Jeff heads to Santa Cruz, California, and rides the Royal Enfield Interceptor & Continental GT 650 Twins... Here is his video review. Test: Jeff Ware

The Royal Enfield Interceptor and Continental GT 650 Twins launch held at Santa Cruz, California, was one hell of a big event.

Close to 100 motorcycle journalists from all over the globe were invited to a five day late September event that included in-depth technical presentations, interviews with the Royal Enfield team, two days of flat-out riding through the mountains and along the coastline and it all finished with a giant beach party!

More importantly, though, the riding was ace. So how do the new 650 Twins perform? Check out our video review to find out! Full written review up soon. You can also see the development video here.

The GT has clip-on style 'bars and cafe racer styling but aside from that shares the same chassis and engine as the Interceptor. Both bikes are equally capable over a wide range of conditions so choosing a model would be a matter of personal choice and comfort.

The GT has clip-on style ‘bars and cafe racer styling but aside from that shares the same chassis and engine as the Interceptor. Both bikes are equally capable over a wide range of conditions so choosing a model would be a matter of personal choice and comfort.

The Interceptor 650 was my pick of the two models for the simple reason I loved the seating position and commanding ergonomics more than I did the GT's cafe racer layout. I also love the scramble styling and could not fault the bike at all. It's a matter of personal choice though, so it is great there are options.

The Interceptor 650 was my pick of the two models for the simple reason I loved the seating position and commanding ergonomics more than I did the GT’s cafe racer layout. I also love the scramble styling and could not fault the bike at all. It’s a matter of personal choice though, so it is great there are options.

2019 ROYAL ENFIELD 650 INTERCEPTOR
& 650 CONTINENTAL GT SPECIFICATIONS

royalenfield.com.au

Price: $TBC estimated between $10,000 and $12,000 AUD Ride Away.

Claimed power: 47hp@7250rpm
Claimed torque: 52Nm@5250rpm
Weight: 202kg wet (INT) 198kg wet (GT)
Fuel capacity: 13.7L (INT) 12.5L (GT)

Engine: SOHC air-cooled 648cc parallel twin four-stroke, eight-valve, 78mm x 67.8mm bore x stroke, 9.5:1 compression, 270º firing order crankshaft, Bosch EMS/EFI
Gearbox: Six-speed constant mesh
Clutch: Wet multi-plate slipper clutch, cable actuation

Frame: Double-cradle tuned tubular steel frame
Rake: 24°
Trail: 106mm (INT), 105mm (GT)

Suspension: 41mm forks, 110mm travel, twin shock, 88mm travel, rear preload adjustment

Brakes: 320mm stainless steel floating rotor (f), ABS, two-piston sliding ByBre caliper, Bosch ABS, conventional master-cylinder, 240mm rotor (r), ByBre caliper.

Wheels & Tyres: 36 spoke alloy rim 2.50 x 18in, 36 spoke alloy rim 3.50 x 18in, Pirelli Phantom 100/90-18, 130/70-18.

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 1400mm
Seat height: 804mm (INT), 790mm (single GT), 793mm (dual GT).
Ground clearance: 174mm
Overall width: 789mm (INT), 744mm (GT)
Overall Length: 2122mm
Overall height: 1165mm (INT), 1024mm (GT)

Instruments: Dual clocks, tacho, speedo, dual trip, warning lights/fuel.
Electronics: Bosch Two-Channel ABS, Bosch EMS.

 

UMI

 

2019 ROYAL ENFIELD 650 INTERCEPTOR & 650 CONTINENTAL GT GALLERY

 

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