Recent Discussions and Questions Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Is the Interceptor 650 a really good daily commuter?

10 January 2025 12:29

It's been over a year that I've been daily riding my Interceptor, and to be honest, it's been great. It has a super smooth engine, an upright comfortable position, and handles city traffic like a champ. It’s a bit heavy, but you get used to it after a bit. It's not an amazing fuel efficiency, but it's not terrible. I'd say go for it!

Is the Interceptor 650 a really good daily commuter?

10 January 2025 12:29

I commute 100 miles round trip each day on an Interceptor, and I have to disagree. After an hour, the stock seat becomes torture and highways lack wind protection. The fuel efficiency is also plus, because I am stopping for gas way too often. A fun weekend bike but for serious daily use? Out there, there are better options.

Is the Interceptor 650 a really good daily commuter?

10 January 2025 12:29

Depends on your commute, I think. It’s great for short city rides. After 30 minutes on the highway you’ll start to feel it. Higher speeds can be annoying with the vibrations, and you won't have modern features such as a gear indicator in heavy traffic. It’s a style vs. practicality trade off.

Is the Interceptor 650 a really good daily commuter?

10 January 2025 12:29

You guys don't get the point of the Interceptor! It's not an hyper efficient commuter. It’s about having fun, even if it’s on the way to work. Yeah, it's got its quirks, but that's what make it intriguing. Every time I start it up I smile, and isn’t that what motorcycling is all about?

Is the Interceptor 650 a really good daily commuter?

10 January 2025 12:29

It's been a decent all rounder. It was not perfect, but could work for most situations. The trick is to mod a few things, seat, small windscreen, maybe a few ergonomic tweaks. With those tweaks it’s a much more capable daily rider without losing its classic appeal.

How does the Interceptor 650 fare as a two-up tourer?

10 January 2025 12:29

I ride two up regularly with my girlfriend and the Interceptor handles it surprisingly well. The extra weight doesn’t bother the torquey engine, and the long seat means there’s plenty of room for a passenger. It's stable at highway speeds as well. All you have to do is be ready for more often fuel stops!

How does the Interceptor 650 fare as a two-up tourer?

10 January 2025 12:29

Eh, I'm not so sure. I found the suspension can very quickly get overwhelmed with a passenger, especially on bumpy roads. Of course, the engine copes, but you definitely miss acceleration. For short trips, it’s fine, but for longer rides I would love something that had more power and better suspension.

How does the Interceptor 650 fare as a two-up tourer?

10 January 2025 12:29

It's all about expectations. How comfortable is it compared to a big touring bike? No. It does the job for a mid sized retro, however. It's fine for weekend getaways, my wife and I use it. If you're doing it often though, you might want to look at a better rear suspension setup.

How does the Interceptor 650 fare as a two-up tourer?

10 January 2025 12:29

People underestimate the Interceptor for two up riding I think. It’s not perfect out of the box, but with a few mods like a better seat and better shocks, it makes a great bike for couples. It’s a fun shared experience and has the classic look and easy going nature.

How does the Interceptor 650 fare as a two-up tourer?

10 January 2025 12:29

I've tried it stock and modified and I'd say it's decent but not great for two up. The bigger issue for me is that there aren't luggage options. If you’re riding with a passenger, you probably are going to want some stuff, and the Interceptor is pretty limited in that department without some serious customization.

Are the reliability worries about the Interceptor 650 overblown?

10 January 2025 12:29

I’ve had my Interceptor for three years and it’s been rock solid. That’s really true about any bike, but regular maintenance is key. A lot of the reliability concerns are, I think, left over prejudice from RE's older models. It's a modern engine and the 650 twin proves it.

Are the reliability worries about the Interceptor 650 overblown?

10 January 2025 12:29

I haven’t had any catastrophic issues, but I’ve certainly had more niggling problems with my Interceptor than I would expect from a new bike. The odd false neutral, little electrical gremlins, things like that. It isn't unreliable in itself, but it isn't quite as bulletproof as some people would have you believe.

Are the reliability worries about the Interceptor 650 overblown?

10 January 2025 12:29

I think it’s just a question of where you live and how you keep it. It’s quite reliable in India where parts and service are readily available. I’ve heard horror stories from people from other countries about how it’s a nightmare to get things fixed. Before buying, it's something to consider.

Are the reliability worries about the Interceptor 650 overblown?

10 January 2025 12:29

The issue about the frame crack is real, and thus shouldn't be ignored. It may not affect everyone, but that it has happened to more than one owner is worrisome. This needs to be dealt with more openly by RE. Of course, the engine itself seems to hold up pretty well.

Are the reliability worries about the Interceptor 650 overblown?

10 January 2025 12:29

Because I work on bikes, I think the Interceptor is actually one of the more reliable options in its class. And it’s simple, overbuilt in many ways, and easy to work on. The vast majority of issues I see are because of lack of proper maintenance, not some inherent flaw in the bike.

How versatile is the Interceptor 650 compared to retro styled bikes?

10 January 2025 12:29

The Interceptor is a dream for customizers! Aftermarket support is through the roof, especially for cosmetic mods. I’ve seen bobbers, scramblers, everything built on this platform. It’s also easy to work on because of the simple design. It’s like a blank canvas that is ready for how you would like to decorate it.

How versatile is the Interceptor 650 compared to retro styled bikes?

10 January 2025 12:29

There are lots of parts but the Interceptor seems somewhat limited compared to something like a Triumph Bonneville. Some more radical changes are restricted by frame geometry, and performance mods don’t appear to provide as much benefit. While it is good for light customization, it is not good for full blown overhauls.

How versatile is the Interceptor 650 compared to retro styled bikes?

10 January 2025 12:29

I believe the Interceptor is beautiful in subtle customization. Small changes that make the bike a bit more of what it is, but without completely changing it. A different seat, some brushed aluminum bits, maybe a different exhaust. You go too far and you lose what makes that special in the first place.

How versatile is the Interceptor 650 compared to retro styled bikes?

10 January 2025 12:29

I would say its very customizable though, but you have to be creative if you’ve heavily modified your Interceptor like I have. They are heavy stock parts, so there's a lot of weight reduction potential. The frame restricts some of what you can do, but it also forces you to think outside the box for different builds.

How versatile is the Interceptor 650 compared to retro styled bikes?

10 January 2025 12:29

The issue with customizing the Interceptor is that you spend more than the bike is worth pretty quickly. You can change a lot, but at some point you have to ask: Why not buy a different bike? It's great for mild personalization, but if you want to do real custom work, there's better platforms.