According to MOTOBOB, the interceptor is now the best selling motorcycle in the U.K. I think that it attests to the fact that it's the motorcycle a lot of us actually want.
@Back2Bay6 I ride a 2005 Bandit 650. Part of the appeal is that it’s a good looking, old timey motorcycle but part of it is that it doesn’t cost me too much. I’m far from seeing the point of spending $10k and up for a toy. If it had some sort of practical purpose maybe, but I drive a beater car for the same reason. I like to keep my money.
@Dharmic Science Where I live we have speed limits that are enforced, enough so that if you habitually speed, you'll start racking up demerit points. Your insurance will become really expensive and eventually you'll be looking at a license suspension. So most of the time I ride within the legal tolerance zone of the speed limit and buying a bike with 150 hp would be a waste.
I saw an orange one parked up while working in Paris. It looks even better in person. The lines, the proportions, and the colour of that orange tank/silver rims combo are just drop dead stunning.
Massive seller here in Europe really well sorted package and styled almost perfectly for a low entry price, A true Winner. RE have a big development center in England with a ton of ex Triumph guy's kinda show's in this product.
Bought mine in June 2019. Nearly 13k miles now. Everything from below sea level in the California desert to 10,236 ft in the Sequoia national forest. Even at 115 Fahrenheit oil temp doesn't exceed 190F. As far as handling I've dragged pegs, center stand and pipes. It does handle.
Me too! I've only ridden a few other bikes in my life but my GT650 is by far the best. Just like in the video, it's not the best at anything but nothing is as good at everything as my RE.
Nothing but pure pleasure and fun. I purchased the Himalayan first but sold it and move on to the Interceptor. I have nothing but great things to say about this bike. Thanks for the review.
Great review of a great bike. I agree with Tyler that no one should be put off by the ‘suited to inexperienced or novice riders’ comment. I have owned a ‘Glitter and Dust’ (Chrome) Interceptor for 18 months. I have multiple bikes including a 180hp Superbike and a 1750cc Cruiser and I find myself riding the Enfield the most! After 40+ years of riding, this bike has put the fun back into motorcycling for me.
I have had mine for just over a year. It has been flawless! That slipper clutch is also boosted for a light touch. One of my favorite things is the ability to personalize it. Everything can be changed with simple hand tools. I might have missed it but that S&S set of mufflers is awesome and should be mentioned.
@@deepakmishra3693 Bhai, please do you research before commenting. RE is owned by Eicher since 1960s (Probably 50s). EIcher is an Indian Brand. Almost all of it's manufacturing is done at it's Chennai facility.
This is the #1 bike on my list for next year. Makes about the same power as my Vulcan 500, but the standard style is my favorite, where you're upright but not cramped. There's really no other options for that. And the price and build quality is amazing. The sound reminds me of my old Honda twin also, which was my favorite sounding bike I ever owned!
Kawasaki Z900rs. Your gonna pay for it though. Found my new old stock Z900rs for $8,350. So there are deals to be had if you look. I can't help myself but to keep mine on the back tire whenever I take off though!
THANK YOU FINALLY SOMEONE WITH COMMON SENSE. Motorcycle doesnt have to equal = SPEED SPEED SPEED SPEED... American riders act like PRE programmed robots who think everything has to be the fastest or it sucks. If thwy truly loved riding theyd understand that going dangerously fast isnt the only way to ride
I've had my bum on an Aussie delivered RE Interceptor 650 for 8 months now. Royal Enfield can give themselves a huge pat on the back, unbelievably good bike.. even better with S&S mufflers and hi flow air filter kit. Easy servicing, great handling, what's not to like? love mine. 👍
So as a 2020 Interceptor Baker Express owner, it's one of my favorites. She sits alongside a Ducati Supersport S and it's a tough choice daily. It's such an enjoyable bike to ride, it gets down the road smoothly and easily. No gimmicks, no rider modes, just hop on and enjoy. I'm an experienced rider and Love it! I had a BMW R9T previous but it was a bit boring being honest. This R.E. has much more character then the R9T did. It's one of the best values out there easily. Can't recommend these bikes enough. One of the best things to do is upgrade the rear shocks and get the touring seat from R.E. I have a bunch of parts added to mine from TEC bike parts and it's such a joy that it's affordable to buy and modify.
I absolutely love mine. It may be the most fun I've ever had on a road bike. It is remarkably well designed. I do wish it had a bit more thrust coming out of corners, but it's a responsive bike and has made me work on maintaining my cornering speed, which is making me a better rider. The more I ride it the more I appreciate it just the way it comes from the factory. I've added a tail rack, which is the extent of my modifications. The suspension is ok, but could certainly stand an upgrade. The fit and finish is quite good. The fuel mapping is spot on. The clutch and gearbox are buttery smooth and the gearing is just right. The ergonomics are wonderfully comfortable for an old man. I don't feel old and arthritic on it like when trying to make my body comply with the torture device known as a modern sport bike. It's easy to maintain. You can actually see the spark plugs and no plastic to remove before doing basic stuff like an oil change. The rockers are easy to get to and have screw adjusters for setting valve clearance rather than shim and bucket. It has a center stand, which to me is essential on a road bike. The price made it an easy choice. It has classic good looks unlike all this weird RoadWarrior/Transformers/StarWars stuff you see so much of these days. I have a few other bikes in the garage, but it's this 650 twin that calls to me enticing me to go ride. I do really love this bike.
