Hello Stuart, I live in Chennai, India (the place where Royal Enfields are made). Three years ago, your Interceptor 650 long-term review and Is It a Rust Bucket? video inspired me to get the Continental GT 650. Since then, I have never looked back. It has been incredibly reliable, and I ride it daily, enjoying every bit of it. I always wanted to thank you for your videos. They inspire people and help them make the right informed decisions. I appreciate your work and congratulate you on your silver play button.
Hello Kevinchris I’m also from Chennai , and feel excited to see an other follower of Mr.Stuart . I’m following Mr.Stuart since he started this exclusive passionated Channel . As per my opinion: he is brave and straight forward gentleman also detail to depth is his DNA , I follow every micro efforts of him . Thank you indeed
Most bike companies have got involved in making bikes as expensive toys, forgetting that they are a form of transport. This has led to an arms race to make the lightest, fastest in the case of sportsbikes or the biggest engined, heaviest in the case of cruisers. Royal Enfield have been building bikes for people to use. Simple but effective.
Here in Germany they are still rare. But when I am on my Interceptor 650 people always look and comment super positiv. This is still the land of the GS so statistics show bikers here buy the 350 classic as a second/third bike way more than the 650s. Last weekend I did a 400km tour on my Interceptor with two huge drybags and the machine handled it extremly good. =)
I'm one of the Interceptor 650 owners here in Berlin and I couldn't agree more with what you said above. People turn their heads and congratulate me on my well-preserved oldtimer constantly as they don't seem to realize it's actually a new bike. Our RE dealership in Kreuzberg yesterday told me that they sold around 60/70 bikes in the last few years. I'm about to go on a big tour fully loaded with my partner on the pillion and bags through the whole of Germany (ca 2-3k km). I'll report afterward. Wish me luck🏍
Bought a hunter 350 purely on a whim (the price being the deciding factor) after a hiatus of 30 odd years and love it to bits. It puts a smile on my face every trip, handles good sounds lovely and certainly turns a few heads. Build quality seems fine and had no issues whatsoever, all in all I'm very satisfied and pleased i took the plunge 😊
Always great to hear your comments on the Royal Enfield line up. Here in Australia the bikes have really taken off. Good to see a big corporation doing the right thing by its customer base with some good common sense and imagination! Cheers Mr Fillingham!
Hi there, as a slightly more senior rider now I agree with all your points Stuart. Just been on a coast ride to Pennan on the North East Scottish coast, lots of twisty roads and steep inclines, narrow roads ect. My Hunter took it all in it's stride and it was only when I got home I realised how easy and stressless it had all been. Royal Enfield make bikes you enjoy and are easy to live with, surely that's what its all about! Great product and great video, thanks James.
What separates Royal Enfield and other bike makers is that Royal Enfields are made to be ridden and not just looked at. The price point allows you to ride them daily and not be too precious about them. You can however be precious about them, as they do look handsome, but you can own the bike how you want to, whether that be commute on them, customise them, use them for weekend rides or simply just polish them and admire them. The price point, simplicity and easy access to ownership of these bikes allows the widest spectrum of people to own these. Royal Enfield really is the brand for everyone.
As a brand new motorcyclist with just a few thousand miles under my belt, I find myself looking back and even with my very limited experience, if I could go back I would throw my money at Royal Enfield in a heartbeat. I wanted a cruiser style motorcycle, but Harley Davidson and Indian were way over budget. In looking for alternatives, I saw the Meteor and fell in love with it by looks and sound alone, but got dissuaded by family members and online high power bike culture because of the low displacement and horsepower, making it sound unsafe to ride in modern traffic. The Super Meteor had just come out, but as a new biker I didn't want to start with an "untested" bike because I thought that if a new and unproven model had any problems, even obvious ones, I wouldn't be able to tell and maybe got myself in trouble, so I got myself a Kawasaki Vulcan S instead. It's mechanically impeccable, very fast, quick, nimble (for a cruiser), low maintenance and mostly soulless. Don't get me wrong, I was fully prepared to the possibility I had chosen the wrong bike because I had yet to find out what kind of motorcyclist I was. I still like it, but it just doesn't click with me. I thought I'd need the power for highways and fast flowing roads, but on the rare occasions I find myself there I cruise at 100kph/65mph beause faster than that is uncomfortable and unenjoyable. 95% of the time I'm in the saddle is spent below 55mph anyway, and the best time I had has always been at 40mph or less. That is the kind of motorcyclist I am. I should have gone with my instinct from the very start. I'll keep the Kawi for a little while longer, but I already know what I'm getting after this. Can't wait to ride that little thumper.
I bought the Meteor 350 and I agree with you, I made the opposite choice but very nearly went with the Vulcan. My Meteor gets to 70MPH fairly quickly for this old man and I find I'm not interested in going any faster so I'm glad I didn't pay a lot more for HP I won't use anyway. People it would be dangerous and I would get run over by faster traffic, but even on the Interstate, in the right lane there's always a truck or something doing 65. Never felt unsafe. Unsafe is weaving in and out of traffic at 90-120 MPH
When it comes to bikes mate, I've always gone with what I know would suit me. I know what it's like fighting against the crowd though. I have a 2009 A1 Thunderbird that had the bore done to 1700. It is just magic for two up, when my partner and I wanna cruise over the weekend. However, I'll be getting an Interceptor as I also do a lot solo riding, I love the retro look and lets face it, it is fun having a bike that demands you use the gears. I did have a ride on a mates one, and I gotta tell you, the smile on my face after that ride, took a long time to subside. The last 15 years of my riding have been dominated by the big thumper cruisers, that one ride on the RE, gave me a different feeling. I actually wanted to get off the highway. Don't get me wrong, it handles the highway fine. But, I wanted to put it through it's paces on some awesome back roads we have here in NZ. All the best.
Stuart I don’t agree with everything you say and never will. However, I’m writing to compliment you on what I have found from you over the last few years. The content of your written/spoken work is so interesting, well researched and carefully laid out to make whatever point you happen to be making at the time that I cannot help to find it both interesting and captivating throughout. Reflecting upon why that might be I realise that unlike any other relative channel, I have never fast-forwarded through your content knowing what it’s likely to be and therefore dismissing most of it. In fact, given that most of your excellent voice-overs are against a back drop of a pair of handlebars, that aspect is quite irrelevant. Overall I find your content to be both novel and sarcastic whilst also being topical and controversial in many ways. If asked I would say “that’s why the grumpy sod has got that silver plaque” I salute you.
I appreciate the engineering of the Indian made Enfields. My Meteor 350 is simple, reliable, and easy to work on. Perfect for the back roads and poor paving where I live, and there are many upgrade and custom parts available. My Meteor looks and performs completely different from the original Stellar Blue that I purchased. It's my bike and I love it ;-)
Stu, while I'm not finished, I want to chime in about the history of RE. I consider it to be the same brand. Why? Because the Indian part started as a sort of independent, autonomous subsidiary of the Redditch Royal Enfield. The parent company died, while the subsidiary survived. Also, RE has reestablished itself in the UK, so it has come full circle, really. Hence, I think it's the same company-certainly more so than Triumph! With Triumph, those of us in the know distinguish between Meriden (i.e. the original) Triumphs, while the newer ones (the bikes built in the John Bloor era) are called Hinkley Triumphs. The only thing that's the same is the name; otherwise, they're different companies. As for what make RE successful, they build good looking, reliable, modern classic bikes at a price one can afford. They LOOK like a motorcycle should! When someone thinks of a motorcycle, something like the Interceptor will come to mind; something with that timeless, classic look is the embodiment of the motorcycle for most people. RE bikes have everything you need, and nothing you don't. I appreciate the fuel injection and ABS. As for rider modes and all that other BS, who needs it? Besides, if a bike needs rider modes, isn't it too powerful to be relevant to today's riding? To put it another way, RE is now doing what the Japanese manufacturers did 50-60 years ago: build a good looking, reliable bike that people can afford. They built better, more affordable bikes than anyone else did, thus taking the motorcycle world by storm. The Big Four have gotten away from that. While they build high quality, technological marvels, they're irrelevant to today's riding; they're also expensive. I mean, who wants a bike that would look more at home on a Transformers movie set? Really, who would WANT such ugly bikes! Plus, their cockpits look more at home on the Starship Enterpise, NCC-1701D! Why can't I have a basic instrument cluster with speedo and rev counter? Why can't I have a bike that someone from 50 years ago would be able to operate today? IMO, RE have stolen the Big Four's playbook and are using it to great effect. BTW, the US resembles the UK in many places. Go to any major US city and its surrounding suburbs, and you CAN'T do much over the speed limit; with traffic being what it is, you're often fortunate if you can REACH the speed limit! Why do you need a bike capable of doing 150 when you'll be fortunate to be able to do 1/3 or 1/2 of that? At slower speeds, an agile, lighter weight bike carries the day. A basic bike like a RE allows you to focus on traffic, so you can come out of it alive; there are no distractions as there are on more modern bikes. Which watch brand, in terms of overall price (i.e paying the same price for the watch as the motorcycle), I think Tudor is a good pick, I might include IWC watches too, as they're similarly priced and are more utilitarian in their focus. As for the market segment (i.e. those who'd buy a RE vs. a BMW for motorcycles), I think that Orient or Seiko watches are more comparable. Someone who'd buy a RE vs. a BMW won't be spending thousands on a watch; they'll spend money on something more reasonably priced. Hence, in terms of market segments of motorcycles and watches, I'd think that the RE buyer would buy an Orient or Seiko mechanical watch. Citizen would be there too, with their Fugi classic diver.
