Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 (2018-on) Review

Adequate for the bike performance, but include ABS

Beautiful sound from this engine, with good performance through the rev range.

No problems so far, but only 3000 miles to date

Servicing costs are its only let down, otherwise it’s a great value for money motorcycle

Pretty basic equipment as standard but enough to keep you informed on all the essentials

Adequate for the design and demographic

Right for the design and simplicity

No issues

Regularly get 73 to the gallon with all types of riding

Not really applicable. ABS is all you need

Brakes are fine, both front and rear. I don't often use them much though but they work really fine when needed. Front suspension is underdamped and bouncy, however the full YSS cartridge upgrade (with stanchion holes enlarged) is a stunning improvement. The rear suspension is also underdamped and can be unnerving going round bumpy bends at speed. The Tecpro units cured that problem, and now the bike is happy with 80mph rides along bumpy C roads.

A good linear range of power throughout the revs. No improvement or burst of power high up. Overtakes need good planning and execution to be safe. No oil leaks, no noises just a smooth twin.

After two years of ownership there is no sign of rust anywhere. The fasteners are all bright and shiny despite often riding in rain all year round. I do my own servicing and all parts fit well..

Owner servicing including valve clearances etc

Basic equipment is fine, reflected in the price. Sometimes it's good to just ride without relying on trip computers and tehnical gimmicks. Only problem encountered is the perpetual misting up of the speedo and tacho. They all seem to do it, but it's the only bike I've had with this issue

Ride quality is good with great handing, and easy to ride at slow speeds around town, but rear brake is poor. Seat was uncomfortable for first few 100 miles.

Great power delivery from a 650 cc engine and sounds brilliant.

Reliability….So far so good, only done just short of 1000 miles, but all good.

Expensive dealer servicing costs

Lots of accessories available for the Enfield, I’ve fitted a short fly screen, rear rack and free flow air filter. All are good, I have however removed the lower section of the rear mudguard which I feel improves the look of the bike.

Discs front and back with ABS

I did not think you could have bike engine that was so smooth.

This was told to me and the reason for looking.

Again this info given to me. A bicker friend said his was the best bike he had ever owned. Great gear box, good brakes, are 80 mpg in North Yorkshire!

Is there any, apart from ABS.I have fitted a fly screen and top box.

Brakes are terrible, rear brake is non existant. Comfort is low , 1 hour and half your bum will be destroyed.

The engine is quite sweet, it really is, super smooth, vibrations only start really after 5k and very minimal, theres no big vibrations in this engine, its a peach, for bopping around town the low torque is really sweet. I disagree with how designed the valve tappets, needs more frequent maintenance, but its ok. Its not a great quality engine, but perfectly decent.How long it will last ?...Cant say, i have my doubts.

Bike from the get go, can cut out randomly, there´s a relay issue well known, constantly talked about, and dealers, RE ignore it, and discussed in forum, and this is dangerous enough where can make someone get in trouble, specially on a busy highway. Extremely poor electrics, your bike may get random cuts and you will spend more time gremlin hunting than riding, can be relays, can be center stand, can be ignition switch, you might never find out, do not trust users who write love letters to this bike, they will sell it quietly, and pretend they are great. Rust is a non issue, mine sits outside with a cover for over a year, just the exhaust exit where touches engine gets corroded, and the oil guard, nothing terrible.

Valves can be done home easily, services compared to other brands is cheaper, but since components are crap you might end up using dealer service more, so may not be worth it, not a coincidence so many RE owners sell bike after warranty ends eheh. They love Interceptor so much, yet selling them. I agree with Motorrad when they say the constant things dip value of it.

Bike has minimal gear, center stand comes included which is great, bike needs proper tires.

Lots of issues with false neutrals, and bike suddenly shitting off. Oil change, shifter adjustment, and replacement of stock relays helped, but did not eliminate all issues.

The stock exhaust is incredibly heavy, fit and finish is marginal, but acceptable at the price point.

The touring seat makes a massive difference. Have spent hours in the saddle without issue. Best on A and B roads. Can do motorways etc but at it's best on the back roads.

