The mid-size modern-classic has been booming lately and there are contenders spread over a wide price segment, from the entry-level affordable Royal Enfield Twins to the high-end Triumph. In this specification comparison, we have chosen three twin-cylinder powered modern-classic motorcycles from the middleweight segment which includes the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, the Triumph Street Twin and the Kawasaki W800.
Engine:
The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is powered by a BS6 emission-compliant 648cc air/oil-cooled, 4-valve/cylinder parallel-twin, SOHC motor with twin throttle bodies, Bosch electronic fuel injection and engine management system that produces 47 BHP of power and 52 Nm of torque paired to a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper assist clutch. The Triumph Street Twin is powered by a BS6 compliant 900cc parallel twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 8-valve SOHC engine with 270-degree crank angle and multipoint fuel injection that produces 65 PS of power and 80 Nm of torque matched to a 5-speed gearbox. The BS6 compliant 773cc air-cooled vertically arranged parallel-twin cylinder 4-stroke 8-valve SOHC fuel-injected engine that produces 52 PS of power and 63 Nm of torque matched to a 5-speed return type gearbox with a back-torque limiting assist & slipper clutch.
Chassis & Suspension:
The Royal Enfield Interceptor comes with a twin-cradle tubular steel frame designed by Harris Performance and rides on 41mm comventional telescopic front forks with 110mm of travel, and piggyback gas charged twin shock absorbers on the rear. The Triumph Street Twin features a tubular steel cradle chassis that rides on KYB 41mm front forks with 120mm of travel and KYB twin rear suspension units. The Kawasaki W800 features a high-tensile steel double cradle frame with conventional hydraulic telescopic fork with 130mm of travel on the front and dual coil spring hydraulic rear shock absorbers.
Dimensions, weight & Brakes:
The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 comes with a 1400mm wheelbase, 174mm of ground clearance and an accessible seat hieght of 804mm. The motorcycle has a fuel capacity of 13.7-litres and tips the scale at 202 kg at the kerb. Braking duties are performed by a single 320mm disc brake on the front and a 240mm rear disc brake equipped with dual channel ABS. The Triumph Street Twin comes with a 1415mm wheelbase and a low 760mm seat height that inspires confidence amongst shorter riders. The motorcycle comes with a fuel tank capacity of 12-litres and weighs 198 kg dry. The stopping power comes from a single 310mm floating disc with Brembo four piston fixed caliper on the front and a single 220mm disc with a Nissin 2-piston floating caliper on the rear equipped with ABS. The Kawasaki W800 features the longest wheelbase in the pack at 1465mm but comes with a low 130mm of ground clearance and a very approachable 770 mm of saddle height. The motorcycle comes with a large 15-litre fuel tank and weighs a whopping 224 kg at the kerb. Braking power comes from a single 320 mm disc on the front with a two piston calliper and a single 270 mm disc on the rear with a two-piston calliper equipped with a dual channel ABS.
Features:
While looks are subjective and all three follow the retro theme, the Interceptor offers features such as rounded halogen lamps on the front, twin-dial instruments, a relaxed riders triangle for highway touring, classic spoke wire rims etc. The Street Twin offers a rounded headlamp, pod-style instruments cluster, pleated seat upholstery, chopped fenders and alloy wheels. The W800 features an LED headlamp setup, traditional twin-dial instruments and an exposed shaft and bevel gear drive on the engine adding to its old-school charm.
Price:
The Triumph Street Twin is priced starting INR 7.45 lakh ex-showroom, India and the Kawasaki W800 is priced starting INR 7 lakh ex-showroom, India. On the other hand, the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is priced starting INR 3.7 lakhs On the Road, Mumbai.
