VOLUME ISSUE FEBRUARY , P87
F
ew motorcycles produced
today are as shaped by their
home market as those from
India's Royal Enfield. The second
largest motorcycle market in
the world after China, India is a
demanding place to ride and an
unforgiving punisher of motor
-
cycles. After being acquired
by India's Eicher Group, Royal
Enfield underwent a decade-
long revamp, transforming from
a maker of quaint, leaky 350cc
and 500cc thumpers to churning
out hip and modern machines
like the INT and Continental GT
650cc twins, and the popular
411cc Himalayan adventure bike.
In 2020, I reviewed the INT650
twin—or Interceptor 650 outside
the U.S.—and as a former vintage
Brit-bike owner, I felt it was a
perfect fit for someone like me
that loves vintage style and the
relaxed pace of an old-school air-
cooled middleweight parallel twin.
But with modern ABS brakes, fuel
injection, slipper clutch and a
Harris-designed frame, it doesn't
need vintage bike upkeep. I was
