Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 build quality | Stripdown review
Вставка
- Опубліковано 24 кві 2020
- Part one of our series of long-term reviews of the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. In this episode, we take it to pieces to have a closer look at the build quality, the welds, the finish. Just how reliable do we think it will be? You can read more about this bike here: www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial...
Until 12 July 2020, Bennetts Rewards members can send us their comments and register their interest for an owners' meet at rewards.bennetts.co.uk/reward...
For exclusive offers on a massive range of bike kit and events, visit rewards.bennetts.co.uk
#RoyalEnfield #Interceptor #Reliability
SUBSCRIBE FOR OTHER VIDEOS & UPDATES
ua-cam.com/users/subscription_...
LET’S CONNECT!
Twitter ▻ / bennetts_bike
Facebook ▻ / bennettsbike
Instagram ▻ / bennetts_bike - Авто та транспорт
Sorry for the confusion in saying that there's no fuel gauge - there is of course; I show it! What I meant to say was that there's no economy gauge... sorry about that! John
While I have you though, check out this video of the Interceptor being weighed by hanging it from a tractor! ua-cam.com/video/CNvOex17KLs/v-deo.html
It's ok, the brim to brim method is the most accurate anyway - so long as the odometer reading is accurate.
Thanks for the such a informative video. We are in India missing too..those days when we ride in hills on RE. ua-cam.com/video/lK9iPty_wIM/v-deo.html
That tractor weigh was hilarious
There is one thing I just don't get: why is it a problem to ride a motorbike during lockdown. Excuse me if I am not aware of any special lockdown measure you might have in the UK but where I live (Switzerland) lockdown measures are pretty strict just as everywhere, yet we can still hit the road as long as we keep social distancing. Is it forbidden to leave your home in the UK?
@@JosipRadnik1 we can ride but for essential journeys only i.e work or food shopping.
I have been biker for for 52 years and have owned all sorts of bikes, I bought an Interceptor 650 in March and have only done 180 miles on it but I have to say it is fabulous and exceptional value for money. To put things in context before the Interceptor I owned a Triumph Tiger 800 XCX and did 14000 miles in two years and it didn't miss a beat, I do not plan to do the same level of mileage on the Interceptor but the Tiger did not have soul like the Interceptor does and everytime I park it up when I walk away I look back. Try one and rediscover your biking mojo.
Yup, its the SOUL. Not many bike has that..
Haven't had a bike for over 30 years. As soon as I saw the Interceptor I went, "wow i want one!" I have decided that I am getting a bike again. First I'll have to save up for half the deposit.
Almost exactly the same, here! Perhaps because of the honest "bike's look", don't looks like a spaceship or so. I loved it and I'll have one!
only been about 10 or so years for me but same. im going to get one soon
Well int650 only costs 5700 $ so you wouldn't have to save up for a long time , goodluck
@@dwrkgrn1272 , we are having difficult times here in Brazil. Thanks, good luck for you too.
Yep, same here, cheers from NZ
I got one Glitter & Dust since May 2019, it cost 7500€ here in Portugal. 500€ because it's the chrome version. I have about 6000km's on it, made the 2 services (1000 and 5000) and will do the 3rd once it hits 10000 km's. I use to ride it to work everyday with pillion about 70km's and it it is simply a dream bike, other riders give you thumbs up in traffic, people on the sidewalk stare at it almost always. It does take maintenance, I take 2 hours cleaning it every other week. It's only beautiful if you keep those chromes attended! :)
@@mikeskidmore6754 Wait, aren't the European versions manufactured in UK or are they imported from India? 20%tax seems too much on motorcycles manufactured in EU and sold in the EU. Or am I missing Brexit?
Ive ridden everything from small to large and my interceptor is my favorite bike ive had in a long time!
Why? And is it still?
Just clocked 10,000 km on mine in 7 months. Hasn't missed a beat and hasn't used a drop of oil.
Very happy with my interceptor. The S&S pipes my dealer put on sound fabulous.
Same here. Just passed 6k miles. Doesn't use a drop of oil. I adjusted my own valves and let me tell you they are quality engineering.
Well really enjoyed the Video, Iam now in my 80th year , and stopped riding when I was 24yrs and my last bike back then was a R.E.Constallation 700cc Sports Twin which I loved , never had a bike for 54 years due to circumstaces, started back , 2+1/2 yrs ago did refreshment courses, since then I have had a H.D 885cc 2005 But it was to Heavy and what with carbs and all, put it in for a new Kawasaki Valcon 650cc, but that did not suit me, had a trial run on the Royal Enfield Interceptor , ordered on on the spot, waited for 8 weeks , what a fantastic bike it is, Like you I have the chrome, with the same screen, larger crash bars, since then have fitted the Booster Plug & DNA filter on the bike and also like you have had to change the shockers I did not feel safe with the stock ones Fitted with my weight and have fitted the Hagon 360mm Chrome shockers, and had a stainless steel carrier made and fitted. and to finish off the chrome tank a pair of Motone Union Jack Costom Knee Pads, the bike is very attractive and of course now we are in Lock Down and I can not go out at all, have been in lock down for 7 weeks now and want to set up my new shockers on a run, I must say that Hagon Staff Have been Just Wonderful and helpful, and understand this perdicument that we are all in at the present time, Ican not fault them at all, also Hitchcocks have been a great help, I am so pleased to be back to biking and have a good bunch of Friends to go riding with and will be glad when this Stay at home is lifted. Best Regards Bryan Medway
Fantastic - thanks Bryan!
