Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2020 Review - Prices, Mileage Specs, Variants, and Features

How different is this new 650cc engine from other Enfields?

How well are performance and efficiency balanced in 2020 Interceptor 650?

The Interceptor 650 is what a Royal Enfield offering should have been from way back! The all-new 650cc engine is a bold and fresh attempt from the brand at acing the performance graph. And we must say, that they have managed to break the generic mindset of consumers with the company’s first every parallel-twin offering. The power and torque come in linearly and thus gives you ample time to prepare for the rush. The air-oil cooled setup helps in maintaining the optimum temperature which translates to fatigue-free performance.

Royal Enfield has given its new engine a subtle approach which can in the long run help extract commendable mileage figures. The average mileage of 25 kmpl is not the best in its class, but keep in mind that this is a parallel twin that weighs in at almost 200 kg. In that terms, it's very impressive and the 13.7 L fuel tank also makes it an easy cruiser.

Fuel injection is also a key factor in balancing outperformance and efficiency. This helps the engine react precisely and provide a crisp riding experience which was earlier missing from Royal Enfields. Dominar 400 and CB300R are, of course, more refined as these engines have a higher compression rate than the RE and its components also weigh in less. This, in turn, helps in a more refined and snappy character which is devoid of in the Interceptor 650 and that is what gives it its unique character.

How composed is the acceleration in Interceptor 650 from 0-100 KMPH?

Acceleration is linear in the Interceptor 650 and Royal Enfield has gone forth with a flat curve for both the torque and power which makes it very beginner-friendly; but trust us, with the amount of weight it carries, it is no beginner’s play! But RE has tuned it well to make it easy for newbies to master it.

Despite having close to 200 kg of kerb weight, the Interceptor 650 still manages a swift 100 kmph run in under 7 seconds. Top speed is capped at 147 kmph but the cruiser loses its composure after 140 kmph. The sweet spot is confined to 90-120 kmph and you will for sure not get weary of it! It can eat up the tarmac like a breeze and unlike its aggressive cafe racer brother, the Interceptor 650 has a comfortable riding stance that makes it a go-to cruiser.

The Interceptor has both a bigger engine and a much “bigger” kerb weight. But the power to weight ratio is still under those of the competition as it is the quickest to cross the 100 kmph mark. But unlike the others, it is not the most comfortable at its top end. Honda and Bajaj, on the other hand, can do a top speed run more flexibly.

How swiftly does the Interceptor 650 stop from 80-0 KMPH?

The brakes are very impressive in this Enfield and do a clean job of bringing this heavy machine to stop without a fuss. RE has clipped on discs on both ends which are from bybre and have ample of bite to induce confidence while riding.

The dual-channel ABS unit is well-versed and comes into play at the slightest hint of lockage. There is no unnatural intervention which would hamper riding dynamics but you tend to lose confidence at high speeds, not due to the brakes, but because of the weight, it carries.

The competition has smaller disc setup than the Interceptor 650 and that explains the extra ground needed to come to halt. But this is particularly impressive for the RE as it weighs much more than the competition, more than 50 kg in the case of Honda CB300R. The comparison is a mixed bag, as Royal Enfield managed to pitch in a parallel twin 650cc offering in under Rs. 3 lakh, which is INSANE and unheard of in the Indian market. So, it gets a mixed bag of non-related competitors on the grounds of pricing and that is also what makes the Interceptor 650 stand out.

How good are the handling and comfort levels on the Interceptor 650?

This is where the Interceptor 650 differs from its twin. Royal Enfield has the same suspension and tyre set up as the Continental GT 650 but this one is a more relaxed bike with a bubble tank and an upright riding posture due to the straight handle-bar. The Interceptor 650 has a conventional handlebar setup which gives it an upright stance. Handling characteristics are well preserved in this one and it moves around impressively for an almost 200kg bike.

The suspension setup, however, makes it a mixed bag due to the soft-stiff combo. The front telescopic setup is too soft and would bottom out in a deep pothole and the rear suspension is stiff which makes it an internal fight! The Pirelli Phantom Sportcomp tyres are specially made for the Interceptor 650 which in turn enhances the riding experience.

The upright riding position is complemented with well-positioned footpegs that maintain the rider’s triangle. Vibrations are a thing of the past and you will just get to experience a bit of a buzz at the higher RPMs and only during elongated times. 

