Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Royal Enfield’s retro-style roadster, the Interceptor 650, boasts the manufacturer's largest and most powerful 650cc parallel-twin engine. The Interceptor, along with the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650, were the first bikes to feature this engine. The 650cc roadster combines retro charm with modern features. Let’s find out how the Interceptor 650 performs in the real world:

The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is a beautiful retro-style motorcycle. With its round headlights, twin-pod instrument console, flat seat, and chrome mudguard, it maintains the nostalgic appearance of a beautiful retro bike. While it may not have the same road presence as the Royal Enfield Classic 350, it definitely looks beautiful. The paint quality is excellent, the welds are clean and so are the panel gaps.

The switchgear plastics and buttons feel sturdy and durable. Royal Enfield even provides a range of accessories for customisation.

Royal Enfield has given the Interceptor BS6 a cool retro look. The LED headlight offers a touch of modernity to the retro roadster. It also provides better illumination at night than the previous halogen headlight. However, the tail light and turn signals are still regular bulb units.

The twin-pod instrument console hasn't changed much and still features analogue dials with a digital inset that shows the fuel level, odometer, and two tripmeters. But it would be even better if it had a clock, distance-to-empty reading, and gear position indicator.

The Interceptor 650 has a long plush bench-type seat, that’s comfortable enough for commutes. However, with the seat being too soft and narrow, it becomes uncomfortable on long rides. The bike has an easily accessible braced handlebar and mid-set footpegs, providing a relaxed riding position. The narrow seat makes it suitable for shorter riders to easily place their feet on the ground, while taller riders also sit comfortably.

Despite the BS6 restrictions, the Interceptor's power output remains the same. However, there is a slight adjustment in the engine tune, resulting in a minor drop in acceleration. The updated 650cc engine now feels more refined and free-revving, although the top-end performance seems to be dialled down a bit. In practical terms, you might only notice the power difference when cruising at higher speeds.

The engine has a tractable nature, allowing comfortable city riding even in higher gears. On the highway, it delivers excellent mid-range performance. The only noticeable impact at higher speeds is a slightly longer overtaking time. Thanks to a slip-and-assist system, the light clutch action makes bumper-to-bumper traffic rides a bit easier too. In our tests, the Interceptor 650 returned a city mileage of 25.35kmpl and a highway mileage of 33.17kmpl. With a 13.4-litre fuel tank, you can expect a range of about 350-400km.

The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650’s chassis, developed by Harris Performance, traces its roots back to the sweet-handling Royal Enfield Continental GT 535.  That said, the CEAT Zoom Cruz tyres don’t offer good grip when the bike is pushed to its limits. While it doesn’t feel extremely agile, the bike feels stable at high speeds, making it suitable for touring. In the city, the handlebar feels a bit heavy, though.

The soft suspension and large tyres allow the Interceptor to handle uneven surfaces smoothly at high speeds, but it tends to bottom out on sharp edges or potholes. Despite its tendency to bottom out, though, the bike doesn't scrape its underbelly on speed breakers, even with a pillion rider.

Royal Enfield has truly excelled with the Interceptor 650. It's a powerful, refined, and reliable motorcycle, ticking all the right boxes. The smooth parallel-twin engine has sufficient power for both everyday commuting and long-distance touring. With its comfortable riding position, it becomes a delight for long rides, making the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 a solid choice for riders seeking a versatile retro motorcycle with a unique character.