Hero!
80 and buying a new bike!
Love it!
We can still ride and be covid safe. I take rubber gloves and a mask. For use older
guys, now is the time. Godspeed.
I'm seriously considering an Interceptor.. to ride back to yesteryear.. The LD is about control.. if you have a long enough memory you'll be able to connect the dots. Ride safe, but don't forget your face diaper. Next stop, Venezuela. lol
Couldn't agree more that this bike is fun, relaxing- just a pleasure to ride. I've just had the three hundred mile service done and am getting through the run in period with absolutely no problem. I did have to add some oil at about 200 miles, but that's normal. I agree, also, that the stock rear shocks could use an upgrade, but I can live with what's on there now. This motorcycle has plenty of power and torque and it corners beautifully. Overall, I'm extremely happy with the INT650! It's just a great modern classic with a great price point. Looking forward to getting through run in so I can really put the spurs to her. Very informative video, by the way. Thanks!
Stephen, what do you reckon the running in period is? I was given to think by the dealer that it was the first 300 miles but as I have a fair bit of experience with engines I am cautious about this. At the Triumph factory they run all new bikes at 90mph on a rolling road for three minutes before leaving the factory. I guess in the end there is no way of knowing without stripping the engine at 500, 1000, 1500 miles. I think all the tyres, wheel bearings, chain and so on would be run in after 300 miles
Adding oil after only 200 miles is normal? What is the reason for that?
I bought one in August last year. Just had the 3000 mile service completed by my local shop. At the last service the mechanic said he had tightened the spokes, so something owners might want to check regularly. This is the friendliest bike I ever rode and puts a smile on your face every time. Gets cleaned regularly and not ridden in the wet, but I have seen no deterioration on any of the parts. Riding is a joy and I have the most confident feeling entering any corner. Nothing has gone wrong with the bike, but I have added a couple of accessories ( Engine crash bars, Heated grips , Handlebar risers and a comfort seat ) I tried a Booster plug but found it gave an uneven tick over. The comfort seat is not really that comfortable and I am trying to find s solution. I think that round indicators similar to the 500 RE would look better. Overall the bike looks like a proper motorcycle , sounds great even with standard pipes and is quite quick enough for the style of machine.
Brilliant, thanks! John
Check out Spencer seats, I think his website is greatdaytoride. I have no personal experience, but forum members seem to rave about his work. He takes the stock seat apart, adds more comfortable gel/foam, and sends it back for maybe $100 or so. HTH
Enfield do a reasonably priced touring seat for the Interceptor.
Did the risers kick the bars back at all? Or just up?
@@paulscillia1274 Hitchcock's do a really good up and back bar riser. Much cheaper than the rip-off one that Motone do.
I've just gone out and bought a brand new one. One of the things that surprises me ( now that I have 600 miles on the clock) is how brisk it is- I hadn't expected it to perform so well. Not spectacularly fast or speedy but nice and lively and torquey- it performs almost identically with my youngest sons Guzzi V7 Stone 3. I'm looking forward to seeing more performance comparisons between the enfield and other similar classics as new buyers will want to know about this above all other criteria. Certainly I prefer riding it to the Hinckley 790 twin that I had. I also own a 1974 Triumph T140 which on paper; looks very similar performance wise but in fact, the Enfield is a lot more lively and so much smoother. Looking forward to more reviews.
It is easy to judge something because of the way it looks, the name on the badge and the price. I rode the Interceptor and the Continental GT last year and they were great for what they were. What they are is a cheap bike that can be easily customised to suit your taste, have a relaxed ‘classic’ riding experience (with modern reliability) and are good to look at (subjective, I know). I have owned a Triumph Street Twin and this was much of the same, but it was £2500 more - was it £2500 more bike? Probably not. People will choose a bike for many reasons, some for the name and some for the looks (other reasons are available). That is the great thing about bikes, they are all different ways of getting different people to the same places.
Had my orange crush forv12 months 6000klm in Australia
Gets better with every ride I am 63 and have not ridden for 40 years but this bike takes me back to a simpler time
Bought mine about a year ago, not quite, but almost. Been sharing the experience in UA-cam videos. It is a fantastic bike. Everything you need, and nothing you don't. It's priced accordingly.
Great video. Thanks for sharing this.
I think RE have changed a couple of small things since your review. I bought a new one shortly before shut down. It has a clear headlight glass with the reflector doing the beam bending. Also it has completely chromed exhausts, it doesn't have the silver strip of paint over the weld. I have done 600 miles and I love it. I have had loads of bikes from a 50cc Vespa to a Honda VFR and at my age (69) the RE is just perfection on wheels.
