FoR ThE AiRhEADS

By Duncan Bennett, Member #4171

Ihardly need to remind anyone that this Journal represents the membership of the BMWMCQ. Naturally, the reading membership will maintain their exclusive interest in BMW motorcycles, unless they continue to read on after this full stop. That one just back there, not this next one. Whoops, you’ve gone too far up river into the Heart of Other Marque Darkness now, Colonel Kurtz. We tried to hire BMW’s, Cindy swears, but Covid has utterly decimated both car and motorcycle hire around the country - not many wanted to hire a bike so they could sit on it in their lounge while in lock down. Melbourne was hardest hit of all, all our old sources of BMW’s were literally closed up. But motocycles were available, with the location described in Cindy’s Last Word. Royal Enfields. Close enough. The choices were restricted to two, i.e. one each; both parallel 650 Twins with a six speed gear box so different bikes around exactly the same engine. Firstly, the Interceptor 650. With squinting eyes in a Simpson dust storm one could easily be mistaken for a Triumph Bonneville, unless the price tag was writ large as the Bonneville is about twice the price.

Dodgily affixed luggage sold separately

So cutting to the chase because I assume you understand how the use The Internet to look technical specs for bikes up, what was it like to ride? Answer - a surprisingly grunty light package that would be a true pleasure for weekends and commuting. Closing my eyes on the winding roads of East Gippsland, I could have been on a Bonneville, the seating poition is very upright and it handled superbly. Some minor adjustment work had been done on on the engine and exhausts, so it sounded like a true twin - frankly awesome. Up to 120kmh at just over 4000rpm, barely raising a sweat and a reminder that you don’t need 150HP to collect a ticket.

Being a Royal Enfield I had worried that it might not have wheels, but the average punter would consider it a fairly complete package unless they’d seen a K1600GTL or stayed on the Sheikh of Dubai’s private yacht. Even had ABS, which I discovered while trying to do some slides on a short section of dirt road heading into the famous Stony Creek Trestle Bridge. And a centre stand as standard.

Race you to the nearest cafe

Secondly, the Continental GT 650. True cafe racer, a very forward leaning riding position. As comfortable on the freeway as two large Scandinavian men taking turns to paddle your gossamer-clad buttocks with cured larch planks. But in the winding hinterland, this bike was next level enjoyment. Only thing that was a bit annoying about it was the thingo you put your heel on to lower the side stand was directly under the foot peg. The engineers had side stand design day off. Would we ride them around Australia? Well I suppose we could. They had a 13 litre tank and 300km was no dramas. The instrument panel was very good for the price - you ain’t getting near a TFT screen for $10-$11,000 all in. They had a fuel gauge and a speedo so all the important things covered. No gear indicator which is scary for anyone past baby-boomer, but I’ve never ridden bikes like these where you just “knew” what gear you were in. All in well done to the team up there in Chennai, great fun and quick little bikes.