It’s the most reliable 650cc that you can buy today. Being the oldest bike manufacturer in the history of bike manufacturing, Royal Enfield has put in all its experience to make that perfect balance and still keep the cost the cheapest (inspite of using brands like Harris Performance for chassis, Gabriel shock absorbers, ByBre brakes, Bosch ABS and Pirelli Phantom tyres.) I had Royal Enfield’s other models for the better half of my riding career, but this is unlike any RE before! I have taken it to altitudes of 5,500 mts or roughly 18,000 ft with no roads, very less oxygen and freezing temperatures, I’ve also taken it to hot and humid places where the temperatures average around 110* Fahrenheit or 42* Celsius and it never complained or broke down on me! A 650cc engine with 47 horses is actually adequate for practical real world usability and this was never meant for the tracks. That’s why we Indians 🇮🇳 love this machine...😊😊😊
Really. My friends had so many issues with his gt 650. Rust everywhere. A fuel meter that doesn't work, and the whole gauge goes haywire if we wash it. It's a good bike though.
@@josephilip2136 I personally did not face any rust issues, moreover I clean my bike on Sundays most of the time and check up on everything. Yes, fuel gauge is something which was never correct on any digital gauges that RE had. This has been reported to RE by a lot of customers but was never taken care of. Fun fact, few years back when the “Classic” 350 & 500, “Standard”, “Electra” was all we could buy, they didn’t even have gauges. Carbureted engines had a fuel key which had fuel settings to ‘Off’ ‘On’ ‘Reserve’ and that’s how we understood fuel level!
A great move by R.E., this is one classic machine, very simple, durable and practical...INEXPENSIVE. I hope many people buy one; what a perfect first motorcycle.
Not perfect just as a first bike, but as an all-around bike to travel on and commute. I've had a ton of bikes and have come to the conclusion that less really is more sometimes.
@@davidskogley3570 I've had 26 bikes over 40 years; smaller bikes can be huge fun for tight/urban riding situations, (I used to rent Honda CBR150RR bikes in Thialand); but for any real riding on our big American roads... I need a Torque Monster. My modded GSF1200 has 120 hp/84 lbs of torque.. my SV1000S has about the same. OOMPAH at 75 mph! Addictive.
I've had one for two years. Had zero problems during that time, taking lots of three- to five-day trips, great for touring if you don't try to put too many hours on it in one day.
I think the days of mega high HP bikes is on its way out really and this is why more modest bikes like this are selling so well. You can use all that it's got every ride, safely at sensible speeds but in comfort and having so much fun.
@@kuyaclyde2302 Sorry didn't see your question earlier. Yes riding in socal is great. Freeway is usually best to jump in the carpool lane, kinda protected and you can cruise ~75-80mph with no stress. We can also lane-split and filter, no problem most cars here are aware of bikes, just never outrun your brakes. All good -- take care bro!
I love the fact of all the custom parts and accessories for RE that allow you to turn it into "your" motorcycle, from Ohlins suspension to 2-1 exhaust to a chrome tank rack. There's a lot to be said for simplicity.
How are you liking yours so far? I moved to an area that has a dealer and was interested but also nervous because it's rare to see a new bike under $6k that isn't crap.
@@Gaverny Dude there's plenty of owner reviews on the bike post a one year period of owning the bike on UA-cam. Personally to me the real reason why this bike sells a lot is cos it's cheap/affordable & simple with a more than decent reliability that comes at that low price & the best part is this bike is easy & cheap to customise & modify as per personal liking too.If you feel certain parts of the bike feel cheap just replace them with better parts. This is the kinda bike u can let urself take liberties with cutomising & modding as opposed to a more expensive brand where you mostly find more reasons hold urself back which range from price, warranty & what not.
Great accurate review - down to the details, road HP, weight on the scales.... yes I've had mine for nearly two years, based on reviews like this but mainly those from UK and Australia. Added a whole lot of detailing extras, and buying more haha! Its a fun and rewarding reliable bike. I'm 67 and have come back into biking after 32 years - previously a Yam 750 shaft drive touring bike and find the 650 INT is so much easier to ride and the brakes are better! Great value for money! Also bought an R1200RT for the wife and I for touring haha!
I was at a motorcycle show the other day and rode two bikes I was looking to get, a KTM 690smc and a klx300sm along with the Royal Enfield int650. I came away most impressed with the Enfield. It was such a fun bike to ride at any speed, great character and at least competent at everything. Now trying to justify adding a supermoto and a Enfield in the garage. Wife won't be pleased
A good all around motorcycle that looks like a motorcycle. I don't want a race bike. I want a motorcycle that looks like a motorcycle. I hate the newer offerings from most manufacturers that look like some sort of an insect in the rear with a beak up front. I would not own such a thing. The Royal Enfield INT 650 is right up my alley, but I have a very short inseam so I'd have to replace the rear shocks with shorter ones and slide the forks up through the triple trees a bit further to lower it enough for me to reach the ground. That being said, if I were to purchase a pair of high quality progressive shocks the ride would be improved, and that is a good thing.
It’s also worth noting the number of aftermarket parts available for this bike-for both customization and performance. (Tec bike parts and Hitchcock’s in England, Baak in France, to name a few.) S&S offers not just mufflers but a cam, clutch, two different big bore kits and more. You might argue that someone who wants more performance should just buy a bigger bike but I see the bike (and so does Royal Enfield I think) as a platform. With four valves per cylinder and a six-speed transmission the bike is seriously overbuilt and begs to be pushed further.
I have it in that colorway! Definitely the best daily rider ever. Stylish, versatile, sufficient power, reliable, aftermarket is flourishing, great sound, great price. The only downsides in my experiece: A tad heavy, needs high preload in rear shocks (and I'm a very skinny, light guy. I'm guessing for heavier riders, a stiffer spring would be better) and the stock pipes, even though beautifully finished and gorgeously sounding, stick out sideways a bit too much. I'd rather have them a little closer to the rear wheel. It makes it look skinny, even though they are 130 (can fit 150s).