That is NOT "a silver strip of paint over the weld"! These are just the remains of an adhesive tape (probably some protection during transport). You can easily remove it with some drops of acetone...
You're age is a good joke for new couples sir
@@brunshildaneidottir5173 That's odd, you would think that a professional youtube critic would recognise it as tape. Anyway I like mine, it doesn't have paint or tape.
@@mridulmishra60 I'm actually 69 3/4. At my stage of life the 'three quarters' matters, there are going to be fewer of them :)
@@gasgas2689 Probably my mistake! I did not recognize it as paint and used some acetone to easily remove it, as I always do when a adhesive tape left its glue on something. Unfortunately I gave this advice also to other RE-owners who have been successfull also with petrol or alcohol. Will ask my RE-dealer to order some new "over the weld silver strip paint" for me so that I can try a repair.
Well, to say the least, it’s the best 650cc that money can buy right now. My Interceptor is a 2 month old “Orange Crush” but unfortunately it has got locked down due to the pandemic as you have mentioned. To give you a heads up, the bike has used all brands at what they do best to build it ground up. A small example would be Harris Performance, Brembo, Bosch, Pirelli, Exide to name a few. Moreover, the welds are top notch and not just good. The company has given its best for making a statement in the world market. All this considering the price at which you get the bike. Here in India 🇮🇳 I bought it at ₹312000, which is almost half the price of the next 650 parallel twin I can lay my hands on. I have taken it on bad patches, no roads, altitude of roughly 5000 mts and incline of around 45 degrees it never disappointed me. In a word Awesome is what I can say. Hope you share the same experience with yours as well.
Hey soumyadeep, just a small note, Harris performance was bought out by RE couple of years ago :)
@@dextermorgan2353 wow really?
Over 6200 miles on mine. The only mods are a tall fly screen and a digital oil temp gauge. From sea level to 10,236 ft down to the desert temps of 112 degrees it runs perfectly.
I bought mine at the beginning of (last) summer and put over a thousand miles on it, both locally (West country) and on a trip up to London. It really does remind me of the old ’64 A65 BSA I had in the early seventies, with its similar taut handling and torquey responsive twin cylinder feel… as long as I forget about the Beezer's crap brakes, vibes, and sometimes temperamental starting.
In Sept/Oct last year, I took it to SW France for five weeks of motorcycling fun - carrying the bike down by van ’cos I was taking a load of stuff down to my brother's place… Besides, I hate long motorway/autoroute rides on a bike, and I can do the tunnel to the Languedoc in an easy day's drive in my van. The van then stayed parked up most of the time, while I used the bike.
While down there, I took in a couple of my brother's classic bike club's events (as a tag along) and found the 650 had no issues pottering along with bikes dating from the nineteen twenties to the eighties on all kinds of roads, yet when out for a play in the mountains, chasing my brother's Triumph Thruxton, the RE's missing quarter of a litre wasn't an issue. The only time it showed was when getting to the ton on the open road, the Triumph had a few more miles an hour left. On the odd autoroute run, it cruised happily at the French limit (130kph) and was slim enough and agile enough to mix it with all the scooters etc. splitting lanes in the Béziers, Pézenas, and Montpellier rush hour city traffic.
We swapped bikes a couple of times, and both agreed that there was little practical difference in handling or tractability. The RE's natural line through hairpin bends is tighter than the Triumph's, but that's just geometry. The bike's flexible nature meant I could even get away with being in the wrong gear occasionally, when exiting those turns that catch you by surprise, whether going up or down hill.
On faster sweeping country roads, and mountain passes, the bike was faultless, while on broken surfaced tracks through the vines, or in the forest up in the high Hérault, it felt reassuringly steady with its ABS… it 's the perfect bike for those wonderful roads down there - If you're down that way, check out the D15 between Neffiès and Clermont l'Hérault… bliss on a bike. Getting 60mpg helps too (twice as good as my ’69 T350 Suzuki managed last year… but that's peaky two strokes for you), though even that improved to nearly 90mpg when pottering with the oldies in warm thunderstorms on country roads during one club ride-out (and the ABS came in handy, when in the mountains a 1920's Peugeot sidevalve missed a gear right in front of me, and stopped dead on a steep, wet, tight, uphill hairpin bend.)
I can't wait for this lock down to be over. All I get to use it for is those 'essential' shopping trips at present, though at least we're not as tightly locked down as my brother is in France.
This is fantastic, thanks Chris! John
You really are the king of the blooper reel, John. Yours are the only videos I watch to the end for the smiles. Interesting strip down, and I look forward to your upcoming reviews and seeing if it really is a cheaper alternative to the Triumph T100.
Cheers! John
Not wanting too sound like a stuck record but all the super expensive high tech very powerful bikes just don't give any real simple world smiles like a bike yu take even to get a small shop ...I've a himalayan have ridden intercepter ...they just make yu smile and very affordable. ...best of health cheers from dave
Utter rubbish. I ride a modern bike with all the latest tech. It’s brilliant.
