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Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 vs KTM 390 Duke: Real-world Performance Comparison

Modified On Mar 5, 2019 03:53 PM By Jehan Adil Darukhanawala for Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

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Does the Royal Enfield twin have the capabilities to keep up with the king of the pocket rockets?

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 vs KTM 390 Duke

Even though there have been lots of keyboard warriors on the internet duelling on each brand’s behalf, there is no doubt that Royal Enfield and KTM have changed the dynamics of the motorcycling game in India. KTM did it first by offering mind-boggling performance at an affordable price point. They ruled the market -- that is, until Royal Enfield stepped in last year and delivered the 650 twins at an even more value-for-money price point. 

While the specs state one story, the actual on-ground performance is closer than you expect. So, does the Enfield retro roadster have what it takes to actually outrun the KTM street naked? Read on:

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 vs KTM 390 Duke

Acceleration

 

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

KTM 390 Duke

0-60kmph

2.87s

2.77s

0-100kmph

6.54s

5.98s

The 4PS power advantage that the Interceptor has over the 390 Duke is not enough to counter the drastic weight difference between the two. Ultimately, the lightweight street naked wins it hands down due to its hooligan roots. It just feels livelier of the two as well.

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 vs KTM 390 Duke

Roll-ons

 

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

KTM 390 Duke

30-70kmph in 3rd gear

3.9s

3.53s

40-80kmph in 4th gear

4.85s

4.58s

You would expect the Interceptor’s torque gains to trump the Duke but yet again mass matters. Both motorcycles pack a strong mid-range but the KTM’s free-revving nature helps it just shoot off into triple-digit speeds in no time.

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 vs KTM 390 Duke

Braking

 

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

KTM 390 Duke

100-0kmph

47.21m

48.38m

60-0kmph

16.49m

17.95m

Stopping a whole metre short than what we thought to be one of the best braking setups in the affordable performance segment, the Interceptor 650 surely wowed us. Credit goes to the double-H sintered brake pads at both ends which help bring this 200-plus kilo bike to standstill in no time. 

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 vs KTM 390 Duke

Fuel Efficiency

 

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

KTM 390 Duke

City

25.93kmpl

25.7kmpl

Highway

26.38kmpl

28.5kmpl

The 390 does return better fuel efficiency out on the highway. But the difference in range is hardly enough to call it the better option (Duke’s 382km of ideal range vs 362km of the Interceptor). These were controlled speeds. However, in reality we figure that the Interceptor might just do slightly better given its relaxed nature at higher speeds.

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