I remember having Enfields which were built in Britain and they didn't suffer from any corrosion problems. This was due to some innovative engineering which resulted in the engine spraying a fine mist of oil all over the rest of the bike.
Still a feature on my T-140, quite clever engineering. But after it’s last pull-down session it doesn’t seem to be leaking - yet! Big offender is the impossible to access primary chain adjuster. I love Hylomar!
@@undercrackers56 If you were a poor student and the bike had passed through many other budding 'engineers' before you got it; it would have!!!! Orange Hermitite glowing as a beacon to the oil retaining issues. Ha ha. Goid 'ol days!!!!
Those were the days of faulty gaskets that leaked, typically from the rocker-covers, the clutch and the gear casings. The seals on the hydraulic front-shock absorbers were also prone to leaks, leading to flat patches on the front tyre, with the patches lying left or right-of-centre, depending on the pipe that had less hydraulic oil.
Elbow grease certainly makes a difference i remember in the 70s my old CZ was so burnished to mirror finish when I took back for service at Wells bikes in Forest Gate he offered to pay me to bull up his showroom bikes . Needless to say I declined. some of the bikes I see around look like piles of junk after a year or so , no rider pride at all, a cheap bike well looked after is much nicer to ride than even a super bike if it's a rag pile.
+1, having this for last 8 months. Have covered some 4500 kms. Loving every bit of it. It is always been a head turner. As an owner you feel pride on such a beautiful and reliable machine. Its getting pretty popular here in Melbourne.
Had the same problem with one of my mirrors, told my dealer about it in passing, they called me the following day to say Royal Enfield have sent a replacement under the warranty ,
I never use my bikes during the Winter months, I do have my own ‘procedure’ for laying the bikes up. This consists of changing the engine oil and protecting the painted and chromed surfaces. When my garage was built I specified that it would be double skinned brickwork with insulation between the walls. The helps tremendously with keeping the temperature changes to a minimum. I also keep a dehumidifier running 24/7 to keep the moisture levels to a minimum. In my opinion the damage causes by condensation is one of the biggest issues when storing your bike over winter.
@@jeffdean7666 hot dip galvanization has become very common over the last 30 years for vehicles made outside the US. Because the richer places like fail vehicles for rust in inspections and the poorer places appreciate the added longevity
Anyone questioning the build quality of RE bikes should look at the quality of those welds on the seams on the bottom of the tank. Thanks for another great video Stuart.
In the unlikely event of the tank starting to rust, it's an absolute doddle to just buy another tank and replace it anyway. I know for a fact that when I get one of these bikes this year, I'll be buying at least one more tank in a different colour so I can have a bit of variety when I get bored of the original colour. There are so many beautiful colour schemes that you can collect. I think I'm correct in assuming that all the Continental GT tanks will fit on the Interceptor and vice versa?
Uncle Stu here is my experience with RE bikes. I have owned the Interceptor 650 Orange crush for 15 months and RE Classic 500 Chrome Maroon for six years todate. I live in hot tropical climes of coastal India within 500 m of the sea. The only treatment that I have used occassionally on my bikes are the Wurth paint protectant. Not a spot of rust anywhere. To all those that dismiss RE as cheap quality junk here is my advise. If you touch and feel your bike in all the nooks and crannies with your own hands regularly there will be no dust and no dust. Finally it boils down to how much pride you take in your steed. Had similar rust spotting on my interceptor 650 right hand rearview mirror and it was promptly replaced under warranty.
I have a classic 500 and also live in a sub tropical climate very near the ocean of South Africa. In 7 years I have very little rust on some of the obvious exposed parts but nothing to worry about. The bike gets washed regularly and sprayed with a silicone spray. I also have an older BMW Dakar and the rust or lack thereof is about the same as on the Enfield. I believe in a quick splash down with the hose after returning from a long Sunday ride for example, give it an hour or so to cool off and a 10 min splash off rinses the salt away. Later the fine bits can be done but the initial danger of rusting is prevented.
I concur. I bought a couple of Royal Enfields back in September. Given liberal use of ACF 50, before the winter salt got to them, they both looked great once I'd washed them down at the start of Spring. My Himalayan, which I used for relentless commuting during the winter, has now over 4000 miles on its clock, but all surfaces are holding up superbly. Money well spent, I feel.
Like the Americans Harleys, we say the Indians Royal Enfield. It's originally built for indian terrains and weather. We never had worried over such issues.
@@dv9239 low revving, long stroke, high low end torque is what the REs are known for and people who buys them expects the same. Actually they are kind of relevant in selling their bikes. The closest competitor to them is honda with their recently developed honda h'ness cb350, like an R3 for Ninja 300.
@@dv9239 you certainly are delusional RE are a status symbol in India only the best of men could handle them since they were a beast of machines. Now since the hipster era the quality slowly deteriorated to accomodate modest riders.
I've never seen a Royal Enfield ad. I've seen 100s of Honda, Kawasaki, Harley etc ads. When you buy a bike you see advertised a lot you are paying for that marketing. Marketing costs are high, and $0 of the marketing budget goes in to the quality of the bike.
I'm impressed with how immaculate you keep your bike and how detailed you are in the cleaning. Living in Vancouver BC, Canada my bike (a 33 year old Suzuki Katana 1100 with 115,000 km on it) spends it's life under a motorcycle cover at the side of the street when it's not being used. Amazingly it still doesn't look or run bad for the year. I'm torn between two bike choices if I go to upgrade to something new, ... the Interceptor 650 or the V-Strom 650. Being as I'll be 70 when my next birthday rolls around I'm beginning to think the sport touring riding position of my old '88 GSX1100F may be a bit too extreme for me now.
Thank you for your honest, practical, and insightful thoughts about your entire experience with the RE int 650. I rode it last July in Albany , New York and was impressed .My biggest concern is the overall quality issue that the brand has struggled with here in the US. Your comments have reassured me that it is a very good motorcycle. Keep up the good work and I hope to be riding one soon after the world is over the pandemic.
Hi Stuart, I'm seriously looking at the RE range and I have been a bit concerned about the build quality and finish of the bikes given the relatively low price of the bikes. My last " classic " type bike was from a well known " British " marque that made a name for itself on the salt flats of Bonneville. After a year of mostly dry riding and being well looked after, rust was appearing in many parts, especially the frame, wheels and spokes. Your very clear and helpful video has reinforced my view that Royal Enfield machines are well built, well finished and very good value. Thanks.
Of all the bikes I've owned a Triumph Legend was the one that surprised me with its corrosion to use ratio, it needed far more care to keep it looking OK. Even my Moto Guzzi V7 was more durable!
I owned interceptor three month ago, worried about the rust. Now Happy to see your bike shining. But yes you’re putting lots effort keep the bike clean. Good luck 👍
My experience with My Royal Enfield 650 and 500: I live in Oregon, we have wet winters but little snow. Salt is forbidden on the road. My Bikes are garaged. (part of the house, not very damp or cold) The 650 has shown no rust at all. The 500 does not have rust except on some of the nuts and bolt heads. I believe they use industrial fasteners, not those specific to motorcycles. The chrome is a bit thin and some of the edges on the mirrors are iffy. None of the critical areas show problems and the paint shows no issues.
Having owned a 650GT for 10months, and covered 4000miles and ridden all winter too, I would say that overall the bikes seem too hold up well for the price . Mine has been covered in salt and grime a few times and has cleaned up fine ...but you must take care of it if you want it to last which is the same for any bike. Alloy engine casings suffered a little as did the the headers and other areas of untreated metals. My real concern is the paint on the tank as this is showing signs of rubbing away where the seat touches the tank mainly because the seat is not that secure in the first place. Used a tank protector to help. My bike is not a sunny weekend only bike as I use it all year round and normally cover 8000miles a year. All in all I think it will hold up as miles rack up and has proven to be a lovely bike for the money.
