Royal Enfield Continental GT & Interceptor ridden | Motorcyclenews.com 

Now I'm a bit of a MV Agusta, Brutale / Aprilia RSV kinda guy but I think from the reviews, these are two cracking little honest bikes.. Fair amount of poke, lots of character, not a whole lot of complication, decent warranty and a decent price. For a daily bike for town, country lanes etc, I think you could do a lot worse.. Top work Royal Enfield.

Correction - continental GT is available also in dual seat variant.

What the hell is a 'Beach Cruiser?' The Interceptor looks like a new Bonneville or W650 or any British 650 twin of the 60s or 70s. Great bike a bargain, if its £5,500 I'll have one. Nice review, thanks.

Half the fun of owning one of these Indian Enfields is in buying it cheap to start with and then upgrading various parts with trick components from places like Hitchcocks. You get to know the bike inside and out and feel real pride of ownership.Very much like in the 60s or 70s on which the bikes are styled.However if you're the type who needs the dealer to adjust your chain,or consider an oxidised bolt as poor build quality,then probably better just to follow the crowd and get an M.T 07.

I bought my GT 650 in June and turned 27 in July. They got their target audience right.

I'm thinking that I really want one of these Interceptors. This sounds like exactly the bike I've been looking and waiting for. A 3 year warranty sounds pretty skookum. I'm not likely going to be doing any canyon carving so I don't think I would even need to upgrade the suspension. Throw a bug screen on the bars and I'm a happy camper! {Now I need to find the nearest RE dealer!}

Looks amazing - really interested in these, especially the Interceptor! That is a lot of motorcycle for the price (and that sound!)...this will be the first stand I head to at MCL 2018!

I hope you're right! Can't wait to have a go on one of these - nice vid, thanks for posting......

Like the look of these, especially the Interceptor.

Continental GT looks like a fun ride...

I bet these bikes will make an easy 10 more hp easily. The engines seem to be limited for regulations for new motorcycle licenses in some countries.

Driven both; 1. Interceptor - Perfect for long rides, more practical option, costs less that GT. 2. GT - Love at first sight, so nothing else matters. Booked mine(Mr.Clean), hope to be riding it in couple of months.

I'm still having problem in finding a worse review of twins than this one

Could do with a few less "really reallies" BUT, really really good review, informed, informative and clear. And, NO MUSIC, HOORAY!!!! Seems like a good bike.

Will be a double-bargain by the time they're on the used market, too. I'd certainly consider 1. + Simplicity very welcome for the home-mechanic

Your tone was very soothing and calm, I know for some it might not be appealing, but it's different strokes for different folks.

Wow. So glad I came across this video. Was looking for something like this , but the ones from Triumph, Yamaha and Honda were disgustingly overpriced.

I hope Enfield bring out a classic 500/Bullet with the 650cc twin in it !

sheez !! all that rear brake, mate how come you don;t end up on your arse all the time, I dunno, but when I talk /watch younger riders ( I am a fossil born in the fifties) they seem shy of using the front brake,is it the way riding in taught nowadays, or is it the prevalence of ABS/Traction control that allows folk to get away with this. In the Jurassic period, we were told 75/25% front to rear to stop us ending up sliding up the street on our backsides, OK I know ,bikes and tyres and suspension are all much improved nowadays. Back to the new RE bikes, I know I am biased,but I really like the look and sound of them, simple clocks, minimal electronics and modes etc etc,2 wheels a seat and an engine. The "low" power wouldn't phase me, as most of the bikes today have waaaay more power than they can ever reasonably/legally use on the UK roads. And learning which gear/power works out on the road and it's curves and varying topography ,for me, is all part of the fun of getting to "know" your bike, and a more engaging experience altogether. Oh well, that's my tuppence worth anyway :)

Damn that tone 😔 Almost fell asleep...

The quality which is given by RE in Europe in better than what they give in India. Let's see this product.... How it turns out to be in India....

At that price should sell loads.

Great review on the RE’s 650. My first motorcycle was a 1972 Yamaha XS650. I always missed that bike, only had a kick starter, no electric start in those days. Tach and Speedo with trip meter. That’s all you really need on a bike, keeps it honest and makes you a better rider. The Royal Enfield Interceptor brings me back to those bygone days. I’m really thrilled to see that and I can possibly see one in my garage. One thing I did notice on both of your test bikes is that the front forks are raised above the top of the triple tree clamps. I’ve done this on many of my bikes to lower the seat height slightly, as I have a short inseam. I wonder why RE has done this.. Looking forward to any long term reviews on these. Cheers

It’s weird how they have reversed the bottom end of the engine. On the originals the timing side was on the right and the drive side on the left. There must be a reason but it looks odd to me.