Hi i do understand what your saying ,I have a honda cb1000r and a cb 500f that i use for commuting and winter riding, i find myself taking my 500 out for pleasure rides a lot now, dont know if its because i have reached the grand old age of 61 but that little 500 does make me grin like the village idiot when i ride it....
@@tonybland9226 I'm about 10 years older than you and I got one because I need something that's a bit lighter than my Honda ST1100 (owned from new). The Enfield is a perfect fit for an older rider; its not just the weight but the traditional shape makes it very much easier to mount and dismount from than a typical modern bike. I also have a Triumph -- a 1971 T100C -- and the Enfield shares a lot of riding characteristics with the older bike such as the weight distribution, the 'amusing' rear brake and so on. The Enfield is a bit anemic compared to the ST but its actually got similar power and torque figures to an original T120, just at higher RPM as its an undersquare motor. (You forget just how much tires and suspension has changed in 50-60 years).
I'm over the moon with mine. Bought sight unseen pre order be for launch. Been running classic Japanese bikes for last 12 years. All I can say is It is better in all respects than I expected. You can even push it and it still feels solid. Absolute joy to ride. 😎🏍️
I’ve been looking at these bikes for a year. They are lovely bikes for the money. Yes, one could pick they apart for little details, but for the money...
John - many thanks for this video; I'm certainly considering getting one sometime in the future as I haven't owned a bike for 13 years or so. I really want to get back to simplicity and an affordable budget. Anyway I am looking forward to your future reviews. Thanks again.
I have the same chrome tank RE INT650. Living in NYC is a challenge as a bike enthusiast but cause of lockdown I'm hunkered down in Pennsyvania and I've done a bunch of mods from tec bike parts and they really transformed the ride. Booster plug, DNA air filter, stainless cannon exhaust and shocks. To me this bike is priced to modify and make your own with a solid core as a starting point. I love it!
Hi, I really enjoyed your review with a difference, hope you got the bike back together ok. I've been thinking about getting one of these bikes for ages, and I'm just waiting now for a test ride on the 1st September.
I was walking towards my BMW K1600 gtl and glanced over the road at what I thought was an excellent restoration of an old British bike. It looked so good that I crossed over the road to go and take a closer look then after seeing the number plate and realising it was a new bike, I stood and stared at it for a while in admiration. I'm starting to kick on a bit in being years and know that one day my BMW will become too heavy and will have to downsize. As my bike is just a summer toy and I only do up to 2000 miles annually in dry weather, I am going to seriously consider purchasing one of these with a top box for my flask.
Just got one the day before. Sort of an upgrade from my old RE Thunderbird 350 (Single Cylinder)-2006. The performance at that price is completely amazing, might I say "Bobby Dazzler". Thanks RE for making such a great bike & Thanks John for the great video... Take care.
Royal Enfield appear to have stepped into market segment vacated by Triumph, a basic value for money retro styled simple fun bike. Great video, makes me want one actually.
Great video 👍 Just passed my A2 this week. The interceptor will definitely be my first bike as soon as I have the funds!
Well done. Enjoyed watching!
True value for money.
Thanks for the video and your comments about this very nice looking machine. I currently own two Triumphs but will likely be selling one of them to purchase a Royal Enfield Interceptor if we ever get out of lock down.
We will... hold tight and it'll be over soon! John
The Interceptor reminds me of the old Norton Commando I never had.I love it!!!
Many Thanks Bennett 👍. 👌 Review and it adds more weight to my decision of buying ReINT650 after lockdown. Love from 🇮🇳. Be safe ride safe.
Great video. I really appreciate how thorough you are. I am an American RE owner (scram 411) and I mostly love it but there are a few things that I would love to change as well. If I could have 2 bikes, I would always keep a RE in my stable.
I have the Ravishing Red Int650, I love it, it is just so fun to ride. Back roads or through town it's perfect. I have fun with adding accessories and doing other modifications which is just as fun as it is to ride it.
I have just bought one of these and will be collecting it tomorow so very excited
Brilliant! Enjoy! John
I am planning to buy this one next year. Nice and detailed review of 650.
Thank you, best review so far, I’m really enjoy it
I have one a Silver Spectre & I have done the TEC lighting kit which looks great & utilizers stock tail light housing & looks great on the front I didn't use the TEC headlight bracket as I thought it didn't look meatier enough so I used the Twinton Headlight bracket a hinge type that is used on Triumph Bobber along with the TEC led indicators & definitely cleans bike up.Also has S&S air filter & slip on's & booster plug which gives it a good kick in the pants & a huge 13% increase in mid range.Yss fork upgrade to dial the front in & the handling has gone from good to awesome.Motone up & overs Motone knee pads, Hitchcocks oil cooler guard, Hitchcocks chain guard & I absolutely love it with more mods to come.
6 days ago I purchased a continental gt 650. I've have been very happy with it. I think I will enjoy it more once I get past the first service.