I've ust bought an Interceptor and value all the help available to run it in, understand it, service it, keep it clean, etc. Thanks Stuart for being there!!
Hi Stuart I'm so pleased the Royal Enfield interceptor has passed the winter rust test I don't own one but have test ride both the interceptor and GT and was very impressed. I don't know why but I'm really fond of the Royal Enfield company and its story and wish them success.Great vid as always mate
Love these videos but had to laugh when you mentioned a can of pledge and a bucket of soapy water, because that is all I have used since 1973. A guy who lived up the road from me owned a 350 Ducati and he showed me how to clean my CD 175 Honda. Keep up the good work Stuart.
Great advice for keeping the bike in top condition with the range of products. Never realised that keeping the bike in a garage could do more harm than good, but it makes sense. Keep up the good work Stuart.
I have had my 650 interceptor for 3 years , I live on the Sunshine coast in Australia Plus 90% humidity in the summer . No rust ,rode the bike heaps in the rain , only done 6000ks , no problems at all.I love it!!!
Epic opening shot mate, very feature film. Really like the look of the Interceptor, and a chrome heavy bike naturally needs extra tlc, like yours has received. Good to know that RE are not producing budget bikes with a budget standard.
A mechanic from Canada on one forum put an old style small incandescent light bulb under each engine, and connected the bulbs to a small solar panel on the garage roof. The heat from the bulb helps prevent condensation inside and out. He did need to do more work to block mice because the warmth attracts them. I like Fluid Film for motorcycle chains, made from lanolin from sheepskin, and the chains rust a lot less compared to using a more motorcycle specific chain lube earlier.
Yes, a small heater under the bike maintains a minute air flow and keeps the bike just a touch warmer to reduce condensation from temperature changes. Mice: moth balls or a dryer anti static cloth (WITH odor) in the saddle bags and under the seat. I've used this successfully in cars too. Ronn
No rust on my Interceptor 650 till now. Not even at a single spot. It stood outdoors in himalayan monsoons for 3 months last year and snow early this year. It is solid.
I have a large brick garage. I carpeted it for £50 with surplus carpet tiles from a flooring shop and insulated the roof for £90 with 50mm Kingspan. I use that Bilt Hamber Carnuba polish on my bikes, cars and motorhome, I think it is wonderful.
Thanks for making this video. I can back up everything said. I live a bit further North than you and back in November last year there was more salt on the roads than there is tarmac. My Interceptor still looks fantastic, I haven't had the mirror problem. Thank you for the service videos you've made. I did the oil and filter plus the chain the other day and I'm doing the valves tomorrow. I've watched your video so many times I could probably do the valves blindfolded. I won't thought. Regards and great respect to you. Take care and ride safe Stuart.
Enfield I think will have expected these new models to come under close scrutiny and therefore taken care to ensure good quality and a durable finish. This however was probably balanced against building to a low cost. I reckon they have got it about right, spending money on all the bits that count. The budget items that stand out to me are the brake and gear shift leavers, indicators and mirrors. My mirror suffered the same problem of the silver coming away around the back edge. Have replaced with bar end mirrors which are a lot easier to adjust than the stock items.
I agree with everything you say. But in addition I have had a dehumidifier in my garage for years and it does a good job in collecting the moisture and keeping the bikes dry and rust free. I just have to make sure I empty the water collection tank regularly.
After six months there’s no rust on my Interceptor but, like you, I’ve had the odd issue with the chain inside edges, mainly because it’s more difficult to apply chain lube to that part of the chain. Overall, I’m very impressed with the bike.
I have a 17 year-old bare aluminium Caterham that has lived in an unheated garage all the time and is still pristine. However, the floor has been heavily waterproofed and the car stands on top of a tarp that acts as a further vapour barrier with a heavy car cover over the top. I also use a dehumidifier and this dramatically reduces the condensation. I think the ideal is to use two dehumidifiers - one of the refrigerant type for temperatures above about 12 C and one of the desiccant type that work better temperatures below this (but are somewhat more power consuming than the fridge types). I suspect that running costs could be significantly reduced by adding smart ventilation to the mix that ventilates the garage when the moisture content of the outside air is low enough to make it beneficial.
I should also mention that, if you are worried about the possibility of rats chewing on the wiring and furnishings of your vehicle, that peppermint oil, camphor oil and moth balls are good rat repellents. I paint the oils on the tarp the vehicle stands on and put ventilated plastic boxes containing tissues soaked in the oils plus moth balls in engine compartments and on seats and thus far it has worked despite this being a farm with lots of rats about.
Another thorough video, I really fancy one of these Interceptors, I'll have to wait till April to try one for size. I currently ride a Rocket III, but I'm looking for something a bit lighter, the Interceptor seems to fit the bill.
Great video. As a relatively new owner these instructional films are excellent and much appreciated. As a side note, I owned a Classic 500 for about five years before part x’ing it for the Glitter and Dust Interceptor and in all that time rust or deterioration of any kind was never an issue.
One winter in the garage put paid to the alloy finish and many bolt heads on my Triumph street twin even though it was prepped - the alloy intake covers went furry on the inside. I spent ages cleaning it back and replaced a few parts. Bike now over winters in a heated shed I build to suit but overall the degradation on what is now a three year old bike is disappointing to say the least. I wont buy another Triumph but am considering the Continental to replace it.
Been through two winters now with my Triumph street twin, also do a couple of hundred miles over the winter (on dry days), and it's as good as new. There's not a lot of shiny stuff on the street twin (mag wheels etc), one of the reasons I purchased it. I reckon it has a lot to do with where it is stored, mine is in between an extension kitchen and next doors house...so there is probably some heat from the buildings.
Hi Stuart. Great vid. Best thing to do with an integral garage is to put a decent de-humidifier in it....circulates the air, takes out the moisture to your requirements AND heats at the same time through the ‘work’ the compressor is doing. You’re doing a stirling job in the lock-down mate! Totally outdoing some of the other popular UA-camrs.
Couldn't agree more. I get 1.5 litres a day out of my garage from the beginning of autumn through to the end of spring. My t120 is now over 2 years old and spotless.
In the old days, the Royal Oilfield ran a total-loss lubrication system that never needed a change, only a top-up. The oil that didn't stay in the engine eventually covered the entire machine in an oily film that prevented rust. Never wash a bike; a wipe-over with the oily rag suffices. The engine is oil-tight, you are washing it, it will rust.
so true! I had an (Indian) 350 bullet as my first ever bike - a good 35 years ago- which was happy enough with the occasional oil filter replacement, but I don't think any oil stayed in there long enough to warrant replacement. Several years and bikes later I return to Royal Enfield and its like they kept all the cool and fun things about the bike and managed to bring in reliability and quality to the model. Still a bit weird though to start with a button... There was something about the ritual of pumping up that amal, cranking it until the amp needle went in the minus and giving it a hard kick and hoping it wouldn't kick back harder :)
My Bullet 500 is stored outside under a cover. Nearly 12 months old and no rust. The aluminium did start to go furry early on in the winter due to salt and damp but a rub down with wire wool and autosol and a good coat of ACF 50 every 6/8 weeks sorted it out. I never bothered waxing and polishing during the winter just a quick hose down and a squirt of demon shine to polish up the paint work. I've polished it up now for the dry weather and the bike looks as good as the day I had it. One bit of advice is that check the welds by the swing arm and engine mount bolts. Mine went for a service and it was found to have split 50% of the way round the weld, turns out it had only been spot welded at the rear and required the frame welding at the weld by an automotive welding technician. No issue now with it just wish the weld was a bit smoother but its all sprayed and cleaned up so no problems it's just cosmetic.
