***COSTS*** A quick note on costs. I didn’t mention these in the video as there are a number of approaches for this mod, all with different costs. The standard 865 S&S kit is £659, but that is just the basic kit that will need to be professionally fitted to your factory barrel. You’d probably be looking at around £400 in labour to get a good machinist to bore and press-fit it. If you want the ready to go kit (including a new barrel) it’s £1740 (inc vat) Then you have various options in terms of cams, clutches and fuel controllers. The cam in this bike is by Hitchcocks and costs £205 The pre-configured Power Commander costs £387 The performance clutch kit is £398 The free flow headers are £354 and the end cans are £358 The total cost of everything will depend on how much you fit yourself, and what supporting parts you go for. It’s probably a whole video just to talk about the options here.
Be interested to find out how much all the mods cost on that demonstrator bike you rode!.....( it would appear to have all the necessary mods to make it run properly etc)......I guess for those of us not so mechanically minded we can then factor in the labour cost of a bike mechanic to do the work fitting it all!....I think the issue could be that if the price of ALL the above runs into 3 grand etc then you are Triumph T100/Street Twin territory where the stats are already in place etc!.....great vid pal....be interesting to see if you succumb to the lure of this excellent upgrade 😉👍😎
Like MultiMac2020 said, the turnkey conversions, out of the door cost from Hitchcocks would be interesting to know, perhaps a new 865 bike with all the bits done, and the cost of dropping your 650 bike in to them and riding away later on it converted to 865.
Haha, nice one, I remember those kits for most 50cc bikes back in the day....I seem to remember an 80cc kit being available for most 50cc bikes of that era (early 1980s) My suzuki er50 was a sluggish very stock 30mph restricted machine, it would actually creep just over 30mph downhill with a 20mph wind behind you, lay prone on the tank and 32mph was possible!😲😊 I spoke to my 'mechanic' (just the guy behind the counter in my local bike shop) who told me of an 'upgrade' special exhaust that would open up the FULL power of the bike, he spoke about it like it would add an extra 100bhp! It actually took the stock 1.5 bhp to a heady 3bhp!! So 37-40mph top speed was achievable and the acceleration hugely improved. To be fair the stock exhaust had a huge washer covering the exhaust port of the engine, effectively reducing the exhaust flow by a considerable amount, this could easily be knocked or drilled out. But I only found this out after I bought the said Gianneli expansion pipe. Oh man that thing was arm wrenchingly fast now, it was well worth it just for the huge boost in acceleration, the top speed increase to around 35-37mph wasn't massive but it meant less cars overtook you in a 30 and you could actually keep up with the flow of traffic! The gearing was now holding the bike back! Nothing more embarrassing than a little old lady in a clapped out sky blue rusty Morris Minor overtaking you down along the town centre bypass with all your mates pointing and laughing, not cool at all! 😲😊😁
@@pdtech4524 Great story! The worst thing about a 50cc was going up Muswell Hill in North London - so steep that the bike just got slower and slower as you went up and you ended up in first gear! Very embarrassing... Loved that bike though...
I know this is an old thread, but are there other (cheaper) options such as boring out to 750? I've heard that the engine was originally designed to be a 750 and was sleeved down to 650. This should be a lot cheaper than new barrels and pistons. Mixed with a less restrictive cam and you might get more interesting response and still be within the original clutch limits. Just a thought.. Wondering if Hitchcock mentioned a half way house for cheapskates.
@@WildlifeMoto We are waiting for the transformation! today is a good day for you britans you can drink a good cold beer to the health of those who are locked up
I’d be concerned about the bottom end’s life span with a capacity/power increase like that. 100cc/5-10hp is one thing, but 235cc/25hp is a huge increase.
So this mod makes the Interceptor atleast 5-10hp more than the Bonnie T100...and for the extra costs, you get an improved bike without loosing it's character and also exclusivity. A bit hit in my books.
The T100 was updated about a year ago, it’s now got 65ps btw. Also I didn’t see anything mentioned about improving the brakes; surely that would be sensible if your giving the bike upwards of 50% more power.
@@BromDom85 Yes I do know that the Bonnie T100 makes 65horses. The Hitchcock RE 865 bigbore build makes about 70 horses and Revelry Motorcycles makes close to 90 horses. But yes performance is not just about power made at the crank but the entire gamut of other things.
I appreciate this review. I was introduced to Royal Enfield in 2012 when I purchased a new Military Green Bullet Classic 500. I was on the mend from a bad reaction to an Epidural 2 years prior but I saw this Bullet 500 and decided maybe I could get back to riding. By this time I sold ALL my motorcycles but I took the gamble on the Bullet and awesome thumper it was ! I have 2 Harleys, a dual purpose bike and a dirt bike now. ( I'm a 63 year old disabled veteran) I want to purchase the Interceptor and this engine/exhaust upgrade has sealed the deal. Take care, God bless.
I too have a classic 500 and want to upgrade to an interceptor. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love the feel and thump of the 500 and it's like none other. But the performance upgrade of the interceptor at that price point is too attractive not to take
It says a lot for the basic design of the Interceptor that it can handle such a big upgrade and still retain its core attributes. However, for me it’s the value for money of the standard bike that makes it so appealing. If I were going to spend £10k instead of £6k I’d definitely be buying a T100 Bonnie. I’ll be leaving my Interceptor stock. Great video, though!
Pretty much my thoughts. Aftermarket tuning is expensive, and hard to get your money back. Seems to me buy a stock bike that puts out the power you want. There's also insurance, start twiddling with performance mods and watch the premiums go up. Stock Interceptor is a fantastic bike and great value, but if I wanted a 65 BHP classic Twin , yeah I'd have a Triumph Street Twin or Bonnie T100.
@Michael Costigan I've been digging around , seems like the RE 650 Interceptor is 202Kg / 445 lbs dry weight. Triumph Street Twin is about 198 kg / 437 lbs dry and the Bonnie T100 451lbs 205 kg dry So not a lot in it on weight terms. Different types of T100s have been around for a while , so older T100s could be heavier.
We'll see if the Interceptor can handle that after 10000 km of road, with 500 km "high speed" highway travels, and some mountain. If all gone well, you dismount and you make all the metrology of the engine. After you can say ok or not.
