7 years is a long time to comprehensively update a motorcycle model, especially in times where bikes get upgraded once every couple of years. Royal Enfield has finally gotten around to giving the Interceptor 650 a much needed upgrade, and a massive one at that. The bike’s been spotted testing multiple times, and has finally dropped camouflage to reveal a bunch of interesting details. Let’s dive right in.
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First, the engine.
Speculation is rife that the second generation Interceptor will get a 750cc, parallel twin motor – similar to what was on offer with the original bike made in the UK when Royal Enfield was still a British motorcycle maker.
The increase in cubic capacity will bump up power and torque numbers. Expect about 55 Bhp of peak power and 60-65 Nm of peak torque – enough to make the Interceptor livelier than ever.
A single overhead camshaft, electronic fuel injection, four valves in each cylinder and air-oil cooling are likely to be carried over as is. The major revisions in cubic capacity is expected to come from a bigger bore and a longer stroke.
The same engine will be carried over to the GT 650, and the upcoming Himalayan 750 Twins. While a 6 speed gearbox with slipper clutch will be standard, gear ratios could see a revision.
Dual Front Discs
All that extra power and torque on a heavy motorcycle such as the Interceptor means that stopping power has to be on point. For this, Royal Enfield will equip the Interceptor 750 with dual front disc brakes, and this has already been seen on the test mules.
At the rear, a single disc brake will continue doing duty. It remains to be seen if Royal Enfield makes the disc slightly larger for better braking and heat dissipation.
GPS Navigation and Bluetooth
The classic-looking twin pod instrument cluster of the Interceptor 650 will make way for a tech-packed single pod unit that was first seen on the Himalayan 450.
The TFT instrument pod will read out all basic parameters such as speed, rpm and distance covered while also adding GPS navigation through Tripper connectivity and Bluetooth.
Full LED lighting
Another key area that could do with an upgrade is the Interceptor’s headlamp, whose current LED unit remains woefully inadequate for riding in the dark. While Royal Enfield is all set to equip the Interceptor 750 with new turn indicators and tail lamp, we hope some of that attention is diverted towards the headlamp as well. A better throw and illumination would be very welcome.
Suspension
The test mule reveals that the front of the bike retains the telescopic set up while the rear gets twin shock absorbers without gas reservoirs, which is similar to the set up seen on the Bear 650.
One would hope that the suspension is stiffened up adequately but not to the extent that it has been on the Bear 650. The Interceptor 650’s ride was cushy but wallow-y, and we hope that the 750cc version’s suspension fixes this.
