** NOTE RE SERVICING: Please don't pay too much attention to the servicing costs I presented here - from the comments I've been receiving from some of the RE Forum members it's more realistic to say the bike needs a service every 6000 miles with an "inspect and clean" type service every 3000 - this would bring those servicing costs I quoted down considerably. Also I should have noted that the bike comes with a 3 year warranty which is pretty cool.....as you were....
Good review of a bike I like ( cant have them all though ) I should think most owners of this style of bike would do their own servicing once out of the fantastic 3 year warranty., First thing I would do is lose the plastic extension on the rear mudguard.
Thanks for the revised servicing information. I was more than a bit shocked when you stated that it costs more than a BMW to maintain. In my experience a high percentage of Royal Enfield owners perform their own general servicing.which keeps the costs way down. You might check with the lads over in Watford to clarify the terms of the three year warrantee Over here in The States, my Classic 500 came with a two year unlimited mileage warranty. The first year covered parts and labor and the second year covered parts only. Still a good deal as far as I was concerned and went a long way in my decision to purchase. Top shelf long term review. Very honest and objective, although I knew you wouldn't fancy the mirrors. Your and Stuart Fillingham's reviews have tempted to possibly add one to my stable. We'll done. Cheers.
Hi, no I’m not a paid RE reviewer. I’ve ridden these wonderful bikes for 1000’s & 1000’s of miles through all types of conditions. 100% reliable. Full of character & fun. Simple machines that do the job they’re designed to do, time & time again.
@@jeffdean7666 Yes a question I would like answered too. Even 2nd hand I have seen recently has rust spots all over the chrome. Either its terrible metal they use or the owners mistreat the bike
A lesson to some other manufacturers in how to build a stylish, reliable, uncomplicated bike with excellent value. Like it. Happy travels. Good review, pour yourself a cold one.
I’ve ridden Royal Enfields on numerous occasions whilst touring in India and nearby countries. They have always been 100% reliable and even after 100,000+ miles they perform day after day after day with no issues. TMF, thank you for a very balanced and well thought out review of what appears to be a great bike.
Are you a RE paid reviewer? The world knows that RE makes least reliable vehicles and the internet is flooded with negatives than positives. DON'T misguide people. The engines are vibey, the service centres are pathetic, no modern console but still gives wrong fuel reading... Interceptor is the only bike whose engine is better than rest of the bikes but still not up to the mark..
@@weride1369 What I meant was that, except for the twins, the other models of RE are not reliable at all and the interceptor's engine, though not upto the mark, is crazy value for money
The initial service here in the US for me was only $175 for my Himalayan and one nice thing is you don't have to have it serviced at a RE shop and can even do it yourself. They expect you to keep the receipts of your oil, filters etc, but you can do it yourself or use a local mechanic. I'm still thinking of adding one of these to my stable. I really like my Himalayan, but think a bike like this would be more fun when riding 2up with the wife and for just cruising.
Scott you said you ride with your wife, how is the ride comfort for pillion rider..... ? Could the pillion hold on up to 150mil/150kms without getting tired!!
@@somannacs We haven't gone that far yet, but she doesn't have any complaints on the 20-30 mile jaunts we've done. There is a strap on seat cushion style called a saddleman's gel seat and I've been looking at getting one for me and the pillion seat. The primary seat for a guy my size is a little old after a 60 mile round trip, so I'm looking for me first. lol
@@bhiyaram1111 Pardon? It's a simple fact, same in SE ASIA a motorbike with a quiet horn is a danger to other road users as they don't know where you are. In Vietnam the horn is used almost like a sonar, as you come up behind other riders you give a quick double tap on the horn so they know they about to be passed and to hold a steady line.
@@bhiyaram1111 dude you don't know how we actually ride in asean,we're very hurry in alot of cases and we need a good horn like this to alert,yes to ALERT the people in front that we're about to take over or passing,double tap mean passing,take over,single tap mean i'm behind you so watch out,i remember one of my friends actually modified the horn into a truck horn so it's easier for alerting people from far away so that the people will think there's a truck coming and move because in asean,alot of peoples usually doesn't look in the mirror to check behind them and that's a FACT,even us asian have to admitted that "wow,we ride like shite"
I’ve watched a lot of motorcycle reviews of all types of bikes, but you by far the most thorough and best reviewer I have seen . Thanks and keep up the good work.
I absolutely LOVED this bike. I wish ppl knew how great is to just ride a bike, just enjoy the road, without traveling @ crazy speeds, moving easily around town, going to work without stressing about the parking place and so on. Excellent review, as always.
If you are a competent fiddler this would be a very cheap bike to run, no valve shims just screw and lock nut adjustment. Definitely designed for the home mechanic.
...I tend to agree - as an enthusiast I can think of few things more enjoyable than a Sunday blast in the countryside on a simple bike like the RE and then home for a polish and tinker in the shed....
@@cloggsy1971 Yeah I agree about Himalayan, it's very close to what I'm looking for, just nor sure about it's motorway performance. Not that I want to go fast, just need a bike that's capable of cruising up to 70 mph. I've heard the Himalayan is not that happy at 70 mph, am I wrong?
@@Chris-kh2fm The Himalayan is not a fast bike,,the engine is a long stroke,so its not advisable to rev much above 5000rpm which in top is about 60/65 mph..On mine I cruise at 60mph all day long...But its a good bike to thrash cos to do so means "your not going too fast"...
Been a car and engine enthusiast all my life, just recently becoming interested in motorcycles, saw a review of this and the Continental GT in Autoweek. But really, have to say this review was very thorough and well edited, just the right amount of the right information, presented in a straightforward manner. Well done and thanks!
What bikes should be about. As a young man I would have loved this, every thing you need nothing you don't. Cheap simple well made reliable? As long as you have a bit of ability to fiddle and service your own bike, which as a young chap I had too as money was scarce, this is perfect should be more bikes like this, simple and fun transport. 👍
Scott Mitchell , no one but RE can fix proprietary check engine light, My Himilayan 2019 stalls dies and leaves me stranded at 123 miles new . My 45 years twisting wrenches is useless against a hidden secret code. I have to bring it back to Enfield 250 miles away..... so yeah the turd never would’ve made it home day 1.
