Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 - review after 6 weeks

In this video we review the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. All up, Bry has had the bike for six weeks, which we feel is a good enough time for her to get used to it and form a good honest opinion.

// ABOUT THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE CHANNEL
The Classic Motorcycle Channel is for people who love classic, vintage and antique motorcycles. We are passionate about classic motorcycles and produce high quality motorcycle profile videos, restoration videos, restorer profile videos and also anything that takes our interest.

We also have a second YouTube channel for workshop video logs and additional video content:

All our photo and video content is original and we own the copyright to it. Please feel free to share work but do not download it and upload it to your own account or any others. If we find content that is ours elsewhere we will take action to have it removed and you will receive a copyright strike.

// CHANNEL PARTNERS
- Alex Rollings - director and producer for the channel.
YouTube: @motofilmer
Instagram: @motofilmer
- Dave Mitchell - in house mechanic, presenter and producer. Dave also owns and runs a classic motorcycle workshop called Mitchell's Classics.
- John Oakes - presenter and producer. John is a classic motorcycle enthusiast, rider and restorer and works closely with us on all our video content.
Instagram and Facebook: @classicbikeman

// A BIG THANK YOU TO
- Royal Enfield for loaning us the bikes.
Instagram: @royalenfieldeurope
Facebook: @RoyalEnfieldUK
YouTube: @royalenfield
- Caroline Blake and Lucy Crabbe from Shellwood Blake for organising the bike for us.
Instagram: @shellwoodblake
- Dave Mitchell for taking the time to film with us.
- John Oakes for taking the time to film with us.
Instagram and Facebook: @classicbikeman
- Bry Martin for taking the time to film with us.
Instagram: @bryrides
- Tec Bike Parts for supplying us with some parts John's bike.
YouTube: @TECBikeParts
Instagram: @tec_bike_parts
Facebook: TECBikeParts
- Alex Monk for his photos and video.
Instagram: @alexspitfiremonk
- Bertie Fancis for his photos and videos.
- Charlie Deane for his photos and videos.
Instagram: @charlesddeane
- Alex Rollings for producing the video.
YouTube: @motofilmer
Instagram: @motofilmer

#motorcycles
#royalenfield
#royalenfieldinterceptor650

[bettybluey]

I'm a 70yr old woman, 5'4" & 60kg. I have owned this bike for 3 years. Manoeuvring it around I have both hands on the handlebars and push my hip into the side to take the weight and my right hand ready to use the front brake if needed. When mounting and dismounting I have the side stand down(just in case) which I release only when I'm on. Before getting on I turn the front wheel hard right which helps when pulling the bike upright. I haven't the leg strength to duck walk the bike so I always manoeuvre it when dismounted. This is such a wonderful bike to ride I know you'll find your own way to handle the weight! Happy riding!

[briansture]

I have owned and ridden many bikes since 16 years old in the UK,
I now live in Western Australia weather is good for bike riding most of the year.
I purchased a 650 Interceptor a couple of years ago at the age of 84. having a sloping driveway the bike needed to be reversed into the garage. I found this difficult as the weight was getting beyond my strength which is common for men as they lose upper body strength as they age. This would be the same as a female who has less upper body strength. It is something that must be considered when purchasing. When parking if the bike gets to that tipping point you know it is going down. For that reason I reluctantly sold it.
I now have a hybrid bike a Yamaha Tricity 300 stand-alone alone but it is heavier by 40kg.
But at least I can manage it and keep riding safely. It performs a lot better than I thought it would being a comfortable ride.
There is no need to put a foot down when you stop at traffic lights. Just engage the stand-alone it auto cancells when you drive off.
One of its main advantages you only need a car license to ride it. But I suggest you have training if you have never had a bike license.

There is a lot of difference between riding a bike and driving a car.
For me, I never thought this day would come but I still love getting out there on the bike as nothing equals it.

[cliveomahoney]

Back in the Classic day, when most bikes had centre stands, I always found it smartest to be sitting on the bike when I wanted to move off. It saves getting really unwelcome estimates for repairs to half a bike. I liked your review, thanks. Personally, I loathe noisy exhausts and consider them to be a bit of a dimbo scourge. However, I do appreciate that you can have a good noise from a patent exhaust without waking up ded cats. They do also save weight, of course. Just not necessarily where you want it.

[roverchap]

Some tips for using the centre taking the bike OFF the centre stand sit astride it and rock it forward. The bike will always give a slight lurch as the stand goes 'over centre' and so by sitting on it you can use all your body weight and strength to counter any fall. If you're standing beside the bike (as you are in the video) the risk is that the bike falls away from you and you have to let it go down. For getting the bike ON the centre stand place a foot on the stand extension and use your whole body weight to lever the bike up and back. If you have a good hold on the left bar and the frame below the seat as you do this the bike should not fall away from you. Only use the centre stand on firm level ground!

[grahamtricker]

The reviewer is very good. An excellent real world review. The Intercepter looks a lot better with dual exhausts.