I became a Royal Enfield owner about a year and a half ago, with the purchase of new 2021 Himalayan. The content of an enthusiastic stateside content creator was a factor in the decision, though I later interpreted his enthusiasm more as being a schil. My distance from the dealership prevented me from going back after an early problem was sorted out. I traced a no start problem at the end of the season to a failed fuel pump and understood the cause of the failure and the early symptoms of the problem. I've slowly adjusted to riding a machine that occasionally has less power than I want in a given moment and have fewer thoughts of performance upgrades. After a wonderfully relaxing ride in morning traffic to deliver my granddaughter to school, I realized that the running in process is not only for the machine. Who knows, I may eventually develop an appreciation for quality timepieces!
When you presented the watch question at the beginning of this video I immediately thought, definitely Tudor! I purchased a Tudor Blackbay GMT several years ago to commemorate something in my own life. I love this watch and it keeps time at +/- 1 sec per day. I travel full time now in retirement and it really fits my lifestyle and is so durable. Keep up the great channel brother.
I wanted a British bike, that felt British. As it is I have an Indian bike that feels like a the best bits of the old British iron I restored in the 80s and 90s. It goes every time, it doesn't leak oil, it doesn't need constant fettling. It's cheap as chips, I can afford more than one. It has charcter in barrow loads. What else can give me that.
To me, their understated styling, their approachability, their reliability, their low price, and that they are easy to ride is the winning combination. By the way, I now own a Hunter 350, and I love that little bike! Thanks, as always, for the great video, Stuart.
Yet another great story. My father gave me an Omega Constellation when I graduated from high school in 1966. It's a self winder and it still keeps pretty good time--could probably use a proper cleaning. It has a date window but no other frills. So now all I have to do is pick up a RE Interceptor and I'll be all set.! Thanks for another entertaining video!
Agreed on most points. Motorcycling is more an emotional thing than practical for me. Many of your points are overlooked just for the joy and nostalgia of riding bikes that " were" in my youth. Had more problems with my RE 350 than the T120, but who cares they fixed easily. At this point of life, just don't care what's in style or what the media says. So much bright color and flash, I've walked out of several brands showrooms....and they were glad I left. They can't understand what they haven't experienced. Youth is wasted on the young. As for comparing to watches, I get it, but don't want to know the time. Getting to close to dirt nap time....
Nice one Stuart, Royal Enfield have made a huge impact on the bike market especially since the launch of 650 twins...it surprises me why the Japanese haven't jumped on the retro bandwagon, a 550/650 inline four with twin shocks,circa mid 70s look would surely be a winner...
@stuartfillingham As a previous owner of a Z650 and Z750, I really liked them, but I think that there were some quality issues and that is why they are rare now?
Interesting analogy Stuart. The 'magic' or 'mojo' of the RE line was described recently in a comment by youtuber Exeter Rider as a Zen experience. Esoteric, even spiritual. I think it encompasses the whole experience. Aesthetics, economical operation, ease of servicing, initial price, etc. I'm still in love with my INT 650 but the Meteor is becoming my favorite bike of all time. It's so comfortable to ride, for hours at times, in the city, on country roads and state highways. Congrats on your YT milestone. You certainly deserve it!
Stuart This video can easily go onto a B School syllabus Strategic management case study. the analogy between watches and bikes was awesome. BTW I’m from Chennai and 45, use my new Meteor 350 which I bought after testing many bikes. Is a common sight to see a RE mostly classic 350s, both old and new, crossing you literally every minute. Can’t agree more, I was against all the fancy electronics and chose RE meteor for its simplicity and character.
Another great video! I got my first bike in 1972, a Honda C100, and received my fist Omega watch from my Mum for my 21st birthday in 1977. From that date onwards, I've continuously owned and ridden motorcycles, and I'm also pleased to say that I'm now wearing my third Omega - a Seamaster Professional Co-Axial automatic. I bought this watch for my 60th birthday and I absolutely love it!
Hi Stu, a couple of days ago I was pleased to see a couple of bikers pull into my local garage/cafe here in Spain, so after getting fuel and finishing my coffee I went over to have a nose, one bike was a Suzuki Intruder cruiser, the other was a RE Hunter 350, I was pleasantly surprised at how much it looked a quality motorcycle even though being small capacity, I chatted with the owner for a few minutes and I have to say I was impressed, having been a 600 owner for years then changing direction in January of this year bought a Goldwing 1800 DCT bagger which I then sold in June for reasons of weight, snatchy throttle, choppy suspension and lack of fuel economy I think the 350 is very relevant, while riding the Goldwing I never felt like I was riding a motorcycle rather I riding a 2 wheeled car !
If I may, I want to add one more fact about modern motorcycles. Adventure bikes, by their nature, tend to have engine designs with more torque than horsepower. But, by taking advantage of the same platforms for different models with different orientations, more and more engines are seen with more horsepower than torque, and in turn, more and more compressed. And this means? That even as technology advances, the long-term performance of those bikes will be affected. In comparison, Royal Enfiel's 650 engine will be considered a pearl, as the Japanese engines knew to be in the 90s (with which its performance is compared and after 30 years there are examples in excellent condition). What's more, since I mention the Orientals, I dare say that even some other Japanese brand is falling into the trap that they knew how to dodge to become the best in terms of efficiency and durability. But Royal Enfield, has managed to capture the great style of the 50s to 70s, the mechanical simplicity, efficiency and I estimate the durability of the 80s and 90s, in addition to the essential technology of the 2000s. They only have to compete against their own imprint during these last two decades, offering better materials and finishes for the same price, and thus end up dominating the world. Finding a resemblance to another product, and not knowing about watches, let me compare Royal Enfield to a razor. There are also hundreds of thousands of those, with many specifications, many commercial brands and many other luxury ones. But if I had to refer to a knife that is essentially similar to the Royal Enfield, it would be Victorinox. It is a prestigious brand, yes, but that any human being can acquire and that surely will not be disappointed, because it is an honest razor. Honest is the word. Just by seeing it, you understand how it works, what it is for, what its virtues are and how far it can help. Royal Enfield is the Victorinox of motorcycles. Accurate, simple, faithful. Greetings from Argentina, from another motorcycle lover, or rather, lover of freedom!
I always enjoy your viewpoints and topics of discussion. I'm in the states, you know the land of harley davidson. But I ride a triumph T120 Bonneville. I really do enjoy the bike. It has just enough electronics without being over the top or intrusive in my opinion. Its minimalist in comparison to most motorcycles being made today. Here in the states speed limits are 70 mph on the highways and everyone excedes that. So I do use the cruise controll quite a bit, even on the slower roads, its just less fatiguing on my hands. And I'm in a northern climate so i do use the heated grips in the spring and fall and I love them. But other than that its just a basic standard motorcycle that makes me love it so much. To each their own. I've had many bikes in my 63 years on this planet few have been as pleasurable to ride for me as the Bonneville. I considered a 650 RE but I like the larger very tourqey engine of the Bonneville. I agree with most of the points you made and thats why I purchased the Bonnie here in the states. Keep up the great content and congratulations on your 100k.
The comparison between Tudor and Royal Enfield is perfect, both just do what it says on the tin! I’ve been riding bikes for forty years, I’ve ridden well over 300,000 miles on two wheels, I’ve owned three GS’s and put over 50k on each of them, I’ve ridden at speeds on various bikes of over 180mph but I can guarantee the most fun I’ve had has been on simple bikes travelling at speeds between 50&60mph ! Currently I am bike less for the first time in my life but I’m almost beyond excited at the prospect of buying a Royal Enfield and once again travelling between 50&60mph especially as now we live in North Yorks! 😀 Enjoying your channel, thanks very much! 👏👍😀🍺 Huge congrats on the “Silver Button” very well deserved! 🍾
Glad to see a fellow Interceptor owner and RE admirer (and I literally live 20kms away from where the RE factory) to have similar interests and knowledge on mechanical watchmaking, watchfinder introduced me 10 years back and I'm glad it did and I personally love the Tudor black bay GMT and a strong advocate of Grand Seiko
I think the attraction of R E is the wide range with a simplicity combined with modern engineering but not over the top gizmos, just practical easy to live with bikes , theres one for everyone whatever your needs style or requirements. Thanks Stu keep up the good work .😊
They were not big in India till 2008. The started growing tremendously after 2008. Total sales (Indian as well total exports) 2007- 38,528 units 2006- 32,612 units 2005- 30,777 units 2004- 29,475 units 2003- 28,360 units 2002- 28,029 units They crossed 50,000 units for the first time in 2009, 100,000 units in 2012 and 500,000 units in 2015.