@@jimdunne3696 well that's a big problem, my Ducati 1100 Scrambler has a change oil light that came on at 600klm (first service) and I have my motorcycle mechanic that I use and he can see fault codes but can't reset the dash as he hasn't got the Ducati computer. So I'm up to service but have to keep looking at a change oil light till someone comes up with a hack! It does work though, I heard of a chap with a Range Rover that did the same thing, he ignored the 10k service warning then one morning it refused to start. It turned out that to be the same thing had to get a Rover mechanic out to fix it! It's just a con to get you to have them serviced by the agent, shouldn't be allowed or they should state this when you bye the stuff! 😠
I watched one of your videos on the Interceptor by chance and since then have binged a few of them. I own the Classic 500, been riding it every day for the past 9 years now and have loved it. I have never really felt the need for another bike until seeing your videos. The Interceptor looks like such an incredible bike for the price. Thanks for the videos!
Royal Enfield always make bikes which are very easy on customers. Very rigid and easy to maintain. As simple as possible at the same time elegant. Also spare parts are dirt cheap and easily available.
Excellent review of what appears to be a great bike. I've been watching the RE brand for a few years and waiting for a bike like this. The designers got it right. No frills or fluff but just a classic look and enough power to tour at a brisk pace. This is a bike I can see owning very soon. Thanks for a great review.
I finally got a first time look at a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 in person. It was larger than I had imagined it would be, and when I got on it, it was much taller than I had perceived it to be. I set my feet on the pegs and it felt like a comfortable riding position for my size and build. It is definitely a contender!
Thanks for the review - useful as always. Aside from the servicing costs, this is a great bike that makes some of the other modern-retro bikes look damn expensive.
I really enjoy your videos and this a great addition to your earlier first impression review of the Interceptor. I bought an Interceptor back in March and it is exactly as you’ve described - a real pleasure to own and ride.
I love this new format you are using. As I am going to test this bike in the next week or so, this video is extremely helpful. Like with most bikes, my being 6'3" and 240 pounds makes almost any of them look tiny. Hopefully, it is seen to be manageable when I test it!
I got to demo one of these today. The smoothest powertrain I've riding, 6 tall gears, incredible power without the bike walking away without the rider. I could go on and on. My only complaints are personal comfort and fit stuff that you'll have with any bike. I've been looking a scrambler/tracker project. Never expected to find a new bike with this quality and price point. Wow!! just wow!!
I love the look of that bike, don’t know if I wouldn’t have it as my only bike but as a second cheeky sunny weekend fun bike with the odd commute I’d find space for it, and being handy with the spanners those servicing costs wouldn’t be an issue for me. Blimey I’ve talked myself into it! 😂
I think on RE Interceptor this is the best review I have ever seen! One suggestion for all the Interceptor owners.The seat for pillion rider,it’s a torture,you would definitely get a pain as soon as with in 10-15 mins.I think a customization for the seat is required when you have a pillion rider too.and the rest of your Interceptor does an excellent job!
Went and brought one. I pick it up in 3 days, cannot wait. Wanted the orange crush but the delay was at least 8 weeks so ended up with a black one. Looks mint though. Looked at the T100 but could not justify the $4000 more for the T100. Really enjoyed the reviews on here and cant wait to get on it! Running in hints?
You freaked me out filling the bike up. Here in the States, the green nozzle is always diesel. I nearly shouted at my TV when you grabbed the green pump.
A very fair appraisal I thought and pleased that I read your note revising the servicing costs before I commented on that! Great value bike all round and if I wasn't so in love with my T120 I would definitely be getting a test ride on one.
I have just put a deposit on one today ,l had a test ride at the Bike Den in Watford,, great fun plenty of power had it up to about 70 mph,, only thing l might do is fit some bar risers,,
Outstanding review! I really enjoyed your reviews of basic, day to day operation of the bike, nobody else is doing this. I really appreciate the small details, like that beautiful gas cap, which unlike the MUCH more expensive Triumph Thruxton, isn't fake! I'm a big fan of the fact that this machine doesn't require pulling the camshaft to adjust the valves. This is fantastic for the person who likes doing things like this for themselves. I'm always going to prefer machines designed for ease of maintenance, and the Royal Enfield Interceptor delivers! I don't know the laws in the UK or EU, but in the USA, manufacturers are required by law to honor a warranty if you can document the date and mileage of when you did it yourself. This applies to all maintenance activities, including valve adjustments and oil changes.
Yes I think it's the same here under EU rules Eric - as long as the servicing is done by a competent person and using the proper parts then I believe the warranty should be intact....doing it yourself is part of the fun of owning a bike like this I reckon!
I really didn’t think I could get away with having more than one bike in he garage at one time and when I say get away with.. I mean allowed by the management at home.. Given the cost and how cool this is, I’m at least going to build up the courage to broach the subject.. Wish me luck!. 🤞
Good luck Chris - my approach is to beg forgiveness rather than seek permission - usually a more favorable long term outcome (although short term things can get messy)....
Mr Flyer is right , buy it then ask for forgiveness and promise the earth, she won't believe you but she'll appreciate your pretence, If you ask first you are giving her the opportunity to say no and then you're in the wrong if you buy it, ask again or even think about it.
As others have said, if you are handy enough with a toolkit then this is ripe for home maintenance. Now if that engine was in the Himalayan that would be perfect.
It's a beautiful retro bike. Not the most practical bike for north-west european climate but If you don't mind that (I do). Nice for commuting; it's small and light. Therefor good beginners bike.
I got an Himalayan in January. Done 1400 miles now and has quickly became one of my favourite bikes. About to ride it around the UK. RE have recently upped their game. Most of their new bikes are being designed in the UK. Would love to see you do a long term review on the Himalayan. :) Best bike channel, thanks TMF :) P.S I may also get the GT as a second bike, I like the look.
