You didn't review this bike like a Moto journalist; you reviewed it like a regular human being, AND THAT'S WHY THIS VIDEO IS AMAZING. It is THE most useful and informative video I've seen, and I've been stalking the Interceptor for a while now. Well done, and thank you.
I've seen dozens of INT 650 reviews and this is the best hands down. Great B-Roll footage, great camera angles and really useful information many others don't bother covering. Thanks for it!
1. You do a really great job with your reviews. So relaxing and enjoyable. As an American, I really appreciate your conversions to miles per hour/gallon, etc. 2. This bike is the treat and I can't wait to add one to my stable. What a price!
Nice and very true what you say. I have Interceptor , Scram 411 and have now got the Super Meteor 650. If you love the interceptor, then man you will love the 650 Meteor. Grab one on test when ever you can, and fall in love. 70 years old and loving anything RE.
Since the new owners of Royal Enfield took over, the company, it has been producing some excellent new bikes, which are well priced, reliable and well made - especially for the price. Looking forward to seeing what they come up with next. I have a 2018 Himalayan, which has been faultless. I've ridden it, twice around Europe with, absolutely, no problems.
Through the dealer grape vine, i hear a lot about a water cooled 500 single later this year. Capable of using up to E20 gas. Not exactly retro for RE, but supposed to look a lot like the Scram, but with alloy wheels. Let you all know as and when i spot it knocking about the UK again.
Was going to order a tec 2-1 exhaust and thought in the meantime why not experiment with the stock mufflers. We drilled 15mm holes front and back, the sound is surprisingly good. So I'm sticking with stock. A nice 60s bark, but not too much.
Mate! You've sold me. I'm an Aussie living in the States and about to get a new bike. I've loved the look of these and a lot of people hear have talked them down which worried me, but after seeing your review and hearing what you have to say, I just told the missus that I'm goin Enfield. Miss those Aussie beaches! Thanks so much.
Cheers Pete glad you enjoyed the video. The owner of this bike left it with me for some time after doing the review, all up I rode it for 3 months and my views didn’t change. It’s a solid well priced easy to own mount that’s fun to ride and economical to run, nothing to fancy computer gadgets wise but I think that simplicity is half the appeal. Enjoy the US, spent 6wks west coast many years ago and loved it. 👍
Absolutely fantastic to the point review, I live in the north east of England and have an interceptor and agree with everything you pointed out the only down side for me is we get weather like that in your video for roughly two or three days a year, we call it "the summer"😂 Great review and safe riding.
Thanks Gavin, glad you enjoyed the review and agree with my comments. We are actually in winter in my part of the world at the moment, we had a record 3 days of rain in a row last wk ! Cheers mate & ride safe.
Hi David, thanks glad it was helpful. The bike in this review belongs to a friend of mine, although it’s been some time since I did this review the Interceptor is still going well and he has had no issues with it.
I’ve got a 2019 model and the weakness is the suspension. A lot of knocking and lumpiness over uneven surfaces. In the U.K. we have a pothole pandemic which highlights the suspension issue. A lot of owners upgrade the suspension which I am planning to do.
Hi yes thanks for your observations, I felt the same in the short time I had the bike. I would like to add if you’r a potential buyer of the Interceptor and plan on using it in and around town the standard set up is adequate, but if you plan on heading out for a bit more spirited riding an upgrade would be the go.Happy riding there in the Uk, your just coming into season. Cheers.
I've heard a couple of owners say the fork oil hadn't looked it smelt right when upgrading their fork springs, made me wonder if just changing the oil might improve things at the front end (it worked on my MZ 250 light years ago, with a couple of 2p pieces for preload i seem to remember).
Thank you for that revew... Exellent job! I just bought my INT650 and I'm awaiting delivery... mine is new though. Here in Perú ppl doesn't take proper care of motorcycles so buying it second hand is a risk... Thank you again!
As a man in my mid 60s I am very seriously looking at the RE Interceptor and I have to say I have watched 100s of videos on the Royal Enfield Interceptor and this is with out a doubt the very best video on TH-cam ,,,you managed to cover every one of my questions including the possibility of carrying a passenger and that is important for me because my intention is to carry my light weight partner with me around West Cork in Ireland were we live ,,,so thank you for an excellent review. I am definitely going to have the Interceptor as my next bike .
Thank you for the kind words, I have had the pleasure of riding the bike in this review many times since making this video as it belongs to a friend of mine, my views have not changed. It remains on my list of one of the best all round affordable bikes out there. Thanks again, cheers.
Great review. Ended up going for the Continental over the Interceptor as I prefer that slight cafe racer look, but I've had my RE for around 12 months, just over 8000km and its been perfect, not a single hassle. But the one thing I did early on was upgrade the rubber to Bridgestone's BT46's and it made a big (positive) difference when pushing on. I just wish we had your weather, here in Ireland we get rain a lot, and the engine covers need a lot of TLC to keep them looking decent, so thats something to bear in mind if you're on a damp little rock like myself. But apart from that, I agree with everything you said, the 650 twins are little blinders! :)
Cheers Andrew, yes the Continental is a fine looking machine for sure. Haven’t ridden it myself but I’m guessing similar to the Interceptor and I agree that motor is a little gem. We are lucky agreed with the weather here, in my part of Aus I get to ride all year round albeit still wet & cold (by my standards) for a couple of months but bearable. Thanks mate glad you enjoyed the review.
I've got a GT as well, thanks for the tyre recommendation. I don't ride many miles these days so durability is of no great concern to me but better grip certainly is, particularly in the wet.
I love my gt here in Boston (originally from Dublin). Mine has the original Ceat tyres which I'm not loving. Thanks for the Bridgestone recommendation. Ride safe!
I also changed tires on my 2019 Interceptor to the BT46’s along with YSS suspension uograde front & rear. Made the bike much nicer riding especially when pushing the bike.
I totally agree. Finally, a non-professional reviewer that knows how to get it off the line as fast as possible. Your racing experience shows @standupmoto Steve. Oh yeah, and an excellent review!
Gday mate i have had a soft spot for this bike ever since it was first released so much so i have a interceptor sticker on my back window of my 4wd even though i dont own one . The reason for this is that it reminded me of the bike i learnt to ride on an xs2 650 yamaha ,i have watched countless videos from people who own them listened to the praises and the criticicisms but it still is a lovely bike in my eyes and they hold there value second hand . I am not so much of a fan of the continental must be some euro thing to make a bike like that but now they have the cruiser 650 which doesnt look to bad apart from the side cover with that god awefull big 650 on the side a metal casting in smaller design would look much better anyway great review of a great bike in my eyes ,the missendon flyer had one which he hacked to peices and made a horrid looking scrambler thingy out of it paid a motsa for a very ugly bike in my eyes anyway take care .
Gday, yes I can understand your wanting one of these. Apart from them being a great bike they just look so good, doesn’t matter what angle you look at it. Haven’t seen the Flyers conversion, I’ll take a look.👍
This was the best review I have seen till now for the Interceptor 650. (Trust me, I am waiting for my bikes delivery and all I am doing is watching reviews) You have done a real good job here. Cheers 👏👏
Probably the best review of this bike i've seen, Im thinking of getting this or a classic 350 to put around college, but this pushed me over!! Great job!
What an excellent video and review. You are clearly a thoughtful and intelligent fellow. I have one of these on my shopping list for when I retire in a couple of years time. There will be plenty about second hand by then in the UK.
Great review Steve. Sounds more like a discussion over a beer with a mate than a review. I've owned the Bonneville T100 and always regretted selling it. Can't beat that beautiful note. This looks like a great way to hop back on the saddle. Cheers Ian from Katoomba
Thanks mate glad you enjoyed it, have done a bit of adventure riding up your way. Dopey South Aussie, I did it in July! Great part of the country I might add, yes the Interceptor is a good all rounder. Light, economical, nice to ride & not too heavy on the pocket to get into if you decide to enjoy those beautiful summer mornings you get there. Cheers.
I walked into Kim Britton , Rockingham one Saturday morning in September 2021 to buy a new pair of riding boots ,, walked out with the boots and a 2021 Interceptor in Orange Crush with 250km for $7500aud , what a bargain ! Its had the mentioned aftermarket slip on's and K&N air filter fitted and I love riding this bike , it's not my main bike and has only done 3500km as I type this , but man does it put a smile on my dial every time I ride it . She still looks like new because I do look after her but the build quality has lot's to do with that as well I mention Rockingham because I recoginise nearly all the places here in your great review and yes the hills here are awesome to ride . Thanks for taking your time and giving us a sweet review of a great motor cycle .