@@cat-man5522 I'm not sure, I could be wrong but I don't think he is speaking of something like a conversion kit like the way2speed one. There are bikes like Triumph and BMW with spoke rims where the spoke end on the outer part of the rim (sorry don't know the technical term). Or brands like Kineo... The only problem is you can buy a decent new bike in India for the price of a set of Kineo rims.
Read through a lot of the comments on this and yes, I see the point they are making about cost vs return when you sell on. But that kind of misses the point of the RE, I personally feel they are more of a long term ownership bike not a 'buy it for a couple of years then get the next best thing' machine so purchasing mods like this will over time give a return in satisfaction and enjoyment. Yes I could've gone out and spent 10k on a Triumph then lived with someone else's vision cos I couldn't afford to personalise it, while crossing my fingers that the gearbox wasn't going to give up, or I could go out and spend 5.5k on the RE and over time tweak performance and looks to how I wanted MY bike to look and perform, enjoying it for many years. At the moment the REs are riding the crest of a wave as everyone raves about them, residuals are good, but as I said the 'next best thing' is just round the corner I'm sure the strong resale value will soon start to tumble. If you're buying it as a fashion statement to sell on before the warranty is out, you're buying the wrong bike. Going to unsubscribe from your and Mr Fillingham's channel...you both cost me too much money! 😉 Thought you had fitted the YSS fork upgrade? That looked like standard fork caps on the ride up to Hitchcock's. Or have you removed them to fit onto a GT? 😂
I totally agree with you. This is for those who want to create something personal to them. YSS kit is still on my bike. No GT for me, GT footpegs maybe :)
Great video as usual , only missing one thing , it would have been so much better if you or Dan had said how much all the extra parts cost to buy and have fitted by someone . Keep up the good work 👍
Hi Andrew. Cost is a tough one as there are so many different options and approaches. I have put links in the description for the ready made kit and a few of the accompanying parts. I’ll do a follow up on costs and options.
Yep, Enfield should definitely make the bike in this 865cc displacement, in addition to the 650cc. Both need a fatter back tire, no question. Let's show up those Triumph riders!
Its really exactly what Royal needs on just about every bike on the model line. Lets be real here too, how much more would it honestly cost the company to make them with the bigger bore? They can totally make the bikes perform and stay close to their price points!
It's true that it wouldn't make financial sense to buy a brand new 650 twin and do this to it. But if you already had a 2 year old RE and wanted the extra power, it might make more sense than selling your depreciated interceptor and shelling out to buy a new T100. Still, a second hand triumph would likely make more sense. That said, some people have a bit of sentimental attachment to their bike, like fiddling with it and upgrading it, and might not want to have the same T100 that every other 60 year old guy and his dog have 😄 I think a gutsy interceptor would be really cool, cost comparisons aside.
So you have a 2 year old bike and you spend 4-5,000 on it ~ what’s that bike then worth? The argument doesn’t stack up financially. I totally get buying and enjoying/modifying a standard bike but if you wanted 65bhp to begin with the Bonnie makes more sense. Then there’s the insurance ...
Really nice knowing now that there is a big bore kit for the new enfeild 650’s to make them faster, I know it isn’t easy to get a lot of speed out of the old 500 singles. It’s also a really beautiful bike sticking with classic British twin style . Wishing you many years of safe and fun riding 👍🏻PS I didn’t know they got 40hp at the wheel to start, getting 60+ afterwards is awesome 🤩
60hp at the rear wheel is no joke, especially when considering that it’s a two cylinder. With the additional HP you would you usually get more vibration at low rpm’s but this bike was obviously done right. My only question would revolve around the connecting rods, can they handle the additional power.
Great video. Reminded me of when everyone had a 900 kit for their CB750 Honda( in the 70's) however the frame in those days couldnt handle the increase in power like the RE can.
@@WildlifeMoto I would go a little further and say that it reflects well on Harris Performance, the frame designers and on the new CEO of Royal Enfield for having the foresight to buy Harris Performance to improve their bikes. It also makes me wonder if this will make the bike more resilient to crash damage. I see many modern bikes being written off after relatively minor crashes because the frame has become damaged.
The Enfield has a 4 valve motor, the old CB was two valve and breathed poorly in comparison. Suzuki GS750 two valve was the same. Without valve work really wasted money.
£6k for an interceptor £4k to modify, that would buy a very good bike , especially second hand. You'd have to have a lot of love for your Enfield. But I suppose plenty do , so good luck to them, and hope they enjoy
Great to see this and I might well be investing in the upgrade. I owned a Hinckley T100 before but much prefer the enfield and especially now that the upgrades make the enfield a much quicker bike then why not.
Very good review, thanks. The Interceptor is a great bike out of the box, it's also a great and affordable platform for farkling. I genuinely prefer it to the Bonnies, a T100 looks great but so much more expensive and not quite as....nice. 65 RWHP without spoiling the character, hmmmm very tempting. Saw in the video that the O2 sensors had been removed, are these no longer required with the Power Commander?
Agreed, the T100 feels like a modern bike, where as the Interceptor feels like a real classic. If you want all the charm of the Interceptor and a bit more punch, this is the way forward. Yes, they deleted the O2 sensors and SAS (I think they had to wire in a resistor to prevent the engine warning light)
I wish Royal Enfield had made this machine. Really love the mod an the way the bike is kept to its original look. 👌 honestly after this video I'm saving money for this mod 😅
Let’s hope the factory takes notice of this and begins to offer it stock, a Lot of people would definitely change their minds then and possibly get this rather than a new Triumph, though that’s a tough choice
Great video and a terrific upgrade but expensive. If you intend to keep the bike as an ongoing project then the upgrade if you’re able to do the work yourself is worth it. I’m never selling mine as I love it, so it looks like I’ll be doing the upgrade 😁.
Good grief I miss my Int. 650. Just a fantastic motorcycle. I couldn't imagine it with more power. It had all it could need. Your description of this makes me doubt that. Seriously. When I get things sorted, I might just get another one.
Although a lot don’t think the upgrade worth it as it puts the Enfield in the Triumph price bracket, it gives you a bike that is very exclusive, where as paying the same for the Triumph just buys you another clone that’s the same as everyone else’s.
Also loving your channel, it’s already persuaded me to buy a new Interceptor and add quite a few modifications and now I know what the next stage will involve 👍
Most of Interceptor owners must be waiting for this.... It's better to get interceptor 650 and change it to 865 and get more power than T100 and for less price...👍
it always seemed to me, when looking at this project several years ago, in the beginning and who was involved in its design, that the frame was meant for a larger capacity engine anyway. I really don't understand why they haven't offered both capacity engined bikes.
