I've had an Interceptor for 9 months and about 2,400 miles. I'm still happy with it. It checks quite a few boxes for me: it looks *great*, it sounds great, gets great gas mileage (about 55-60mpg), it handles well, there's lots of aftermarket stuff. It'll cruise all day at 75mph no problem. Power and torque are plenty for most purposes. The brakes work fine, the ergonomics are fine. And it has a likeable personality. But it's not a bike I'd want to ride to Alaska on. Or even 200 miles. The reason being that the suspension and seat are kind of stiff and cobby. Around town it's fine but it wouldn't be fun riding it all day long. That and the right mirror vibrates. Also, it's hard to impossible to read the digital gas display in bright sunlight. Those are my only complaints. I've got four bikes in the garage and the Interceptor is my main squeeze. Good review. New subscriber.
Just turned 15,000 miles on mine. Only issues: outer casing of speedo cable split and speedo quit working pretty early on. Warranty replacement has been good. Replaced tires around 6000 miles with Pirelli Sport Demon and the front rubbed inside the mudguard so had to add some washers to raise mudguard enough. Oh, got the Touring seat which I like, and it's awesome you can mount GIVI Monokey cases. That's it, love it. The upright position is perfect for commuting. It gives you great contol and view of traffic. At 5000rpm (of 7500) at indicated 74ish MPH it's really smooth.
royal enfield did excellent job in handlebar. I like this handle bar more than triumph st. I have replaced stock seat, put handle bar risers and grip to make perfect posture for long rides.
Go for the GT Premium touring seat. I did that and it made a world of difference. One note, check the seat after changing it out from time to time. You may have to stretch the spring in the latch.
Great video - YSS front fork upgrade makes all the difference - I also traded up from a Classic 350 about a year ago- DNA air filter also worth fitting
I bought that same bike and color this year. It really gets better as you ride more. I’ve done about 3000 miles since May and really enjoy it. Have fun
I started with the classic 350…no grunt with 20HP…upgraded to the red interceptor, a nice bike for about 3 months, again 47HP is not enough for this bike. Now own a triumph t120…great bike with enough HP and very well planted on the road…you get what you pay for..
I’m so attracted to this bike because of 70s fit and feel from what I’ve seen. It reminds me of my 1972 CB 750. Please give us an update on any flaws and pluses of this bike
Lucky sods you Interceptor 650 owners. Looks really great in red. What a bike though. I say it is history repeating itself in that it is the 1969 onwards Honda CB750k series of our age. In many ways it is. Maybe not achieving the impact that the fantastic CB750 did. But the Interceptor 650 is a 'long stayer' gradually building it all up, whereas the CB750K0 as I believe it was called smacked & shocked the MC Industry, the existing lot KNEW they had a heap load of trouble on their hands. I bet the 'liking' of the Interceptor 650 gives rivals a concern. They will find it very hard to ever take that away from us, and with it, the liking of the Interceptor 650 there is a solid connection with Royal Enfield by the biker. Something Harley Davidson cultivated with their individual models over time, payed off for them. Back then in the early 70's when Japan started to make a mark in the motorcycle industry throughout the World. Yes models before it from the big 4 were seeping into the industry as Royal Enfield have done before the 650 range, (the Continental btw is not bad as is the new Super Meteor), But I would say times are a changing from a big 4 Japanese dominated industry to an ever growing Indian one. Not just RE either. Look at the Bajaj/Triumph new 400's, not too shabby apart from the unsightly golden coloured forks. Ill fitting, I'd only get either variants if those dreadful overpowering gold forks could be covered up. Some chrome or black sleeves to fit over what I consider is such a design mistake. Nearly got it just right the first time. Really good effort for a MC that Bajaj spend no greater than around £1200 in the parts & assembly. YES as cheap as that, yet greedy Triumph UK will without doubt RIP us off for 4 times that. Taking us for mugs that will line up around the block to be ripped off. Yea, yea big deal 'designed by Triumph' and Joe Blow down the street in India is set to make them as cheap as chips so Triumph UK can flog them off for as much as they can SCREW of of us. Yet still promote this quality malarkey. From the price in India we can calculate Bajaj makes them for not much more than £1200. Then takes their cut from Triumph, most likely a preset price with some leeway for increased parts etc costs, pushing up the price. Triumph then take their cut by pushing up the price and passes it off to the local dealers. The dealers take their cut out of it and pushes up the price. The Govt both national & regional take their taxes