I bought my BMW R60 from an MZ owner. He said the MZ had better paint, better chrome. Didn’t stop me repainting my ETZ with vile green Hammerite tho......it looked like a quality street triangle.
Hats off for such a great review, wish everyone had the same degree of patience and commitment you have for the bike. Great and honest review i have ever seen on you tube, kkep up good work and keep us motivated
The Himalayan owned by a UK youtuber is indeed a bucket of rust. But I suspect this is more likely due to a lack of care by the owner than a brand specific problem. Stuart's Interceptor is a credit to it's owner.
Check out UA-cam poster Itchy Boots if you're interested in the Himalayan. She's actually ridden her Himalayan all over the world. She knows the strengths and weaknesses of these bikes better than just about anyone. If you're already aware of her, then nevermind! 👍
Hey man! Thanks for these videos and keep them up. Being eyeballing a re a long time so these have confirmed my desire to get one. Greets from Finland and love the acsent!
Thank you very much for your plain and wonderful English. For me, I am not English native speaker, to listen so clear English is a pleasure for the ear AND what is best, I can fully understand you!
Got a bike cover over my Bike with a Green house tubular heater underneath, it's in a shed and constant temp under the cover, also it uses the power of a 40 watt light bulb.
Thanks for this video, very informative and reassuring. I'm currently on a 125 waiting to do my test, once the 'rona buggers off, and can only store a motorcycle, under cover on the drive out the front of the house. Once I've past my test, the interceptor is the bike I would like to move on to, but I've been put off by the same horror stories that you have heard.
I agree Stu, if you maintain your bike, use the right products, it pays dividends both with preventing rust and actually makes cleaning the bike easier. I've got a RE Bullet trial as well as a Triumph Bonneville T120. Both bikes had the full Fillingham upon delivery from new and have been bathed in all the right wax and pro prep. The Enfield is now 9 months old, was ridden during the winter months and looks like new. Not a speck of rust. Thank you. Keep up the great work.
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Fiction...sounds like a rumour put about by Harley two-wheel tractor owners......
Why would Harley owners knock Enfield or start rumors? They look like good bikes and a nice option for someone that digs a classic bike with modern features like FI and working brakes. Oh, that is kind of what Harley is doing. Maybe go for a ride instead of trying to create drama where there is none? Full disclosure, I own a Harley, a Speed Triple and a KTM. They are motorcycles. It is all ok.
Mine is over two years old, has done over 10,000 miles and the only places I am disappointed with the finish is the wheel hubs, the paint is bubbling a bit at the spoke holes on both wheels, and the end of the silencers have a little rust. The whole exhaust has been replaced so one issue gone, I plan to get the new RE alloy wheels when they become available, that will sort the other issue. They are great bikes.
My Interceptor started rusting after 3 months, mainly the underside of the exhaust, the end of the exhaust where theres a join and where the exhaust joins the engine. Both engines cases started developing alot of marks (oxidization?) that I could only remove by rubbing with wet and dry sandpaper and then polishing. The bike gets used most days, and admittedly in those first 3 months I only ever cleaned it with a high pressure hose and I live near the ocean. Ive never had these problems with Japanese bikes though. Since then Ive been looking after the bike better and had no problems.
Great video. I live in a third world country where motorcycles/scooters are very common. After buying a Chinese bike, I saw a discussion about Chinese vs Japanese bikes. I pointed at the any bike if it's neglected will fail and decay and any bike taken care of will keep going. Yes Chinese bikes or any other "cheaper" bike might need more upkeep but for the money you save it's worth the extra work. No matter what the Make or Model if you take care of your bike it should take care of you.
Most definitely true! I've got a 10 year old bike called a Hoajue(clone of Suzuki) 125cc. I can start it up after months of idle, and it still switches on without a hassle. You've just got to take care of it
Very well done and much appreciated. I have my eye on the Royal Enfield Himalayan, and your appraisal of the Interceptor will suffice for another RE bike. Thank you!
I live near the beach in California. I discovered a wet bike under the cover I bought to prevent what had happened. I tried putting a towel in the bike from tank to tail light, then the bike cover. The Towel acts as a desiccant and I have no more moisture issues. The towel may be a little damp in the morning, but the bike is dry. your videos are helpful, thank you. I love my Interceptor 650. I can't believe how fast this bike is for a small engine.
Actually, Royal Enfield is not a commuter at all. But it is popularly owned by so many people in the Indian market that it has been doing as a commuter as well.
@@timjohnson1199 He meant that it is not viewed as a commuter motorcycle in India since people in that particular demographic usually opt for other brands with much cheaper/fuel efficient options. The vast majority of people who buy them here do so because they actually love the retro/classic simplicity of it all. The 650s especially are not something that an average commuter can even afford and hence they are viewed as somewhat of a premium offering instead.
@@ethan999oz Yes. That partially is my point. Additionally, Royal Enfield is basically a cruiser in India rather than a commuter. A commuter in India would be as much as a 150cc motorcycle. Basically a nimble and sleek motorcycle that can help you filter through horrendous amounts of traffic. For those who want something more than just a commuter opt for motorcycles above 200cc capacity in India. Some famous bikes of India: Bajaj Dominar 400 (a very capable power cruiser inspired from Ducati Diavel) Bajaj Pulsar 200 TVS Apache RR 310 TVS Apache RTR 200 Royal Enfield Himalayan, Classic , Thunderbird, Interceptor and Continental GT
I have a 2013 Bullet 500 and i have to say, although i live in sunny Portugal and don't ride on the rain, my bike has a fair bit of rust, mostly on the silencer and other chrome parts. The issue seems to be the quality of the chrome plating on the older bikes, as newer ones don't seem to suffer from it. I had some parts rechormed at a local place and the diference is night and day. I'm still very happy with it, it just a bike that takes a bit more work to keep looking good.
Stuart once again, showing us, what a great bike the Interceptor is. Its amazing for its price, and even if a few parts deteriorated ( which they didnt) it would be a good time to do minor upgrades. I must say, I could see the Interceptor with some nice Motone custom mirrors. Keep well.
I have a new black rimmed Interceptor with the red/black tank and obviously with only 75 miles on it due to lock-down, its immaculate. Stuart's report on his Interceptor after the winter is very encouraging and I will be taking his advice about maintenance. I have to say I am very impressed with this bike's build quality generally. Stuart's tip about the inside of the chain corroding slightly was interesting and something I'll watch out for. I have a Scottoiler X fitted and I'll watch to see how that protects all surfaces of the chain. I can't wait to get some miles on and get to know Harry (Harry as in Enfield - get it 🥴!) and how the Pirelli's perform. I've come down to a 650 after I had a Moto Guzzi 1200S for 12 years from new and found it got too heavy for me. Seems RE have produced a winner with this bike - time will tell! Stuart - why have you got a Continental seat on your Interceptor?
You sound like the unsponsored Godfather of Royal Enfield. If i buy one (and I'm tempted), it'll be because of your honesty and comprehensive videos. Currently own a German bike and car btw.
Thanks for another excellent and informative video Stuart. I would really appreciate hearing your views, and subscriber comments, on preventing rust forming on a bike kept out on a driveway throughout the year. Also, what could one realistically expect to see in terms of degradation? Keep up the great work. Stay safe!