The seat height is also well-positioned to be accessible for a wider rider base. The seat structure is also different from that of its cafe racer twin as this one is a bit wider and thus a better proposition for long rides. Ground clearance of 174 mm helps you stay tension free and ace the varying types of Indian roads. The competitors are much more nimble and flickable in the curves but how Interceptor 650 flaunts its weight one of a kind and thus can’t be directly pitched with the likes of Honda CB300R and Bajaj Dominar 400.

How retro does the Interceptor 650 look?

Royal Enfield has stuck with its retro look here and they have done a pretty good job at not overdoing it. The tank is what differentiates this from its cafe racer twin at first sight. The Interceptor 650 has a bubble tank that wraps around the top of its glorious 650cc motor and is also complemented with the standard straight handlebar that also gives it an upright stance. It flaunts a 3D emblem of Royal Enfield which further adds to the retro feel.

Engine and the exhaust system is laden with chrome that adds to its classic look. The spoke rims flaunt either blacked outlook or its raw aluminium look as per the colour combination. The seat is long and thin and has textured embroidery on it which adds to the premium look. RE didn't go for LED lighting but stuck to halogen lamps to uphold the classic vibe.

Surprisingly, Interceptor is not the longest bike in this lot as that tag goes to the Bajaj Dominar which shares its underpinnings with KTM 390 Duke. Honda is the smallest of the lot and that makes it a lot more nimble and easy to use in tight traffic. But the 650cc Interceptor is not half bad when it comes to the urban jungle as it eases its way through traffic while surprisingly maintaining its heat and composure! Both CB300R and Interceptor 650 are minimal looking as there are very few body panels, even as compared to the Dominar.

Aesthetic Features

• Dual-tone colours
• Chrome laden components including engine and mufflers
• Tubeless tyres with spoke rims
• Clip-on handlebar
• Embroidered seat

What are the various safety and class-leading features on offer in the Interceptor 650?

Safety is backed up with a dual-channel ABS unit which helps maintain control of the bike without locking the wheels. The air-oil cooled setup makes sure that the engine runs at its optimum which also adds to the safety. There aren't many safety features on this cafe racer and that isn’t bad as it handles situations well even without it. RE has also added in a slipper clutch to aid in riding.

The 650cc pot is an all-new unit from Royal Enfield which makes it a bold offering from the maker. The instrument cluster is basic with two dials, one for the speedometer and the other for the RPM-meter. A digital MID is present in conjunction with the speedometer but it is still basic and only provides with the fuel meter and varying distance meters. The digital fuel gauge cannot be trusted as it tends to act up weirdly.

When it comes to feature listing, Interceptor 650 is shy and doesn’t make it to the big league. This might explain the intense cost-effective pricing as compared to its direct rivals. Both Dominar 400 and Honda CB300R are feature intensive and put a lot more on the table as compared to the Interceptor. Dominar gets two LCDs whereas RE has to do with one integrated setup. This approach might have been implemented by Royal Enfield to retain the retro essence that it depicts with the 650 twins, but it still feels shy when compared to modern machines.

How does the Competition stack up against the 650cc classic?

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 vs Honda CB300R

Honda CB300R is a naked offering from the Japanese manufacturer that looks minimal but is an instant head-turner with its neo-retro design language. It pitches in with the Interceptor 650 for the retro offering it is.

It is an exclusive bike as Honda imports limited numbers of it and by the time you read this, we believe that the whole set of 2020 will be sold out! But RE here has two cylinders that pump out more power and has a sweet exhaust note that will leave you drooling. We will go for the unlimited Interceptor 650 instead of the limited CB300R.

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 vs Bajaj Dominar 400

Bajaj has pitched the Dominar 400 as a power cruiser, the only one available in India with the other one being the sensual Ducati Diavel. It uses the same power plant as 390 Duke but in a sane curve. It is a whole Rs. 1 lakh cheaper than the RE and also provides with a not so trailing performance characteristics.

The Interceptor has the muscle to back its Rs. 1 lakh price bump as it provides you with natural and unadulterated riding experience. We leave this choice unto you, as if you are tight on a budget then the Dominar is all in but if you have the money to go for the retro RE, then we insist you to as the parallel-twin is a pleaser.

Has Royal Enfield finally perfected its “Classic motorcycle”?

Yes, it finally has. Royal Enfield has finally managed to get the recipe right and it is evident from the 650 twins on offer. The Interceptor 650 is a full-on retro cruiser that will seat you in comfort while you crank that sweet-sounding 270-degree parallel twin to its glory. For the insane price it comes for, there is no resisting it and we can’t stop drooling on it, over and over. The Interceptor 650 is India’s cheapest twin cylinder on offer and surely packs a punch to put a wide grin on your face.