I'm glad you made the note about serving. As a daily commuter I don't have the time to wait on servicing from a shop. I'll take something that needs more regular maintenance that I can do myself over something complex to work on even if the intervals are less. I love Ducati motorcycles, but will probably never own one because of that and prefer not having to figure out shims and remove camshafts to do a valve adjustment. Keep in mind, I enjoy working on my bikes and it gives me a chance to know it more intimately and find things before they become problems. Not everyone is like that, so it's good to note.
I have to say, when I'm looking at various bikes I come to the TMF and always get a good honest in depth review. Pretty soon I'll be using UK lingo over here in the States. Thanks for the honest true review.
Cost of servicing certainly seems to vary quite substantially depending on where you are in the UK. I'll not share what it cost a mate to get the first service on his but it was a lot less.
Enjoyable video, very complete review. I found the same as you , smooth gearbox, easy to find neutral, nice ride, vibration free motor. In the US at the fuel station the green pump is Diesel, I panicked for a second when I watched you refuel...
What a great looking no nonsense bike and at a great price. RE have done an awesome job here! I seriously want one now :) I wouldn't worry about the servicing costs either, regardless of relatively short 3/6k intervals. A little bit of basic know-how and you can avoid shelling out, as well as getting to know your bike more, by simply doing it yourself for far less. This would be the perfect bike to hone your mechanical skills on too.
Fantasic Video. First time watching your channel. Looking to buy one of these and have been checking out alot of review videos. Yours has been the most helpful by far so many thanks!
Great review as always TMF! Of course sadly the thing everyone really wants to know with RE is reliability, which of course you can’t cover in such a review. For me though it’s that servicing. Valve clearances every 5000km’s? For me that speaks for itself regarding just how far forward they’ve actually moved. To be clear that’s every 3000 miles? Deal breaker for me personally as I’m still waiting on an RE I can spend more time riding than working on. I like their style, but I can only assume if I’m doing valves twice a year, it’s gonna need a wrenching every weekend? Cool bike, but seems it’s still for people who like to work on their bikes on a Saturday and ride them on a Sunday
Valves are inspect and adjust every 6000 miles. There's a minor inspect and lubricate the various pivots service every other 3000 miles. The owners manuals are available on the various Facebook groups as are links to the full factory service manuals all 720 pages of it :)
That would be my preferred color combo as well. Classic. A cross between a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am and a John Player Special racecar. The blue with white stripes are a close second choice.
Greetings from Argentina. I hope you well. Thanks for this very interesting video. I was waiting for two months now, and hopefully, next Saturday, my Interceptor will be finally delivered to me. I look forward to report my impression as soon as I start gaining experience miles. Until then, wish you well, and we keep on watching your channel. Cheers, Federico
Great review had a look at a new one at a enfield dealer today in the flesh well impressed this review sells it for me thanks you cover everything and truthfull
Really good review - thank you! I have been looking to buy one of these and this has really explained so much about the bike from so many angles. Thanks again and keep up the good work!
Lovely looking bike, as I'm a man of a certain age. Yes the fuel cap looks nice, but surely the fact that it's not hinged, will be annoying. I can hear 3 sounds, boing!! as it slips from your wet gloves onto the tank, clatter as it falls off the, not so flat fuel pump top and boll*@#, after each of those events. Nice review
Max Flight how can depreciation be a major factor, it's half the price of a comparable bike . You would have to have 50% yearly depreciation for the first 3 years for it to even compare. You can see on the sales sites like MCN that in the first year they are dropping by less than 15% , if you buy a Triumph at 9,000 you have paid more than 3,000 more, your depreciation in the first year will be around £1,200 (13.3%) to 2,000 (21.8%) , depending on how you've treated it and mileage, so it's impossible for depreciation to be a factor in such a low priced , good value bike.
In the late sixties ( pre CB 750 days ),I was wanting to buy the Royal Enfield 750 c.c. TT Interceptor. Wasn't able to do so. What I like about the 650 c.c Interceptor is it reminds me of the 650 cc. Triumphs. Here's a video of an old tech Triumph: UA-cam video: Ricky Roper aboard 1965 500cc Triumph Metisse
Another wonderful review my friend. I love these retro bikes, have my heart set on a T120 but the value in the Interceptor is hard to dismiss. Cheers from New Jersey.
There is a trust issue when it comes to quality of materials with Indian Enfields, you pointed out an issue with the 'finish' on the RHS engine cover, the problem isn't the finish, it's the quality of the alloy. I can see other places on the bike where the alloy is starting to go white and furry and it's only a 6 month old bike, what will it be like after a couple of years daily use ? Also the standard of the electrics can be hit and miss, connectors are prone to corrosion, this can cause major issues and lead to big repair bills. You pointed out that the suspension shows it would need to be replaced unless you were just pottering around for a couple of hours once a week, that would be a serious amount of money to spend on a budget bike, just to bring it up to standard. You also mention that it might make a fairly good basis for a 'custom' type bike but to be honest there are much more practical bikes to choose from on the used market that are cheaper, the only reason someone might start with an Indian Enfield is that it has a British sounding name. I know there are people who view everything by RE with rose tinted glasses but compared to modern machines made by other manufacturers, they really don't meet the standards.
Modern bikes are too expensive to maintain.The service cost is too damn high when this bike comes with a good warranty. I personally own a royal Enfield Himalayan and just love it.
@@VMKAROUND365 The quality of Indian materials is very low compared to British quality, they may keep going in India where the climate is kinder to materials and parts are plentiful and cheap but the English climate is harsh on poor quality materials. We have 50 and 60 year old British made bikes that look like new but they have been heavily renovated at great cost to the owners. Only pure enthusiasts with deep pockets try to keep these old bikes running and they usually end up as very expensive show pieces because they require such a lot of maintenance.
