The Interceptor 650: A Love Letter (and a Warning)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 - we are coming on 10,000 miles, this is just my own personal experience of this machine.
Not everything I say is fact, so please do check and don’t take everything I say as bible - this is my own opinion and experience..
Most of these issues were ongoing from the get go and eventually worsened to them needing to be addressed.
If you wish to check out the Europe vlog, you can find the full thing here - • London to Bosnia on th...
A always your support has been incredible - if you have been coming by the vlog, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more wild content and adventures. Hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest journeys.
And as ever if there is anything you would like to see in the vlog... feel free to share your thoughts in the comments - have you ever ridden a motorbike across countries? What’s your dream destination?
#RoyalEnfield #MotorbikeAdventure #TravelVlog #LondonToBosnia #MotorcycleJourney #AdventureTravel #ExploreTheWorld
Disappointing to hear of the Royal Enfield’s issues. My 2c worth. Unless you need substantial off road ability it’s very hard to look past the Suzuki V strom 650 for solo touring on a budget. I believe the key features on any touring motorcycle used for longer trips should be comfort, economy of use and rock-solid reliability. V strom has always excelled in these particular characteristics for very sensible money. As a bonus it’s great to ride with a lovely smooth engine, large tank, surprisingly good performance and easy handling. Good luck finding your perfect bike.
Agreed the V-strom 650 has a fantastic engine, I think 70bhp which I think is best in class and as you say a big tank and great range. No a looker in my eye, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Difficult to better as a travel bike on a similar budget.
Hi Simon, thank you for this, I haven't looked at the V Strom yet so will be doing some research into that this week. Really appreciate the recommendation.
There’s a saying, buy cheap, buy twice. Can’t argue with the used prices of the Interceptor, and I’m sure there are plenty of happy customers who haven’t had a thing go wrong. But levy that against the bike I have which hardly ever goes wrong, and hardly ever has owners complain about it - the Kawasaki W800. Perhaps not as fast as the Interceptor, it’s more of a lazy bike that doesn’t keep urging you to go faster and faster. I saw on one of the owners forums the other days, someone post a picture of their odometer with 100,000 miles on it. But it will cost you more up front to purchase, which you’ll save long term by not having to replace anything that goes wrong.
Try the KTM duke 390 v2 next time for touring. You will love it 🎉
It’s a little bit alarming how many issues you’ve had with it! 😮
It has been quite the journey with this bike... don't get me wrong, I do love it, but don't always feel like I can fully rely on it.
I have had my Royal Continental GT650 in Rocker Red for seven months. I have not had your problems. The riding position is the lean forward type. I prefer the GT650 gear lever to the Interceptor gear lever set up.
A Brit is recommending the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. It seems to be perfectly made for the British. Good for you. I bought and old SV650 in May and have ridden 8000 km on it. I had to top up the cooling liquid once and change the oil. I also wash it once a month.
I had a RE Himalayan for 5 years and, despite enjoying its simplicity and the engine, I'd never buy another Royal Enfield. It had many design faults, imo, and one (dangerous brake line routing) that could have cost me dearly when the hose blew as I came to a junction. Then there's the premature replacement of drive chain, steering head bearings, brake calipers, battery and various hoses. But the biggest problem was the corrosion of various parts and engine and the fork paint peeling, even after rust proof treatment. I've never had a bike go so tatty on me so quickly. Sure, I ride all year round on heavily salted roads, but I did the same with my Japanese bikes and had my Yamaha for 13 years and when I sold it, it had little corrosion on it.
I had the classic 350 for an year and a friend bought the bike from me, combine more then 3 years, around 10k km. Not a single problem with the bike. The J series bikes are very reliable but are small and underpowered for fun rides if that is your thing (talking in general) .. I am still going for another J series bike.. Hunter 350.
By contrast, I own a 2019 and a 2021 Interceptor and they have been faultless, so far. I am hoping that your litany of problems has been unusual.
I think it's part pot luck of the build... and let's be honest, buying used, you never know how previous owners rode or maintained the bike. Glad to hear you have had no issues thus far!
It sounds like you have a good dealer. Many of the Enfield dealers don’t want to honour it.
They have been fantastic - no complaints toward the dealer themselves, have felt very much looked after
hi, what was the issue with the gearbox?
I am awaiting the full report - once I have collected it, I will be sure to let you know. I do know the whole system has been replaced... apparently it has happened to previous inty's they have sold... this is as much as I currently have.
FYI: The 3000 miles is more of an inspection for road worthiness (for example, a couple of the the 3k interval "services" are greasing ceratain pivot points only) rather than an actual service. 6000 miles are where the valve and oil changes are required. The service center manual can be dowloaded online. (Also... in USA you can do your own maintenance and not void the warranty).
I definitely decided against the shinny engine and had to wait an entire year for the black engine models to arrive in the USA ( 2024 GT650 | Apex Grey ) and I couldn't be happier. They DO make black engine covers for you to replace, which I'd do if I wanted to build more a scrambler/off-road bike --> more riding, less polishing. Haha.
The 650 twins are DEAD sexy and DEAD easy to maintain from home, and cheap to insure. Replace the relays, upgrade the tires ( and make sure they're balanced ) and you're good to go for the most part. Oh - and the battery tends to take a crap within the 1st 2 years... go lithium to save 8lbs - and of course most aftermarket exhausts are lighter than the stockers.
I can't see myself getting rid of my GT650 anytime soon. Cheers!
Thanks for all the info, very much appreciate this!
I have debated the covers - although since I may be switching up the bike, I have refrained from spending too much more on modifying the RE for the time being.
Agreed with the last paragraph there, it's what makes this thing hard to sell, the title of this video doesn't lie - I love the bike.
@@Papanchasonline or... more sensible ... lol
ruclips.net/video/EGeDdhAYMQM/видео.htmlsi=WWjdzmdHBjrBmO2O
Perfect! Thank you for linking this amigo!
I agree with the constant polishing of the engine cases to keep them shiny.For the last year approximately I have just applied ACF50 periodically and haven't had to polish once .Not ass good as the polish result but acceptable 😊
Same here. I use XCP clear coat. Ok, it’s not a show finish, but it’s acceptable.
Id be curios to know your technique (if any!) for applying that to the engine? How it is when it heats up?
@Papanchasonline I just spray it on. The heat doesn't seen to affect it.
Good to know, Ive heard of many techniques for applying it to surfaces that get hot... so nice to know it can be as simple as this
Mate, I feel for you. I own three RE bikes, a Tribute 500, a G.T.Continental & a 650 interceptor. All mine are black engine finished, I have had nil problems with all three bikes. Perhaps you unfortunately got a “ Friday Afternoon “ job🫣🙈🤣🤣. If you are not familiar with that saying, it means the people putting the bike together were thinking about the fast approaching weekend & didn’t have their mind on the job 🤷🏻♂️🤣🤣. Back around 1980 I purchased a new Honda , the model we called the coke can. It required a gearbox bearing after only a few weeks riding. That bearing took about 18 months to Aquire from Japan. Just trying to put some perspective on your experience. Hopefully all the issues will be resolved soon, & you will have a totally reliable, beautiful RE to enjoy for a long time. Shiny side up, from Australia 🏍😎😁