bang for your buck on the market, in my opinion
If I bought a Boneville, I’ll regret that I could get an Interceptor for much cheaper But if I bought an Intercepter, I’d regret I should have paid more to get a Boneville. I just want both of them. But then again, I’ll regret that too when I see one of them gets stuck in my garage.
The girlfriend and myself toured Spain on our Interceptors and had no problems, they were great on the mountain roads. However the big plus with the Interceptor over the t100 is you can service the Interceptor yourself which makes running costs a lot cheaper. (Have a t100 as well but an 04.)
I’ve had my Interceptor for over 4 years and I absolutely love it. I test road a Street Twin and a T100 and for me the Interceptor wins hands down on looks and that’s the most important thing to me. Yes, there are some cheaper parts on it but these are easily replaceable for quality aftermarket parts as the bike is well known as a customisable platform for many owners. I’ve replaced quite a few cosmetic parts but the biggest improvements I’ve made are changing the front and rear suspension for YSS components and the beautiful but very heavy and restrictive headers and end cans for big bore polished, stainless free flow headers and Zard silencers which are a thing of beauty. These are high quality and fairly expensive aftermarket components that look stunning and are far superior to the standard RE parts. They also shed a good 10kgs in weight. Having had quite a few much faster bikes including another that I own, my Interceptor is the bike that I love more than any other. If ultimately more power is what you need then go for whatever floats your boat but I’ve come to the conclusion that my beautiful (in my eyes) Interceptor is all the bike I will ever need.
I love my Interceptor and I don't think I'd get rid of it in favor of the T100, but I'd swap it in a heartbeat for a T120. I use Rain X for plastic on my helmet visor and windshield, it works like a champ at shedding water. Way better then some clunky, silly looking wiper lol
I got back into riding 4 years ago with an Interceptor and loved it for 4 months... traded it in on a Triumph T120 and moved to a different level... The Triumph is superior in every way, ride stability, fit and finish, power (of course)... The Interceptor is a great starter bike, but it feels like a cheap bike and sounds like a sewing machine. I upgraded the exhaust and airbox then it had decent sound/power. The necessary mods get you close to the price of the T100 anyway. If you can afford it, get the Triumph you'll never regret it.
As an interceptor owner I will agree that the Triumph T100 build quality is much better but there’s not much in it when it comes to the ride as you correctly pointed out! It all boils down to Personal Taste! The interceptor is without doubt the better looking bike imho,I test ride it first then the T100 it was a close call but for me the Interceptor won I don’t have any regrets at all, love the bike!
The Bonneville lost a lot of character when Triumph decided on a 270 degree crank in the water-cooled bikes to emulate a v-twin engine. The older 360 degree crank air-cooled bikes felt more characterful, more British.
After watching your first Interceptor review a few years ago I was convinced to get one myself. I like to tinker with motorcycles so I turned mine into a street scrambler and it looks amazing. From the tail tidy, led billet bullet style turn signals, high scrambler pipe and knobby tires I aimed for a tasteful, yet rugged look and it's been completely transformed. It's only been a scrambler for a week and I've had so many looks and even had a guy find me in a hardware store to comment on my bike. It absolutely oozes character, style and has a cool factor on par with a triumph bobber now. I love it to bits, thank you for the suggestion. I'm an avid RE fan now! I think the speedmaster will be my next addition though for longer cruises with my harley buddies, the Interceptor scrambler will be my go to around town and adventuring bike.
Purchased an Interceptor off the show room floor.... new 2020.... price then was very good. I've done several solo adventures of 1500 miles plus.... at times on the interstates and it cruises at 75mph for hours.... I didn't entertain the thought if the Triumph.. the cost Vs return over the RE didn't justify the expense. I tell others everyone built a 650 twin over the pass 80 years... ( I have most of them BSA, 3 Xs650's and the fabled old school Triton ) RE got " 650 twin " perfected 😎
One thing I'll say in the Interceptor's favor, from the research I've done it seems like there's a lot more options for customization. You can turn that interceptor into just about any style
I have the Interceptor 650 with the chrome and black tank, bought secondhand after my previous bike was written off in a garage fire. I also bought a vintage scambler kit from Bonvent motorcycles which has made it look wonderful, added a big bore exhaust system from TEC which perfected the soundtrack, then scrambler tyres to complete the look . . . my dream bike for the price of a new Interceptor 🙂
Both the Interceptor and the Bonneville were on my list as my favourite bikes. But in May I decided to buy one of the last old model Himalayan's. No regrets and I'm really happy with it. But I think I would have been happy with any of these three bikes. What I like about the Himalayan is that you can also take it off-road and it looks much better than most modern adventure bikes.
Over 20 years I owned a Triumph Bonneville 800, an Adventurer, a T100, a Trident 900 and a Street Twin, I thought that I would have a change and bought a new Baker Express Interceptor, I really did not like the handling, brakes or riding position, I tried improvements, fitted TEC exhausts, IKON rear shocks, YSS mod to front forks and still didn't really like it very much, kept it for a year and 6000 miles and sold it. I thought about the bike I liked most and bought a 2001 Bonneville 800, low mileage and I gave it a major service and clean up, and think it knocks spots off the Interceptor. I am rather a RE fan and have previously owned a Classic 500, a Himalayan and a Classic 350, currently have a Bullet 500 UCE, but I think Triumph have the edge and the quality, handling and ergonomics are worth the extra money. But, you pays your money... Nice video.
I have the 2003 T100, paid £4250 for it 2 years ago, with 10k miles on. Absolutely love it, both for riding and the looks. Less than the price of an RE, and imho, much better.
I personally bought the Interceptor in 2022 in the downtown drag paint scheme. Installed the touring seat with peashooter exhaust and haven’t looked back. 🎉
I have the same cali green interceptor 650 and i put the RE brown touring seat and it fixed the issue, not to mention the brown leather with diamond stitching compliments the dark green quite well. I know firm seats are good for distance but the stock seat is not firm its painfully hard, the touring seat is the correct firmness.
I had the interceptor for one year and traded up to the Triumph T120. I just love the design of Triumph way more and if you like the torque and power then go for the Bonneville. Additionally, the up swept exhaust on RE get in the way of proper panniers for touring.
Great review, I owned an interceptor which I loved, not a bad word to say about it. But I sold it and bought the T100. I prefer the T100 as I find the ride so smooth and that HT 900 engine is a dream. As for the Moto guzzi. I looked at one of those and when I asked the dealer about servicing costs it soon put me off. The Triumph 10000 miles servicing intervals, RE 3000. It’s about the running costs as well as the feel of the bike for me.
Great video guys - would be awesome to see a 4 bike comparison with these two, the V7, and a W800 (I know it's not available new in the UK but it deserves to be there!)
