It’s safe to claim that the entire neo-retro trend is now more than just a passing fad. Businesses eventually caught on to this trend and started releasing what is now known as the retro-modern, or neo-retro motorbike, which started about ten years ago when custom bike builders started customizing bikes to look like vintage vehicles while sporting the technology and safety features found on contemporary bikes.
While the majority of motorcycles in this subcategory are essentially modern vehicles with retro-style bodywork, Royal Enfield’s models have always tended to err on the side of tradition, not just in terms of appearance but also in terms of features and technology. The Royal Enfield Interceptor, as well as Continental GT are two of the most well-known 650 Twin models among all of the company’s motorcycles. Having said that, let’s examine the Interceptor 650 in more detail and delve into a few features that set this retro-styled vehicle apart.
- It’s a wonderful, sincere, and authentically itself package.
There are no amazes, and the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 isn’t trying to be a thing that it’s not, so if you were to make up how it rides based solely on how it looks, your assumptions would be largely accurate. It is what it is, not a sports bike disguised as a custom or outdated technology masquerading as cutting-edge technology. It has good performance but isn’t equipped with a super fast engine, has brakes that handle speed and handling pretty well, doesn’t have a large tft screen, and has traditional-style tires rather than sports ones.
Everything about its appearance, ergonomics, ride, and performance is extremely well-engineered, and it has been created to play into and match exactly what it is – a great modern retro that’s true to its styling and impressions.
Few other bikes provide the same riding experiences as the Interceptor 650 because Royal Enfield has outfitted this bike with the ideal balance between traditional styling and contemporary performance. The bike has excellent fit and finish throughout, and everything from its air-cooled parallel-twin engine’s slight vibrations to its basic but effective suspension system contributes to a truly authentic motorcycling experience. It also has the ideal amount of safety features to guarantee that the bike won’t become unmanageable even in the hands of inexperienced riders.
- It sounds fantastic.
The interceptor’s stock exhaust system is incredibly loud. Check out our “First Ride of Spring” video, in which we made a concerted effort to capture the interceptor’s audible exhaust note as it kind of thundered around the stunning Lake District roads.
There is no need to make any changes because Royal Enfield has worked hard to perfect the sound design of their motorcycles. The interceptor’s sound is undoubtedly a part of the pleasure of riding and, in our opinion, one of the best sounds in motorcycles.
- It moves very smoothly.
Though it is a different kind of bike, the bike handles surprisingly well! It has excellent turning ability, maintains a nice line, and is actually really good for a hustle if desired. When you really push on, the rear shock does become a little bouncy, but you can reduce that by increasing the preload.
This observation is supported by the fact that Paul Young, a former BSB racer, completely destroyed everyone in a modified Continental GT at the 2019 Bikeshed Festival. Yes, the engine was somewhat modified to have significantly more power, significantly less weight, full Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes, and stickier tires than standard, but the basic design was still there, and Youngy completely destroyed everyone, including some very seasoned and well-known journalists. I mean, the person in second place was driving a 150-horsepower Suzuki Katana, and another was a TT racer!
- It appeals to the masses.
Again, until you own one, you won’t realize how popular the interceptor is. Anywhere you go, you’ll be surrounded by admirers who will take pictures of you, ask you about the bike, and share stories about their grandfathers who once owned Royal Enfields. No matter how rare the bike is—a Ducati Panigale, the newest Sportsbike, a contemporary cafe racer from another manufacturer, a super-naked motorcycle—you could ride it alongside anyone. People are going to see that on their way to the Royal Enfield and gawk all over it. Since I’ve done it, been there, and worn the T-shirt, I can say that.
- Everything about it is incredibly affordable.
Thanks to its gorgeous styling, superb fit and finish, and all-around impressive performance, the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 accessories and the overall bike offer quite amazing value for the money.
This bike’s new price is around £6k, making it incredibly accessible to almost everyone. However, even if you couldn’t afford it and purchased one split across a few credit cards, nearly 2 years later, it would be worth about £1k less than you spent on it.
When you take into account that this bike has a sticker price that starts at just P374,000 for the Custom trim level, and P379,000 for the Special variant, P368,000 for the Standard variant, which is offered in the elegant chrome Glitter along with Dust colorway, it becomes even more clear what this means.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Interceptor 650 truly stands out as the best motorcycle for beginners. Its exceptional performance, comfortable riding experience, versatile handling, affordable price point, and availability of accessories for Royal Enfield make it an unbeatable choice. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to start your biking journey with the Interceptor 650. Shop now at Carorbis.