Timex......tells you the time what more do you want ? First bike ive ever really got attached to tbh , still makes me grin when i open the garage door , 3 years on if i didnt have the bike and its purchase price and every penny I'd spent making it mine was back in my bank account.......I'd do it all again exactly the same ! Its shed mates may come and go but she'll be staying !
Hey Stuart. I think there is another brand that captures much of what you talk about in this video (with an important exception). That brand is Moto Guzzi. I am a fan of what Royal Enfield is trying to achieve, but through accidents of history will find it hard to fit an RE into the garage, which includes an MG V7 III and a Vespa. Where RE has kept to its mid capacity roots, MG has actually increased the engine size of its baby V7 (essentially replacing the old 750cc 50bhp engine with an 850cc 65bhp engine). What MG doesn't do, that RE does do, are smaller capacity machines, I assume because they are a niche brand within the much larger Piaggio group. But imagine some MG 350 ish singles or twins (they used to do v35s). MG has always suffered from dealer network and marketing issues, but if they could somehow resolve these, wouldn't that be a breath of fresh air!!
Hey Friend, while you were explaining everything very nicely, I was glued into the Scenery that you introduced us, It's really beautiful place, in fact one of the best place and road to ride on a bike like Royal Enfield. Mesmerizing
Unfortunately it's not about practicality, it's more about status. I have a neighbor who changes his Porche, every time his friend does. He rides around our Village all the time in it. Can still do only 70mph like my wife's Corsa.
Hello Stuart, Yesterday I discovered your video, and I'm thinking of buying an Interceptor and I consider fully accurate your opinion (as a fan of mechanical watches and authentic motorcycles) that there is a parallel between the way of manufacturing Royal Enfield and the classic mechanical watches that have not given up their essence. I think it has to do with a certain way of understanding life.
Great video. I’ve gotta say, I think that’s the first phone booth I’ve seen in well over a decade (perhaps quite a bit longer, now that I think on it). Good to know there’s still one or two hanging on.
Looks like your getting some good riding weather. I have become a big fan of Royal Enfield over the last three years. Right now I trying to patiently wait for the release of the Classic 650.
I had a 2020 Triumph Tiger 800 XRX. A decent enough bike, if tall, but overloaded with gadgets, often at the expense of rider comfort. Examples? The TFT screen would change display modes meaning that you had to stop and toggle through a menu to get it back to the setting you wanted. Three power modes and 3 ABS modes. I only ever switched occasionally from Sport to Road mode. The rest might as well not have existed except to give bike journos something to write about. The screen changed from day to night mode when driving under tree canopies. Finally, because they had so many buttons and toggles on the handlebars they moved the heated grip switch from being a large button to a miniscule nib on the grip rubber, impossible to operate in gloves. My 97 Thunderbird has none of this and analogue clocks but you can concentrate on riding the bike, not flying a Playstation.
thats why i love my old sv650. Abs would come in handy but can live without it. When i ride, even if its commuting i just want to focus on the road and machine. Nothing else and its therapy!
Love my interceptor. It does everything I want on the road. Thinking about a Himmy next year for off road fun. 411 version will be more capable than I am so I will be more than happy with a nice used model. RE is knocking it out of the park.
I feel the same way about my 2022 W800. It was the only truly retro machine available in my area (Canada) at the time. It only has the mandatory ABS, fuel injection, true air cooling and it has an under square long stroke 360 degree firing order like the bikes of the 60s. It makes 80% of its torque at 2500rpm and is totally relaxing to drive on B roads and still has enough umph for the four lane highways. The Interceptor was not widely available here at the time but I am sure I would have found it to be a thoroughly fun and interesting ride. I do, however, have no regrets paying the higher price demanded for the W800. It is s very enjoyable motorcycle for me at my soon to be 70 years of age. I do have a work in progress 1968 Norton Commando that was the 820th Commando to come off the production assembly line. Looking forward to getting it up and running and in the mean time I am relying on the W to fill the need. I too have recently delved into the mechanical watch world with a Tissot Chemin des Tourelles. Not a $10,000.00 dollar watch but a good start into Swiss watch world. I also have my grandfathers 1913 Omega solid silver railroad pocket watch. It still runs but badly needs a service. Keep the great videos coming. Tudor is a great watch line. The Rolex watches are over priced for what they are but the reputation is apparently priceless.
I recently bought an Orient automatic watch as I’d got fed up with the battery throw away watch and although I’ve never ridden a Enfield, currently ride the Honda Hornet 750, which is a lovely bike but, full of electronics that I never use. And I must admit I’m leaning more and more towards the Enfield because of the simplicity. Thanks again for another interesting video.
Its strange how British ideas and engineering ended in our factories 🏭 only to start life abroad in foreign countries, to be revived and become successful, and our businesses seem to colapse with lack of investment ( & may i say lack of interest or forsight , we lose they win , on another subject i went for a spin in my car today with the wife to New Brighton , seaside provable Fish & Chips , on the way home took a different route , quite a wide road with a 20 mph speed limit this went on for about 2& 1/2 mile there was very little traffic on the road , i really dont know what the hell the Council in that area are thinking other than to bollox our cars or bikes up , i often ride a 35 year old B M W now im thinking of getting a smaller capacity bike , with how much can i get to the gallon out of it , even though i get over 50 m p g from my B M , smaller seems to make more sense these days . Great topic Stuart keep them coming mate 👍
Thanks for that video, Stuart. I hope Royal Enfield appreciate and acknowledge all that you do to support and promote the brand with your honest , no BS reviews and comments. RE continues to be a worldwide phenomenal success . Although I don’t yet own one, it is definitely in the cards in the very near future. Regarding Tudor, I think it’s and excellent choice and a very much underrated watch. Cheers, Dan 🏍✌️🇨🇦
The secret? They realised that there are millions of older folks/nostalgia lovers who see in their bikes a return to how they remember biking of yesteryear but without the drip tray, dodgy brakes etc etc. That and the keenness of their pricing policy.
Interesting video! But I can't equate RE with those brands. I've always seen them more in the Hamilton camp. Really good tool watches, with history but without breaking the bank. Something like a Khaki Field (be it automatic or hand wound).
I have a trio of Oris automatic winders, two with complications, one with just date and time. They aren’t as accurate as a digital watch if you need daily accuracy better than 10 seconds, but as you say, they aren’t throw away items, they feel good on your wrist and should last as long as I am alive and probably as long as my sons live when they inherit them. They might balk at the 5yearly manufacturer service costs though, a bit like the bikes.
Really poetic discourse, Stuart It's going to be poetry when not on your bike, I'm sure. I have had a Tudor Oyster Date since the late 60s and it's never let me down. Still consider it among my best. I also owned the Interceptor for 3 years and it is a beauty. So...completely agree.
I kind of like your comparison with omega and triumph - thinking of the omega-swatch watches and the triumph - Bajaj new 400 cycle. The Tudor watch is a well earned gift - congratulations with your success on the channel.
I dunno. Being an owner of one of these has been quite an experience. Every time I stop for gas, or go on an errand using the Interceptor some dude has to come by, and ask twenty questions.
Truly enjoyable, Stu! Proper take on RE I believe, and while my initial reaction to your analogy of RE to Tudor didn't quite click, I came around to agreement: RE stcks to the KISS principle of motorcycle design/engineering. While I happen to appreciate stuff like ABS, *basic* traction control and heated grips, I can cheerfully go without the other stuff that too often just gets in the way of the true "business" of riding. So...about this new watch: you're telling me the BB 58 is too small? Remind me *not* to get into a pub Donnybrook with you! 😂
They look good, with the classic styling They don't try to be a fast and furious ride, which is how many companies have gone It's about the joy of motorcycling Me, as a 40 year old, am interested in starting to ride because of RE And great videos covering them, such as your many videos Stuart 👏🏻
I hear you Stu, I'm kind of a foot in both camps, i have a 2007 Hyosung gv250, which i loved when i got it because it looked like the 80s cruisers i grew up with and it was a true underdog. When riding around town i still use it and for short rides of an hour or 2 on road i love that little bike its 28.3hp (the point three is very important!) I love the fact its carburetted very simple and has heaps of character. As for my adventure bike though, i do like my tech, i love going off road and travelling length and bredth of NZ, heated grips are a must when I'm riding at -5 - 10⁰C and its raining, ABS and traction control also help in those conditions. My major issues with all the tech is its complexity and ability to be serviced at home. Some days i love to jump on my 80s styled bike with my retro jacket and jeans and cruise around, other days when i want to ride long distance in maximum comfort and mix it up off road, infact my last big ride was 371km on dirt and gravel. As for royal enfield, their style, and nostalgic feeling makes them right up there with the best of them. I will have one in my stable one day, I'm holding out till i see a clasic 650, then I'm all over it like white on rice! Thanks for the videos and you are right, I'm not getting notifications even though ive clicked on the notifications bell, but i keep a look out and I'm on it as soon as i see it!
