Is the past the future?

The future of motorcycling will rely on bringing new customers to the market. And one might assume that we should look at what is currently selling best when we talk about expanding the motorcycle market. But are the best sellers due to the sales coming from those folk who're already riding? Or actually from newcomers to the market?

- Dave Manning, Matt Hull and Ross Mowbray

BSA Gold Star, Royal Enfield Interceptor, Herald Brute

When Royal Enfield launched its new twins, no one expected that it’d be such an impressive sales success. But will the buzz around the new BSA Gold Star repeat the scenario? Or is it being different, rather than retro, the reason for great sales in the current market? Realising that just putting the new Goldie alongside the best-selling Enfield Interceptor wouldn’t really show what alternatives the market offers, and would just reflect the retro side of the argument, we added a left-field alternative to this mini group test in the form of the new Herald Brute which, while not a classic brand with the name that BSA and Royal Enfield have, is nonetheless designed in the UK for the British market.

There’s little doubt that the new Gold Star and the Enfield twins have got a certain level of appeal to motorcyclists of a certain age and riding pedigree, and there’s certainly the argument that the Interceptor (and it’s sibling, the Continental GT) will have attracted sales thanks to their excellent price point, but do either of them actually appeal to younger motorcyclists? And does the Herald Brute, with it’s feisty 500cc powerplant and minimalist good looks, appeal purely to hip and trendy youngsters who want an agile plaything to carve their way through traffic on their daily commute, or might the angular style also appeal to more seasoned riders?