@Ian Clarke. I am assuming that you're just making up things when you say, Endfields are not customisable and what sort of a bollock is the alloy thing. You just completely toasted the two strongest points of the Royal Endfields. The chassis of all royal Endfields are simple, sturdy and old school and perhaps one of the most easily customisable bike that I know. Secondly, the quality of steel and aluminium alloy in Britain doesn't even comes close to those from India. However, RE bikes before the new interceptor were prone to problems which I think can be attributed to the mismatch parts/components and the lack of bike building basics of the Indians in general when it comes to anything beyond the 200 cc capacity. But what I am certain is that time is overdue for RE for drastic improvement considering that it's the fastest growing bike manufacturer in the world for quite sometime now.
Another awesome video and amazingly in depth review, really like the way you articulate the pro's and con's of the bike in the reviews. Thanks for putting all your time into the enfield! cheers!
** NOTE RE SERVICING: Please don't pay too much attention to the servicing costs I presented here - from the comments I've been receiving from some of the RE Forum members it's more realistic to say the bike needs a service every 6000 miles with an "inspect and clean" type service every 3000 - this would bring those servicing costs I quoted down considerably. Also I should have noted that the bike comes with a 3 year warranty which is pretty cool.....as you were....
Three years roadside assistance as well.
I was wondering how the servicing was such a devil!! (666)
And free breakdown cover
Good review of a bike I like ( cant have them all though ) I should think most owners of this style of bike would do their own servicing once out of the fantastic 3 year warranty., First thing I would do is lose the plastic extension on the rear mudguard.
Thanks for the revised servicing information. I was more than a bit shocked when you stated that it costs more than a BMW to maintain. In my experience a high percentage of Royal Enfield owners perform their own general servicing.which keeps the costs way down. You might check with the lads over in Watford to clarify the terms of the three year warrantee Over here in The States, my Classic 500 came with a two year unlimited mileage warranty. The first year covered parts and labor and the second year covered parts only. Still a good deal as far as I was concerned and went a long way in my decision to purchase. Top shelf long term review. Very honest and objective, although I knew you wouldn't fancy the mirrors. Your and Stuart Fillingham's reviews have tempted to possibly add one to my stable. We'll done. Cheers.
Hi, no I’m not a paid RE reviewer. I’ve ridden these wonderful bikes for 1000’s & 1000’s of miles through all types of conditions. 100% reliable. Full of character & fun. Simple machines that do the job they’re designed to do, time & time again.
@@jeffdean7666 Yes a question I would like answered too. Even 2nd hand I have seen recently has rust spots all over the chrome. Either its terrible metal they use or the owners mistreat the bike
@@NoahJJ24 No rust problems on mine and I live right on the sea. Just keep it under cover like any other bike.
@@NoahJJ24 2 years living on the coast in the UK and not a spot of rust on my 2020 Int. 👍👍
@@MzLunaCee Is it kept indoors?
@@afrocentricalbion No, I just lined my shed with oversized bubble wrap and start it during the winter once a week for 10 minutes.
A lesson to some other manufacturers in how to build a stylish, reliable, uncomplicated bike with excellent value. Like it.
Happy travels. Good review, pour yourself a cold one.
Aye, build them in India.
Not reliable per say
@@sathya5057 - Four words, two languages & a spelling mistake - clothes but know seagar . . .
@@sathya5057
How do you know?
It just came out.
@@loddude5706 So is the Triumph, built outside the UK. In Thailand!
I’ve ridden Royal Enfields on numerous occasions whilst touring in India and nearby countries. They have always been 100% reliable and even after 100,000+ miles they perform day after day after day with no issues. TMF, thank you for a very balanced and well thought out review of what appears to be a great bike.
Cheers Chris....
Are you a RE paid reviewer? The world knows that RE makes least reliable vehicles and the internet is flooded with negatives than positives. DON'T misguide people. The engines are vibey, the service centres are pathetic, no modern console but still gives wrong fuel reading... Interceptor is the only bike whose engine is better than rest of the bikes but still not up to the mark..
@@weride1369 I agree with everything except the last line. They made up for all their faults with the interceptor.
@@akhil9581 I didn't get you properly.. you mean int650 is good or bad?
I own one baker express, as per my experience only I was telling..
@@weride1369 What I meant was that, except for the twins, the other models of RE are not reliable at all and the interceptor's engine, though not upto the mark, is crazy value for money
The initial service here in the US for me was only $175 for my Himalayan and one nice thing is you don't have to have it serviced at a RE shop and can even do it yourself. They expect you to keep the receipts of your oil, filters etc, but you can do it yourself or use a local mechanic. I'm still thinking of adding one of these to my stable. I really like my Himalayan, but think a bike like this would be more fun when riding 2up with the wife and for just cruising.
Scott you said you ride with your wife, how is the ride comfort for pillion rider..... ? Could the pillion hold on up to 150mil/150kms without getting tired!!
@@somannacs We haven't gone that far yet, but she doesn't have any complaints on the 20-30 mile jaunts we've done. There is a strap on seat cushion style called a saddleman's gel seat and I've been looking at getting one for me and the pillion seat. The primary seat for a guy my size is a little old after a 60 mile round trip, so I'm looking for me first. lol
Have you gotten one? Would love to know your opinion. I had an amazing fun test riding this in India. Went for dominor 400 just for the alloy wheel.
@@MrTacklebury its not comfortable for pillion is what ive heard
Here in india service is just $18 with engine oil change
I’ve ridden bikes for 45 years and I must say, I was gripping the edge of my iPad when looking at your speed in the wet! I’ve never dared do that!
I'm not surprised the horn is good, you need a good horn in India! 😃
It's the same horn part number as the Classic 350 and 500's, yes it's loud
Sarcasam or sarcasam with a hint of rasism.? Whatever we dont bomb ppl..
@@bhiyaram1111 Pardon?
It's a simple fact, same in SE ASIA a motorbike with a quiet horn is a danger to other road users as they don't know where you are. In Vietnam the horn is used almost like a sonar, as you come up behind other riders you give a quick double tap on the horn so they know they about to be passed and to hold a steady line.