etc and pushes up the price. Triumph ship them over to the UK, in our case bypassing the local Indian dealer of course, with the delivery outfits over in India and in the UK pushing up the price. UK import duty and taxes etc etc etc pushes up the price, then our greedy dealer in the UK push up the price. And in then in the end the mugs SUCKED IN line up and pay hand over fist for a £1200 bike, if that and consider it quality. Well it isn't bad. But call a spade a spade and do know the vast amount of extra money between what the parts & assembly costs and the UK final otr costs. I would feel ripped off the wrong side of £4500 for virtually both versions of the new 400. I say both can be sold in the UK for a tad under £4500, do not be fooled that the Scrambler has more expensive parts than the Triumph Street 400, a bit maybe but NOT the misrepresentation of costs that will be portrayed. --------------------------------------------------- By far getting back to good old RE, they are entrancing and bewitching the MC enthusiast Worldwide with their ever growing range of models. With just a few engine power plants but making so many variations, giving more choice at such a great price. Very resourceful and imaginative. I mean, that above Interceptor 650 is a motorcycle to behold, so so many things going for it, something sadly the Japanese have given up on, preferring to concentrate on 'performance' and forgetting what attracted people to their 70's MC's in the first place. Their bloody looks and how it made them feel. Yea with that added performance as we know, but that at that stage that was not the sole factor. Such a beautiful bike the 1970's CB750k series is. Those rubber fork gaiters as seen on the Interceptor 650. It is a proven winner. RE does learn and adapts. The big 4 have in many folks minds 'gone the wrong way' with their mostly hideous and nothing looking motorcycles. Just there... but not there, seen but there is hardly any 'connection' between the bike and the biker. Not with me these days. The FEELING of the MC as like in a way a part of yourself is just barely there with a modern Jap bike, so it makes you feel nothing for it much at all. The looks and the feeling it gives you is where it is at. That the bloody thing 'goes' is the Brucey bonus to it all. Or Brucie if preferred. Ideally it does go, and these days mostly it does, no great need to worry about that not with RE, though for some just having it and looking at it and sitting on it almost satisfies enough. That is a sign of a great bike a desirable one. Years and years ago a young kid would go mad just to sit on his old mans bike, back in the day. While he was out the way so he did not risk a clip around the ear. They would love it. -------------------------------------------------------------- With Royal Enfield on the whole as we see for quite a while doing the right thing, ok maybe unable to go the performance route fully, yet we now strongly believe the Himalayan 452 has 39.5hp, so in a way trading performance for looks, maybe balancing it, though we will just have to see how it looks in the flesh. The new 452 engine will fit some existing models more than others. Can't wait till end of Oct 2023 when it is revealed. It is the enthusiasm that a manufacturer whips up with new models that really does give their vehicles success again how it makes people feel. The big 4 on the whole have lost that. I could not care less about any of their new releases. Switched off from them lot ages ago. So sad, they had such great great bikes. Competed against each other and all going compoundly the wrong way. Out doing themselves going the wrong way than each other. Worse & worse & worse. Rarely ever revitalising the old magic. So tragic. Back to a relevant MC maker Royal Enfield, they have the ability surely to bring out a J series 500cc engine that'll do nicely Sir for the Bullet and Classic. With the Hunter or this possible 'Roadster' proposed vehicle having this new 452 cc engine. Maybe RE will get away with the 452 in a Meteor. I imagine if it looks ok it'll come about. WE could get an up to date 500cc J series engine, RE have bags of money. A 500 Classic and 500 Bullet would sell packets of them. It >>could
try 32psi front .. 36psi rear... great bikes for the money with a huge amount of reasonably priced accessories.... probably better for the older rider..lovely engine very relaxing to ride
Glad you love it . I have the Orange Crush version with the same tank badge , which is , as you say really cool . Mine has the silver rims , that only come on the Orange Crush Interceptor's . Fitted a K&N air filter and slip on mufflers for the sound these bikes deserve , enjoy the S&S's when they arrive that sound awesome ! I ride with a buddy who has the Continantal GT with these and it sounds sweet when on song ! I have just topped 3000km here in OZ and did the service myself as well , it's super easy to do . Congratulations on choosing a sweet bike in a sweet color , you will grow to enjoy it more and more . Ride safe Brother .
