[TusharK]

Royal Enfield has launched the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 for the 2023 model year. Both models get a few updates and are priced at Rs 3.03 lakh and Rs 3.19 lakh (ex-showroom).



The 2023 Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 get an updated seat that is said to be more comfortable, a USB charging port, new switchgear and a new LED headlamp.



Powering the 650 Twins is the same 647.95cc, twin-cylinder engine which is now OBD-2 compliant. It makes 47 BHP @ 7,250 rpm and 52.3 Nm @ 5,150 rpm and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox.



The updated range of Royal Enfield’s 650 Twins is available in new colour schemes with a blacked-out engine, exhaust and alloy wheels shod with tubeless tyres. The Interceptor is offered in Black Ray & Barcelona Blue as well as a Cali Green and a dual-tone shade called Black Pearl. The Continental GT comes in Slipstream Blue and Apex Grey.

Link to Team-BHP News

[AtheK]

Better late then never, hope they make the rims available for us soon as aftermarket accessory.

[Senotrius]

This is a big deal wrt 650 twins. The headache of fixing a flat tube tyre,I'm sure, would have kept many a prospective buyer away from the 650. Good thing they listened to the customer finally. Now if they could fix the seat and foot pegs as well.

[ramki.grandhi]

These models will put sales charts on fire, surely. I personally know few friends, who has been waiting for alloy wheels and tubeless tires on interceptor. This is a perfect big bike to many like me(full time uncle ), who want to start riding after a decade gap but not willing to spend a bomb on big bikes.

[parrys]

Has anyone checked with a local dealer, if these alloy wheels will be available as an add-on or bought separately for existing users?

I am confused between the CGT 650 & INT 650 in chrome, and both these are not shown with the alloy wheels as of now. And also, the MIY is not showing the option of alloy wheels for these two.

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by parrys

Has anyone checked with a local dealer, if these alloy wheels will be available as an add-on or bought separately for existing users?

I am confused between the CGT 650 & INT 650 in chrome, and both these are not shown with the alloy wheels as of now. And also, the MIY is not showing the option of alloy wheels for these two.

Alloy wheels are only on the new models, old will be sold as-is. Don't think these alloys will show up seprately atleast for 4-5 months. The only way to get them early is to be in good terms with some one at RE SC.

They somehow missed the tripper on this, should have added that also and that would have pretty much made it a complete bike. The speedometer is still very pedesterian with no option to even show time.

Black Ray

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0NfbgWSrlc

Apex Grey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTDhWN9XEpM

Slipstream Blue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUHj9pdgtGQ

Barcelona Blue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-_KhrUCfOo

[thtechnician]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but does anyone else think the older versions looked better? The blacked out exhausts and allow wheels really throw off the retro look. Even the engine block. It's like someone lost control of the paint spray gun during production.

[Turbosailor]

Does anyone noticed any weight difference between spokes wheel models and cast alloy models. As per technical specification of alloy model vehicle showing Kerb weight 217 Kg. I don't remember weight of spokes wheeled ones.

[aargee]

Originally Posted by Turbosailor

Does anyone noticed any weight difference between spokes wheel models and cast alloy models. As per technical specification of alloy model vehicle showing Kerb weight 217 Kg. I don't remember weight of spokes wheeled ones.

Weight could perhaps be a technical mistake; pls see this detailed post casting the differences between the outgoing & newer versions. It was mentioned 202 Kg on technical spec, 212 Kg in RC for older models. Naturally models with alloy wheel can't be 217 Kg.

[Axe77]

Like many have posted, for me its really the alloy / tubeless combo for the win. It’ll make long distance touring a lot more hassle free for Interceptor owners.

It would REALLY be sweet if these are retrofittable on older bikes for those who want to make the switch, specially since the size remains 18”. Even if there is a slight delay in supply for just the wheel purchase.

[aargee]

Originally Posted by AtheK

Alloy wheels are only on the new models, old will be sold as-is. Don't think these alloys will show up seprately atleast for 4-5 months. The only way to get them early is to be in good terms with some one at RE SC

Sir 4-5 months is very conservative if you ask me!! RE being RE, I would expect:

• Alloys not available at ASC {up to 4 months}
• Alloys are not sold to ASC {4-6 months}
• Try outside elsewhere sir, RE doesn't sell alloy wheels to ASC {6-8 months}
• Place an order & see, we can give a try {8-10 months}
• And another 3 more months before getting some hop & by now its nearly a year

And add 2 more caveats with RE:
1. The alloy wheels should be reliable. We might forget 10000s of alloy wheels serving well, but one cracked alloy wheel will send shivers of apprehension
2. Getting an alloy wheel would only be a 50% solution, there could be additional spacers that may be required. Procuring them will be another road to

And the worst situation being: Buying a new Interceptor/GT would have much less waiting period than getting the alloy wheels

[tharian]

God alone knows what took them so long to offer alloy wheels and tubeless tyres.
It was something that RE could have easily done as an optional part when they launched these bikes first, for an additional cost, just like their other accessories.
Missed oppurtunity to garner more sales.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by tharian

God alone knows what took them so long to offer alloy wheels and tubeless tyres.

It seems pretty obvious Royal Enfield doesn’t give two hoots about customers cribbing or crying on social media about the alloys or even quality control issues for that matter. It’s impossible for the company not to know about these things, they don’t care. How difficult can it be for such a behemoth to supply alloys and tubeless tyres (forget quality control for now) if they really cared about customers.

As long as people are queuing up, buying their products and justifying everything with saying “it’s value for money, it’s only small niggles on otherwise fantastic bike/s etc etc” they will never change.

Not a customer, never will be, but not a hater at all. I simply don’t believe in paying money and having to make friends/family with mechanics

Cheers

[pachchu77]

Originally Posted by tharian

God alone knows what took them so long to offer alloy wheels and tubeless tyres.

That too, we don't know how long will it take before they make alloys/tubeless an independent accessory so that we can spec our bike the way we want in terms of colour and alloy/tubeless. I for one, would want both alloys and chrome exhaust which is not an option as of now.

[TheHelix0202]

Mediocre and ugly looking. Ruins the entire vibe (pun intended) of the Twin.