Round-up review: Spending 2020 with Royal Enfield's Interceptor 650 | MCN's long-term test verdict 

I've owned my interceptor for six months, back into riding after thirty five year. Bought mine after watching many very positive reviews ( missenden flyer ), and completely agree with your glowing assessment of this bike. ( completely unbeatable at its price point ).

Nice one - and nice bike - I concur with pretty much everything Gareth said (I've had mine for 18 months now....)

Sweet bike and kudos to RE for making a nice simple bike an average person can work on and not have a rear end that way up in the air. I hope they sell lots.

I've been riding for 45 years and 15 different bikes. I bought an Interceptor and really love it.

Awesome review! Thank you. I love hearing the passion of a relatively new rider who isn’t talking about how much power their bike has, how long they can wheelie for... A nice real and refreshing change! Loved it! 👍😎🇦🇺

Such a cool bike and what a brilliant choice of upgrades!

I had a Himalayan and put 10k Mi on it for a first rider, loved it. I just got the INT650 a few months ago, and I’ve been smiling ever since. I think it’s the perfect bike.

"Can't really see why you'd want anything else." My thoughts exactly. The only new bike that would make me consider not getting a used one.

Exactly why I bought one this year

I Love these "long term test" videos. 💖💖👏🏼👏🏼

If you are struggling to find neutral, most likely, the clutch cable is too slack. Great bike!

Great tasteful mods to the bike. Just what it needs. A good video like this type of video.

Wow well done Gareth, the bike looks brand new, can see you really looked well after the bike and the upgrades are meaningful.

I enjoyed that. It's good to see a different format and an owner's opinion of a bike.👍

What a great video!! I'm definitely throwing this bike into contention for my first bike!!

Subscribed and liked the video because of the fantastic style of video content. Laid back and very informative. Love the bike.

Thank you great easy format, informative and insightful 👍🏻

Good review, just a note it’s not water cooled so it will not have a water leak 🥳

I've been riding a 125 for a year now and about to purchase an Interceptor as my first big bike. Great video. Handy to know RE have a 'how to' section on their site too!

That was great, look forward to the next.

Thank you guys, what a fantastic and positive review on this gorgeous motorcycle

Simple and sweet bike and corresponding review!👍🏼 Royal Enfield definitely nailed this one with the required perfection... whether it be the product or the DIY videos u mentioned!👍🏼

Well done MCN chaps. Good format, good content.

Very happy MCN has noticed this Royal Enfield...their the best bike that they have ever produced...have a 2020 Mr Clean gt 650 and love it...nice video hopefully u can do more in the near future...be well...thanks

A useful video from someone that has had the ownership of their bike in excess of a year. I have the GT version and where our experiences overlap I agree entirely.

Good to hear he hasn't had any water leaks from the engine. That would be concerning seeing as it's air cooled!

Again, sweet and cute review! 👏🏻

Great review, thanks much!

Fellow 2020 Baker Express Interceptor owner here, I agree with the review also! I haven't had any issues with the shifter at all, so might be the novice side showing a bit there, and I actually think it's one of the best transmissions I have ridden. I have the TEC levers, Stinger 2-1 exhaust (which is fantastic, sheds loads of weight and adds mid range umph), DNA filter, booster plug, a set of Saddle bags (the triangle leather ones from India) Royal Enfield touring seat but the one like the Cont GT style (HUGE improvement, even makes the suspension feel smoother) R.E. Tall fly screen, Renthal Bars (actually a big weight saving), Oxford heated grips retro style, and bar end mirrors. I've done a few thousand miles and do all the maintenance myself. Very easy to work on, very simple. I think that's the nicest thing about it, it's simple. It fires up and goes. It's a enjoyable ride too. Next to the Int. in my garage is a Ducati Supersport S and that bike has all the electronic gizmos expected and is a thrill of a bike of course but the RE is so charming and enjoyable, if it came down to it and I could only have one, it might just be the R.E. I double up with a passenger in the summertime and can still do 70-75mph down the freeway if wanted, although it is a bit happier in the 65mph range I would say. Yeah overall these are such a bargain for what you get and I really think manufacturers need to take notice. It's approachable but with enough power to get down the freeway safely while being priced right.

I’m really taken by this brand and what it’s offering, closest dealers to me are about 2 hours but I think we’ll worth the trip. Really impressed and at a great price

I’m an experienced rider, bought my INT 650 a few months ago. Mine came from the dealer with loose spokes plus the instruments fog up after every ride. Other than that I’m pretty happy with it.

Interesting video... enjoyed it!

