Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 - peak retro cool or just slow and old-fashioned? 

It was the success of the 650s and the 350s from RE that made Triumph realise they couldn't ignore the small-capacity market!

No experienced rider needs a gear indicator. Just look at the rpm if you are in doubt. With more riding you will get the idea just by the beautiful engine sound. If it sounds stressed, you need to shift up. I really don't understand the fuss about the gear indicators

Gotta love fella's who have never rode a bike without all the gizmo's, give it a month of riding you'll never go back to mode riding, this is what riding is all about, knowing your bike not the computer, enjoyed your video

Had mine for 4 years now and covered 7000 miles, quite a few on motorways too. I find it to be a very relaxed capable machine which cruises at 75 mph easily without even getting out of breath with quite a bit left for overtakes. That's because it's under stressed, whereas the little Triumph with much less cubes would be buzzy and need to be revved alot to accomplish the same velocity. The forks have adequate travel and the shocks can be changed out quite cheaply for a pair of Wagons or similar so it's no big deal. RE should be commended on these twins I believe they have been a game changer for them and rightly so. 🤔🙄

For every day riding, there’s a lot to be said for an understressed engine. Not every bike has to be race oriented.

Great review. I have done 23000km on my bike. Great, reliable fun. Had a 68 Triumph Trophy.. A 69 Norton Mercury, and a 72 Commando. Iff retro feel is what your after, then this is bike for you.

Its great no shitty electronics to go wrong, no reliance on tec, thank god. Cars should follow suit.

I chuckled at the generation change observation. I have ridden for 50 years and have only ridden one bike with a gear indicator, my BMW RT 1200. The direct inversion to the presenter's experience. By the way, I have ridden an Interceptor for 3 years. Love it! One of the best bikes I have ever had.

Today just did 442 ks today on my interceptor, 32,000ks all up..bike is brilliant and beautiful..it's all you need.

Had mine 2 years and it still feels good. I thought they had changed to Ceat tyres now to support Indian suppliers but obviously not any more. I have them on mine and they feel fine, well they do in summer when its dry anyway. Hagon shocks tighten up the rear well.

I love mine. It's a totally different experience from riding my Suzukis. It makes me slow down a bit and just enjoy the experience. Everywhere I park it, it draws attention.

Great review. I have never owned a motorcycle that has had a gear indicator and to be honest I don't think that I've ever needed one. The Interceptor come with a Rev Counter and that is all that I need. I have had my Interceptor for coming up for two years now and I absolutley love it. It does all that I ask of it. Sure, it's no Pocket Rocket, but I knew that when I bought it. It looks the business and it is a doddle to work on, which was one of the attractions for me as I prefer to do my own maintenance. There are plenty of after market parts available to give it a unique look and feel, should that be your preference.

I ride in a RE group and i have to say thats the best best paint scheme i have seen to date.

I bought a new INT 650 during the Spring of 2022 and, as of August 2024, I have 20,000+ miles (~32,000 KM) on it. I ride my motorcycle here on the Central Coast of California about 30 miles a day (when it's not raining). My bike's big, heavy mufflers (AKA, silencers) have been replaced with free-flow units and I'm guessing that my engine now produces about 50 HP (more or less). For every thing I ride a bike for, both in town and on local country roads, 50 HP is more than just adequate. I almost never use (or need to use) full throttle and have taken the engine to redline only a couple of times (while under test). I have never encountered as situation where I wanted more HP or acceleration or "better handling" around corners. Of course, I am an 'old rider' and not a 'bold rider' and perhaps that accounts for while I'm still around to enjoy riding.

It's fast enough for anyone who wants to keep their licence.

I had mine just 3 days... i am loving it.

Ive been riding a 21, Interceptor for the better part of 3 years , and about 6,700 miles or so. I bought it for all the reasons you referenced. It is, in its own way a trip back into the past. Reminds me of what motorcycling was about back in the 60s-70s. It draws a lot of attention and positive comments from young and old alike. So far, no real complaints. Hope you like yours as much as I do mine.

The UK is not the place for motorcycles is it. Wet damp cold depressing . Mate you count gears in your head like rounds in your magazine.

.......and it's awesome because you can easily mount racks and side cases to it. Love mine for this, 18,000 miles on.

Thanks for the video, it was good to hear what you think coming from a non retro bike background. I thought what you said was very fair and I can assure you that even after 3 years of ownership mine still puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. What you perhaps hinted at is that it is a good bike for wet or slippery conditions, very smooth and controllable although the cleaning afterwards keeps you busy 😂. If you really do want a slow experience might I recommend the Himalayan 411? 😉

It's a SLOW but cool retro. Those aluminum cases are a nightmare to maintain because they don't properly seal them.