It is designed basically for india where u roads are very bad. Re needs to change the seat design and shock absorber settings for Europe and USA bikes where most roads are pretty good with no bumps compared to india
My friend, its an Intercepter, this is one of those times America needs to join the rest of us 😉 after all Int is simply an abbreviation for it, and certainly doesn't roll off the tongue 😝
@@Dukerdr yes royal enfields interceptor lawnmower also goes by int in the states. The 1976-79 Honda interceptor lawnmower got to the name first. Interestingly, husqvarna owns the rights to the name interceptor when it comes to both hedge trimmers and chainsaws
I love my Interceptor. I got a gel insert embedded in the seat which solved the problem with the seat's softness for the most part. I doubt it'll hold up for a really long distance trip, but it's good enough for a few hours of riding around town. It's a beautiful bike that is loads of fun to ride.
The seat is my only complaint. I upgraded to the touring seat, but it's not much better. I can get 20 more miles w/o my arse hurting. I'm looking at a Corbin next year.
I bought a Continental GT in the Black Magic colour scheme and ordered matching black fenders and tail group as well. Also got fork gaiters, fly screen, and solo seat. It is a stunning machine and a pure joy to ride. Nice one RE!
I also own a interceptor 650 Baker Express. The bike which is shown is slightly different from what other countries get as the turn signals are also rectangular instead of the circular ones. The stock exhaust is longer than this one with chrome finish.
He says, at 21:40 - "I'm not looking for a bike that has Top Performance in every category; I want a bike that just DOES EVERYTHING WELL." This what many of us have been asking for for 20 years, since the Mfr's turned away from Standards, (NO, ADV's are not Standards). Long Live the Suzuki Bandit series! My GSF1200 is the King of Versatility.
"Baker Express is the best paint job on the Interceptor 650" he said with a bit of bias :) Thanks for the commute review Michael. If I go back to an office it'll probably be by motorcycle and it helps to get some other opinions on it all.
Great complete informative video thank you. Royal Enfield is making bikes for the main stream riders. We don’t need Rocket speed or a half dozen ride and suspension modes. We want a great looking bike that feels good, sounds good and fun to ride that won’t require you to sell your first born to purchase it. I love what Royal Enfield is doing!
I can't even make it past the 5 minute mark without falling asleep to this. Even after a coffee and the 3rd try, the presentation style is like an injection of comatose inducing anaesthetic
@@tanujsoni3057 Royal Enfield was British. Later the subsidiary, Royal Enfield (India) bought the parent company. Now RE has its HQ in Chennai, TN in India.
The seat is not that bad, but royal enfield provide a touring seat and there's a couple of aftermarket seats. But as I said, i made 300 a day during 4 days in a row and its quite good the fact that you can change your posture.
I bought one of these (actually it was the 650 GT, its non-identical twin brother). Love the bike, looks fantastic, more than enough non-peaky power for me. But I'm a short guy and even though the GT seat is slightly lower than the INT seat which is not that high it was too high for me. I fixed that with 30mm shorter rear shocks and no that did not destroy the handling, in some ways its better, more directionally stable i.e. less nervous and loves to just track down the road straight but entering corners requires a tad more deliberate intent than before, suites me. If I wanted to return to the original slightly more agile handling characteristics I could slide the front forks up in their clamps 30mm or so but for the moment I'm happy how it rides. Visually I see no change. The only other thing I don't like is the weight, at 200kg these bikes are at the limit of what I can restore to vertical after dropping them. All of my modifications have been to reduce that weight.
Adequate is good. An amazing bike, very well balanced. 1960s California was pure magic. Since then the infrastructure has gone to the dogs.. To enjoy California roads these days, you need a Himalayan! 😄
Nice review. I am a returning rider after 30 years or so. I let my heart rule my head and bought a '20 CGT 650 Black Magic back in Jul '20! You do need to point out that you don't have the standard exhausts - I noticed the S&S! I am just awaiting the imminent arrival of a pair of TEC slip on mufflers that seem quite similar to the S&S. It is just plain fun to ride and stupid good value for money.
When I first started riding motorcycles in the 60's if you had a 650 twin you had the fastest thing on the road. I've owned faster since but there is something special about that 650 twin. Maybe a 650 is the perfect size for a motorcycle. With RE you get EFI, ABS, counterbalanced engine, and three year unlimited warranty. It is a bargain at $6000.
These are definitely on my short list, all I hear is positive comments out there too. Sounds good, looks fantastic & here in Aus they are only $10k. If it could do wheelies it would be the icing on the cake.
Retro bikes were never made with wheelies in mind, that shit is a newish fetish probably from the 70s or 80s sports bikes like the two stroke kawasaki or yams!
That was a fine review that only bolsters my desire to get a nice used Interceptor in a year or three, when they're in my price neighborhood--the one with the broken malt liquor bottles, crack vials and stray three-legged dogs. Until then, I'll just have to content myself plodding around on my 15 year old Bullet 500 single "thumper", which actually has its own unique virtues. But someday...
Look at 11:30 how the frame rate of the camera matches the speed of the wheels of the car that passes him on the right side, creating the illusion these wheels barely turn :)
Twin 350 is not in the pipeline,they recently released whole new 350cc engine which is way more refined from current 350s they sell, so not buy any 350s if you are not in India, in India they released meteor 350 with the new engine and its damn good.
Pretty sure that good sounding exhaust is not stock. Looked to be S&S aftermarket cans during the walk around in the beginning. Note the logo. Stock cans are larger and polished rather than the brushed seen here.
