Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 -V- Super Meteor 650 which is the best Touring Motorcycle?

Sorry for the delay! here are my thoughts on which of these 2 bikes the Interceptor 650 and the Super meteor 650 represents the best motorcycle for long distance touring!

#supermeteor650
#interceptor650
#supermeteor-v-interceptor

[jfro]

I rode a friends Interceptor on Tuesday, it’s a really nice bike to ride, plenty of go. I was very impressed. I own a bike with a much bigger engine BUT honestly, these RE bikes are terrific. If I was hunting for a bike I would most likely bag one.

[-waz-]

Great video! I am living in Germany and in 2 weeks I am doing a weekend trip through the Palatinate Forest with a friend as passenger and luggage (tent, sleeping bag, etc) on my Interceptor 650. Super excited! =)

[frankysworld]

Good comparison, Stu. I have been hem-ing and hah-ing about the Interceptor for quite some time and the introduction of the Super Meteor made that decision not easier. For the past year I looked at much video reviews and possible mods on the Interceptor to get an idea of what I would need to do to get the bike to fit my needs. It complicated matters even more as i was looking to make room for a new bike by getting rid of my Suzuki VZ800 Marauder - which was already heavily customised and perhaps the most comfortable seating position of any bike i ever owned, so teh temptation of an RE cruiser to replace the Marauder was certainly there. But the reason I was willing to let go of the Marauder is that whilst motorways are not entirely unavoidable - my preference is the B roads and country lanes - which explains why the Marauder spent so much time gathering dust whilst I was out on my Classic 500 stomping across the country side - So I wanted my second bike to be a bit better on the long distances while still well able for the twisties. So I opted for a 2021 Interceptor with 30K miles in mint condition - and before it got delivered - I had a good few boxes of parts ready to address the things I didn't like about the Interceptor - mainly the seat and some risers to increase the comfort. I was honestly a bit worried about the footpeg position - even the Classic 500 has them a good bit more forward, but after a few rides on the Interceptor i got used to it and it feels just as comfortable and it seems to give a little bit more balancing control. Already in my mind i wanted to fit luggage option at one stage and the upswept pipes are not exactly my favourite feature on the interceptor, mounting a pair of AEW 201's literally straighten that bug bear out. I already had a Tom Tom Rider for the Classic 500, so ordering and extra mount for the Interceptor wasn't breaking the bank either. Now there is a lot to be said for getting something that would tick all the boxes straight at the purchase of the bike - but I see the Interceptor (as much as the classic 500) as a platform to provide riders and tinkerers like myself the opportunity to create something more bespoke without breaking the bank. But what the above confirms that it is a matter of personal taste and what one is looking to get out of a motorcycle - it is great that Royal Enfield has all the options available.

[johnpflug]

Two-up on either bike here in the States would be difficult; maintaining 75-80 mph on an Interstate roadway is a must. Plus fighting the buffeting when passing a tractor-trailer could be quite challenging.

[clausentumsoton]

Hi Stu, interesting topic and good to hear your opinions too. Living as I do in the centre of Europe I tend to do a lot of touring.. in all directions and where the roads tend to be faster and clearer of traffic, on the Interceptor 650. Admittedly I only tour solo and so I've been using a large saddle/tail bag and large tank bag which has worked very well. However, for this year I've decided to change the silencers for AEW 201's, much lower and straight 'peashooters' in order to accommodate hard panniers from Craven which should make touring a lot easier. Coupled with front sprocket change and YSS suspension you finish up with a very competent tourer great in 95% of situations.. fast motorway touring is still pushing it a bit but you could say the same with a fair number of other bikes costing almost twice as much. Keep up the good work, your vids are always a pleasure to watch,

[burtvhulberthyhbn]

Your posting at 6 am makes it 10 pm yesterday here in California. It's time to take out the Mastiffs.

[themoog]

Totally agree on the luggage issue, just designing some brackets with the fabricator at work so I can do 2 nights in the Lakes camping . The brackets won't stay on permanently though they'll compromise the pillion seat, but as I'm travelling solo it's not a problem .
Already fitted a tripper, very found it pretty reliable ! Good comparison 👍🏻

[joolz]

picked up my Super Meteor at the weekend, loving it so far.

[paulwenlock]

Morning Stu, glad to see this video, I have the Interceptor and I’m touring Northern Spain in a week on it. I’ve travelled all types roads and this bike is great. I have ordered a Super Meteor (getting hold of one is difficult, as they’re all sold before they come in) I’ll pick mine up after I get back. I intend touring on it once it’s run in. Your advice has been helpful in me making decision on all the Royal Enfield’s I’ve bought. Thank you.

