Royal Enfield has launched two of their much anticipated motorcycles, the Interceptor 650 and it’s café racer twin, the GT650 at Rs 2.50 lakh and Rs 2.65 lakh (ex-showroom, India) respectively. The Interceptor and the GT650 are the only motorcycles from the Royal Enfield stable to compete in the segment. The custom versions of the Interceptor 650 starts at Rs 2.57 lakh and Rs 2.72 lakh for the Continental GT 650. The chrome version is priced at Rs 2.70 lakh for the Interceptor and Rs 2.85 lakh for the Continental GT.
The duo is powered by an all-new in-house 648cc, air cooled with oil cooler, 4-valve per head, twin-cylinder motor that produces 47bhp at 7,250 rpm and 52Nm of peak torque at 5,250rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The 9.5:1compression ratio means low end bearing will be minimised. Add all that together and the V-Twin is ready to roar through an upswept cannisters to typically show the Brit DNA.
There are a lot of similarities between both the motorcycles. Let’s start with the chassis. Both share the same twin cradle, tubular steel frame on which the engine is bolted. The braking duties are done by a twin piston, 320mm Brembo floating disc brakes at the front and a single piston 240mm disc at the rear.
Both the motorcycles’ steering head kick in 41mm telescopic front forks with 110mm travel and a pair of gas filled coil-over shock absorbers with piggy back reservoir with 88mm travel. The 18inch front and rear 36 spoke wheels add to the classic look. But, the twins will come with a slipper clutch and dual-channel ABS as standard to add modernity as well.
Now, coming to the differences, the Interceptor 650 Twin stretches to 1400mm of wheelbase and stands at 804mm tall, just 2mm longer and 9mm taller than the GT650. The Interceptor is heavier by 4kg than the GT650. The rear set foot pegs on the Continental GT 650 are sportier to tip into those lean angles and then hit a ton up.
Here is our USA test ride review of the Interceptor and Continental GT 650.
Royal Enfield has come up with a new branch in its old tree, the roots of which are really deep. Barring a couple of decisions, they have been making the right moves at the right time. And this time they’ve planned to make new customers with the twins while they’ve stepped up the game, not only in terms of capacity and cylinder but in terms of competing as well. The twins have turned the page for the manufacturer and currently do not have any direct competition in the segment, especially at this price point.