Indian giant Royal Enfield draws on its own deep historical roots for the design inspiration behind the new INT650 platform. A Brit-typical parallel-twin lump powers it with unthreatening, tractable power and an unmistakable old-school mien that adds so much to the overall presentation.

This model carries Royal Enfield's first six-speed transmission, and the company adds a blackout version to the U.K./India lineup this year for a more modern custom look. Adjustable rear shocks and pillion gear come stock, and the seat leaves room for taller riders to push off for a little more leg and arm room if necessary. The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 sells in the U.S. market labeled as the INT650 due to a naming conflict over on our side of the world.

RELATED: Royal Enfield Continental GT And INT 650 Receive Their Biggest Update Yet

2023 Royal Enfield INT650

8.00 / 10
Key Features
  • New, Lighter-Weight Engine
  • Classic Styling
  • Comfortable Ergonomics
  • Responsive Handling
  • New Six-Speed Gearbox
Specifications
  • Model: INT650
  • Engine:: 648 cc Parallel-Twin
  • Power Output: 47 HP @ 7,250 RPM
  • Torque: 38.3 LB-FT @ 5,250 RPM
  • Transmission: 6-Speed
  • MSRP: $6,149
Pros
  • Genuine Looks And A Nostalgic Design
  • Controllable, Non-Threatening Power Delivery
  • Nimble And Fun To Ride
Cons
  • Vanilla Suspension
  • No Blackout Version For U.S. Market

2023 Royal Enfield INT650 Performance And Capability

A pair of 2023 Royal Enfield INT650 motorcycles cruising over sandy terrain
Royal Enfield
A pair of 2023 Royal Enfield INT650 (Interceptor) cruising over sandy terrain

Royal Enfield calls it an inline twin, but I'm going to call it a parallel twin. No matter how you parse it, the engine is a real gem due to its layout that calls to mind the nostalgic models of the '60s and into the '70s.

A single over-head cam lurks under the low-profile valve cover to time the 8-valve head and helps keep weight low in the valvetrain. A 78 mm bore and 67.8 mm stroke give it a 648 cc total displacement with a mild, 9.5-to-1 compression ratio that should tolerate the lower octane fuels just fine. The 2023 Royal Enfield INT650 produces 46.7 horsepower (34.9 kW) and 38.3 pound-feet (52 Nm) of torque.

It's primarily an air-cooled engine but sports an oil cooler mounted to the downtubes up just under the steering head. It comes in a blackout finish that makes it fairly disappear against the backdrop of the similarly darkened engine and underpinnings. This gives you a bit of extra thermal protection for operation in warm weather, dealing with slow or stop-and-go traffic, or some combination thereof.

For the first time, Royal Enfield sends the INT650 out the door with a six-speed transmission for greater control over the operating RPM. A chain-type final drive carries power to the rear wheel with an Interceptor 650 top speed around the 100 MPH mark.

RELATED: 10 Things You Should Know About The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Design

2023 Royal Enfield INT650 parked in a courtyard
Royal Enfield
2023 Royal Enfield INT650 (Interceptor) parked in a courtyard

The new INT650 (Interceptor) comes with a bona fide look that is impossible to fake with its dated Britishness on display. Seriously, it looks like a Brit cruiser from back in the day, but it has Indian origins to make it a true Bollywood Bonneville.

R.E. missed an opportunity to carry that even further when it opted to use a strutless front fender, but at least the fender looks shaved down a bit to shed some weight. Bellow gaiters and blackout fork sliders add to that custom-bike look.

A cyclops halogen headlight splits the night with incandescent-bulb blinkers mounted high, well out of harm's way in the event of a drop. Dual round gauges contain all the instrumentation and are also in keeping with the old-school equipment.

The teardrop tank rocks badging at the sides with the classic knee-pocket feature that helps make for a narrow waist to give your thighs a break both underway and when you go to put your feet down. A nice diamond-stitch cover takes the bench-style seat back to the '60s and dresses the look-up with a little bespoke spice.

Like the front fender, the rear fender comes shot in black paint. The rest of the lighting and tag holder mount as a unit to the fender for a clean finish. An upswept exhaust adds a bit of a race-tastic flair to the mix.

Royal Enfield (Interceptor) INT650 Specs

Length

83.5 in (2,122 mm)

Width

31.1 in (789 mm)

Height

45.9 in (1,165 mm)

Seat Height

31.7 in (804 mm)

Wheelbase

55.1 in (1,400 mm)

Ground Clearance

6.8 in (174 mm)

Fuel Capacity

3.6 gals (13.7 L)

Curb Weight (no fuel)

445.3 lbs (202 kg)

RELATED: 2023 Harley-Davidson X 500 vs Royal Enfield Interceptor 650: Which Is Better?