Living in the Adelaide metro area all I can say is "you certainly get around in this road test". I still miss my RE 500 Classic with the sidecar. It wasn't very fast, you don't buy them for speed, but it could go just about anywhere. I don't know if I could go back to chain drive these days as I've been spoilt by having shaft drive on my last two bikes, an 1995 Yamaha XJ 900 Diversion and my current one which is a 1982 Honda VF 750 Magna.
Hi David, haven’t ridden the 500 but it just so happens the owner of this bike has one, maybe a review is in order. Yes the shafties certainly are easy to live with and much cleaner, an 82 VF750 wow that’s getting a bit rare now. I had a 750 Shadow that I bought new back in 2010, great bike. Cheers & thanks for the comment.
As someone who bought a used 2020 Interceptor: the rubber seal of the petrol cap is known to break over time, buy the replacement from Hitchcocks if you plan to keep the motorcycle outside and not covered under a tarp at all times. Just had a 350€ repair because the fuel tank had water in it.
Hi Steve - Loved the review - starting riding bikes over 50 years ago and did a lot of scratching around the Adelaide Hills in those days on my RD350 and CB400F. Wish the Interceptor was around then as having owned mine now for over 3 years its the most fun bike i have owned and it brings motorcycling back to basics! Cheers Ian (ex SA resident now enjoying the warmth of Qld.)
Top stuff Ian, QLD hey-beautiful one day perfect the next. Don’t know what you’re talking about weather wise, it’s 12 deg windy & wet here just lovely but being the fair type person that I am if you want to house swap houses for the next three months I’ll be in it 😂 Yes the hills around Adelaide have some great bike roads, the powers to be have lowered most of the limits nowadays though. Enjoy that weather & it’s great to hear models like RD350 & CB400, ah memories. Cheers mate.
Good review. You said it all. I bought a 2020 Int 6 weekes ago and am very pleased so far. Looks, runs and sounds great! Great mpg too. Over 60mpg for me and I'm not babying it along. Only complaints are the mirrors vibrate moderately and it's hard to read the digital display in bright sunlight. That's it. I own 4 bikes and the Int has become my go to bike for most everything.
Awesome review. I’ve been tossing up between one of these and a Benelli Leoncino 500 after a few years away from bikes. I test rode and loved both of them in different ways. Your comprehensive review has really helped my thinking. Reckon I will be ordering an interceptor! 👍
Yes I think that’s a good choice, not that I think there’s anything wrong with the Benelli. I haven’t ridden one but the dealer network is so small, well here where I am and the resale value is not great. I think over time as Benelli builds a name & dealership presence things may change but for now the safe bet would be the RE. Cheers.
@@standupmoto yeah for sure, those points are a big factor. Dealer network, spare parts and limited aftermarket component options (compared to the near unlimited customisations available for the interceptor!) still count against Benelli for now.
The comparison against the Bonneville is apt and appropriate. The Bonneville is smoother on the highway due to its weight & wheelbase. (I owned a Thruxton "900"...I KNOW) In every other respect, the RE INTERCEPTOR wins! MUCH easier to park & maneuver, handy little touches that are very nice! Better gas mileage, cheaper accessories, cheaper replacement parts, bigger aftermarket, CHEAPER PURCHASE PRICE! Only people who are biased by the Triumph MADE IN THAILAND mystique(?) cannot see they are direct competitors. Power to weight ratio is close to the same. Maybe insurance is cheaper too, as displacement 25% smaller, and replacement cost is smaller.
One of the best RE Interceptors I´ve seen in YT .. congrats !! real world analysis !! Love the Bike, was considering a T120 Bonne but the RE interceptor is a hell of a bike for its money .. 1/2 the price in BR against the T120, which I assume are better ones all around, but never twice the bike vs. twice the price ..... Cheers from Brazil
RE Accessories in BR are pricy, so the alternative is to bring them from overseas. Not sure about the RE parts and services costs in your country but in here they are in line with the Triumph ones ..which is curious, at the least .... cheers!@@standupmoto
Great review. Totally agree with your comments about the Pirelli Phantoms, have just replaced them on my Street Twin with Avon Spirit ST's, which give a smoother more confident ride. I suspect that the only reason RE & Triumph fit Phantoms is for the aesthetics.
Hi Tony glad you liked the review, yes I found them to be a bit hard and breakaway if you hit a bump mid corner. Not a problem of course riding it as it’s supposed to be ridden but if you push a bit it could get a loose.
Good one..I have been riding my Interceptor 650 for 2 years here in Mumbai India both in city traffic and long rides of 2k plus. Bike performance is really good and easy to maintain when compared to Kawasaki, Honda, Triumph or BMW. Low maintenance and easy on pocket.
just picked up a 23 continental gt and have 0 complaints. managed to miss a 5th to 6th shift once but i chalk that up to being a brand new rider. just got my first service completed and cant wait to rip it down the beach roads by me once i get a bit more comfortable. for now its handling my daily commute of 1hr each way no problems.
had issues with mine under warranty 10000 klm on clock and parts took 5 months to arrive (gearbox major issues) i’m going to keep as it’s so versatile bike and hopefully won’t have big issues going forward.
I was thinking of selling mine.. after watching this totally positive review, I think I'll keep it! A suggestion for a too small readout.. too bad you can't snap in a 2x magnifying lens.
Hi Carol, honestly I don’t know what you would replace it with. Yes the readout is certainly on the smaller side but it probably wouldn’t look right with a digital. Ride safe, cheers.
I would be surprised, indeed astonished, if the owner had not swapped out the air filter inlet. It is the most effective performance (not top end, but general tractability) upgrade and is so easy to do with the electronic ignition system.
Tanks for all you information I’m olmost 50 getting one more motorcycle and is no much market in mexico for this motorcycles. But im getting one in Portland oregon. Take a trip to Mexico you review is the best tanks 👍 amigo
I watched and read many reviews before purchasing a new INT 650 in March, 2020. Your review is outstanding. Perhaps I missed it but could you mention how many total miles on your mate's bike? Longevity is something we really don't know yet and I like to keep track of others' experience. My RE has been basically flawless in 6000 miles.
Hi Michael, yes oversight on my part and the bike has gone home now but I think by memory 22k as In kilometers ( 13.5k mls) I ran into a chap (not literally) at the coffee shop while I was reviewing this bike who had 46k Kms (28k mls) on his. Had only had to adjust the valves once , every other check they were in tolerance. Only other thing he’d done is put tires on it, I think these motors are in there for the long haul. Glad you liked the review 👍 Cheers.
I was concerned about this as well. They seem,from what I've read, to be built to handle much more horsepower, which translates to long term reliability. Did you hear about the British woman who covered 48 US States in 48 days? I think it was 25k miles. If i remember correctly she only needed consumables, oil and tyres etc.
This was brilliant, thanks mate! Ive been flipping a coin between this or BMW R 65 as a platform for a scrambler project and id be keen to hear you opinion on which way to go. While I do love my Svartpilen 401, its probably time to upgrade.
Thanks mate glad you enjoyed it, both would be great projects. The RE has about an extra 20 hp over the R65 if memory serves correctly, so if you’re looking for the power side of things then I’d go for the RE. However I’ve seen an R65 scramblerised (if that’s a word) and it looked great, I guess the old school attraction comes into the equation here also. I’m on the fence with this one because both would make good conversions. 👍
Nice review mate I got my Interceptor 650 in late 2020 have over 12000 klms on it replace tyres at 8000 klms with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs scramed it much better tyre on the road and off its a blast
Excellent review , enjoyed it all the way through. I only have a 350 which is great but thinking of giving up the convertible and having two bikes , and this bike would be the one 👍
Thanks for this mate . I'm a pommie pensioner and can't afford a new bike . Been think of down sizing from my Vulcan VN900 custom to a lighter bike and the Enfield is in the running.
Hi Lee, a couple of things if you’re going to do a change.First on the negative side you will have a chain to lube on the Interceptor, not something that you’ve had to do on the Vulcan. On the positive side the RE would be about 80kg (175 lb) lighter ! that’s huge for when you’re manoeuvring it around in the shed and parking. That could help with those poor old knees, also she would use less fuel. Let me know when you have had a test ride. cheers.
@@standupmoto Will do mate. Don't mind a chain all my other bikes had em. Still think the old heated lube system Duckhams used to sell was the best . It really got into all the rollovers then hardened back into normal grease. Did my Ossa trials bike for years with it .
Very nice. I appreciate the center stand, oil glass, rear rack, and the reliability. Just wondering how available parts would be. My Triumph took 2.5 months for some rear caliper parts to come in. Almost ready to trade it in.