I worked in a bike shop in the late 1970s. I saw a bloke wreck a brand new Yamaha XT500 in four months by riding it off road and on road in winter and never cleaning it or lubing the chain. The forks were salt pitted as he never wiped them down. The tyres were cut to ribbons.He claimed all new parts under warranty. I've never forgotten him as he was one of the most unpleasant people I have ever met.
I have two lock-up garages. One has a damp-proof membrane in the walls and floor. You can leave ANY stuff in it safe and secure for ages. The other hasn't and stuff will deteriorate visibly within weeks. You can actually feel the damp as you walk in when the door's been shut for a day or two...
During winter, we keep our bikes in a big garden hut. Air cirulation everywhere. Yes, it's cold in here, but this is not a problem. No condensation, air circulation everywhere. We hardly wash them, they have been running for almost 20 years now.
A heartiest hello 👋 to you my beloved and respected sir ji. And I am really honoured to be once again watching your videos after such a long long time as this year 2020 is really a corona year. But I am really thankful to my beloved almighty lord for being alive and kicking and the same I am expecting of you also my respected sir. May lord almighty always blesses you with grace health wealth and prosperity and happiness and a healthy life full of love and blessings and guffaws of laughter. And a millions and millions of tons of love and blessings from India 🇮🇳 and especially Amritsar city.
I have never seen such a great combination of experience and enthusiasm on bike and knowledge over you tube. Big fan of your presentation and content. Love and respect from India 🇮🇳
@@YashSingh-hl7xo He must be receiving many comments on daily basis. He has liked and replied to my comments in other vlogs. I am completely okay with it ☺️👍
I had Classic Chrome 500, I maintained well and never got rusted. Many said Chrome is most prone to rust but I took care and never had issue of rusting.
I wish I’d seen this video before keeping my 2017 Harley-Davidson Dyna Fatbob in my unheated garage over winter. It was treated with ACF50 but it has rusted, badly. So much so that after 1030 miles I sold to my pal, & he has stripped it down to be able to prepare and properly repaint the worst areas in the hidden bits by the base of the cylinders and swing arm. The paint on the wheel outer rims is peeling off. During my ownership, I took care of it ensuring no rainy day riding, and did my best to wash it with quality Meguires products & dry it etc. It was waxed too using pure wax. It cost £17,000 including a S&S exhaust & filter. I’ve had feedback that other people have rusty recent HD’s too. If I buy another it will be from pre 1990 as my old 1983 Shovelhead never had any rust issues & far better paintwork. I never noticed any obvious condensation in my garage but it must have had some! If unfortunately you live where the garage is in a block away from the house with no power, I’d go as far as saying it’s too worrying to have a bike at all! I’ve investigated solar power but that only has limited use & can’t power a heater or dehumidifier. My previous 6 HD’s all from pre 2007 years had no rust issues, and I was not expecting any problem on the 2017 one. The rusty areas were all within the less visible parts of the frame. I do think the denim matt paint finish is hard to judge on paint depth. It looked thin! Perhaps it was!
If you ride all year round then ACF50 washes off after a couple of rainy days. I've used it for about 5 or 6 years (and still do) but it's no better than WD40 and the rest. And it's a lot more expensive.
@@peter7624 Try a can of waxoil £10 one application on frame chrome etc and it will last for years 1000 times more effective than ACF50. just use a good oil based maintenance spray on your engine and re apply regularly!
Stuart as soon as I buy a bike or car the Waxoyl comes out. It's the first thing I do. Ive been using it for many years, on my bikes and cars. The only problem with Waxoyl as I'm sure you know, is that its like a magnet for road dirt, but it does the job.
I started riding in 1956 when bikes were for commuting to work, and five and a day week did not leave much time for cleaning.My solution for protecting against the winter ravages was to brush it over completely with two stroke mixture, (16 to one in those days), come late spring, gunk it over and all was perfectly back to the Autumn original. My current bike is French registered and because of the virus, is languishing in a French shed. I'll be lucky to get out to it this year, but, I am confident it will not suffering corrosion wise after perhaps two winters unattended. My other is a ww2. jeep and that gets the two stroke treatment underneath for chassis protection. My philosophy has always been maintain 'em ride 'em and maybe clean 'em!
Stuart, wonderful re-cap of your Enfield's durability. Really enjoy your sharing of experiences with this machine. I'm considering an Interceptor soon based on all of your work.
I had condensation problems with my garage, I put an air brick at the top of the rear wall and an air vent in the bottom of the up and over door, No more condensation, dry as a bone 😀 Also Thompsons water seal on the inside of the walls helps keep out damp , And the outside if you can, mine is in a block so I can't do that. Nice Job Stuart. Looks mint.
I remember having Enfields which were built in Britain and they didn't suffer from any corrosion problems. This was due to some innovative engineering which resulted in the engine spraying a fine mist of oil all over the rest of the bike.
Living in Wisconsin in the 1970's ,I saw the same sort of thing with used BSA's in the dealerships with pools of oil under them.
@@jeffersondavis2530 An old addage that said "If it's leaking oil, it still has oil!"
😂
Still a feature on my T-140, quite clever engineering. But after it’s last pull-down session it doesn’t seem to be leaking - yet! Big offender is the impossible to access primary chain adjuster. I love Hylomar!
It's like anything, If you look after it it will look after you.
a real English Enfield leaked so much oil it never rusted!!
Lol
That's why they were called 'Royal Oilfield' and 'Oil Enfield' when I was riding bikes in the 1970's. I'm not joking.
Only when incorrectly maintained. I had a Royal Enfield 250 to learn on. It was just amazing and never once leaked oil.
@@undercrackers56 If you were a poor student and the bike had passed through many other budding 'engineers' before you got it; it would have!!!!
Orange Hermitite glowing as a beacon to the oil retaining issues. Ha ha. Goid 'ol days!!!!
Those were the days of faulty gaskets that leaked, typically from the rocker-covers, the clutch and the gear casings. The seals on the hydraulic front-shock absorbers were also prone to leaks, leading to flat patches on the front tyre, with the patches lying left or right-of-centre, depending on the pipe that had less hydraulic oil.
you have the knack of turning a fairly short story into a novel!
Its not a knack its a very rare skill!
@@YOURS1 a carrier! well of course that's what all bikes do. They carry people.
@@stuartfillingham you should've studied engineering in India.
@@stuartfillingham gift of gab.
Elbow grease certainly makes a difference i remember in the 70s my old CZ was so burnished to mirror finish when I took back for service at Wells bikes in Forest Gate he offered to pay me to bull up his showroom bikes .
Needless to say I declined.
some of the bikes I see around look like piles of junk after a year or so , no rider pride at all, a cheap bike well looked after is much nicer to ride than even a super bike if it's a rag pile.
+1, having this for last 8 months. Have covered some 4500 kms. Loving every bit of it. It is always been a head turner. As an owner you feel pride on such a beautiful and reliable machine. Its getting pretty popular here in Melbourne.
Do you cruise the Yarra River area?
Had the same problem with one of my mirrors, told my dealer about it in passing, they called me the following day to say Royal Enfield have sent a replacement under the warranty ,
I never use my bikes during the Winter months, I do have my own ‘procedure’ for laying the bikes up. This consists of changing the engine oil and protecting the painted and chromed surfaces. When my garage was built I specified that it would be double skinned brickwork with insulation between the walls. The helps tremendously with keeping the temperature changes to a minimum. I also keep a dehumidifier running 24/7 to keep the moisture levels to a minimum. In my opinion the damage causes by condensation is one of the biggest issues when storing your bike over winter.