Chassis

2023 Royal Enfield INT650 cruising on the road
Royal Enfield
2023 Royal Enfield INT650 (Interceptor) cruising on the road at night

Tubular-steel members on the Interceptor make up the framework with a double-downtube/dual-cradle structure that fully supports the engine rather than using it as part of the structure. This was the norm back in the day. The steering head establishes a 24-degree rake angle to contribute to the INT650's nimble nature.

Vanilla, right-way-up forks float the front end on fixed damping and preload values, while out back, dual, coil-over piggyback shocks support the rear with the obligatory spring-preload adjustment but nothing else in the way of suspension tweaks. I mean, I'm not surprised, but maybe a little disappointed at the lack of suspension tuning. Maybe next time.

Laced wheels round out the rolling chassis in classic fashion here in the U.S. market, but interestingly, the Indian models all run cast-alloy wheels instead of the alloy rim and steel spokes of our rims. Oh well, their loss, not ours.

A single 320 mm disc and twin-pot caliper slow the front wheel with a 240 mm disc out back. Both ends have stock Bosch, dual-channel ABS protection.

Chassis & Suspension

Frame

Steel tubular, double cradle

Front Suspension/ Travel

41 mm Telescopic forks/ 4.3 in (110 mm)

Rear Suspension/ Travel

Twin gas-charged shock absorbers with adjustable preload/ 3.5 in (88 mm)

Rake

24°

Trail

4.17 in (106 mm)

Front Wheel

18 M/C x MT 2.50, 36-spoke Aluminum alloy

Rear Wheel

18 M/C x MT 3.50, 36-spoke Aluminum alloy

Front Tire

Ceat Zoomcruz 100/90-18 M/C 56H

Rear Tire

Ceat Zoomcruz 130/70-R18 M/C 63V (130/70-18 M/C 63H)

Front Brake

320 mm disc, 2-piston ByBre caliper, ABS

Rear Brake

240 mm disc, 2-piston ByBre caliper, ABS

ABS

Bosch Dual-Channel

RELATED: Through The Years: The Remarkable History Of Royal Enfield

2023 Royal Enfield INT650 Price And Availability

The 2023 Royal Enfield INT650 costs $6,149. That's for the single-color fuel tanks. The two-tone paint bumps that up to $6,349, but the chrome Mark 2 package raises the starting sticker price up to $6,849.

Pricing & Features

Warranty

Three-year unlimited mile warranty & roadside assistance

Colors

Canyon Red, Ventura Blue, Orange Crush, Downtown Drag, Sunset Strip, Baker Express, Mark2

Price

$6,149, Two-Tone: $6,349, Premium: $6,849

RELATED: 10 Best Modern Classic Motorcycles Under 1000cc

Competitors

It was tempting to grab a current Triumph Bonnie. I decided instead to give Kawasaki's classic-tastic W800 model a shot.

Kawasaki W800

Kawi takes a deep dive into yesteryear with a braced front fender, peashooter exhaust, and proper kneepads on the tank pockets on top of a generally dated design. I mean, Kawasaki put in the work to really cleave to the old-school goodies. The engine even has an external drive shaft to power the drivetrain in the top end, and {that} is something you don't see every day, to say the least.

Red 2022 Kawasaki W800 cruising through town
Kawasaki
Candy Fire Red 2022 Kawasaki W800 cruising through town

The W800 runs a 773 cc air-cooled engine with a low, 8.4-to-1 compression ratio, 47 horsepower, and 44 pound-feet of torque for a razor-thin torque advantage over the R.E. model. Laced wheels and bellow fork gaiters are stock constants across the board, as is ABS protection.

Kawasaki hands Royal Enfield a significant win at the checkout with its $9,199 starting price. That leaves the INT650 all kinds of breathing room for custom accessories and whatnot.

He Said

“The Triumph Bonneville is itself a timeless classic that I happen to like quite a lot, so the Royal Enfield's looks are definitely a hit with me. It's important to remember that this isn't a cheap imitation, the company has its own experience to fall back upon when it came time to hit the drawing board. A definite contender given its price point.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says,

“I wasn't as impressed when I first looked at the Interceptor 650 in 2018. I've warmed up to it since. The design is classic, handling is responsive, and adding the six-speed gearbox developed just for the 650 twins makes cruising up the Interstate a lot less frenetic. So with the new engine plus the new gearbox, I'm seeing it in a much more favorable light now.”

FAQ

Q: How fast is the Royal Enfield INT650?

Top speed of the Interceptor 650 is about 100 MPH.

Q: How much horsepower does a Royal Enfield INT650 have?

With its 648 cc engine, the Interceptor 650 produces 46.7 horsepower at 7,250 RPM and 38.3 pound-feet of torque at 5,250 RPM.

Q: How much does a Royal Enfield INT650 cost?

For 2023, MSRP on the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is $6,149 for the solid color choices. The two-tone colorways are $6,349 and the premium Mark 2 package is $6,849

Q: Is Royal Enfield INT650 good for beginners?

The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 has an affordable price, comfortable seating position, tractable power, and responsive handling. These are characteristics that make it suitable for new riders.