By: HT Auto Desk , updated on: October 26, 2024, 09:07 am
The Royal Enfield Interceptor Bear 650 will use the same 647 cc air-oil cooled engine that is seen on other 650 cc motorcycles.
Royal Enfield Interceptor Bear 650 will share its platform with the Interceptor.
Recently, Royal Enfield's Interceptor Bear 650 was leaked online. Now, the brand has officially released a teaser for the motorcycle on its social media. Royal Enfield Interceptor Bear 650 will be unveiled on November 5. The Interceptor Bear 650 is expected to be positioned between the Interceptor and Continental GT in the manufacturer's lineup.
Check out the upcoming bikes in India.
First publication date: 26 October 2024, 09:07 am IST
Back in May 2023, we reported that Royal Enfield will be bringing the Shotgun 650 to the Indian market soon. Well, the manufacturer has finally taken the wraps off the motorcycle at Motoverse 2023. The Shotgun 650 is the fourth 650 cc motorcycle in Royal Enfield’s lineup after Interceptor, Continental GT and Super Meteor. We got a glimpse of the Shotgun 650 first at EICMA 2021 where it was showcased as SG 650 Concept and was a bobber. The continuous production model will be launched early next year.
By: Paarth Khatri | Updated on: 24 Nov 2023, 21:57 PM
The Shotgun 650 is based on the same platform as the Super Meteor 650.
The Shotgun 650 gets a customised paint scheme in a blue shade with hand-painted graphics in neon yellow. The colour scheme adds a personalised touch to the motorcycle, just like the pinstripes on the Bullet 350. The Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 will be restricted to only 25 units in this blue shade and buyers will be selected based on a lucky draw conducted at RE Motoverse 2023. The company could introduce a new colour in limited numbers at a later date. The motorcycle will sell for ₹4.25 lakh ex-showroom and delivery of these 25 units will happen in January 2024. In addition to this, the limited edition motorcycle will be offered with an extended warranty and RSA service.
The Shotgun 650 shares its underpinnings with the Super Meteor 650. However, where the Super Meteor is a cruiser and comes with forward-set ergonomics, the Shotgun 650 will have a more neutral riding posture and is a bobber. There will also be a pillion seat on offer which will be removable. The handlebar is different than the Super Meteor 650 and it sits lower. The footpeg positioning is also different as they are centre set instead of forward set.
A look at the rear of the Shotgun 650
Apart from the riding triangle, there are other subtle differences as well. The fuel tank, alloy wheels and headlamp cowl are different. The exhaust design is also different on the Shotgun when compared to other 650 cc motorcycles. Other than this, the lighting elements, switch gear and adjustable levers are the same as the Super Meteor 650.
Royal Enfield has not officially announced the specs but it is the same engine that is doing duty on the Super Meteor 650. The 648 cc parallel twin-twin engine produces 47 bhp and 52 Nm on other 650 cc motorcycles. It comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox with slip and assist clutch.
Royal Enfield 650 Twins have been in the market for quite some time now. One of the biggest gripes that owners of motorcycles have reported over the years is the absence of tubeless tyres. Considering that the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 weigh over 200 kg, it is quite cumbersome to get a puncture fixed. Many shops won’t even consider touching the motorcycle because of the rear disc brake. Even if they do, finding the right-sized tube is another different issue. Now, all of this comes from personal experience. Yes, there are a few after-market alloy wheels and some tubeless conversion kits as well. However, not all of them have been successful.
By: Paarth Khatri | Updated on: 11 Nov 2023, 13:48 PM
The Interceptor 650 is currently the most affordable 650 cc motorcycle in the Indian market.
With the 2023 update, Royal Enfield finally decided to add alloy wheels but they are available only on the Blacked-out edition of the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650. Moreover, Royal Enfield is still not offering alloy wheels as an accessory that existing owners can buy and retrofit to their motorcycles. Some people might argue that spoked wheels are better as their ability to take a hit against a bad pothole is better. However, once my motorcycle had faced a couple of punctures, the idea of alloy wheels started feeling better and with alloys, I would finally be able to ride with peace of mind. After all, even if the tyre gets punctured any shop would be able to fix it or I would be able to fix it with a puncture repair kit.
Fixing a puncture on the spoked wheels with tube-type tyres is no less than a nightmare.
However, first I needed to find a new set of tubeless tyres as my current Ceats were worn out and tube-type. There are not a lot of options for 18-inch wheels in the Indian market. Fortunately, Vredestein launched the Centauro STs with the 2023 Continental GT 650. I have ridden the GT 650 with these tyres and they were significantly better than the Ceats. Fortunately, I was able to find a set that cost me around ₹11,500 in Delhi. Yes, some sellers are selling and even shipping the same set for less. However, I was in a hurry as my motorcycle started wobbling because of the bald tyres.
One needs to put up an order with the RE workshop for the alloy wheels as spare parts. This is where the process was quite time-consuming for me. It took almost a month for the shop to acquire the alloy wheels whereas I was told it would take a week to ten days.
Fitting alloys can take some time but it needs to be done only once.
Cost of the alloy wheels
The front wheel costs ₹7,500 while the rear one costs ₹9,000. Apart from this, there will be a fitting charge as well depending if you get the alloys fitted through the service centre or a tyre shop. Speaking of the tyre shop, make sure that the new tyres are fitted on the alloys in the correct direction. This will set you back by a few hundred bucks.
What’s next? We will be riding the motorcycle with the new setup and report on how the new tyres perform. Apart from that, the Interceptor has clocked almost 10,000 km so we will be doing an ownership report on it. So, stay tuned for that.