I have the exact same bike, same colour - love it…l’ve put the trip machine side panel panniers on in the light colour and they look great… planning on a light brown leather saddle too ! Enjoy… great bike👍
Congratulations! Love the red (I have the same), not such a fan of the new Interceptor looks. The new Interceptors get tubeless tires which are nice, but they get the ECU5 units.
This is just a different type of a bike. I had the SV650 and I also test rode the RE Interceptor. Both are great bikes and very enjoyable. Drop by mate to check my content. :)
triumphs also make silimar hp for there cc, its the style of bike dude, hp isnt everrything, ive owned an int 650 and an sv650, both do everything i need and i dont notice the differance
I will be surprised if you regret it. I moved from a classic 350 back to an interceptor, I had an interceptor back in 2019. Flip flopping form one to the other 🙂
Was the trade in worth it did you get enough for the Classic or better just to keep both bikes. I have 2022 meteor and strongly considering and interceptor
You'll have to get used to random people coming up at gas stations or in the street to talk about your bike. They really catch the eye and the imagination. So many people ask, have I modernized a 70's RE?
my only concer is the frame because they had some problems on the himalayan modes that the frame cracked , whats on your oppinion on the interceptor frame?
I've had an Interceptor for 9 months and about 2,400 miles. I'm still happy with it. It checks quite a few boxes for me: it looks *great*, it sounds great, gets great gas mileage (about 55-60mpg), it handles well, there's lots of aftermarket stuff. It'll cruise all day at 75mph no problem. Power and torque are plenty for most purposes. The brakes work fine, the ergonomics are fine. And it has a likeable personality.
But it's not a bike I'd want to ride to Alaska on. Or even 200 miles. The reason being that the suspension and seat are kind of stiff and cobby. Around town it's fine but it wouldn't be fun riding it all day long. That and the right mirror vibrates. Also, it's hard to impossible to read the digital gas display in bright sunlight. Those are my only complaints.
I've got four bikes in the garage and the Interceptor is my main squeeze.
Good review. New subscriber.
Buy and install front suspension dampers! That helps a lot with taking big bumps at high speeds!
Just turned 15,000 miles on mine. Only issues: outer casing of speedo cable split and speedo quit working pretty early on. Warranty replacement has been good. Replaced tires around 6000 miles with Pirelli Sport Demon and the front rubbed inside the mudguard so had to add some washers to raise mudguard enough. Oh, got the Touring seat which I like, and it's awesome you can mount GIVI Monokey cases. That's it, love it. The upright position is perfect for commuting. It gives you great contol and view of traffic. At 5000rpm (of 7500) at indicated 74ish MPH it's really smooth.
royal enfield did excellent job in handlebar. I like this handle bar more than triumph st. I have replaced stock seat, put handle bar risers and grip to make perfect posture for long rides.
What did you replace the stock seat with if you don't mind me asking?
Go for the GT Premium touring seat. I did that and it made a world of difference. One note, check the seat after changing it out from time to time. You may have to stretch the spring in the latch.
Great video - YSS front fork upgrade makes all the difference - I also traded up from a Classic 350 about a year ago- DNA air filter also worth fitting
I bought that same bike and color this year. It really gets better as you ride more. I’ve done about 3000 miles since May and really enjoy it. Have fun
I can already notice it getting better with only a few hundred miles!
Please give us an update on maintenance and pluses and minuses on this bike
Watching your vlog while I’m waiting for my own canyon red to be delivered. Can’t wait to get it out on the road!
I started with the classic 350…no grunt with 20HP…upgraded to the red interceptor, a nice bike for about 3 months, again 47HP is not enough for this bike. Now own a triumph t120…great bike with enough HP and very well planted on the road…you get what you pay for..
I forsee myself getting a T120 in the future! Did you find any good wind screen for it?
I added a booster plug, performance exhaust and filter. Makes a world of difference. Takes off like a bullet.