I know these dont exactly have much power, but my got they are pretty, I can't help but want one!

I love the ride Royal Enfield gave the media.. Roads I've ridden on for years. How I miss my California weather and roads out here in Manhattan! Hope you had a nice meal at Alice's! I thought for certain I was going to get a T120 Bonneville. But the price has always put me off a bit. It's worth it for what you get. But it's still a good deal of money. I was also thinking of getting a 70's Honda CB750... But old and used bikes. Even restored can be a hassle. Then, I just found the reviews for this bike a few days ago. Wow! I love the simplicity and styling of the Interceptor. The Red/Black version is gorgeous. I wish the amount of torque available at low-end was mentioned as often as 'lack of power' was. Other journalist have mentioned how it pulls hard all the way up to redline... I've never owned a bike with more than 40hp and it's plenty for everyday unless the bike is extra-heavy. Okay, so someone could pull away from me going uphill. Fine, I'll eventually catch and pass them going down a curvy bit.. :-P At $5800, I think it's a fantastic deal. I would see myself potentially upgrading the suspension, handlebars and some protector-bits. Maybe $700 more. Still a bargain and I'd have a fantastic ride. Perfect for riding around NYC and some nice road-trips. I think they need to vastly increase their dealerships to increase sales significantly. The closest one from NYC is a 2.5-hour drive away! I mean, we have 8 million people in NYC alone. But maybe that will make the bike more special. People who really want one will have to make that journey... More exclusivity. Good job Royal Enfield! Can't wait for a test ride in the Spring!

Can you please review the fit and finish quality in details, like how is the welding of the chassis? or Brake wires or other electrical wires are coming out of bike? Will there be difference in the paint job quality for a a US or Indian market? Quality of switch gear and Engine and oil seals. How are the hinges and bolts? I think many people would like to know the details of quality of each item. After all RE is known for substandard quality. One of the reason why their bikes are cheap is because of really bad quality inspections and standards.

God dammit! I love my Bullet Classic 500 and they go and tempt me with the 650 Interceptor!! Mind you, if I had the money I would put in an order for a Musket V-Twin with girder forks etc. REALLY vintage looking :-)

Can you mount your camera so you're not seeing the handle bars all the time? Enjoyed your video nonetheless.

Some say : The Stig rides the Continental GT

I want one. My 1300 pan is ridiculous and overcomplicated.

You are spot on the which brakes Indians use. Wonder how you about know that.

iam 28 and i love the continental

You TALK toOo much Dude! sorry, ive had 3 750 TT INTERCEPTORS, Including a ZerO Mile RICKMAN, & JUST Want to Hear More of the Tune the 650 reSoundS 🎶🏁 Thankyou, Johndavid USA 🕊

Great looking roads and equally good bikes. I’d imagine this will brings waves of new riders into motorcycling and into the brand .

Less talk and more ENGINE SOUND!

About the same as my old 1974 Norton 850 Commando MkII that I rode on those same roads between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. Maybe my Norton had a few more horsepower but it only had 4 gears. Lots of fun. Def did the ton and then some. 45 years later we get a bike that handles worse, has 2 more gears, probably leaks less oil, has much better brakes and hopefully is more reliable.

Needed 10 more bhp. That would be awesome 👏🏻

Came out in UK at £5,299, £5499 on the road so pretty accurate estimate, hell of a lot of bike for so little money, it's 3,000 less than the cheapest Triumph and looks a little better to me, spend £500-1,000 on better suspension, lighter exhausts , maybe a remap or ecu upgrade and you've got a hell of a bike. People have started to get 20,000-30,000 miles on them now and the reliability seems excellent .There are very few complaints around after the initial batch had a minor rust problem inside the rear of the exhaust, subsequently corrected, and the height remap which only affected bikes going above 16,500 ft.

It's such a shame the quality/reliability of these things is so bad. They look absolutely spot on.

So 2 years later enjoyed review And just ordered Glitter and Dust pick up January 2021

0:08 Sunny California 😏 Are you sure!!!??

Good work guys, really upped your game :)

Great review it helped me a lot in deciding if this was going to be the bike for me. Just one small thing : could you work on eliminating/ lowering the frequency of your use of the words “really really” , “really” and “sort of” from your reviews . It really really sort of distracted me from the important stuff which was spot on .

