10 things about Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 nobody talks about!

[@VintageMotorcycles]

Hi, I'm a owner too. 1. Disagree. The bike is not a rocket, but the engine work well to overtakes on the road, etc. 2. Agree. I'll change for a 150 mm rear tire. 3. I didn't any problem with that, but I live in a dry region. 4. Disagree. I rode almost 200 km and the seat does't disturb me. 5. I don't know to express my opinion. 6. No opinion 7. Disagree. The fuel capacity is good. But, in my city, I get 23 km/l. On the road, 27 km/l. 8. Nope. No problem 9. It’s just a lot of noise from Internet, bad luck or bad use. The bike is strong and well done. 10. Buy a Harley and know what is a heavy bike. 😂 A hug. Cheers

[@ridicule35]

Hello, I am a rider of 31 years. I average 20000km/year. I ride all year, all seasons and all weather conditions. I have owned many bikes from Kawasaki 500 GPZ to 1988 zx1000 Tomcat to track day zx10r with 6 years at Le Mans circuit . I did touring on two bmw k1600GT’s. I have had two bmw 1200RT for more than 100000km each. Today, I have my 2020 1250 GS Adventure which is my touring bike at 33000km, my 2008 1200RT my daily bike at 111000km and since last October my 2022 RE Interceptor 650 euro5. I always wanted a classic bike or neo retro bike. However I didn’t want to spend a fortune on something that was too old, difficult to get parts and not always allowed in all European towns because of emissions restrictions. The RE 650 Interceptor was the best choice in terms of styling, norm Euro5, price point and three year unlimited kilometer guarantee. I have since covered nearly 5000km since 28th October 2022. This includes 450km day ride to 1200km three day weekend road trip. As a motorcyclist, I love curvy roads, the countryside and even my commute to work 60km a day, is avoided on freeway or toll roads. I don’t see the point on riding a motorcycle straight up for hours and hours with no fun twisty bits. If I do use a highway, I prefer the 1200RT which is conceived for longer, comfortable travel. It it has a 27L fuel tank and 500 or more km per tank in range. I could also use the 1250 GS Adventure with 30L fuel tank and 600km range. These bikes are worth 4 RE 650 each minimum and they are better suited to highway riding and highway speeds. The RE 650 is designed and geared speeds for the Indian market. The bike is happiest in the 90 to 100 km/h speed range. This usually takes me on non-highway roads. Fuel economy is 3,5 to 4,2L/100km depending on the riding terrain being flat or mountains and if I ride slow or ride in a dynamic way. This gives a range of 385km at best (13,7L tank) or 326km at worst. Having 27liters on the RT and 30L on GS Adventure, I am very conscious and paranoid about fuel. I carry 2x 1L mini plastic jerrycan in each saddle bag. If ever I run out, I have at least 50km reserve to find a station. From new, I have taken the GT Continental touring seat with seat cowl to cover the passenger seat for a more sporty look. I can ride four hours before I feel I need to stop. Lets not forget. It’s a cheap bike, not my 28000€ GSA or 20000€ RT. Even the GSA or RT, after 6 hours I need to stop. Except in general I stop every two hours to have something to drink, a snack, take a photo or whatever. So I have no seat comfort issues. I am 1,87m talk and 88kg. The RE is build for your average Indian rider of 60 to 75kg. If you a 95kg Viking, you need to beef up the seat, suspension or buy something else to suit your usage and your comfort needs. 😅 Now concerning the ‘performance’. In the motorcycle world you have two groups. Those who live and breathe numbers for HP and Torque. Those that swing a leg over the bike and just ride it, for what it was conceived, for the usage it is adapted. I just spent three days, 1200km on a motorcycle club weekend. I took the RE instead of the RT or GSA out of curiosity. I spent the trip following the BMW F800 GT lead bike, no highways. In the twisty bits, he was never more than 20m in front and I had a guy on Triumph Tiger 900 but A2 restricted to 47bhp. He did not follow us. Not the bike, just rider skill. If you ‘thrash the bike to ride it above its ‘sweet spot’, it will willingly do as you ask but you will use more fuel and suspension wise, if the road gets very bumpy into a corner, the bike can become a bit skittish but it’s something you anticipate. Again, it must be ridden for its conceived usage, it’s limits. This is not a a bike with Ohlins front and back that somebody gave you cheaply. The Ohlins shocks and forks kit is a 1400€ itself. If you really want that, you should be looking at Triumph or Ducati or BMW not a 6800€ bike. You must compare apples with apples. The tires are perfect for the ‘flickability’ of the bike. It makes 52n.m of torque and 80% of that from 2500rpm. It revs up easily if you need power. However you will lose flickability and create some drag with oversized tire to power/torque ratio. If I was on my 200hp zx10r, I prefer the Dunlop D211 GP racer tires. On this bike, the nature of it, the style of that classic 70’s bike, nobody used a fat tire. Not even the Kawasaki H2 widow makers used that. So it’s esthetic and subjective but not a mechanical or performance flaw. The bottom line, if you can build a bike for 7000€ or less with no faults then you should do it. However no manufacturer, not even the Chinese can rival what RE have offered us. If you want all the bells and whistles and you want to pay 7000€ or less, you need to stop dreaming or you need to buy 2nd hand Triumph with 50000km done. 🤷

[@Persian-Immortal]

wonderful explanation, mate!

[@zugzug84]

This comment was more interesting than the video itself 👍

[@RE650NZGraeme]

Well said!! I also have a 1200RT and use it for the long days on highway, and for some spirited riding on rural NZ biways as well. A-B roads. I have ridden the RE650 for 8 hour days and am 90kg 69yo, with no discomfort at all - I just move back and forward on the seat, bum back and arms forward down into the wind or up straight and cruising. Fuel economy is much better than the Beemer but still 2.5 hrs and you need a drink and pie anyway! No maintenance issues for me at all, cheap service, 3 year road side warranty - can't complain for the dollars! Brakes - I have outbraked Triumph triples in emergency braking trials... go figure!! Aluminium engine casings - they were all raw alloy castings in the 40's, 50's, 60's 70's which this bike aspires to copy - I had some too! A bit of love and TLC never hurt anyone! Looks - great!! Love the Orange Crush - my Lolly Bike! Exhaust - I love it - as you said, best sounding bike out of the box - agree on that point :) Tyres- as above has said - exactly the same as the 70's Triumphs and BSA Lightnings - go figure! Reliability - perfect, starts everytime, feed it 95 Octane occasionally - spoil her!! Keep the E fuels away though. Suspension is a little tight and stiff, but vari ratio at the front so soaks up the initial road imperfections nicely. Rear is a bit skittish. I have replaced front and rear units on the RT but that is old and needed it. I don't feel like spending the same dollars on the 650. The RE650 steers quicker than my RT and is delightful in the NZ rural roads, flickable and fun. Another thing, -vibration - it is nearly imperceptible up to 130km/hr, so smooth! Engine design - how many have roller cam followers for the valve gear? How many twins have a 4 bearing crankshaft? The cylinders are widespaced with the cam shaft chain drive between two centre bearings which places the cylinders wide apart - good for two reasons - cooling of the heads, (My Yam TX500 cracked heads due to overheating) and oversizing the cylinders with a big bore kit. Already designed for more horsepower!! You get what you pay for - a whole lot of fun for not too many dollars!

[@NoahBenjamiin]

Off topic sir, but i have a question as a new rider. In all those years of riding, have you had many accidents?

[@RE650NZGraeme]

@@NoahBenjamiin I think you are replying to @ridicule35 - I have ridden for only 25 years, on 7 motorcycles, and have only once had an accident at 2am after a party on a road I did not know, thinking it was a different road. You need to be aware of all the dangers all the time. Wear all your clothing all the time - I mean helmet, gloves, boots, and jacket. Armoured jeans if you can. Get some advanced rider training - I did after 33 years of no motorcycles and have had 7 senior advanced riding courses. Graeme NZ

[@ianw3294]

Hi Bart - I have been riding for over 50 years and this is the most fun bike i have ever owned - It is meant to be a back to basics bike from the 70's and does this brilliantly. I have had my interceptor for over 3 years with no problems whatsover. Maybe you should sell yours if you are unhappy with it and buy a triumph at double the cost! Cheers

[@bartgoodride]

I totally respect your eperience, but I will say that my 25 years experience is pretty much enough to have propper judgement. There is clearly the level of expectation difference in yours and mine opinion over the RE. In my opinion it is unaxeptable to produce and sell something non relailable no matter the price. Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate this input.