My concern was the fuel delivery but it seems that was sorted out. Seems like Hitchcocks did a proper job. Wish Enfield would just build an 850, or even a 750cc for people who want a choice.
Very cool. I have been waiting for a video on this. I have already spent $890 on the S&S pipes, got a new air filter, new clutch and brake levers, changed the bars, mirrors etc. A lot of upgrades! and I couldn't justify this upgrade for the cost but man if I had the money I would do it instead of getting a different bike. I love my interceptor and I honestly like the look of the interceptor more than the Bonneville. I can't take it out without someone stopping me and asking me about it. Even as a 650 it's plenty of power to have fun with because it's got quite a bit of torque already. Thanks for the video! I bet that was fun. 😎
Man , sorry I had not subbed before now , I enjoy the videos you make , would love to ride over on your side of the big pond . I love the R E 's , I ride Harley-Davidson's here in the US , but I enjoy so many machines , I would love a R E 500 Classic . Thanks , ride , and stay safe , cheers .
So when's the install video for your bike going up? :) Also jesus christ the parts add up to half the cost of the interceptor. That's gonna make it compare to bikes in a different price bracket, stiff competition up there near the 10k mark.
It’s certainly not a cheap upgrade but you are adding around 25HP to the bike. It’s a absolute game changer if you love the Interceptor and want more power. But yes, this level of modding is gonna cost.
@@WildlifeMoto you don't have to tempt me bro, I'm planning on adding fairing near the front, switching up the lights,front console and suspension by a wee bit on my gt. I've already switched to a better air filter, lighter exhaust and a different sprocket, seeing this made me go :)
Hi WM, love your vids, keep up the mod work. FYI, my RE dealer, Revelry Cycles, drag race a heavily modified GT with the S&S big bore kit and a not quite as heavily modified Interceptor with the big bore kit, which is described as a "fire breathing, wheelie popping, tyre smoking monster"! They've done some very informative vids on performance upgrades. They've got me into drag racing my stock Orange Crush, so I guess I'll be saving up for a big bore kit ... and clutch ... and powertronic ... and free flow headers. Damn, think I'll need to start a popular RUclips channel to fund all my mods 😉
Personally I like my Inty motor just the way it is thank you. Now, if I had a Conti, it would be a different matter, oh yes. It’s a great soup up and to all that have had it done or are gonna have it done, be that a Conti or Inty, enjoy, enjoy. Nice review btw. Cheers Neil
Looks like my kind of toy store. I''ve gotten quite a few things from them and it was nice to see what that place looks like. Would be nice to get that done but it wouldn't be something I would tackle myself. Cheers mate
I am of the opinion if you want more power, buy a bigger bike. It will be a lot less hassle to just buy a Triumph Speed twin or such like. I guess it depends on the cost? The RE twins have a charm all of their own that have nothing to do with more power. What's the saying, "It's more fun to ride a slower bike fast than a fast bike slow"
I hear you. But if you bought this bike to tinker (as many have), this is a great case study in how far you can push things if you want. Not for everyone though. And as I said, even with the kit it still holds its lazy character well.
I was, actually im still worrying that after some time I get bored of my RE and will want to swap it for something stronger like street twin. If I sell my RE for let's say something around 4k, I'll still need another 4k for triumph. Why don't I install big bore kit instead?! :))
@@tomaszp614 It depends on how much the big bore kit costs to buy and fit? Also consider the insurance for these type of things is a hassle if your bike gets written off for any reason. You wont get your money back. The street twin will always be a more powerful bike out of the box and wont have the possible ssues "upgrades" tend to have.
@David Rosenberg yeah an 865 RE Interceptor is going to be a more unique bike, looks like a real Rip snorter. At 65 hp at the rear wheel that's probably going to eat the street twin, and not feel so cramped I'm picking. Love that Hitchcocks seat, I'll definitely be ordering that.
My 2007 865 Triumph T100 makes 74 BHP with only a Mntotwin exhaust and uprated jets upgrade, I would have expected more that 65bhp with all the work and expense of the upgrades.
I figure it would be about 65 horses at the rear wheel and about 75 at the crank. There is another build from Australia that even managed to squeeze out 75hp at the rear wheels. So you can guess how much is at the crank.
Well Royal Enfield is on a roll. It has so much in store for the next 12-24 months. The following models are up for launch - Classic Roadster Shotgun Hunter Sherpa Scram Flying Flea and An Electric Motorcyle Also BSA will be launching its 650cc motorcycle by the end of the year.
Could you please share your thoughts on the reliability and fuel consumption? I'm considering making this modification on my commuter bike, but I might reconsider if it leads to a noticeable increase in fuel consumption or engine damage.
Great Video, was waiting for this one. I know it might be a stretch but would it be possible for you to do a video with the same bike during a sunny day maybe. British Weather, I know haha.
Thanks 👍☺️ Very informative and interesting video... Great Bike for it's cost, and not a bad price on this big bore upgrade, well worth it I'd say! Ride Safe... Enjoy the journey...
Back in the 70s I was more than happy with the grunt of a 750 Norton. Low down grunt is more usable than top end hyperspace. Though Both are fun. The Enfield factory may bring out a bigger motor. It seems the bottom end can handle a 200 cc bigger barrel already so they may have it planned already. Then it will compete with the t100. Whereas the 650 twin appeals to riders who like mild performance and doesnt compete with Triumph. The UK road system away from the motorway does not need massive bikes especially with all the villages and every family has two hatchbacks littering the streets.
Did the same mods to my Continental GT but used the S&S cam. "Only" made 55 hp on the dyno so maybe it could have been tuned better. Upgraded front springs, raised the handlebars 2 inches, and added one tooth to the front sprocket. Runs fine but I keep it mostly for the looks and its legacy.
Excellent video, just a pity the weather is stuck in January mode at the moment. I'm very jealous, you get to ride the big bore Interceptor and visit Hitchcock's. That would be my idea of a perfect day. I was seriously thinking about the big bore kit but once you add everything up I thought hang on, that's a good chunk towards a Himalayan. Take care and stay safe.
