Top differences between the new Royal Enfield 650 cc Twins

In a common phenomenon of stepping up its own game, Royal Enfield has finally made its way back into the segment which it ignored a long time ago – twin cylinder middleweight motorcycles. With the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650, Royal Enfield has planned not one, but two onslaughts to make sure it is taken even more seriously on the entire global map. Royal Enfield calls them ‘twins’ and it has a solid reason to call so. Both the motorcycles share the same engine and gearbox combo and same chassis.

However, apart from the visual appeal, there are several things which set both the Interceptor 650 as well as Continental GT 650 apart from each other. What are those? Let’s find out:-

1) Historical Background 

Both the motorcycles might be all new in terms of mechanical packages, however, the name that both of them carry have rich heritages. Starting off with the Interceptor 650, Royal Enfield has brought back the “Interceptor” name from the ashes, as the British marquee used to make a 692cc twin cylinder motorcycle with the same name back in the 1960s. In this new iteration too, Royal Enfield has kept that cool, fuss-free design philosophy of the original Interceptor intact in this latest iteration too. On the other hand, the Continental GT 650 has a richer history compared to its other twin. It all started in the 1960s, when Royal Enfield came up with Continental GT 250, a 250cc café racer. It was discontinued only to bring back a 535cc single-cylinder café racer after almost five decades in a fresher avatar, with the slightly revised nameplate of Continental GT 535. However, the 535cc version, as you all know, has been quickly replaced with this new latest twin cylinder iteration, to make it more appealing and refined and addressing the glitches of the single cylinder Continental GT 535.

2) Riding ergonomics 

One immediately senses a whole world of difference as soon as he/she sits on the perch of both the motorcycles. Starting off with the Interceptor 650, the motorcycle comes with tall and wide set handlebars, with footpegs positioned slightly rear set as compared to the forward set foot pegs in the current crop of single cylinder Royal Enfields. This overall set up makes up for a rider’s triangle which is not so aggressive for outright sporty riding, but for a more relaxed posture. On the other hand, things become sportier as soon as you sit on the Continental GT 650. The split handlebars are positioned much lower, with the footpegs positioned even more rearwards, thus giving the rider outright sporty riding posture. Also, there is a big difference in the seat heights of both the motorcycles. While the Interceptor 650’s 804mm seat height might emerge out to be a slight issue for short riders, the Continental GT 650’s 790mm is perfect for all kinds of riders.

3) Body panels

Both the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 share a lot of components with each other, apart from the engine and chassis. Both the motorcycles come with the same round headlamp, rectangular old school amber turn indicators, tail lamp, twin pod part digital instrument console, side quarter body panel, switchgear, tyres, wheels, and brakes. However, there are still some features which make them very distinguishable from each other. Starting off with the biggest one, the fuel tank. While the Interceptor 650 comes with a more rounded fuel tank with historic logo of Royal Enfield, the Continental GT 650 comes with a longer fuel tank with sharper knee recesses and the more modern looking fontal logo. Also, as mentioned earlier, both the motorcycles come with entirely different handlebar setups. And finally, while the Interceptor 650 comes with a single piece long flat seat as standard, the Continental GT 650 comes with a single piece seat tapered from the back, with the option of a long flat seat with rear pillion seat cowl in accessories part.

4) Target audience 

Both the Interceptor 650 as well as Continental GT 650 primarily aims for Royal Enfield fan-base apart from alluring newer audience towards the brand Royal Enfield. However, both these motorcycles are targeted towards two entirely different set of audiences. The Interceptor 650 is purely for those riders who aspire to step up from the current crop of Classics and Thunderbirds to make their long-distance rides even smoother and stress-free with the added power and refinement. Also, if you have a pillion rider most of the times, the Interceptor 650 is the more recommended choice. On the other hand, if you really wish to make your short city commutes and trips look cool and want to quickly reach your points, the Continental GT 650 with its slightly more beautiful design shall appeal you.