The slanting bock and the upswept silencers of a black tank Interceptor got me back into motorcycling after 38 years - previous bikes being a 750cc Bonnie and a T160 1,000 cc Hyde Trident. The interceptor transforms to a very flickable and noticeably quicker bike when single-skin headers, lighter silencers and fuel booster are fitted - just like my old Bonnie. Add a Lithium battery, lighter rear shocks, lose the cross brace and one horn, and the dry weight falls below 190 kg. Imagine that with an 850 cc conversion - I simply don't understand why RE don't offer an 850 cc option. Bullet rear and tiny LED front indicators on ally headlight brackets add to the classic look as does stainless mudguards and gold tank and side panel decals. Mirror polished breather cover and reed valve covers (after using strong paint remover ), and a few brass bits, adds more classic shine ( crankcase grey and front fork black paint to go this winter maybe ). Then decent foot-pegs and, please someone, a seat that covers the horizontal frame tubes (which can be shortened). Being tall I raised the clocks up high into my peripheral vision via an £ 2 ally bracket (though new ignition switch needed). The Interceptor is so easy to customise back to the 60s !
Thanks for making me feel good about my purchase of a Royal Enfield (the 650cc Continental). I bought a demo bike, even better value but I have spent a bit on it to reduce its weight i.e. Li-ion battery (I'd strongly recommend doing that), TEC 2 into 1 exhaust system (big weight saving) and many other smaller changes. Currently I have the rear wheel out of the bike as I slowly change from chain to belt drive (about another half kilogram in weight saving so I'm told).
Nice comparison video, i think the Triump looked very good and cool. I never considered one, though, as my dealer never had one to offer. I went for value for my money and got an RE650INT and for the money saved my wife got an RE350Classic, which she loves very much indeed. I am an old man, had a few different bikes in both style and attitude over the years, all served me good in their way. My first bike, a HondaCX500, was an extremely fun and realible bike, then an old Harley 750 which i traded for an BuellX1Lightning in 99. Now the Royal Enfield serve all my needs when i ride, even the 350Classic is incredible fun and easygoing. But enough said, if i tried the Triump first, i would probably easy go with it, love the look.
Awesome review as always guys. I absolutely love watching all your videos and have been a long term subscriber, great fun to watch you both, keep them going! I have a Triumph Street Twin and when I saw the title of this video I thought hello.. gotta watch this! As always you’re absolutely spot on because I also rode the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 before going for the Street Twin and I have to say everything you say in your review absolutely bangs home! The only additional I’d add was that I’m a shorter 5’ 7” guy (in heels) and I found one the major problems with the Interceptor was that I feels so top heavy in comparison to the Triumph 900, whether it be a Street Twin or perhaps a T100. I love the torque in the Triumph as well but you do have to test ride them both because you guys are right; the Interceptor 650 is amazing and it comes down to a subjective choice.. and your height! LOL Will just say though that you guys are great, love your posts, really like the mods you’re doing to your new ‘Motogoodie’ because those exhausts are great!
Oh yeah, My Int650 won "best British" at 3 bike shows and was up against some bloody nice Triumphs. 😅😂 Mine: Motone brass shock finishing kit Motone brass bobbins Motone slingshot headlight brackets Tec-bike bar end mirrors Tec-bike brake and clutch foot pedals Tec-bike rear tail light Purpose Built Moto hollow tip mini bullet indicators (I drilled the headlight bucket sides to mount the front indicators) Royal Aces leather side bag in tobacco brown (replaces rh side cover) I polished the cases and stainless covers The changes aren't anything outrageous but they really lift the aesthetics.
They are both great looking bike for sure. I am not sure the Triumph is over 3,000 pounds better though. I have an interceptor and have made lots of upgrades from front and rear suspension to exhaust air filter and bar risers to name a few. That's what I love about the interceptor though, the fact you can customize it easily. It's a blank canvas and a keeper for me. Thanks for posting great content as usual!
Had to add a comment on this , please don’t be offended it’s just my opinion. The Triumph engine is beautiful to look at , the shape of the cylinder head the engine casings etc , the Enfield doesn’t even compare . Looking at the Triumph it looks like a 60’s Bonny you don’t have to look with unfocused eyes it’s a Lovely looking Bike . As for the build quality I’ve seen brand new Enfield and they don’t look brand new if that makes any sense . The Triumphs ooze quality . As for character if your talking about vibration you can keep that I’d rather have a smooth comfortable bike any day . The Triumph wins easily in all respects in my opinion.
To each their own I guess. I love the looks of the interceptor. The slanted engine, polished casings, upswept exhaust, aggressive lines of the frame.. an absolute looker imo
@@sscbkr48 Great. Just when I thought my mind was made up you had to go and pull me back the other way! Thanks. 😏 Seriously though, those are great points!
I tested both of them the same day, and I bought the Interceptor 650 and I don't regret. I've ridden more than 17.500 kms (or more than 10.800 miles) in one year and a half and the bike is making me very happy and showed no problems at all.
For me it's not even close - Triumph 100% every time. Much prefer the styling, quality and performance over the RE. The dealer I purchased my Triumph from is also a dealer for RE. They lent me an Interceptor whilst my Triumph was being serviced and it confirmed I had made the right decision - for me. In 5 years of ownership I have done 70 000+ km and will never sell my bike, so the upfront cost of the Triumph doesn't matter so much. The great thing about RE is they supply great value bikes and have grown the motorcycle market globally (including new younger riders) - brilliant.
Love my interceptor, only problem is the euro 5. The big bore pipes and cans were making it run super lean (and therefore hot) until I got my power commander. YSS G shocks at the back, it’s now my dream bike!
Measure the Triumph's character at 4,000 RPM to 4,500 RPM in 2nd or 3rd gear. That twin cylinder 900 goes from being a refined gentleman to a roaring monster! And that's with stock pipes! And that low-end torque of the Triumph? That's excellent for urban street riders like me. I live in a sprawling city of 2.5 million that spans several counties. The Triumph handles that kind of riding with aplomb and yet still easily handles the country highways when you have a chance to break out of the confines of the city.
The triumph is a beautiful bike as is the interceptor, you could buy quite a lot of upgrades with 3 grand. I think yr right the Guzzi V7 special is the best choice. The shaft drive is icing on the cake! 😊
I faced this decision last year. I ended up going with the interceptor. My decision boiled down mostly to overall cost of ownership. Like you said in the video, for the price you could own an interceptor and a classic 350, which is on my list to purchase next to go with the interceptor. I found the interceptor here in the states to draw quite a bit of attention with the looks and the sound. A lot of people are surprised as hell to find out that mine is a 2023 model and they could own their own for not a whole lot of money.
I prefer the T100 but 3000 more pounds is lots of money... I think I’d pay the extra miles and go for the T120. This being said, I have a Kawasaki W800 and I love it so much as it is much closer to a real old school motorcycle than the RE and the Triumph.... also than the Moto Guzzi 😉
I also have a kawa w800 and love it. I just bought myself a ktm 790 adventure for the countryside roads we have around, and despite the torque figures in favour of the austrian bike, the low down pull and the sound of the w800 is amazing. I don't think I sell it even when yes, it feels a bit heavy and lacks top end power, however I can have a lot of fun riding it on twisties. But as the authentic option for a 60s flavour bike, it is almost perfect. I love the looks of the v7 as well.