I've been trying to decide whether to buy a bigger bike or put this kit on my gt650. Dont get me wrong, I love my continental but if I get bored or just fancy a change I won't recover any money spent on mods. On the other hand, I would have a very unusual bike that goes like stink and is massive fun to ride, but only if you are going to keep it long term and enjoy the ownership experience. Each to their own.
I would be interested to know how the bottom end handles the extra capacity. Big end and main bearings, do they handle the load after a year or two of riding
@15:27 How do you even know what it supposed to be? There are bikes of the same ilk that are way faster. It all depends on what you want in a bike like this and what is possible without breaking the bank due to rediculous regulations anywhere else, except in Britain. :)
A lot of people are going to ask, and indeed, reading through SOME comments, HAVE asked, "why not buy a used T100 Bonny then?" Well, until someone does a back-to-back test of the OLD 865cc Bonny, and this actual Interceptor, WHO KNOWS? ..(without entering the world of WILD SPECTULATIONS!) If you want to know, .....get off your ass and travel up to Solihull, take your beloved Trumpet with you and RIDE THEM! ...FILM THEM! .....and then TELL US what YOU think!
Wouldn't it be more simple to buy a second hand Triumph 120. Does anybody have any evidence about the reliability and longevity of this upgrade. Are Royal Enfield going to bring out a 900cc to compete with Triumph. The 650cc has been a huge success not only for Royal Enfield but the Japanese 4 also. Many riders are starting to see the advantages of buying 650. But if it rocks yer boat, go for it.
I would leave that sweet thing stock and get an MT07/09 for the money, much better all around, just wait for the 750 Hornet. The RE is a true peach, never meant to be a scorcher.
Maybe it's good in some region western cause you have much choice to considering, but in other region this will another page becaue there are several other issues such as income and tariffs that affect your decision. The point here is that companies often don't have factories in your area, it will reach a hill cost like my Vietnam country we have T100 at 17.870 dollars and the cheapest from them is Twin 900cc at 15.250 dollars now is Trident slightly cheaper at 11.780 dollars MSRP that wont better than CB650R Neo from Honda just at 11.000 dollar, passion is passion even our strength is limit.
Ends are designed for load of a 650 not up 800 plus. This will always reduce longevity. Even in the 70s when the Rickman 8 valve upgrade came out for the Bonnie although it increased perfomace hugely it proved unpopular due to the extra wear and tear it applied to the mechanics .
The S&S 865 kit is currently out of stock. Has anyone tried their 750cc kit. I figure for the same basic cost, go for bigger. Not sure how long of a wait for the 865.
Well , it's decided then.. I'm doing it this year :D ! ! ! I can't afford a second bike like Triumph or Moto Guzzi and i don't want to sell my Interceptor because i love him. It's easy decision for me :D
***COSTS***
A quick note on costs. I didn’t mention these in the video as there are a number of approaches for this mod, all with different costs.
The standard 865 S&S kit is £659, but that is just the basic kit that will need to be professionally fitted to your factory barrel. You’d probably be looking at around £400 in labour to get a good machinist to bore and press-fit it.
If you want the ready to go kit (including a new barrel) it’s £1740 (inc vat)
Then you have various options in terms of cams, clutches and fuel controllers.
The cam in this bike is by Hitchcocks and costs £205
The pre-configured Power Commander costs £387
The performance clutch kit is £398
The free flow headers are £354 and the end cans are £358
The total cost of everything will depend on how much you fit yourself, and what supporting parts you go for. It’s probably a whole video just to talk about the options here.
Nice honest appraisal WM, cheers.
Be interested to find out how much all the mods cost on that demonstrator bike you rode!.....( it would appear to have all the necessary mods to make it run properly etc)......I guess for those of us not so mechanically minded we can then factor in the labour cost of a bike mechanic to do the work fitting it all!....I think the issue could be that if the price of ALL the above runs into 3 grand etc then you are Triumph T100/Street Twin territory where the stats are already in place etc!.....great vid pal....be interesting to see if you succumb to the lure of this excellent upgrade 😉👍😎
Like MultiMac2020 said, the turnkey conversions, out of the door cost from Hitchcocks would be interesting to know, perhaps a new 865 bike with all the bits done, and the cost of dropping your 650 bike in to them and riding away later on it converted to 865.
So in broad terms the whole upgrade will cost us a new interceptor 650 here in India😉
@@Tommy-Atkins Yep. Cheaper to buy a Street Twin.
I remember adding a 75cc big bore kit to my 50cc bike back in the day - now THAT was an upgrade - I could go 50 mph!!
I did the same molossi kit
Love that comment ❤️
Did the same with a polini kit
Haha, nice one, I remember those kits for most 50cc bikes back in the day....I seem to remember an 80cc kit being available for most 50cc bikes of that era (early 1980s)
My suzuki er50 was a sluggish very stock 30mph restricted machine, it would actually creep just over 30mph downhill with a 20mph wind behind you, lay prone on the tank and 32mph was possible!😲😊
I spoke to my 'mechanic' (just the guy behind the counter in my local bike shop) who told me of an 'upgrade' special exhaust that would open up the FULL power of the bike, he spoke about it like it would add an extra 100bhp!
It actually took the stock 1.5 bhp to a heady 3bhp!! So 37-40mph top speed was achievable and the acceleration hugely improved.
To be fair the stock exhaust had a huge washer covering the exhaust port of the engine, effectively reducing the exhaust flow by a considerable amount, this could easily be knocked or drilled out.
But I only found this out after I bought the said Gianneli expansion pipe.
Oh man that thing was arm wrenchingly fast now, it was well worth it just for the huge boost in acceleration, the top speed increase to around 35-37mph wasn't massive but it meant less cars overtook you in a 30 and you could actually keep up with the flow of traffic!
The gearing was now holding the bike back!
Nothing more embarrassing than a little old lady in a clapped out sky blue rusty Morris Minor overtaking you down along the town centre bypass with all your mates pointing and laughing, not cool at all! 😲😊😁
@@pdtech4524 Great story! The worst thing about a 50cc was going up Muswell Hill in North London - so steep that the bike just got slower and slower as you went up and you ended up in first gear! Very embarrassing... Loved that bike though...
Just had to pause to say that is the PERFECT intro length. Over before I could reach the cursor. Cheers
Cheers Jim. Glad you didn’t hit the button!