Good question! and by coincidence the owner of this bike was here today and we were talking about the accessories he bought. He purchased directly from India , delivery time was under four wks. That is to Australia, not sure what part of the world you are in. He also added he has had no issues with the Interceptor at all and I will say he rides fairly hard so that’s a good sign. Cheers.
Great review well explained and definitely understood. However, as some one from the UK I’m a little confused as to how you get cold hands. (Good point about the cap though). Andy (Loughborough. Pronounced Lufbra not Loogabarooga)✔️
Hi Andy glad you liked the video, now it’s not all sun and surf here in Aus. It was only 12 degrees the other day and my hands were freezing! Yeah ok maybe when it comes too cold weather us Aussies are a bit soft I agree but thankfully grip heaters & heated gloves are readily available at all the accessory shops.😎
@@standupmotoExcellent. I get it. It’s all relative. You’ve got me thinking back to when I was 18 on my Honda 550/4 riding four hundred miles back home from a bike rally in the winter. My leather and jeans were soaked through and as it got dark the temperature dropped to below zero. I was so cold I was nearly crying. (Bit embarrassing as I was a coal miner back then). Just to feel some warmth I found my self wee-ing in my already drenched jeans. What difference did it make. . . . Now that I’m on my fifties I occasionally find myself doing the same even when I’m not on my Motorcycle. I look forward to the next review and the amazing scenery.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
@@andybamford3987 Thanks Andy for way too much information! Yeah seriously though I don’t know how you guys do it over there with the cold, kudos. The wife and I will be over your way next year for the Isle of Man once we work out how to get there etc after we get to the motherland, a bucket list item for me. I’ll have another video out hopefully end of next week and just for you it has a Royal connotation. 🤴
@@standupmoto you’ll love it. It’s been some years since I’ve been. We used to go to the Manx races in the September as our mining engineering exams always overlapped with the TT. Please both be careful. There are always fatalities. It’s a good atmosphere though and the locals are great. Everybody over here loves the Aussies. I look forward to the next video. 👍🏻
Great review. Trivial about the fuel cap though. It`s heavy, it`s quality and I love it. Just rest it on the pump! It`s a classic style bike..... enjoy that fact.
Don’t get me wrong I love the cap, I’m just pointing out don’t drop it or you’ll do damage. I actually really enjoyed doing the review on this one and was fortunate enough to have it for some time after the review. Anyhow worry not, it certainly wasn’t a criticism more of an observation. 👍
Another feature of the design of the engine for longevity, is the fact that the crank is a 4 bearing crank with a wide spacing between the cylinders - the cam chain drive sprocket in the centre, is part of the crank, with a bearing either side of it. The wide spacing of the cylinders allows for better head & cylinder cooling, and for oversizing the sleeves, and 4 bearings for higher HP or longevity. The next fab feature I found with the design, is the single overhead camshaft - for four valves per cylinder, it has roller cam followers with twin valve fingers and standard screw and nut adjusters!! A simple but very robust design, with what should be long durations between adjustments. I love my girl - my "Lolly Bike" with the original Orange Crush paint scheme. I bought an R1200RT for my wife and I to ride together :) But I so enjoy the RE for the NZ rural twisties and even fun to ride to work. PS I have never had a problem with placing the fuel cap on the Pump station.
Cheers Graeme thanks for the information, you certainly know your engines. I believe this engine was a ground up design for the Interceptor/Continental , well that’s what I’ve been led to believe. I managed to hang on to this bike for some time after the review, the more I rode it the more I liked it. They are a great mount and way understated in my opinion, thanks again for the feedback.👍
@@standupmoto I have ordered az pair of shorty polished chrome end cans from Hitchcocks due here this week. Already have the K&N air filter. :) There is a method to introduce the bike to new low resistance filters and mufflers not requiring the add on sensor, through long first idle, and steady long periods of low to medium throttle application, long overrun down hill, and medium to higher loads held for periods of time after that. I am looking forward to the roartier sounds!!
i am just beginning to ride after 40 years. I considered the Royal Enfield Interceptor. But their were places that corners were cut and one was the brakes. Many influencers reported sponginess in the front or rear brakes. Although they are adequate to stop the bike I was turned off. I would have loved a Speed Twin or Bonneville but the nearest Triumph dealer was over an hour away. I looked at the Moto Guzzi V7 Stones which I liked but was concerned about the cost of mainenance. I bought a Kawasaki Z650RS which harkins back to 1977 Z650. It has retro styling with modern features and the 650cc engine is bullet proof.
Hi and thanks for your message, yes I had read similar things about the brakes. I pushed this bike quite hard with a group of other bikes though the tight section of hills riding we have here, it’s about a 16 kms long section (10 mls) and found no fade or reduction in performance. I’m not sure if the owner of this bike has fitted better brake pads to solve the issues some have but this one was fine Nice choice with your Z650, they are a lovely bike but the reverse of your situation we have very little representation of Kawasaki nowadays so I don’t see many around. It’s a shame because they have some good looking models, ride safe & enjoy your bike. Cheers.
For sure Bill I certainly will if I can get my hands on one. I have a mate that’s a Royal Enfield tragic so it probably won’t be long until he adds one to his fleet of RE’s. Cheers.
Compared to the svm stormbreaker Chinese evolution Sportster copy I think the stormbreaker is going to knock the interceptor right out of the ballpark. Hydraulic valve adjustments and belt drive make it almost maintenance-free you just change the oil in the engine and the gearbox and the filter and that's all you do. With the rubber Mount frame it has almost no vibrations and the aftermarket has a zillion hop-up parts for the motor as well as a zillion aftermarket parts for you to dress your bike up and they are going to be so many people introduced to the pleasure of having an evolution Sportster. I would like it to see you have a head-to-head comparison between the two bikes that would be interesting.
Hi Frank, yes I think we are in for some interesting times with all these new bikes coming from China & India. More choices than we’ve ever had, I don’t think we’ve got the SVM model you referred to here in Aus yet but I’ll keep my ear out and for sure do a review if I get the chance. Cheers.
@@standupmoto my evolution powered Richard Mount Sportster is has been more trouble free than I ever thought possible. True it doesn't make a lot of horsepower but I don't go fast I just go on back roads and Raichu the Orange groves when they are in bloom. I don't need 175 horsepower hell I don't even need 75 horsepower. Grand Prix levels of horsepower require Grand Prix levels of maintenance and Grand Prix levels of expense. If we had an Autobahn like in Europe where you pay the toll and you can go as fast as you want according to conditions then maybe you can use these motorcycles to their full potential. Ridiculously fast motorcycles encourage hooligan mystic behavior on the highway
@@andrewhayes4246 the EVOLUTION Sportster is no longer built by Harley Davidson. As a top of the line product it will not suffer the quality issues that plague cheap 🛵 scooters. It will introduce thousands to the pleasure of a EVOLUTION Sportster.Any shop can work on them. Aftermarket parts and hop up parts are out the wazoo. It was Harley Davidson'smost reliable and dependable motorcycle. It should be a best seller. Rebuildable forever. One of it's best qualities.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the review. I think you should be fine @ 6’, I’d try one first of course but I know of a couple of riders that are taller than me (5’10’’) and they are more than happy with the ergonomics.
Great review, this covers a lot of the detail missing from all the others. Quite often they say, build quality not up to triumph, or built down to a price (isn't everything?) Without elaborating. It was great that you covered details that a protective owner might appreciate. Plus the low speed handling review, excellent. I have a Ducati monster, great bike in most respects,but i was shocked at the limited steering lock at first (no alley way turns like that for me). I'm really liking the look of the Enfield (as a former T140 Bonnie owner) but why, oh why didn't they make that fuel cap hinged like the old monza style caps , or my old suzuki GT for that matter. Anyway, great real world review. Cheers
Gday Dirk, as an ex Bonnie owner myself (97) the Interceptor reminds me a lot of that bike albeit a bit less power. The one I reviewed in this review had no build quality issues at all, the welds were good the paint and fit were also of high quality. It’s certainly lighter and more maneuverable than my old 97, fuel economy is also far better. I certainly wouldn’t have an issue owning one. Glad you liked the review and hope it helps. cheers.