I´ve got to drive the RE Interceptor twice already in Brazil, in ride tests and I must confess that I was really impressed ... Not the faster or most nimble bike I´ve driven, butttt, for the sticker price, you get a lot of bike for fun at the weekends rides ... I had a HD883 and two GS´s ( 800cc and 1200 cc) in the past, but now, getting older, I really like this bike concept ... More than just riding, caring for her, cleaning and polishing, what a way to spend the weekends .... Here in BR the T100 and T120 are basically twice the price, they are fantastic and far superior in every corner, but the $$ draining on them if compared to the RE, it´s a deal braker for me .... Awesome review and I wish you a succesful campaign at the RU-vid. Cheers !!

Great video. Thanks for the insights.

Bought mine in June 2019 and the only breakdown was the speedometer cable. Over 38,000 miles from sea level to 10,232 ft altitude and it runs impeccably well. I'm dragging pegs and pipes on mountain roads and itll actually just reach 100 mph

All my bikes have never had a gear indicator . Dont see why one is so important. One down five up I know what cog im on . Neutral is handy but not essential .

I get the "power to weight " ratio comparison within the RE twin´s and the new T400´s, but I do not consider that someone looking for a modern classic would even compare these bikes ... I would never do that, personnaly .. I was very excited at a glance with the new 400 cc T´s, but afterwards, I figured out that the only thing that attracted me, it was the brand ... it´s a mono cylinder bike and I do not like the looks ..... I keep with the RE´s twins and I´m saving money to buy my RE Interceptor 2024 .... Cheers !!

That's one of the most beautiful Int.'s that I've seen. Yeah the little triumph s are hot look good too. Carry on!

On my second Int now, excellent bike for an oldie like me. The only other bike like it is the Bonnie. Love them both.

I’m really liking that colour scheme Great Video ride and discussion 😊

Touring in Europe (where I live) I've found the performance to be adequate, especially with a 16t front sprocket fitted. The only time I wish for a bit more is on the motorway sometimes, it cruises fine at 120kph (74.5mph) without feeling stressed.. it will cruise faster but I prefer a less stressed feel to the engine. Everyday cars seem to cruise the same or faster so I'm overtaken quite a lot.. the result I suppose is that I avoid motorways whenever possible although sometimes it's the only viable option if you want to cover ground at a reasonable pace. Another 10kph at less than 5000rpm would be good, just a personal feeling.

Great bike look forward to seeing some more videos nice colours 👍

Ich habe meine seit 2019 das beste was ich je gefahren habe einfach perfekt ❤

Thanks for the review. I've got the GT version. I've been riding motorcycles since 1963 but, like you sir I'd definitely welcome a gear indicator for this 6 speed bike.

Streets ahead of the Triumph 400 in my opinion that's not a modern retro at all. I tried both the Interceptor and the GoldStar and loved both but because the BSA was a single with bags of character i chose the GoldStar but would have been happy with the Interceptor.

The pirelli sportscomp tyres are horrible if you like grip. Came with the bonnevilles as well. Will get rid this week from my interceptor. Good review sir.

i've got an upgraded 350 classic and it is a dream to ride

Unless you are a racer, why is speed so important given you can lose you licence in an eyeblink? To me it is all about how it makes you feel, the look, the sound, the handling and making you smile. Give me a Royal Enfield over a screaming "Rice Bike" any day. All a sports bike is good for apart from speeding tickets, is DOA, dead on arrival. I am 72 and still have a few more years of enjoying the wind in what's left of my hair and flies in what's left of my teeth...and a hug from the GF (read wife) on pillion, as we do 50mph around the twisties. Then enjoying a half of lager in the sun of Portugal, looking at the bike that got me there and the wife who "wants to die with me".

i have a gt, ive replaced the exhaust with a stinger 2 into 1,saves about 12kg,yss rear shocks saves 2kg,lithium ion battery saves 4.3kg,removed grabrail and footpegs, toolkit, anything not really needed, so saved probably over 20kg,the difference in acceleration is really noticeable, the bike looks great, paint on tank would put many automotive manufacturers to shame, falls down a little with dodgy ignition switch and having to replace the shitty relays with bosch items, would i buy another RE, yes definitely

Very well commented, enjoyed a lot.

If you want a race bike there are plenty of offerings already - except they are uncomfortable, ugly , expensive, sound like a buzz saw and when they wear out they aren't economically feasible to rebuild. A Royal Enfield on the other hand is relatively inexpensive, allows for a more relaxed style of riding, sounds sweet, can be modified by the user, and because parts are cheap this bike will be serviced forever and thus will always have some resale value. Nobody wants a well used racer style bike because they are too complicated and expensive to rebuild. Whereas a 40 year old Triumph or Harley in pieces in boxes still has value cause someone will want to bring it back to life.