Hats off ,royal Enfield India to make such a awesome machine ,it's just so rumblings
I know this is an old thread, but are there other (cheaper) options such as boring out to 750? I've heard that the engine was originally designed to be a 750 and was sleeved down to 650. This should be a lot cheaper than new barrels and pistons. Mixed with a less restrictive cam and you might get more interesting response and still be within the original clutch limits. Just a thought.. Wondering if Hitchcock mentioned a half way house for cheapskates.
Nice review!
Hello from FRANCE ! As usual very interesting video. When you buy the 865 kit ?? ;-)
Soon (hopefully)
@@WildlifeMoto We are waiting for the transformation! today is a good day for you britans you can drink a good cold beer to the health of those who are locked up
I’d be concerned about the bottom end’s life span with a capacity/power increase like that. 100cc/5-10hp is one thing, but 235cc/25hp is a huge increase.
So this mod makes the Interceptor atleast 5-10hp more than the Bonnie T100...and for the extra costs, you get an improved bike without loosing it's character and also exclusivity. A bit hit in my books.
With unknown reliability. Good improvement.
The exclusivity of the best selling full sized bike in the U.K.?
The T100 was updated about a year ago, it’s now got 65ps btw.
Also I didn’t see anything mentioned about improving the brakes; surely that would be sensible if your giving the bike upwards of 50% more power.
@@BromDom85
Yes I do know that the Bonnie T100 makes 65horses. The Hitchcock RE 865 bigbore build makes about 70 horses and Revelry Motorcycles makes close to 90 horses.
But yes performance is not just about power made at the crank but the entire gamut of other things.
@@kyakaruvlogs2784 you can buy an upgraded cam for the Triumph 900's so the upgraded RE isn't the better bike.
I appreciate this review. I was introduced to Royal Enfield in 2012 when I purchased a new Military Green Bullet Classic 500. I was on the mend from a bad reaction to an Epidural 2 years prior but I saw this Bullet 500 and decided maybe I could get back to riding. By this time I sold ALL my motorcycles but I took the gamble on the Bullet and awesome thumper it was ! I have 2 Harleys, a dual purpose bike and a dirt bike now. ( I'm a 63 year old disabled veteran)
I want to purchase the Interceptor and this engine/exhaust upgrade has sealed the deal.
Take care, God bless.
I too have a classic 500 and want to upgrade to an interceptor. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love the feel and thump of the 500 and it's like none other. But the performance upgrade of the interceptor at that price point is too attractive not to take
It says a lot for the basic design of the Interceptor that it can handle such a big upgrade and still retain its core attributes. However, for me it’s the value for money of the standard bike that makes it so appealing. If I were going to spend £10k instead of £6k I’d definitely be buying a T100 Bonnie. I’ll be leaving my Interceptor stock. Great video, though!
Some 200cc's isnt that big of an upgrade
Pretty much my thoughts. Aftermarket tuning is expensive, and hard to get your money back. Seems to me buy a stock bike that puts out the power you want. There's also insurance, start twiddling with performance mods and watch the premiums go up. Stock Interceptor is a fantastic bike and great value, but if I wanted a 65 BHP classic Twin , yeah I'd have a Triumph Street Twin or Bonnie T100.
@Michael Costigan I've been digging around , seems like the RE 650 Interceptor is 202Kg / 445 lbs dry weight.
Triumph Street Twin is about 198 kg / 437 lbs dry and the Bonnie T100 451lbs 205 kg dry
So not a lot in it on weight terms.
Different types of T100s have been around for a while , so older T100s could be heavier.
We'll see if the Interceptor can handle that after 10000 km of road, with 500 km "high speed" highway travels, and some mountain. If all gone well, you dismount and you make all the metrology of the engine. After you can say ok or not.
Maybe it's for people who already own an interceptor for quite sometime and wants more power but not a new bike.
More proof that this bike can be modified for years to come. A tubeless spoke rim, when someone makes one would be a great mod.
They already do that in India, don't know about other places .
ruclips.net/video/F7ckyalWtgc/видео.html
Me too. There are tubeless spoke rims. Just looking for something in a 'budget'.
@@cat-man5522 I'm not sure, I could be wrong but I don't think he is speaking of something like a conversion kit like the way2speed one. There are bikes like Triumph and BMW with spoke rims where the spoke end on the outer part of the rim (sorry don't know the technical term). Or brands like Kineo... The only problem is you can buy a decent new bike in India for the price of a set of Kineo rims.
Bmw and honda have made them
Read through a lot of the comments on this and yes, I see the point they are making about cost vs return when you sell on. But that kind of misses the point of the RE, I personally feel they are more of a long term ownership bike not a 'buy it for a couple of years then get the next best thing' machine so purchasing mods like this will over time give a return in satisfaction and enjoyment. Yes I could've gone out and spent 10k on a Triumph then lived with someone else's vision cos I couldn't afford to personalise it, while crossing my fingers that the gearbox wasn't going to give up, or I could go out and spend 5.5k on the RE and over time tweak performance and looks to how I wanted MY bike to look and perform, enjoying it for many years. At the moment the REs are riding the crest of a wave as everyone raves about them, residuals are good, but as I said the 'next best thing' is just round the corner I'm sure the strong resale value will soon start to tumble. If you're buying it as a fashion statement to sell on before the warranty is out, you're buying the wrong bike.
Going to unsubscribe from your and Mr Fillingham's channel...you both cost me too much money! 😉 Thought you had fitted the YSS fork upgrade? That looked like standard fork caps on the ride up to Hitchcock's. Or have you removed them to fit onto a GT? 😂
I totally agree with you. This is for those who want to create something personal to them. YSS kit is still on my bike. No GT for me, GT footpegs maybe :)
Great video as usual , only missing one thing , it would have been so much better if you or Dan had said how much all the extra parts cost to buy and have fitted by someone . Keep up the good work 👍
Hi Andrew. Cost is a tough one as there are so many different options and approaches. I have put links in the description for the ready made kit and a few of the accompanying parts. I’ll do a follow up on costs and options.
On a quick reckon, the back wheel gets a 50% hike in power for roughly half the cost of a new bike. Not bad : )
Yep, Enfield should definitely make the bike in this 865cc displacement, in addition to the 650cc. Both need a fatter back tire, no question.
Let's show up those Triumph riders!
Lol! Hey now! 😄
Signed, A Triumph rider...
Its really exactly what Royal needs on just about every bike on the model line. Lets be real here too, how much more would it honestly cost the company to make them with the bigger bore? They can totally make the bikes perform and stay close to their price points!