They are great to look-at and they did their-homework in the-development ,it really-did pull the proverbial Rabbit out of The Hat . I was saving for one when a bargain W650 came my-way , so that's-it for now , great to look-at and fun to ride also . I changed my tyres-out for BT46's , they're better but my other 'classic' is running Metzlers (Sportec Klassiks) which feel more 'planted' and less-skittish than the Bridgestones , only notice it when Pushing-on though (down-here that's : Riding-it like-you Stole-It ) Dave NZ
@@standupmoto I got caught-up in the moment there and forgot to say how good your review is, plus calming to watch and real-world observations . The W is a few more HP on-paper but I'd be surprised if it felt more than the RE with that 270-crank . It's a bit more Old-Triumph-ish to ride , with a few-vibes that add to the-experience . I think Any of the Modern-Classics would be great to own if we can turn our-minds off 'wanting' a different one . That said , I can't wait to try/ride an RE , they are cheap 2nd-hand over-here (8k nzd) for either-model, from low to 20ks , and still under warranty. Surprisingly ,W650's are 4-7k , one of the-cheaper countries to buy them I suspect . Enjoy your warmer-weather , it's getting rather-brisk over here . Dave
@@kdsowen2882 Cheers Dave thanks mate glad you enjoyed it. The RE’s have gone up this side due no doubt to their popularity & lack of availability of the Japanese brands.
Loved this video. I'm a big Royal Enfield fan currently running a 2022 Himalayan so the title really caught my eye. Your review seemed to me to be without bias, simple and straightforward and your summary " if you're in the market for this type of bike, just go get one ! No Brainer" was exactly what the potential buyers need to hear. Very well done.
Thank you Dave in 🇫🇷, I was very impressed by the Interceptor. It doesn’t try to be anything else if that makes sense. Am visiting your part of the world next summer,am looking forward to it.Bonne journée.
Trying to be impartial but I like both. I took my Himmi in at the end of it's warranty for a relay issue and before leaving decided to take a '20 Interceptor out for a spin. Amazing balance, v nimble with good ground clearance. I've since taken it places I'd normally only take the Himmi. Because of the longer suspension and comfortable seating position my wife prefers the H for 2 up, it's great on rough roads. IMO, both are great bikes. 👍👍
Great review. Small point: Your demonstration of slow speed riding suggests the front brake is grabby and needs some getting used to. As a motorcycle instructor of many years I would like to 'remind' you that for this manoeuvre you are better off using the rear brake.
Gunna hafta pull ya up one point . Never ever use anything other that a premium fuel in order to keep the piston rings happy with something that works with the oil . The Oil Geek did a review / test not so long ago on this subject so no excuses bro , ( on Utube ) . Picking up me Continental in the new year ...
Gday Jeff, a new Conti? Great stuff, you’ll love it. As far as the fuel is concerned the Interceptor only has a compression ratio of 9.5 / 1 , our regular unleaded is 91 octane plus a bit. Our premium is 98 and as good as it is with the lubricating factor additive it’s probably not ideal for the lower comp engine. The different octanes are designed to be used with different compression ratios, the fuels now are vastly different to our old Standard & Super of yesterday. I know the fuel companies advertise how great their high octane fuels are and sponsor influencers to say it will do just about everything but cure cancer, I’m sure it has nothing to do with the extra $00.20 c they get per litre. But in reality the manufacturer of the engine has done lots of testing & spent gazillions of dollars working out what octane rating they should print on that sticker that they put on the tank. Enjoy that Conti, I’m jealous .👍
Ok I’ll run with it, I do use 98 in my GW but I’m thinking this whole dinosaur blood thing is starting to get very expensive! Mind you that Interceptor I reviewed was crazy economical as will be your Conti . I’m reviewing a Triumph Tiger 1050 atm and it’s also very economical for the capacity. Rumor has it after the Ukraine / Russia conflict is over we will be paying $3.50 a litre in Aus , maybe time for me to reconsider what I’m riding. Who knows maybe they will come up with a solid state battery that gives 4 or 5 hundred kms on a motorbike not too far down the track. Won’t go into it here (maybe via email) but I had a reality check not long ago when we did a fuel cost calculation over the last three years and I was floored as to what I have given to oil companies!
Hi Alexander , yes they sound great with the pipes the owner has installed on this one. Have you tried the Meteor 650 ? I haven’t yet but it seems like you sit lower in the saddle, it may overcome the top heavy issue you’re experiencing. Just a thought, cheers 👍
You didn't review this bike like a Moto journalist; you reviewed it like a regular human being, AND THAT'S WHY THIS VIDEO IS AMAZING. It is THE most useful and informative video I've seen, and I've been stalking the Interceptor for a while now. Well done, and thank you.
Geeez Chris thanks mate, I try to where I can answer the questions I would want to know if I was looking to buy one. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks 👍.
Probably the best review of the RE Interceptor I‘ve ever seen !!!
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it 👍
I've seen dozens of INT 650 reviews and this is the best hands down. Great B-Roll footage, great camera angles and really useful information many others don't bother covering. Thanks for it!
Thanks heaps, glad you enjoyed it.👍
Re: the filler cap, put a loop on the key then you can hang the key + cap from the handle bar end while you fill up. Simples!
There’s an idea!
1. You do a really great job with your reviews. So relaxing and enjoyable. As an American, I really appreciate your conversions to miles per hour/gallon, etc.
2. This bike is the treat and I can't wait to add one to my stable. What a price!
Thank you very much!
Lol. Adelaide.
Don't forget that there's a difference in a US gallon and an Imperial gallon.
I'm unsure what Australia uses.
@veritasvincit2745 Hi Aus uses 4.5 L for a UK gallon & 3.78 L for a US gal. 👍
Nice and very true what you say. I have Interceptor , Scram 411 and have now got the Super Meteor 650. If you love the interceptor, then man you will love the 650 Meteor. Grab one on test when ever you can, and fall in love. 70 years old and loving anything RE.
Great stuff Paul, I’ll do that. I have seen the Meteor an yes it’s a lovely looking bike, a shed full of Royal Enfields , well done 👍
Since the new owners of Royal Enfield took over, the company, it has been producing some excellent new bikes, which are well priced, reliable and well made - especially for the price. Looking forward to seeing what they come up with next. I have a 2018 Himalayan, which has been faultless. I've ridden it, twice around Europe with, absolutely, no problems.
Hi Geoff, couldn’t agree more. Cheers
Through the dealer grape vine, i hear a lot about a water cooled 500 single later this year. Capable of using up to E20 gas. Not exactly retro for RE, but supposed to look a lot like the Scram, but with alloy wheels. Let you all know as and when i spot it knocking about the UK again.
Sorry guys i said 500cc should have said 450.
It’s the same owners actually. The son took over the business and turned it around.
I completely, agree, and also, look forward, to, what they come, up with, in the future.
Those pipes sound great. I’ve got an Interceptor myself. These things are a steal!
Yes agreed, however prices for good used Interceptors is on the rise in Aus.
Was going to order a tec 2-1 exhaust and thought in the meantime why not experiment with the stock mufflers. We drilled 15mm holes front and back, the sound is surprisingly good. So I'm sticking with stock. A nice 60s bark, but not too much.
Can you post pics
Mate! You've sold me. I'm an Aussie living in the States and about to get a new bike. I've loved the look of these and a lot of people hear have talked them down which worried me, but after seeing your review and hearing what you have to say, I just told the missus that I'm goin Enfield. Miss those Aussie beaches! Thanks so much.
Cheers Pete glad you enjoyed the video. The owner of this bike left it with me for some time after doing the review, all up I rode it for 3 months and my views didn’t change. It’s a solid well priced easy to own mount that’s fun to ride and economical to run, nothing to fancy computer gadgets wise but I think that simplicity is half the appeal. Enjoy the US, spent 6wks west coast many years ago and loved it. 👍
There are many many reviews of the Interceptor 650, yours however, is really a standout and excellent !
Thanks Alex glad you enjoyed it, 👍
Absolutely fantastic to the point review, I live in the north east of England and have an interceptor and agree with everything you pointed out the only down side for me is we get weather like that in your video for roughly two or three days a year, we call it "the summer"😂
Great review and safe riding.
Thanks Gavin, glad you enjoyed the review and agree with my comments. We are actually in winter in my part of the world at the moment, we had a record 3 days of rain in a row last wk ! Cheers mate & ride safe.
Great review! Very helpful. I'm thinking of getting an Interceptor and this is a very good source of real-world information. Many thanks.
Hi David, thanks glad it was helpful. The bike in this review belongs to a friend of mine, although it’s been some time since I did this review the Interceptor is still going well and he has had no issues with it.
I’ve got a 2019 model and the weakness is the suspension. A lot of knocking and lumpiness over uneven surfaces. In the U.K. we have a pothole pandemic which highlights the suspension issue. A lot of owners upgrade the suspension which I am planning to do.
Hi yes thanks for your observations, I felt the same in the short time I had the bike. I would like to add if you’r a potential buyer of the Interceptor and plan on using it in and around town the standard set up is adequate, but if you plan on heading out for a bit more spirited riding an upgrade would be the go.Happy riding there in the Uk, your just coming into season. Cheers.
