Buy Or Hold: Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 vs Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650

Should you buy the lighter, do-it-all roadster, or does it make sense to wait for the pakka cruiser? Let’s find out

Royal Enfield has finally introduced the Super Meteor 650, its third bike based on the 650 platform, in India. But the brand will only be launching the bike next year. Should you really wait for it or should you rather go ahead with the tried and tested Interceptor 650? Let’s find out:

Why You Should Buy The Interceptor 650

The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is the perfect do-it-all motorcycle. It has upright ergonomics to keep you comfortable on the saddle for city stints; yet with the slightly rear-set footpegs, spirited riding is fun too. And thanks to the official accessories from Royal Enfield, you can customise the bike to suit your needs.

The Super Meteor 650, on the other hand, may not be the best when it comes to tackling the Indian roads. Its 135mm ground clearance is 41mm lesser than the Interceptor’s and that’ll be the difference between comfortably taking on any road and scraping the belly at every speed bump. 

And then there’s the big kerb weight difference between the two. While the cruiser weighs 241kg (with 90 percent fuel and oil), the roadster sibling tips the scales at 202kg (without fuel). So, managing your way through traffic or simply moving around the parking lot will be a lot easier with the Interceptor.

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Why You Should Wait For The Super Meteor 650

Royal Enfield’s flagship cruiser brings a bunch of firsts for the platform. Firstly, the USD fork, which are not just unique to this model but offer 10mm more travel than the ones on the Interceptor. Then there are bits like the Tripper navigation pod, a new instrument console, USB charger and the alloy wheels with tubeless tyres present, making your life on the road easier. 

And to add to that are the relaxed ergonomics of the Super Meteor 650. The scooped seat, forward-set footpegs and the wide handlebar will keep fatigue at bay when munching miles. Furthermore, with Royal Enfield’s accessories, you can even get a big windshield for the cruiser.

The Super Meteor 650 also features a 15.7-litre fuel tank, which is 2 litres more than that of the Interceptor 650. And with a seat height of just 740mm compared to Interceptor’s 804mm, it is accessible to shorter riders too.  

Verdict

If (comparatively) lightweight, do-it-all and simple are on your checklist, the Interceptor 650 ticks all the boxes. From commuting to spirited weekend rides, it can take it all, and since there’s no difference in performance either, you aren’t compromising on that front. Plus at Rs 2.88 lakh, you will be saving up a substantial amount over the Super Meteor 650 which is expected to be priced around Rs 3.35 lakh (both ex-showroom Delhi).

But for someone who’s looking for a long-distance tourer, the Super Meteor 650 is worth the wait. Its tubeless tyres, navigation pod and USB charger will only make your rides more pleasant. And further enhancing the experience are things like the larger fuel tank and relaxed ergonomics. Plus, with the accessories, you can even kit your bike with sturdy panniers and a touring windshield straight from the company.