For a 47hp engine, it's great. Very smooth power delivery from quite low down the rev range. Sweet spot from 3500 rpm upwards. Slipper clutch is effortless with crisp gear changes. If Enfield produced a 70-80hp version of this engine it would be epic

Problem free

Major service (valve clearance) every 6000 miles with oil and filters every 3000. Using a main dealer gets pricey but you can do these yourself.

Very basic motorcycle. Mine came with Zoom Cruz tyres (due to covid) that were shocking. Changed to a set of pirrellis with good michelin inner tubes. ABS is the only standard equipment. But for this type of bike, what else do you really need?

Excellent handing for the bike and controls are nimble and in easy reach. After about 90 mins. Constantly riding seat begins to feel hard. Plenty of room and comfy for a pillion, does, notice on suspension as you catch every lump bump with the extra load. Best ridden on, the sweeping A roads where its at its best and, will bring a smile to the face for sure. Motorways not so comfortable.

Plenty of torque, very responsive engine gives enough power to enjoy the open road and wiggly bends but it's never designed as a race bike and won't perform to that standard.

Basic technology with basic instrument cluster. If you don't need all the bells and whistles look nowhere else. Bike engine and exhaust in chrome, choice of main colours to chose from. I can't fault the build of the bike or presentation but the chrome, like most chrome I guess, wouldn't stand up too well during the wet salty winter months. Engine and frame are open with no guards. Never experienced anything failing. Interceptor has a good reliable reputation.

First service from new 300 miles, then, 5000, second. Given its more of a fair weather bike, that should do me for the year.

Thing about Royal Enfield, there is plenty of scope to replace bits like tail lights, indicators etc, to give them your personal touch and taste. Plenty of room at the back if you wanted to add luggage bags or panniers. Engine sound is good and sounds similar to V twin. I love the look of the chrome and my choice of colour complements the bike lovely. I tend to keep my bikes factory original. Personally the tyres as standard, hold the bike well, are good and responsive.

not a super, hyper, rocketship. Ridden accordingly it's brilliant. Pillion is slightly cramped ( footrests ) and the seat slopes forward at rear so not giving full length for pillion. seat restricts you to about 80/100 miles before stop for bum wriggles.

slightly low powered but you know this when you buy it. plenty though for ussual ridding and bombing about. not a race bike. bags of torque so great for most usage.

the brakes were replaced as a recall. the stator/rec/reg failed under warrantee. mirror have corrosion on the glass/mirror (motogb are trying to kick back warrantee claim.) tyres are tubed but i have fitted a tubless kit to sort this. seat isnt the most comfortable, but aftermarket customisers are out there. only had the one breakdown ( the charging issue)

I service myself, qualified mechanic.

no bells, no whistles. but i don't want them.

Style of bike dictates the style of riding and as such the brakes are more than adequate.

Compared to the 60's bikes that it is styled from, the engine is great and delivers a smooth ride with enough acceleration to make you grin.

Kept outside with only a cover (only used in dry conditions) but is still looking good after nearly a year.

Not had first service yet

Clocks and gauges are adequate. Switch gear could be more robust. Starter button starting to play up by not engaging sometimes.

Excellent low cost bike

Most of what I’ve fitted and engine bars and bottom cover as standard would make for a much better out of the box bike.

Rear brakes have literally no feel to the pedal. front brakes you have to squeeze hard for a response.

It has even distribution but is slow. acceleration is non-existent. you really notice it when riding in the city where you have to run off the line when the light turns green.

engine failure after a few days of ownership. Bike wobbles at 80km/h. These bikes also no longer come with pirelli tires. They come with cheap CEAT brand tires now.

Valve adjustment is easy and cheap compared to more modern bikes.

as mentioned, these bikes no longer come with pirelli tires. The Ceat tires they come with now are basically immediate throwaways.

Suspension poor quality brake calipers performance good reliability poor.

Good good and good but never really excites.

It's my front brake caliper frequently gets stuck on the royalenfield dealers are not really interested.

Expensive to service next to other bikes I own

Tool kit

Seat not comfortable, touring version available, should be fitted as standard.

Very smooth, sounds good as standard.

Every 3000mls.

Apart from the seat, maybe heated grips.

Brakes ok, but could be sharper. Suspension fine until pace is upped.

Enough grunt to keep you interested.

Build quality excellent for price.

Seems expensive for a basic bike.

Fuel gauge erratic

Seat slightly hard, brakes good.