[@roadwarrior8560]

@@bartgoodride don't buy a bloody Triumph, they are a bigger heap of shite than RE.

[@ffs5532]

Hey mate...I'm of the same opinion...was in the RE store in Spain last week having a perusal. I honestly don't think they are a bike for Europe....under powered and devoid of any art classic design ... perfectly OK for UK and congested town centres and country lanes...for us in Europe we have sweeping open roads...where the pootling sound of a 47 bhp relic is drowned out by birds...I appreciate the design work to recreate the bikes... but unfortunately...not for me...43 years riding ...

[@shoibalchakraborty8746]

😅 i have an interceptor but these comments are 🔥

[@andrewjoyner4133]

@@shoibalchakraborty8746 Does that mean on fire or shit??😆 Just asking.

[@tehkrok]

Perhaps you need to buy a different bike. 1. Perhaps you need a faster one, and to spend more. That is absolutely fine. 2. Skinny rear tyre - its supposed to be a retro. 3. Oxidation - polish it, oil it. 4. Change the seat, or use a sheepskin. My BMW was similarly uncomfortable. Lots of us have old arses now. 5. Servicing is actually pretty cheap. 6. Euro 5 is here to stay and is a remarkably good thing. 7. 70-80 mpg is pretty good, I'd like a bigger tank. Never buy a Harley. 8. Brakes are fine - buy a more expensive bike. 9. Reliability? Really? you seem to suffer 'radio call-in' bias. 10. It is heavier than I'd like. Spend more for less weight weirdly. Thanks for the video though, these bikes aren't perfect, they aren't as some claim some sort of ultimate - they are keenly priced, good enough.

[@critterIMHO]

Just a few areas where I think you’re both right and wrong. 1: I’ll take low, end torque over high end horsepower any day . 2: Yes, the aluminum corrodes quickly, but is easy to polish out. 3: The stock seat is miserable, but what other bike has good replacements available for so little money? 4: You think maintenance costs are high? Seriously? This is an easy bike for me to maintain myself, so the cost is minimal. The screw type valve adjusters alone save me a ton of time and money over anything that uses shims.

[@tombinkley2688]

You miss the point of this bike. It is not meant to be a boy racers bike, it is a gentleman's ride.

[@TheLibr4rian]

+1 ❤

[@EazyDuz18]

cope

[@morri03]

1) it is quite torquey so it feels faster than it is. I agree about overtaking at higher speeds. Still my other bike is 150hp and I still enjoy riding the Enfield 2) I agree a fatter tire looks better but it’s a mistake to put a 150 on it. The bike turns so nicely because of the narrow tires and the rim is too skinny for a 150 3) agreed. You have to polish the alloy often 4) the seat is uncomfortable but the touring seat is much better and cheap 5) I service the bike myself, it’s simple and fun 6) true, I think the idle speed is to help newer riders move off. It’s not euro5, my bike is euro4 and the idle speed is the same. 7) I find the fuel economy great, 25km/l typically and 280km range plus. My Ducati has much less range. 8) the brakes are pretty average but it stops ok when you squeeze hard. The fact is isn’t very fast means I don’t brake that much anyway as there isn’t the need to scrub off speed 9) a lot of the reliability stuff seems overblown. There are many claims online but also this bike is a big seller. The vast majority of owners have no issues. It does seem the early bikes were more likely to have issues. Most of the relay and grease claims are just spread by people who dint understand about relays or dielectric grease. For example if the grease really was a problem then every single bike would have issues. 10) it doesn’t weigh 218kg (213kg with 90% fuel according to the owners manual), not sure where you got the info from. I find it top heavy to push around but it is fine when rolling. Making it lighter costs money!

[@bartgoodride]

Thank you for your reply... This looks a lot of work. I must reply the same... Range, do not know where you took that number. Still, thank you for watching, I appreciate you input.

[@ben9l351]

loved what you shared

[@cedrictrounson8978]

I disagree with most of the 'issues' you talk about. for most people they are not issues. I have done 12000 Kilometers in twelve months on mine and short of one mirror coming loose, there have been absolutely no issues. reliability is 100%. as for oil leaks, nah, no such thing, as for seat comfort, may I suggest you do more riding. I have ridden mine from daylight till after dark and I was still OK. yes I would stop after 3 hours to stretch legs and fill up, so I say ' toughen up a wee bit more'

[@georgebamforth7372]

I've had an Interceptor 650 since 2019 bought brand new, never had a single problem with it. It's an amazing motor cycle that I will never sell.

[@joshuathomas8529]

Do you ajust the valves your sef?

[@parvas24]

Just my thoughts here The bike is nice looking , low maintenance, regular service will keep the and its value for next 10 to 20 yrs easily , this bike is worth its weight in gold and every mile that you ride on it will be memorable

[@Springfieldnightrider]

I would have to agree with some of your points. But I still just love my GT 650. It literally makes me smile on every ride

[@nrich5127]

All the issues you mention are spot on but most can be addressed by add on modifications but at a substantial cost : 1. slow bike - changing the mufflers ( $700+ ) and removing the center stand can remove almost 35 pounds weight while adding better performance and you get a much more convincing sound. Better mod air filter helps.The 2024 model has improved tuning for better performance 2. rear tire - actually the stock tires are renown as poor and replacing both FR & RR tires is HIGHLY recommended - the 2024 model has somewhat better tires 3. aluminum covers oxidation - there are spray on treatments to protect aluminum 4. poor stock seat - the touring seat or others is the only solution to this dificiency ... maybe at purchase time the dealer will give a discount 5. high cost service - learn to do your own service - there are many YT videos and forums to help ( I'm a DIY guy ) 6. high idle speed - a non issue for me personally 7. 240 km range - I don't have a solution 8. poor brakes - a Front steel braided brake line and better brake pads make a substantial difference 9. reliability issues - poor quality relays + too much cheap grease are know issues to be dealt with during the first week of ownership. Also the stock battery is only adequate. Stock electric switch gear is poor quality. This no Honda but it's also much less expensive to buy 10. too heavy - it's no sport bike but not everyone wants a racing position with weird styling sounding like a buzzsaw conclusion: you're looking at at least $1500 - 2000 in mods to have a unique bike which delivers a unique driving experience. You can do the mods over time as the original parts age.

[@alanramsay463]

you shouldn't have to modify a new bike plus after modifying you would be at the price point of a bonnie so why bother .....

[@EazyDuz18]

cope

[@hughphillips1427]

I would have thought the power is enough for most people in the real world, most people think the need more but in reality they don’t, only their ego does.

[@CatsNBlades]

Facts 💯

[@gregbagel791]

Honestly a fair review, I own a continental gt 650, basically the cafe racer ver, and you points are spot on. However for its cost I still found the bike unbeatable in its class. Love mine to death.

[@koosmotormuis]

I have an RE Interceptor. Have driven 12,500 km. Your review is 90% spot on. I think the maintenance costs are not too bad. My biggest irritation is indeed having to constantly polish the aluminum. Recently I've been replacing parts that I find incredibly stupidly designed by RE. Like the turn signals, brake light and that ridiculous rear suspension. The tires have been replaced by Heidenau, slightly wider and much nicer. Exhaust mufflers have also been replaced. Smaller, narrower and more in balance with the bike. And some small stuff such as the chain protection, handlebar riser, etc. The bike is super reliable. In short, buy this machine and customize yourself 🤓

[@mgnbukint6502]