True. I'm buying the speed 400 with 39.5 HP. Should receive it in March..
I’m so attracted to this bike because of
70s fit and feel from what I’ve seen. It reminds me of my 1972 CB 750. Please give us an update on any flaws and pluses of this bike
Just bought an interceptor today!! Can’t wait till it’s through PDI definitely plan on daily riding it up here in New England
Im sure you will love riding it!
Awesome review big love from Australia 😊😊😊
Lucky sods you Interceptor 650 owners. Looks really great in red. What a bike though. I say it is history repeating itself in that it is the 1969 onwards Honda CB750k series of our age. In many ways it is. Maybe not achieving the impact that the fantastic CB750 did. But the Interceptor 650 is a 'long stayer' gradually building it all up, whereas the CB750K0 as I believe it was called smacked & shocked the MC Industry, the existing lot KNEW they had a heap load of trouble on their hands. I bet the 'liking' of the Interceptor 650 gives rivals a concern.
They will find it very hard to ever take that away from us, and with it, the liking of the Interceptor 650 there is a solid connection with Royal Enfield by the biker.
Something Harley Davidson cultivated with their individual models over time, payed off for them.
Back then in the early 70's when Japan started to make a mark in the motorcycle industry throughout the World. Yes models before it from the big 4 were seeping into the industry as Royal Enfield have done before the 650 range, (the Continental btw is not bad as is the new Super Meteor), But I would say times are a changing from a big 4 Japanese dominated industry to an ever growing Indian one. Not just RE either.
Look at the Bajaj/Triumph new 400's, not too shabby apart from the unsightly golden coloured forks.
Ill fitting, I'd only get either variants if those dreadful overpowering gold forks could be covered up. Some chrome or black sleeves to fit over what I consider is such a design mistake.
Nearly got it just right the first time.
Really good effort for a MC that Bajaj spend no greater than around £1200 in the parts & assembly. YES as cheap as that, yet greedy Triumph UK will without doubt RIP us off for 4 times that. Taking us for mugs that will line up around the block to be ripped off.
Yea, yea big deal 'designed by Triumph' and Joe Blow down the street in India is set to make them as cheap as chips so Triumph UK can flog them off for as much as they can SCREW of of us.
Yet still promote this quality malarkey.
From the price in India we can calculate Bajaj makes them for not much more than £1200.
Then takes their cut from Triumph, most likely a preset price with some leeway for increased parts etc costs, pushing up the price.
Triumph then take their cut by pushing up the price and passes it off to the local dealers. The dealers take their cut out of it and pushes up the price.
The Govt both national & regional take their taxes etc and pushes up the price.
Triumph ship them over to the UK, in our case bypassing the local Indian dealer of course, with the delivery outfits over in India and in the UK pushing up the price. UK import duty and taxes etc etc etc pushes up the price, then our greedy dealer in the UK push up the price.
And in then in the end the mugs SUCKED IN line up and pay hand over fist for a £1200 bike, if that and consider it quality. Well it isn't bad. But call a spade a spade and do know the vast amount of extra money between what the parts & assembly costs and the UK final otr costs.
I would feel ripped off the wrong side of £4500 for virtually both versions of the new 400. I say both can be sold in the UK for a tad under £4500, do not be fooled that the Scrambler has more expensive parts than the Triumph Street 400, a bit maybe but NOT the misrepresentation of costs that will be portrayed.
---------------------------------------------------
By far getting back to good old RE, they are entrancing and bewitching the MC enthusiast Worldwide with their ever growing range of models. With just a few engine power plants but making so many variations, giving more choice at such a great price.
Very resourceful and imaginative.
I mean, that above Interceptor 650 is a motorcycle to behold, so so many things going for it, something sadly the Japanese have given up on, preferring to concentrate on 'performance' and forgetting what attracted people to their 70's MC's in the first place. Their bloody looks and how it made them feel.
Yea with that added performance as we know, but that at that stage that was not the sole factor.
Such a beautiful bike the 1970's CB750k series is.
Those rubber fork gaiters as seen on the Interceptor 650. It is a proven winner. RE does learn and adapts.
The big 4 have in many folks minds 'gone the wrong way' with their mostly hideous and nothing looking motorcycles. Just there... but not there, seen but there is hardly any 'connection' between the bike and the biker.