Hi, I fully agree with all your comments, and for these reasons I love my Classic 350. The most pleasant machine I’ve ever had for gentle rides on back roads. Aldo I still have other modern powerful motorcycles for touring or when I feel like having a dynamic/sporty ride. Really need more than one bike 😀 Thanks for your video 👍
Makes me laugh how a lot of owners on the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Facebook forum can’t wait to swap air box’s exhausts and even cam shafts to get more ‘performance’ out of their bikes when it’s perfect straight out the factory for the type of control we’re subjected to in the UK . By the way my Orient bambino is thanks to you Stuart !
In India inspite of Benelli,Jawa,Honda,Harley Davidson and Triumph launching Royal Enfield Bullet and Classic rivals..the average Indian buyer would still prefer the RE
You say pre 2007 indian bikes are not very good i own a 2007 4 speed bullet converted to a road trials .i have had this bike for 8 years i goes everywhere salisbury plain /green lanes/long road trips this bike has never let me down.I would never sell this bike it has become part of me .Thanks stuart keep up the great vids.
Yup! A few years ago, I gave up on battery powered watches; I was sick of spending money on and changing batteries, it's not as if I couldn't afford it, it was just a pain, and unnecessary. I've got a couple of Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox watches which I absolutely love (they have an understated elegance) and I don't think it's any coincidence that I opted out of the Top Trumps bike shopping trend and got an Enfield Interceptor which is what I really needed. My daily watch is a Seiko 5 Sports automatic (I've always been a Seiko watch fan), not altogether sure where the Interceptor sits with my favourite watches, but I do know getting back to quality basics is the way to go
I'm just tired tired tired of menus menus menus. So many irrelevant bits that I have to scroll or click through to get to where I want to go. We recently replaced our glass top stove with an older one with separate top burners. Now I can just set the oven temperature with a rotary dial, and then TURN IT ON! How unique that is today. That's my little rant about modern 'conveniences' that have to load up a program before they can operate. Yes I enjoy my older motorcycles and my Interceptor 650. But then I'm an anachronism too. Ha! Ronn
Hello Stuart.I own Fortes Chronograph...not the Chronometer ....which are affordable compered to Rolex/Omerge etc...I don't own own an Enfield...I own a HD Heritage classic...I like the Content of your videos ...So keep up the good work
Greetings Stuart. I wanted to thank you for recommending the DNA air filter. I put it on my new Hunter and you are absolutely right regarding the increase in performance. I have been riding for 35 yrs. and am a little skeptical about these products but have liked your videos and decided to install it. Thank you again for introducing the product.
I admit to being close to 'brainwashed' by the endless video's I've been watching, on the classic 350's. I am riding much slower when out on the BM, but it is hard not to open it up and go. Gary
That’s why I love my two mid 2000’s Triumphs (Bonneville and America), “pure uncomplicated motorcycling, and nothing else”. Royal Enfield are now the modern custodian for that ethos, and why I also own a Scram.
Morning Stu. Great video. I love listening to your down to earth commentary. You say it like it is in a way that we can understand. The Royal Enfield no thrill, no gimmick approach is exactly what I love about my Interceptor. I must admit that I have fitted heated grips though. I’ve never heard of the Tudor watch brand but will check it out.
I have 3 Tudor watches and absolutely love them. I ride a vfr800 and am seriously thinking of getting a Hunter 350 because I think it'll be a lot more usable on today's roads.
FIL has a Fireblade Street Triple and Bonnie and by far the bike he rides the most is the RE, Just a Perfect Machine In Looks Price Performance and Nostalgia.
Hello Stuart, As far as it goes , to me, myself and I, personally speaking, just like my mobile phone I don't see the need for all the bells and whistles that are never used. Yes I think ABS is a good idea, but only as a last ditch, emergency, OMG ! situation which hopefully should not arise due to rider error, but we're only human.
Here in the USA the dealerships are unevenly distributed.The nearest to me is over 200 miles away,I have never had another brand with a recall as RE.has.I am counting at least 8 other bikes puchased new
Royal Enfield bikes are much improved since 2010. However I would not recommend buying a new one, as the residual values are not good, and in my experience the dealers are not very good either. Moreover there is very little customer service from Royal Enfield here in the UK,no one to call only an email address that is in India, I tried to resolve a problem using this email contact three months ago, still have not gotten the issue solved.
A man after my own heart, bikes and watches (although I don't have watches in your league, having an automatic Sinn and quartz Longine). New 350 Classic arrives soon! Another great video, great start to Friday!
There’s nothing wrong with owning a quartz watch, I’ve had my quartz Omega pre-bond seamaster for over 30 years and it’s still going strong. Each to their own but I can’t see the point of paying for the servicing required for expensive mechanical watches.
Looking forward to seeing what watch you have chosen. I think you missed the obvious 'RE watch brand' and that would be IWC. Straight forward design and classic.
I love my 2019 Interceptor, hadn't had a bike for 35 years before I bought it. It does what I need it to do, I can red line it without getting into trouble, it gets admired everywhere I go, I can service it myself and it's so reliable and fun to ride.
A mate of mine has 3 or 4 racing-type bikes in his garage & one of his cars is a Quattroporte … he thought my new SM 650 looked stunning with a nice build quality. Good enough for me!
Simplicity. That is why. All those others big brands with their technology overloaded, sometimes rediculously expensive bikes, talking about heritage... They are missing the point of whats really important about riding motorcycles in my opinion.
Hmm, very interesting weekend starter as always, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree, I will keep my Interceptor for very long, but disagree part of this time and also will keep my sixties Seamaster, I cannot help I love it.😂 Have a great weekend and good weather to ride an Enfield.
BMW was never out of business like Triumph for 10 yrs.Bloor just purchased the name. He made sure people knew thatfact to distance themselves from the old company.The company was known as Indian Enfield for many years.
Tudor, no doubt! I'm the happy owner of a Suzuki SV650 third generation. Even it's not a strictly a "classic bike", it retains the characteristic of it: no electronics aids (except ABS), light, nimble, grunting engine, delightful to ride in twisty roads, the very concept of a living, reliable and affordable, "back to basics" motorcycle. Once you spread out your leg over its seat you know that you, only you, are at the control.
They look good, they're good value, and they're good enough quality. I would say Royal Enfield is the Casio of the bike world.
Hello Stuart, I live in Chennai, India (the place where Royal Enfields are made). Three years ago, your Interceptor 650 long-term review and Is It a Rust Bucket? video inspired me to get the Continental GT 650. Since then, I have never looked back. It has been incredibly reliable, and I ride it daily, enjoying every bit of it.
I always wanted to thank you for your videos. They inspire people and help them make the right informed decisions.
I appreciate your work and congratulate you on your silver play button.
Hello Kevinchris I’m also from Chennai , and feel excited to see an other follower of Mr.Stuart .
I’m following Mr.Stuart since he started this exclusive passionated Channel .
As per my opinion: he is brave and straight forward gentleman also detail to depth is his DNA , I follow every micro efforts of him .
Thank you indeed
@@kalabhairavar1981 Hello Kalabhairavar. Well said and i am equally exited to see another follower from Chennai !
Most bike companies have got involved in making bikes as expensive toys, forgetting that they are a form of transport. This has led to an arms race to make the lightest, fastest in the case of sportsbikes or the biggest engined, heaviest in the case of cruisers. Royal Enfield have been building bikes for people to use. Simple but effective.
Well said my friend.
