Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 | 1,000-miles of love and hate!

The Royal Enfield Interceptor I’ve been riding the last few months is going back soon so I thought I’d do a look back at what I’ve learned about the bike in the 1,000-plus miles I’ve covered on it. It’s certainly been a journey, that’s for sure!
In terms of links to things mentioned in the video you can see my previous videos on the bike here:
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 intro: • Royal Enfield Intercep...
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 as a winter bike: • Royal Enfield Intercep...
For more on the charity Mental Health Motorbike I mentioned in the outro see: mhmotorbike.com
And for more about The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride see: www.gentlemansride.com
If you feel like donating you can do so via my personalised link here: gfolk.me/DanTrent569062
Thanks for watching and for more great motorbike content don't forget to like, subscribe to @midlifecrisismotorcyclist and hit the bell to be the first to find out when a new vid drops.
#motorcycle #motorcycling #motorcyclereview #motorbike #motorbikes #motorbikereviews #midlifecrisis

[@Mckaye82]

For me… the raw feeling of it, the kind of 90’s level quality is exactly what I was looking for. Plus the truly old school elements. It’s the least pretentious way to be pretentious… that’s key.

[@midlifecrisismotorcyclist]

Nicely put!

[@arthurramm8664]

That's the nail firmly hit on the head. After the faff of putting on all the essential biking gear, listening to that engine while you shut the garage door puts a smile on your face which lasts for a few hours after you get home again. The interceptor feels ok bumbling along at fifty or when you're in more of a hurry. How many interceptor riders have ridden past their house just to get another ten, twenty or whatever minutes on the bike. I do frequently.

[@RichardWilliams-kf5vw]

I test rode one exactly like that last week. I loved it…a beautiful bike to ride (apart from the foot pegs). One point though…. there’s no reason to be paying £6500 for one. You can pick them up for £4999 brand new, if you go for the base colour option. Granted it will have the older style grips/switches/headlight, but it’s only £5k !!!!! 😃

[@rosswootton8825]

I’ve had a Continental GT for 3 years now and love it but I was disappointed with the handling when I first had it. A YSS fork kit was fitted together with Hagon shocks on the rear which made a big difference but the fitting of Avon Roadriders seemed to make the biggest improvement. The original Indian Ceats were in my opinion quite poor, far too hard and lacking grip - not exactly confidence inspiring. The bike overall is now lovely to ride thanks to good handling, a characterful engine, superb gearbox and slipper clutch. I look forward to every ride.

[@joelear2320]

Excellent. You have a superb way of communicating those messages that give a fair and honest experience. You have a natural flair for bikes

[@midlifecrisismotorcyclist]

Thank you, really appreciated! And more where this came from!

[@davidskogley3570]

Good video! I hope you have lots of good experiences as your experience and confidence grows. The Interceptor is a great choice of bike.

[@martyndunn1905]

Great video, really like your style of videos. They were some great roads you were riding, I'm kind of guessing up north somewhere? nothing like those roads down here in Oxford. Keep up the good work and ride safe

[@midlifecrisismotorcyclist]

Thanks! And yes, these are my local roads. The one over the dam and over the moors is literally on my commute to Manchester from my home in Calderdale. Beats taking the M62 but, rest assured, it’s not always blue skies and dry tarmac!

[@clausentumsoton]

Good honest review, I think most people would agree the OEM Pirellis are rubbish and the suspension barely adequate.. I would add that the OEM DID chain isn't like a real DID chain and many people complain about the hard saddle (not me). My interceptor has done 43000km from new and it's a very good and reliable bike.. just get decent suspension front and rear, a high quality chain and decent tyres and I don't have much to complain about. Been all over eastern Europe on it most trips being 2500-3500kms.. I trust this bike! P.s. Change the front sprocket to a 16t to have a more relaxing time on motorways .

[@midlifecrisismotorcyclist]

Thanks for sharing such detailed and informative feedback on your own bike, really interesting reading. Nice one!

[@gary1477]

I own a Royal Enfield Continental GT650 in Rocker Red. I think that it is beautiful. One area surprised me - the weight! It is stable on the road with the weight. I notice the weight when I jump on and straighten it up off the sidestand.

[@nicholasjarrold8649]

Good video I haven’t looked at them yet but seen a lot of videos about them and I think RE are improving like from the Himalayan they say it’s a fantastic bike but I think they will just get better and better and will sell plenty but not to me as I’m so much into triumph and maybe a Harley later this year but keep up the good work enjoy your riding

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Those Pirelli tyres are a bit scary. I had them on my T100 where they too were OEM fitment. Trouble is they're cheap versions of the same - but genuine tyre you might buy here. I'd much rather have a genuine Ceat than a fake Pirelli.

[@robertshilliday4476]

Yes you give a fair view on this bike, It's all boils down to just how much you want to spend on a bike, or give your money away, You as a young rider Most definitely learn off road or motocross and or trial's & track day's for road bike's, I do own a Interceptor , some info Air in and out, Air filter, down pipes & can's, & a little work with the engine, Front & rear suspension.

[@jamesnoonan7450]

Would you recommend this bike to a new pass A2 rider. I've just passed my test and am searching for my first bike !

[@midlifecrisismotorcyclist]

Absolutely! It’s the top end of the power bracket but very easy to ride and, personally, I liked the fact it didn’t have the distractions of rider modes or a TFT screen. So, for learning the fundamentals of riding a motorcycle, it seems just the job. If you like the retro vibe it’s a great choice.

[@dannyvan5792]

ok nice bike , but no tubles tyers and see on you tybe elekt problems on the r enfield

[@muttineni03]

Haven't watched complete video yet but its unfair comparing Triumph 400 with Interceptor, Interceptor riding quality is much better because of that parallel twin and i wont even compare it to 400 just because oh bhp.

[@sammitpotade]

Triumph 400 are much smaller when you test ride them and they are not in same performance level.. its a 400cc single 39-40BHP vs 650cc twin 48 BHP.. so not exact the same

[@leeinwis]

I like the 400

[@Gearsandgrease]

Lots of dead air in the on board "vlog" maybe prepare your thoughts before hitting record?

[@jimmyb4982]

What a pathetic comment.

[@OlManShit4Brains]

G’day from Australia . I have both RE interceptor & G.T.Continental 120 anniversary models. I think the 120 anniversary models are put together with more care , or perhaps use better quality parts in some areas. I have owned a standard interceptor before purchasing these 120 anniversary models, therefore I have some idea of the difference between them . I have fitted yss suspension, front & rear to both bikes as I agree with your opinion on the original units. I have owned v7 Moto Guzzi’s, the suspension was about the same as the RE original suspension, really needs swapping for better units, I feel most bikes at this price point suffer from similar suspension issues. Overall I love my Royal Enfields, even though I am a Harley bloke. Looking forward to seeing more of your content. Shiny side towards the sky. Hooroo mate🏍👍😎

[@midlifecrisismotorcyclist]

G’day back and thanks for sharing the extra insight, really interesting. If I were buying and RE offered a model with upgraded suspension I’d happily pay the extra but, as you demonstrated, there’s always the aftermarket option to make already good bikes great. I’m getting the Shotgun in soon and that has half decent Showa kit on it so interested to see how that feels. Watch this space for a vid on that in due course. Cheers!