Looking to become an Interceptor owner

[Lord Snooty]

I've been hankering to own an Interceptor for a few years now, this is an itch I've been looking forward to scratching. I've sold my Kawasaki Z1000SX, although it is still in the garage awaiting collection from my mate, he is in court in January for his divorce settlement so he doesn't want to take ownership until that is settled. So a bike shaped hole will be in the garage awaiting to be filled.

On Wednesday I'm off to Watsonian-Squire at Blockley in the Cotswolds (the village where Father Brown is filmed), 25 miles away, to check them out. There is currently a factory discount of £900 on the Interceptor. If I'm happy I will leave a deposit with a view to taking ownership at the start of February. I'll be going in my car and they have offered me a test ride, should I take my gear, do I really need to test ride it? I wasn't thinking of doing so; I know what to expect and every thing I've read points it to being an enjoyable ownership experience.

Does the standard spec include a main stand and wire wheels and what factory accessories should I consider with the order?

 

[Morety]

Interested to know how you get on with that one. Coincidentally, I'll be in Blockley on Thursday! Lovely part of the world. The Interceptor as I understand it, does come with a centre stand as standard whilst the Continental GT does not. It needs the factory fitting kit (to get around some interference difficulties due to the differences between the bikes) and stand added as an optional extra. Interceptor I thought came with cast wheels as standard and spoked as an option, at least on older bikes.

 

[OnHellas]

Nice people at Watsonian. Boss Ben and the other, bearded, Ben should look after you.

Don’t discount getting them to bolt the all important third wheel to the bike. Just to really sort the handling out

 

[Davey B]

I'll be going in my car and they have offered me a test ride, should I take my gear, do I really need to test ride it? I wasn't thinking of doing so; I know what to expect and every thing I've read points it to being an enjoyable ownership experience.

I'd definitely be taking my kit and having an hour out on one. You may be one of those that buck the trend and don't like it ? (Probably not, but you'd curse afterwards if you lost £1k selling it 3 months later)

 

[Robbo1200ADV]

Agreed with Davy B These bikes are a bit different to modern stuff , quite heavy and well old fashioned . I like Bullets but I did not like a test ride on an Interceptor

 

[stever1]

I can’t wait to have a go on the new 450 himmy.

 

[littleade]

As they're offering I'd take my kit and have the test ride before committing to buy. That way you'll know beforehand if you like it as opposed to possibly finding out you don't once you have it

 

[Lord Snooty]

Nice people at Watsonian. Boss Ben and the other, bearded, Ben should look after you.

Don’t discount getting them to bolt the all important third wheel to the bike. Just to really sort the handling out

I'm meeting Ben Hall

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

Mine is a 23 model and has spoked wheels and a centre stand. I think the version with black engine and exhausts has cast wheels.

Have a test ride, I think the riding position is ok but Wapping wasn’t happy with the footrest position.

The engine is good, the suspension is shit, they benefit from changing the complete exhaust system because the down tubes contain a cat as do the silencers so they’re really heavy as well as being too quiet for my tastes. Some people complain about the stock tyres but I found that if you keep the pressures a bit on the high side they grip well enough.

I’ve changed the rear shocks which helped and at some point in the near future I’ll be sorting out the forks by fitting stiffer springs plus cartridges. Everything is cheap to change so modifications don’t break the bank.

 

[Neil W]

Brother in law has one and much as I like it having ridden it a couple of times I just cannot get away with the footpegs to engine casings relationship (width of the motor ) which means I have to ride it with my feet splayed out which I find uncomfortable (my cousin owns the same age of Interceptor and has the same complaint ).

Have a test ride

 

[WittonPete]

I've been hankering to own an Interceptor for a few years now, this is an itch I've been looking forward to scratching. I've sold my Kawasaki Z1000SX, although it is still in the garage awaiting collection from my mate, he is in court in January for his divorce settlement so he doesn't want to take ownership until that is settled. So a bike shaped hole will be in the garage awaiting to be filled.

