Detailed Review by Maxabout Team

Introduction

The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is a retro-styled motorcycle that was released earlier in 2018 by Royal Enfield (India). This is the company's first contemporary twin-cylinder motorcycle. The brand introduced the MY2022 Interceptor 650 with five new colour choices, and the motorcycle is now available in seven paint schemes in total, two of which are carried over from the previous models.

Canyon Red (single-tone), Ventura Blue (single-tone), Downtown Drag (dual-tone), Sunset Strip (dual-tone), and revised Mark 2 are the five new colour options for the 2023 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. Orange Crush (single-tone) and Baker Express (dual-tone) are the other two.

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Design and Style

Based on a retro-classic design, the new Interceptor appears to be a pure roadster, having a conventional rounded headlamp in front, which enhances its retro appeal. This design is inspired by the original Interceptor, which debuted in the 1960s. Other features of the bike, such as wide handlebars, spoked wheels, and a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, contribute to its simple yet eye-catching retro look. It comes with standard equipment, including halogen headlamps, a bulb tail lamp, and bulb turn indicators.

In addition, it comes with diamond-quilted seats for a supreme level of comfort. The new BS6 compliant model measures 2122mm in length, 789mm in width, 1165mm in height and 174mm in ground clearance. Its seat height is 804mm, and it comes with a 13.7-litre fuel tank capacity. Moreover, the kerb weight of the motorcycle stands at 202kg.

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Instrument Console

The instrumentation of the bike is also retro, with a twin-pod instrument console that includes an analogue speedo and tachometer, a digital trip meter and odometer, as well as a digital fuel gauge. The simple instrument console can benefit from the addition of a gear position indication, a clock, and a distance-to-empty readout. It seems like the manufacturer wanted to present it with a totally old-school appearance.

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Engine and Gearbox

Mechanically, the new BS6-compliant motorcycle remains unchanged. The current-gen Interceptor is powered by a fuel-injected 648cc parallel-twin air-oil cooled, SOHC engine that produces 47hp at 7150 rpm and 52Nm at 5250 rpm. Both the front and rear wheels are equipped with a 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch for easier lever use. The gearshifts are smooth and accurate, with a one-down, five-up shifting sequence.

The BS6 engine gets a catalytic converter incorporated into the chrome-finished dual exhaust pipe. The Digital Spark Ignition (TCI) technology enables the bike to deliver sleek acceleration. The counterbalancer allows the 648cc motor to be tuned even at highway speeds in the triple digits.

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Brakes, Suspension and Tyres

While talking about the other crucial features, such as the braking system in the motorcycle is handled by a 320 mm disc brake at the front and a 240 mm disc brake at the rear. A dual-channel ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) is standard, which reduces the chances of skidding. Furthermore, the suspension system consists of dual gas-charged shock absorbers at the back and telescopic forks upfront.

Although the tyres are technically tubeless, they still require an inner tube since the spoked 18-inch rims are not airtight. When it comes to the measurement of tires, it has 100/90-18 front and 130/70-18 rear wire-spoked wheels shod with Pirelli rubber.

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Top Speed and Mileage

There's plenty of low-end punch, and the bike feels safe in both the city and on the highway. High-speed stability is excellent, and the Interceptor 650 has a sturdy, confidence-inspiring feel on the highway. In terms of performance, the 648cc motorbike can reach a peak speed of 170 kmph after accelerating from 0-100 kmph in 6.23 seconds. As per the mileage, this bike is substantially more fuel-efficient on the highways and provides a mileage of 24 km per litre, which is good for this large-sized motorcycle. However, it depends on the user's driving experience as well.

Verdict - Should You Buy the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650?

To sum it up, the engine is energetic enough to delight a seasoned rider while remaining gentle enough not to frighten a beginner. The motorcycle's upright handlebars and mid-set footpegs make longer journeys comfortable and trouble-free. This Interceptor 650 came with a more refined and free-revving motor under the BS6 norms update, and the paint quality is quite impressive. However, on the other hand, it lacks advancements in the instrument console. The Royal Enfield Interceptor competes with the KTM 390 in terms of price, but it also competes with the Kawasaki Z650 in terms of specifications.