Royal Enfield Makes a Truly Good Motorcycle in the Interceptor 650
This past year, I had a chance to ride the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. I co-wrote a review with my friend and colleague Jim Pruner. Both of us came away from the experience pretty impressed with the bike.
While I covered the bike well in my initial review. I thought I’d take some time to discuss it further after having more time to think about the model.
Simplicity Is Key For Royal Enfield
RE makes a fantastic motorcycle in the Interceptor 650, AKA the INT650. The thing that struck me about the bike is that it’s simple.
What I mean is that its styling is somewhat old school and there’s just not tons for the rider to worry about. It’s simple from a user or rider perspective.
That’s not to say the company is filled with a bunch of Luddites. The INT650 is honestly a well-designed and modern machine. It’s modern. Not complicated, and that’s what makes the motorcycle shine to me.
You don’t have four different ride modes, a bunch of switchable other technology and an interface you need to learn. If you’ve ever ridden a motorcycle before, you’ll be right at home right away. A huge plus in my book.
Nostalgia Plays Well for Royal Enfield
The company is known for making old-school-looking motorcycles, from the Classic 500 to the Bullet 500. Heck, even the new Himalayan, which is a pretty modern machine, looks pretty retro. The INT650 is no different.
I actually find the motorcycle more charming the more I look at it. It has a sort of timeless design. I would imagine it will look just as good if not better in 10 or even 20 years. Kudos to the design team for having tact and restraint.
How Does the Interceptor 650 Ride?
Well, if you’re wanting to know how the bike rides, I’ll tell you. Really very good. The bike is easily maneuverable but I wouldn’t quite call it flickable.
The 650 twin-engine is no powerhouse but it will allow you to cruise at highway speed comfortably. The seat is long and pretty wide and tough a bit firm gives you plenty of room to get your butt just right, and the ergonomics are good, too. I didn’t feel like I was reaching too much for the bars or like my feet were too high or too low.
In short, the INT650 was very enjoyable to ride and I haven’t really stopped thinking about it since I got off. I really like this motorcycle. I still contend—as I did in my original review—that the tires and brakes were a little underwhelming, but other than that (two easily upgradable things) I have little to complain about.
What’s the Caveat for the Bike?
Just the unknown. The company hasn’t had the best reputation for quality in the last decade or so. Major steps have been taken to turn things around, but those kinds of perceptions die hard.
To combat this is a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty on the whole bike with roadside assistance included. That should put your mind at ease.
However, I’ve had two different former RE dealership employees say that getting parts for the company’s bikes in the U.S. is tough. That could mean that even though your repairs are covered by the warranty, it might be a while before you get back out on the open road.
I would assume the company is hard at work trying to fix this, but until I hear from riders saying differently, I have to be apprehensive about parts availability in the U.S. Also, it’s worth noting that the two guys who told me that now work for competitors and their information may be out of date.
Would I Buy a Royal Enfield INT650?
You bet your buns. If I were to buy a middleweight retro-styled bike, this one would be right at the top of my list. The Kawasaki W800 is right there, too, and I’d certainly consider a Triumph, but the INT650 beats these competitors on price.
The motorcycle would also make a fantastic bike to customize (so would the Continental GT, which is this bike’s sibling), something I’ve showcased more than once. The Royal Enfield INT650 is a great motorcycle to make your own. That is another reason I’d consider buying it.
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Images