I owned royal enfields for 15+ years, just wipe them and wash less, you will be fine.
I do that with my Suzukis lol
Is good on environment as well, saves precious water.
@@jeffdean7666 hot dip galvanization has become very common over the last 30 years for vehicles made outside the US.
Because the richer places like fail vehicles for rust in inspections and the poorer places appreciate the added longevity
Anyone questioning the build quality of RE bikes should look at the quality of those welds on the seams on the bottom of the tank. Thanks for another great video Stuart.
In the unlikely event of the tank starting to rust, it's an absolute doddle to just buy another tank and replace it anyway. I know for a fact that when I get one of these bikes this year, I'll be buying at least one more tank in a different colour so I can have a bit of variety when I get bored of the original colour. There are so many beautiful colour schemes that you can collect.
I think I'm correct in assuming that all the Continental GT tanks will fit on the Interceptor and vice versa?
If you don’t want rust, just like if you don’t want a baby... use protection! 👍🏻
I've got a son and no momotorbike... should have used protection
But I live in Michigan. I'll have to leave the state.
No rust on my Interceptor one year old😃 I'm so happy with this bike✌
Uncle Stu here is my experience with RE bikes. I have owned the Interceptor 650 Orange crush for 15 months and RE Classic 500 Chrome Maroon for six years todate. I live in hot tropical climes of coastal India within 500 m of the sea. The only treatment that I have used occassionally on my bikes are the Wurth paint protectant. Not a spot of rust anywhere.
To all those that dismiss RE as cheap quality junk here is my advise. If you touch and feel your bike in all the nooks and crannies with your own hands regularly there will be no dust and no dust. Finally it boils down to how much pride you take in your steed.
Had similar rust spotting on my interceptor 650 right hand rearview mirror and it was promptly replaced under warranty.
Good to Know that the classic models are the same!
I have a classic 500 and also live in a sub tropical climate very near the ocean of South Africa. In 7 years I have very little rust on some of the obvious exposed parts but nothing to worry about. The bike gets washed regularly and sprayed with a silicone spray. I also have an older BMW Dakar and the rust or lack thereof is about the same as on the Enfield. I believe in a quick splash down with the hose after returning from a long Sunday ride for example, give it an hour or so to cool off and a 10 min splash off rinses the salt away. Later the fine bits can be done but the initial danger of rusting is prevented.
I feel those who dismiss Enfield as cheap junk are almost aggravated by the company succeeding.
Don't you dare "Uncle" me 😂😂😂
@@tokyosmash yep truedat
I concur. I bought a couple of Royal Enfields back in September. Given liberal use of ACF 50, before the winter salt got to them, they both looked great once I'd washed them down at the start of Spring.
My Himalayan, which I used for relentless commuting during the winter, has now over 4000 miles on its clock, but all surfaces are holding up superbly. Money well spent, I feel.
Would you say the Himalayan is a good commuter? How easy is it to ride it on a busy city?
I'm from the US and I'm just curious what is winter salt ? Please be kind if its a stupid question I've just never heard of it.
@@njt4253 it’s salt they use in the winter.
Oh just like here lol
Like the Americans Harleys, we say the Indians Royal Enfield. It's originally built for indian terrains and weather. We never had worried over such issues.
They've been irrelevant in India for past 50 years
Nobody cared about Royal Enfield except the fanboys until the 650 twins happened
@@dv9239 low revving, long stroke, high low end torque is what the REs are known for and people who buys them expects the same. Actually they are kind of relevant in selling their bikes.
The closest competitor to them is honda with their recently developed honda h'ness cb350, like an R3 for Ninja 300.
@@dv9239 you certainly are delusional RE are a status symbol in India only the best of men could handle them since they were a beast of machines. Now since the hipster era the quality slowly deteriorated to accomodate modest riders.
@@sa34w and you called him delusional 🤣
@@sa34w true the quality difference between 1971 model and the new ones is worlds apart, the sound was also uncomparable
I've never seen a Royal Enfield ad. I've seen 100s of Honda, Kawasaki, Harley etc ads. When you buy a bike you see advertised a lot you are paying for that marketing. Marketing costs are high, and $0 of the marketing budget goes in to the quality of the bike.
I'm impressed with how immaculate you keep your bike and how detailed you are in the cleaning. Living in Vancouver BC, Canada my bike (a 33 year old Suzuki Katana 1100 with 115,000 km on it) spends it's life under a motorcycle cover at the side of the street when it's not being used. Amazingly it still doesn't look or run bad for the year.
I'm torn between two bike choices if I go to upgrade to something new, ... the Interceptor 650 or the V-Strom 650. Being as I'll be 70 when my next birthday rolls around I'm beginning to think the sport touring riding position of my old '88 GSX1100F may be a bit too extreme for me now.
Thank you for your honest, practical, and insightful thoughts about your entire experience with the RE int 650. I rode it last July in Albany , New York and was impressed .My biggest concern is the overall quality issue that the brand has struggled with here in the US. Your comments have
reassured me that it is a very good motorcycle. Keep up the good work and I hope to be riding one soon after the world is over the pandemic.
Mutt 250
Hi Stuart, I'm seriously looking at the RE range and I have been a bit concerned about the build quality and finish of the bikes given the relatively low price of the bikes. My last " classic " type bike was from a well known " British " marque that made a name for itself on the salt flats of Bonneville. After a year of mostly dry riding and being well looked after, rust was appearing in many parts, especially the frame, wheels and spokes.
Your very clear and helpful video has reinforced my view that Royal Enfield machines are well built, well finished and very good value. Thanks.
Of all the bikes I've owned a Triumph Legend was the one that surprised me with its corrosion to use ratio, it needed far more care to keep it looking OK. Even my Moto Guzzi V7 was more durable!
Good report! Makes me proud as an owner!!
I owned interceptor three month ago, worried about the rust. Now Happy to see your bike shining. But yes you’re putting lots effort keep the bike clean. Good luck 👍
if your not prepared to put in the maintenance time, be prepared to encounter problems!
@@stuartfillingham Which also applies to far more"premium" bikes than the REs.
My experience with My Royal Enfield 650 and 500: I live in Oregon, we have wet winters but little snow. Salt is forbidden on the road. My Bikes are garaged. (part of the house, not very damp or cold) The 650 has shown no rust at all. The 500 does not have rust except on some of the nuts and bolt heads. I believe they use industrial fasteners, not those specific to motorcycles. The chrome is a bit thin and some of the edges on the mirrors are iffy. None of the critical areas show problems and the paint shows no issues.
Wow man these bikes are available there as well? I am amazed and if these bikes surviving the cold there
Having owned a 650GT for 10months, and covered 4000miles and ridden all winter too, I would say that overall the bikes seem too hold up well for the price . Mine has been covered in salt and grime a few times and has cleaned up fine ...but you must take care of it if you want it to last which is the same for any bike. Alloy engine casings suffered a little as did the the headers and other areas of untreated metals. My real concern is the paint on the tank as this is showing signs of rubbing away where the seat touches the tank mainly because the seat is not that secure in the first place. Used a tank protector to help. My bike is not a sunny weekend only bike as I use it all year round and normally cover 8000miles a year. All in all I think it will hold up as miles rack up and has proven to be a lovely bike for the money.
I've had the same problem with the silvering on one mirror deteriorating. Waiting to sort with dealer.
I've ust bought an Interceptor and value all the help available to run it in, understand it, service it, keep it clean, etc. Thanks Stuart for being there!!