@@bhiyaram1111 dude you don't know how we actually ride in asean,we're very hurry in alot of cases and we need a good horn like this to alert,yes to ALERT the people in front that we're about to take over or passing,double tap mean passing,take over,single tap mean i'm behind you so watch out,i remember one of my friends actually modified the horn into a truck horn so it's easier for alerting people from far away so that the people will think there's a truck coming and move because in asean,alot of peoples usually doesn't look in the mirror to check behind them and that's a FACT,even us asian have to admitted that "wow,we ride like shite"
Haha... true ! Even if it's not needed. It's just our language of the road.. honking :)
I’ve watched a lot of motorcycle reviews of all types of bikes, but you by far the most thorough and best reviewer I have seen . Thanks and keep up the good work.
Aww thank you Donald, that's very kind....
Agree, love his reviews and he actually bought one of these which is the ultimate thumbs up.
You Brits do a great job.
@@TheMissendenFlyer you brits and your bar end mirrors. 😁
My first service on my 650 GT Continental was a hundred pounds less.. And just like the Interceptor, is an awesome little bike.
it's got a mighty heart, it's soft on your pocket
This is my dream bike! I would absolutely love owning one!
I absolutely LOVED this bike. I wish ppl knew how great is to just ride a bike, just enjoy the road, without traveling @ crazy speeds, moving easily around town, going to work without stressing about the parking place and so on.
Excellent review, as always.
If you are a competent fiddler this would be a very cheap bike to run, no valve shims just screw and lock nut adjustment. Definitely designed for the home mechanic.
...I tend to agree - as an enthusiast I can think of few things more enjoyable than a Sunday blast in the countryside on a simple bike like the RE and then home for a polish and tinker in the shed....
@@hershchat I've said this before and will say again, I wish Triumph would build a Scrambler 500cc. I recon it would fly of the shelves.
Chris It’s still be too expensive. The RE Himalayan is a great little green lane bike & for £4200 on the road it’s amazing!
@@cloggsy1971 Yeah I agree about Himalayan, it's very close to what I'm looking for, just nor sure about it's motorway performance. Not that I want to go fast, just need a bike that's capable of cruising up to 70 mph. I've heard the Himalayan is not that happy at 70 mph, am I wrong?
@@Chris-kh2fm The Himalayan is not a fast bike,,the engine is a long stroke,so its not advisable to rev much above 5000rpm which in top is about 60/65 mph..On mine I cruise at 60mph all day long...But its a good bike to thrash cos to do so means "your not going too fast"...
Been a car and engine enthusiast all my life, just recently becoming interested in motorcycles, saw a review of this and the Continental GT in Autoweek.
But really, have to say this review was very thorough and well edited, just the right amount of the right information, presented in a straightforward manner. Well done and thanks!
Thank you! ...and welcome to bikes!
What bikes should be about. As a young man I would have loved this, every thing you need nothing you don't. Cheap simple well made reliable? As long as you have a bit of ability to fiddle and service your own bike, which as a young chap I had too as money was scarce, this is perfect should be more bikes like this, simple and fun transport. 👍
Couldn't agree more Scott!
Scott Mitchell , no one but RE can fix proprietary check engine light, My Himilayan 2019 stalls dies and leaves me stranded at 123 miles new . My 45 years twisting wrenches is useless against a hidden secret code. I have to bring it back to Enfield 250 miles away..... so yeah the turd never would’ve made it home day 1.
@@jimdunne3696 well that's a big problem, my Ducati 1100 Scrambler has a change oil light that came on at 600klm (first service) and I have my motorcycle mechanic that I use and he can see fault codes but can't reset the dash as he hasn't got the Ducati computer. So I'm up to service but have to keep looking at a change oil light till someone comes up with a hack! It does work though, I heard of a chap with a Range Rover that did the same thing, he ignored the 10k service warning then one morning it refused to start. It turned out that to be the same thing had to get a Rover mechanic out to fix it! It's just a con to get you to have them serviced by the agent, shouldn't be allowed or they should state this when you bye the stuff! 😠
@@maxflight777 Then don't fckn buy it, but kindly keep your racist comments to yourself...idiot!
I watched one of your videos on the Interceptor by chance and since then have binged a few of them. I own the Classic 500, been riding it every day for the past 9 years now and have loved it. I have never really felt the need for another bike until seeing your videos. The Interceptor looks like such an incredible bike for the price. Thanks for the videos!
Glad you like them!
I have to say, you do a much better review than MCM or any of the pro testers.
Aww thank you...appreciate that
👌True
How to tell if its summer in the UK ? The rain is warm.
In Wales, we say "If you can't see the mountains, it's raining. But if you can see the mountains, it's about to rain.."
@@stevegray3922 lol
lol
What you mean is that in the UK you can tell it's summer because the precipitation is liquid. It is still cold.
If you don't like the British weather, just wait a minute.
It is great to finally click on a review video and have a no bull crap, straight to the point and practical review. Well done.
Thank you Rokket - that's my aim!
Back to basics is something to applaud in motorcycles, thanks for the review Mr Flyer!
100% agreed!
At last, a comprehensive unbiased review that covers the 'real life' topics that are important to riders.
Glad you liked it!
Royal Enfield always make bikes which are very easy on customers. Very rigid and easy to maintain. As simple as possible at the same time elegant. Also spare parts are dirt cheap and easily available.
Great looking bike with classic lines from the 60's & 70'S
Agreed!
Royal Enfield Interceptor servicing, the number of the beast.
Yes I may have over egg'd the servicing costs - see my pinned comment above!
@@TheMissendenFlyer Servicing isn't too bad on the whole.
I'm sure a lot of owners will carry out their own when the warranty is up.
😂
Excellent review of what appears to be a great bike. I've been watching the RE brand for a few years and waiting for a bike like this. The designers got it right. No frills or fluff but just a classic look and enough power to tour at a brisk pace. This is a bike I can see owning very soon. Thanks for a great review.