[MrMickjbriggs]

Great review. Refreshing to see a a younger person reviewing bikes, far more likely to kindle an interest in motorcycling which is what we all need.

[aceofspades]

i'm 57 and chose the Ducati scrambler for its light weight (173kg), but i do like that RE and all the colours look good. Nice to see female riders doing the reviews too.

[haxan]

I have ridden for over 30 years but am a recent convert to RE. I have ridden cruisers and 80s classics for most of that time. Although my previous bike was a Shadow 1100, I believe that 650 is the perfect capacity for me ( years of riding old Z650s and XS 650s). The Interceptor was high on my list but in the end I went for the Scram 411 as it is sufficient for my needs at the moment. I don't rule out an Interceptor in the future though. Enjoy your bike!

[ChillyKnees]

I have the TEC 2-2 Cannon exhaust on my Interceptor with the free flowing down pipes (TEC also do these) as I have to agree, the sound from the stock exhaust is somewhat lacking and it's like I'm riding a whole new bike. Sounds absolutely amazing and I lost a fair chunk of weight off the bike doing it too. They also tuck in closer to the bike rather than the wider stock pipes. Royal Enfield honestly blew it out the park with the 650 twins.

[campbellpaul]

Very well done, Bry! I'm glad you appreciate full-length seats when few people do... And just look at that superbly designed, old-school engine! I realize it is a solid design that is built at the highest standards. I like it very much, as simplicity and durability is what I appreciate most!
It has a very nice and subtle sound on the stock pipes, and a simply amazing throaty sound with the custom sport pipes!
Thanks again, for this wonderful presentation!

[ianw]

Hi from Australia - Have been riding 50 years and owned many bikes. This is the best so far. RE is doing to Japan what Japan did to British Bikes in the 60's.

[johnanderson]

Thanks for your video. I am loving Royal Enfield, Triumph (I have a T120), and Moto Guzzi, because they are all lighter than my Goldwing. Smaller and lighter is my m.o. these days as I factor in age.

[BilgemasterBill]

A fair comparative models review. I'm still happily nursing along one of those original pre-unit Bullet 500 "engineering fossils", but if I were to update I'd also be torn between the Interceptor 650 twin and the Classic 350 single. For modern highways the 650 is probably the smart bet, but as an early retiree ALL my riding is "no hurry" pleasure riding, almost all on country two-laners just dodging the butterflies, and the new single would do that job just fine, and I think I'd miss that elemental "thump". That said, the styling of the Interceptor is SO reminiscent of my beloved old Norton Commando, but without all the fettling drama, that I'd be really conflicted. That said, I know of at least a couple of geezers like me who've traded in their 650s for the new J-Engined Classic or Meteor 350s. Better riding comfort, especially of the seat and position, were cited. As for those lumpy syandard 650 exhausts, I would likely either just let them be or slap on some of those very inexpensive Emgo brand ones if I wanted more "bark" in a slender form.

[anshusharma]

I am having the same colour/bike and I love the sound of stock exhausts!
Yes it definitely sounds very good in aftermarket exhausts too, but for the stock ones, they've their own character or you can say a soothing parallel cylinder sound!

[stevethebikinggrandad]

I love the Scorpion Red Power exhausts I have on my Interceptor. They're a fair bit smaller and MUCH lighter than the originals but sound lovely, even with the baffles in. With the baffles out they sound amazing!

They're not cheap, but they're type approved (with the baffles in) and look almost stock.

[adediver]

Just clocked 15k miles on my Interceptor with no problems. Fitted a full Tec 2 into 2 exhaust, DNA air filter and a few other mods. I'm sure you'll be happy with your choice.

[theaustralianconundrum]

I would disagree with making it louder. Coming from road racing I hated having to wear ear plugs. The last thing I needed was a BOOMING crossplane R1 sending me deaf! I am impressed with what Siddhartha Lal has done in India regarding manufacturing quality increase. Really enjoyed the factory tour and castings and metallurgy have jumped to a standard I never thought I'd see at that price point. The fact that Honda make quite a few bikes in India also attests to the rapid increase in manufacturing and assembly quality.

[denlsgoulden]

They're an excellent choice if you want the style and character of a classic machine without the vices. I bought my orange crush model new in 2020 done 6K now and it's never missed a beat. Plenty powerful enough for modern riding and there's a multitude of aftermarket upgrades available, and yes I have replaced the cans with a pair of Poweridge stainless ones (plus other mods) and the sound would compete with any Triumph, plus half the weight !🙂

[kebmel]

The foot pegs position is what made me choose the Continental over the Interceptor, it was a deal breaker for me. Being only 5'6" the pegs on the Interceptor are really uncomfortable, but on the Conti they are great. I prefer the "sit up and beg" riding position of the Interceptor but I like the semi sport position of the Continental. Loud pipes are a must!

[aphexbubblebath]

for me the biggest plus for int/gt 650 is that you can customize them so much. you can even upgrade to a 865cc big bore kit, giving you 65hp/80nm. not many bikes offer this.