Brilliant video Stuart, and I can’t recommend the full fillingham and the channel enough, it’s the only way I clean my Royal Enfield Himalayan 😃👍🏻
Washing a motorcycle? What a curious concept.
Got the same issue for the mirrors, Got it replaced under warranty
Hi Stuart I'm so pleased the Royal Enfield interceptor has passed the winter rust test I don't own one but have test ride both the interceptor and GT and was very impressed. I don't know why but I'm really fond of the Royal Enfield company and its story and wish them success.Great vid as always mate
Yes they have a certain something that just pulls you in!
Love these videos but had to laugh when you mentioned a can of pledge and a bucket of soapy water, because that is all I have used since 1973.
A guy who lived up the road from me owned a 350 Ducati and he showed me how to clean my CD 175 Honda. Keep up the good work Stuart.
Great advice for keeping the bike in top condition with the range of products. Never realised that keeping the bike in a garage could do more harm than good, but it makes sense. Keep up the good work Stuart.
I have had my 650 interceptor for 3 years , I live on the Sunshine coast in Australia Plus 90% humidity in the summer . No rust ,rode the bike heaps in the rain , only done 6000ks , no problems at all.I love it!!!
The care you take will keep any bike in pretty much the same condition
Epic opening shot mate, very feature film. Really like the look of the Interceptor, and a chrome heavy bike naturally needs extra tlc, like yours has received. Good to know that RE are not producing budget bikes with a budget standard.
A mechanic from Canada on one forum put an old style small incandescent light bulb under each engine, and connected the bulbs to a small solar panel on the garage roof. The heat from the bulb helps prevent condensation inside and out. He did need to do more work to block mice because the warmth attracts them. I like Fluid Film for motorcycle chains, made from lanolin from sheepskin, and the chains rust a lot less compared to using a more motorcycle specific chain lube earlier.
Yes, a small heater under the bike maintains a minute air flow and keeps the bike just a touch warmer to reduce condensation from temperature changes. Mice: moth balls or a dryer anti static cloth (WITH odor) in the saddle bags and under the seat. I've used this successfully in cars too. Ronn
"RE+1080p+british english commentary" makes the world nice again.
No rust on my Interceptor 650 till now. Not even at a single spot. It stood outdoors in himalayan monsoons for 3 months last year and snow early this year. It is solid.
Fitting vents such as trickle vents can make a big difference in damp garages and sheds.
I have a large brick garage. I carpeted it for £50 with surplus carpet tiles from a flooring shop and insulated the roof for £90 with 50mm Kingspan. I use that Bilt Hamber Carnuba polish on my bikes, cars and motorhome, I think it is wonderful.
Thanks for making this video.
I can back up everything said.
I live a bit further North than you and back in November last year there was more salt on the roads than there is tarmac.
My Interceptor still looks fantastic, I haven't had the mirror problem.
Thank you for the service videos you've made.
I did the oil and filter plus the chain the other day and I'm doing the valves tomorrow.
I've watched your video so many times I could probably do the valves blindfolded.
I won't thought.
Regards and great respect to you.
Take care and ride safe Stuart.
I always enjoy looking after the bike as much riding it and it gives you a chance to spot things that may need attention. You get out what you put in!
Very true!
Enfield I think will have expected these new models to come under close scrutiny and therefore taken care to ensure good quality and a durable finish. This however was probably balanced against building to a low cost. I reckon they have got it about right, spending money on all the bits that count. The budget items that stand out to me are the brake and gear shift leavers, indicators and mirrors. My mirror suffered the same problem of the silver coming away around the back edge. Have replaced with bar end mirrors which are a lot easier to adjust than the stock items.
May be Stuart can suggest Motone to make after market high quality gear and brake leavers
Lovely article with great photography, music and informative commentary. I want one! 😎
Loved the intro. Felt like a movie opening
Damn I see interceptors all the time but the way you maintain that beauty...too good mate..your video was like listening to classical music...
What a camera approach to the bike over the farmland ! Marvellous
I agree with everything you say. But in addition I have had a dehumidifier in my garage for years and it does a good job in collecting the moisture and keeping the bikes dry and rust free. I just have to make sure I empty the water collection tank regularly.
After six months there’s no rust on my Interceptor but, like you, I’ve had the odd issue with the chain inside edges, mainly because it’s more difficult to apply chain lube to that part of the chain. Overall, I’m very impressed with the bike.
I have a 17 year-old bare aluminium Caterham that has lived in an unheated garage all the time and is still pristine. However, the floor has been heavily waterproofed and the car stands on top of a tarp that acts as a further vapour barrier with a heavy car cover over the top. I also use a dehumidifier and this dramatically reduces the condensation. I think the ideal is to use two dehumidifiers - one of the refrigerant type for temperatures above about 12 C and one of the desiccant type that work better temperatures below this (but are somewhat more power consuming than the fridge types). I suspect that running costs could be significantly reduced by adding smart ventilation to the mix that ventilates the garage when the moisture content of the outside air is low enough to make it beneficial.
I should also mention that, if you are worried about the possibility of rats chewing on the wiring and furnishings of your vehicle, that peppermint oil, camphor oil and moth balls are good rat repellents. I paint the oils on the tarp the vehicle stands on and put ventilated plastic boxes containing tissues soaked in the oils plus moth balls in engine compartments and on seats and thus far it has worked despite this being a farm with lots of rats about.
Another thorough video, I really fancy one of these Interceptors, I'll have to wait till April to try one for size. I currently ride a Rocket III, but I'm looking for something a bit lighter, the Interceptor seems to fit the bill.
It looks gorgeous! The pipes - always had that telltale coloration. Heat, that was in my words, "blooding" them. Cheers!
Great video. As a relatively new owner these instructional films are excellent and much appreciated. As a side note, I owned a Classic 500 for about five years before part x’ing it for the Glitter and Dust Interceptor and in all that time rust or deterioration of any kind was never an issue.
Thanks for the info!
One winter in the garage put paid to the alloy finish and many bolt heads on my Triumph street twin even though it was prepped - the alloy intake covers went furry on the inside. I spent ages cleaning it back and replaced a few parts. Bike now over winters in a heated shed I build to suit but overall the degradation on what is now a three year old bike is disappointing to say the least. I wont buy another Triumph but am considering the Continental to replace it.
Been through two winters now with my Triumph street twin, also do a couple of hundred miles over the winter (on dry days), and it's as good as new. There's not a lot of shiny stuff on the street twin (mag wheels etc), one of the reasons I purchased it. I reckon it has a lot to do with where it is stored, mine is in between an extension kitchen and next doors house...so there is probably some heat from the buildings.
My 1974 Norton is almost rust free.
Good oil leak helps
I fixed my 74 oil leak pretty early on!
Hi Stuart. Great vid. Best thing to do with an integral garage is to put a decent de-humidifier in it....circulates the air, takes out the moisture to your requirements AND heats at the same time through the ‘work’ the compressor is doing. You’re doing a stirling job in the lock-down mate! Totally outdoing some of the other popular UA-camrs.
Thank you steve!
Couldn't agree more. I get 1.5 litres a day out of my garage from the beginning of autumn through to the end of spring. My t120 is now over 2 years old and spotless.