I got. A 2019 one as well. First big mod on it was to get a YSS front kit. Makes a huge difference.
@@SuperBlizzard77 I also have a 2019 and upgraded the front & rear suspension with the YSS, completely transformed the bike.
we have total road theft tax in California so corrupt and illegal double road tax on fuel. 😮
I've heard a couple of owners say the fork oil hadn't looked it smelt right when upgrading their fork springs, made me wonder if just changing the oil might improve things at the front end (it worked on my MZ 250 light years ago, with a couple of 2p pieces for preload i seem to remember).
One of the finest if not THE finest tests on the Interceptor I've seen. Tells me all I ever wanted to know and then some 👍. Brilliant. Thank you.
Wow, thanks! 👍
Possibly the best bike review I’ve seen. And I’ve watched a few.
Cheers Des, thanks mate glad you liked it 👍
Good point about the fuel cap, that is the sort of things that make a bike easy to live with.
My only criticism is, it ended! Most informative, well done, thank you. 👍
Awesome, thank you! I have a new video coming out in the next week or so, cheers.
Thank you for that revew... Exellent job! I just bought my INT650 and I'm awaiting delivery... mine is new though. Here in Perú ppl doesn't take proper care of motorcycles so buying it second hand is a risk... Thank you again!
Hope you enjoy it! The INT is a very good motorcycle, thanks and glad you enjoyed the video.
One of the most complete reviews I have had the pleasure of viewing, Thank You👍
Thanks, glad you liked it 👍
As a man in my mid 60s I am very seriously looking at the RE Interceptor and I have to say I have watched 100s of videos on the Royal Enfield Interceptor and this is with out a doubt the very best video on TH-cam ,,,you managed to cover every one of my questions including the possibility of carrying a passenger and that is important for me because my intention is to carry my light weight partner with me around West Cork in Ireland were we live ,,,so thank you for an excellent review. I am definitely going to have the Interceptor as my next bike .
Thank you for the kind words, I have had the pleasure of riding the bike in this review many times since making this video as it belongs to a friend of mine, my views have not changed. It remains on my list of one of the best all round affordable bikes out there. Thanks again, cheers.
Great review. Ended up going for the Continental over the Interceptor as I prefer that slight cafe racer look, but I've had my RE for around 12 months, just over 8000km and its been perfect, not a single hassle. But the one thing I did early on was upgrade the rubber to Bridgestone's BT46's and it made a big (positive) difference when pushing on.
I just wish we had your weather, here in Ireland we get rain a lot, and the engine covers need a lot of TLC to keep them looking decent, so thats something to bear in mind if you're on a damp little rock like myself.
But apart from that, I agree with everything you said, the 650 twins are little blinders! :)
Cheers Andrew, yes the Continental is a fine looking machine for sure. Haven’t ridden it myself but I’m guessing similar to the Interceptor and I agree that motor is a little gem. We are lucky agreed with the weather here, in my part of Aus I get to ride all year round albeit still wet & cold (by my standards) for a couple of months but bearable. Thanks mate glad you enjoyed the review.
I've got a GT as well, thanks for the tyre recommendation. I don't ride many miles these days so durability is of no great concern to me but better grip certainly is, particularly in the wet.
I love my gt here in Boston (originally from Dublin). Mine has the original Ceat tyres which I'm not loving. Thanks for the Bridgestone recommendation. Ride safe!
I also changed tires on my 2019 Interceptor to the BT46’s along with YSS suspension uograde front & rear.
Made the bike much nicer riding especially when pushing the bike.
Thanks for a great review I like everything about it it was truly one of the best that I have seen.. thank once again.......
Cheers Robert, glad you enjoyed it. 👍
very good launch out of the box sir. very nice play on the clutch and wrist
Thanks, it’s a pretty user friendly clutch on the Interceptor. 👍
I totally agree. Finally, a non-professional reviewer that knows how to get it off the line as fast as possible. Your racing experience shows @standupmoto Steve. Oh yeah, and an excellent review!
Gday mate i have had a soft spot for this bike ever since it was first released so much so i have a interceptor sticker on my back window of my 4wd even though i dont own one . The reason for this is that it reminded me of the bike i learnt to ride on an xs2 650 yamaha ,i have watched countless videos from people who own them listened to the praises and the criticicisms but it still is a lovely bike in my eyes and they hold there value second hand . I am not so much of a fan of the continental must be some euro thing to make a bike like that but now they have the cruiser 650 which doesnt look to bad apart from the side cover with that god awefull big 650 on the side a metal casting in smaller design would look much better anyway great review of a great bike in my eyes ,the missendon flyer had one which he hacked to peices and made a horrid looking scrambler thingy out of it paid a motsa for a very ugly bike in my eyes anyway take care .
Gday, yes I can understand your wanting one of these. Apart from them being a great bike they just look so good, doesn’t matter what angle you look at it. Haven’t seen the Flyers conversion, I’ll take a look.👍
Yeah, that Missy Flyer Scrambler was proper Fugly, and cost him a pretty penny! Ruined a nice bike.
This was the best review I have seen till now for the Interceptor 650. (Trust me, I am waiting for my bikes delivery and all I am doing is watching reviews)
You have done a real good job here. Cheers 👏👏
Thanks and glad you liked the video, you will love your Interceptor.
The best review of the interceptor Ive seen yet. Well done you.
Thanks 👍
I have owned one since April 2021. I agree with his review. I have altered mine quite a bit though. Lol.
Thanks mate 👍
Excellent review. Many thanks from the UK
Thanks & lovely to hear from the UK👍
good video, love your style. Thanks for an enjoyable review
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.👍
The best review of the RE Interceptor I‘ve ever seen !!!
Thanks very much & glad you enjoyed it. 👍
Your review is the best I've come across, it was a pleasure watching it.
Thank you 👍
I have just bought a Royal Enfield Continental GT650 in Rocker Red. It is a good bike,
Great to hear, you will love it 👍
I have a 2021 interceptor. I love it! Best bike I’ve had in 38 years of riding different brands! I have no gripes.
Good to hear!
That was a great review, I own a Continental 650, your review is probably the best review on here.
Thanks Karl glad you enjoyed it, the Continental is a great choice. 👍
Probably the best review of this bike i've seen, Im thinking of getting this or a classic 350 to put around college, but this pushed me over!! Great job!
That’s great glad you enjoyed it, they are a great bike.
I am getting one. Love the look love the sound.. As I was on the fence b4 this vid I hope RE sends you your commission... LOLZ
Hi, yes the Interceptor great all round ride without breaking the bank. I am still waiting for that commission! Glad you enjoyed the video 👍
What an excellent video and review. You are clearly a thoughtful and intelligent fellow. I have one of these on my shopping list for when I retire in a couple of years time. There will be plenty about second hand by then in the UK.
Thanks Julian glad it was helpful!
Good job, well reviewed and well presented, as an RE owner I agree 100% with everything you said
Thanks Sid, always appreciate feedback from owners 👍 glad you enjoyed it.
Great review Steve. Sounds more like a discussion over a beer with a mate than a review. I've owned the Bonneville T100 and always regretted selling it. Can't beat that beautiful note. This looks like a great way to hop back on the saddle. Cheers
Ian from Katoomba
Thanks mate glad you enjoyed it, have done a bit of adventure riding up your way. Dopey South Aussie, I did it in July! Great part of the country I might add, yes the Interceptor is a good all rounder. Light, economical, nice to ride & not too heavy on the pocket to get into if you decide to enjoy those beautiful summer mornings you get there. Cheers.
Excellent review, nicely done. Thank you 🙏
Thanks 🙂
I walked into Kim Britton , Rockingham one Saturday morning in September 2021 to buy a new pair of riding boots ,, walked out with the boots and a 2021 Interceptor in Orange Crush with 250km for $7500aud , what a bargain !
Its had the mentioned aftermarket slip on's and K&N air filter fitted and I love riding this bike , it's not my main bike and has only done 3500km as I type this , but man does it put a smile on my dial every time I ride it . She still looks like new because I do look after her but the build quality has lot's to do with that as well
I mention Rockingham because I recoginise nearly all the places here in your great review and yes the hills here are awesome to ride .
Thanks for taking your time and giving us a sweet review of a great motor cycle .
Cheers Brian thanks mate glad you enjoyed it, love the orange crush colour . It is however an expensive pair of boots!!! 🤣
Handsome bike. That's me saying I'm 50 without saying I'm 50.
I hear you 👍 Cheers.