Here in Germany they are still rare. But when I am on my Interceptor 650 people always look and comment super positiv. This is still the land of the GS so statistics show bikers here buy the 350 classic as a second/third bike way more than the 650s. Last weekend I did a 400km tour on my Interceptor with two huge drybags and the machine handled it extremly good. =)
Here in the neighbouring Belgium, there’re loads. Just the other day I saw three classic 350(different ones) on the same day
I'm one of the Interceptor 650 owners here in Berlin and I couldn't agree more with what you said above. People turn their heads and congratulate me on my well-preserved oldtimer constantly as they don't seem to realize it's actually a new bike. Our RE dealership in Kreuzberg yesterday told me that they sold around 60/70 bikes in the last few years. I'm about to go on a big tour fully loaded with my partner on the pillion and bags through the whole of Germany (ca 2-3k km). I'll report afterward. Wish me luck🏍
@@Benne_Lavie all the best for you two! =)
Bought a hunter 350 purely on a whim (the price being the deciding factor) after a hiatus of 30 odd years and love it to bits. It puts a smile on my face every trip, handles good sounds lovely and certainly turns a few heads. Build quality seems fine and had no issues whatsoever, all in all I'm very satisfied and pleased i took the plunge 😊
Always great to hear your comments on the Royal Enfield line up. Here in Australia the bikes have really taken off. Good to see a big corporation doing the right thing by its customer base with some good common sense and imagination! Cheers Mr Fillingham!
Hi there, as a slightly more senior rider now I agree with all your points Stuart. Just been on a coast ride to Pennan on the North East Scottish coast, lots of twisty roads and steep inclines, narrow roads ect. My Hunter took it all in it's stride and it was only when I got home I realised how easy and stressless it had all been. Royal Enfield make bikes you enjoy and are easy to live with, surely that's what its all about! Great product and great video, thanks James.
Thanks for sharing! A lot of people simply dont get these bikes and think if it doesnt have massive BHP You cant go up hills on it LOL!
I think they build bikes for people. Not so much for just profit...
What separates Royal Enfield and other bike makers is that Royal Enfields are made to be ridden and not just looked at. The price point allows you to ride them daily and not be too precious about them. You can however be precious about them, as they do look handsome, but you can own the bike how you want to, whether that be commute on them, customise them, use them for weekend rides or simply just polish them and admire them. The price point, simplicity and easy access to ownership of these bikes allows the widest spectrum of people to own these. Royal Enfield really is the brand for everyone.
Good comment.
Hello from from Texas. I've done my first valve service on my hunter 350 thanks to one of your video on the meteor service
Royal Enfield should make you as their ambassador in UK .. ☺
Although I'm a classic motorcycles fan, heated hand grips enhance the riding experience during the cold weather in a big way.
Cheers Stuart !
As a brand new motorcyclist with just a few thousand miles under my belt, I find myself looking back and even with my very limited experience, if I could go back I would throw my money at Royal Enfield in a heartbeat. I wanted a cruiser style motorcycle, but Harley Davidson and Indian were way over budget. In looking for alternatives, I saw the Meteor and fell in love with it by looks and sound alone, but got dissuaded by family members and online high power bike culture because of the low displacement and horsepower, making it sound unsafe to ride in modern traffic. The Super Meteor had just come out, but as a new biker I didn't want to start with an "untested" bike because I thought that if a new and unproven model had any problems, even obvious ones, I wouldn't be able to tell and maybe got myself in trouble, so I got myself a Kawasaki Vulcan S instead. It's mechanically impeccable, very fast, quick, nimble (for a cruiser), low maintenance and mostly soulless. Don't get me wrong, I was fully prepared to the possibility I had chosen the wrong bike because I had yet to find out what kind of motorcyclist I was. I still like it, but it just doesn't click with me. I thought I'd need the power for highways and fast flowing roads, but on the rare occasions I find myself there I cruise at 100kph/65mph beause faster than that is uncomfortable and unenjoyable. 95% of the time I'm in the saddle is spent below 55mph anyway, and the best time I had has always been at 40mph or less. That is the kind of motorcyclist I am. I should have gone with my instinct from the very start. I'll keep the Kawi for a little while longer, but I already know what I'm getting after this. Can't wait to ride that little thumper.
I bought the Meteor 350 and I agree with you, I made the opposite choice but very nearly went with the Vulcan. My Meteor gets to 70MPH fairly quickly for this old man and I find I'm not interested in going any faster so I'm glad I didn't pay a lot more for HP I won't use anyway. People it would be dangerous and I would get run over by faster traffic, but even on the Interstate, in the right lane there's always a truck or something doing 65. Never felt unsafe. Unsafe is weaving in and out of traffic at 90-120 MPH
When it comes to bikes mate, I've always gone with what I know would suit me. I know what it's like fighting against the crowd though. I have a 2009 A1 Thunderbird that had the bore done to 1700. It is just magic for two up, when my partner and I wanna cruise over the weekend. However, I'll be getting an Interceptor as I also do a lot solo riding, I love the retro look and lets face it, it is fun having a bike that demands you use the gears. I did have a ride on a mates one, and I gotta tell you, the smile on my face after that ride, took a long time to subside. The last 15 years of my riding have been dominated by the big thumper cruisers, that one ride on the RE, gave me a different feeling. I actually wanted to get off the highway. Don't get me wrong, it handles the highway fine. But, I wanted to put it through it's paces on some awesome back roads we have here in NZ. All the best.
I ride like you too. We all learn through our experiences. Good luck to you.
Don’t agree with you about the Omega watches I own a few but the bike oh yeah.
Stuart I don’t agree with everything you say and never will. However, I’m writing to compliment you on what I have found from you over the last few years. The content of your written/spoken work is so interesting, well researched and carefully laid out to make whatever point you happen to be making at the time that I cannot help to find it both interesting and captivating throughout. Reflecting upon why that might be I realise that unlike any other relative channel, I have never fast-forwarded through your content knowing what it’s likely to be and therefore dismissing most of it. In fact, given that most of your excellent voice-overs are against a back drop of a pair of handlebars, that aspect is quite irrelevant. Overall I find your content to be both novel and sarcastic whilst also being topical and controversial in many ways. If asked I would say “that’s why the grumpy sod has got that silver plaque” I salute you.
I appreciate the engineering of the Indian made Enfields. My Meteor 350 is simple, reliable, and easy to work on. Perfect for the back roads and poor paving where I live, and there are many upgrade and custom parts available. My Meteor looks and performs completely different from the original Stellar Blue that I purchased. It's my bike and I love it ;-)
Rolling on a Fireball 🟡 Yellow .... Love it... Ideal for my location...
*Crap Game* 🎉
Stu, while I'm not finished, I want to chime in about the history of RE. I consider it to be the same brand. Why? Because the Indian part started as a sort of independent, autonomous subsidiary of the Redditch Royal Enfield. The parent company died, while the subsidiary survived. Also, RE has reestablished itself in the UK, so it has come full circle, really. Hence, I think it's the same company-certainly more so than Triumph!
With Triumph, those of us in the know distinguish between Meriden (i.e. the original) Triumphs, while the newer ones (the bikes built in the John Bloor era) are called Hinkley Triumphs. The only thing that's the same is the name; otherwise, they're different companies.
As for what make RE successful, they build good looking, reliable, modern classic bikes at a price one can afford. They LOOK like a motorcycle should! When someone thinks of a motorcycle, something like the Interceptor will come to mind; something with that timeless, classic look is the embodiment of the motorcycle for most people. RE bikes have everything you need, and nothing you don't. I appreciate the fuel injection and ABS. As for rider modes and all that other BS, who needs it? Besides, if a bike needs rider modes, isn't it too powerful to be relevant to today's riding?
To put it another way, RE is now doing what the Japanese manufacturers did 50-60 years ago: build a good looking, reliable bike that people can afford. They built better, more affordable bikes than anyone else did, thus taking the motorcycle world by storm. The Big Four have gotten away from that. While they build high quality, technological marvels, they're irrelevant to today's riding; they're also expensive. I mean, who wants a bike that would look more at home on a Transformers movie set? Really, who would WANT such ugly bikes! Plus, their cockpits look more at home on the Starship Enterpise, NCC-1701D! Why can't I have a basic instrument cluster with speedo and rev counter? Why can't I have a bike that someone from 50 years ago would be able to operate today? IMO, RE have stolen the Big Four's playbook and are using it to great effect.
BTW, the US resembles the UK in many places. Go to any major US city and its surrounding suburbs, and you CAN'T do much over the speed limit; with traffic being what it is, you're often fortunate if you can REACH the speed limit! Why do you need a bike capable of doing 150 when you'll be fortunate to be able to do 1/3 or 1/2 of that? At slower speeds, an agile, lighter weight bike carries the day. A basic bike like a RE allows you to focus on traffic, so you can come out of it alive; there are no distractions as there are on more modern bikes.
Which watch brand, in terms of overall price (i.e paying the same price for the watch as the motorcycle), I think Tudor is a good pick, I might include IWC watches too, as they're similarly priced and are more utilitarian in their focus. As for the market segment (i.e. those who'd buy a RE vs. a BMW for motorcycles), I think that Orient or Seiko watches are more comparable. Someone who'd buy a RE vs. a BMW won't be spending thousands on a watch; they'll spend money on something more reasonably priced. Hence, in terms of market segments of motorcycles and watches, I'd think that the RE buyer would buy an Orient or Seiko mechanical watch. Citizen would be there too, with their Fugi classic diver.