In the old days, the Royal Oilfield ran a total-loss lubrication system that never needed a change, only a top-up. The oil that didn't stay in the engine eventually covered the entire machine in an oily film that prevented rust. Never wash a bike; a wipe-over with the oily rag suffices. The engine is oil-tight, you are washing it, it will rust.
so true! I had an (Indian) 350 bullet as my first ever bike - a good 35 years ago- which was happy enough with the occasional oil filter replacement, but I don't think any oil stayed in there long enough to warrant replacement. Several years and bikes later I return to Royal Enfield and its like they kept all the cool and fun things about the bike and managed to bring in reliability and quality to the model. Still a bit weird though to start with a button... There was something about the ritual of pumping up that amal, cranking it until the amp needle went in the minus and giving it a hard kick and hoping it wouldn't kick back harder :)
@@frankysworld no uj
My Bullet 500 is stored outside under a cover. Nearly 12 months old and no rust. The aluminium did start to go furry early on in the winter due to salt and damp but a rub down with wire wool and autosol and a good coat of ACF 50 every 6/8 weeks sorted it out. I never bothered waxing and polishing during the winter just a quick hose down and a squirt of demon shine to polish up the paint work. I've polished it up now for the dry weather and the bike looks as good as the day I had it. One bit of advice is that check the welds by the swing arm and engine mount bolts. Mine went for a service and it was found to have split 50% of the way round the weld, turns out it had only been spot welded at the rear and required the frame welding at the weld by an automotive welding technician. No issue now with it just wish the weld was a bit smoother but its all sprayed and cleaned up so no problems it's just cosmetic.
Done the uncle Stu wheel cleaning regime ,came up a treat.
"Ooooh Lemon Pledge ! Look at Mr Fancy Pants" - MZ250ETZ owner....
I bought my BMW R60 from an MZ owner. He said the MZ had better paint, better chrome. Didn’t stop me repainting my ETZ with vile green Hammerite tho......it looked like a quality street triangle.
Hats off for such a great review, wish everyone had the same degree of patience and commitment you have for the bike. Great and honest review i have ever seen on you tube, kkep up good work and keep us motivated
The Himalayan owned by a UK youtuber is indeed a bucket of rust. But I suspect this is more likely due to a lack of care by the owner than a brand specific problem. Stuart's Interceptor is a credit to it's owner.
Check out UA-cam poster Itchy Boots if you're interested in the Himalayan. She's actually ridden her Himalayan all over the world. She knows the strengths and weaknesses of these bikes better than just about anyone.
If you're already aware of her, then nevermind! 👍
Why do people give this clip a thumbs down.....?
Because they have rusty bikes!
stuart fillingham 👍😂
Hey man! Thanks for these videos and keep them up. Being eyeballing a re a long time so these have confirmed my desire to get one. Greets from Finland and love the acsent!
Thank you very much for your plain and wonderful English. For me, I am not English native speaker, to listen so clear English is a pleasure for the ear AND what is best, I can fully understand you!
Got a bike cover over my Bike with a Green house tubular heater underneath, it's in a shed and constant temp under the cover, also it uses the power of a 40 watt light bulb.
Thanks for this video, very informative and reassuring. I'm currently on a 125 waiting to do my test, once the 'rona buggers off, and can only store a motorcycle, under cover on the drive out the front of the house. Once I've past my test, the interceptor is the bike I would like to move on to, but I've been put off by the same horror stories that you have heard.
Beautiful video. Thank you.
Let's be honest, we have to thanks the owner more than the bike here.
You really can care of it. Congrats.
I agree Stu, if you maintain your bike, use the right products, it pays dividends both with preventing rust and actually makes cleaning the bike easier. I've got a RE Bullet trial as well as a Triumph Bonneville T120. Both bikes had the full Fillingham upon delivery from new and have been bathed in all the right wax and pro prep. The Enfield is now 9 months old, was ridden during the winter months and looks like new. Not a speck of rust. Thank you. Keep up the great work.
Fiction...sounds like a rumour put about by Harley two-wheel tractor owners......
Why would Harley owners knock Enfield or start rumors? They look like good bikes and a nice option for someone that digs a classic bike with modern features like FI and working brakes. Oh, that is kind of what Harley is doing. Maybe go for a ride instead of trying to create drama where there is none? Full disclosure, I own a Harley, a Speed Triple and a KTM. They are motorcycles. It is all ok.
Mine is over two years old, has done over 10,000 miles and the only places I am disappointed with the finish is the wheel hubs, the paint is bubbling a bit at the spoke holes on both wheels, and the end of the silencers have a little rust.
The whole exhaust has been replaced so one issue gone, I plan to get the new RE alloy wheels when they become available, that will sort the other issue.
They are great bikes.
My Interceptor started rusting after 3 months, mainly the underside of the exhaust, the end of the exhaust where theres a join and where the exhaust joins the engine. Both engines cases started developing alot of marks (oxidization?) that I could only remove by rubbing with wet and dry sandpaper and then polishing. The bike gets used most days, and admittedly in those first 3 months I only ever cleaned it with a high pressure hose and I live near the ocean. Ive never had these problems with Japanese bikes though. Since then Ive been looking after the bike better and had no problems.
Royal Enfield should pay you for giving the facts from myth ! Good Video !
Great video. I live in a third world country where motorcycles/scooters are very common. After buying a Chinese bike, I saw a discussion about Chinese vs Japanese bikes. I pointed at the any bike if it's neglected will fail and decay and any bike taken care of will keep going. Yes Chinese bikes or any other "cheaper" bike might need more upkeep but for the money you save it's worth the extra work. No matter what the Make or Model if you take care of your bike it should take care of you.
Most definitely true! I've got a 10 year old bike called a Hoajue(clone of Suzuki) 125cc. I can start it up after months of idle, and it still switches on without a hassle. You've just got to take care of it
Very well done and much appreciated. I have my eye on the Royal Enfield Himalayan, and your appraisal of the Interceptor will suffice for another RE bike. Thank you!
Most impressed to be honest with the fit and finish of the 650 and probably better finish than a lot of bikes imho
I live near the beach in California. I discovered a wet bike under the cover I bought to prevent what had happened. I tried putting a towel in the bike from tank to tail light, then the bike cover. The Towel acts as a desiccant and I have no more moisture issues. The towel may be a little damp in the morning, but the bike is dry.
your videos are helpful, thank you. I love my Interceptor 650. I can't believe how fast this bike is for a small engine.
Excellent findings - Always reassuring to see the positive results of the FF maintenance programme to which my bikes can attest!
Actually, Royal Enfield is not a commuter at all. But it is popularly owned by so many people in the Indian market that it has been doing as a commuter as well.
If it's not a commuter, what is it?
@@timjohnson1199 it's a motorcycle
i must disagree. perfect commuter
@@timjohnson1199 He meant that it is not viewed as a commuter motorcycle in India since people in that particular demographic usually opt for other brands with much cheaper/fuel efficient options. The vast majority of people who buy them here do so because they actually love the retro/classic simplicity of it all. The 650s especially are not something that an average commuter can even afford and hence they are viewed as somewhat of a premium offering instead.
@@ethan999oz Yes. That partially is my point. Additionally, Royal Enfield is basically a cruiser in India rather than a commuter.
A commuter in India would be as much as a 150cc motorcycle. Basically a nimble and sleek motorcycle that can help you filter through horrendous amounts of traffic.
For those who want something more than just a commuter opt for motorcycles above 200cc capacity in India.
Some famous bikes of India:
Bajaj Dominar 400 (a very capable power cruiser inspired from Ducati Diavel)
Bajaj Pulsar 200
TVS Apache RR 310
TVS Apache RTR 200
Royal Enfield Himalayan, Classic , Thunderbird, Interceptor and Continental GT
I have a 2013 Bullet 500 and i have to say, although i live in sunny Portugal and don't ride on the rain, my bike has a fair bit of rust, mostly on the silencer and other chrome parts. The issue seems to be the quality of the chrome plating on the older bikes, as newer ones don't seem to suffer from it. I had some parts rechormed at a local place and the diference is night and day. I'm still very happy with it, it just a bike that takes a bit more work to keep looking good.