Living in the Adelaide metro area all I can say is "you certainly get around in this road test". I still miss my RE 500 Classic with the sidecar. It wasn't very fast, you don't buy them for speed, but it could go just about anywhere. I don't know if I could go back to chain drive these days as I've been spoilt by having shaft drive on my last two bikes, an 1995 Yamaha XJ 900 Diversion and my current one which is a 1982 Honda VF 750 Magna.
Hi David, haven’t ridden the 500 but it just so happens the owner of this bike has one, maybe a review is in order. Yes the shafties certainly are easy to live with and much cleaner, an 82 VF750 wow that’s getting a bit rare now. I had a 750 Shadow that I bought new back in 2010, great bike. Cheers & thanks for the comment.
As someone who bought a used 2020 Interceptor: the rubber seal of the petrol cap is known to break over time, buy the replacement from Hitchcocks if you plan to keep the motorcycle outside and not covered under a tarp at all times. Just had a 350€ repair because the fuel tank had water in it.
Great preventative maintenance tip for owners, thanks 👍
Great review, I thank you from a Glitter & Dust owner for 3 years.
Thanks Phill glad you enjoyed 👍
Hi Steve - Loved the review - starting riding bikes over 50 years ago and did a lot of scratching around the Adelaide Hills in those days on my RD350 and CB400F. Wish the Interceptor was around then as having owned mine now for over 3 years its the most fun bike i have owned and it brings motorcycling back to basics! Cheers Ian (ex SA resident now enjoying the warmth of Qld.)
Top stuff Ian, QLD hey-beautiful one day perfect the next. Don’t know what you’re talking about weather wise, it’s 12 deg windy & wet here just lovely but being the fair type person that I am if you want to house swap houses for the next three months I’ll be in it 😂 Yes the hills around Adelaide have some great bike roads, the powers to be have lowered most of the limits nowadays though. Enjoy that weather & it’s great to hear models like RD350 & CB400, ah memories. Cheers mate.
Good review. You said it all. I bought a 2020 Int 6 weekes ago and am very pleased so far. Looks, runs and sounds great! Great mpg too. Over 60mpg for me and I'm not babying it along. Only complaints are the mirrors vibrate moderately and it's hard to read the digital display in bright sunlight. That's it.
I own 4 bikes and the Int has become my go to bike for most everything.
Great to hear!
I must be lucky, i have bog standard mirrors that never vibrate. Don`t know why but they`re perfect.
Guess they`d be hard to see in a blizzard too.... Dam the Sun😄
Awesome review. I’ve been tossing up between one of these and a Benelli Leoncino 500 after a few years away from bikes. I test rode and loved both of them in different ways. Your comprehensive review has really helped my thinking. Reckon I will be ordering an interceptor! 👍
Yes I think that’s a good choice, not that I think there’s anything wrong with the Benelli. I haven’t ridden one but the dealer network is so small, well here where I am and the resale value is not great. I think over time as Benelli builds a name & dealership presence things may change but for now the safe bet would be the RE. Cheers.
@@standupmoto yeah for sure, those points are a big factor. Dealer network, spare parts and limited aftermarket component options (compared to the near unlimited customisations available for the interceptor!) still count against Benelli for now.
The comparison against the Bonneville is apt and appropriate. The Bonneville is smoother on the highway due to its weight & wheelbase. (I owned a Thruxton "900"...I KNOW)
In every other respect, the RE INTERCEPTOR wins! MUCH easier to park & maneuver, handy little touches that are very nice!
Better gas mileage, cheaper accessories, cheaper replacement parts, bigger aftermarket, CHEAPER PURCHASE PRICE! Only people who are biased by the Triumph MADE IN THAILAND mystique(?) cannot see they are direct competitors. Power to weight ratio is close to the same. Maybe insurance is cheaper too, as displacement 25% smaller, and replacement cost is smaller.
Thanks for your comments, it’s always great to hear from owners 👍
One of the best RE Interceptors I´ve seen in YT .. congrats !! real world analysis !! Love the Bike, was considering a T120 Bonne but the RE interceptor is a hell of a bike for its money .. 1/2 the price in BR against the T120, which I assume are better ones all around, but never twice the bike vs. twice the price ..... Cheers from Brazil
Thanks a lot Renato, yes the Interceptor is very good value. Also accessories are very well priced, lovely to hear from Brazil.
RE Accessories in BR are pricy, so the alternative is to bring them from overseas. Not sure about the RE parts and services costs in your country but in here they are in line with the Triumph ones ..which is curious, at the least .... cheers!@@standupmoto
Great review mate! Thanks for all your efforts. Best regards from the other side! (Austria)
Thanks 👍
Great review. Totally agree with your comments about the Pirelli Phantoms, have just replaced them on my Street Twin with Avon Spirit ST's, which give a smoother more confident ride. I suspect that the only reason RE & Triumph fit Phantoms is for the aesthetics.
Hi Tony glad you liked the review, yes I found them to be a bit hard and breakaway if you hit a bump mid corner. Not a problem of course riding it as it’s supposed to be ridden but if you push a bit it could get a loose.
Good one..I have been riding my Interceptor 650 for 2 years here in Mumbai India both in city traffic and long rides of 2k plus. Bike performance is really good and easy to maintain when compared to Kawasaki, Honda, Triumph or BMW. Low maintenance and easy on pocket.
Thanks for sharing, always appreciate getting feedback from owners.🙏🏻
the best review ive seen on this bike
Thanks, glad you liked it 👍
Excellent review of an excellent bike. 👍
Thanks 👍
Great review. Cheers from Brazil!
Thanks 👍
Sweet! A local Harley shop has one for nothing. I’m thinking about owning her.
Sounds like a bargain to me, go for it.👍
just picked up a 23 continental gt and have 0 complaints. managed to miss a 5th to 6th shift once but i chalk that up to being a brand new rider. just got my first service completed and cant wait to rip it down the beach roads by me once i get a bit more comfortable. for now its handling my daily commute of 1hr each way no problems.
Great to hear, and yes you’ll get used the bike as time goes on. Enjoy your new machine and ride safe. 👍 Cheers
Thanks for a really useful and interesting review Steve. 🇬🇧
Cheers Richard glad you enjoyed it.
Excellent review, lovely style of delivery, it’s really a nice simple bike, I’m sure a gem to own
Thank you kindly!
had issues with mine under warranty 10000 klm on clock and parts took 5 months to arrive (gearbox major issues) i’m going to keep as it’s so versatile bike and hopefully won’t have big issues going forward.
That’s not good to hear, first time I’ve heard of issues like this. Hopefully all is well now, ride safe, cheers.
I was thinking of selling mine.. after watching this totally positive review, I think I'll keep it! A suggestion for a too small readout.. too bad you can't snap in a 2x magnifying lens.
Hi Carol, honestly I don’t know what you would replace it with. Yes the readout is certainly on the smaller side but it probably wouldn’t look right with a digital. Ride safe, cheers.
AMAZING review. Love it how you cover what is like for everyday use. Maybe will pick it up in 6 months
Thank you, glad it was helpful!
I would be surprised, indeed astonished, if the owner had not swapped out the air filter inlet. It is the most effective performance (not top end, but general tractability) upgrade and is so easy to do with the electronic ignition system.
Yes he may have 👍
Tanks for all you information I’m olmost 50 getting one more motorcycle and is no much market in mexico for this motorcycles. But im getting one in Portland oregon. Take a trip to Mexico you review is the best tanks 👍 amigo
Un placer me alegro de que lo hayas disfrutado. Son unas bicis muy chulas, saludos desde Australia
I watched and read many reviews before purchasing a new INT 650 in March, 2020. Your review is outstanding. Perhaps I missed it but could you mention how many total miles on your mate's bike? Longevity is something we really don't know yet and I like to keep track of others' experience. My RE has been basically flawless in 6000 miles.
Hi Michael, yes oversight on my part and the bike has gone home now but I think by memory 22k as In kilometers ( 13.5k mls) I ran into a chap (not literally) at the coffee shop while I was reviewing this bike who had 46k Kms (28k mls) on his. Had only had to adjust the valves once , every other check they were in tolerance. Only other thing he’d done is put tires on it, I think these motors are in there for the long haul. Glad you liked the review 👍 Cheers.
@@standupmoto Thank you for the information.
I was concerned about this as well. They seem,from what I've read, to be built to handle much more horsepower, which translates to long term reliability. Did you hear about the British woman who covered 48 US States in 48 days? I think it was 25k miles. If i remember correctly she only needed consumables, oil and tyres etc.
Very good review. Just bought a s/h one. I have to say it is very heavy for an old bloke.
Hi Bruce, it’s no featherweight for sure but in its category it’s about on par. Thanks for the info, glad you liked the review 👍
It's not just good it's the best buy the most reliable the most economical in it's class and the easiest and cheapest to modify and maintain.