Actually in India - RE enthusiasts Swap the actual pads Just the pads with Aftermarket brake pads from Expensive brands - the steel braided lines & master cylinder and brake callipers are are capable of handling different brake pads too. Also in India Enthusiasts change the chain after it’s gone to DID brand chain. The halogen headlights are also very easy swap here in India Many swap for a coupler to coupler swap of headlights
@@gracefourusall Not the most comfortable thing I've ever sat on, but I'm huge and I come from cruisers. It's more than adequate for an hour ride but I wouldn't go too far past that without a break. Did 2 hours home the day I got it and felt like I'd been horseback riding.
@@Crouse_Property_Maintenance That's what I have found too. An hour is tops & then you have to break every 20 mins. I upgraded to the touring seat, it's not much better. I'm considering an air hawk cushion or a Corbin Seat. My wife won't ride with me until the issue is resolved, it broke her on the first trip.
review bikes now delivered with S&S cans. The stock ones aren't bad at all just large and heavy and restrictive. swap them for free flow cans and soon free flow headers. This is a very nice motorcycle to own and ride
Help!! Trying to decide on buying an RE Interceptor vs Benelli 502c. For a lot of in town, busy traffic in Merida Yucatan, Mexico. Both around same HP but Interceis 650 cc and Benelli is 500 cc. Also key point is carrying a passenger
According to MOTOBOB, the interceptor is now the best selling motorcycle in the U.K. I think that it attests to the fact that it's the motorcycle a lot of us actually want.
It's a modern classic, and it's cheap.
@Back2Bay6 I ride a 2005 Bandit 650. Part of the appeal is that it’s a good looking, old timey motorcycle but part of it is that it doesn’t cost me too much. I’m far from seeing the point of spending $10k and up for a toy. If it had some sort of practical purpose maybe, but I drive a beater car for the same reason. I like to keep my money.
@Back2Bay6 you are suffering from a preferential bias.
@Back2Bay6 you are saying triump engineers in Harris engineering UK did a shitty job in new Royal enfield Interceptor 650
@Dharmic Science Where I live we have speed limits that are enforced, enough so that if you habitually speed, you'll start racking up demerit points. Your insurance will become really expensive and eventually you'll be looking at a license suspension. So most of the time I ride within the legal tolerance zone of the speed limit and buying a bike with 150 hp would be a waste.
I saw an orange one parked up while working in Paris. It looks even better in person. The lines, the proportions, and the colour of that orange tank/silver rims combo are just drop dead stunning.
they look bigger and better in person
Simplicity
Orange is the fastest color!
I'm a American 20 year old. About to pick one up for my self their a dealership 4 towns away from me
@@RangKlos Red ... see the sports stats !
Massive seller here in Europe really well sorted package and styled almost perfectly for a low entry price, A true Winner. RE have a big development center in England with a ton of ex Triumph guy's kinda show's in this product.
And a design center in Chennai, India and a great manufacturing unit in Chennai.....
@@mviv6339 it's manufactured in India but gets new r and d from places worldwide
@@ashyyyk8098 agreed
Now that’s what I call a motorcycle
Bought mine in June 2019. Nearly 13k miles now. Everything from below sea level in the California desert to 10,236 ft in the Sequoia national forest. Even at 115 Fahrenheit oil temp doesn't exceed 190F.
As far as handling I've dragged pegs, center stand and pipes. It does handle.
Already own a GT650. I see Royal Enfield, gotta watch it anyways lol.
Always nice to see others reaffirm our decision 😀
😉
Heck yeah. Rep your brand. How’s the paint and chrome holding up? Any issues with your bike?
Me too! I've only ridden a few other bikes in my life but my GT650 is by far the best. Just like in the video, it's not the best at anything but nothing is as good at everything as my RE.
Do u have any back pain or wrist pains ...how is gt for long rides
Nothing but pure pleasure and fun. I purchased the Himalayan first but sold it and move on to the Interceptor. I have nothing but great things to say about this bike. Thanks for the review.
Great review of a great bike. I agree with Tyler that no one should be put off by the ‘suited to inexperienced or novice riders’ comment. I have owned a ‘Glitter and Dust’ (Chrome) Interceptor for 18 months. I have multiple bikes including a 180hp Superbike and a 1750cc Cruiser and I find myself riding the Enfield the most! After 40+ years of riding, this bike has put the fun back into motorcycling for me.
I had a superbike and sold it and bought this bike, same paint job... no regrets. Love the bike.
RE nailed it with the 650 twins.
Hoping to get some more amazing & affordable machines from RE!
Waiting for the 650 Cruiser :-D
@@choudhurysudip666 it’s here!
I have had mine for just over a year. It has been flawless! That slipper clutch is also boosted for a light touch. One of my favorite things is the ability to personalize it. Everything can be changed with simple hand tools. I might have missed it but that S&S set of mufflers is awesome and should be mentioned.
What are your thoughts on the seat?
@@gracefourusall you should upgrade it to the touring seat
Booked my INT 650 yesterday. So proud to see an Indian Brand doing so well all across the world. 🇮🇳
This is not from India it’s made in England.
@@abdullahal-shimri3091 You need to check your facts man. RE is an Indian Brand.
@@VarunSharma-cf7ir Dude, you need to check your facts 😂, it's a british brand but it's made in india
@@deepakmishra3693 Bhai, please do you research before commenting. RE is owned by Eicher since 1960s (Probably 50s). EIcher is an Indian Brand. Almost all of it's manufacturing is done at it's Chennai facility.
@@abdullahal-shimri3091 originally a British brand but now an indian brand made in india .
About time you guys featured this bike :) Great ride!