I keep my bike in a detached garage unheated, but I have a small fan blowing on it.
Dehumidifiers work good.
Stuart once again, showing us, what a great bike the Interceptor is. Its amazing for its price, and even if a few parts deteriorated ( which they didnt) it would be a good time to do minor upgrades.
I must say, I could see the Interceptor with some nice Motone custom mirrors.
Keep well.
Glad you enjoyed it
Sour grapes and bad maintenance make grist for the rumour mill. As you say, rust doesn't care how much you paid for the steel. Great video. Thanks 👍
I had doubts over rusting in Interceptor 650, thanks for clearing all the doubts.
Love From India.
I have a new black rimmed Interceptor with the red/black tank and obviously with only 75 miles on it due to lock-down, its immaculate. Stuart's report on his Interceptor after the winter is very encouraging and I will be taking his advice about maintenance. I have to say I am very impressed with this bike's build quality generally.
Stuart's tip about the inside of the chain corroding slightly was interesting and something I'll watch out for.
I have a Scottoiler X fitted and I'll watch to see how that protects all surfaces of the chain.
I can't wait to get some miles on and get to know Harry (Harry as in Enfield - get it 🥴!) and how the Pirelli's perform.
I've come down to a 650 after I had a Moto Guzzi 1200S for 12 years from new and found it got too heavy for me. Seems RE have produced a winner with this bike - time will tell!
Stuart - why have you got a Continental seat on your Interceptor?
Sir your English made me feel more comfortable to watch.
You sound like the unsponsored Godfather of Royal Enfield. If i buy one (and I'm tempted), it'll be because of your honesty and comprehensive videos. Currently own a German bike and car btw.
Thanks for another excellent and informative video Stuart. I would really appreciate hearing your views, and subscriber comments, on preventing rust forming on a bike kept out on a driveway throughout the year. Also, what could one realistically expect to see in terms of degradation? Keep up the great work. Stay safe!
see my old video on winterizing your bike! wax oil is the best you can use if the bike is outside.
Will do. Thanks
I worked in a bike shop in the late 1970s. I saw a bloke wreck a brand new Yamaha XT500 in four months by riding it off road and on road in winter and never cleaning it or lubing the chain. The forks were salt pitted as he never wiped them down. The tyres were cut to ribbons.He claimed all new parts under warranty. I've never forgotten him as he was one of the most unpleasant people I have ever met.
Thanks Stewart for keeping us informed with honest appraisals ...Somewhat rare these days !
This is actually a really helpful video for when I buy my first ever bike. Thanks, Stuart.
I have two lock-up garages. One has a damp-proof membrane in the walls and floor. You can leave ANY stuff in it safe and secure for ages. The other hasn't and stuff will deteriorate visibly within weeks. You can actually feel the damp as you walk in when the door's been shut for a day or two...
During winter, we keep our bikes in a big garden hut. Air cirulation everywhere. Yes, it's cold in here, but this is not a problem. No condensation, air circulation everywhere. We hardly wash them, they have been running for almost 20 years now.
A heartiest hello 👋 to you my beloved and respected sir ji. And I am really honoured to be once again watching your videos after such a long long time as this year 2020 is really a corona year. But I am really thankful to my beloved almighty lord for being alive and kicking and the same I am expecting of you also my respected sir. May lord almighty always blesses you with grace health wealth and prosperity and happiness and a healthy life full of love and blessings and guffaws of laughter. And a millions and millions of tons of love and blessings from India 🇮🇳 and especially Amritsar city.
I have never seen such a great combination of experience and enthusiasm on bike and knowledge over you tube. Big fan of your presentation and content. Love and respect from India 🇮🇳
he has liked all the comments except yours this is weird
@@YashSingh-hl7xo He must be receiving many comments on daily basis. He has liked and replied to my comments in other vlogs. I am completely okay with it ☺️👍
I had Classic Chrome 500, I maintained well and never got rusted. Many said Chrome is most prone to rust but I took care and never had issue of rusting.
I wish I’d seen this video before keeping my 2017 Harley-Davidson Dyna Fatbob in my unheated garage over winter. It was treated with ACF50 but it has rusted, badly. So much so that after 1030 miles I sold to my pal, & he has stripped it down to be able to prepare and properly repaint the worst areas in the hidden bits by the base of the cylinders and swing arm. The paint on the wheel outer rims is peeling off. During my ownership, I took care of it ensuring no rainy day riding, and did my best to wash it with quality Meguires products & dry it etc. It was waxed too using pure wax. It cost £17,000 including a S&S exhaust & filter.
I’ve had feedback that other people have rusty recent HD’s too. If I buy another it will be from pre 1990 as my old 1983 Shovelhead never had any rust issues & far better paintwork. I never noticed any obvious condensation in my garage but it must have had some! If unfortunately you live where the garage is in a block away from the house with no power, I’d go as far as saying it’s too worrying to have a bike at all! I’ve investigated solar power but that only has limited use & can’t power a heater or dehumidifier. My previous 6 HD’s all from pre 2007 years had no rust issues, and I was not expecting any problem on the 2017 one. The rusty areas were all within the less visible parts of the frame. I do think the denim matt paint finish is hard to judge on paint depth. It looked thin! Perhaps it was!
Sir, the bike looks way better than what it will look if the bike rolls out of the factory.
As always amazing work........
Thanks a ton
Hope I can share my experience with you, after I have received my interceptor.
Thank you.
ACF50. If it’s good enough for aircraft on USA carriers, then it’s good enough for your motorcycle. One product and totally dependable.
Ive always had very mixed results with it!
Edit: if it's good enough for my old Vstrom that used to be parked outside, then its good enough for your Enfield, Lol.
If you ride all year round then ACF50 washes off after a couple of rainy days. I've used it for about 5 or 6 years (and still do) but it's no better than WD40 and the rest. And it's a lot more expensive.
@@peter7624 Try a can of waxoil £10 one application on frame chrome etc and it will last for years 1000 times more effective than ACF50. just use a good oil based maintenance spray on your engine and re apply regularly!
Stuart as soon as I buy a bike or car the Waxoyl comes out. It's the first thing I do. Ive been using it for many years, on my bikes and cars. The only problem with Waxoyl as I'm sure you know, is that its like a magnet for road dirt, but it does the job.
I started riding in 1956 when bikes were for commuting to work, and five and a day week did not leave much time for cleaning.My solution for protecting against the winter ravages was to brush it over completely with two stroke mixture, (16 to one in those days), come late spring, gunk it over and all was perfectly back to the Autumn original. My current bike is French registered and because of the virus, is languishing in a French shed. I'll be lucky to get out to it this year, but, I am confident it will not suffering corrosion wise after perhaps two winters unattended. My other is a ww2. jeep and that gets the two stroke treatment underneath for chassis protection. My philosophy has always been maintain 'em ride 'em and maybe clean 'em!
Stuart, wonderful re-cap of your Enfield's durability. Really enjoy your sharing of experiences with this machine. I'm considering an Interceptor soon based on all of your work.
Glad you enjoyed it
The finish looks as good as any ducati i have owned,it will no doubt last longer as well
I had condensation problems with my garage, I put an air brick at the top of the rear wall and an air vent in the bottom of the up and over door, No more condensation, dry as a bone 😀 Also Thompsons water seal on the inside of the walls helps keep out damp , And the outside if you can, mine is in a block so I can't do that. Nice Job Stuart. Looks mint.
Thanks for sharing