Not with me these days.
The FEELING of the MC as like in a way a part of yourself is just barely there with a modern Jap bike, so it makes you feel nothing for it much at all.
The looks and the feeling it gives you is where it is at.
That the bloody thing 'goes' is the Brucey bonus to it all. Or Brucie if preferred. Ideally it does go, and these days mostly it does, no great need to worry about that not with RE, though for some just having it and looking at it and sitting on it almost satisfies enough.
That is a sign of a great bike a desirable one.
Years and years ago a young kid would go mad just to sit on his old mans bike, back in the day. While he was out the way so he did not risk a clip around the ear. They would love it.
--------------------------------------------------------------
With Royal Enfield on the whole as we see for quite a while doing the right thing, ok maybe unable to go the performance route fully, yet we now strongly believe the Himalayan 452 has 39.5hp, so in a way trading performance for looks, maybe balancing it, though we will just have to see how it looks in the flesh.
The new 452 engine will fit some existing models more than others.
Can't wait till end of Oct 2023 when it is revealed.
It is the enthusiasm that a manufacturer whips up with new models that really does give their vehicles success again how it makes people feel. The big 4 on the whole have lost that.
I could not care less about any of their new releases. Switched off from them lot ages ago. So sad, they had such great great bikes. Competed against each other and all going compoundly the wrong way.
Out doing themselves going the wrong way than each other.
Worse & worse & worse. Rarely ever revitalising the old magic. So tragic.
Back to a relevant MC maker Royal Enfield, they have the ability surely to bring out a J series 500cc engine that'll do nicely Sir for the Bullet and Classic. With the Hunter or this possible 'Roadster' proposed vehicle having this new 452 cc engine. Maybe RE will get away with the 452 in a Meteor. I imagine if it looks ok it'll come about.
WE could get an up to date 500cc J series engine, RE have bags of money. A 500 Classic and 500 Bullet would sell packets of them. It >>could
Thank you for sharing such valuable insight! Love it!
Yes!!!!! Golf forks are atrocious. The fact that people actually like them contributes to my decline in faith in humanity.
According to several reviewers/owners the front suspension will get softer. Just give it some time.
True , mine was stiff when new but now after 3000km it is as good as any bike I have owned .
Such a beauty! So simple bike... it becomes... special between other modern bikes!
I love em
Might get one to join my stable 😊😊
Love the colour 😊😊😊
Love the ride by shots
try 32psi front .. 36psi rear... great bikes for the money with a huge amount of reasonably priced accessories.... probably better for the older rider..lovely engine very relaxing to ride
@@pmay222 Thank you! good you say that! i had just set it to 36 on the rear tire a few days prior.
The terrible roads is a dead give away of New York State! 😂 I'm I right...I'm right...right! 😂
No such thing as "horse powers" it's singular, HORSEPOWER.
Make that horses’ power lol jk
So, wait, it only makes 1 "HORSEPOWER"? It seems like a lot more than that.
Congratulations! I’m planning to get the same 🎉
Glad you love it .
I have the Orange Crush version with the same tank badge , which is , as you say really cool .
Mine has the silver rims , that only come on the Orange Crush Interceptor's . Fitted a K&N air filter and slip on mufflers for the sound these bikes deserve , enjoy the S&S's when they arrive that sound awesome ! I ride with a buddy who has the Continantal GT with these and it sounds sweet when on song !
I have just topped 3000km here in OZ and did the service myself as well , it's super easy to do .
Congratulations on choosing a sweet bike in a sweet color , you will grow to enjoy it more and more .
Ride safe Brother .
Just got the SandS installed a day before and Oh my God! They are so sweat sounding! Absolutely worth every penny! 😎
Get the New dual touring seat. The regular touring seat with the white piping is only a minor improvement.
Thank you! I will look into it!
I have the exact same bike, same colour - love it…l’ve put the trip machine side panel panniers on in the light colour and they look great… planning on a light brown leather saddle too ! Enjoy… great bike👍
Thanks! How much were the panniers? Would you be able to share a link to find them?
voice sounds like the Reluctant Biker (NYC) who disappeared a yr ago.. he'd done a review of the 650 Interceptor.. still the same great bike! 😄
Lol i looked at his channel but i see why you say that!