On Wednesday I'm off to Watsonian-Squire at Blockley in the Cotswolds (the village where Father Brown is filmed), 25 miles away, to check them out. There is currently a factory discount of £900 on the Interceptor. If I'm happy I will leave a deposit with a view to taking ownership at the start of February. I'll be going in my car and they have offered me a test ride, should I take my gear, do I really need to test ride it? I wasn't thinking of doing so; I know what to expect and every thing I've read points it to being an enjoyable ownership experience.

Does the standard spec include a main stand and wire wheels and what factory accessories should I consider with the order?

Standard spec on Interceptor includes a Centre stand and a very well balanced on requirig little effort.My 2019 had wire wheels as standard.Speaking to Fowler’s recently I understand standard new ones are alloys,but with spoked as a non cost factory fit at time of order.I have owned mine for 4.5 years and it has been totally reliable,but seat is not very comfortable after 50 miles..
Suggest before buying RE you test ride a BSA Gold Star…..definitely more comfortable and certainly feels lighter.Bikes are supposed to be same weight but BSA seems much lighter,possibly as a single not a twin.
Witton Pete

 

[OnHellas]

I'm meeting Ben Hall

That’s Beardy Ben. That’s what I refer to him as anyway, differentiates from Boss Ben
He’s a nice chap and I’m sure he’ll answer your questions. I hope it all works out for you.

 

[Wapping]

Have a test ride, I think the riding position is ok but Wapping wasn’t happy with the footrest position.

A touch of clarification on this.

At first, the off side (right leg) footrest seemed to be awkwardly placed, but only when my foot was flat on the floor. I got used to this and adjusted my leg / foot’s position.

The clutch actuation lever did sometimes interfere with my calf, but again, this was before I got used to things.

I haven’t ridden the bike (or any bike) for six months, so I’ll doubtless need to get used to it again.

PS Unlike post #10, I can ride the bike with the balls of my feet on the footrests, with my feet not splayed out. But hey, everyone is different.

 

[Lord Snooty]

Back now and the deed is done. Took one out for a short test ride, didn't go mad on cold tyres and the Cotswold back roads were wet and muddy but it was enough for me to feel happy to order one., deposit paid. It comes with the factory discount of £900 plus £150 OTR, so an excellent saving.

I went for the Sunset Strip colour scheme, black and red tank with a gold stripe, to me it looks really classy. It is a 23 bike with wire wheels. The 24 models with the cast alloy wheels just do not look right.

I will take ownership at the start of February, happy days, finally scratched the itch.

 

[Jazbee]

Spokes look so much more classy, stainless and weather well ....now the farkling begins happy new bike

 

[Morety]

Back now and the deed is done. Took one out for a short test ride, didn't go mad on cold tyres and the Cotswold back roads were wet and muddy but it was enough for me to feel happy to order one., deposit paid. It comes with the factory discount of £900 plus £150 OTR, so an excellent saving.

I went for the Sunset Strip colour scheme, black and red tank with a gold stripe, to me it looks really classy. It is a 23 bike with wire wheels. The 24 models with the cast alloy wheels just do not look right.

I will take ownership at the start of February, happy days, finally scratched the itch.

That's a cracking colour scheme and the one I'd pick too . is the spoked wheel option tubed as I don't see an external spoke mounting rim?

 

[Lord Snooty]

Spokes look so much more classy, stainless and weather well ....now the farkling begins happy new bikeView attachment 297299

I'm already making a list of parts for customisation - will start with the air filter and exhaust. I love the colour matched side panels Jazbee, where did you get them?

 

[Lord Snooty]

That's a cracking colour scheme and the one I'd pick too . is the spoked wheel option tubed as I don't see an external spoke mounting rim?

Yes, they are tubed.

 

[Jazbee]

I'm already making a list of parts for customisation - will start with the air filter and exhaust. I love the colour matched side panels Jazbee, where did you get them?

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Top fella

 

[slimpickings]

Yes, they are tubed.

Thats me out