Superb and interesting review. Really liked the fact that you showed the underneath of the bike eg quality of welds, finishing touches etc. 👍Been looking at one for a little while but just a little but concerned about the service cost/intervals? Keep safe
6000 mile service will need oil change and tappet check, 3000 mile service cost £68 at my local shop, no materials required, just checking and lubricating.
When everything opens again I plan on taking one of the 650's on a demo ride,the bike seems to appeal for those relaxing sunny day rides.
Have a look at the TEC Bike parts videos on UA-cam,they did a series of videos where they modified theirs into a 'Street Scrambler',they also lost a lot of weight in the process .
We are in India missing too..those days when we ride in hills on RE. ua-cam.com/video/lK9iPty_wIM/v-deo.html
I bought mine last year and I’ve got to say I’m really enjoying it. Especially after 12 years with the RE Bullet 350 Electra. Love the new engine, the gearbox (it’s finally lost that RE “character”) and the fact that ABS, good brakes and tyres are standard. I’ve done a little more than three thousand kilometres on her in a few different terrains while riding with more powerful bikes and found that she can hold her own. The only spot that stuck out was the suspension - there’s often a clunk from the front (not quite sure if it’s the disc arm or the shorter fork travel) on a rough terrain and the rear shocks feel stiff even after adjustments - but I haven’t been able to put my finger on it exactly, would love to see you cover that part more in your next video. Apart from that, I’m absolutely loving it!
Fantastic, thanks! John
the clunk comes when front fork gets fully out ! - ( to maximum length )
good bike for the price. I have done around 5000 km on it. Done 2 trips with friends on super bikes. Managed to keep up!!.
Upgraded the halogen headlight to auxbeam led. Also added hazard system with led bulbs for indicators and auxiliary lights by maddog. A little DIY project I Enjoyed doing.
Never tried to unmount the fuel tank though!!!.
Great video thanks, I managed to get 2500 kms on mine before lockdown over here
Things I don't like on it? the gear shift (but you get used to it), the foot pegs could be better placed, the suspension is "ok" but can surprise you, say in a tight roundabout and the seat didn't suit my silhouette so did a little gel work and it's fine.
Things I do like... Everything else, a bike to put a grin on your face, back to basic essentiel pleasure.
Got a hideous luggage rack, gets me out during confinement to do the shopping
Stay safe
Great bike and the best value around imho ,one will be in my garage in the future
I'm looking for my first big bike, and I've been musing over which bike I should buy for months. A Honda CB650R was the favourite, then the Triumph Trident 600 appeared on the scene, and then the Aprilia Tuono 660. In the end, when I consider what I want a bike for, and all the associated costs, you just can't ignore the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. First of all the purchase price is amazing; it comes with a three year warranty, and it has three years roadside assistance. My insurance will also be far cheaper, and I can service the bike myself, saving me time and even more money.
A lot of people think that the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 has very short 3,000 mile service intervals, this is not the case. The intermediate 3,000 mile intervals are basic visual checks. The bike only needs servicing every 6,000 miles or annually, which ever comes first, and it's very easy to carry out yourself, and you can download the service manual. You can even do the tappet adjustment yourself if you're competent enough, there's plenty of help online, if not, get the a dealer to adjust the tappets. In the UK, a manufacturer can't force you to get your bike serviced at a dealer, so doesn't affect your warranty, which are not worth the paper they're written on. In the UK, Section 75 of the Consumer Act protects you. Just make sure you've followed the service schedule, and you can prove that the bike has been serviced properly. Keep a service log, document everything, and keep your invoices and bills as evidence; taking the odd photo will help as well.
In stock form, I would say the Triumph Bonneville beats it on looks in my opinion, but it's very close, and you can customise the heck out of a Interceptor. Plus, the Bonneville's are over priced and have their associated problems. I've read and watched tons of reviews, and no one has a bad word to say about Royal Enfield. Ryan Kluftinger at Fort Nine analysed the oil from a wide selection of bikes from various manufacturers looking for left over particles from when the engines were manufactured. These different sized particles will cause premature wear, and eventually damage the engine. Guess which manufacturer had the cleanest particle free engine; Royal Enfield.
What I really like is the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 looks the way a bike should look. Ask a child to draw a bike, and the odds are it will look something like Interceptor. But, added to those looks is the wonderful burble of that classic twin engine, especially with an after market exhaust fitted. The downside is that it's no speed machine; but it's 47bhp is more than enough for what most riders need, or even require on the roads. It has a buttery smooth power delivery, and 80% of that power is delivered below 5000 rpm; ideal for real world conditions. Saying that, I can see Royal Enfield bring out a bigger bike in the future.
After all is said and done, the main reason why I will be purchasing a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is it has that elusive factor - the bike has soul. 😎
love the outro
You made a right pigs ear of getting the tank off.If you leave the tank on the front mountings & lift the rear the fuel pipe is a piece of piss to get off. Iv'e had my Interceptor for nearly a year now & it's a fantastic bike.There are dozens of reviews on youtube & you won't see a bad one.There's several bike in India that have done 20 odd thousand kms & not missed a beat.