Anyone from India like👍
Yes
Kerala hear
gujarat
Meghalaya
Y u need a like bro! Whether u were from India or any other country, just love the bike bro! Don't ask for likes
Looks like about £4k for all that fitted! That makes this bike Bonnie T100 territory! I mean it's a cool mod, but that's crazy.
I agree ~ that is silly money for those add-ons and you’d be better off with the Bonnie in the first place
It's true that it wouldn't make financial sense to buy a brand new 650 twin and do this to it. But if you already had a 2 year old RE and wanted the extra power, it might make more sense than selling your depreciated interceptor and shelling out to buy a new T100. Still, a second hand triumph would likely make more sense. That said, some people have a bit of sentimental attachment to their bike, like fiddling with it and upgrading it, and might not want to have the same T100 that every other 60 year old guy and his dog have 😄 I think a gutsy interceptor would be really cool, cost comparisons aside.
@@MrJulianneave yeah, while most people won't spend 4k upgrading a 6k bike, it's cool and I hope he does it! Who doesn't like more power?!
Spot on Julian.
So you have a 2 year old bike and you spend 4-5,000 on it ~ what’s that bike then worth? The argument doesn’t stack up financially. I totally get buying and enjoying/modifying a standard bike but if you wanted 65bhp to begin with the Bonnie makes more sense. Then there’s the insurance ...
The sound of this motorcycle is fantastic and addictive.
Really nice knowing now that there is a big bore kit for the new enfeild 650’s to make them faster, I know it isn’t easy to get a lot of speed out of the old 500 singles. It’s also a really beautiful bike sticking with classic British twin style . Wishing you many years of safe and fun riding 👍🏻PS I didn’t know they got 40hp at the wheel to start, getting 60+ afterwards is awesome 🤩
60hp at the rear wheel is no joke, especially when considering that it’s a two cylinder. With the additional HP you would you usually get more vibration at low rpm’s but this bike was obviously done right. My only question would revolve around the connecting rods, can they handle the additional power.
Great video. Reminded me of when everyone had a 900 kit for their CB750 Honda( in the 70's) however the frame in those days couldnt handle the increase in power like the RE can.
Cheers Ian - Yes it a real testament to the build quality of the standard bike 👍
@@WildlifeMoto I would go a little further and say that it reflects well on Harris Performance, the frame designers and on the new CEO of Royal Enfield for having the foresight to buy Harris Performance to improve their bikes.
It also makes me wonder if this will make the bike more resilient to crash damage. I see many modern bikes being written off after relatively minor crashes because the frame has become damaged.
The Enfield has a 4 valve motor, the old CB was two valve and breathed poorly in comparison. Suzuki GS750 two valve was the same. Without valve work really wasted money.
£6k for an interceptor £4k to modify, that would buy a very good bike , especially second hand.
You'd have to have a lot of love for your Enfield.
But I suppose plenty do , so good luck to them, and hope they enjoy
What good bike is it?
Great to see this and I might well be investing in the upgrade. I owned a Hinckley T100 before but much prefer the enfield and especially now that the upgrades make the enfield a much quicker bike then why not.
Lack of reliability. Insurance. Warranty.
Very good review, thanks. The Interceptor is a great bike out of the box, it's also a great and affordable platform for farkling. I genuinely prefer it to the Bonnies, a T100 looks great but so much more expensive and not quite as....nice. 65 RWHP without spoiling the character, hmmmm very tempting.
Saw in the video that the O2 sensors had been removed, are these no longer required with the Power Commander?
Agreed, the T100 feels like a modern bike, where as the Interceptor feels like a real classic. If you want all the charm of the Interceptor and a bit more punch, this is the way forward. Yes, they deleted the O2 sensors and SAS (I think they had to wire in a resistor to prevent the engine warning light)
I wish Royal Enfield had made this machine. Really love the mod an the way the bike is kept to its original look. 👌 honestly after this video I'm saving money for this mod 😅
Let’s hope the factory takes notice of this and begins to offer it stock, a Lot of people would definitely change their minds then and possibly get this rather than a new Triumph, though that’s a tough choice
A nice 1000cc Twin would be real sweet. Come On Enfield do it.
Great video and a terrific upgrade but expensive. If you intend to keep the bike as an ongoing project then the upgrade if you’re able to do the work yourself is worth it. I’m never selling mine as I love it, so it looks like I’ll be doing the upgrade 😁.
I like it. I like them both, actually.
Mmmm , £2300 ish for twenty bhp...
Torque is what you want, this maybe next winters upgrade for me
Go for it
First impression - reminded me of the old Norton 850 Commando - what's not to like?
You think is a good moto ?
@@juanpablosilvaaleman539 Norten??
Exactly what I was going to say! I am very tempted
@@bonjovi1354 Interceptor
@@juanpablosilvaaleman539 very good moto ...it's fun to ride ..but at the end of the day ...one should ride first
Good grief I miss my Int. 650. Just a fantastic motorcycle. I couldn't imagine it with more power. It had all it could need. Your description of this makes me doubt that. Seriously. When I get things sorted, I might just get another one.
Although a lot don’t think the upgrade worth it as it puts the Enfield in the Triumph price bracket, it gives you a bike that is very exclusive, where as paying the same for the Triumph just buys you another clone that’s the same as everyone else’s.
That’s my line of thinking.
Gorgeous bike...but for the cost of everything I'd just get a Speed Twin 1200.
Also loving your channel, it’s already persuaded me to buy a new Interceptor and add quite a few modifications and now I know what the next stage will involve 👍
Thanks John, glad you are enjoying the content. Congrats on the new bike.
Cool improvements. But it would be nice if Royal Enfield built a larger motor from the factory . 🤷🏼♂️
Cool but for the additional price an XSR700 sounds like a better choice.
I actually get so excited for these interceptor videos, keep it up bro love to see it
Glad you like them!
That’s the ultimate mod a RE owner has to do.
this is amazing that they are able to make that much power reliability out of this engine and frame,
How do we know it is reliable?
@@MrTriple3 it's S&S, they don't make bad products
Nice video, I think your tempted!!. It's quite an expensive upgrade, but a good one and if the bikes a 'keeper ' it's worth it 👌. Cheers, Steve
Most of Interceptor owners must be waiting for this.... It's better to get interceptor 650 and change it to 865 and get more power than T100 and for less price...👍
it always seemed to me, when looking at this project several years ago, in the beginning and who was involved in its design, that the frame was meant for a larger capacity engine anyway. I really don't understand why they haven't offered both capacity engined bikes.