I agree!
Yes I'd go with Citizen
@@stuartfillinghamthank you!
I became a Royal Enfield owner about a year and a half ago, with the purchase of new 2021 Himalayan. The content of an enthusiastic stateside content creator was a factor in the decision, though I later interpreted his enthusiasm more as being a schil. My distance from the dealership prevented me from going back after an early problem was sorted out. I traced a no start problem at the end of the season to a failed fuel pump and understood the cause of the failure and the early symptoms of the problem. I've slowly adjusted to riding a machine that occasionally has less power than I want in a given moment and have fewer thoughts of performance upgrades. After a wonderfully relaxing ride in morning traffic to deliver my granddaughter to school, I realized that the running in process is not only for the machine. Who knows, I may eventually develop an appreciation for quality timepieces!
When you presented the watch question at the beginning of this video I immediately thought, definitely Tudor! I purchased a Tudor Blackbay GMT several years ago to commemorate something in my own life. I love this watch and it keeps time at +/- 1 sec per day. I travel full time now in retirement and it really fits my lifestyle and is so durable. Keep up the great channel brother.
I wanted a British bike, that felt British. As it is I have an Indian bike that feels like a the best bits of the old British iron I restored in the 80s and 90s. It goes every time, it doesn't leak oil, it doesn't need constant fettling. It's cheap as chips, I can afford more than one. It has charcter in barrow loads. What else can give me that.
To me, their understated styling, their approachability, their reliability, their low price, and that they are easy to ride is the winning combination. By the way, I now own a Hunter 350, and I love that little bike! Thanks, as always, for the great video, Stuart.
To put Royal Enfields sales success into perspective, they sell more bikes annually than BMW, Ducati, KTM, Triumph and Harley Davidson combined.
God dont let those bikes owners in on that!
"She is 21 for the 29th time" - You made me laugh there man. GT650 owner here.
Yet another great story. My father gave me an Omega Constellation when I graduated from high school in 1966. It's a self winder and it still keeps pretty good time--could probably use a proper cleaning. It has a date window but no other frills. So now all I have to do is pick up a RE Interceptor and I'll be all set.! Thanks for another entertaining video!
Agreed on most points. Motorcycling is more an emotional thing than practical for me. Many of your points are overlooked just for the joy and nostalgia of riding bikes that " were" in my youth. Had more problems with my RE 350 than the T120, but who cares they fixed easily. At this point of life, just don't care what's in style or what the media says. So much bright color and flash, I've walked out of several brands showrooms....and they were glad I left. They can't understand what they haven't experienced. Youth is wasted on the young. As for comparing to watches, I get it, but don't want to know the time. Getting to close to dirt nap time....
Nice one Stuart, Royal Enfield have made a huge impact on the bike market especially since the launch of 650 twins...it surprises me why the Japanese haven't jumped on the retro bandwagon, a 550/650 inline four with twin shocks,circa mid 70s look would surely be a winner...
Kawasaki tried that with the Zephyr range, 550, 750 and 1100. The fact that you don't see them very often shows how that went for them?
They were lovely bikes! I couldn't afford one at the time!
@stuartfillingham As a previous owner of a Z650 and Z750, I really liked them, but I think that there were some quality issues and that is why they are rare now?
Sir, you have a way with words that goes into our minds and takes us on this wonderful journey in the heart. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Your videos are full of wisdom. I got a feeling if Royal Enfield bikes make it over here in America, they will become very popular.
Interesting analogy Stuart. The 'magic' or 'mojo' of the RE line was described recently in a comment by youtuber Exeter Rider as a Zen experience. Esoteric, even spiritual. I think it encompasses the whole experience. Aesthetics, economical operation, ease of servicing, initial price, etc. I'm still in love with my INT 650 but the Meteor is becoming my favorite bike of all time. It's so comfortable to ride, for hours at times, in the city, on country roads and state highways. Congrats on your YT milestone. You certainly deserve it!
Stuart This video can easily go onto a B School syllabus Strategic management case study. the analogy between watches and bikes was awesome. BTW I’m from Chennai and 45, use my new Meteor 350 which I bought after testing many bikes. Is a common sight to see a RE mostly classic 350s, both old and new, crossing you literally every minute. Can’t agree more, I was against all the fancy electronics and chose RE meteor for its simplicity and character.
Another great video! I got my first bike in 1972, a Honda C100, and received my fist Omega watch from my Mum for my 21st birthday in 1977. From that date onwards, I've continuously owned and ridden motorcycles, and I'm also pleased to say that I'm now wearing my third Omega - a Seamaster Professional Co-Axial automatic. I bought this watch for my 60th birthday and I absolutely love it!
Hi Stu, a couple of days ago I was pleased to see a couple of bikers pull into my local garage/cafe here in Spain, so after getting fuel and finishing my coffee I went over to have a nose, one bike was a Suzuki Intruder cruiser, the other was a RE Hunter 350, I was pleasantly surprised at how much it looked a quality motorcycle even though being small capacity, I chatted with the owner for a few minutes and I have to say I was impressed, having been a 600 owner for years then changing direction in January of this year bought a Goldwing 1800 DCT bagger which I then sold in June for reasons of weight, snatchy throttle, choppy suspension and lack of fuel economy I think the 350 is very relevant, while riding the Goldwing I never felt like I was riding a motorcycle rather I riding a 2 wheeled car !
If I may, I want to add one more fact about modern motorcycles. Adventure bikes, by their nature, tend to have engine designs with more torque than horsepower. But, by taking advantage of the same platforms for different models with different orientations, more and more engines are seen with more horsepower than torque, and in turn, more and more compressed. And this means? That even as technology advances, the long-term performance of those bikes will be affected. In comparison, Royal Enfiel's 650 engine will be considered a pearl, as the Japanese engines knew to be in the 90s (with which its performance is compared and after 30 years there are examples in excellent condition). What's more, since I mention the Orientals, I dare say that even some other Japanese brand is falling into the trap that they knew how to dodge to become the best in terms of efficiency and durability. But Royal Enfield, has managed to capture the great style of the 50s to 70s, the mechanical simplicity, efficiency and I estimate the durability of the 80s and 90s, in addition to the essential technology of the 2000s. They only have to compete against their own imprint during these last two decades, offering better materials and finishes for the same price, and thus end up dominating the world.
Finding a resemblance to another product, and not knowing about watches, let me compare Royal Enfield to a razor. There are also hundreds of thousands of those, with many specifications, many commercial brands and many other luxury ones. But if I had to refer to a knife that is essentially similar to the Royal Enfield, it would be Victorinox. It is a prestigious brand, yes, but that any human being can acquire and that surely will not be disappointed, because it is an honest razor. Honest is the word. Just by seeing it, you understand how it works, what it is for, what its virtues are and how far it can help. Royal Enfield is the Victorinox of motorcycles. Accurate, simple, faithful.
Greetings from Argentina, from another motorcycle lover, or rather, lover of freedom!
I always enjoy your viewpoints and topics of discussion. I'm in the states, you know the land of harley davidson. But I ride a triumph T120 Bonneville. I really do enjoy the bike. It has just enough electronics without being over the top or intrusive in my opinion. Its minimalist in comparison to most motorcycles being made today. Here in the states speed limits are 70 mph on the highways and everyone excedes that. So I do use the cruise controll quite a bit, even on the slower roads, its just less fatiguing on my hands. And I'm in a northern climate so i do use the heated grips in the spring and fall and I love them. But other than that its just a basic standard motorcycle that makes me love it so much. To each their own. I've had many bikes in my 63 years on this planet few have been as pleasurable to ride for me as the Bonneville. I considered a 650 RE but I like the larger very tourqey engine of the Bonneville. I agree with most of the points you made and thats why I purchased the Bonnie here in the states. Keep up the great content and congratulations on your 100k.
The comparison between Tudor and Royal Enfield is perfect, both just do what it says on the tin! I’ve been riding bikes for forty years, I’ve ridden well over 300,000 miles on two wheels, I’ve owned three GS’s and put over 50k on each of them, I’ve ridden at speeds on various bikes of over 180mph but I can guarantee the most fun I’ve had has been on simple bikes travelling at speeds between 50&60mph ! Currently I am bike less for the first time in my life but I’m almost beyond excited at the prospect of buying a Royal Enfield and once again travelling between 50&60mph especially as now we live in North Yorks! 😀 Enjoying your channel, thanks very much! 👏👍😀🍺 Huge congrats on the “Silver Button” very well deserved! 🍾
Glad to see a fellow Interceptor owner and RE admirer (and I literally live 20kms away from where the RE factory) to have similar interests and knowledge on mechanical watchmaking, watchfinder introduced me 10 years back and I'm glad it did and I personally love the Tudor black bay GMT and a strong advocate of Grand Seiko
Thanks
Thank You Steve!