Very happy MCN has noticed this Royal Enfield...their the best bike that they have ever produced...have a 2020 Mr Clean gt 650 and love it...nice video hooebu can do more in the near future...be well...thanks

I drive a 2018 Himalayan. It's been a great bike. I'm seriously consider the Interceptor. That says a lot for what RE is doing in the US Market. How much for the suspension updates? That's the only negative I've heard. The standard suspension isn't good.

I wouldn’t say a flat tyre was a major issue “ all bikes get flats every now and again “ try off road riding with tubed tyres and changing out one in the Aussie bush on a 40 degree day “ , but yes 👍 I understand he is a new rider and thinks it’s a major issue all good 😌, yes they are a fantastic value, basic simple motorcycle

Thank you so much guys for the genuine review 😊

I love this particular colour palette! Just looks soooooo cool👍🏼😎 Among my toys I have a 2011 Triumph Thruxton in red of course. I love it. But if ever I did replace it, this is it! Good one gents!👏🏼

Look forward to the next one. 👍

Revely Motorcycles in Sidney talk allot about Enfield’s and even drag race one, great for what you can do to them.

My interceptor has always been really easy to find neutral with. I have also had a flat rear tyre, and found removal of the rear wheel very easy. I'm not sure if having tubed tyres had anything to do with my puncture, but I feel like it probably didn't. I also put in a high flow air filter and after market exhaust (AEW TE102) and I think that it did make a sort of noticeable difference in power, and definitely made the bike feel smoother at high rpm where it previously felt choked and strained.

I totally related to your co-host here on this review. I'm totally going to get one of these bikes

Thats a great video style 👌

I get annoyed that bikes have to be pidgeon-holed as adventure or sport or 1st Big bike etc etc..I've ridden for 49 years and owned about 40 machines from the sublime to the ridiculous.Every bike was an adventure bike..every journey an adventure of discovery experience and pride of ownership..I run an old Tmax now and it is every bit as fun as the gsxr's,tuono, X11, a heap of hinkley Triumphs and older kwacka Zeds Gs's, customs and even a few chops! Buy a bike because you love the way it looks and have adventures whenever you ride.Beautiful Bikes these an Enfield is going from strength to strength..think I may still have a few 1970's MCN's 😀😀

It is not a cheap bike if you have spent £2-3,000 on modifications which would take it in to the Triumph Bonneville price bracket. Still great value if you resist the temptation to spend too much.

This is a very good insight into living with the 650. I love all the mods you have done and that exhaust note is gorgeous. I have a mate that’s so close to buying one of these but when you said there was a major problem! I thought oh no, this could really put him off. I hope the engine hasn’t needed an overhaul? Gareth, you did a great job but a puncture is just a pain in the ass. It’s old school. Buy a puncture repair kit and some levers.

Hi Guys, thanks for the info. What have all the mods cost - installed?

What do you think of the new meteor 350?? Apparently they will be released early 2021 in Europe and UK

So much after market weight reduction mods, so at this point, this is a quality bike that can easily be made to go faster, getting mines this week

Great review, thanks! I would have loved to hear from Gareth how he got on moving the bike/putting it on the centre stand given its weight and if he noticed any rust or other small faults after a year of riding.

Did u face any issue of oxidation on the chrome part of the engine or rusting ?

I enjoyed the video. May I ask a question? I am 5 feet 6 inches tall (OK! small then LOL) anwith an inside leg of 27 and a half inches. I was OK on the Honda Super Dream when I had that but is the Interceptors seat too tall for me?

Really enjoyed the in-depth reviews/ 👍🏻and look forward to the h2 Kawasaki Cheers mark 🍺🇬🇧👍🏻

Great vid! What model and sizes are the Continental tires? Cheers

Cant say I have ever found tubed tyres a problem in fact it was great when i used to ride in the 70s puncture repair kit or a couple of spare tubes and levers job done,

I was hoping Neevesy would have taken it it for a spin and given his thoughts. In the next episode hey?!😉

Where do I see a video of it running? I want to hear what it sounds like with the pipes

Great vid … like this style of test vids , .. this bike is defo on my list for a test ride and purchase at this price 👍 ps would like more info on running costs. Ie mpg and services 👊

I’ve had mine for just over a month, done a few mods to make her my own. Sold my R1 due to knackered back, shoulders and knees, but do you know what I wish I’d done it earlier, I love this little bike it does what it says on the tin, easy to ride, easy to work on what more do you want oh and a great price

Did u increase the rear tyre width??

Great video.👍

Great video... will look forward to bmwf900xr tha I think Alison has been riding. Not many long term vids on that bike as it wasn’t a headline grabber.