Very smooth.

Not used when the roads are gritted.

Service only.

Its basic, no modern modes etc. Clock would be good, but fitted later as with engine bars and rack.

A very decent all round bike; in fact I find this one of its best characteristics. Something I personally enjoy is being able to 'o wild' with the throttle coming off a curve without worrying if the back wheel is going to overtake me (previous bike Kawasaki ZZR1100) Distance between comfort stops would be about 150 miles, but this would not necessarily be becuase of the firm seat!

I love it, this engine is a little gem.

I rated 4 out of 5 due to some minor issues that probably cropped up pre-delivery assembly: brake hoses chaffing at rear of headstock, clutch cable incorrectly routed and pinched between bottom fork yoke and headstock, throttle cables incorrectly adjusted and loose, exhaust/silencer joint cover - brackets bent,

The servicing cost is approximate based on Brazilian Reais converted to sterling. I do the work myself and think this is cheap. Service items are easily accessible. Fuel consumption, an average of all conditions, has been 70mpg.

Favourite features would be the chassis; frame, front and rear suspension which i find to be very easy to use and confidence inspiring. When I first got the bike I was a bit scared of the tyres, having put too much stock in what others had written, but now i find them to be more than adequate. (i am a fair weather biker these days). Some luggage hooks on the rear frame under the seat would be useful.

It’s best suited to gentler riding, ok if not pushed too hard.

More go than you would expect from the modest power output.

Clocks mist up all too easily.

Very helpful dealer.

No electronic gizmos or rider aids, it doesn’t need them. Fork gaiters are worthwhile, also engine guards. Loads of accessories available.

Normally i ride alone, but on the odd times my wife came along too the bike coped very well. Alone i am happy to do 400klms days, sometimes more, only stopping for fuel when required.

The Interceptor is not about 'performance', so that's not important, it has enough power for the style of bike and plenty of torque when needed.

In over 20,000klms, not a single fault, nothing......and much of that was on far less than perfect roads here in Thailand. No corrosion issues at all.

The 20 Pounds above is for main dealer servicing here in Thailand, including lubricants. ( Exchange rate 40 Baht = 1GBP )

The Interceptor is quite basic as far as modern bike go, but that's fine as simplicity = reliability in my mind..... Loses 1 point for having 18" wheels which limits the choice of tyres when time comes to replace them.

Cant fault the bike. I have ridden for 50 years had Fjr 1300 and GTR 1400 as last bikes, but back and knees no need a rest. I have ridden all over Europe and done long journeys. OK the 650 is not a tourer but it is a good bike which rides well. I would (With new seat) be happy to put some clothing in a top box (Givi Fitted) and do a long weekend, and would not be concerned doing at 300 mile trip each way. Brakes are good. Nothing exceptional but nothing bad eaither. Functional.

What a great power house. Deceptive. Great torque and no problems doing good motorwary speeds. It is a naked bike (Although I have the bigger R.E. Bikini screen fitted) so you get buffeted. But it will go all day comfortably at motorway speeds and above. But when you get higher speeds on you get buffeted. But it is the person not the engine which pulls back. The engine is as good as any bike I have ridden including some with twice the CCs. It aint a sports bike but it is a proficient engine capable of good sensible speeds and overtakes.

So far 1000 miles if has not missed a beat. Lovely bike. And I have had it up to motorway+ speeds and on Motorways, A and B roads. Finish seems good, but I suspect you need to keep on top of chrome and alloys. Which is no different to if you had a Bonneville or Harley (Different league but same problems re cleaning)

I have said £400 as I expect to do 6000 miles in 12 months. I have had first service which was £170 @ dealer. @ 400 miles. The next one is likely to be around the same if not slightly more @ 3000 miles and then again at £600 miles.- so cost is based on first year, then should be about £320p.a. If you do small mileage then it is considerably less about £170 per year Price of bike is first class cant believe the value with 3 yr warranty and road assistance. Brilliant. It is only service cost which makes me wince.