Great video boys 👍 my money as you probably guess is on the triumph, just for long term ownership and quality of finish over time. Keep up the great work chaps 👍
I’m glad you did this, because these are exactly the 3 bikes that I feel are most comparable in this segment of the market, and I really do love them all, and all 3 are under consideration. There’s just one more item of consideration for me, and maybe I’m off on this, but that’s the ease of working on the bike yourself, which I tend to consider the RE Interceptor to have the lead over the other two. I’d love to have your opinions on this.
The thing I particularly like about my Interceptor, is the fact that it is upgradable in a useful & personalised way, which, for me, narrows any notional gap. You can buy a lot of top quality aftermarket items for £3,000 ;) That is half as much again if you are comparing new prices.
Recently I sold my interceptor to get my dream bike, the Scrambler 900. There’s so much more about the triumph when compared to the interceptor. The Royal is amazing but the Triumph is much more. More quality, better riding position, better sound, better maintenance. I think is a better built bike. The Royal is a better cost bike.
Absolutely ❤ my Interceptor & want to eventually purchase the Classic 350 to go with it. Like you said, for the exact same as a Triumph T100. Both of the RE’s are 2 of the best looking modern classics Today. 👊😎👍
Nice review gents 👍 Both great bikes, I went for a T100 Black and I’m very happy with it. Love the engine throaty sound. Materials quality aside, I think it comes down to brand. Both legendary motorbikes brands, it’s about being a RE guy or a Triumph guy 😉
I wish RE would kick it up a notch,and make a 750 Interceptor.Till then,I'd go for a T120 with upswept pipes.Thank you fellas.👍👍 Oh,and Darcy,agree with you on the Guzzi.It's beautiful,with great fit and finish.I have a V85 TT in my stable,and I love it.👌
I think they’ll soon make a liquid cooled 700cc plus motor. Similar to the Himalayan Sherpa engine. I don’t know how much spirit and character will be lost at the cost of power and efficiency.
Greetings from the states… So appreciate your review and comparison of the Bonneville T100 and the interceptor 650. I am recently back in the game after having taken about 10 years off of motorcycling. Got my feet wet again with a 2022 Royal Enfield classic 350. Have loved every minute of it… However, after two years… Feel like it is time to bump up Again. Thought I would be going right to the interceptor 650… However, every time I sit on the triumph speed twin 900… Bonneville T100-…Feels like a natural fit… Finding the Int 650 a bit uncomfortable in comparison. Of course, prices a factor, but at my age of 64… Willing to splurge a little bit more on the quality and comfort. Love what you guys do… Please keep up the great videos!
You guys are so entertaining, even though I hardly ever agree with anything you say. Helmet windscreen whiper, I had to check it wasn't April 1st. I have never understood 'character' as a criteria. I've always felt that it was my job to bring character. The bikes job is to do exactly what I want, when I want it to.
Great comparison! Both are great looking classic bikes. Love the look of Interceptor, but would like something more suitable for both on and off road. If you want the bike, which has classic looks, but will handle offroad, you are more or less left with the scramblers. But these are usually quite heavy and not as capable off road. It would be great if you could make review of Fantic Caballero 500 Rally. Lighter and more offroad focused than Fantic Scrambler 700 you have already reviewed.
Ah guys, my two favorite bikes on my favorite motorcycle channel. Loved the video. For my two pennies, its the Triumph. I think the quality, refinement and extra cc would get my money!
It really isn't a hard choice at all, The T100 is a better bike in every conceivable way. from the levers and mudguard stays to the engine castings to the paint the Triumph is better and all those little parts add up which is why there is a price difference. You never considered longevity at all and as someone who has owned a Bonneville and run it through summer and winter the quality of. the finishes holds up really well. I'm not saying the Royal Enfield isn't a good bike it really is if that is your choice but in terms of cost and quality you really are comparing apples to oranges. Character is not a quantifiable thing and is down to the individual but I find the Bonnevilles all have plenty of character, you get a lovely thump from that parallel twin but you don't get much in the way of intrusive vibes so it really is a subjective thing. I think the Royal Enfield is a fantastic bike (for the price) and it delivers a lot for the money but there is a compromise in quality to be made if you want a cheap bike and I would rather pay for that extra quality.
I was tossing up between a triumph scrambler 900 and an interceptor. My mate who had both said the re had more character. I got one. £3k for a 2020 with 3500 miles on the clock. Love it. Buying a triumph tiger 1998 for £2k with the spare cash.
You could get the interceptor and spend that 3000 on panniers, a screen, and a week around the Scottish Highlands. And still have change for fish and chips on the way home.
+1 on the Guzzi. I have a 750 Guzzi which will be my last bike as I age out. I had a T120 but traded it for a Mandello when they became available, much better for touring and sport riding as well.
Love your work Boys! Your reviews helped plenty to get me into an Interceptor. The potential to personalise the Interceptor was a big factor for me. I am not sure you could go too far or even want to go molesting a V7 or Triumph? You can go nuts and I have with a huge range of aftermarket mods from suppliers all around the planet. Actually just worked it out I have spent the purchase price again for parts, freight and labour, but I have my dream bike now. I get out of bed at 4am on fine mornings to burn up before work. When you parachute into Melbourne, you guys have to come out and go for a rip on the Rod.
Hi guys it's mark from Wirral Merseyside 👍 to be totally honest with you both i would buy both bikes royal Enfield interceptor and triumph T100 and us each bike for a month. Great RUclips video guys 👍 thanks from mark from Wirral Merseyside 👍
Rode one with the sscycle 865 kit, updated camshafts and ecu. It puts out closer to 75hp. The thing is very fast and out ran an R nine T with those skinny tyres.
For me it was the Interceptor. I put some of the spare money into seat, a Quadlock, mirrors and pipes. I really enjoy the bike and the stunning look gives everyone looking at it a smile. Wouldn't have regret buying the Bonneville either.
I have the 23 T 100, only thing i didn’t like was the suspension it was too harsh in the front and too soft in the rear, so I changed the internals in the forks with ohlins and the rear with the fox dampers, much smoother ride now. Also put on some gaitors looks better, love the bike and it sounds so good after decat, bought a titanium decat crossover from AliExpress which fitted perfectly and doesn’t weigh anything a beautiful and perfect bike now.😀
A thing about the royal Enfield is a company called hitchcock sell a bore kit that makes your 650 upto 865 i think from memory it is slightly less hp then the t100 but slightly higher torque
I'm currently looking at these 2 plus the guzzi v7 special as a first 'bigger' bike as my classic 350 lacks slightly with a pillion for longer trips. Haven't test riden either yet but the V7 special looks so awesome! Or I may just wait for the upcoming classic 650 🤔
I have a 2022 Guzzi V7 850 Special, and a 2022 T120 Diamond Edition. I sold this year my 2022 RE 650 INT, and my 2022 Kawasaki W800. I love all 4 bikes, I would love the RE more if they increased the MSRP and made it to a higher standard. I loved the W800 but it had issues with the throttle bodies that took weeks to sort out. I bought the T120 used this year with 7500 miles, it is the most "polished" for sure, but of course the Guzzi is excellent.