Starts at 5:02

I had one of these that I only let go of to make room in the garage for another bike 😂 I’ve been riding a long time and have had many bikes, including Triumph T100. I’d rate the Interceptor 650 as MORE fun than the Triumph, chiefly because the Royal Enfield was much more reliable. The only thing I found the Royal Enfield wanting for was modern butt support. That seat was a plank and the touring seat upgrade was barely better. I wouldn’t recommend this bike as a beginner bike. I think it’s too powerful off the line for beginners. But a great bike for any rider at any stage of experience past the first season of riding on a less powerful bike.

Road my RD350b 1000 miles with no antilock brakes, fuel gage, gear indicator and had to add oil regularly to the oil tank. We dont need all of the excess crap on the new bikes. Learn how many miles you can run on you tank, watch your tach and listen to your motor to know what gear you are in. Have you driven any stick shift car with a gear indicator?

Isn't that Triumph 400 engine borrowed from KTM? The Interceptor has proven to be well--built, under-stressed and durable. I expect to see them with high mileages soon. I have a bit of a bias because of the old Yamaha 650 twin, which wasn't much faster. It would be nice if RE came with a 850 version with 60 - 65 HP though.

Looks way better than triumph, isn't that important?

Good video. Thank you.

If your into classic bikes but can’t afford/maintain one (like me😂) a modern retro is the way to go. No, the interceptorisn’t a performance bike. I also own a 350 and the uk roads/conditions/traffic don’t even allow me to ride that flat out.

Nice vid you seemed to be jumping around a bit going over Cock Hill. Or as we say in these parts "tha don't know if tha's coming or going". But I will say you are braver than me at this time of year.

About the Pirelli tires on this bike, I´ve learned that even being the same model sold around the globe, these are actually made in India ... to be cheaper and more competitive in the local market ... so you can not compare to the same pirelli ´s sold elsewhere ... I was astonished when I read that ..... but it makes sense ... even considering that the italian brand should never compromise quality for affordability ....

How many gears does it have!!? Never ridden a bike WITH a gear indicator. Had an Enfield dealer over here in the states tell me they shouldn’t sell anything smaller than 1000cc here because they’d be run over by everyone else in suvs and trucks. Funny how that was never an issue in the UK on my 125 - faster drivers just went round me. There’s a fair amount of unsubstantiated fear in the US, is all I can say.

What are you filming with , excellent filming.

i bet the brakes are not even scuffed in or the engine run in yet... with all the new speed restrictions...this is all the bike we really need...the race rep has been a fantasy toy for decades..where can you use them properly on crowded roads..?

A good rider should know what gear they are in , a gear indicator is unnecessary and shouldn’t be found on a retro motorcycle. Just saying 😅

It's not a bad bike if you can leave it alone, but many owners very quickly change the exhaust, and add a power commander, uprating the suspension and brakes, change the seat because its uncomfortable after 40 minute's, Then it doesn't ad up, you might as well buy a Triumph 900,

I don't think the 400 single competes with the 650 twin.

The engine is wonderful, the suspension is cheap junk. I've owned my gorgeous Continental GT for four years and I dread bumpy roads.

Did you change the handleswitch?

I’d add… if performance is your main motivation, get something like an MT-07 instead and be happy with the ugly bike that can really go.

I don't think the Triumph Speed 400 looks retro at all. I laugh that they call it a modern classic. There weren't allot of bikes rolling with blacked out engines and gear boxes in the 1960's. Gold forks not retro. Cast wheels not retro. Shape of exhaust not retro. Single clock with lcd panel, not retro. The saddest day for me was the day I sold my RE Interceptor 650 Glitter and Dust(sellers remorse). If I could find one used I would re-purchase it in a heart beat.

This video is only two weeks old and you mention the RRP of the Inter as £6500, but with no mention that for weeks now it is possible to buy new for only £5300 at various dealers. It puts the little Triumph buzz box in a different light. Even at full RRP, the Inter is much more bike.

d/n matter gear. Run the engine.

Don't make me laugh 🤣😂🤣 The Triumph 400 Isn't even a contender for the Interceptor LOL 🤣 The Interceptors Provenance alone would blow the Triumph away LOL 🤣 Are you aware Royal Enfield are nearly selling in one month what Triumph Sell in a Year world wide, That's some food for thought for you. Cheers Paul 👍

They sound like tractors,build quality poor,very slow,pensioners bike I suppose.

Just slow.