OK, I'll bite ! I am a contented 2019 Interceptor owner (from new) & I don't recognise your observations as coinciding with mine. FWIW I have 48 years experience & had around 22 road bikes in that time. As with any prospective owner, I was able to read the specifications & see that it makes 47 hp before considering purchase. A test ride confimed that the way it made its 47 hp was agreeable to me and more important than the actual headline hp number, so I p/xed a Honda NC750 DCT (a more powerful, but much heavier bike). The Interceptor makes around the same power as the Moto Guzzi Breva 750i i.e I ran for over 5 years before the Honda (which I had for 3 1/2 years) & weighs much the same. I have not ridden in Poland, but have ridden in most of Western Europe (I am based in the UK) & 47 - 54 hp has been enough to be entertaining without threatening my licence everywhere I have been so far. Are the speed limits & general traffic speeds in Poland so much higher than the rest of Europe such that a more powerful & faster bike is a necessity ? Is Poland any different to other EU countries in not having an A2 47hp licence for motorcycles ? The 47hp output is not accidental ! The narrower tyres on 18" rims were one of the reasons I bought the Interceptor - they imbue the bike with a lightness & agility that is sadly missing with the modern fad of excessively wide 17" tyres. The 130 rear tyre is actually wider than the standard 4" rear that my BMW R100RS (70 hp) came with in the mid-'80s - never felt the BMW was "under tyred", but definately felt that the NC750 was "over tyred". What it looks like is irrelevant to me - I can't see it when I am riding anyway. The only gripe I have with the tyres is the wear rate (around 4000 miles for a rear on the OE PIrellis or the Continentals I run now), but that seems to be modern tyres having softer compounds rather than the tyre width. Fuel consumption on my Interceptor (as I ride it - which is much the same as I rode the Honda or the MG) averages around 80 miles per UK gallon - less than the incredibliy efficient Honda but more than the similar power level (but older) MG. My range is a reliable 200 miles, usually going onto "reserve" around 180 miles. If I fill when the "reserve" light comes on I reliably put in 9.5 litres to fill it. If you don't like polishing castings, why did you buy a bike with polished castings ? At least they can be polished without having to strip off scabby clearcoat as used to be the case with '70s - '80s Japanese bikes. The Interceptor is also available in some colour options with a black painted engine for those who don't like polishing. I find the stock seat good for around 4 hours for my 95-ish kg weight. I tried REs so-called Comfort seat & found that was only good for 2 hours for me, so it went on Ebay after 2 rides. After 4 hours I am ready for a coffee break anyway - same as I was on the Honda & the MG. I don't find the stock seat to be a limiting factor. High service costs must be down to your locality - my annual service (oil & filter change + valve clearance check/adjust) has been £200 a year since I got the bike. Way cheaper than my wife's similar age Moto Guzzi V7 Classic. Not as cheap as the Honda (around £150 IIRC), but I didn't keep it long enough to have a valve clearance check/adjust done at the 16,000 (IIRC) service. I don't have any issues with the brake performance - better than the Honda brakes, similar to the Breva. Likewise the suspension - it works fine stock & better than the Honda. Can it be improved ? Yes - a YSS front fork cartidge emulator kit fitted at 10,000 miles has made a noticable difference (kit fitted properly, with the damper rods drilled out). Night & day different ? No - but still better than stock. Still running on the OE rear shocks. Modern bikes are heavier than older bikes - they have to have more crap on them these days - ABS, emissions control equipment, reduced noise limits yada yada. It is what it is - what do you expect ? If you want to experience heavy, try an NC750 DCT ! My wife's V7 Classic is much the same weight as the Interceptor, but feels heavier being pushed around. My reliabilty experience comes from a sample of one early production bike. It has been totally reliable over the last 5 years. The finish is good (similar to the Honda & my wife's 2019 V7 Classic a bit better than my old Breva), never failed to start or been left stranded, no oil leaks, no electrical gremins (still running the 5 year old OE battery & just had to change one tail light bulb) - just "modern bike" reliability really. It did have a couple of finish-related warranty claims early on in its life ( the original seat had one stitch come loose - new seat supplied + both mirrors replaced) plus the original rear shocks damping disapperared at 2 years old - new pair supplied. Both calipers were replaced with the recall, but the originals had not given me any issues. The OE chain & sprockets did 10,000 miles (chain developed a tight spot) - better than the Honda, which had the chain changed under warranty at its first 600 mile service. 5 years on I am happy with my purchase decision. I have recently gone through a "I could maybe fancy a new bike" excercise & come to the conclusion that I could spend a shed-load of money to get something "new", but that it would be unlikely to be much of an improvement, if any, (for me) over the Interceptor. So I guess I will just have to go and enjoy riding it some more ! Nigel B.

[@SydMaven]

Spot on. My Interceptor is coming up for five in October. Hasn't ailed anything (4200 miles) - still on original tyres and chain - plenty left. Aluminium still good - probably helps the bike has never been in the rain... My little irks are just the plank seat (but I don't do the mileage) and would've preferred hydraulic tappets. Shocks are fine (I'm 100kg.)

[@TerraMagnus]

Loooong time rider and Interceptor 650 owner here. 1. "Relatively slow" ... yeah if you're used to a bike that's better for the track than the street. But it's stupidly fun to ride and definitely fast enough to get you into trouble if that's what you want. 2. I can't say I ever noticed anything about the back tire. But the good news is that's the tire that gets replaced frequently. So ride it more and put something on there you like better. 3. I haven't had my RE long enough to comment about aluminum patina. But this may say more about your maintenance routine since aluminum isn't any different on other motorcycle. Seriously... as I get through this list it sounds like you're just looking for problems where they don't exist. 4. I'm a very big dude and the factory seat on my Interceptor is quite comfortable. I weigh over 300 pounds. I can ride it all day, no problem. 5. Your dealer service mechanics deserve to earn a living wage. If that's problematic, this is an easy bike to learn how to maintain yourself with simple tools. 6. Idle seems fine to me. You're nitpicking. 7. Again, I'm 300+ pounds. I don't ride gently. I'm getting about 50 miles to the gallon. How flipping big is your city that you're running out of gas on one ride? 8. You can't complain that this is a slow bike and then complain about the brakes. If it's a slow bike, you don't need dual front discs or multi-piston calipers. Again, nitpicking. 9. These are like Honda-level reliable bikes. Where are you getting this idea? 10. If a Royal Enfield is too heavy for you, might I suggest a Honda Ruckus? This was a fairly disappointing waste of a click.

[@BusterReeko]

I own a 2022 continental and completely agree with this list. Haven’t had any issues with #9 after 12000 kms. I swapped the tire and seat, painted the tank, and regularly polish the bike. It is slow. It doesn’t stop well when two up. Having said all that, I still would confidently recommend it to casual riders. I get plenty of dates because of it.

[@Zeuleous]

Still i choose to buy re interceptor

[@oldgeezerproductions]

I am pretty sure that the "high" speed idle is because the engine has minimal rotational inertia, otherwise known as a light flywheel and also the ECU will not let the engine run much below 1,000 RPM to prevent it from "lugging." If you have the bike in too high a gear and if letting out the clutch too much or using too much rear brake while going slow, the RPM will drop below 1K and the engine will immediately die, sometimes with disastrous results. I don't know if other bikes with electronic engine control management will stop the engine like this, but the Enfield's ECU does and people should be aware of it. Two weeks ago I was doing low speed, tight turn practice when I let the RPM's drop below 1K causing the leaned over bike to immediately drop while going 10-12 MPH and so I ended up with a broken collarbone. Nature's gentle little way of reminding you to watch your RPM's. Those other things "nobody talks about" are well known to me and either they mean nothing to me or I have addressed them (such as the seat and the mufflers). There is one other thing that bugged me and that was the handlebar placement on my INT. I bought some aftermarket repositioners and now I love where the bars are. Another important thing that doesn't come with the bike is a good clock, but I bought one of those too.

[@Clemes13]

Its not that what you say is not true , the bike is so many horses , KGs , range etc etc etc . Im sorry to hear your service costs are so high over in Polland. But your totaly missing the point: Its because its NOT a lightweight, high tech crutch rocket that makes this bike so damn good ! That unfashionable rear tire makes the bike handle so well. the brakes arent suitable for brandshatch but they stop the bike! Also a top speed of 100KPH is more than enough for a back road blast through those country lanes and when the tank is just about empty just stop have a cuppa tea and a cream bun and enjoy the view. Its what many people are figuring out, all the 100+ Horsepower, driving modes, electronics nonsence.... you get a bunch more fun with less of everything. And regarding reliability , sorry for those who have had bad luck, but we will see over the next 20 years how the simple slightly over engineered 650 Enfields stand up against something like a 1200cc ADV bike. But i repeat again everything you say is true. Thats what makes the bike so good ! Slow down and enjoy life :)

[@bartgoodride]

Love this comment. I do agree with your point of view. 20 years will show the truth. Maybe it's because I had so many bikes and ridden almost 100 different models that makes me want to have It all in one machine... which is clearly not possible. Thank for watching.