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I've went for the Interceptor. I have bought it second hand. I could have had a Street twin or even a scrambler for the same price (wich was my dream bike for several years). but, if Triumph quality if far better, it feels too modern for me, from the engine, to the feeling of the controls. I am a classic car owner, and I have vintage bikes. The interceptor, in that point of view, is much more authentic, much more old school.
The scrambler makes more sense don’t they ?? I don’t know about the street twin but I also get the RE interceptor 😂😂😂 it’s been 3 years i loving every bit
Cheaper parts and lower maintenance and easily repaired at home with simple tools is a 5 star for me anyday
My Interceptor will be 5 yrs old next month, still looks like new. Great bike. 👍
Yes, it's a "conscience decision", whether Royal Enfield or Triumph. Two years ago I went through the same process: my menu included Moto Guzzi V7, T100, Harley Davidson Sportster, Ducati, BMW R-Nine-T, and Kawasaki W800 and more. The price differences are of course enormous, but...I didn't care, I could have managed somehow: I wanted to give myself a present for my 60th anniversary!
I rode the Ducati, the BMW (goood), tried the Kawasaki, unfortunately only briefly a Triumph Scrambler 900 because of the weather, no chance with the Harley and Moto Guzzi - a pity...
The most impressive thing for me was the lightness and handling of the Royal Enfield, the moped looked authentic, just like in the old days. The engine - without liquid cooling, with a really excellent sound, smooth and free-revving with perfectly adequate torque - really impressed me. The whole thing didn't seem over-designed, too heavy or too sluggish. The liveliness, despite only 48PS, is "enough" for me.
I thought about it for a day, the strongest competitor was the Kawasaki W800, which I liked similarly, but seemed heavier. The BMW was too much money, too many extras, too much horsepower, but too short a seat, no rev counter, and more negative pimples when I saw the price tag. The Ducati seemed "put on", never quite right (in my eyes), weird cockpit.
Now I'm still happy with my new big love, about 10.000km, I'm just sitting in the garden tonight, it's still warm, and I've got myself a comfy chair with a perfect view of my (Indian) beauty...call me crazy...ok
I am a ex Hayabusa owner who moved to an interceptor and a Goldstar. It has completed changed my view on riding a bike! I love them both so relaxing to sit back and enjoy the ride. Thank you both for introducing me to this kind of riding😀
I was looking at T100 when a 2003 kawasaki W650 came along with 1300 miles on the clock, now theres a bike with character. Great video as always guys👍👍👍😆😆
Just bought an interceptor dark version last week.. very tempted by the T100. the interceptor is a lot closer than it appears on paper... it came down to money in the end, 23 plate 300 mile interceptor for £4.5K or close to £8K for the same age trumpet... I don't regret my decision.. really enjoying the bike 👍
I was in the market for a new bike. Had plenty of Harleys but wanted a parallel twin. I rode all the Triumphs, including the 1200cc beasts. What did I buy? INTERCEPTOR 650.
The collaboration between Harris Performance and S&S has produced one hell of a bike. Ride it as-is or customise until your heart's content. It's full of character and so much fun to ride.
You've got to get yourself a test ride on an 865-converted Interceptor. What a grin inducing monster!
I totally understand people's comments about a superior fit and finish from Triumph, but the character just isn't the same.
The extra $3,000 is found after the first 10k miles. I have a T120 my friend has an interceptor. 1.) my service intervals are 1/3rd as her. 2.) the quality difference becomes increasingly apparent the longer you have it. She has pitting in the chrome and the start of rust. I have neither.
Off the show room floor I agree they are very close. Long term ownership I would say the gap more than makes up for the price difference.
Also the 80Nm of the T100 which is 28Nm more which is a lot more.
I owned a Interceptor & loved it but had it short comings.Soft steel bolts front forks ain't that good & lots of cast bits.The RE 650 engine casing is 20% to big looks wise rear pipe is real heavy & needs to be replaced.Interceptor is best RE but needs atleast 1.5-2k nz dollars spent on it YSS forks,rear pipe,Air filter atleast then there's levers
mirrors etc & can add up quick but still cheaper than T100.I would go for the T100 or Speedtwin 900 which I got,& maintenance schedule is alot longer & quality better & resale value better.Used RE 650's are cheap as chips & now these tons of them about when I had mine not many around & a modified RE 650 sold for more than a new one but not now there's tons about.
I have a continental GT 2020, still looks new, air cooled! Performance wise can keep up with the Triumph and handling as good. You can pick them up for around £5000 from some dealers.
@@pauleckett6713 I think EU is different than a lot of places in the US. For one, anywhere we get snow the roads are salted to an inch of their life. The salt sits around well into spring. I'm not saying RE is "bad". I think its tremendous value for money. I DO think a Triumph is much more a "for life" bike, where as RE is a for the next 5 years bike.
It is however almost inarguable that the service intervals of 3k miles Vs 10k can eat into initial savings over time. 3k also means you are taking it in a couple-several times over the course of a season. 10k means once, maybe twice a season.
Its the total cost of ownership on Triumphs that exceeds REs.
The triumph is almost 'japanese' in its quality and performance on the road. The service intervals alone would never make me consider the RE. Besides, the only reason i bought a z900rs is becase the t100/street twin has only a single disc at the front, otherwise i would've bought Triumph.
@DerpEye Streetwjn,Speedtwin has a front 4pot Brembo which is more than adequate as the T100 only has a front 2 pot Brembo but is 14kg heavier.
Z900 is a great bike.
I went into a Triumph/Royal Enfield dealer about two months ago to buy an Interceptor. I ended up testing out an Interceptor and a Bonnie before passing a used 2019 Street Twin that already had the exhaust, mirrors, and indicators that I wanted. Bought the used Street Twin for $7500 and could not be happier
Smart! Those after market exhaust are expensive.
@@davidskaggs9914 And unnecessary.
The best decision ❤
I tried both and found more differences. (In fact, I tested the T120)
The Triumph is way better for short riders. Its weight is lower (I could really feel it), seat is lower.
The Triumph 1st gear is very long! Too long for cities like Brussels (speed limit is +/- 20 mph nearly everywhere 😢).
The Interceptor seemed more stable to me, the Triumph direction was too ”nervous” for me.
So, between these too, I'll choose the... V7 😂
My 4 year old Interceptor with 45000km on the clock still looks bloody good..no rust or anything like that. It's a very capable and ultra reliable bike made even better with a 16t front sprocket, DID 525 chain and YSS suspension front and rear. I love the T100 don't get me wrong and it's overall probably better... but three grand better, not for me. I quite fancy the Guzzi though!