Pillion seats are available in continental gt, if you want two seats.

I really want a interceptor

U will get long single seat where u can accommodate pillion as well as standard this seat is in extra assesories u will have pay extra for it

As I’ve said on other videos, if you are in the market for a retro that is as close to the source as you can get without buying and old bike, this could be for you. (I own a 1954 BSA B31, btw). The Interceptor looks great in the orange, sounds great too, but it’s up against tough competition from Triumph with the Street Twin (I’ve owned one as well). The Triumph maybe more costly, but it has more power, much more torque made lower down, has similar looks and is possibly (read probably) better made. The telling will be in its cost In the uk - £6000 has been bandied about, which on the surface sounds reasonable, but it should be cheaper. They sell them in India for £2800...........

Thanks for letting us hear the dang exhaust note! Kudos on the lack of music too! Enjoyed the review. 🏁 Think I’ll pick one up. It’ll look great next to my RE Classic 500 and Triumph Scrambler.

The bike looks nice but a big let down on the lights dept and instrumentation. Some LED lights in retro style would have been awesome. Instrument cluster can be digital in the same view. The average age of an Enfield owner in India is 27 years. Blistering bonkers something is not correct with the modern Royal Enfield generation. Would you buy a Nokia 3310 now and say that you can live with that!!

REALLY really...really REALLY really REALLY

Follow me on Instagram to checkout Modded Interceptor 650... instagram.com/borntobejazz

The seats are interchangeable between the two bikes so the interceptor seat can be had on the GT. At least that is the case in India

Seems like a real bargain. Seriously considering the Interceptor.

I would not say the interceptor has a really long stroke engine. Its similar to mt07 and such bikes. Bonneville t100 has a lot longer stroke, and kawasaki w650 a really long one, 11mm more than the bore

No issue with the fuel indicator on my 2020 Gt , over all I love this bike , does what it supposed too, lots of torque , sounds great looks great . Mods 150 rear tire , end bar mirrors S&S exhaust, looking for a proper cafe faring , if anyone can advise me as to where to get one please let me know. I’m in the states

I am an Indian and I use both breaks simultaneously. But yes, here some people are just afraid to press the front break lever, can't say why though.

Beach cruiser ffs

These bikes are not good as they are not stable on roads ...handle wobbling issue wich may cause serious accident..poor bult quality.not worth to own these bikes.

I hope you know the shockers are adjustable?

British bike firm goes to India. British-Indian bikes go to America. British man goes to America to ride them. Hmmm

That was an excellent review. Your experience with heating if any?? Does the engine seem to be heating a slight more than desired?

RE should come out with some serious factory bolt-on accessories for the both 650s

I've watched all the videos and never heard the bike run. All talking through out. Plus no one said how far you can go on a tank full of gas.

DRINKING GAME: " Take a drink every time he says "really".....

Sooo; no pillion, no night riding, no wet weather? Not really much of a road test is it?

Please stop slurring your words, and speak slower and clearly so we can tell what you are saying

Nice review! It looks like a time machine from where I sit. I survived the 60's and remember the oil leaks, mystery clutches and Points and timing, Lucas electrics. I always cursed my self for not buying one of the Kawasaki 650 twins but it looks like I'm going to get a second chance to choose my interceptor time machine. Whoo hoo I'm sure the aftermarket will provide what I need. This bike is just right for the current times. Let's make things simple again, Nobody talks about the expected MPG from this puppy :-)

I love the look of these things... Just waiting for a test ride on one now...

Is a cool bike, and for the price, excellent. 👍🏼

Looks like a great around town bike when you consider that some 125s are 4500 gbp , like the looks of the interceptor one criticism is that when you do a talk over don't rush you're words and mumble , you can raise the EQ your voice in the high mid area to make it cut through more if you have a bit of a monotone speaking voice .

You shown two things one is your face and handle bar of bike

Nice bike! Now to wait for the BSA’s . Then we shall have some excellent choices.

Having owned an Indian made Enfield in the past I can tell you I wont be owning another one any time soon.

I love the bike and would buy one in Australia , But they have one VERY BIG design fault 18 rear wheel ! tyre choice is limited for road tyres ( if you what to run off road tyres heaps of choices , but its not really designed for that ) The 18 front has a bit more choice as the Ducati Scrambler, some of the Triumph Boonville's have 18 fronts, not sure that there is to many ON ROAD bikes that run 18inch rear. So I cannot run my beloved Michelin P5,s , or Meltzer DN01 fronts. " VERY BAD REAR WHEEL SIZE CHOICE ROYAL ENFIELD "

Confused btw 2k19 yamaha r3 and this beast(continental gt)

Do you really think these bikes will invigorate the bike market in the UK? The Ducati Scrambler and Yamaha's XSRs have been best sellers. I do not think that RE is bringing anything new to the market. Anyhow, I wish them well, and who knows, I might ride one one day.