This is the #1 bike on my list for next year. Makes about the same power as my Vulcan 500, but the standard style is my favorite, where you're upright but not cramped. There's really no other options for that. And the price and build quality is amazing. The sound reminds me of my old Honda twin also, which was my favorite sounding bike I ever owned!
Kawasaki Z900rs. Your gonna pay for it though. Found my new old stock Z900rs for $8,350. So there are deals to be had if you look. I can't help myself but to keep mine on the back tire whenever I take off though!
I hate how all these videos label anything smooth and responsible as a beginner bike. Some people like reasonable bikes.
No kidding! And not going WOT or slamming on the brakes at the last second to show how cool you and the bike are. Idiots ride like that.
They're just saying that they're beginner friendly
And some riders want to go back to reasonable and easy to maintain bikes.
I've been riding and racing for 20 years. This bike interests me.
THANK YOU FINALLY SOMEONE WITH COMMON SENSE. Motorcycle doesnt have to equal = SPEED SPEED SPEED SPEED... American riders act like PRE programmed robots who think everything has to be the fastest or it sucks. If thwy truly loved riding theyd understand that going dangerously fast isnt the only way to ride
Best bike I've ever owned. Really enjoyed it.
Do you still own one and ride it? Thanks 🏍️
Simplicity and functionality that is dependable! Looks great and is affordable! What more can you ask for!
I've had my bum on an Aussie delivered RE Interceptor 650 for 8 months now. Royal Enfield can give themselves a huge pat on the back, unbelievably good bike.. even better with S&S mufflers and hi flow air filter kit. Easy servicing, great handling, what's not to like? love mine. 👍
So as a 2020 Interceptor Baker Express owner, it's one of my favorites. She sits alongside a Ducati Supersport S and it's a tough choice daily. It's such an enjoyable bike to ride, it gets down the road smoothly and easily. No gimmicks, no rider modes, just hop on and enjoy. I'm an experienced rider and Love it! I had a BMW R9T previous but it was a bit boring being honest. This R.E. has much more character then the R9T did. It's one of the best values out there easily. Can't recommend these bikes enough.
One of the best things to do is upgrade the rear shocks and get the touring seat from R.E. I have a bunch of parts added to mine from TEC bike parts and it's such a joy that it's affordable to buy and modify.
I absolutely love mine. It may be the most fun I've ever had on a road bike. It is remarkably well designed. I do wish it had a bit more thrust coming out of corners, but it's a responsive bike and has made me work on maintaining my cornering speed, which is making me a better rider. The more I ride it the more I appreciate it just the way it comes from the factory. I've added a tail rack, which is the extent of my modifications. The suspension is ok, but could certainly stand an upgrade. The fit and finish is quite good. The fuel mapping is spot on. The clutch and gearbox are buttery smooth and the gearing is just right. The ergonomics are wonderfully comfortable for an old man. I don't feel old and arthritic on it like when trying to make my body comply with the torture device known as a modern sport bike. It's easy to maintain. You can actually see the spark plugs and no plastic to remove before doing basic stuff like an oil change. The rockers are easy to get to and have screw adjusters for setting valve clearance rather than shim and bucket. It has a center stand, which to me is essential on a road bike. The price made it an easy choice. It has classic good looks unlike all this weird RoadWarrior/Transformers/StarWars stuff you see so much of these days. I have a few other bikes in the garage, but it's this 650 twin that calls to me enticing me to go ride. I do really love this bike.
It’s the most reliable 650cc that you can buy today. Being the oldest bike manufacturer in the history of bike manufacturing, Royal Enfield has put in all its experience to make that perfect balance and still keep the cost the cheapest (inspite of using brands like Harris Performance for chassis, Gabriel shock absorbers, ByBre brakes, Bosch ABS and Pirelli Phantom tyres.) I had Royal Enfield’s other models for the better half of my riding career, but this is unlike any RE before! I have taken it to altitudes of 5,500 mts or roughly 18,000 ft with no roads, very less oxygen and freezing temperatures, I’ve also taken it to hot and humid places where the temperatures average around 110* Fahrenheit or 42* Celsius and it never complained or broke down on me! A 650cc engine with 47 horses is actually adequate for practical real world usability and this was never meant for the tracks. That’s why we Indians 🇮🇳 love this machine...😊😊😊
Really. My friends had so many issues with his gt 650. Rust everywhere. A fuel meter that doesn't work, and the whole gauge goes haywire if we wash it. It's a good bike though.
@@josephilip2136 I personally did not face any rust issues, moreover I clean my bike on Sundays most of the time and check up on everything. Yes, fuel gauge is something which was never correct on any digital gauges that RE had. This has been reported to RE by a lot of customers but was never taken care of. Fun fact, few years back when the “Classic” 350 & 500, “Standard”, “Electra” was all we could buy, they didn’t even have gauges. Carbureted engines had a fuel key which had fuel settings to ‘Off’ ‘On’ ‘Reserve’ and that’s how we understood fuel level!
The best colour scheme too 👌🏻👍🏻
Ahah, I hesitate with the red and black one...
Michael, your mc commute vids have gotten very enjoyable, energy upped a bit and sound fixed, I now look forward to your commutes!! Thanks!!!
A very impressive motorcycle. I've owned the very same model for 6 months, would recommend to anyone.
A great move by R.E., this is one classic machine, very simple, durable and practical...INEXPENSIVE. I hope many people buy one; what a perfect first motorcycle.
Not perfect just as a first bike, but as an all-around bike to travel on and commute. I've had a ton of bikes and have come to the conclusion that less really is more sometimes.