The note about the servicing Sir is encouraging. If that's true it really is a great bargain. Thanks again.....Sal : )
Oh yes! This is what I've been waiting for sir!!!
Such a great review. Thank you for taking the time to explain things so many other reviewers never go over. Cheers!
I finally got a first time look at a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 in person. It was larger than I had imagined it would be, and when I got on it, it was much taller than I had perceived it to be. I set my feet on the pegs and it felt like a comfortable riding position for my size and build. It is definitely a contender!
They are good!
Thanks for the review - useful as always. Aside from the servicing costs, this is a great bike that makes some of the other modern-retro bikes look damn expensive.
Indeed - I love 'em.....
I really enjoy your videos and this a great addition to your earlier first impression review of the Interceptor. I bought an Interceptor back in March and it is exactly as you’ve described - a real pleasure to own and ride.
Glad you like it Phil - lots more to come on this brill bike....
I love this new format you are using. As I am going to test this bike in the next week or so, this video is extremely helpful. Like with most bikes, my being 6'3" and 240 pounds makes almost any of them look tiny. Hopefully, it is seen to be manageable when I test it!
You’ll manage it no problem - very easy to ride with a nice light feel - cracking bike!
I got to demo one of these today. The smoothest powertrain I've riding, 6 tall gears, incredible power without the bike walking away without the rider. I could go on and on. My only complaints are personal comfort and fit stuff that you'll have with any bike. I've been looking a scrambler/tracker project. Never expected to find a new bike with this quality and price point. Wow!! just wow!!
I love the look of that bike, don’t know if I wouldn’t have it as my only bike but as a second cheeky sunny weekend fun bike with the odd commute I’d find space for it, and being handy with the spanners those servicing costs wouldn’t be an issue for me. Blimey I’ve talked myself into it! 😂
I think on RE Interceptor this is the best review I have ever seen!
One suggestion for all the Interceptor owners.The seat for pillion rider,it’s a torture,you would definitely get a pain as soon as with in 10-15 mins.I think a customization for the seat is required when you have a pillion rider too.and the rest of your Interceptor does an excellent job!
Thank you Brian - very kind of you to say so!
Went and brought one. I pick it up in 3 days, cannot wait. Wanted the orange crush but the delay was at least 8 weeks so ended up with a black one. Looks mint though. Looked at the T100 but could not justify the $4000 more for the T100. Really enjoyed the reviews on here and cant wait to get on it! Running in hints?
Did you get your RE?
@@codpieceofjustice4595 yep. Love it
That's great. I'd love a T100 but can't justify the extra $ either. Might have to settle for a second hand one or a new RE.
@@codpieceofjustice4595 go the new RE. 3year warranty brand new bike no issues
Hey, how has your experience been in the 3 years since you got it ?
Once again. The best review on UA-cam! Literally answered every question I was thinking of! Brilliant!
Glad it was helpful!
You freaked me out filling the bike up. Here in the States, the green nozzle is always diesel. I nearly shouted at my TV when you grabbed the green pump.
In UK, green is unleaded, diesel is black.
This freaks me out about living in the USA now! I swear one day I'm going to go "UK" and end up filling up with diesel. Hehe
😂😂😂😂😂
In India, we have a fuel attendant who fills fuel for you. I have never noticed what is color of the nozzle.
A very fair appraisal I thought and pleased that I read your note revising the servicing costs before I commented on that!
Great value bike all round and if I wasn't so in love with my T120 I would definitely be getting a test ride on one.
I have just put a deposit on one today ,l had a test ride at the Bike Den in Watford,, great fun plenty of power had it up to about 70 mph,, only thing l might do is fit some bar risers,,
Hope you mentioned my name!
Outstanding review! I really enjoyed your reviews of basic, day to day operation of the bike, nobody else is doing this. I really appreciate the small details, like that beautiful gas cap, which unlike the MUCH more expensive Triumph Thruxton, isn't fake! I'm a big fan of the fact that this machine doesn't require pulling the camshaft to adjust the valves. This is fantastic for the person who likes doing things like this for themselves. I'm always going to prefer machines designed for ease of maintenance, and the Royal Enfield Interceptor delivers! I don't know the laws in the UK or EU, but in the USA, manufacturers are required by law to honor a warranty if you can document the date and mileage of when you did it yourself. This applies to all maintenance activities, including valve adjustments and oil changes.
Yes I think it's the same here under EU rules Eric - as long as the servicing is done by a competent person and using the proper parts then I believe the warranty should be intact....doing it yourself is part of the fun of owning a bike like this I reckon!
I really didn’t think I could get away with having more than one bike in he garage at one time and when I say get away with.. I mean allowed by the management at home.. Given the cost and how cool this is, I’m at least going to build up the courage to broach the subject..
Wish me luck!. 🤞
Good luck Chris - my approach is to beg forgiveness rather than seek permission - usually a more favorable long term outcome (although short term things can get messy)....
@@Aurelius_Mind Yes I did - see my last reveal video!
@@TheMissendenFlyer Spousal supplication, hey? I can't imagine to much trouble in the house, I'm guessing Mrs Flyer is a good 'un.
Mr Flyer is right , buy it then ask for forgiveness and promise the earth, she won't believe you but she'll appreciate your pretence, If you ask first you are giving her the opportunity to say no and then you're in the wrong if you buy it, ask again or even think about it.
My missus bought me an RE Himalayan last year ;)
Thanks!
Thank you!
Can't help but love the looks - old school.
I'm with you on that!
Man, you've got the best full review of this bike available on UA-cam, hands down.
Thanks !
You're very kind David thank you!
good review, my friend has just bought one of these and it seems like a really nice bike
Excellent review and re-visit. Love your summaries and program format with just the right amount of ride/chat mix. Posted on the RE forums.
Cheers Martin!
@@TheMissendenFlyer Btw, Diavel S 1260?
As others have said, if you are handy enough with a toolkit then this is ripe for home maintenance. Now if that engine was in the Himalayan that would be perfect.
Himalayan 650 supposed to be released in India in early 2021.
