Royal Enfield Globally Launches The 650cc Twins

Royal Enfield has finally launched its 650cc Interceptor and Continental GT 650 in the US. The Interceptor is priced at USD 5,799 (Rs 4.21 lakh) while the Continental GT 650 cafe racer is priced at USD 5,999 (Rs 4.36 lakh). While this is an international launch, both of these motorcycles are expected to be launched in India by the end of 2018 at a lower price point as the bikes will be exported to the US from India.

The Interceptor will be available in the US in three variants: base Interceptor with solid colour schemes, custom Interceptor with two tone paint jobs (USD 5,999) and a chrome Interceptor (USD 6,499). Same goes with the Continental GT 650 with the custom Continental GT 650 being priced at USD 6,249 and chrome Continental GT 650 priced at USD 6,749 (All US prices in MSRP).

Both the bikes signal Royal Enfield’s foray into the multi-cylinder big bike segment and have been developed from the ground up. The Interceptor pays homage to the RE Interceptor that was launched in the sixties. It gets retro design cues with its chrome round headlamp, flat seat and upswept exhausts. The Continental GT 650 is also based on the same platform but gets clip-on handlebars, single seat and black spoked wheels. It also gets a smaller fuel tank having a capacity of 12.5 litres compared to 13.7 litres on the Interceptor.

Being of a retro nature the bikes do not get modern features like LED lighting and rely on bulb-type setup for the headlamp, tail lamp and turn signals. The instrument console is a twin pod affair with analogue speedometer and tachometer with a small digital display showing the odometer and twin trip meters. The Interceptor will be available in seven colours: black, grey, orange,red, chrome, silver and white. Colours for the Continental GT 650 include black, sky blue, chrome, white and a two tone black and silver shade.

The 648cc air and oil cooled parallel twin cylinder motor has been built from the ground up. The four valve motor features a simple construction and instead of pushrods like most other RE’s, it gets a chain driven overhead cam. The motor has a modest power output of 47.6PS at 7100rpm and 52Nm of torque at 5200rpm. Under international test cycles, the motor delivers 25.5kmpl. While the motor has been tuned for a relaxed ride experience, It is interesting to note that it features a 270 degree crank that endows it with lots of bottom end performance and an exhaust note similar to a V-twin motorcycle. The short stroke motor revs quickly with the redline set at 7500rpm. It features a six speed gearbox with a slipper clutch.

The dual cradle fame is an all-new unit as well. It has been developed by Harris performance, the same firm responsible for the Himalayan. It has been designed from the ground up and has more torsional rigidity than other RE frames. The Interceptor as a tallish seat height of 804mm though the narrow seat should help riders comfortably place their feet on the ground. The Continental GT 650 seat height is lower at 789mm. It is lighter as well, having a kerb weight of 198kg compared to the Interceptor’s 202kg.

Suspension setup includes conventional 41mm front forks and twin rear gas charged shock absorbers that are adjustable for preload. Royal Enfield has stuck to 18-inch aluminium wheels of the spoked kind but uses 100/90 R18 front and 130/70 R18 rear Pirelli SportComp tyres. Braking is via a large 320mm front disc clamped to a ByBre calliper and a rear 240mm disc. It gets a dual channel ABS as standard fitment.

Along with the bike, Royal Enfield will offer around 30 accessories including apparel and a set of S&S exhausts. These exhausts sound bratty with pops and bangs on engine overrun and while they will be made available for the US and European markets, India is not on the cards yet.

While both bikes are still a couple of months away we have news that they will cost even less than our speculative pricing of Rs 3.5 to 4 lakhs. We have news that the twins are expected to be launched in India at around Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom) which make them a sweet deal indeed. When launched in India, the bikes will come with a warranty of 3 years 40,000km, whichever comes first.