Nice thumbnail, i recognise the location. Enjoy the bike, they are good:)
Congratulations! Love the red (I have the same), not such a fan of the new Interceptor looks. The new Interceptors get tubeless tires which are nice, but they get the ECU5 units.
Thank you! I might change my tires some time in future. Hope i never get a flat!
I assume you mean Euro5? In which case ALL new Royal Enfields are Euro5 unfortunately
Hi Fen yes sry Euro5. Here in Vancouver, Canada the old models still seem to have the Euro4. (Probably old stock lol)@@fentiger865
SV650 makes 75hp....and I had one loved it.I don't understand how RE makes such tiny HP from same displacement
Nor do I! 🧐
This is just a different type of a bike. I had the SV650 and I also test rode the RE Interceptor. Both are great bikes and very enjoyable. Drop by mate to check my content. :)
sv650 has 47 pounds of torque. not a huge difference.
triumphs also make silimar hp for there cc, its the style of bike dude, hp isnt everrything, ive owned an int 650 and an sv650, both do everything i need and i dont notice the differance
Great video pal.
How's the handling for you ? , and does the bike feel heavy for you or is it good enough ?
Thanks! Handeling is so so but weight is just right. Maneuvering from lane to lane requires a little but more effort.
Congrats on new bike my man!
Thank you 😊 Love having it!
I would definitely upgrade the front springs. Remember, you'll need them and the touring seat riding on those bad New York Expressways .....
Awesome the new bike looks amazing 😊
Great video,enjoyed it well done. Biker in uk.
Congrats on the new wheels.
I will be surprised if you regret it. I moved from a classic 350 back to an interceptor, I had an interceptor back in 2019. Flip flopping form one to the other 🙂
I would be surprised too!
Nice bike, minus its weight.
Nice video 👌
I AM SURPRISED HOW BAD YOUR ROADS ARE THE FIRST 5 MINS OF RIDING nice bike
And this is after a lot of recent rework done lol
I have the blue one and it's a great bike. I'm at 2,400 miles.
Ride safe!
Congrats 🎉
Thanks Sumesh!
Was the trade in worth it did you get enough for the Classic or better just to keep both bikes. I have 2022 meteor and strongly considering and interceptor
I sold it on privately and got enough back to still feel comfortable selling it!
Dang it. I typed up a long comment but included a windscreen website suggestion and it got deleted. Oh well, I’m not typing it again. Ride on.
Lol 😂 I got a DART Marlin installed. Its good for saving the chest. I’ll try to adjust the lean and see if it makes a difference.
Hate it when that happens !
You'll have to get used to random people coming up at gas stations or in the street to talk about your bike. They really catch the eye and the imagination. So many people ask, have I modernized a 70's RE?
I had this happen with me when i had the classic. I see it coming more with this one!
I’m 161cm height. Can i handle interceptor 650 with this height?
I recommend test riding it for yourself. I have seen some riders tip toeing motorcycles but it all depends on your comfortability!
@@Royalrider777 yeah sure bro
What year is this bike?
@@lambertj.2892 2023
I am about to tour India on an Interceptor 650 - I wonder........
Enjoy!
my only concer is the frame because they had some problems on the himalayan modes that the frame cracked , whats on your oppinion on the interceptor frame?
I wonder if the himalayans had an issue because they were being ridden in tougher terrains. Interceptor Shouldn’t have that problem.
@@Royalrider777 oh i see thanks for the reply
I've ridden mine for a year on country back roads. No issues at all.
@@NoNameneeded1984 hmm i see and the weldings on the frame are ok in your oppinion?
@@Berindei_Stefanthe welds are a lot better on the gt650 they are very solid at least on my bike
How many bikes have you owned? How long have you been riding?
I haven’t owned that many bikes with this INT being my second in recent times but i have been riding for 12 years off and on! Why do you ask?
Beutiful bike
Hi, please send me the motorcycle dealership number I m also looking for 0% Apr thanks
I got it from royal enfield dealer in bellmore, NY but you can go to any dealership near you.
Yet another RE review. These bikes are underpowered and the fit and finish is poor. R18 BMW is the way to go
There's something known as price difference mate