I've had mine for 10 months now and I absolutely love it, I have the baker express and I'm always being asked questions and having admiring remarks from passer bys ...I've added levers mirrors etc
That is my favourite of the 2020 colours. Going to be interesting to see what the 2021s looks like. Cheers, John
I’ve ridden one of these well the continental gt and it was great fun 👍
Nice topic! More Please
I would love to see a breakdown like that for the Himalayan !
13:08 I put some black spring budget haggons on my Bonnie SE and they transformed the bike. So much smoother/more comfy and as you say, no piggyback.
Liked the review. 👌
I have one in Ravishing Red and have done 1000 miles so far. It’s absolutely brilliant for the money and, despite what you said, does have a fuel gauge! The fit and finish seems pretty good so far and it’s reasonably easy to clean, for a naked bike. The engine cases polish up really nicely too with a bit of elbow grease. Just the job to keep you busy while we’re in lockdown! Hope you enjoy the bike when you’re able to ride it again.
Yeah - sorry about that! I meant it has no economy gauge. Cheers, John
Looking forward to see the difference between rear suspension differences also looking forward to riding my own bike, ..........
I own an orange crush RE interceptor 650. Absolutely brilliant riding experience. I wouldn’t want anything more or less in a classic style bike. Lots of bike for the money. Well done royal Enfield
Hi, I have the Orange Crush and agree about suspension, it is ok even for me at 130 kgs and 6'2". I am considering options for suspension and I must admit I do like the Hagon style.
Right here is what I have done....Set of risers...big improvement...Wrapped my grips from Trip Master but would like a softer thicker grip sorta like an old trumpy, engine guard, set of S&S Mufflers I imported from USA, DNA Filter, bike breaths so much better and sounds great, chrome rear carrier, engine and sump guard, fly screen, rubber gators for front shocks, chrome tank carrier. Lastly on my wish list is to do the Cam, put a Power Commander unit on and have Dynoed to get full potential out of her, I am not interested in bigger pistons etc. I bought the bike to use for rider training and for people to ride when training with me or when sitting the Licence test with me, but I liked the bike so much I have kept it for myself. I just love riding it and my other bike is a 2011 Road King, will not tour on the Interceptor like I do on the Harley but is just so good for shorter trips to town or for a day ride. Good luck with your Virus response over there, we went hard out with isolation and think yesterday we only had 1 or 2 new cases...fingers crossed. You will love riding that bike. I could easily take a 50kph suggested speed corner at 100 kph and do it safely, it just handles so well, yes I have managed to scrape the pegs but still felt safe.... enjoy her, she can take it....LOL
Like you , I have no idear what the silver paint around the exhaust is for ??? but mine has polished off ! and its still chrome underneath !!!
Same here in India, totally polished chrome unit...no silver paint.
Other are trying to be classic.... but this is being genuinely classic by the classic company.... will be getting one for me .... nice review
Haha, this literally what bikers are doing up and down the country, taking apart their bikes in the garage and then trying to put it back together again
Thank you very much for this video John. I test rode one three days before the lockdown occurred and was very impressed; the one I rode had Scorpion end pipes fitted, which although they made it sound fantastic, I’m not sure if the price of them is justified. It was very easy to ride and as you said, fun. I’m seriously considering buying one as my second bike for commuting and local riding. I would go for the orange colour as I think it’s classic; all personal of course. Look forward to your future reviews. Cheers, Andy.
Thanks Andy! John
Would love a test ride on this bike and a nice bike to put mods on and making it your own, great price 😎👍
Hello from FRANCE. I look forward to your experience with the HAGON because I do not like the rear suspensions with a passenger we arrive very quickly on the stops even on the hardest position
I test rode an Interceptor last summer and really liked it except for the gear lever which I found awkwardly positioned for my size of feet although you'd get used to that and the actual gear changing was faultless. I was going to do a deal when I discovered the roof of my house needed four grand's worth of repairs so no Interceptor for me. Once I've saved up again it will definitely be back on the cards.
Neat approach for a video...nice to see what's underneath everything. Personally if I were to get one I feel like the Baker Express would be my choice. Second choice would be the Orange Crush...too bad the orange doesn't have all the black accents.
Would be a good idea if a proper set of panniers could be fitted (not the throw over type tho) one's similar to those fitted
to the 1970's bmw's, look forward to viewing your other videos. thanks
Great video, thank you! I am the proud owner of a Continental GT 650. In the process of doing some tidying up on it, I have discovered two things. First, the QR code’s you find here and there are ink, not etch, and they come off readily with acetone or another strong cleaner. Next, the dull finish over the welds on the exhaust is not a finish at all, but some sort of tape. It too comes off readily with acetone or brake cleaner. Looking forward to riding! Stay safe!
Thanks Sara... guess what I'll be trying in the garage this evening! John
Thank you so much sara, been having a mild stroke on the matters.
It's an excellent bike. I've done 12000 kms since I bought it in Oct 2019 doing approximately 2900 kms Nepal ride and 2200 kms in a stretch. Although I am 163 cm. Find bit difficult to handle in slow and busy traffic.