[ccooper]

The super meteor looks stunning in the black with white pinstripes !
I look forward to trying one (hopefully).

[charnwoodmoto]

Have ran an 650 Interceptor for 6k miles now, 4k of them touring (NC500, Circuit of Wales, Peak District) and about to do a circuit of Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way + a loop of Mull of Kintyre and Arran (circa 2.5k miles). Bike is great for backroads touring (UK minor A/B/Unclassified roads as these allow you to really experience scenery, local life etc) as it is agile, comfy and economical (up to 80mpg) and will take many different combinations of luggage + plenty of low down chug. Over distance on these types of roads there is little difference in avg speeds (did NC500 once on a R1200RS and once on the Interceptor - avg moving speed BM 46mph, Interceptor 42mph over 1800 miles). Always camp and find that I can get all my stuff in 2 Givi Dolomiti 36l aluminium panniers (uses the same pannier rails as the EN22's and fit nicely when paired with a set of Scorpion slip ons to give some clearance), a 40l roll bag and a tank bag. Also fitted with a proper Givi touring screen which keeps most of me dry, apart from my legs/feet.. The best thing about is every time you stop people will talk to you and are often incredulous that you are touring on such a "small" basic bike (ie not a GS or similar) and tend to forget that 30 years ago this was the way all bikes toured. I guess my only reservation is that the Super Meteor is heavier and you will lose some perhaps not much in it! I think either will provide many more smiles per miles per £ than just about any other bike (maybe not a Himalayan!).

[leswatson]

Morning Stewart. Thanks for your appraisal of the Super Meteor. When I was younger my wife and I loved riding none stop from Hertfordshire to Glasgow to visit our mate. Whether I was on my Harley Davison, the XS650 Yamaha, our CB750 Honda or our Honda Goldwing Aspencade, we fitted to the front crash bars cruising pegs. On the M1 I'd stretch my legs out, and freeing up my foot pegs, my wife could stretch out her legs. And apart from petrol or loo stops, we would ride in comfort all the way. My problem now is seat height. So something lower seem more ideal and lighter than my old Harley especially with arthritis in both knees. What you said about roadside servicing is so true. Recently my mates son had his Triumph speed twin serviced. I can remember if it was a 10, 000 or 200, 000 mile service. But that cost around £900. We never went to Europe on the Goldwing but our Yamaha and Honda did everything we wanted and servicing camchain, tappets and chain was just simple. Glad your firing on all four cylinders again. So till next time safe enjoyable riding sir! 👍😊

[kawabungah]

These are both exciting machines. I'm partial to the heavier, "cushier" Meteor. With the 6th gear overdrive, this bike will fit into most of my California riding adventures. And it is classy, harkening back to the 60s scene when my buddies mostly rode Triumphs. For long-distance, all-day (two-up) touring, I'll continue to use my 1994 UltraClassic ElectraGlide, now with 100K clicks on the odi and still running strong. However, this Meteor will be just right for the everyday solo journeys on backroads and byways! Thanks for your brilliant comparison.

[raypayne]

Got back my super meteor after its first service. Sticky gears now seem to work fine now. Clutch adjusted also linkage I believe. Done over 500miles now and absolutely thrilled to bits. Plus it's a real looker which helps.

[kimkock-hansen]

A very useful comparison, thanks Stuart. Good to see that you are” back on all four cylinders”😊.

[terraplane]

The one question that counts to me is the one of two-up touring, for which, with the addition of a top box, which is easy, and the ability to move the rear footrests further forward, which I have done on mine, to make the fitting of any panniers, including throwovers, very simple, makes my choice of an Interceptor a no-brainer. I'll stick, given the touring seat, which I have as an option. But each to their own.

[oldmanV]

Really value your reviews. We just got some Meteor 350 for our moto training program and I look forward to some seat time as that will be my first experience with a RE. The Super Meteor 650 is due in the U.S. this summer and I'm also not a cruiser guy but looking for a good all day motorcycle. If the rider triangle fits what I'm after then a test ride will be in order. Keep up the great work and glad you are feeling better.

[lokitomanny]

Finally a video from you that I enjoyed from the beginning to the end, it tackle the question and it answered the question, straight to the point with not much bluff, thank you.

[johnpflug]

Waiting for Royal Enfield to release the Classic 650; I am so in love with the Classic 350's styling. Also waiting for the 750 Continental GT. Should be a great bike to enjoy the twisty roads that are located close by on the north shore of Long Island and upstate New York. I already own an '06 Honda ST1300 for sport touring and an '06 Yamaha Roadliner S (1854 cc air-cooled V-Twin HD look-alike).

[KRAM-zbvc]

Brilliant video as always Stuart and I personally would go for the super meteor touring for the wind protection 😃👍🏻