The maintenance intervals on the Triumph make the difference in money worth considering. That, and the torque of the engine places it in a higher category.
@DerpEye Am happy to do my own servicing on Enfields .
Triumph are more difficult.
I have a 2019 Interceptor and have put over 24k kms on it. The addition of sports pipes and DNA filter kit takes it up to a new level of performance and enjoyment. It also gets admiring glances and comments every time I take it out. The best bang for your buck on the market, in my opinion
If I bought a Boneville, I’ll regret that I could get an Interceptor for much cheaper
But if I bought an Intercepter, I’d regret I should have paid more to get a Boneville.
I just want both of them. But then again, I’ll regret that too when I see one of them gets stuck in my garage.
The duality of man 😂
Facts 😳
@@recoverymail269 Just need a Guzzi V7 850 or Vtt 850 or both & have em all them,then you'll want something else😁😆😂🤣
❤
buy a Triumph speed twin 900. You will have a machine from the Boneville family and it will cost only a little more than the RE.
The girlfriend and myself toured Spain on our Interceptors and had no problems, they were great on the mountain roads. However the big plus with the Interceptor over the t100 is you can service the Interceptor yourself which makes running costs a lot cheaper. (Have a t100 as well but an 04.)
What stops you from servicing the Triumph yourself?
I’ve had my Interceptor for over 4 years and I absolutely love it. I test road a Street Twin and a T100 and for me the Interceptor wins hands down on looks and that’s the most important thing to me. Yes, there are some cheaper parts on it but these are easily replaceable for quality aftermarket parts as the bike is well known as a customisable platform for many owners. I’ve replaced quite a few cosmetic parts but the biggest improvements I’ve made are changing the front and rear suspension for YSS components and the beautiful but very heavy and restrictive headers and end cans for big bore polished, stainless free flow headers and Zard silencers which are a thing of beauty. These are high quality and fairly expensive aftermarket components that look stunning and are far superior to the standard RE parts. They also shed a good 10kgs in weight. Having had quite a few much faster bikes including another that I own, my Interceptor is the bike that I love more than any other. If ultimately more power is what you need then go for whatever floats your boat but I’ve come to the conclusion that my beautiful (in my eyes) Interceptor is all the bike I will ever need.
I love my Interceptor and I don't think I'd get rid of it in favor of the T100, but I'd swap it in a heartbeat for a T120. I use Rain X for plastic on my helmet visor and windshield, it works like a champ at shedding water. Way better then some clunky, silly looking wiper lol
Swapped interceptor for t120. Big difference in power but miss interceptor classic feel. I’m now looking at how I can justify having both 😂
I got back into riding 4 years ago with an Interceptor and loved it for 4 months... traded it in on a Triumph T120 and moved to a different level... The Triumph is superior in every way, ride stability, fit and finish, power (of course)... The Interceptor is a great starter bike, but it feels like a cheap bike and sounds like a sewing machine. I upgraded the exhaust and airbox then it had decent sound/power. The necessary mods get you close to the price of the T100 anyway. If you can afford it, get the Triumph you'll never regret it.
@@timgarnett7636 I have the Interceptor and a Speedmaster. I turned the Interceptor into a scrambler 😂
@@timgarnett7636 Add an x-pipe, British Customs exhaust and a DNK tune and you'll have all the classic feel you can handle...
Make sure you get the RainX for plastics. Another alternative is a ceramic coating.
As an interceptor owner I will agree that the Triumph T100 build quality is much better but there’s not much in it when it comes to the ride as you correctly pointed out! It all boils down to Personal Taste! The interceptor is without doubt the better looking bike imho,I test ride it first then the T100 it was a close call but for me the Interceptor won I don’t have any regrets at all, love the bike!
The Bonneville lost a lot of character when Triumph decided on a 270 degree crank in the water-cooled bikes to emulate a v-twin engine. The older 360 degree crank air-cooled bikes felt more characterful, more British.
After watching your first Interceptor review a few years ago I was convinced to get one myself. I like to tinker with motorcycles so I turned mine into a street scrambler and it looks amazing. From the tail tidy, led billet bullet style turn signals, high scrambler pipe and knobby tires I aimed for a tasteful, yet rugged look and it's been completely transformed. It's only been a scrambler for a week and I've had so many looks and even had a guy find me in a hardware store to comment on my bike. It absolutely oozes character, style and has a cool factor on par with a triumph bobber now. I love it to bits, thank you for the suggestion. I'm an avid RE fan now! I think the speedmaster will be my next addition though for longer cruises with my harley buddies, the Interceptor scrambler will be my go to around town and adventuring bike.
@@carpathiandevil great to hear 👍🏼
Purchased an Interceptor off the show room floor.... new 2020.... price then was very good. I've done several solo adventures of 1500 miles plus.... at times on the interstates and it cruises at 75mph for hours.... I didn't entertain the thought if the Triumph.. the cost Vs return over the RE didn't justify the expense. I tell others everyone built a 650 twin over the pass 80 years... ( I have most of them BSA, 3 Xs650's and the fabled old school Triton ) RE got " 650 twin " perfected 😎
I always really wanted a T100, but I decided on a used interceptor and I couldn’t be happier, what amazing value for money and lovely to ride.
I just bought a 2023 Interceptor. It reminds me of the 60’s model 650 BSA Lightning I always admired in my childhood.
Cali green interceptor for the win love it
One thing I'll say in the Interceptor's favor, from the research I've done it seems like there's a lot more options for customization. You can turn that interceptor into just about any style
I have the Interceptor 650 with the chrome and black tank, bought secondhand after my previous bike was written off in a garage fire. I also bought a vintage scambler kit from Bonvent motorcycles which has made it look wonderful, added a big bore exhaust system from TEC which perfected the soundtrack, then scrambler tyres to complete the look . . . my dream bike for the price of a new Interceptor 🙂
Both the Interceptor and the Bonneville were on my list as my favourite bikes. But in May I decided to buy one of the last old model Himalayan's. No regrets and I'm really happy with it. But I think I would have been happy with any of these three bikes. What I like about the Himalayan is that you can also take it off-road and it looks much better than most modern adventure bikes.
Over 20 years I owned a Triumph Bonneville 800, an Adventurer, a T100, a Trident 900 and a Street Twin, I thought that I would have a change and bought a new Baker Express Interceptor, I really did not like the handling, brakes or riding position, I tried improvements, fitted TEC exhausts, IKON rear shocks, YSS mod to front forks and still didn't really like it very much, kept it for a year and 6000 miles and sold it.
I thought about the bike I liked most and bought a 2001 Bonneville 800, low mileage and I gave it a major service and clean up, and think it knocks spots off the Interceptor.
I am rather a RE fan and have previously owned a Classic 500, a Himalayan and a Classic 350, currently have a Bullet 500 UCE, but I think Triumph have the edge and the quality, handling and ergonomics are worth the extra money.