@@parthasur6018 haha no. It's expected around 2024 in India, 2025 globally
This is one of the best reviews that I have seen on any product!
Wow - thank you!
It's a beautiful retro bike. Not the most practical bike for north-west european climate but If you don't mind that (I do).
Nice for commuting; it's small and light. Therefor good beginners bike.
Nicely done ! Totally agreed. My " Black Pearl" sends a big "hi" to your lovely version😊of the Interceptor.
Great video as always...thumbs up
Great review man. I am from India and here it is even more value for money than in UK. Keep up the good work. Cheers. 👍
Thanks for watching and for stopping by!
TMF, as to practical matters, a look at under seat storage would be welcome.
Good call! I'll add that to my list for future - cheers...
Just collected mine today....such a happy person !!!!
Congratulations!
I got an Himalayan in January. Done 1400 miles now and has quickly became one of my favourite bikes. About to ride it around the UK. RE have recently upped their game. Most of their new bikes are being designed in the UK. Would love to see you do a long term review on the Himalayan. :) Best bike channel, thanks TMF :) P.S I may also get the GT as a second bike, I like the look.
Thank you Richard - I assume you follow Noraly on "itchy boots"?
I'm glad you made the note about serving. As a daily commuter I don't have the time to wait on servicing from a shop. I'll take something that needs more regular maintenance that I can do myself over something complex to work on even if the intervals are less. I love Ducati motorcycles, but will probably never own one because of that and prefer not having to figure out shims and remove camshafts to do a valve adjustment. Keep in mind, I enjoy working on my bikes and it gives me a chance to know it more intimately and find things before they become problems. Not everyone is like that, so it's good to note.
Am I right in thinking it also has a 3yr warranty !!!
You are indeed - I should have mentioned that (with recovery!)....
Love it , my first bike in 1959 was a 250 Crusader. Great honest review.
Once I saw the valve cover off I knew it was a DIY bike. Waiting to see the 650 Himalayan.
I have to say, when I'm looking at various bikes I come to the TMF and always get a good honest in depth review. Pretty soon I'll be using UK lingo over here in the States. Thanks for the honest true review.
Cheers!
Cost of servicing certainly seems to vary quite substantially depending on where you are in the UK. I'll not share what it cost a mate to get the first service on his but it was a lot less.
C'mon spill the beans - how much and where?
This is the kind of reviews I like! Congratulations and thank you so much for taking the time!! Cheers from Argentina.
Tops review. Cheers from Australia!
Enjoyable video, very complete review. I found the same as you , smooth gearbox, easy to find neutral, nice ride, vibration free motor. In the US at the fuel station the green pump is Diesel, I panicked for a second when I watched you refuel...
Yes it's bizarre that there's not a world standard for fuel pump colour coding isn't it!
1:09 - For us avid riders, there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear. ;-)
I usually preach that in Portuguese (my language) :D
Avid rider here, how much riding have you done on ice?
Thanks for your great reviews! Your opinion really influenced me getting one of these! Couldn't be happier so far! Cheers
For me, a commuter is a scooter. A motorbike is for fun.
thank you for this long term review. i was waiting for this video for a long time.
Much more to come on the Interceptor soon!
@@TheMissendenFlyer appreciate it....thanks a lot.
I’ve seen nothing but positive reviews for this bike. Thinking about trading in my 2013 Triumph Bonneville T100 for one of these.
Go for a test ride first
What...no man...
Great review of a future icon. Definitely one for the garage if there’s an extra few quid. Beautiful bike. Convinced me. Well done Mr. Fly!!
I will bet my bank account on the quality of horn on an Indian manufactured bike if that's all important to you! :D
No argument there. We Indians have a thing for loud horns. 😃
One of the best detailed reviews or breafing of interceptor so far.... good job mate....this is why I subscribed to your channel...
Thank you - very kind of you to say so!
Good information.
Great video format, I like this in depth style a lot. Keep up the good work TMF!
I thought it was crazy that you grabbed the green fuel nozzle, tha means diesel in the U.S.
What a great looking no nonsense bike and at a great price. RE have done an awesome job here! I seriously want one now :) I wouldn't worry about the servicing costs either, regardless of relatively short 3/6k intervals. A little bit of basic know-how and you can avoid shelling out, as well as getting to know your bike more, by simply doing it yourself for far less. This would be the perfect bike to hone your mechanical skills on too.
Agreed on all points....
Very thorough review, just a little work needed on the main stand technique 👍🤣
Fantasic Video. First time watching your channel. Looking to buy one of these and have been checking out alot of review videos. Yours has been the most helpful by far so many thanks!
Welcome aboard! Glad you found my video of use!
Great review as always TMF! Of course sadly the thing everyone really wants to know with RE is reliability, which of course you can’t cover in such a review. For me though it’s that servicing. Valve clearances every 5000km’s? For me that speaks for itself regarding just how far forward they’ve actually moved. To be clear that’s every 3000 miles? Deal breaker for me personally as I’m still waiting on an RE I can spend more time riding than working on. I like their style, but I can only assume if I’m doing valves twice a year, it’s gonna need a wrenching every weekend?
Cool bike, but seems it’s still for people who like to work on their bikes on a Saturday and ride them on a Sunday
...it wouldn't surprise me if that service interval gets extended once there's some more experience "In the field"...
Valves are inspect and adjust every 6000 miles. There's a minor inspect and lubricate the various pivots service every other 3000 miles. The owners manuals are available on the various Facebook groups as are links to the full factory service manuals all 720 pages of it :)
Best review i have seen,covered all aspect of bike very well thanks,you helped me to choose INTERCEPTOR without any hassle🙏🏻I’m from 🇮🇳
Glad to hear that - thank you!
Andy, Thats another bike you are making me want……. This time I really think I will have to buy one to compliment my Tracer 900GT :)
Bought a SIlver one. Loving it.
Watching you ride at night gave me anxiety, it was obviously brighter than it looked. Great review.
Yes I only ride at night when I have too!