Great point!
This was brilliant, thanks mate! Ive been flipping a coin between this or BMW R 65 as a platform for a scrambler project and id be keen to hear you opinion on which way to go. While I do love my Svartpilen 401, its probably time to upgrade.
Thanks mate glad you enjoyed it, both would be great projects. The RE has about an extra 20 hp over the R65 if memory serves correctly, so if you’re looking for the power side of things then I’d go for the RE. However I’ve seen an R65 scramblerised (if that’s a word) and it looked great, I guess the old school attraction comes into the equation here also. I’m on the fence with this one because both would make good conversions. 👍
@@standupmoto Cheers! Yeah, you're splitting hairs over both bikes. Thanks for getting back to me!
Nice review mate I got my Interceptor 650 in late 2020 have over 12000 klms on it replace tyres at 8000 klms with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs scramed it much better tyre on the road and off its a blast
Cheers Andrew thanks mate glad you enjoyed it, yeah what a great bike to scram. Did you stay with the std rear shocks?
@@standupmoto yes adjusted them to make firm
Great review. Thanks from Perth.
Thanks 👍
Excellent review , enjoyed it all the way through. I only have a 350 which is great but thinking of giving up the convertible and having two bikes , and this bike would be the one 👍
Thanks Edward glad you enjoyed it, yes I think it would be a welcome addition to anyone’s collection. Ride safe, cheers.
Best review yet , well done 😎😎
Thanks Antony, hopefully have quite a few this year 👍
Just subscribed from the UK. Fair dinkum cobber!
Cheers mate, welcome aboard 👍
Thanks for this mate .
I'm a pommie pensioner and can't afford a new bike .
Been think of down sizing from my Vulcan VN900 custom to a lighter bike and the Enfield is in the running.
Hi Lee, a couple of things if you’re going to do a change.First on the negative side you will have a chain to lube on the Interceptor, not something that you’ve had to do on the Vulcan. On the positive side the RE would be about 80kg (175 lb) lighter ! that’s huge for when you’re manoeuvring it around in the shed and parking. That could help with those poor old knees, also she would use less fuel. Let me know when you have had a test ride. cheers.
@@standupmoto Will do mate.
Don't mind a chain all my other bikes had em.
Still think the old heated lube system Duckhams used to sell was the best .
It really got into all the rollovers then hardened back into normal grease.
Did my Ossa trials bike for years with it .
Very nice. I appreciate the center stand, oil glass, rear rack, and the reliability. Just wondering how available parts would be. My Triumph took 2.5 months for some rear caliper parts to come in. Almost ready to trade it in.
Good question! and by coincidence the owner of this bike was here today and we were talking about the accessories he bought. He purchased directly from India , delivery time was under four wks. That is to Australia, not sure what part of the world you are in. He also added he has had no issues with the Interceptor at all and I will say he rides fairly hard so that’s a good sign. Cheers.
Great review! I love mine, it's a '22 and I bought it new.
Thanks glad you liked the review and your Interceptor, ride safe 👍
Great review well explained and definitely understood. However, as some one from the UK I’m a little confused as to how you get cold hands. (Good point about the cap though). Andy (Loughborough. Pronounced Lufbra not Loogabarooga)✔️
Hi Andy glad you liked the video, now it’s not all sun and surf here in Aus. It was only 12 degrees the other day and my hands were freezing!
Yeah ok maybe when it comes too cold weather us Aussies are a bit soft I agree but thankfully grip heaters & heated gloves are readily available at all the accessory shops.😎
@@standupmotoExcellent. I get it. It’s all relative. You’ve got me thinking back to when I was 18 on my Honda 550/4 riding four hundred miles back home from a bike rally in the winter. My leather and jeans were soaked through and as it got dark the temperature dropped to below zero. I was so cold I was nearly crying. (Bit embarrassing as I was a coal miner back then). Just to feel some warmth I found my self wee-ing in my already drenched jeans. What difference did it make. . . . Now that I’m on my fifties I occasionally find myself doing the same even when I’m not on my Motorcycle. I look forward to the next review and the amazing scenery.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
@@andybamford3987 Thanks Andy for way too much information! Yeah seriously though I don’t know how you guys do it over there with the cold, kudos. The wife and I will be over your way next year for the Isle of Man once we work out how to get there etc after we get to the motherland, a bucket list item for me. I’ll have another video out hopefully end of next week and just for you it has a Royal connotation. 🤴
@@standupmoto you’ll love it. It’s been some years since I’ve been. We used to go to the Manx races in the September as our mining engineering exams always overlapped with the TT. Please both be careful. There are always fatalities. It’s a good atmosphere though and the locals are great. Everybody over here loves the Aussies. I look forward to the next video. 👍🏻
@@andybamford3987 Thanks mate will do 👍
Great review. Trivial about the fuel cap though. It`s heavy, it`s quality and I love it. Just rest it on the pump!
It`s a classic style bike..... enjoy that fact.
Don’t get me wrong I love the cap, I’m just pointing out don’t drop it or you’ll do damage. I actually really enjoyed doing the review on this one and was fortunate enough to have it for some time after the review. Anyhow worry not, it certainly wasn’t a criticism more of an observation. 👍
Another feature of the design of the engine for longevity, is the fact that the crank is a 4 bearing crank with a wide spacing between the cylinders - the cam chain drive sprocket in the centre, is part of the crank, with a bearing either side of it. The wide spacing of the cylinders allows for better head & cylinder cooling, and for oversizing the sleeves, and 4 bearings for higher HP or longevity.
The next fab feature I found with the design, is the single overhead camshaft - for four valves per cylinder, it has roller cam followers with twin valve fingers and standard screw and nut adjusters!! A simple but very robust design, with what should be long durations between adjustments. I love my girl - my "Lolly Bike" with the original Orange Crush paint scheme. I bought an R1200RT for my wife and I to ride together :) But I so enjoy the RE for the NZ rural twisties and even fun to ride to work. PS I have never had a problem with placing the fuel cap on the Pump station.
Cheers Graeme thanks for the information, you certainly know your engines. I believe this engine was a ground up design for the Interceptor/Continental , well that’s what I’ve been led to believe. I managed to hang on to this bike for some time after the review, the more I rode it the more I liked it. They are a great mount and way understated in my opinion, thanks again for the feedback.👍
@@standupmoto I have ordered az pair of shorty polished chrome end cans from Hitchcocks due here this week. Already have the K&N air filter. :) There is a method to introduce the bike to new low resistance filters and mufflers not requiring the add on sensor, through long first idle, and steady long periods of low to medium throttle application, long overrun down hill, and medium to higher loads held for periods of time after that.
I am looking forward to the roartier sounds!!
@@RE650NZGraeme Yep you’ll love the sound, especially on those on off throttle rides through valleys. Enjoy & ride safe, cheers.
i am just beginning to ride after 40 years. I considered the Royal Enfield Interceptor. But their were places that corners were cut and one was the brakes. Many influencers reported sponginess in the front or rear brakes. Although they are adequate to stop the bike I was turned off. I would have loved a Speed Twin or Bonneville but the nearest Triumph dealer was over an hour away. I looked at the Moto Guzzi V7 Stones which I liked but was concerned about the cost of mainenance. I bought a Kawasaki Z650RS which harkins back to 1977 Z650. It has retro styling with modern features and the 650cc engine is bullet proof.
Hi and thanks for your message, yes I had read similar things about the brakes. I pushed this bike quite hard with a group of other bikes though the tight section of hills riding we have here, it’s about a 16 kms long section (10 mls) and found no fade or reduction in performance. I’m not sure if the owner of this bike has fitted better brake pads to solve the issues some have but this one was fine Nice choice with your Z650, they are a lovely bike but the reverse of your situation we have very little representation of Kawasaki nowadays so I don’t see many around. It’s a shame because they have some good looking models, ride safe & enjoy your bike. Cheers.
Once again, a proper review. Thanks.
Thanks Martin, glad you liked it 👍
Enjoyed that a excellent review. Please do the Super meteor I'm about to pull the trigger, and would appreciate your opinions.
For sure Bill I certainly will if I can get my hands on one. I have a mate that’s a Royal Enfield tragic so it probably won’t be long until he adds one to his fleet of RE’s. Cheers.
Compared to the svm stormbreaker Chinese evolution Sportster copy I think the stormbreaker is going to knock the interceptor right out of the ballpark. Hydraulic valve adjustments and belt drive make it almost maintenance-free you just change the oil in the engine and the gearbox and the filter and that's all you do. With the rubber Mount frame it has almost no vibrations and the aftermarket has a zillion hop-up parts for the motor as well as a zillion aftermarket parts for you to dress your bike up and they are going to be so many people introduced to the pleasure of having an evolution Sportster. I would like it to see you have a head-to-head comparison between the two bikes that would be interesting.