But, you pays your money... Nice video.
I have the 2003 T100, paid £4250 for it 2 years ago, with 10k miles on. Absolutely love it, both for riding and the looks. Less than the price of an RE, and imho, much better.
Arent they both British built bikes?
The two on test certainly aren't but like to appear as if they were.
I personally bought the Interceptor in 2022 in the downtown drag paint scheme. Installed the touring seat with peashooter exhaust and haven’t looked back. 🎉
Awesome, enjoy 😊
I have the same cali green interceptor 650 and i put the RE brown touring seat and it fixed the issue, not to mention the brown leather with diamond stitching compliments the dark green quite well. I know firm seats are good for distance but the stock seat is not firm its painfully hard, the touring seat is the correct firmness.
I had the interceptor for one year and traded up to the Triumph T120. I just love the design of Triumph way more and if you like the torque and power then go for the Bonneville. Additionally, the up swept exhaust on RE get in the way of proper panniers for touring.
Just bought a Triumph T100 , what an Awesome sound . T100 any day of the week!!
Awesome, enjoy 😉
Great review, I owned an interceptor which I loved, not a bad word to say about it. But I sold it and bought the T100. I prefer the T100 as I find the ride so smooth and that HT 900 engine is a dream. As for the Moto guzzi. I looked at one of those and when I asked the dealer about servicing costs it soon put me off. The Triumph 10000 miles servicing intervals, RE 3000. It’s about the running costs as well as the feel of the bike for me.
Great video guys - would be awesome to see a 4 bike comparison with these two, the V7, and a W800 (I know it's not available new in the UK but it deserves to be there!)
Wait - 5 way, add the Gold Star!
Wiper on a crash helmet? You've got to be having a laugh? Good video as always.
Thanks, do you not live in a wet country?. Its a great idea in the Uk as it rains a lot 🌧
Actually I think that's an amazing invention on a bike helmet. How does it work and where would you get one?
@@chriscottingham2003 follow the link in the description they have a very good website that explains everything 👍🏼
In the 70s they had a small propeller on the visor to blow the rain off. It was a flop, as the wiper will be.😂
I have the 2024 T100 loooove it sooo happy
The slanting bock and the upswept silencers of a black tank Interceptor got me back into motorcycling after 38 years - previous bikes being a 750cc Bonnie and a T160 1,000 cc Hyde Trident. The interceptor transforms to a very flickable and noticeably quicker bike when single-skin headers, lighter silencers and fuel booster are fitted - just like my old Bonnie. Add a Lithium battery, lighter rear shocks, lose the cross brace and one horn, and the dry weight falls below 190 kg. Imagine that with an 850 cc conversion - I simply don't understand why RE don't offer an 850 cc option.
Bullet rear and tiny LED front indicators on ally headlight brackets add to the classic look as does stainless mudguards and gold tank and side panel decals. Mirror polished breather cover and reed valve covers (after using strong paint remover ), and a few brass bits, adds more classic shine ( crankcase grey and front fork black paint to go this winter maybe ). Then decent foot-pegs and, please someone, a seat that covers the horizontal frame tubes (which can be shortened). Being tall I raised the clocks up high into my peripheral vision via an £ 2 ally bracket (though new ignition switch needed). The Interceptor is so easy to customise back to the 60s !
Had aT120. Not 100% convinced, now have an Interceptor and love it
What flaws did you find in triumph can you share .. actually im unable to decide which one should i go for
Thanks for making me feel good about my purchase of a Royal Enfield (the 650cc Continental). I bought a demo bike, even better value but I have spent a bit on it to reduce its weight i.e. Li-ion battery (I'd strongly recommend doing that), TEC 2 into 1 exhaust system (big weight saving) and many other smaller changes. Currently I have the rear wheel out of the bike as I slowly change from chain to belt drive (about another half kilogram in weight saving so I'm told).
Nice comparison video, i think the Triump looked very good and cool. I never considered one, though, as my dealer never had one to offer. I went for value for my money and got an RE650INT and for the money saved my wife got an RE350Classic, which she loves very much indeed. I am an old man, had a few different bikes in both style and attitude over the years, all served me good in their way. My first bike, a HondaCX500, was an extremely fun and realible bike, then an old Harley 750 which i traded for an BuellX1Lightning in 99. Now the Royal Enfield serve all my needs when i ride, even the 350Classic is incredible fun and easygoing. But enough said, if i tried the Triump first, i would probably easy go with it, love the look.
Awesome review as always guys. I absolutely love watching all your videos and have been a long term subscriber, great fun to watch you both, keep them going!
I have a Triumph Street Twin and when I saw the title of this video I thought hello.. gotta watch this! As always you’re absolutely spot on because I also rode the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 before going for the Street Twin and I have to say everything you say in your review absolutely bangs home! The only additional I’d add was that I’m a shorter 5’ 7” guy (in heels) and I found one the major problems with the Interceptor was that I feels so top heavy in comparison to the Triumph 900, whether it be a Street Twin or perhaps a T100. I love the torque in the Triumph as well but you do have to test ride them both because you guys are right; the Interceptor 650 is amazing and it comes down to a subjective choice.. and your height! LOL
Will just say though that you guys are great, love your posts, really like the mods you’re doing to your new ‘Motogoodie’ because those exhausts are great!
@@Rinzler900 great to hear and thank you 😊
Oh yeah,
My Int650 won "best British" at 3 bike shows and was up against some bloody nice Triumphs. 😅😂
Mine:
Motone brass shock finishing kit
Motone brass bobbins
Motone slingshot headlight brackets
Tec-bike bar end mirrors
Tec-bike brake and clutch foot pedals
Tec-bike rear tail light
Purpose Built Moto hollow tip mini bullet indicators (I drilled the headlight bucket sides to mount the front indicators)
Royal Aces leather side bag in tobacco brown (replaces rh side cover)
I polished the cases and stainless covers
The changes aren't anything outrageous but they really lift the aesthetics.
@@jasonrichardwatts awesome, great to hear 👍🏼
They are both great looking bike for sure. I am not sure the Triumph is over 3,000 pounds better though. I have an interceptor and have made lots of upgrades from front and rear suspension to exhaust air filter and bar risers to name a few. That's what I love about the interceptor though, the fact you can customize it easily. It's a blank canvas and a keeper for me. Thanks for posting great content as usual!
Can you tell me what are some modification which we should go for with interceptor ... which can improve driving experience 😅
Had to add a comment on this , please don’t be offended it’s just my opinion. The Triumph engine is beautiful to look at , the shape of the cylinder head the engine casings etc , the Enfield doesn’t even compare . Looking at the Triumph it looks like a 60’s Bonny you don’t have to look with unfocused eyes it’s a Lovely looking Bike . As for the build quality I’ve seen brand new Enfield and they don’t look brand new if that makes any sense . The Triumphs ooze quality . As for character if your talking about vibration you can keep that I’d rather have a smooth comfortable bike any day . The Triumph wins easily in all respects in my opinion.
