Royal Enfield Interceptor & Continental GT 650: Invites OUT for global launch!

Indian motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield has sent out invites for the international ride for the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 twins. The invites, first seen on a team-bhp forum post, are for the 22nd-28th of September in Santa Cruz, California, with the tagline ‘It’s Playtime’.

The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 motorcycles were first unveiled at the EICMA 2017 last November in the Italian city of Milan, Italy. The new bikes mark a return to twin-cylinder motorcycles for the brand known for its retro cruisers. However, the two bikes also mark the first time that Royal Enfield as we know it today, produced in India, has entered the world of twin-cylinder motorcycles.

The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 are powered by an all-new 647cc parallel-twin engine that produces 46.3 Bhp @ 7,100rpm and 52 Nm of peak torque @ 4,000rpm. The all-new twin-cylinder engine is both air and oil cooled and features single cylinder camshaft and four-valve heads. The engine has a 270-degree crank. The engine is mated to a brand new 6-speed gearbox and the two new bikes get a slipper clutch as standard.

The new twin-cylinder motorcycles from Royal Enfield use a double cradle frame design by the bikemaker’s British subsidiary Harris Engineering. Both motorcycles feature telescopic front forks and gas charged twin shocks at the rear. Both motorcycles feature disc brakes on both spoked wheels and feature dual-channel ABS.

The only major difference between the two bikes is their design and ergonomics. While the Interceptor 650 features a retro street bike styling and an upright riding position, the Continental GT 650 is styled as a cafe racer and has an aggressive riding position.

While the invite is for the international ride in Santa Cruz, California, Royal Enfield is expected to launch the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 twins at the ride event in the United States. However, deliveries of the two new motorcycles are only expected to start in November for India. The two new motorcycles are also expected to be priced aggressively with prices expected to start at around Rs 3 lakh (ex-showroom), which should help it undercut more expensive rivals from Triumph and Harley-Davidson with ease when it arrives in showrooms in November.