Colonel sahab isn't 165 cms requirement for Indian Army? Sorry for my ignorance if it isn't.
I'm a Technical Graduate Course entry.
@@colvirendrakumarchoubey3709 my jiju is the same. He's a major now. Godspeed Colonel
I have owned many motorcycles over the last 46 years. From dirt bikes to Iron horse chopper and everything in between. Currently I own the Interceptor 650 and its really a fun bike to ride. It reminds me of the 2 Triumphs I have owned over the years with it's classic styling. I first thought that I would miss the 1300cc motors from my street bikes but really at my age I don't need to go 120 mph anymore. This bike cruses at 80 just fine. I added the S&S exhaust and a Corbin seat just because I'm worth it. If you are looking for a bike that's simple (no key fob thank god), light and classically designed get a Royal Enfield.
Thank's for the review beautiful bike for the price ! Need just litle changes to make it wonderful , my opinion a firestone wheels style will make the bike look perfect
at 9:02, the paint at the end of the exhaust is not really a paint, you can rub it off with the help of some petrol and cotton, this will reveal the chrome plating below it. I have the same glitter and dust back in India, i have done over 34000 kms in a year, no complains so far. its a beautiful bike. Happy Riding! :)
I have this bike! The chrome with the flyscreen. Only the second Motorcycle I've owned... the first was (and is) an Enfield 500c This is light years ahead in terms of performance and comfort. My only objection is the handle bar angle is too straight for my height. I was able to ride the 62 miles to work without numb hands, feet and arse. Plenty of speed for the Freeway. I look forward to a summer of riding it here in Oregon.
Exceptionally good review
Thanks! John
Hi
I have owned a 650GT since last July and now have just over 4K on the clock. I use it all year round and so far the bike has been a lovely ride and is very good value for money too. During the winter it seemed to hold up Ok but I noticed some deterioration on the engine casing and other untreated metals already. So constant cleaning required..which I'm happy to do 🙂
Performance wise it's fine mainly due to excellent fuel mapping that makes the best use of 47hp with nice spread of low down torque it feels more powerful than it is. I have been to London from Peterborough a couple of times for work, and it sits at 70+ all day no problem,you only feel a little lack of power uphill with a head wind, It still pulls Ok but less so which is to be expected of course. On A and B roads ( which it was built for ) the bike is perfect and has lovely feel through the corners too.brakes are great especially the rear which is the best I have had on any bike.
Problems, steering bearings replaced at 3k service ( mainly a precaution as they were a little notchy)and Speedo cable and assembly was changed at 3.5k as the needle would jump around from 60 to 80mph . All Ok now and done under warranty. The dealer did a great job on the bearings as the bike feels so much better now. Had a puncture at 3800mils so changed the back tyre to a Pirelli Demon and sized up to a 140 too. The Demon is the same price as the Phantom and seems to have a more modern profile which I prefer, I had no complaints with the Phantom just thought 130 is bit narrow for a 650 but I guess it adds to the classic look. However I ride all year round so safety comes first over style for me especially with tyres.
The paint on the tank needs care as it is a little thin and is showing signs of wearing off already where the seat rubs against it . I have fitted a tank protector and I placed it very low between tank and seat so this should help.
When riding the bike the look and feel together with the materials used for the clocks,handlebars etc.is outstanding and you feel like you are riding a much more expensive bike than it is and it really is a lovely place to be. Cost cutting appears at the back of the bike though with a loose fitting seat and to much plastic chrome etc.around the rear light assembly which for me loses some appeal.
Overall the bike looks beautiful, a real genuine classic look and gets a lots of admiring looks from passers-by especially when you fill up or parkup hehe, All in all I love it and can't wait to get back on it again after the lockdown 🙂
Brilliant, thanks Richard! Was the dealer Sycamore (formerly Balderston?). Cheers, John
@@bennettsbikesocial Hi John
Yes it was Sycamore and they are great bunch of people there too 🙂
I love the look of the new RE .. might buy one
Me too..
A man feel in love with the fuel tank of his motocycle at 2:30 and again at 14:49
I love this bike. Have you buy it in the future thank you for the information. From Thailand
I have 380 miles on my RE Interceptor and have enjoyed it completely. It sits next to my 2000 Honda VFR800 Interceptor. Two very different bikes I find myself riding the Royal Enfield more because it is relaxing and doesn’t tempt me to ‘go crazy’ and get into trouble with the law. The VFR likes to go fast.
Same here Richard , only 350 mls on mine but it’s a great cruiser , especially with a pillion. One of my other bikes is a Hayabusa.....going slow is quite difficult on these sorts of bikes isn’t it.
The fender extender is a nice touch
These bikes look great. The price is very appealing. I just wish I could find a dealer within an hour or driving distance here in the US.
You just have to accept that and take the plunge...bought the chrome version last month, from the nearest dealer who is 2.5 hours away! 🤤 at least they are in a coastal resort town so my wife and I can make a date out of it while the bike is getting serviced.