I have both (2022 Int and a 2021 T100) and I completely agree.
To each their own I guess. I love the looks of the interceptor. The slanted engine, polished casings, upswept exhaust, aggressive lines of the frame.. an absolute looker imo
@@greatkingrat Thank you both for sharing. This really is helping me make my decision... Bonnie, it's going to be the Bonnie. 🤠
I could have gone either way but the riding characteristics of the 650 won me over.. and 3000+ does buy a lot of ooze. 👍
@@sscbkr48 Great. Just when I thought my mind was made up you had to go and pull me back the other way! Thanks. 😏 Seriously though, those are great points!
Apples or Pears . You pays your money you takes your choice.
🍎🍐
I tested both of them the same day, and I bought the Interceptor 650 and I don't regret. I've ridden more than 17.500 kms (or more than 10.800 miles) in one year and a half and the bike is making me very happy and showed no problems at all.
Have you done any modifications or tuning on interceptor to improve the driving experience ? Actually im planning to buy one .😅
@@LadliVatika I changed the seat, and putz a riser and a new motocross bar. It's a great bike and I love It! Try one before buying!
@@LadliVatika I installed an sportive exhaust, and a sportive air filter, changed the bars and the seat. I love the bike 🙂
For me it's not even close - Triumph 100% every time. Much prefer the styling, quality and performance over the RE. The dealer I purchased my Triumph from is also a dealer for RE. They lent me an Interceptor whilst my Triumph was being serviced and it confirmed I had made the right decision - for me. In 5 years of ownership I have done 70 000+ km and will never sell my bike, so the upfront cost of the Triumph doesn't matter so much. The great thing about RE is they supply great value bikes and have grown the motorcycle market globally (including new younger riders) - brilliant.
Like Darcy I'd take the V7 ... , which is exactly what I did!
Just here for the wiper.
Love my interceptor, only problem is the euro 5. The big bore pipes and cans were making it run super lean (and therefore hot) until I got my power commander. YSS G shocks at the back, it’s now my dream bike!
Interceptor vs T100 - tough call! Both look amazing
Good couple of riders ✌️ with a good couple of machines 👌
Measure the Triumph's character at 4,000 RPM to 4,500 RPM in 2nd or 3rd gear. That twin cylinder 900 goes from being a refined gentleman to a roaring monster! And that's with stock pipes! And that low-end torque of the Triumph? That's excellent for urban street riders like me. I live in a sprawling city of 2.5 million that spans several counties. The Triumph handles that kind of riding with aplomb and yet still easily handles the country highways when you have a chance to break out of the confines of the city.
11:00 The young feller nailed it. Between the Triumph and the Royal Enfield, I'd get the Guzzi!
The triumph is a beautiful bike as is the interceptor, you could buy quite a lot of upgrades with 3 grand. I think yr right the Guzzi V7 special is the best choice. The shaft drive is icing on the cake! 😊
You should check out how the engine of an interceptor turns fun when you put a big bore kit and reflash the ecu to stage 2.
I faced this decision last year. I ended up going with the interceptor. My decision boiled down mostly to overall cost of ownership. Like you said in the video, for the price you could own an interceptor and a classic 350, which is on my list to purchase next to go with the interceptor.
I found the interceptor here in the states to draw quite a bit of attention with the looks and the sound. A lot of people are surprised as hell to find out that mine is a 2023 model and they could own their own for not a whole lot of money.
I like the wiper on the triumph guys helmet
I prefer the T100 but 3000 more pounds is lots of money... I think I’d pay the extra miles and go for the T120. This being said, I have a Kawasaki W800 and I love it so much as it is much closer to a real old school motorcycle than the RE and the Triumph.... also than the Moto Guzzi 😉
I also have a kawa w800 and love it. I just bought myself a ktm 790 adventure for the countryside roads we have around, and despite the torque figures in favour of the austrian bike, the low down pull and the sound of the w800 is amazing. I don't think I sell it even when yes, it feels a bit heavy and lacks top end power, however I can have a lot of fun riding it on twisties. But as the authentic option for a 60s flavour bike, it is almost perfect. I love the looks of the v7 as well.
Great video boys 👍 my money as you probably guess is on the triumph, just for long term ownership and quality of finish over time. Keep up the great work chaps 👍
@@MOTOUK1 thanks Nick! I did comment on your last video but it seems to have disappeared; basically hopefully your get a 2nd wind and carry on 👍🏼
@@MrDarcy-OlMan thats strange but appreciated 🙏 not stopping just a slow down for a while while i get other projects sorted.
Hitchcocks has 60s style mudguards for the royal enfield in polished stianless steel. They look spot on with those fitted.
I’m glad you did this, because these are exactly the 3 bikes that I feel are most comparable in this segment of the market, and I really do love them all, and all 3 are under consideration. There’s just one more item of consideration for me, and maybe I’m off on this, but that’s the ease of working on the bike yourself, which I tend to consider the RE Interceptor to have the lead over the other two. I’d love to have your opinions on this.
The Interceptor is easy for sure, but the Moto Guzzi is known for being very easy to work on due to the shaft drive etc
Was going to buy an interceptor, but found a low mileage T100 used for a lot less money than the new interceptor bought the Triumph and I’m very happy
The thing I particularly like about my Interceptor, is the fact that it is upgradable in a useful & personalised way, which, for me, narrows any notional gap.
You can buy a lot of top quality aftermarket items for £3,000 ;) That is half as much again if you are comparing new prices.
Owned a T100 and now own an Interceptor
I’ll stick with the INT 2022 model
Good video vlog
Regards from Florida
Of the three, Triumph all day long for me!
Ride whatever makes you feel great!
Recently I sold my interceptor to get my dream bike, the Scrambler 900. There’s so much more about the triumph when compared to the interceptor. The Royal is amazing but the Triumph is much more. More quality, better riding position, better sound, better maintenance. I think is a better built bike. The Royal is a better cost bike.
You guys are doing a great job. I am excited for the launch of the Royal Enfield classic 650 and waiting for your review on that.
Absolutely ❤ my Interceptor & want to eventually purchase the Classic 350 to go with it. Like you said, for the exact same as a Triumph T100. Both of the RE’s are 2 of the best looking modern classics Today. 👊😎👍
Nice review gents 👍
Both great bikes, I went for a T100 Black and I’m very happy with it.
Love the engine throaty sound.
Materials quality aside, I think it comes down to brand. Both legendary motorbikes brands, it’s about being a RE guy or a Triumph guy 😉
I wish RE would kick it up a notch,and make a 750 Interceptor.Till then,I'd go for a T120 with upswept pipes.Thank you fellas.👍👍
Oh,and Darcy,agree with you on the Guzzi.It's beautiful,with great fit and finish.I have a V85 TT in my stable,and I love it.👌
I think they’ll soon make a liquid cooled 700cc plus motor. Similar to the Himalayan Sherpa engine. I don’t know how much spirit and character will be lost at the cost of power and efficiency.