Like the post, the bike looks great too, would you mind giving a break down and cost of all the mods you did to the bike please. Is the suspension (tec/ktech) from the same supplier?. One last thing if you're ever thinking of selling that beautiful RE can I have 1st refusal 👍🤞

Can you say more about the 800+cc kit? And would you mind adding links to intake and exhaust option you mentioned, please. Merry Christmas to you and yours by the way ❤️

Good review and tips..I own the same beast..!!

9:30 nice sound

Gareth was great - good video!

An awesome bike ! Anyone who knocks either hasn't ridden it or is a fan boy of another brand and is trying to validate his/her choice ! Had mine since June put 3000 miles on it done a few mods but only stuff you would do to most bikes and it still leaves you with an attractively priced package 👍

RE interceptor and Himalayan most reviewed bikes in recent times I think 🤔 makes them most reliable

I'd like to know what the long term reliability is compared to Honda and BMW, which I know of many which have gone over 100,000 miles with no issues.

My BGT 650 will come by mid January

Enjoyed the review however not sure that a puncture is a major problem with the bike? I will be happy if thats the only major thing that goes wrong with my RE. Maybe the continentals are a softer compound tire than the Pirellis. Just a thought. Cheers

Very nice throttle response.

Very nice video and good info. What I can also recommend as a Interceptor owner ist the YSS Fork kit, Oehlins rear shocks and Zard exhaust (nicer sound and lighter than the hem but not louder)

Nice to see you are advocating Race Only silencers for use on the road.

Neutral selection problem. Adjust the free play on the cable so it’s about 3mm & that should solve the selection problem. Also the adjustment on the TEC levers makes a difference, even by one click once you’ve adjusted the cable. Seems the Interceptor has a lot less free play than other bikes. Hope that helps

Could you post the mods done and changes made so that other owners could look it up. It would be great if you could give exact names, sry I'm a getting introduced to big bikes, hence the advice. Tq.

The one question I have is that just about every review/test/long term is of the Interceptor. Why not the Continental?

Yep....totally agree re tyres. I too don't get on with the pirelli's with my preference being Avon roadriders.

You can seal the standard wheels by all accounts and run tubeless-tyres . This is a great, down-to-earth assesment of this bike . Dave NZ

Have you made any adjustments to the footpegs?

Is it a fast motorcycle or a relaxed one ..like cruisers

I've always thought about doing my bike licence but never got round to doing it. Saw the Royal Enfield Interceptor online one day and just wanted one! Hoping this year to get round to doing my test and hoping the Interceptor will be my first bike! Great price, great power and it looks awesome, add some slip ons and it sounds amazing! Think it's a bike i would keep too. I love the whole retro bike thing right now and think the royal enfield is the best looks and sound. It's not always about power. I'd like a 2 bike garage so would get something totally different to sit alongside i think in the future.

There are reinforced tubes as well?

Good one!

You should try the Outex tubeless conversion kit, and do it yourself on the stock wheels. Just do it with attention to detail. I just installed the kit on my Bonneville T120. 2 months in storage and one test ride later, and it's holding pressure perfectly well. $100 on Amazon from Outex themselves, arrived from Japan to the USA in 2 days!

Good style review- cheers

Thanks for the video. It would be interesting if you post links to the modifications that Gareth made... and an idea of the cost. If the cost of the mods was reasonable, and given the low purchase price, the result could well be a very nicely set up bike for the money.

a really good example of the typical buyer. He should do more.

Is it worth giving up my Yamaha fazer 600 for this bike ? .

Great looking bike. Could you give us an idea of how much the aftermarket parts cost? Thanks.

I like the way this guy talks

Got to get one.

One of the main RE selling points is the affordable price. But if you then swap out the seat, the shocks, the fork cartridges, the mufflers, the mirrors, the wheels and the tires, now you are up in the Triumph Street Twin price range. And the Triumph offers ride modes, 20 more horsepower, a better dealer network, and superior fit and finish. My conclusion is if you want a retro bike but don't have much money, get the Interceptor. If you can afford it, the Street Twin is a much better bike.

I own one ... installed gt clip on...having ridden 10k km... still it doesn’t miss a beat !!

thanx

Great video. Thank you. Didn’t know you could get an 865cc big bore kit for it. (After searching on Google.) Is it the one from S&S?

I wonder if anyone makes bar end mirrors for this bike ?

I would really like to see Neevsy’s take on the bike, too.

Good video. But can a rear puncture really be considered a ‘major’ issue?

Standard bullet isn't really that great but it gives me chills everytime I ride it.