My concern was the fuel delivery but it seems that was sorted out. Seems like Hitchcocks did a proper job. Wish Enfield would just build an 850, or even a 750cc for people who want a choice.
You now have the equivalent of a Norton Commando.....
Very cool. I have been waiting for a video on this. I have already spent $890 on the S&S pipes, got a new air filter, new clutch and brake levers, changed the bars, mirrors etc. A lot of upgrades! and I couldn't justify this upgrade for the cost but man if I had the money I would do it instead of getting a different bike. I love my interceptor and I honestly like the look of the interceptor more than the Bonneville. I can't take it out without someone stopping me and asking me about it. Even as a 650 it's plenty of power to have fun with because it's got quite a bit of torque already. Thanks for the video! I bet that was fun. 😎
Man , sorry I had not subbed before now , I enjoy the videos you make , would love to ride over on your side of the big pond . I love the R E 's , I ride Harley-Davidson's here in the US , but I enjoy so many machines , I would love a R E 500 Classic . Thanks , ride , and stay safe , cheers .
Thanks for the sub 💪
So when's the install video for your bike going up? :)
Also jesus christ the parts add up to half the cost of the interceptor. That's gonna make it compare to bikes in a different price bracket, stiff competition up there near the 10k mark.
Yeah but you can enjoy a 650 and eventually an 800+ :)
It’s certainly not a cheap upgrade but you are adding around 25HP to the bike. It’s a absolute game changer if you love the Interceptor and want more power. But yes, this level of modding is gonna cost.
@@WildlifeMoto you don't have to tempt me bro, I'm planning on adding fairing near the front, switching up the lights,front console and suspension by a wee bit on my gt. I've already switched to a better air filter, lighter exhaust and a different sprocket, seeing this made me go :)
I thought 650 is smoth but your upgrade is buttery smoth.
Ye smoth
Hi WM, love your vids, keep up the mod work.
FYI, my RE dealer, Revelry Cycles, drag race a heavily modified GT with the S&S big bore kit and a not quite as heavily modified Interceptor with the big bore kit, which is described as a "fire breathing, wheelie popping, tyre smoking monster"!
They've done some very informative vids on performance upgrades. They've got me into drag racing my stock Orange Crush, so I guess I'll be saving up for a big bore kit ... and clutch ... and powertronic ... and free flow headers.
Damn, think I'll need to start a popular RUclips channel to fund all my mods 😉
I just got my continental gt 3 weeks ago and have been thinking about this mod a lot.
Personally I like my Inty motor just the way it is thank you. Now, if I had a Conti, it would be a different matter, oh yes.
It’s a great soup up and to all that have had it done or are gonna have it done, be that a Conti or Inty, enjoy, enjoy.
Nice review btw.
Cheers
Neil
My a hole [opinion] believes it to be the most beautiful new bike
Looks like my kind of toy store. I''ve gotten quite a few things from them and it was nice to see what that place looks like. Would be nice to get that done but it wouldn't be something I would tackle myself. Cheers mate
That is awesome! I bought the Himalayan big bore kit.
It looks incredible. 👍🏻👍🏻
Good video :)
Nice classic bike with proper, modern power . Got to love it.
A Herbert turret lathe! It's been years since I saw one of these. Anybody remember Dean Smith and Grace?
Used DSG lathes at NGL when i was an apprentice
I am of the opinion if you want more power, buy a bigger bike. It will be a lot less hassle to just buy a Triumph Speed twin or such like. I guess it depends on the cost? The RE twins have a charm all of their own that have nothing to do with more power. What's the saying, "It's more fun to ride a slower bike fast than a fast bike slow"
I hear you. But if you bought this bike to tinker (as many have), this is a great case study in how far you can push things if you want. Not for everyone though. And as I said, even with the kit it still holds its lazy character well.
@@WildlifeMoto Sure, If you intend to keep it long term it's probably a good investment if you love the bike.
I was, actually im still worrying that after some time I get bored of my RE and will want to swap it for something stronger like street twin. If I sell my RE for let's say something around 4k, I'll still need another 4k for triumph. Why don't I install big bore kit instead?! :))
@@tomaszp614 It depends on how much the big bore kit costs to buy and fit? Also consider the insurance for these type of things is a hassle if your bike gets written off for any reason. You wont get your money back. The street twin will always be a more powerful bike out of the box and wont have the possible ssues "upgrades" tend to have.
@David Rosenberg yeah an 865 RE Interceptor is going to be a more unique bike, looks like a real Rip snorter. At 65 hp at the rear wheel that's probably going to eat the street twin, and not feel so cramped I'm picking. Love that Hitchcocks seat, I'll definitely be ordering that.
Very impressive , just had a look at the price ,and i reckon about £2500 to £3000 to fit this kit , not sure thats worth it
Yes, it's not a budget mod - around £100 per poney.
once you ride it you'll feel like it's worth every cent...
Now we know your next upgrade😄👌
Thanks for review.
Hitchcocks produce real things👍👍👍
How does the suspension perform after the changes to the engine, clutch, etc? What is the added weight of the swapped out parts?
My 2007 865 Triumph T100 makes 74 BHP with only a Mntotwin exhaust and uprated jets upgrade, I would have expected more that 65bhp with all the work and expense of the upgrades.
I figure it would be about 65 horses at the rear wheel and about 75 at the crank. There is another build from Australia that even managed to squeeze out 75hp at the rear wheels. So you can guess how much is at the crank.
I saw that O2 sensor wasn't connected on the bend pipe....is it done by purpose..?
Yes, they have deleted these and blanked them off.
Good to see what upgrades Hitchcocks are developing & supplying for the gt/Interceptor 👍
I really like the Mods but the prices is a another level, 👍
Someone please send this video to royal enfield.
This could become an excellent Scrambler with some suspension and exhaust modifications combined with the big bore kit. Cheers mate.
Well Royal Enfield is on a roll. It has so much in store for the next 12-24 months. The following models are up for launch -
Classic
Roadster
Shotgun
Hunter
Sherpa
Scram
Flying Flea and
An Electric Motorcyle
Also BSA will be launching its 650cc motorcycle by the end of the year.
i have purchased from them for my 2000 Classic 500 Enfield.