@@suvansh29
Yeah,keeping my fingers crossed that it will have the sound of the old British marque.🤞
The blacked out Goldstar 650 is absolutely stunning
Wiper Guard looks brilliant. I like your jacket, Ol' Man. Not so keen on the white stripes on yours, Darcy. Good review, lads.
Greetings from the states… So appreciate your review and comparison of the Bonneville T100 and the interceptor 650.
I am recently back in the game after having taken about 10 years off of motorcycling. Got my feet wet again with a 2022 Royal Enfield classic 350. Have loved every minute of it… However, after two years… Feel like it is time to bump up Again.
Thought I would be going right to the interceptor 650… However, every time I sit on the triumph speed twin 900… Bonneville T100-…Feels like a natural fit… Finding the Int 650 a bit uncomfortable in comparison.
Of course, prices a factor, but at my age of 64… Willing to splurge a little bit more on the quality and comfort.
Love what you guys do… Please keep up the great videos!
you should try the Shotgun 650. Seriously.
Appreciate that !
Excellent comparison as usually, lads 👍
One of my neighbors is riding one of these RE 650. lovely sound, great bang for the buck, indeed 👍
You guys are so entertaining, even though I hardly ever agree with anything you say. Helmet windscreen whiper, I had to check it wasn't April 1st. I have never understood 'character' as a criteria. I've always felt that it was my job to bring character. The bikes job is to do exactly what I want, when I want it to.
I definitely would go with the Triumph.
Between the t100 and Interceptor, both beautiful, I would definitely choose a V7.
I got a continental-gt 650 put the intercept bars on great fun to ride
Get whatever your budget allows you, none should disappoint imo. Quality though could be a different story in a long run.
Great comparison! Both are great looking classic bikes. Love the look of Interceptor, but would like something more suitable for both on and off road. If you want the bike, which has classic looks, but will handle offroad, you are more or less left with the scramblers. But these are usually quite heavy and not as capable off road. It would be great if you could make review of Fantic Caballero 500 Rally. Lighter and more offroad focused than Fantic Scrambler 700 you have already reviewed.
Ah guys, my two favorite bikes on my favorite motorcycle channel. Loved the video. For my two pennies, its the Triumph. I think the quality, refinement and extra cc would get my money!
@@rugblack thank you 😊
We bought both a new T120 and RE Super Meteor. Both have something to offer and the wife prefers the RE.
Triumph (Street Scrambler) for me....love your Guzzi
It really isn't a hard choice at all, The T100 is a better bike in every conceivable way. from the levers and mudguard stays to the engine castings to the paint the Triumph is better and all those little parts add up which is why there is a price difference. You never considered longevity at all and as someone who has owned a Bonneville and run it through summer and winter the quality of. the finishes holds up really well. I'm not saying the Royal Enfield isn't a good bike it really is if that is your choice but in terms of cost and quality you really are comparing apples to oranges. Character is not a quantifiable thing and is down to the individual but I find the Bonnevilles all have plenty of character, you get a lovely thump from that parallel twin but you don't get much in the way of intrusive vibes so it really is a subjective thing. I think the Royal Enfield is a fantastic bike (for the price) and it delivers a lot for the money but there is a compromise in quality to be made if you want a cheap bike and I would rather pay for that extra quality.
I was tossing up between a triumph scrambler 900 and an interceptor. My mate who had both said the re had more character. I got one. £3k for a 2020 with 3500 miles on the clock. Love it. Buying a triumph tiger 1998 for £2k with the spare cash.
You could get the interceptor and spend that 3000 on panniers, a screen, and a week around the Scottish Highlands. And still have change for fish and chips on the way home.
+1 on the Guzzi. I have a 750 Guzzi which will be my last bike as I age out. I had a T120 but traded it for a Mandello when they became available, much better for touring and sport riding as well.
Love your work Boys! Your reviews helped plenty to get me into an Interceptor. The potential to personalise the Interceptor was a big factor for me. I am not sure you could go too far or even want to go molesting a V7 or Triumph? You can go nuts and I have with a huge range of aftermarket mods from suppliers all around the planet. Actually just worked it out I have spent the purchase price again for parts, freight and labour, but I have my dream bike now. I get out of bed at 4am on fine mornings to burn up before work. When you parachute into Melbourne, you guys have to come out and go for a rip on the Rod.
Awesome to hear 👍🏼
Hi guys it's mark from Wirral Merseyside 👍 to be totally honest with you both i would buy both bikes royal Enfield interceptor and triumph T100 and us each bike for a month. Great RUclips video guys 👍 thanks from mark from Wirral Merseyside 👍
Many thanks 😊
I would choose the guzzi as well. Cheers buddy
Rode one with the sscycle 865 kit, updated camshafts and ecu. It puts out closer to 75hp. The thing is very fast and out ran an R nine T with those skinny tyres.
For me it was the Interceptor. I put some of the spare money into seat, a Quadlock, mirrors and pipes. I really enjoy the bike and the stunning look gives everyone looking at it a smile.
Wouldn't have regret buying the Bonneville either.
I have the 23 T 100, only thing i didn’t like was the suspension it was too harsh in the front and too soft in the rear, so I changed the internals in the forks with ohlins and the rear with the fox dampers, much smoother ride now. Also put on some gaitors looks better, love the bike and it sounds so good after decat, bought a titanium decat crossover from AliExpress which fitted perfectly and doesn’t weigh anything a beautiful and perfect bike now.😀
Nice comparison. Thank you.
Fun fact - You would actually say "We'll see us" in German 😄
A thing about the royal Enfield is a company called hitchcock sell a bore kit that makes your 650 upto 865 i think from memory it is slightly less hp then the t100 but slightly higher torque
Tried a Speed twin 1200, 900 then a Royal Enfield 650 gt. As you said character 🎉 just won it for me and the price difference!!
I'm currently looking at these 2 plus the guzzi v7 special as a first 'bigger' bike as my classic 350 lacks slightly with a pillion for longer trips. Haven't test riden either yet but the V7 special looks so awesome! Or I may just wait for the upcoming classic 650 🤔
id fork out the extra cash for the Triumph. Quality comes with a cost. and it's something I'd be willing to pay a bit more for.
I have a 2022 Guzzi V7 850 Special, and a 2022 T120 Diamond Edition. I sold this year my 2022 RE 650 INT, and my 2022 Kawasaki W800. I love all 4 bikes, I would love the RE more if they increased the MSRP and made it to a higher standard. I loved the W800 but it had issues with the throttle bodies that took weeks to sort out. I bought the T120 used this year with 7500 miles, it is the most "polished" for sure, but of course the Guzzi is excellent.
I did consider the V7, back in 2022. The lack of Low-down torque made me buy a Street Twin, which from my opinion also had more "Character".