Love it Stu! I recently became a fan of the old WW2 solder's watches. I'm the Master of a ship and bought a few for the crew. They love em.
nice ride out,nice chat,thanks stu.
I think the attraction of R E is the wide range with a simplicity combined with modern engineering but not over the top gizmos, just practical easy to live with bikes , theres one for everyone whatever your needs style or requirements. Thanks Stu keep up the good work .😊
They were not big in India till 2008. The started growing tremendously after 2008.
Total sales (Indian as well total exports)
2007- 38,528 units
2006- 32,612 units
2005- 30,777 units
2004- 29,475 units
2003- 28,360 units
2002- 28,029 units
They crossed 50,000 units for the first time in 2009, 100,000 units in 2012 and 500,000 units in 2015.
Timex......tells you the time what more do you want ?
First bike ive ever really got attached to tbh , still makes me grin when i open the garage door , 3 years on if i didnt have the bike and its purchase price and every penny I'd spent making it mine was back in my bank account.......I'd do it all again exactly the same !
Its shed mates may come and go but she'll be staying !
Hey Stuart. I think there is another brand that captures much of what you talk about in this video (with an important exception). That brand is Moto Guzzi. I am a fan of what Royal Enfield is trying to achieve, but through accidents of history will find it hard to fit an RE into the garage, which includes an MG V7 III and a Vespa. Where RE has kept to its mid capacity roots, MG has actually increased the engine size of its baby V7 (essentially replacing the old 750cc 50bhp engine with an 850cc 65bhp engine). What MG doesn't do, that RE does do, are smaller capacity machines, I assume because they are a niche brand within the much larger Piaggio group. But imagine some MG 350 ish singles or twins (they used to do v35s). MG has always suffered from dealer network and marketing issues, but if they could somehow resolve these, wouldn't that be a breath of fresh air!!
Hey Friend, while you were explaining everything very nicely, I was glued into the Scenery that you introduced us, It's really beautiful place, in fact one of the best place and road to ride on a bike like Royal Enfield. Mesmerizing
Unfortunately it's not about practicality, it's more about status. I have a neighbor who changes his Porche, every time his friend does. He rides around our Village all the time in it. Can still do only 70mph like my wife's Corsa.
Great stuff sir! I went to the dealership yesterday, and that Hunter is coming home at some point, hopefully soon.
Hello Stuart, Yesterday I discovered your video, and I'm thinking of buying an Interceptor and I consider fully accurate your opinion (as a fan of mechanical watches and authentic motorcycles) that there is a parallel between the way of manufacturing Royal Enfield and the classic mechanical watches that have not given up their essence.
I think it has to do with a certain way of understanding life.
Congrats on your 100K.I love the channel and the truth you speak about whats really going on.And of course the motorcycle content!
Great video. I’ve gotta say, I think that’s the first phone booth I’ve seen in well over a decade (perhaps quite a bit longer, now that I think on it). Good to know there’s still one or two hanging on.
Looks like your getting some good riding weather. I have become a big fan of Royal Enfield over the last three years. Right now I trying to patiently wait for the release of the Classic 650.
Fingers crossed!
I had a 2020 Triumph Tiger 800 XRX. A decent enough bike, if tall, but overloaded with gadgets, often at the expense of rider comfort. Examples? The TFT screen would change display modes meaning that you had to stop and toggle through a menu to get it back to the setting you wanted. Three power modes and 3 ABS modes. I only ever switched occasionally from Sport to Road mode. The rest might as well not have existed except to give bike journos something to write about. The screen changed from day to night mode when driving under tree canopies. Finally, because they had so many buttons and toggles on the handlebars they moved the heated grip switch from being a large button to a miniscule nib on the grip rubber, impossible to operate in gloves.
My 97 Thunderbird has none of this and analogue clocks but you can concentrate on riding the bike, not flying a Playstation.
thats why i love my old sv650. Abs would come in handy but can live without it. When i ride, even if its commuting i just want to focus on the road and machine. Nothing else and its therapy!
Love my interceptor. It does everything I want on the road. Thinking about a Himmy next year for off road fun. 411 version will be more capable than I am so I will be more than happy with a nice used model. RE is knocking it out of the park.
I feel the same way about my 2022 W800. It was the only truly retro machine available in my area (Canada) at the time. It only has the mandatory ABS, fuel injection, true air cooling and it has an under square long stroke 360 degree firing order like the bikes of the 60s. It makes 80% of its torque at 2500rpm and is totally relaxing to drive on B roads and still has enough umph for the four lane highways. The Interceptor was not widely available here at the time but I am sure I would have found it to be a thoroughly fun and interesting ride. I do, however, have no regrets paying the higher price demanded for the W800. It is s very enjoyable motorcycle for me at my soon to be 70 years of age. I do have a work in progress 1968 Norton Commando that was the 820th Commando to come off the production assembly line. Looking forward to getting it up and running and in the mean time I am relying on the W to fill the need.
I too have recently delved into the mechanical watch world with a Tissot Chemin des Tourelles. Not a $10,000.00 dollar watch but a good start into Swiss watch world. I also have my grandfathers 1913 Omega solid silver railroad pocket watch. It still runs but badly needs a service.
Keep the great videos coming.
Tudor is a great watch line. The Rolex watches are over priced for what they are but the reputation is apparently priceless.
Funny about the notifications - here in Mid Atlantic USA I get all your notifications. Great video and information!
I recently bought an Orient automatic watch as I’d got fed up with the battery throw away watch and although I’ve never ridden a Enfield, currently ride the Honda Hornet 750, which is a lovely bike but, full of electronics that I never use. And I must admit I’m leaning more and more towards the Enfield because of the simplicity. Thanks again for another interesting video.
Its strange how British ideas and engineering ended in our factories 🏭 only to start life abroad in foreign countries, to be revived and become successful, and our businesses seem to colapse with lack of investment ( & may i say lack of interest or forsight , we lose they win , on another subject i went for a spin in my car today with the wife to New Brighton , seaside provable Fish & Chips , on the way home took a different route , quite a wide road with a 20 mph speed limit this went on for about 2& 1/2 mile there was very little traffic on the road , i really dont know what the hell the Council in that area are thinking other than to bollox our cars or bikes up , i often ride a 35 year old B M W now im thinking of getting a smaller capacity bike , with how much can i get to the gallon out of it , even though i get over 50 m p g from my B M , smaller seems to make more sense these days . Great topic Stuart keep them coming mate 👍
Thanks for that video, Stuart. I hope Royal Enfield appreciate and acknowledge all that you do to support and promote the brand with your honest , no BS reviews and comments. RE continues to be a worldwide phenomenal success . Although I don’t yet own one, it is definitely in the cards in the very near future. Regarding Tudor, I think it’s and excellent choice and a very much underrated watch. Cheers, Dan 🏍✌️🇨🇦
Thoroughly enjoyed this video, did not think I was going to but I get every angle. Thanks Stu. 👍
What a brilliant video. Thoroughly enjoyed it and share your sentiments.
The secret? They realised that there are millions of older folks/nostalgia lovers who see in their bikes a return to how they remember biking of yesteryear but without the drip tray, dodgy brakes etc etc. That and the keenness of their pricing policy.
Interesting video! But I can't equate RE with those brands. I've always seen them more in the Hamilton camp. Really good tool watches, with history but without breaking the bank. Something like a Khaki Field (be it automatic or hand wound).
I have a trio of Oris automatic winders, two with complications, one with just date and time. They aren’t as accurate as a digital watch if you need daily accuracy better than 10 seconds, but as you say, they aren’t throw away items, they feel good on your wrist and should last as long as I am alive and probably as long as my sons live when they inherit them. They might balk at the 5yearly manufacturer service costs though, a bit like the bikes.
Interesting comment and comparison with motorcycles and watches👍
Really poetic discourse, Stuart
It's going to be poetry when not on your bike, I'm sure.
I have had a Tudor Oyster Date since the late 60s and it's never let me down. Still consider it among my best.
I also owned the Interceptor for 3 years and it is a beauty. So...completely agree.
An interesting video. I always get your notifications on my iPad but windows laptop is hopeless 😮
I kind of like your comparison with omega and triumph - thinking of the omega-swatch watches and the triumph - Bajaj new 400 cycle. The Tudor watch is a well earned gift - congratulations with your success on the channel.
I dunno.
Being an owner of one of these has been quite an experience.
Every time I stop for gas, or go on an errand using the Interceptor some dude has to come by, and ask twenty questions.
Slowest motorcycles in the world as everytime I stop I get embroiled in conversations with people who love RE
Nice commentary.
Tudor is a wonderful timepiece. We have one.