@@davidskogley3570 I've had 26 bikes over 40 years; smaller bikes can be huge fun for tight/urban riding situations, (I used to rent Honda CBR150RR bikes in Thialand); but for any real riding on our big American roads... I need a Torque Monster. My modded GSF1200 has 120 hp/84 lbs of torque.. my SV1000S has about the same. OOMPAH at 75 mph! Addictive.
I've had one for two years. Had zero problems during that time, taking lots of three- to five-day trips, great for touring if you don't try to put too many hours on it in one day.
I think the days of mega high HP bikes is on its way out really and this is why more modest bikes like this are selling so well. You can use all that it's got every ride, safely at sensible speeds but in comfort and having so much fun.
Cool bike. Great local commuter, college parking ha, PCH cruiser, and priced right with ABS. Big seat for the hotties to jump on! 👌🏽💯
You in california bro? How does it feel riding in the freeway?
@@kuyaclyde2302 Sorry didn't see your question earlier. Yes riding in socal is great. Freeway is usually best to jump in the carpool lane, kinda protected and you can cruise ~75-80mph with no stress. We can also lane-split and filter, no problem most cars here are aware of bikes, just never outrun your brakes. All good -- take care bro!
I love the fact of all the custom parts and accessories for RE that allow you to turn it into "your" motorcycle, from Ohlins suspension to 2-1 exhaust to a chrome tank rack. There's a lot to be said for simplicity.
I have a 2021 Mark three and I’ve been riding it every day
How many miles do you have on your 21? I have 830 on mine but it's gotten cold enough in Chicago that it is put away now.
@@keithert 200 from late November till now👌
I liked it enough that I bought one
Just sold my classic 500 and bought the interceptor
@@gordonshaw6231 nice move
Same
How are you liking yours so far? I moved to an area that has a dealer and was interested but also nervous because it's rare to see a new bike under $6k that isn't crap.
@@Gaverny Dude there's plenty of owner reviews on the bike post a one year period of owning the bike on UA-cam. Personally to me the real reason why this bike sells a lot is cos it's cheap/affordable & simple with a more than decent reliability that comes at that low price & the best part is this bike is easy & cheap to customise & modify as per personal liking too.If you feel certain parts of the bike feel cheap just replace them with better parts. This is the kinda bike u can let urself take liberties with cutomising & modding as opposed to a more expensive brand where you mostly find more reasons hold urself back which range from price, warranty & what not.
Great accurate review - down to the details, road HP, weight on the scales.... yes I've had mine for nearly two years, based on reviews like this but mainly those from UK and Australia. Added a whole lot of detailing extras, and buying more haha! Its a fun and rewarding reliable bike. I'm 67 and have come back into biking after 32 years - previously a Yam 750 shaft drive touring bike and find the 650 INT is so much easier to ride and the brakes are better! Great value for money! Also bought an R1200RT for the wife and I for touring haha!
I was at a motorcycle show the other day and rode two bikes I was looking to get, a KTM 690smc and a klx300sm along with the Royal Enfield int650. I came away most impressed with the Enfield. It was such a fun bike to ride at any speed, great character and at least competent at everything. Now trying to justify adding a supermoto and a Enfield in the garage. Wife won't be pleased
Thank you for this! I have been eyeing this motorcycle for a while now and your review is much appreciated!
A good all around motorcycle that looks like a motorcycle. I don't want a race bike. I want a motorcycle that looks like a motorcycle. I hate the newer offerings from most manufacturers that look like some sort of an insect in the rear with a beak up front. I would not own such a thing.
The Royal Enfield INT 650 is right up my alley, but I have a very short inseam so I'd have to replace the rear shocks with shorter ones and slide the forks up through the triple trees a bit further to lower it enough for me to reach the ground. That being said, if I were to purchase a pair of high quality progressive shocks the ride would be improved, and that is a good thing.
It’s also worth noting the number of aftermarket parts available for this bike-for both customization and performance. (Tec bike parts and Hitchcock’s in England, Baak in France, to name a few.) S&S offers not just mufflers but a cam, clutch, two different big bore kits and more. You might argue that someone who wants more performance should just buy a bigger bike but I see the bike (and so does Royal Enfield I think) as a platform. With four valves per cylinder and a six-speed transmission the bike is seriously overbuilt and begs to be pushed further.
My buddy just bought this bike in this color. He really loves it. I can't wait to ride it!
Thank You for good overview and for Your easy to hear comments (for non English speakers) all through video.
I'm from the U.S. and I have always heard it referred to as the Intercepter not Int. Like the review. This truly is a great bike.
Honda owns trademark on the name “interceptor” in the USA - that is the only reason they officially have to name it INT
I have it in that colorway! Definitely the best daily rider ever. Stylish, versatile, sufficient power, reliable, aftermarket is flourishing, great sound, great price. The only downsides in my experiece: A tad heavy, needs high preload in rear shocks (and I'm a very skinny, light guy. I'm guessing for heavier riders, a stiffer spring would be better) and the stock pipes, even though beautifully finished and gorgeously sounding, stick out sideways a bit too much. I'd rather have them a little closer to the rear wheel. It makes it look skinny, even though they are 130 (can fit 150s).
It is designed basically for india where u roads are very bad.
Re needs to change the seat design and shock absorber settings for Europe and USA bikes where most roads are pretty good with no bumps compared to india
Just bought a RE Interceptor 650 Baker express. And it is amazing!
My friend, its an Intercepter, this is one of those times America needs to join the rest of us 😉 after all Int is simply an abbreviation for it, and certainly doesn't roll off the tongue 😝
I agree. I'm trying to be a trend setter 💪
It's likely that some other company has the rights to "interceptor" in the US.
