The Royal Enfield Interceptor INT 650 has opened up the modern classic middleweight segment for the masses as the motorcycle was launched at a highly competitive price tag of INR 2.50 lakh*. Its sibling, the Continental GT 650 is available with prices starting from INT 2.65 lakh*. However, is it good enough to impress a person who rides a premium motorcycle on a day-to-day basis? A Triumph rider tries the Royal Enfield Interceptor INT 650 to find out.
IndianAutosBlog urges readers to follow local speed laws at all times.
Watch the video below
Also read: Royal Enfield Interceptor INT 650 top speed run [Video]
Going by his comments, the person in the video is not a Royal Enfield fan. His previous experiences with the brand’s motorcycles were probably negative. The Interceptor INT 650, however, seems to have changed his perception. Just a few minutes into the test ride and the chap seems to have been already impressed with what the motorcycle presents.
The Royal Enfield 650 Twins offer an impressive package that is backed with the company’s massive sales and service network across the country. We recently compiled a detailed list of prices of the new Interceptor INT 650 and the Continental GT 650 across India, and you can read all about it here.
In other updates from Royal Enfield, company’s CEO, Siddhartha Lal, confirmed that the brand would not introduce more motorcycles on the 650cc platform as the new emission norms had derailed the product plans. Lal said at the launch event of the 650 Twins:
The new emission norms have derailed our product plans that we had a couple of years ago. For the next couple of years, this (Interceptor INT 650 and Continental GT 650) is what you have and I think this is a lot.
A report from August spoke about Royal Enfield’s product plans over the next 5 years that revolves around four architectures. First of the four is christened 'J' that would spawn BS6-ready versions of the Classic, Thunderbird, Bullet, and Himalayan. The 'P' architecture gave birth to the Continental GT 650 and Interceptor INT 650. Bigger bikes would come from the 'Q' and 'K' platform with over 700 cc displacement.
At the 2018 EICMA motorcycle show, Royal Enfield showcased its KX Bobber concept that will be pitted against Harley-Davidson Street 750 and the Kawasaki Vulcan. The concept bike was showcased with an 838cc, V-twin motor that has been developed in the UK in collaboration with Polaris Industries.
To give you a quick recap about the Interceptor INT 650 and the Continental GT 650, both motorcycles use a newly developed 648cc, parallel-twin cylinder, air & oil cooled engine, SOHC engine that delivers 47 bhp of maximum power at 7,250 rpm and 52 Nm of peak torque at 5,250 rpm. The motor is paired with a six-speed gearbox and features a slipper/assist clutch as standard.
Also read: Royal Enfield 650 waiting period shoots up to 3 months - Reports
The Interceptor INT 650 will be available in six colours – Mark Three, Glitter & Dust, Orange Crush, Ravishing Red, Silver Spectre and Baker Express. The Continental GT 650, on the other hand, will be sold in five colours – Black Magic, Mayhem Grey & Black, Ice Queen White, Mister Clean Chrome and Ventura Blue.
*ex-showroom Delhi