Truly enjoyable, Stu! Proper take on RE I believe, and while my initial reaction to your analogy of RE to Tudor didn't quite click, I came around to agreement: RE stcks to the KISS principle of motorcycle design/engineering. While I happen to appreciate stuff like ABS, *basic* traction control and heated grips, I can cheerfully go without the other stuff that too often just gets in the way of the true "business" of riding.
So...about this new watch: you're telling me the BB 58 is too small? Remind me *not* to get into a pub Donnybrook with you! 😂
They look good, with the classic styling
They don't try to be a fast and furious ride, which is how many companies have gone
It's about the joy of motorcycling
Me, as a 40 year old, am interested in starting to ride because of RE
And great videos covering them, such as your many videos Stuart 👏🏻
Go for it... You'll love it..!
*Crap Game* 🎉
I hear you Stu, I'm kind of a foot in both camps, i have a 2007 Hyosung gv250, which i loved when i got it because it looked like the 80s cruisers i grew up with and it was a true underdog.
When riding around town i still use it and for short rides of an hour or 2 on road i love that little bike its 28.3hp (the point three is very important!) I love the fact its carburetted very simple and has heaps of character.
As for my adventure bike though, i do like my tech, i love going off road and travelling length and bredth of NZ, heated grips are a must when I'm riding at -5 - 10⁰C and its raining, ABS and traction control also help in those conditions.
My major issues with all the tech is its complexity and ability to be serviced at home.
Some days i love to jump on my 80s styled bike with my retro jacket and jeans and cruise around, other days when i want to ride long distance in maximum comfort and mix it up off road, infact my last big ride was 371km on dirt and gravel.
As for royal enfield, their style, and nostalgic feeling makes them right up there with the best of them.
I will have one in my stable one day, I'm holding out till i see a clasic 650, then I'm all over it like white on rice!
Thanks for the videos and you are right, I'm not getting notifications even though ive clicked on the notifications bell, but i keep a look out and I'm on it as soon as i see it!
Hi, I fully agree with all your comments, and for these reasons I love my Classic 350. The most pleasant machine I’ve ever had for gentle rides on back roads. Aldo I still have other modern powerful motorcycles for touring or when I feel like having a dynamic/sporty ride. Really need more than one bike 😀 Thanks for your video 👍
Makes me laugh how a lot of owners on the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Facebook forum can’t wait to swap air box’s exhausts and even cam shafts to get more ‘performance’ out of their bikes when it’s perfect straight out the factory for the type of control we’re subjected to in the UK . By the way my Orient bambino is thanks to you Stuart !
In India inspite of Benelli,Jawa,Honda,Harley Davidson and Triumph launching Royal Enfield Bullet and Classic rivals..the average Indian buyer would still prefer the RE
I believe that RE is the working man's Harley Davidson.
You say pre 2007 indian bikes are not very good i own a 2007 4 speed bullet converted to a road trials .i have had this bike for 8 years i goes everywhere salisbury plain /green lanes/long road trips this bike has never let me down.I would never sell this bike it has become part of me .Thanks stuart keep up the great vids.
Yup! A few years ago, I gave up on battery powered watches; I was sick of spending money on and changing batteries, it's not as if I couldn't afford it, it was just a pain, and unnecessary. I've got a couple of Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox watches which I absolutely love (they have an understated elegance) and I don't think it's any coincidence that I opted out of the Top Trumps bike shopping trend and got an Enfield Interceptor which is what I really needed. My daily watch is a Seiko 5 Sports automatic (I've always been a Seiko watch fan), not altogether sure where the Interceptor sits with my favourite watches, but I do know getting back to quality basics is the way to go
I’ve a wind-up Seiko Prospex & just got myself a new Super Meteor 650 so you’re NOT alone, Jezza, old son!😅
🙂👍@@razzle1964
Very nice!
I'm just tired tired tired of menus menus menus. So many irrelevant bits that I have to scroll or click through to get to where I want to go. We recently replaced our glass top stove with an older one with separate top burners. Now I can just set the oven temperature with a rotary dial, and then TURN IT ON! How unique that is today. That's my little rant about modern 'conveniences' that have to load up a program before they can operate. Yes I enjoy my older motorcycles and my Interceptor 650. But then I'm an anachronism too. Ha! Ronn
Hello Stuart.I own Fortes Chronograph...not the Chronometer ....which are affordable compered to Rolex/Omerge etc...I don't own own an Enfield...I own a HD Heritage classic...I like the Content of your videos ...So keep up the good work
Greetings Stuart. I wanted to thank you for recommending the DNA air filter. I put it on my new Hunter and you are absolutely right regarding the increase in performance. I have been riding for 35 yrs. and am a little skeptical about these products but have liked your videos and decided to install it. Thank you again for introducing the product.
I admit to being close to 'brainwashed' by the endless video's I've been watching, on the classic 350's. I am riding much slower when out on the BM, but it is hard not to open it up and go. Gary
That’s why I love my two mid 2000’s Triumphs (Bonneville and America), “pure uncomplicated motorcycling, and nothing else”. Royal Enfield are now the modern custodian for that ethos, and why I also own a Scram.
Morning Stu. Great video. I love listening to your down to earth commentary. You say it like it is in a way that we can understand. The Royal Enfield no thrill, no gimmick approach is exactly what I love about my Interceptor. I must admit that I have fitted heated grips though. I’ve never heard of the Tudor watch brand but will check it out.
I have 3 Tudor watches and absolutely love them. I ride a vfr800 and am seriously thinking of getting a Hunter 350 because I think it'll be a lot more usable on today's roads.
FIL has a Fireblade Street Triple and Bonnie and by far the bike he rides the most is the RE, Just a Perfect Machine In Looks Price Performance and Nostalgia.
I have a 1962 Tudor Oyster which I wore for over 20 years. Also a 1964 Titus Quartz which I wore daily for 4 years. Both need servicing.
Hello Stuart, As far as it goes , to me, myself and I, personally speaking, just like my mobile phone I don't see the need for all the bells and whistles that are never used. Yes I think ABS is a good idea, but only as a last ditch, emergency, OMG ! situation which hopefully should not arise due to rider error, but we're only human.
Here in the USA the dealerships are unevenly distributed.The nearest to me is over 200 miles away,I have never had another brand with a recall as RE.has.I am counting at least 8 other bikes puchased new
Great video! Hey where did get your motorcycle chain bracelet?
Royal Enfield bikes are much improved since 2010. However I would not recommend buying a new one, as the residual values are not good, and in my experience the dealers are not very good either. Moreover there is very little customer service from Royal Enfield here in the UK,no one to call only an email address that is in India, I tried to resolve a problem using this email contact three months ago, still have not gotten the issue solved.
Only a fool buys a bike as an investment. You buy them to ride!
A man after my own heart, bikes and watches (although I don't have watches in your league, having an automatic Sinn and quartz Longine). New 350 Classic arrives soon!
Another great video, great start to Friday!
There’s nothing wrong with owning a quartz watch, I’ve had my quartz Omega pre-bond seamaster for over 30 years and it’s still going strong. Each to their own but I can’t see the point of paying for the servicing required for expensive mechanical watches.
I think I would prefer a Sinn over Tudor
Looking forward to seeing what watch you have chosen. I think you missed the obvious 'RE watch brand' and that would be IWC. Straight forward design and classic.
Brilliant video as always Stuart and I love Royal Enfield bikes, they're all quite special bikes 🙂👍🏻
I love my 2019 Interceptor, hadn't had a bike for 35 years before I bought it. It does what I need it to do, I can red line it without getting into trouble, it gets admired everywhere I go, I can service it myself and it's so reliable and fun to ride.
Excellent vid Stuart
A mate of mine has 3 or 4 racing-type bikes in his garage & one of his cars is a Quattroporte … he thought my new SM 650 looked stunning with a nice build quality. Good enough for me!
Simplicity. That is why. All those others big brands with their technology overloaded, sometimes rediculously expensive bikes, talking about heritage... They are missing the point of whats really important about riding motorcycles in my opinion.
Hmm, very interesting weekend starter as always, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree, I will keep my Interceptor for very long, but disagree part of this time and also will keep my sixties Seamaster, I cannot help I love it.😂 Have a great weekend and good weather to ride an Enfield.
Ah the era when Omega were top of the game!
BMW was never out of business like Triumph for 10 yrs.Bloor just purchased the name. He made sure people knew thatfact to distance themselves from the old company.The company was known as Indian Enfield for many years.
Like your style Dude!
Tudor, no doubt!
I'm the happy owner of a Suzuki SV650 third generation. Even it's not a strictly a "classic bike", it retains the characteristic of it: no electronics aids (except ABS), light, nimble, grunting engine, delightful to ride in twisty roads, the very concept of a living, reliable and affordable, "back to basics" motorcycle. Once you spread out your leg over its seat you know that you, only you, are at the control.
very well said stuart