There was no shortage of beautiful old motorcycles at the 2022 Isle of Vashon TT vintage bike rally, … [+]
Roberson PhotographyThere are many more photos at the end of this story.
I’ve owned a lot of vintage motorcycles, and there seems to be a pattern: Many of them were parallel twins, or P-Twins, including a Norton Commando 750, BSA A50, Honda CB450SS, Yamaha XS650 and a Yamaha Seca 400. There’s just something about that engine that has both soul and sound, aesthetics and performance. In 2020, with no vintage machines in the garage, I acquired a new INT650, also known as the Interceptor 650 outside the U.S., a thoroughly modern but very retro-appearing P-Twin from India’s revitalized and modernized Royal Enfield.
And after a Covid hiatus, the Northwest’s most entertaining vintage motorcycle rally, the VME’s Isle of Vashon TT, was back on for 2022. How would the retro-modern Royal Enfield INT650 P-Twin go over at such an event? Would I be chased off the sprawling island, located in the Puget Sound outside of Tacoma, Washington, for attempting to be a retro imposter? Or would the hundreds of vintage-riding enthusiasts allow me to park and camp my fuel-injected, ABS-equipped (but still air-cooled) slice of vintage-styled modernity within exhaust note range of their beloved time machines? Only one way to find out.
Keep It Simple Touring: Underwear and smoking jacket in the saddle bags, bungees hold the tent and … [+]
Bill RobersonI packed the INT650 with camping essentials since our group were going to stake out spots at AYH Ranch, a former American Youth Hostel facility since converted to a vintage western-style respite for travelers, offering rooms, cabins, teepees, and acres of flat, manicured grassland for tent camping.
This looks like a good spot for the INT650 and my Sea to Summit tent and sleeping pad.
Bill RobersonWhen motorcycle camping, you’ve got to pack light, especially on a smaller displacement machine like the INT650. Fortunately, I’ve got the gear for that. Now we just needed the weather to cooperate, and showers were in the forecast. Undeterred, our small squadron of riders left the Portland area and traversed some snaking back roads and high-speed interstate highways to Tacoma, where we hopped aboard a ferry for the short trip over the water to Vashon Island, where the pace of life is a bit slower than in nearby Tacoma and Seattle. Bonus detail: Motorcycles are first on and first off Washington’s spacious ferryboats.
We cross the water like motorcycle madmen, first on first off.
Bill RobersonOnce at AYH Ranch, we set up our camp sites along the treeline, and headed into the small town of Vashon to Sporty’s Tavern for some satisfying deep-fried seafood, burgers and onion rings. Then it was back to camp for some suds and conversation. Unfortunately, the dry summer and nearby wildfires meant no campfires were allowed, so we chatted under outdoor lights into the evening about life, bikes, and adventures while perusing a selection of vintage 1970s motorcycle magazines.
The AYH Ranch on Vashon Island rents rooms, cabins, teepees and camping spots, and provides full … [+]
Bill RobersonMy, how times have changed, but it was fun to see ads for all those “new” rip-snorting P-Twins from five decades ago that were now on Vashon Island as vintage icons.
Heading out for an evening ride on the INT650 was one of my favorite activities while … [+]
Roberson PhotographySaturday is Rally Day, and stripped of saddlebags and camping gear, the INT650 looks light and lean. Twin upswept brushed aluminum lightweight S&S exhaust pipes let the engine fully express itself under throttle, while it burbled along with grace and composure over Vashon’s sometimes rough pavement. The first event of the day is a poker run, starting in the town of Vashon. The route circles the island, and at each stop, riders receive a “card.” At the end of the ride, the best hands win prizes. Safe to say I should not take up playing poker anytime soon.
Lush greenery, flat ocean, thin overcast, fine roads. Yep, we’re in the Puget Sound.
Bill RobersonDelicious burgers and fixins are on tap at the last stop as well, along with a show-and-shine competition and some fun motogames, including Push the Barrel and a circle race in which the circle gets continually… smaller. Get passed and you’re out of the race! The games took place on dirt and grass so even though a few bikes went onto their sides, most of the damage was to the riders’ egos.