[@Clemes13]

@@bartgoodride Hi Bart, I appreciate your possitive reply m8 ! I saw the small legend soft paniers on your bike. I have them too but I was unhappy with the closing system on them and found a realy easy hack that increases the possible capacity of them. ill try and make a very bad you tube film of what i did, ill send you the link. Keep up the good work, Dave XBrit

[@franciswashack89]

My 1969 Triumph Bonneville 650 only produced only 35 horse power, so the Enfield is doing much better. And the rear tire is perfect for a classic British motorcycle.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

MH more than 35 horsepower to the rear wheel. My Daytona makes 44 horsepower. It is only a 500 twin but it breathes much better and revs much better as well. Did you ever put your bike on a dynamometer to make sure.

[@skymningforelsket1302]

They made more power than that, stock. Souped up with cams, jets, air intake, and pipes, they'd push 60 horsepower at a weight of 350 lbs.

[@rover100bunson]

i had the bike cutting out a few times, cleaned the lard out of the relays and fitted bosch relays, all ok since, ive also been having issue with the ignition, you need to switch on then back slightly or it goes off, ive just fitted ebc hh brake pads to the front, highly recommended, the brake after 20 miles is now phenomenal, well worth it, i service the bike myself,i told the dealer i dont trust mechanics. my last bike was a suzuki sv650s with claimed power around 70hp,i was dissapointed to be getting around 45 mpg, with gt650 im getting over 60mpg,and the enfield has much more character, its a heavy bike but ive shaved about 20kg from it so far so accelration now is much improved and i can move it around much easier, tank range is not huge but ok, forget top speeds in our little islands now, the gt seat seems better than the interceptor and maybe the rearsets help keep weight off the rear a little,the instruments steam up under about 12degrees which is wierd, keeping the alloy engine cases clean is a labour of love, the new range will solve this, tyres i found ok bu5 changed to avon, suspension is shit and tye worst thing about the bike, solved with some upgrades, would be nice if my knees could grip the tank on my gt650 but its too narrow and a little high at the rear, i think that the engine i will be able to wring its neck but if i look after it im sure it will outlast me, i wont be selling my enfield

[@bonvoyage5377]

how can that rear tyre be too skinny for 47hp..........seems a bit of a contradiction

[@bartgoodride]

Visually it's out of proportion. The bike loofa from behind like a 125. The ride quality / performance is not limited by this only the looks.

[@alainrocheve1501]

The seat is bad, the tires are good, the RPM I don't care, there is no problem with the distance U can make with one tank, the brakes are enough, the power too, the cost of maintenance is just too expensive, all the lil problems and issues are nothing all are easy to fix, the aluminium problem forces U to take care of your bike and this bike is heavy like an elephant to me, but it's a leaf when U start rolling.

[@bartgoodride]

Thanks for watching.

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Maintenance is easy and cheap to do yourself

[@starkhead4760]

I think if idle rpm could go lower it would sound great

[@dry509]

What bike do you like?

[@skeech1979]

I love the seat. I bought a different one though so my wife can see over my shoulder.

[@thanos829]

i had the 650 interceptor 3 years no problems ,its not slow for me it stops when i want it too, i love to clean it so it looks just like i bought it , i change all the crapi things on it ,seat ,exsust,all the lights,and lots more, and i can say a lot more but i cant be bothered,if you dont like it sell it.

[@bartgoodride]

Thanks for watching.

[@MiguelCiutadBiocasasostenibles]

I have one and I love It!

[@toddcott9510]

You have to consider what you get for your money . Think about the problems people have with Harley's . I almost forgot, Harley owner don't talk about that , do they.

[@daveharding3207]

Did I miss the bit where you said why you wanted an Interceptor? I Have one and also a Suzi GSF650, travel-to-work times are indentical. I love the feedback I get from the Interceptor's suspension. Unlike modern bikes it lets you know somethings about to happen long before you're bouncing along the tarmac without warning. You never mentioned the Tubed tyres-far more worrying than an slightly narrow rear tyre! I love mine, It puts a grin on my face every time I get on it, something the Suzi struggles to do. I'd suggest you sell yours and go back to the standard offerings from the big 4 with their overpriced, fast depreciating fare. For balance I will say a couple of your points I do agree with but nthats about it!

[@John_Ridley]

I don't know why anyone would pay for service for an INT650. It's by far the simplest motorcycle around to work on.

[@bartgoodride]

You are obligated to do it in an authorized service if you wish to keep your warranty.

[@John_Ridley]

@@bartgoodride Nope. They can try but they'd have to be ready to defend that in court. Lots of places SAY that but if it goes to court they'll lose.

[@shakin_jakewilson5247]

Not in the USA. Look up Magnum Moss act (SP?)

[@nileshjaiswar3266]

I will be getting delivery of INT 650 Barcelona Blue in the Next 15 Days🙄

[@dhavald4359]

everyone knows, parts quality is not good and require replacements, power is average, seat is pathetic, bike heavy. but its still super value for money and very practical torquey motorcycle. seat can be replaced along with many customization. cheap twin cylinder motorcycle is way better than fast light weight single cylinder toy. no other company can sell such engine at this price point.

[@burtvhulberthyhbn7583]

I've been riding since 1970. Everything mentioned here is true except for build quality. With 33,000 miles I've had zero problems except for a short lived battery

[@bartgoodride]

Good for you. Still, what I talk about is what I encountered, so there are some issues.

[@rolfschroeder3174]

I ride them both the Interceptor and the GT - i can confirm 2 out the 10 only . You mention "from hering-saying" is reliability and faults - i ride the bike in extreme hot conditions and our local dealer here in UAE confirmed - here there is a near zero failure rate of that bike, oil leaks where not one known. The Petrol range is really a shit - bigger tank would be really useful. The Rear tyre i upgraded to 150 - it will fit perfect without mods

[@motormikeb1047]

650 Interceptor, in Ravishing Red ! Great bike.. as to date no electrical issues... " not fast ".. fast enough for me. Last week I did nearly 2000 miles on the interstae .. 75 mph and it was silky smooth. Did have the rear master cylinder replaced under warranty. 😎

[@Tubespoet]

My only point of disagreement is that you say that nobody talks about these faults! Forums are full of comments and arguments about them. For me while I don't totally agree with everything you have noted (for example I find the brakes good!) I do take them on board and to me they are part of the charm of the bike and when all said and done it is a fun ride, more so than many others. Just one more thing, it is an excellent bike to ride slowly on, you know, for posing, 20mph limits etc, not all bikes handle slowness as well!

[@blackskunk54]

I think the brakes are good too. I am buying one because it is easy to ride slowly if you want (country lanes)

[@kdsowen2882]

interesting and funny ! You forgot top-heavy when moving it about....and crap foot-pegs for 'paddling' it about , plus extreme-lean on side-stand and lastly, the biggest-disappointment (for me) , no kick-start . I ride a W650 , I'd happily-own an RE650 but only if it came-along at a crazy-bargain-price (like my W650 did) . I find a few things wrong with my 'W' too , but it's a Blast to ride through the tight back-roads , pleasant in town and 'doesn't' vibrate-badly like people go-on about. Lastly , it's as graceful-looking as the bikes I rode in my youth, without the pain of their ownership. Dave NZ

[@stephenkearney8589]

Long live kickstarters! And W650s! Actually, I had a 90 minute test ride on an Interceptor over a variety of conditions and apart from the 1200 idle RPM, high seat height and lack of kickstarter, I thought it was a better bike than the W650 - but not better enough!

[@johnrocker2986]

Generally agree with your comments my Interceptor is part of a collection of machines I own, it also is one of the most I enjoy riding the handling is safe and secure my brakes considering how I ride are good enough but do take a while is bed in fully before they give their best! Fuel range for me acceptable as after 100 miles I want a rest, regarding power not an issue as I just jump on a bigger machine BUT the Interceptor for me 1 a bargain, 2 the only real looking retro and 3 the engine is beautiful and on display.

[@paulshenton6527]

You get what you pay for. On mine that plank of a seat was replaced very quickly. Plus i changed the 4 sub standard relays and got rid of that white grease they bung on connections. After that no issues. Servicing i do myself.

[@alvinpettitt120]

I had the 650 interceptor it did everything i asked it to. I did fit the continental seat on it. I now have the new 650 super meteor. No complaints at all.

[@jessesebastiansamuel]

While I agree with you points, I love the fact that I can set the valve clearance and replace spark plugs on this bike myself, I don’t have to replace multiple brake pads due to only one disc on the front (can use a good quality one). I made my own seat by replacing the foam on the original seat, replaced the fork oil with a thicker one, replaced exhausts. Adding a BoosterPlug was the best addition. Runs great and is super fun. For people that love working on their bikes and actively maintain them, this is a fantastic option.