Well, if I have over £3k on top of the money for an Int 650, there will be plenty of brands and models to choose from tbh...
What a great bike I can't wait to try one I hope I like it because I want one. 😃 🏴 🇬🇧
Don't try it unless you have space in your garage. You WILL buy it 😀 Enjoy!
Royal Enfield NEEDS to produce machines that appeal to full licence holders in order to move forward.
Such a great little bike! I love mine
Could you please share your thoughts on the reliability and fuel consumption? I'm considering making this modification on my commuter bike, but I might reconsider if it leads to a noticeable increase in fuel consumption or engine damage.
Another interesting custom Royal enfield "The Musket V-Twin"
ruclips.net/video/hYzuqAX2A3A/видео.html
Great Video, was waiting for this one. I know it might be a stretch but would it be possible for you to do a video with the same bike during a sunny day maybe. British Weather, I know haha.
Haha, yes unfortunately April is pretty unpredictable in the U.K.
@@WildlifeMoto Hahaha, I mean the content quality makes up for it. I like the Logo transition from one clip to another, seamless and cool.
Royal Enfield build it! Front double brakes and bigger weels....
i did some calculations and without postage its about $6000 aussie dollars, the bike costs here $10000 aussie dollars, you would have to be keen
I get why the kit would appeal to some, but the bike is no slouch if you know how to ride.
@@jimmyb4982 Exactly! Different mufflers and a couple of other small mods the bike is great little machine
@@rsc68er Damn right, mate. My Dr Mayhem Continental GT650 is a real treat with the S&S slip-ons!
Thanks 👍☺️
Very informative and interesting video...
Great Bike for it's cost, and not a bad price on this big bore upgrade, well worth it I'd say!
Ride Safe...
Enjoy the journey...
Back in the 70s I was more than happy with the grunt of a 750 Norton. Low down grunt is more usable than top end hyperspace. Though Both are fun. The Enfield factory may bring out a bigger motor. It seems the bottom end can handle a 200 cc bigger barrel already so they may have it planned already. Then it will compete with the t100. Whereas the 650 twin appeals to riders who like mild performance and doesnt compete with Triumph. The UK road system away from the motorway does not need massive bikes especially with all the villages and every family has two hatchbacks littering the streets.
I was impressed with the Interceptor MPG. How efficient is the 865?
Not sure, but if MPG is a worry, don't do this.
Did the same mods to my Continental GT but used the S&S cam. "Only" made 55 hp on the dyno so maybe it could have been tuned better. Upgraded front springs, raised the handlebars 2 inches, and added one tooth to the front sprocket. Runs fine but I keep it mostly for the looks and its legacy.
I wonder if bigger valves and a port job would help?
I should look for porting mods and see what's about...
Excellent video, just a pity the weather is stuck in January mode at the moment.
I'm very jealous, you get to ride the big bore Interceptor and visit Hitchcock's.
That would be my idea of a perfect day.
I was seriously thinking about the big bore kit but once you add everything up I thought hang on, that's a good chunk towards a Himalayan.
Take care and stay safe.
I've been trying to decide whether to buy a bigger bike or put this kit on my gt650. Dont get me wrong, I love my continental but if I get bored or just fancy a change I won't recover any money spent on mods. On the other hand, I would have a very unusual bike that goes like stink and is massive fun to ride, but only if you are going to keep it long term and enjoy the ownership experience. Each to their own.
Totally agree, if you are keeping this bike long term, why not.
@@WildlifeMoto the "why not" is that my wife might commit murder on that sort of spend. 😆
The knowledge that this upgrade exists makes it much more difficult to resist buying an Interceptor.
I would be interested to know how the bottom end handles the extra capacity. Big end and main bearings, do they handle the load after a year or two of riding
@15:27 How do you even know what it supposed to be? There are bikes of the same ilk that are way faster. It all depends on what you want in a bike like this and what is possible without breaking the bank due to rediculous regulations anywhere else, except in Britain. :)
A lot of people are going to ask, and indeed, reading through SOME comments, HAVE asked, "why not buy a used T100 Bonny then?" Well, until someone does a back-to-back test of the OLD 865cc Bonny, and this actual Interceptor, WHO KNOWS? ..(without entering the world of WILD SPECTULATIONS!) If you want to know, .....get off your ass and travel up to Solihull, take your beloved Trumpet with you and RIDE THEM! ...FILM THEM! .....and then TELL US what YOU think!
Interceptor should have come stock like this. Would have sold a lot more even if it costed 50k more in indian rs
Wouldn't it be more simple to buy a second hand Triumph 120.
Does anybody have any evidence about the reliability and longevity of this upgrade.
Are Royal Enfield going to bring out a 900cc to compete with Triumph.
The 650cc has been a huge success not only for Royal Enfield but the Japanese 4 also.
Many riders are starting to see the advantages of buying 650.
But if it rocks yer boat, go for it.
65 HP isn't very much. I've heard of 90 on the flat track Interceptor 😊
I would leave that sweet thing stock and get an MT07/09 for the money, much better all around, just wait for the 750 Hornet. The RE is a true peach, never meant to be a scorcher.
Maybe it's good in some region western cause you have much choice to considering, but in other region this will another page becaue there are several other issues such as income and tariffs that affect your decision. The point here is that companies often don't have factories in your area, it will reach a hill cost like my Vietnam country we have T100 at 17.870 dollars and the cheapest from them is Twin 900cc at 15.250 dollars now is Trident slightly cheaper at 11.780 dollars MSRP that wont better than CB650R Neo from Honda just at 11.000 dollar, passion is passion even our strength is limit.
i think if RE were to make a bigger GT/interceptor around 900cc, they’d retain anyone who started on the 650 from buying a triumph 😂
Ends are designed for load of a 650 not up 800 plus.
This will always reduce longevity.
Even in the 70s when the Rickman 8 valve upgrade came out for the Bonnie although it increased perfomace hugely it proved unpopular due to the extra wear and tear it applied to the mechanics .
The S&S 865 kit is currently out of stock. Has anyone tried their 750cc kit. I figure for the same basic cost, go for bigger. Not sure how long of a wait for the 865.
Well , it's decided then.. I'm doing it this year :D ! ! ! I can't afford a second bike like Triumph or Moto Guzzi and i don't want to sell my Interceptor because i love him. It's easy decision for me :D