Hi Frank, yes I think we are in for some interesting times with all these new bikes coming from China & India. More choices than we’ve ever had, I don’t think we’ve got the SVM model you referred to here in Aus yet but I’ll keep my ear out and for sure do a review if I get the chance. Cheers.
@@standupmoto my evolution powered Richard Mount Sportster is has been more trouble free than I ever thought possible. True it doesn't make a lot of horsepower but I don't go fast I just go on back roads and Raichu the Orange groves when they are in bloom. I don't need 175 horsepower hell I don't even need 75 horsepower. Grand Prix levels of horsepower require Grand Prix levels of maintenance and Grand Prix levels of expense. If we had an Autobahn like in Europe where you pay the toll and you can go as fast as you want according to conditions then maybe you can use these motorcycles to their full potential. Ridiculously fast motorcycles encourage hooligan mystic behavior on the highway
Yeah, problem is it's Chinese. I won't give money for Chinese things that I can get elsewhere.
@@andrewhayes4246 the EVOLUTION Sportster is no longer built by Harley Davidson. As a top of the line product it will not suffer the quality issues that plague cheap 🛵 scooters. It will introduce thousands to the pleasure of a EVOLUTION Sportster.Any shop can work on them. Aftermarket parts and hop up parts are out the wazoo. It was Harley Davidson'smost reliable and dependable motorcycle. It should be a best seller. Rebuildable forever. One of it's best qualities.
Thank you so much! One of the best reviews!
Maybe you know how it's comfortable for a rider 185cm tall? (~6 ft)
Thanks!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the review. I think you should be fine @ 6’, I’d try one first of course but I know of a couple of riders that are taller than me (5’10’’) and they are more than happy with the ergonomics.
Great review, this covers a lot of the detail missing from all the others. Quite often they say, build quality not up to triumph, or built down to a price (isn't everything?) Without elaborating. It was great that you covered details that a protective owner might appreciate. Plus the low speed handling review, excellent. I have a Ducati monster, great bike in most respects,but i was shocked at the limited steering lock at first (no alley way turns like that for me). I'm really liking the look of the Enfield (as a former T140 Bonnie owner) but why, oh why didn't they make that fuel cap hinged like the old monza style caps , or my old suzuki GT for that matter. Anyway, great real world review. Cheers
Gday Dirk, as an ex Bonnie owner myself (97) the Interceptor reminds me a lot of that bike albeit a bit less power. The one I reviewed in this review had no build quality issues at all, the welds were good the paint and fit were also of high quality. It’s certainly lighter and more maneuverable than my old 97, fuel economy is also far better. I certainly wouldn’t have an issue owning one. Glad you liked the review and hope it helps. cheers.
Thank you for video. A very nice bike for an undemanding rider. It is exactly for me. 😎👍
My pleasure, it’s also a very confidence inspiring bike and as motorcycles go very safe ie-brakes-manoeuvrability & weight. Cheers.
Great no bullshit Aussie review.
Cheers mate thanks 👍
I am studying bikes to determine what I will buy. The imput from owners, good & harsh, is much appreciated.
Yes it’s always good to get owners feedback 👍
hey, I bought this bike. I think you will like it.
Fantastic video and a great review 🇬🇧🙂🏍👍
Cheers Ken, thanks mate.🦘
Great bike! Fantastic review!
Thanks! 👍
They are great to look-at and they did their-homework in the-development ,it really-did pull the proverbial Rabbit out of The Hat . I was saving for one when a bargain W650 came my-way , so that's-it for now , great to look-at and fun to ride also . I changed my tyres-out for BT46's , they're better but my other 'classic' is running Metzlers (Sportec Klassiks) which feel more 'planted' and less-skittish than the Bridgestones , only notice it when Pushing-on though (down-here that's : Riding-it like-you Stole-It ) Dave NZ
Hi Dave, yes a nice package for sure. The W650 is also a good looking machine & probably a bit more power? Agree with your tyre comments also 👍
@@standupmoto I got caught-up in the moment there and forgot to say how good your review is, plus calming to watch and real-world observations . The W is a few more HP on-paper but I'd be surprised if it felt more than the RE with that 270-crank . It's a bit more Old-Triumph-ish to ride , with a few-vibes that add to the-experience . I think Any of the Modern-Classics would be great to own if we can turn our-minds off 'wanting' a different one . That said , I can't wait to try/ride an RE , they are cheap 2nd-hand over-here (8k nzd) for either-model, from low to 20ks , and still under warranty. Surprisingly ,W650's are 4-7k , one of the-cheaper countries to buy them I suspect . Enjoy your warmer-weather , it's getting rather-brisk over here . Dave
@@kdsowen2882 Cheers Dave thanks mate glad you enjoyed it. The RE’s have gone up this side due no doubt to their popularity & lack of availability of the Japanese brands.
Loved this video. I'm a big Royal Enfield fan currently running a 2022 Himalayan so the title really caught my eye.
Your review seemed to me to be without bias, simple and straightforward and your summary " if you're in the market for this type of bike, just go get one ! No Brainer" was exactly what the potential buyers need to hear. Very well done.
Thank you Dave in 🇫🇷, I was very impressed by the Interceptor. It doesn’t try to be anything else if that makes sense. Am visiting your part of the world next summer,am looking forward to it.Bonne journée.
Trying to be impartial but I like both. I took my Himmi in at the end of it's warranty for a relay issue and before leaving decided to take a '20 Interceptor out for a spin. Amazing balance, v nimble with good ground clearance. I've since taken it places I'd normally only take the Himmi. Because of the longer suspension and comfortable seating position my wife prefers the H for 2 up, it's great on rough roads. IMO, both are great bikes. 👍👍
Great review.
Small point: Your demonstration of slow speed riding suggests the front brake is grabby and needs some getting used to. As a motorcycle instructor of many years I would like to 'remind' you that for this manoeuvre you are better off using the rear brake.
Thanks for the tips! (old habits)
Gunna hafta pull ya up one point .
Never ever use anything other that a premium fuel in order to keep the piston rings happy with something that works with the oil .
The Oil Geek did a review / test not so long ago on this subject so no excuses bro , ( on Utube ) .
Picking up me Continental in the new year ...
Gday Jeff, a new Conti? Great stuff, you’ll love it. As far as the fuel is concerned the Interceptor only has a compression ratio of 9.5 / 1 , our regular unleaded is 91 octane plus a bit. Our premium is 98 and as good as it is with the lubricating factor additive it’s probably not ideal for the lower comp engine. The different octanes are designed to be used with different compression ratios, the fuels now are vastly different to our old Standard & Super of yesterday.
I know the fuel companies advertise how great their high octane fuels are and sponsor influencers to say it will do just about everything but cure cancer, I’m sure it has nothing to do with the extra $00.20 c they get per litre. But in reality the manufacturer of the engine has done lots of testing & spent gazillions of dollars working out what octane rating they should print on that sticker that they put on the tank. Enjoy that Conti, I’m jealous .👍
@standupmoto Nope , you're wrong on this , I've fact checked this guy and guess what ... Good news for ICE addicts like us though .
Ok I’ll run with it, I do use 98 in my GW but I’m thinking this whole dinosaur blood thing is starting to get very expensive! Mind you that Interceptor I reviewed was crazy economical as will be your Conti . I’m reviewing a Triumph Tiger 1050 atm and it’s also very economical for the capacity. Rumor has it after the Ukraine / Russia conflict is over we will be paying $3.50 a litre in Aus , maybe time for me to reconsider what I’m riding. Who knows maybe they will come up with a solid state battery that gives 4 or 5 hundred kms on a motorbike not too far down the track. Won’t go into it here (maybe via email) but I had a reality check not long ago when we did a fuel cost calculation over the last three years and I was floored as to what I have given to oil companies!
Great review 👍
Love my int650
Yes, after reviewing this bike it’s not hard to see why you love it. Glad you enjoyed the video 👍
Thank you. Excellent review
Glad you enjoyed it!
agreed with your take, she is great bike!
I find mine top heavy, looove the looks and sound. Not a fan of the euro 5 lean fuel mix
Hi Alexander , yes they sound great with the pipes the owner has installed on this one. Have you tried the Meteor 650 ? I haven’t yet but it seems like you sit lower in the saddle, it may overcome the top heavy issue you’re experiencing. Just a thought, cheers 👍
That was an honest review. Thanks
Thank you, a friend owns this bike so I still get to ride it occasionally. My views have not changed either, it’s a very good motorcycle.👍