@@MasterHavik in India they give pickup and drop service for maintenance
I'm thinking about getting this as a first bike. Maybe upgrading the suspension so it could do trails?
I love those bikes the interceptors gorgeous bike, I was planning to buy one this year but the dealers in my province I'm not very competitive what's pricing. Just wondering are you going to do a full maintenance video including valve adjustment.
Yes - I plan to look at everything about the servicing. I'd like to do the valve clearances, but that will depend on Royal Enfield as the bike's on loan. At the very least, I plan to sit with a mechanic while they do it. Cheers, John
The type of bikes I'm in to are mk1 bandits mk1 955i speedtriples and Fazer 1000's so after seeing these interceptors by Royal Enfield I'm falling in love with them. So, Kawasaki, do their versions of retro and Triumph do there 'own which I think are ace but I think I may buy an Interceptor for my next bike.
I was considering one but the local Dealership decided to drop the Royal Enfield line . I already have a 500 military model and some other stuff so I didn't make the plunge . I did like the 650 twins.
Hi from Nepal. We offer good customs for those bikes, New LED head lights, indicators, & break lights with your own designs... We also have full cower Aluminum chain gard.. good paint too. All very cheap and best quality.
I love this content, nicely donde. Please would you be so kind and tell us how to reduce weight on this bike? ( I mean everything, either getting rid off, or replacing).
I think the 200kg are embarrassing !
Could you please comment on the build quality and design of chassis with two nuts holding the neck and whole engine exactly behind oil cooler and just above exhaust out pipe
It would be great to see how swapping the indicators, tail and headlight to LED units improve the overall look.
Loads of modded Interceptors out there. I have LEDs all round on mine and they look great.
Not got an interceptor, but I do have the continental GT. Swapped the headlight for an LED one, and the indicators for smaller LED units. Not changed the, rather bulky, rear light unit yet. But I have changed the bulb for an LED one.
@@MarmiteTheDog Which LED headlight? Source please..
@@normananderson2583 The brand is 'Leik' - not sure you'll get them in the civilised world, but they are mini-LED bulbs which use the original headlight.
Drain the tank first! I've been there struggling with a "quick" release and a full tank. Never again!
Hello @Bennets , Nice video . One thing which I need to point out is, its not paint over the welding in the exhaust pipe .Its kind of glue. You could remove it by using Kerosene or some petroleum product or chain cleaner. BTW I own this bike in India. And I must say , Its very good bike for the price. Happy riding :)
Thanks! I'll give that a go this weekend. Cheers! John
Looking at buying one in the USA. Do you know, if they have canner boxes? And a taller windscreen? I’m 6’4” tall.
Looks similar to my 1999 Kawasaki W650. An enjoyable bike to ride but didn't sell well. A retro beforr its time.
I own a Continental 650 GT afond I agree that that "fauxlins" don't suit the look of the machine, but otherwise it is a pure dealite. Super pleasant to ride and never fails to attract favorable attention. I have a KTM 790 Duke for going fast but sometimes you just want to go for a coffee and enjoy the scenery
Ahh taking that gas tank off for the first time..... hated that and chipped mine near where the half dome meets the frame closer to the gauges. This was due to lifting up the tank from the rear end. Now i know to put a strip of tape in that area. Of yah and your gunna spill some fuel when that wuick connect comes off..... you need a pick to get far enough in. Id suggest a dull pick not a sharp one
I like it. Is it possible to make it look like the bonneville Steve mac queen edition? (Matte black and matte green?) That would be perfect
had a problem with the brakes seems to be the front brake comes on its own and you cant push it until you switch of and restart engine any body else had the same problem
Ha! Had to laugh at your struggle to get the tank off, because I had exactly the same issue with mine! It's a bit fiddly but like you said, having done it once, the next time is much easier. With being in lockdown and the dealership where I bought mine being closed, I decided to do the first service myself. The biggest fear for most people in doing this, will be doing the valve clearances.. Don't be afraid, it's a piece of cake. Just one thing in my experience of servicing mine is, undo the ABS pump bolts on the top frame when you remove the tank. You won't get the rocker box cover off if you don't do this. And it's well worth checking those valve clearances because all 8 on mine had tightened up a lot! And I've heard similar tales from other people who have checked their valve clearances of their's being tight as well. The rest of the service was a piece of cake, dead easy to get at the oil filter to change that out. On mine, when removing the spark plugs for the first time (you have to remove the spark plugs to check the valve clearances) mine were only finger tight from the dealership. One electrical connector under the tank wasn't in its correct position on the frame, easy to put right. And that's it! Great bike to ride (mine is 'Ravishing Red') looks fantastic, handles really well actually, much better than my Triumph T120. I love it.. I didn't like the look of those standard exhausts, they look just a bit too big? So while the engine oil was draining out, I fitted a pair of rather fruity sounding stainless steel end cans! Sounds like a proper bike now!
Brilliant - thanks! John
I am liking the fuel economy of the RE. It is very fuel efficient. Can get 80mpg if ridden conservatively