[@paulfoster5432]

I've been riding motorcycles ever since 1974 And I can tell you after owning some 30 plus Machine's in that time, You are totally wrong, Alloy has to be looked after, the bike handles great, it's economic, cheap to Insure, Gets great looks from people, User servicable, so you can save money on servicing, I've put a 16 cog conversion on mine, it'll reach over 105 mph And will cruise easy at 70mph all day at less rev's than the standard one, The list of stuff you've found wrong with the Interceptor is nit picking, Are you aware Royal Enfield is now out selling Triumph. I have rode large capacity motorcycles such as a Suzuki GSX 1400 And a Honda CBX 1000 six And I can tell you, In my 49 years of Motorcycling Experience, The Ultimate Machine To own and ride is, The Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor. 😊 Cheers Paul Foster 👏

[@bartgoodride]

I am not wrong. Manufacturer has obligations to deliver more that they promise, RE failed to do that in my mind. Still I appreciate your point of view. Thank you for watching.

[@paulfoster5432]

@@bartgoodride Well in my mind your nit picking and basically in experienced, And talking tripe, The Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor is very popular and Serviceable Machine indeed, And the manufacturer is brilliant for built quality, after sales, And is out selling Triumphs and other leading brand motorcycles. 😊 Cheers Paul 👏

[@daweshorizon]

I agree that the standard seat is a bit firm, the touring seat is about £150 though, so not outrageously priced. I actually think the standard seat is fine up to 90 miles (WTF is a kilometre?). The standard seat is fine for most purposes and actually makes it feel quite 'sporty'. I don't rush around anyway on a motorcycle, I like to take in the scenery and have regular breaks for refreshment, or see the sights. My touring motorcycle of choice is my 411 Royal Enfield Himalayan. Less power but more comfort and I have Lomo panniers, crash-bar mounted front bags and a roll-top seat pack for my camping gear. The Himmy is also reasonably off-road capable. Or tackle poor road surfaces, of which we have many in the UK and Europe. There is no such thing as a 'general purpose' motorcycle. A person's choice of motorcycle will depend on what they are using it for; touring, off-road/on road, commuting and also where they live and what their financial situation is. If I lived in London, I'd ride the Himmy or a Honda 125 to ride to work. If I lived in Los Angeles and wanted to do some touring, I'd buy a Harley or a Gold Wing, or maybe the afore-mentioned Honda 125! It depends on what you want and how you want to achieve it. I run my Himmy as a daily rider, work, shopping et cetera. I don't own a car. The Interceptor is my bit of fun at the weekends and living in Derbyshire, a stone's throw from the Peak District National Park, there are some amazing roads available. I think the rear tyre comment you make is nonsense. It 'looks' fine to me and more importantly, it works considering the performance of the bike. If you put on a bigger tyre, you will be adding more unsprung weight to the bike and may compromise the performance and handling. And it will be expensive. Most riders customise their bikes in any case, to suit their particular wants or needs. Royal Enfield have a great dealership network in the UK, they have lots of extras and modifications available and there are numerous sources of advice and support on the socials. Next thing we know Bart, you'll be complaining about the weather! Sorry, but being British, I've already trade-marked that subject. Love and peace.

[@Robin-iv1kc]

I’m with you Bart. I honestly think Royal Enfield give smiles per mile at a cost that proves the mainstream brands are ripping us off. We don’t need rider modes , we don’t need traction control, we just want a raw bike that puts a smile on our faces. We want to be able fix it and service ourselves. Motorcycling is more than just the ride. It’s the whole experience and lifestyle that counts. Royal Enfield have nailed it big time and that’s why they make more in a month than Triumph does in a year.

[@manormouse1410]

Now do 10 bad points for all the other makes. I can`t find any significant faults with the Interceptor after 10 weeks of use, In fact I find it a very endearing beast. It never stops pleasing me . I am 100% glad that I bought this machine and 100% pleased that I didn`t see this review whilst deciding which bike to buy

[@bartgoodride]

Thanks for watching anyway 😁

[@rover100bunson]

just a thought, if my 220kg bike produces 47hp thats 213hp per tonne, our 2.2 xf jag weighs 1.7 tonnes and produces 163hp,thats 95 hp per tonne, so our RE doesnt seem so bad?

[@bartgoodride]

That is a kind of optimism I could use in my life. Thanks for the comment.

[@mickstafford456]

The brakes are average. Upgrade the pads. And, if you want to, upgrade the front brake cylinder too. It's a retro classic motorcycle. Which means that the tyres are classic sizes. 100/90 front is the same size as a GPZ550. With a rear of 120/80, for the same bike. The seat is down to styling, there are plenty of other bikes with equally poor, or even worse, seats. I'm not denying that there are things that I changed on my GT. Seat and brake pads were certainly two of them ;-)

[@bartgoodride]

I just did a video with all my mods. Still did not changed the brake pads. Check out my channel. Thanks for watching.

[@carlosconcepcion1021]

Every topic point has been already addressed in the past by more experienced riders, your 18 months late. Most of your views are perceptions. Easy fix is two spend 5k more for an Indian or Harley and then your complaint will be how we overspend for things that we could have updated for less on a Royal Enfield

[@alain7338]

Bonjours alors vous la vendez? Si non pourquoi la garder? ✌️🇨🇵

[@killacoiler1707]

If you change out the stock exhaust that will shed nearly 30 pounds off the bike alone. The back tire being narrow is only an issue if you make it one; especially seeing that the bike is styled as a retro making a wide tire out back unfitting the era that the bike is styled after. For a bike that has meager power output the classic styled braking being measly compared to more modern sports bikes is again staying more period correct with styling over function. That said,, they could have opted for better calipers when only using a single disc at either end. Overall, for what it is I feel it is a great base for someone who is mechanically inclined and wants a bike to build upon. I have a local dealer who is also a full on speed shop here in Indiana USA that has gotten some fantastic results out of this machine using the S&S 650 high compression kit, some in-house headwork, the S&S 2 into 1 Qualifier exhaust, an air intake upgrade, and a power programmer. I have had the luxury of sitting in on the build and dyno tuning and have to say that the internals of that engine are extremely well built and are capable of handling far greater power output than what comes out of the factory. I know that the European Emissions regulations tend to thwart pulling maximum potentials out of this machine but I promise you that in 650cc configuration using the S&S parts aforementioned it will produce 90 wheel horsepower and 95 lbft of torque. That is a pretty healthy jump and makes the machine much more spritely. He has a 2019 that is his personal daily commuter and it has been heavily modded with an in-house fabricated wider swing arm that allows for a 180 rear tire, upgraded rear shocks, a bobbed cafe short seat, and taller risers with straight bars. It is a straight hooligan machine now and is a blast to flip around in the twisties as the added torque makes it easy to power out of one corner and into the next. I cannot begin to explain the difference in throttle response other than light years apart. Of course you need to do a clutch spring upgrade to handle the insane jump in torque but for under 12k you can build one heck of a fun bike that performs like a modern machine but gives a nod to the 60s and 70s custom cafe bikes that started the Supersport revolution.

[@jlrutube1312]

Could you get a few more horsepower by just using a power programmer? How much more? How expensive?

[@killacoiler1707]

@@jlrutube1312 the figures that I mentioned are with the S&S high comp kit, the S&S qualifier 2 into 1 exhaust, upgraded air box, and a programmer Dyno tuned. Now if you did some port and polish work, and put in larger injectors you could probably squeak closer to 100 ponies out of the 650cc high comp setup. If you want more than that you will need to spend nearly the cost of the bike itself for the big bore kit, custom head kits, different clutch basket, clutch disc, custom header tubes, different injectors, more radical cams etc. it can be done it is all a matter of what you want to spend.

[@WaterDR-tw8re]

You entirely miss the point. The appeal of these bikes is not what it is, but what it is not.

[@thatguy1060]

And the looks.

[@EazyDuz18]

cope

[@Roger_Ramjet]

These are GREAT bikes.

[@bartgoodride]

I would go only with "nice". Nothing more.