This bike is fantastic value and with a 3 year warranty even better! Still prefer the Gt in black with gold strips. 😊
That would be my preferred color combo as well. Classic. A cross between a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am and a John Player Special racecar. The blue with white stripes are a close second choice.
I own the chrome one. Your review is 100% spot on! Compliments from the Netherlands!
Thank you - glad we concur!
'Thanks to the grab handles' - proceeds to move it without using the grab handles!! 😄
My favourite part.
Greetings from Argentina. I hope you well.
Thanks for this very interesting video. I was waiting for two months now, and hopefully, next Saturday, my Interceptor will be finally delivered to me. I look forward to report my impression as soon as I start gaining experience miles.
Until then, wish you well, and we keep on watching your channel.
Cheers,
Federico
Congratulations Federico and enjoy your new bike! All the best....TMF
1:20 announcing the new Royal Enfield Jet Ski :D
Yes - quite a downpour that wasn’t it!
Great review had a look at a new one at a enfield dealer today in the flesh well impressed this review sells it for me thanks you cover everything and truthfull
“On a closed road”! 😂😇
"slightly above the speed limit"
Really enjoyed this comprehensive review. My dream bike is a Triumph Scrambler, but for the money, these new RE twins look like a winner.
Want to know a little more?,TEC Bike Parts, Interceptor 650 Project 🤗
Look up TEC bike parts on UA-cam. Project not finished yet, but knowing him it will be soon. He also did a very nice Triumph Flat Tracker.
Really good review - thank you! I have been looking to buy one of these and this has really explained so much about the bike from so many angles. Thanks again and keep up the good work!
Cheers Steve - will do!
Lovely looking bike, as I'm a man of a certain age.
Yes the fuel cap looks nice, but surely the fact that it's not hinged, will be annoying. I can hear 3 sounds, boing!! as it slips from your wet gloves onto the tank, clatter as it falls off the, not so flat fuel pump top and boll*@#, after each of those events. Nice review
Very nice bike! Perfect for an old bugger I would say..
...you should know chopsie!! (oops, did I type that out loud!!)...
buy oil in 20 litre container.learn how to do tappetes and the running costs will tumble
True for every bike. :) Although the sports bikes with solid lifters and shims are a PIA. :D
@@maxflight777 This bike is great & it will not disappoint you considering its price.Though one should not do any kind of tough stunts on this bike .
Max Flight how can depreciation be a major factor, it's half the price of a comparable bike . You would have to have 50% yearly depreciation for the first 3 years for it to even compare. You can see on the sales sites like MCN that in the first year they are dropping by less than 15% , if you buy a Triumph at 9,000 you have paid more than 3,000 more, your depreciation in the first year will be around £1,200 (13.3%) to 2,000 (21.8%) , depending on how you've treated it and mileage, so it's impossible for depreciation to be a factor in such a low priced , good value bike.
In the late sixties ( pre CB 750 days ),I was wanting to buy the Royal Enfield 750 c.c. TT Interceptor. Wasn't able to do so. What I like about the 650 c.c Interceptor is it reminds me of the 650 cc. Triumphs. Here's a video of an old tech Triumph: UA-cam video: Ricky Roper aboard 1965 500cc Triumph Metisse
Another wonderful review my friend. I love these retro bikes, have my heart set on a T120 but the value in the Interceptor is hard to dismiss. Cheers from New Jersey.
Cheers!
"on a closed road" lmao
Thank you for a thorough and informative review! Well done as usual
You're welcome Doyle....
There is a trust issue when it comes to quality of materials with Indian Enfields, you pointed out an issue with the 'finish' on the RHS engine cover, the problem isn't the finish, it's the quality of the alloy. I can see other places on the bike where the alloy is starting to go white and furry and it's only a 6 month old bike, what will it be like after a couple of years daily use ? Also the standard of the electrics can be hit and miss, connectors are prone to corrosion, this can cause major issues and lead to big repair bills.
You pointed out that the suspension shows it would need to be replaced unless you were just pottering around for a couple of hours once a week, that would be a serious amount of money to spend on a budget bike, just to bring it up to standard.
You also mention that it might make a fairly good basis for a 'custom' type bike but to be honest there are much more practical bikes to choose from on the used market that are cheaper, the only reason someone might start with an Indian Enfield is that it has a British sounding name.
I know there are people who view everything by RE with rose tinted glasses but compared to modern machines made by other manufacturers, they really don't meet the standards.
Time will tell!
Indian engineering in known to be reliable unlike chinese. Iam from India and there are 30 year old royal Enfields still running here and there.
Modern bikes are too expensive to maintain.The service cost is too damn high when this bike comes with a good warranty.
I personally own a royal Enfield Himalayan and just love it.
@@VMKAROUND365 The quality of Indian materials is very low compared to British quality, they may keep going in India where the climate is kinder to materials and parts are plentiful and cheap but the English climate is harsh on poor quality materials.
We have 50 and 60 year old British made bikes that look like new but they have been heavily renovated at great cost to the owners. Only pure enthusiasts with deep pockets try to keep these old bikes running and they usually end up as very expensive show pieces because they require such a lot of maintenance.
@Ian Clarke. I am assuming that you're just making up things when you say, Endfields are not customisable and what sort of a bollock is the alloy thing. You just completely toasted the two strongest points of the Royal Endfields. The chassis of all royal Endfields are simple, sturdy and old school and perhaps one of the most easily customisable bike that I know. Secondly, the quality of steel and aluminium alloy in Britain doesn't even comes close to those from India.
However, RE bikes before the new interceptor were prone to problems which I think can be attributed to the mismatch parts/components and the lack of bike building basics of the Indians in general when it comes to anything beyond the 200 cc capacity. But what I am certain is that time is overdue for RE for drastic improvement considering that it's the fastest growing bike manufacturer in the world for quite sometime now.
Another awesome video and amazingly in depth review, really like the way you articulate the pro's and con's of the bike in the reviews. Thanks for putting all your time into the enfield! cheers!
Very kind of you thanks!