Would you recommend one as a first bike? I've been looking at getting my license and these really caught my eye because their North American headquarters are in my city.

Firstly, what a splendid machine, a much welcome addition to the market. Secondly, the original 692cc Interceptor was a road bike, 'dessert sleds' being a US fashion for converting british parallel twins for desert racing. Thirdly, what on earth is a 'beach cruiser' ?

I am from India and thank you so much for reviewing one of the popular bike brand in india❤️❤️

That's a Good Review......Thanks I've ordered one for delivery January 2021 Glitter and Dust Interceptor

No matter where you go to purchase one of these Royal Enfields you get quoted the same price,there is no retail price price maintenance in the UK and I think it's illegal for manufactures to dictate the selling price as it stops competion between dealers, it's not only RE to do this many others like Honda and Triumph behave the same way and their not on their own, it seems the Motorcycle Industry have been ignoring this ruling for a long time. The manufactures can have a suggested retail price but are not allowed to dictate to the dealers to sell at that price but it seems that the dealers are being lent on to do so to stop competion between dealers, I will check up with trading standards regarding the legality of this practice, if anyone else has had the same result when trying to order one please let me know or if you managed to get a discount let me know that as well it will be interesting to find out.

Passes the retro test if that's what you want, but Japanese middleweight twins like the SV650/Z650 are superior and more reliable, for the same money.

Why are you wearing an open face helmet? The same thing happens to your face when it hits the pavement regardless of whether you’re on a Ducati Superbike or a RE Interceptor.

There should be no complaints on tweaking the factory spring/damping with some after-market bits given the bargain entry price. A few hundred $'s and it could be custom tailored to each persons riding style. They'll sell millions of these! It's crying out to be used as a one make modern classic race series base. I WANT ONE!

I noticed you mentioning the use of the back brake, presumably into and out of some tight corners. Can l ask you whether the rear brake ever faded toward the end of your test ride? Thanks. Could l also ask how tall you are and weight please. Not only did the CEO of RE let you hear his SandS exhaust cans, but also let you see his boots.

How much for the USA market? I don't care if they call me a hipster this one or kawasaki w800 2019 look very beautiful bikes nicer than a Harley 👍

I thought the bike was surprisingly good. My criticisms would be that the rev limiter kicks in so early. It's like you've got to be right up near the red line to get at the power. Why not let it run for another thousand rpm or so? Also, you can't see much in the shiny bottle tops they call mirrors. And the seat feels like a piece of folded sponge.

age topic: we don't have choice if we want to add some drama to the way we commute you buy RE or KTM , you don't want to go fast on indian roads other bikes are just wayyy above price bracket

Damn, I don't get it. This bike is about 15 years too late to capitalize on the retro/custom/brat trend that's long deceased. Leave it to major manufacturers to miss the leading edge of innovation. I've got a 78 kz750 that's as much bike as this thing looks to be. Any guesses on for how many years this will be produced?

looks good but why is the mcn tester wearing an openface helmet coming off wouldbe a disaster for him his jaw wouldbe broken and serious facial injurys

If the The voice got any more mellow this video could be used as Lullaby substitute... No emphasis, no voice modulation.. A presenter with this voice could put an entire class to sleep.

Hello cool people , please tell if this oh so sexy gt650 bike is as agressive in riding position as ktm rc390 ??

I like the look of the bike so far, I was interested to see it since I first heard about it about a year ago. Unfortunately, I got sick of all the talking and skipped the last 7 minutes. More bike sound would have been good, and what about some specs?

But they will mess up quality in india for sure, people cant forget how they messed up classic 500 EFi issues and himalayan, they sell cheap stuff in india

5 Sec. of good Video, because with engine sound! Don't wanna hear you bla bla!

Hey, i like your helmet it looks cool , i stay in india and where can i buy that i mean any online site if you can please let me know.Thanks

Continental gt has good HP but increase top speed power up to 190km and that is not adequate which has been given

Is there a video anywhere that actually features the sound of this bike rather than some mono toned foreigner droning on and on about their perceptions?

Lol you guys are riding though Ducati North America's back yard.