@@DanTube2010 BINGO !! Honda owns the rights to the name as applied to motorcycles. And maybe lawn mowers...;)
Honda used to call the VFRs Interceptors, could be they still own that trademark in the US.
@@Dukerdr yes royal enfields interceptor lawnmower also goes by int in the states. The 1976-79 Honda interceptor lawnmower got to the name first. Interestingly, husqvarna owns the rights to the name interceptor when it comes to both hedge trimmers and chainsaws
I love my Interceptor. I got a gel insert embedded in the seat which solved the problem with the seat's softness for the most part. I doubt it'll hold up for a really long distance trip, but it's good enough for a few hours of riding around town. It's a beautiful bike that is loads of fun to ride.
I have a small size air hawk pad on mine. It really helps.
The seat is my only complaint. I upgraded to the touring seat, but it's not much better. I can get 20 more miles w/o my arse hurting. I'm looking at a Corbin next year.
I bought a Continental GT in the Black Magic colour scheme and ordered matching black fenders and tail group as well. Also got fork gaiters, fly screen, and solo seat. It is a stunning machine and a pure joy to ride. Nice one RE!
Not bulky, not overly tall, not plastic everywhere.
Drove one today with factory loud replacement exhaust, loved it . Way more fun than my harley switchback
Best selling bike over 125cc since it hit the UK market.
Looks better in solid orange though.
Or possibly the chrome tank, for that retro look
@@kevindarkstar it's definitely the orange or the red&black for me.
i love the ventura blue color
Love my Baker Express Interceptor 650, every mile gives me a smile
I also own a interceptor 650 Baker Express. The bike which is shown is slightly different from what other countries get as the turn signals are also rectangular instead of the circular ones. The stock exhaust is longer than this one with chrome finish.
He says, at 21:40 - "I'm not looking for a bike that has Top Performance in every category; I want a bike that just DOES EVERYTHING WELL." This what many of us have been asking for for 20 years, since the Mfr's turned away from Standards, (NO, ADV's are not Standards). Long Live the Suzuki Bandit series! My GSF1200 is the King of Versatility.
One of the best motorcycle by RE 💕
"Baker Express is the best paint job on the Interceptor 650" he said with a bit of bias :) Thanks for the commute review Michael. If I go back to an office it'll probably be by motorcycle and it helps to get some other opinions on it all.
I took one to 90 mph, and didn't even need 6th gear for it. I nearly bought one, but got a Honda 400 instead. Maybe later, it's a smooth engine.
Great looking bike, I can see myself and the missus going down to the beach for a swim...
Great complete informative video thank you. Royal Enfield is making bikes for the main stream riders. We don’t need Rocket speed or a half dozen ride and suspension modes. We want a great looking bike that feels good, sounds good and fun to ride that won’t require you to sell your first born to purchase it. I love what Royal Enfield is doing!
Now that is how to review a motorcycle! Bravo sir.
Proud to see an Indian Manufacturer Bike on this channel
Wonderful review, my man. Looking at picking one up this weekend and I appreciate the honest review.
That's not the real exhaust note! it has an S&S exhaust.
yeah, they should mention that at the beginning
North America gives it as standard I guess.
If im not mistaken its offered as a factory accessory
Yes, and the original one looks better and sounds deeper in my opinion 👍🏼
Thinking of buying one. What’s the Lowest OTD price that I would expect from a dealer? Thanks
Imagine everyone riding these bikes and being happy to do so. I have a 76 gl1000 and it runs down the great
I just want to remind everyone that BungeeGum has both the properties of Rubber and of Gum.
oh ok
🧠 = 💥
😂 truly a man of culture
A hxh fan I see
😂😂🤣🤣
Nice Review , Thankyou .
.
Getting interceptor this month , that review made me feel Confident , and like I was riding it , Thanks
I can't even make it past the 5 minute mark without falling asleep to this. Even after a coffee and the 3rd try, the presentation style is like an injection of comatose inducing anaesthetic
Proud To See An Indian Brand Review 🇮🇳🇺🇸
Well Royal Enfield is British! It just sells very good in India. and that's why they manufactur in India!
@@tanujsoni3057 Royal Enfield was British. Later the subsidiary, Royal Enfield (India) bought the parent company. Now RE has its HQ in Chennai, TN in India.
The seat is not that bad, but royal enfield provide a touring seat and there's a couple of aftermarket seats. But as I said, i made 300 a day during 4 days in a row and its quite good the fact that you can change your posture.
I bought one of these (actually it was the 650 GT, its non-identical twin brother). Love the bike, looks fantastic, more than enough non-peaky power for me. But I'm a short guy and even though the GT seat is slightly lower than the INT seat which is not that high it was too high for me. I fixed that with 30mm shorter rear shocks and no that did not destroy the handling, in some ways its better, more directionally stable i.e. less nervous and loves to just track down the road straight but entering corners requires a tad more deliberate intent than before, suites me. If I wanted to return to the original slightly more agile handling characteristics I could slide the front forks up in their clamps 30mm or so but for the moment I'm happy how it rides. Visually I see no change. The only other thing I don't like is the weight, at 200kg these bikes are at the limit of what I can restore to vertical after dropping them. All of my modifications have been to reduce that weight.
i wasn't a big fan of RE's but this particular bike changed that.
Awesome machine 👍🏼
And, a cool review 😎
Adequate is good. An amazing bike, very well balanced. 1960s California was pure magic. Since then the infrastructure has gone to the dogs.. To enjoy California roads these days, you need a Himalayan! 😄
Nice review. I am a returning rider after 30 years or so. I let my heart rule my head and bought a '20 CGT 650 Black Magic back in Jul '20! You do need to point out that you don't have the standard exhausts - I noticed the S&S! I am just awaiting the imminent arrival of a pair of TEC slip on mufflers that seem quite similar to the S&S. It is just plain fun to ride and stupid good value for money.
