From impulse purchase to high-pipe scrambler—how Alex transformed a 2019 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 into an all-terrain workhorse for coastal England and family memories.
Some bikes take months of deliberation; others take a single test ride. For Alex based on the edge of the New Forest on England’s south coast, riding a friend’s Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 was all the convincing he needed. By the end of that very same day, he had purchased his own 2019 model—drawn to its classic British silhouette, simple engineering, and potential as a blank canvas.
ALEX Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
„It’s been an ongoing process of figuring out what works, changing things, and gradually getting the bike to look how I imagined it. I’m still not convinced it’s ever really finished.“
Alex
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Starting with high-mounted shotgun exhaust pipes, Alex transformed the twin into a purposeful scrambler built for gravel tracks and woodland lanes. Outfitted with aggressive Heidenau K60 dual-sport rubber, a BAAK bash plate, Hitchcock’s headlight guard, minimal LED lighting, and custom brown leather craftsmanship from Raw & Rugged, Alex’s Interceptor balances utilitarian toughness with classic style. Yet, beyond the high pipes and gravel dust, the true value of the build lies in quiet moments—like taking his daughter for her first Christmas Day ride.
THE RIDER
Name: Alex
Base: New Forest / South Coast, England, UK
Garage / Life: Father, runner, tinkerer, and advocate for authentic motorcycle community.
THE MACHINE
Model: 2019 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
Spec & Mods: High-mounted shotgun exhaust pipes, Heidenau K60 tires, BAAK bash plate, Hitchcock’s headlight guard, tail tidy with minimal LED indicators, bar-end mirrors, throwback Royal Enfield tank graphics, and custom leather seat and grips by Raw & Rugged.
IN CONVERSATION WITH ALEX
RWN MOTOZINE: Who are you, where are you based, and what do you do when you’re not out riding or in the garage?
Alex: I’m Alex, based on the south coast of England, right on the edge of the New Forest. When I’m not riding or tinkering with the bike, Family life keeps me pretty busy, but I’ve also recently got into getting fit and losing a fair amount of weight. Running has become a bit of a hobby as a result — something I never thought I’d say, let alone actually enjoy. It’s become a nice contrast to riding and working on the bike.
RWN MOTOZINE: What is the exact make, model, and year of the bike, and how did you get your hands on it?
Alex: The bike is a 2019 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. I first decided on an Interceptor after a friend bought one. I’d always loved the classic British look of the bike, and there was something really appealing about the simplicity of the Royal Enfield.
I also loved the idea that it could be a blank canvas. It’s a bike that looks great as standard, but you can take it in so many different directions without losing what makes it an Interceptor.
I went out for a ride on my friend’s bike, absolutely loved it, and ended up buying one myself later that same day. Probably not the most drawn-out buying process, but I knew pretty quickly that it was the bike I wanted.
RWN MOTOZINE: What have you modified, restored, or tailored on the bike? Was there a specific challenge along the way?
Alex: The biggest modification is definitely the high-mounted shotgun pipes. I’d always wanted to build something with a scrambler influence, and they completely changed the character of the bike.
Most of the modifications have been aesthetic rather than performance-focused. For me, the look of the bike is a big part of the appeal, and I wanted to keep things fairly simple and functional while giving it more of a scrambler feel.
I’ve fitted Heidenau K60 tyres, which not only suit the look but give the bike a bit more versatility when I take it away from the road. There’s a BAAK bash plate, Hitchcocks headlight guard, LED indicators, a tail tidy and smaller rear light to keep everything as minimal as possible, along with bar-end mirrors.
I’ve also added the old-style Royal Enfield logo tank graphics, a brown leather seat and matching handlebar wraps. The leatherwork and a lot of the accessories have come from Raw & Rugged, who have been brilliant throughout the build and have helped massively along the way, supplying plenty of the cool little details that have brought the bike together.
There hasn’t really been one huge challenge with the build. It’s been more of an ongoing process of figuring out what works, changing things, and gradually getting the bike to look and feel how I imagined it. I’m still not convinced it’s ever really finished.
RWN MOTOZINE: Is there a specific memory, road trip, or moment with this bike that stands out to you?
Alex: One of the things I enjoy most is taking the bike down the lanes around the New Forest and generally putting it places it probably wasn’t designed to go. It’s become a bit of a workhorse for me. It can do a bit of everything if you’re willing to put it through its paces.
I definitely haven’t done everything I want to do with it yet, so there are still plenty of roads and places I want to explore. But one of the highlights so far was getting to take my daughter out on it for the first time on Christmas Day. Seeing her excitement about getting on the bike and starting to get interested in motorcycles was pretty special.
That’s probably what sticks with me more than any particular ride. Being able to share something I enjoy with my kids makes the whole thing mean a bit more.
RWN MOTOZINE: What does motorcycle culture mean to you? Feel free to share anything else you’d like our readers to know.
Alex: For me, motorcycle culture is really about the community. There’s something quite special about it and the people you meet through riding. It seems to attract people from all different backgrounds, but there’s this shared passion that cuts through all of that.
There’s also a real willingness to help each other out. Whether you’ve broken down at the side of the road, need some advice on a bike, or just want to talk about what you’re building, there always seems to be someone willing to lend a hand.
I’ve felt a real sense of community since getting into motorcycles, and that’s become just as important to me as the riding itself. The bike is obviously the thing that brings you into it, but it’s the people and the shared passion that keep you there.
RWN MOTOZINE: Alex, thank you for the craft, the time, and for keeping the raw spirit of the culture alive.
Photos by Alex - Story by Sascha Köhmstedt