Different pricing strategies should be considered for different markets by RE. If they have to pick one, maybe they just position it as a premium option in India, but go for a more aggressive, value oriented approach in Western markets where they still have to build brand recognition.

I do think it brings something new, which is a proper mid size retro bike that can actually keep up with modern traffic. The 350 is fantastic in the city, but the 650 should be able to do it all without breaking a sweat.

It’s pretty hefty, 243kg, no way around it. You’ll find it to be a pain to manoeuvre in tight spots, or if you need to push it around. Shorter or less experienced riders might find this to be a dealbreaker.

Different crowd will attract. The Interceptor feels more like a competitor to Triumph (and other retro modern bikes) than a competitor to the Rocket. People who are looking for the pure, unadulterated Royal Enfield experience will be the ones who'll get the Classic 650.

It’s going to be somewhere in the middle, I’d say. Easy cosmetic mods for sure but performance tweaks? That’s another story. In fact, that could actually be a good thing, and create a market for professional custom shops that specialize in the 650.