Where you're at, can you turn right on red without stopping? 6:00
Great review, thanks. (UK)
Just booked my INT 650 with same colour scheme (baker express), here in India yesterday ❤️
Worth every penny 🙏🏽
feels even better after this review.
Awesome review and thanks for sharing big love from Australia 😊😊😊
Royal Enfield is working on a cruiser and possibly a bobber as well with the same engine and gearbox combo...
Nice
Save the seat. I'd go with an Air Hawk seat cushion that you can fine tune to your liking for longer rides.
When I first started riding motorcycles in the 60's if you had a 650 twin you had the fastest thing on the road. I've owned faster since but there is something special about that 650 twin. Maybe a 650 is the perfect size for a motorcycle. With RE you get EFI, ABS, counterbalanced engine, and three year unlimited warranty. It is a bargain at $6000.
These are definitely on my short list, all I hear is positive comments out there too. Sounds good, looks fantastic & here in Aus they are only $10k. If it could do wheelies it would be the icing on the cake.
Retro bikes were never made with wheelies in mind, that shit is a newish fetish probably from the 70s or 80s sports bikes like the two stroke kawasaki or yams!
10K $ ,reeeeeee! It costs around 2,800$ here.
@@noname13years62 ausiee dollars
@@noname13years62 it don't cost 2800$ anywhere in the world even in india. In india it's around 3600$ ex showroom price.
That was a fine review that only bolsters my desire to get a nice used Interceptor in a year or three, when they're in my price neighborhood--the one with the broken malt liquor bottles, crack vials and stray three-legged dogs. Until then, I'll just have to content myself plodding around on my 15 year old Bullet 500 single "thumper", which actually has its own unique virtues. But someday...
Or as my grandmother used to mistakenly call a 3-legger in her neighborhood, a "one-legged dog".
Great review. Luv this bike. Thinking about getting one. 2021's are all sold. Taking orders for 2022 in august 2021
Thanks for review!
Just wait for my Interceptor 650 2020 Mark Three from local dealer with any upgrades👌
Look at 11:30 how the frame rate of the camera matches the speed of the wheels of the car that passes him on the right side, creating the illusion these wheels barely turn :)
Hawk-eyes, brother.
The only Royal Enfield I'd buy right now. But I heard they plan on making a twin 350. So let's wait for that.
Twin 350 is not in the pipeline,they recently released whole new 350cc engine which is way more refined from current 350s they sell, so not buy any 350s if you are not in India, in India they released meteor 350 with the new engine and its damn good.
Just today saw few of these bikes on road here in India and they do look quite impressive.
Can you tell my more about the second dairy balancing shaft?
Moo
Guys, quit milking this.
@@Roger_Ramjet Don't have a cow man.
Just a shaft with some counterwhey, can't be sheep though
Sorry, I'm lactose intolerant.
Great review I will be getting one soon hopefully..🥂here in the Uk 🇬🇧
Love those inline parallel twins...
A really good motorcycle by RE💙
Pretty sure that good sounding exhaust is not stock. Looked to be S&S aftermarket cans during the walk around in the beginning. Note the logo. Stock cans are larger and polished rather than the brushed seen here.
It's the s&s...I saw the logo
@@MinhTruong101 yep. Exactly.
@@dustytriumph I'm surprised it didn't add any power. The 2 in 1 stinger exhaust plus intake cost about the same but added about 8hp on the dyno.
I got the same motorcycle and I love it!!
I love this channel
The reason I want it is to update those fugly lights. Some of my 1st mods are the signals and the Royal Enfiled LED headlight that is a capital “R”
Actually in India - RE enthusiasts Swap the actual pads Just the pads with Aftermarket brake pads from Expensive brands - the steel braided lines & master cylinder and brake callipers are are capable of handling different brake pads too.
Also in India Enthusiasts change the chain after it’s gone to DID brand chain.
The halogen headlights are also very easy swap here in India Many swap for a coupler to coupler swap of headlights
I love my INT650. I'm 5'11" damn near 300lb and it still scoots. Fuel pump died at 400 miles, so be ready for that.
But your three year warranty will sort it 😁
What are your thoughts on the seat?
@@gracefourusall Not the most comfortable thing I've ever sat on, but I'm huge and I come from cruisers. It's more than adequate for an hour ride but I wouldn't go too far past that without a break. Did 2 hours home the day I got it and felt like I'd been horseback riding.
@@kevindarkstar That's what they said. Will have to toss it in the truck and head for the dealership.
@@Crouse_Property_Maintenance That's what I have found too. An hour is tops & then you have to break every 20 mins. I upgraded to the touring seat, it's not much better. I'm considering an air hawk cushion or a Corbin Seat. My wife won't ride with me until the issue is resolved, it broke her on the first trip.
review bikes now delivered with S&S cans. The stock ones aren't bad at all just large and heavy and restrictive. swap them for free flow cans and soon free flow headers. This is a very nice motorcycle to own and ride
Sounds like the perfect Standard Bike. Can it cruise at 80 mph all day?
Fantastic review 👍
Help!! Trying to decide on buying an RE Interceptor vs Benelli 502c. For a lot of in town, busy traffic in Merida Yucatan, Mexico. Both around same HP but Interceis 650 cc and Benelli is 500 cc. Also key point is carrying a passenger
Iam very proud to tell that ROYAL ENFIELD belongs to INDIA
Stop it! It's cringe
@@akhil1781 why ?