[@alanramsay463]

yip after owning for two years I think nice is the best I would go and I agree completely with all your points ,check engine light has been on for a year or more after having it "sorted" at the dealer who are crap at best bought a triumph ,different class and don't go down the price route as the depreciation on the interceptor is simply horrendous,I cannot give mine away ,it's done less than 1509 miles ,two years old and worth half it's new price ..... the triumph will be worth 80% of its new price at the same age and miles plus it will look better as it's on a different plane finish wise .....( I have a 23 year old thunderbird which looks nearly new ! so sad to say no more Enfield bikes for me

[@hlotto]

I have a Continental GT, usually I do 180 km between filling up, to do 200 km I have to drive in eco mode, it’s boring when you are in a road trip with friends with big ADV bikes, last trip she spent 8 Liters in 80 km 😮, because I was riding with my wife and we were going 160/170 km/h (full throttle) in highway trying to keep up with or friends BMW 😳. But the biggest problem is engine cut off, the engine cuts off in the middle of the road doing 100 km/h for example. First times it was under warranty and I think they change the roll over sensor, but after almost two more years the problem started again, I’m going to see if I can buy one and plug it in. Did you guys have any problem like this ?

[@bartgoodride]

Sorry to hear. I did not have trouble with the sensor buy my speedometer died. Turned out the cable from the wheel was tensioned and broke.

[@hlotto]

@@bartgoodride I made a tension divider and replaced the sensor ,

[@worldofameiso5491]

With all these issues, I am not sure why you don’t sell yours?

[@mr.b9871]

Can't disagree on some of those. But then again, I didn't buy it for the power, I've swapped out the seat for the premium touring, I don't mind giving it a good clean and polish (helps in knowing the bike). Very easy maintenance in my opinion, did my own first service without issue. relatively easy adjusting the valves and while doing that, I swapped out some of the hardware as those Allen screws were just too cheap (soft).

[@kh250cc]

that,s your waranty screwed

[@ben9l351]

but at least you know its done right@@kh250cc

[@antonbabych3481]

Good video and good buy. Few weeks ago I got my own RE Interceptor in Black ray edition and it's great!

[@vannessar32]

Mine has just had it's first service after 500 miles with no problems. The bike has few minor niggles but for the price it's a pleasure to ride. I fitted a more comfy seat, a handlebar clock, and sponge handlebar grips.. The next purchase is a K&N air filter and better fork springs as the front is a bit hard on country roads. It 's a different bike on E5 petrol ,much more responsive.. As with previous comments,, if you don't like it sell it.

[@leftymadrid]

Wow!! The information given seems honest as hell! I went with another 40 horsepower bike, The Cafe sporting GK 350... The 650 only has 47 horses... I've bought it in September, and I already have 12.000 kilometers on her!! The only thing I changed over on this motorcycle was the tires, I went with Michelin Road 5 (120-160) which was the same size as factory spec's... I looked up TAYO the builders of the GK 350, and was double impressed, they have their own engine patents, are affiliated with Ducati, their GK designs are Italian. I've had huge bikes in the past, wanted something smaller but fun in the Twisties. I was pleasantly surprised when I got on this Cafe Sporting GK 350. You know , 10-12 years ago I would have not even thought of buying a Chinese bike, but after riding one, and investigating the most modern robotic factory in china, and the products the put out every year, with (3 years guarantee) and all the extras it comes with it was definitely a no brainer, I bought one...been riding it a ton out here in the outskirts of Madrid, perfect riding scenery all around here! Runs like silk, and soon to be doing the 15.000 kilometer service (which by the way only cost about 95 Euros)!!!!

[@bartgoodride]

Out of curiosity I googled this Zontes 350gk. When buying a motorcycle a lot of people more or less consciously chooses a brand for it's haritage, I guess this is why RE even if not giving enough power, still wins with Chinese brands. But I must admit 40hp from 350 or 400 was a standardy power even 20years ago in bikes like Suzuki drz400sm, and that was a dynamite to ride!

[@trudylynch6750]

does this guy have shares in ktm

[@bartgoodride]

Nope.

[@threetotwo9296]

I agree with you. I've owned an Interceptor 650 for four years and love riding it daily. While it has some issues, the repairs are cheap. Some brands charge for repairs or maintenance so expensive. And if you want a motorcycle that has few or no problems and maintenance costs are not expensive, you can buy a Japanese brand. But I live classic motorcycles with great engine sound, Interceptor 650 is perfect for me now.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

For a new design it should have hydraulically adjusted valves like my Sportster 883. It should also have a belt drive to make it nice and clean and cheaper than replacing chain and sprockets and moving and cleaning constantly the home version has a carburetor and not fuel injection which adds $1,500 to the price of any motorcycle that it is attached to. I can change all of my Harley fluids in 30 minutes or less and the filter as well. My bike presently has approximately 400,000 MI. I have had the bike over 20 plus years so I guess I am happy with it. I have owned my triumph TR6 my 1965 with a magneto and a bolt on hardtail frame for 40 years.

[@billumand]

Home version has same , injection. India has similar emission norms as europe. A belt wud reduce mileage.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

@@billumand India used to have no pollution controls but they have such a huge population that pollution controls became a necessity because their cities are so crowded with people using from personal transportation. I can't understand how people who make so little money can afford to buy gas.

[@GrtSatan]

I agree completely about maintaining the finish on the cases. They have a tendency to corrode and it is a full time job keeping them shiny, worth the effort though.

[@BobKramer51]

After polishing, put some pasta wax on them to prevent oxidation.

[@rahulezang9689]

I love royal enfield, but i like when some body talks about cons. This helps me to understand how good these things are compared to other bikes.

I have an orange crush and I’ll be swapping for a Super Meteor because thr interceptor is SO uncomfortable. I changed handlebars three times and still one hour in my back starts hurting.

[@BrandonK80]

Great video! What touring seat did you purchase?

[@ruahinesrider]

Tank range is really 200km want to leave 2.5Liters in tank on motorcycle to stop sludge & fuel pump & filters clogging & incorrect fuel reading when fuel sender gets stuck which rocking up & down on forks when tank filled should release fuel sender.I would start looking for a gas ⛽ station at 180km or plan to get gas at 200km if I know I can make it to one by 200km.If in unfamiliar area would fill up as soon as I saw one at 170-180km max if don't know where next gas ⛽ station is.

[@bartgoodride]

Now, that is a real comment from a real motocyclist. 200km range is the only sure number about this bike, anything more is either a wish or a gamble people take when riding.

[@ruahinesrider]

@@bartgoodrideThanks for the praise.On a 650-750 with 14-16 L tank 200km max is a safe bet so you got 2.5L at least left in tank to stop sludge etc in fuel pump.Unless you got KLR 650 with 23L tank or Motoguzzi 750-850 with 21L tank 350km is possible.

[@stevekearns441]

It's nice to read a review that doesn't claim the bike "walks on water". I'm still thinking of buying one though. I had read that the first service charge was pretty steep. still---

[@BlueRidgeRider]

You make some good points but failure to polish bare aluminum is the owner’s fault, not the bike’s. Most maintenance can be carried out by anyone smart enough to operate a feeler gauge. This will save you a lot of money. Mine came with a bad battery which I replaced with a good one rather than a crap Varta brand. It have never heard of an oil leak or other problems you mentioned. Ok, I cleaned off the 2 kg of grease from the relays as soon as I got it home. That’s a known problem and doesn’t appear in the new Classic so maybe they are learning that “too much is just enough” doesn’t work in the real world. Compared to the previous Royal Enfield 500 this is light years ahead! Compared to a Japanese bike it is still decades behind. Who need good brakes on a slow bike?😂

[@siruga]

I own a GT650. With minor mods, bike is 25 kilos lighter (no frame parts where cut off so far) and have 47 HP at the wheel on the Dyno. I have it for around 6500 miles, of mostly canyon riding and track days ( i raced bikes in the past, so i extract as much a as i can from it, with no hold backs). Bike NEVER gave me any problems, doesn't leak oil, didn't exploded into a singularity , sending me back to the roman empire ages. Like most bikes in the world, problem is not the bike, but the owners. But have to agreed, rear tire sucks ( actually both of them) , so I'm running a 17 inch 160 at the back, and the brakes are semi garbage, but already tested a better master cylinder on it , and can tell, the dimensions are ok, just the master cylinder that is reeeeaally shitty. It does have THE BEST gear box of any bike i ever rode, and for the price point , its an incredible fun motorcycle. only flaws i find in the bike are fit and finish stuff, but for the price paid... don't bother me at all.....

[@simonsmith8580]

Love my Interceptor. Would like a gear indicator and a kick start but that’s probably being unrealistic and picky. Replaced the seat for a more comfortable version but at 14 stone I’m not a lightweight. Replaced the starter relay for more robust one but no other issues. Exceptional value for money. Don’t complain about service costs, it’s so easy to service you should be doing it yourself. Plenty of power for me and the roads I’m riding.

