Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Retro roadsters like the RE Interceptor are supposed to be simple yet exude quality. And the bike’s design does just that. So much so that any flaws here would be more akin to nitpicking more than anything else. The lines of the tank, the exposed frame, the gentle curve of the seat, the clean look of the handlebars, the spartan twin pod analog dials, and the old school headlight, indicators and the bulb type taillight are all reminiscent of the classic design of these bikes from the 60’s. Yes, there are some obvious exclusions like the right way up front suspension and the conventional rear suspension along with the lackluster dials and dispersion style headlight. There is a small digital display hidden in the dials, but there is no gear position indicator. But these exclusions keep the price low. At the same time, quality of components and fit and finish have never been better on RE bikes. Build quality is also very good with no rattles and vibrations even on the worst roads. There are many colors and finishes on offer here which include all black and chrome and silver with more color options and accessories on the way that should satisfy all tastes. The twin upswept exhaust setup is very sporty and exudes sportiness. The dimensions are compact 2122 mm (L) X 1165 mm (W) X 789 mm (H) with 18” 36 spoke aluminum wheels with 100/90 and 130/70 tires front and rear respectively. The RE interceptor 650 then, has all the indications of a classic in the making.

The RE Interceptor 650 uses a new steel tubular double cradle frame with 41 mm right side up forks in the front and dual gas-charged shock absorbers in the rear. Suspension travel is 110 mm in the front and 88 mm in the rear. The rear setup is also adjustable for pre-load with 5 settings. The suspension works very well on smooth roads and even on bad roads, the ride remains plush at sub three digit speeds. The 1400 mm wheelbase and steering geometry make it a good handler if not the best. The 202 kg dry weight is also a handful at low speeds. 840 mm high seats might pose a problem for shorter riders Still the handlebars are not as extreme as its sportier cousin and the 174 mm of ground clearance make it excellent for bad roads.

Powering the RE Interceptor 650 is the all-new 649cc twin-cylinder oil-cooled and fuel-injected unit that produces 47 hp at 7250 rpm and 52 Nm of torque at 5250 rpm. It is equipped with a counterbalancer to reduce vibrations. The engine is also mated to a six-speed gearbox with a slip-assist clutch. From the numbers itself, it might not appear to be very exceptional. Even the exhaust note is not as thumpy as other RE bikes. But like all RE engines, it feels unstressed at any speed. In a similar tradition, 80% of the peak torque is available from below 3000 rpm. Overtaking is a breeze as is reaching speeds of up to 180 kmph and cruising comfortably at 130 kmph. The biggest improvement, however, is the refinement and lack of vibrations from the engine. This comes as a big surprise for anyone who has experienced RE bikes and goes to show how ready for the international market RE is.

The RE Interceptor 650 uses a twin piston ByBre setup with a 320 mm disc up front and a single piston setup for the rear grabbing on to a 240 mm disc. It also gets a dual channel Bosch ABS unit bringing in some predictability to the braking.  

The RE Interceptor 650 generated a lot of buzz by providing a twin cylinder middleweight retro café standard at an affordable price. And since its launch, it has justified this hype time and again.  A very adequate bike for its price that does a lot of things well.