The clocks the speedo and rev counter. So retro and look great. The exhausts are fantastic and look so good on the bike. Accessories? I have fitted a Halfords clock on the handlebars- I do like to know what the time is if I am out. Also R.E. Bikini screen (More cosmetic than practical) also crash bars. (Practical and look great) I have added Ultra Seal to the tyres, to help if I get a small puncture. Being tubed you cannot easily do a roadside repair and I have inserted a Broquet system into the tank- I know some of you will say 'Snake Oil' but i can get 170 miles out of the tank without any trouble now. Also even better MPG (Which is already good) Fitted Givi Top Box- which only will go on if I go away for a weekend etc

depends if you change the stock seat . great weekend bike

first service requires tappets checked

just a good all round bike for the money

Built to a price and it shows. You get what you pay for. But good for how much you pay.

Good little power house. But not a sports bike remember that.

Not all dealers have the same standard of servicing the bike.

Would be nice to include a clock to tell the time...

It’s not built for touring but great for 100 miles or so. Much longer and it gets a bit tiring. Breaks are as good as I’ve had over the years. Seat a little hard for long rides out but fine for an hour or two at a push.

Probably the best bit of this bike. Surprising torque for a relatively low powered bike. No problems pulling away and overtaking.

Nearly a year in and no faults to report.

A bit pricey to service at my local dealer.

It’s got the basics.

Great ride , smiles all the way, my 23 year old police woman daughter loves coming out on it, we go all over the place. Bum ache starts at about 200 miles . stop and have a breakfast and your good to go.

The engine pulls perfectly fine and runs with no hassle. sounds great too. I've ridden mine really hard because I thought if its gonna blow up then best to do it now but it is spot on. Pull up somewhere on a new H2 and nobody even cares, pull up anywhere on the interceptor and people want to talk about it. typical!! I have put a 16 tooth final drive sprocket on it which made it a bit more long legged but still pulls fine, I mean, be reasonable, it not a zx10r but it is a lovely little engine that is bigger than the sum of its parts

Out of all the bikes enfield churn out it stands to reason someone somewhere is gonna get a fault. Mine has been fine. I changed the plugs and serviced it. took the top off and did the valve clearances. no problems. Its a pretty basic bike. 3 year warranty will take care of anyhting I would hope. Accessories and parts are dirt cheap

6000 mile service interval which is only oil,filter, easy valve clearances and plugs, hardly gonna break the bank. even though I had already serviced it the dealer had to do it again for the warranty, paid £160

well what do you need?. fuel gauge works, lights work, if you want silly gadgets and rider aids buy a GS and go to the other end of the spectrum where you're completley lost by all the modes and switches.

Good

Pulls well bit underpowered

ongoing electrical problems, faulty batteries and ignition switch these are common problems RE are aware of the problems but seam reluctant to resolve the problems

Expensive to service, no standard service cost It's a dealer free for all

Basic but acceptable, cheap switchgear clock misting which Moto GB won't accept as a warranty issue

Does what it says on tin!

Had it serviced regular, no problems

Price of service depends on mileage

USB socket which I had fitted(poor quality bracket sadly) would be good option for mobile or sat Nav, don't waste your money on m/c sat nav a standard £200 Garmin does the job with bracket from ebay & cut-off rubber glove finger to stop balljoint slipping, lights could be better

Handling is fine especially two up. We can easily cover 150 miles without a break. Brakes are good with plenty of feel.

Smoooooooth for a twin and enough power to keep in front of traffic.

Only covered 1400 miles but in all weathers and so far the finish is really good.

Although the book says service and oil/filter change every 3000, I have been told that the oil/filter change can be at 6000. A service only takes a couple of hours at the main dealers at a cost of £120 to £180

Good tyres which grip well both wet and dry. Basic equipment but non the worse for it.

I am 6ft3 and find the riding position very comfortable. Cruising at 60mph is very relaxed, I have not been on motorways much to comment on 70mph but did not feel any vibrations on the brief bits of motorway I have done so far.

Smooth as anything with lovely, fairly linear torque delivery so you can be lazy on gear selection at anything over 30mph and it’ll just work. If you really twist on you’ll find some vibration but that’ll just mean you’re in a silly gear or far beyond the speed limit and it really isn’t that kind of bike; you’ll just be grinning long before you get near the speed limit.

This is a review after only two weeks and 500 miles so nothing whatsoever to report. Purrs into life as expected every morning and gets me to work!

Clean and simple so you can enjoy some pure riding zen. My favourite feature of the bike is that smile it puts on your face when you ride it, which came as standard.