Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 road test review

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Royal enfield launched its first-ever all-new two cylinder motorcycle launch with the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650. The prices start at Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 2.65 lakh ex-showroom. Here’s my test review of Interceptor 650.

Royal Enfield Interceptor Specifications.

The Royal Enfield Interceptor is a very simple motorcycle. The engine is an all-new 649cc twin-cylinder unit with a counterbalancer for smoothness, a 270 degree firing order for a lovely twin-cylinder thrum. It has fuel injection and is oil-cooled. At 47PS and 53Nm, it isn't an outrageously powerful motor but it's a beautifully torquey motor with over 80 per cent of the torque arriving before 3,000rpm. Royal Enfield also has a new six-speed gearbox with a slip-assist clutch.

Suspension is basic too - right-side up forks and twin gas-charged rear shocks. Disc brakes at both ends handle braking and dual-channel ABS is standard. The wheels are aluminium spoked rims running tubed Pirelli Phantom SportComp tyres. Tubeless rims would have pushed the price up, says Royal Enfield, although the tyres are very much tubeless by design.

For simplicity's sake, Royal Enfield is only manufacturing one spec for all markets, the only difference being the regulatory requirements' hardware - number plates, saree guard.

Design, build and finish

The Interceptor is a simple, retro-cool roadster by intent and is a good looking motorcycle. The simple lines of the tank, the almost spartan neatness of a chrome handlebar with a twin-pod analog instrument cluster is very likeable. The simple flat seat, a decidedly old-school bulb-type tail light completes a clean, classy looking machine. People take notice when you come by.

And the best part is that while the price is low, the motorcycle feels well-made and the attention to detail is thorough. Finish is excellent too, although I think there is some room to improve the finish - the meters could have been designed to look more upmarket to be sure. Royal Enfield also uses an old-school dispersion-style headlight and I suspect that a clear, perhaps even LED headlamp might have made the Interceptor looks even smarter.

Performance and economy 

                                                                                       

The Royal Enfield's is not very quick on the numbers front. 100kmph takes 6.28 seconds, which is about half a second slower than the KTM 390 Duke. Top speed is north of 170kmph.

On the flip side, economy is in the 23kmpl region for city riding and it rises to 27kmpl at a reasonable highway clip. However, the bike is sensitive to high speeds and economy can drop to 21kmpl at sustained speeds over a 110kmph.

The engine feels composed and unstressed at all speeds and the bike runs a lovely smooth rhythm at any speed. The gearbox shifts neatly too and the experience overall is very satisfying.

Ride, handling and braking

Ever landed in a pillow? The Interceptor, for the most part, feels like that to ride. The suspension - especially considering how similar it is to the Continental GT 650 - is extremely plush. At moderate speeds - the speeds most of us do, most of the time, the Interceptor feels soft and gentle and it's rather nice on good roads. On bad roads, there's a speed range between 40 and 60kmph where almost every bump disappears completely.

However, something interesting happens when you raise the speed. Then the suspension starts to loose its grip a little. Undulations will eventually bottom the rear shocks and the bike begins to feel a bit looser. This is a little unsettlling to start with. But then you realise that the feel itself is a constant. It doesn't change and it certainly never worsens. Which is excellent because you learn to trust it and carry on with life. It is something I think Royal Enfield can improve. But on the whole, this is an extremely comfortable machine.

There is also the matter of the seat. I find the stock seat to be a little too soft for my liking but long durations in the saddle are definitely worth it because the Interceptor is beautiful.
In the corners, again, the handling is direct and simple. It isn't the most accurate motorcycle you will ride, neither is it lazy. It's alert enough, handles itself well and elevated speeds around the corners are a lot of fun once you tune in to the Interceptor's frequency.

Verdict

The Royal Enfield Interceptor, in a word, is desirable. It's simple design, classy execution, marvelous engine are all things that will easily endear it to you. Take a test ride and it's hard not to start thinking about buying one, a process made ridiculously easy thanks to the stunning, stunning price. It isn't perfect though - faster riders will want more sophisticated suspension. Some new riders will not like the hardcore old-school details - the old-looking headlight, the simple meters and all of those parts of the motorcycle.

I would say that the Royal Enfield Interceptor changes every known paradigm for Indian motorcycles on the market today. A twin at this price? This kind of smoothness at this price bracket? This kind of engineering at Royal Enfield? You name, and it changes it. I looked askance at the company when they announced that they wanted to be the world's largest maker of middleweight motorcycles. Go take a test ride, I think you'll find yourself reaching for a cheque book almost by reflex. The Royal Enfield Interceptor is just that good.

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