[@commonsense718]

Had mine 3 years now upgraded 4 relays myself had warranty issue with rectifier /regulator, fixed by dealership. Handles like a dream. Tappet adjustment and oil change fairly easy diy. Love it.

[@leswatson8563]

I bought the RE 650 Super Meteor last year. Over 5,000 miles later my only two small whinge's are as follows. She really needs better rear suspension. And finally a better rear brake. Traveling between 60 to 70 mph two-up the rear brake is in my opinion laking under hard breaking. You can see by ny profile pic which model I'm riding. We went to Cornwall on her last year. Neither passanger or rider hand sore bottom issuse! She run happily two-up at 70 mph. Just over 320 miles journey and it cost under £25 in petrol. Ive been riding since 1970. And as I'm 71 years young next year, this bike suits my style of riding. And she handle's the tight Cornish roads very well, wet or dry. I hope you find my thoughts interesting? Safe riding dude 🤘...

[@mrmoon1482]

I own one and been riding for over 30 years, it’s one of the best bikes I’ve ever owned, love it,

[@BobKramer51]

I have put 13,000 miles on my 2020 Interceptor. Many times in pouring rain and several long road trips. It has never missed a beat, not once. I do all the maintenance myself. Made a few mods to set it up for touring.

[@canozerman7789]

What do you think we should buy for front and rear tires?

[@loki1066]

What would you buy instead?

[@bartgoodride]

That is a good question! I guess I have a different answer to that question each day. Lately I fell in love with a Moto Guzzi V85 TT, but this is only because I started to look for a more long ride oriented motorcycle after doing a 700km single day trip in the Interceptor. I made a video on that. Thanks for watching!

[@ankit0657]

As an ex owner of thunderbird 500 and classic 350 and future owner of interceptor I agree with all the points except service cost.

[@carlosmaurokrma92]

I can agree with all of your points, it is completely true. the bike show its a budget bike. but I still love it and my Continental and it will die with me. Love your videos sir!

[@bartgoodride]

Love the comment! I am still in the process of falling into it... maybe one day.

[@Strideo1]

"10 things about Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 nobody talks about!" Then the first point is about how much power the engine makes which is talked about and debated all the time.

[@bartgoodride]

You are right! But everybody talks that the power is good... enough... feels more than on paper. What nobody talks about is, every single producer makes 50% more from 650cc engines.

[@Strideo1]

@@bartgoodride Are you comparing Royal Enfield's air cooled 650 to other manufacturer's liquid cooled 650's? That would be an apples to oranges comparison. Let's look at some other air cooled engines and see how we fare. Ducati Scrambler 800 - 803cc engine that makes around 75hp. Not too shabby. It out performs the RE 650 engines. Honda CB1100 - 1140cc engine that makes around 89hp. Hmm. That's a power to displacement ratio only slightly better than the Royal Enfield 650 engines though. Kawasaki W800 - 773cc engine that makes around 48hp. That's even less power to displacement than the Royal Enfield 650 engines. Moto Guzzi V7 Stone - 853cc engine, around 65hp. More overall horse power but the power output ratio for the displacement is comparable. Suzuki Boulevard S40 - 652cc engine, 31 hp. Woof. BMW R nineT - 1170cc engine, 110hp. Making more overall power and more power per cc but this bike costs more than double the MSRP of a 650 twin. Ratio is comparable to the Ducati Scrambler 800. Yamaha Bolt - 942cc, 53hp. I hope it's at least making extra torque with all that displacement. Harley Davidson Sportster 883 - 883cc engine, 54hp. Comparable. Indian Chief - 1,811 cc engine, 74hp. Even worse than the Yamaha Bolt. I tried not to cherry pick the results here and I tried to pick bikes that are still in production or recently were in production to relatively modern emissions standards. Obviously an old air cooled two stroke engine would blow these out of the water but wouldn't street legal. While the Ducati and BMW stand out its clear that most air cooled or air/oil cooled engines just don't make as much horse power per cubic centimeter as higher compression liquid cooled engines. The tradeoff is that air cooled engines and cheaper to produce and have less complex cooling systems to maintain and repair. Thanks for the reply!

[@Strideo1]

@@bartgoodride Are you comparing Royal Enfield's air cooled 650 to other manufacturer's liquid cooled 650's? That would be an apples to oranges comparason. Let's look at some other air cooled engines and see how we fare. Ducati Scrambler 800 - 803cc engine that makes around 75hp. Not too shabby. It out performs the RE 650 engines. Honda CB1100 - 1140cc engine that makes around 89hp. Hmm. That's a power to displacement ratio only slightly better than the Royal Enfield 650 engines though. Kawasaki W800 - 773cc engine that makes around 48hp. That's even less power to displacement than the Royal Enfield 650 engines. Moto Guzzi V7 Stone - 853cc engine, around 65hp. More overall horse power but the power output ratio for the displacement is comparable. Suzuki Boulevard S40 - 652cc engine, 31 hp. Woof. BMW R nineT - 1170cc engine, 110hp. Making more overall power and more power per cc but this bike costs more than double the MSRP of a 650 twin. Ratio is comparable to the Ducati Scrambler 800. Yamaha Bolt - 942cc, 53hp. I hope it's at least making extra torque with all that displacement. Harley Davidson Sportster 883 - 883cc engine, 54hp. Comparable. Indian Chief - 1,811 cc engine, 74hp. Even worse than the Yamaha Bolt. I tried not to cherry pick the results here and I tried to pick bikes that are still in production or recently were in production to relatively modern emissions standards. Obviously an old air cooled two stroke engine would blow these out of the water but wouldn't street legal. While the Ducati and BMW stand out its clear that most air cooled or air/oil cooled engines just don't make as much horse power per cubic centimeter as higher compression liquid cooled engines. The tradeoff is that air cooled engines and cheaper to produce and have less complex cooling systems to maintain and repair. Thanks for the reply!

[@nikitis13]

I bought one new in 2020 and although I agree with you on many things you mentioned, the brakes were one area I felt were perfectly acceptable for the performance of the bike... My gripes were mainly the handling. Apparently "some" were affected by misalignments from the factory and made the handling atrocious in the corners. The tire quality and sizes also leave a lot to be desired in wet or cold conditions and don't fill the rider with cornering confidence. The bike is simply under tired for it's relatively porky weight and the front and rear suspension are at odds when pushing a harder on winding roads (all over the shop)... Performance as you mentioned is ok but, an ancient Suzuki SV 650 would simply run rings around it. 48hp for a bike that weighs well over 200kg doesn't cut it. There are cheaper lighter better performing things from Japan if you're willing to trade some nostalgia, old heritage brand and vintage aesthetics for a more cohesive motorcycle. I sold mine within 6 month. I'd look at it and never really felt like taking it out for a cruise or spirited run. Potential buyers don't be turned away, they can definitely be made to do quite a bit better with some modding. If you can't be bothered. If not, simply buy a Japanese mid sized twin e.g, Honda CB500, Kawasaki 650, Suzuki 650.

[@racheltaylor6578]

I’m still glad I bought an old Street Twin rather than a new Interceptor.

[@bartgoodride]

I would love to buy a 10yo Yamaha xs 400 if they would make those.

[@thatguy1060]

The early Street Twin had a 29" seat height, which was great because I'm short (they have since raised it). But I bought a RE 650 instead (and there are lowering shocks available) because I can't forgive Triumph for not installing traditional twin clocks, (no tach), and not having a spoke wheel option.

[@tomek860]

AD.1 - have you any experienced with the big bore kit for this bike?

[@kimhicks8443]

Don't Bother. Get a faster bike.

[@blackskunk54]

I have been reliably informed it ain't worth it

[@user-fv1576]

Love the look and price, but need something powerful for quick overtaking with pinion . Ducati scrambler was too slow at overtakes and suspect this bike will be the same ?

[@shoibalchakraborty8746]

Great review bart. But this is one of the best do it everything motorcycle.

[@anonyfamous1007]

Nice review.... 👍 I agree with most points you made. But, consisting the price, I guess these minor issues can be dealt with. Which other bike/s do you recommend at around price point?!

[@ihsanihsan6999]

Thanks for the video and your opinions. Haven't come across a video on the negatives of the bike. Another thing about it is it's service intervals and tapper checks compared to it's competitors. Again, thanks.