A rider powerslides an old Honda during a race event at the Isle of Vashon TT.
Bill RobersonBikes at rally spanned the gamut, from almost steampunk-worthy old britbikes to spotlessly restored Japanese machines from the 1970s to sidecars rigs with riders in period dress. Riders on modern machines are also welcome at the Vashon TT.
How did the INT650 measure up? Royal Enfield’s market share in the U.S. has been on a sharp upswing as of late as the company works to expand dealerships and their U.S. customer base with new offerings like the 350 Meteor (review above) and the Himalayan adventure bike, but it’s still a fairly new brand to the American motorcycle scene, and the INT650 still gets people to stop, take a closer look and ask questions about what it is, where it’s made and how it rides. And overall, even the vintage riders gave it a pass, with some admitting they were considering one for themselves, thanks to the affordable $6,199 price tag, and deft mix of vintage style and modern technology.
Surrounded by rarities and beloved marques, Royal Enfield’s INT650 doesn’t quite stand out, but it … [+]
Bill RobersonSafely back to camp, we passed around some bottles and new stories as the air grew heavy with moisture, and sure enough, drops began pattering on my tent’s rain fly as I dozed off for the night. By morning, skies were just cloudy as we packed up for home. The ride back traced through tiny towns and farm land, across soaring bridges of steel and along the mighty rivers of the Northwest until the Portland skyline appeared in the distance. All too soon, the INT650 was back in the garage with its wheeled siblings, waiting for another chance to prove again that modern technology and vintage appeal can indeed coexist in a motorcycles that get both values just right.
Until next year, Vashon.
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A regular Isle of Vashon participant and his trusty Royal Enfield single.
Bill RobersonReady, set, go… backwards! The push-your-bike-backwards race is tougher than you might think.
Bill RobersonA few Norton Commandos were in attendance, but this clean high-piped, solo-seat example stood out.
Bill RobersonA beautiful Benelli.
Bill RobersonHonda’s affordable, reliable high-speed twins of the 1960s (background) helped bury British brands … [+]
Bill RobersonA rare Douglas opposed twin, its boxer engine is elemental, and air-cooled.
Bill RobersonThis Honda Interceptor 500 looks modern, but it’s coming up on its 40th birthday. This era of … [+]
Bill RobersonWay back in the day, Maico made all sorts of motorcycles – and this Dr. Seuss-approved scooter.
Bill RobersonThe mid-1970s saw a lot of experimentation from bike makers, including this rare rotary-powered … [+]
Bill RobersonThe classic lines of Triumph’s iconic 1960s Bonneville will never go out of style.
Bill RobersonPut a Triumph twin in a Norton frame and what do you get? A very rare (and loud) Triton custom.
Bill RobersonThis era of BMWs are known as “airheads” as the cylinders hung out in the breeze while running. They … [+]
Bill RobersonThis post-war BMW is ready to travel with side cases, windscreen and very swoopy bodywork.
Bill RobersonWhoever painted this 1970s ‘Desmo Ducati’ 750 has a thing for glitter.
Bill RobersonThis BSA rider’s jacket may be just as vintage as his bike.
Bill RobersonA wider look at the sparking Ducati 750 from the 1970s.
Bill RobersonIn 1979, Honda wowed the motorcycle world with the six-cylinder CBX, which ultimately didn’t sell … [+]
Bill RobersonA few scooters showed up to the rally, and this man wanted to know what made it tick.
Bill RobersonCaught between two eras, the Kawasaki GPz550 from the early 1980s had an air-cooled engine in a more … [+]
Bill RobersonAt one time, BSA was the most popular motorcycle brand in the world and was the crown jewel of the … [+]
Bill RobersonThis rider chose a distinctive Moto Guzzi as his bike of choice. They have a distinctive sound and a … [+]
Bill RobersonMore moto fun: Riders attempt to push a barrel the length of a short course. It’s not easy.
Royal Enfield INT650 Interceptor at the Isle of Vashon TTIt was great to be back at the Isla of Vashon TT after being away due to Covid, life and schedule … [+]
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