[@caseyclifford8536]

I guess I was lucky with the Interceptor I bought. Zero mechanical or aesthetic issues with my bike in 4K miles before I sold it. A little polish on the cases and I had virtually no oxidation issues. I ride allot in the winter in Texas when there is salt on the road. You were right about the power. That is why I sold the bike. If you ride slower the 125 KPH/77 MPH on the North Dallas Tollway you get run over.

[@MrScorp1968]

maybe your riding style is wrong for this bike but i get an average of 350 km with one tank. its a vintage looking naked bike , not a streetfighter. just my opinion , nice video

[@processcontrolsolutionseng5044]

How can a man who has owned so many motorcycles still not be able to do a simple service.😁

[@suneviking]

I´ve been riding bikes for 40years... My 1966 Triumph Bonneville 1966 (with 1973 750 enginge - single carburator) had 47 hp! It was 20hg lighter but had enough power! Your comments suggests that (as others have suggested) you should buy a "new Triumph T100 or T120". When I was younger I ride all over Europe with my Bonnie. The main problem derived from vibrations! Cracks... and a standing joke was that riding one hour = Repair one hour. The RE 650 seems to me like a dream. The new notion about adventure biking (off road) is utter stupidity...Real adventure is (apart from stunning views) meeting other people (cultures) and not fighting dirt roads. I will buy a Interceptor and prepare it for riding in SE Asia (retire in 8 months !!). / Sunny.

[@markfortin8286]

I owned one for three years, buying it a month or two after they became available in the US. I enjoyed the bike, and I’m happy I bought it, but I find many owners view them through rose-tinted glasses, as the saying goes. I would still say they are great bikes for those that like that style of machine. But I’m also fed up with owners acting like they’re world-beaters. They just aren’t. Everyone talks about how cheap they are, but it’s only compared to other retros (Bonnie, W800, 883, z650rs). A Ninja 400 platform bike will be several hundred cheaper, and whatever lacks in in hp/torque is rendered irrelevant by the light weight. That’s just one example, and we aren’t even talking about what bikes you can get used for the money you’ll spend on the RE. I had squeaky breaks, leaking fork seals, and a bargain basement battery that lasted one season . I found that OEM parts were never available, had to wait to get warranty work done, in the case of my fork seals, I gave up and eventually did it myself. The brake recall I was ultimately able to get done at the dealership after multiple attempts. I will say I was always very happy with fuel consumption,. I could get a solid 200 miles to the tank, regardless of how I rode. Given that many bikes will barely do 100 or 150, I think that’s respectable.

[@aladinfox4098]

It's true its not as powerful as the Japanese equivalent but what makes up for that is the way the engine delivers the power, I'm not sure if this is because it's a longer stroke engine? It just feels nice and beefy when accelerating, maybe just my imagination 😁,anyway it spins up to 90 mph plenty fast enough for me. 👍

[@howlsbarks1078]

Is this pil leaks prominent in twin royal enfield engine

[@seanbarry72]

Good video. Thanks very much. I don’t think anyone ever said it was fast. You obviously know what you’re talking about and I’m sure you looked up the specifications before you bought. I would love one but I find the maintenance costs way too high for a cheap bike. Kind of defeats the purpose. Thanks again and merry Christmas

[@hiddenmortimer5189]

How is the comfort level of the INT compared to that of the classic? I feel that for a n average 6 feet tall rider, the INT would feel more uncomfortable due to the lack of leg room. Am I right on this assumption?

[@shadowmancy9183]

If you fit right on a Street Twin/Speed Twin 900, you'll fit the Interceptor just fine.

[@blackskunk54]

Drop the pegs, thats what I'm gonna do when I get mine (6' 1")...and raise the bars

[@JohnSmith-xw5qe]

You’ve told me nothing I haven’t heard apart from the ‘Oil Leaks’? Most oil leaks I would presume is from people not doing there ‘DIY’ properly?But good valid points anyway Love my Royal Enfield👍🏻

[@LessAiredvanU]

A refreshing change, to list the issues and then acknowledge the good bits - the opposite of most reviews. The only issue listed that I had not seen noted on any other review was that of the width of the rear tyre, although most had optioned replacing the factory rubber after other matters had been addressed (very often the hard seat). I am a bit surprised you did not list the suspension, though. Anyway, it is good for a review to detail the downsides.

[@bartgoodride]

Thank you. I felt that this kind of video would do well. I must say that I never understood a difference in suspensions, I know when it is worn out, but to identify a low quality one, I do not know how..

[@chrisgraham5186]

Widening the rear tyre is only for posers and fashion victims (especially if you put them on the stock rims, as wider tyres need wider rims to get the correct profile. Squeezing a wider tyre on a narrower rim than specified can in many cases lead to a smaller contact patch, not bigger and grippier as many would expect, because it alters the tyre's design profile. The rear tyre fitted as standard is the optimum width for the bike for the usage intended… i.e. road riding in varied conditions. Those guys at Bruntingthorpe know what they're doing and have done thousands of miles of testing. Racers will normally use the narrowest tyre capable of doing the job, to handle cornering forces and power, in balance with the front end, because too wide gives heavier steering, higher unsprung weight, and far poorer handling. They don't 'go fat' because it looks cool… They don't give a fuck about looking cool. They want the best handling. The RE 650 twins are styled in the image of sixties' bikes, and they put out similar power to the best 650s of the time (my Norton 850 Commando only produced 50bhp in ’74). My Interceptor already has wider rubber than race bikes of the sixties, and the rubber is far better and grippier than even the Grands Prix bikes of the period wore. Yes, by all means put better, and more expensive, tyres on your RE 650… but don't piss about with the sizes or profiles, unless you're using the bike for a different purpose (off road, maybe… or fitting a chair).

[@lauraiss1027]

@@chrisgraham5186 "They don't give a fuck about looking cool" and "RE 650 twins are styled in the image of sixties' bikes". So they make their choices to meet the design or they don't, make up your mind.

[@chrisgraham5186]

You appear to have misread my comment. When I said: "They don't give a fuck about looking cool", I was referring to racers and why they choose a tyre profile. As I said in the previous sentence, "They don't 'go fat' because it looks cool", they do it to handle the power, and weight, and the imposed cornering and braking forces of a modern high performance bike. Yes, the "RE 650 twins are styled in the image of sixties' bikes"… which generally had narrow tyres by today's standards. In fact, even bikes of the time that were considered to have fat 'balloon' tyres, like the Harley Glide, the Indian Chief, and the Sunbeam S7, had tyres which are considered quite narrow today … 4.75 x16 rear and 4.50 x 16 front on an S7, 5.00x 16 on the Harleys and Indians if memory serves me, which in modern parlance is a 130 section, or the same as a stock Interceptor rear. My 1990 FLHS Harley Electra Glide runs 130/90 x 16 front and rear, and compared to a modern sports bike, they look quite skinny. The 850 Commando, I had in the early seventies, considered powerful and fast back then, ran 3.60 H 19 front and 4.10 H 19 rear, and my R90/6 BMW ran a 4.00 x 18 rear and a 3.25 x 19 front, both which are exceeded, in width at least, by many lightweights nowadays.@@lauraiss1027

[@jlrutube1312]

@@chrisgraham5186 I agree.

[@LeviJean1021]

As a owner of a 2022 Royal Enfield continental gt650 yes totally agree. Performance,looks and sound of bike off the show room floor is average!! Thats why I put a diablo exhaust and k&n air filter-sounds 👌 and goes hard. fender eliminater,150 rear tyre,bar end mirrors, bullet indicators front and rear,also polished the engine cases and I got no shame in saying that I've got a legitimate cool looking/sounding modern day cafe racer super fun riding mean machine that constantly turns heads and I'll never get sick of riding. Cheers🍻

[@bartgoodride]

Love your approach, guess we all should treat REs like a blank canvas, add some tweaks here and there, make it louder, lower, lighter, meaner and shock the pedestrians! Thanks for watching!

[@betruly7894]

Thank you for your honesty. Finally someone opened the Pandor jar 😃

[@vannessar32]

If you don't like the bike. sell it. For what it costs, it's a good bike, it's fun to ride. The Bike runs better on E5 petrol.

[@Citizenfitz1]

Good points but the constant arm flapping gets annoying after a couple of minutes.

[@bartgoodride]

🤣 good one! I will add more non flapping scenes next time... BTW just finished new recording and I flap there even more. Sorry.