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Bear 650 or Interceptor 650? Riding Both Back-to-Back to Finally Decide

Ride with T

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Is the new Royal Enfield Bear 650 actually superior to the Interceptor 650 I just bought as a project bike?

I recently purchased a used Interceptor 650, but the arrival of the Royal Enfield Interceptor Bear 650 has left me questioning my garage choices. To settle the score, I took both motorcycles onto the exact same local roads to see if the newer platform provides a noticeable upgrade or if my budget-friendly choice remains the smarter buy. This test is for anyone currently weighing the financial benefits of a used motorcycle against the appeal of the latest showroom model.

We examine the handling differences and ride quality between these two machines. My goal is to determine if waiting for the Bear 650 would have been the better move or if the Interceptor 650 still holds its own as a capable platform. You will walk away with a clear understanding of whether the performance gap justifies the price difference between these two Royal Enfield models.

Video Chapters

00:00 - Did I Buy the Wrong Bike? Interceptor 650 vs Bear 650
01:41 - 4 Major Upgrades: Frame, Rake, USD Forks & Ergonomics
03:01 - Rake Angle Tested: 24° vs 26.1° Stability on Trails & Highways
05:08 - Seat Height, Foot Peg Pain & 17" vs 18" Wheel Options
08:27 - New TFT Display, 2-into-1 Exhaust & Torque Boost
10:53 - RS Tech Belt Drive Kit Reveal & Final Verdict

My Interceptor 650 suspension eye lowering video here - Interceptor 650 Lowering: Fix the Biggest ...

Watch my full first ride review of the Royal Enfield Bear 650 here - Is the Royal Enfield Bear 650 the Ultimate...

Subscribe for weekly motorcycle comparisons and let me know in the comments: would you choose the value of a used Interceptor or the fresh tech of the Bear?

20 Comments

@MrEye4get 2 months ago

Making videos during the Thai rainy season is a real challenge. I love the look of the 650 Bear.

@Beanerds 2 months ago

Love my Orange Crush Interceptor and she ain't going anywhere soon .
Great video mate from OZ .

@bilalchaudhary8268 2 months ago

Great Review T, I had a 22 Int and now 25 Bear. Being a tall rider it's a better fit for me. Cheers

@Thrashjunkee 2 months ago

Nice vid, fair play in that weather. I would love an Int 650 alongside my gsxr1000. I sat on a bear recently and at 6ft i decided it was too tall. The bullet looks great also in that black and gold.

@freekolafdegroot2776 1 month ago

Nice, too bad about the weather but I guess it's the season now. I'm still looking for a decent second hand interceptor 650. Lovely bike and character.

@tenorbanjoguy 2 months ago (edited)

I have both and could not choose one over the other. Everything you point out is right in line with my experience. I have 4k miles on the Bear and it tours like nobody’s business!! The Interceptor is a great day out ride and fun to tinker with!!👍😎

@niallguiver2861 7 days ago

For a channel bike I think the INT650 will serve you better. Plenty of scope to create content as you customise the bike, it's also much more affordable as a second/winter bike here in the UK.

@Андрей-о3и6о 2 months ago

Мне 50лет и давно был СZ 472.4! Рассматриваю эти два типа мотоциклов! Спасибо Вам за сравнительный обзор. Счастливого Пути!

@leswatson8563 2 months ago

Greeting Ride With T. I think i might have gone for the Interceptor in 2023 if it wasn't for the footpeg locations. I did try and make enquiries on front crash bars and cruising pegs. But the blank looks i got said it all! Then i sat on the 650 Super Meteor. I didnt even bother taking it for a test ride. Instead i asked if i could move the bike around in the showroom to see if my arthritis would object. The look i got was unreal but he let me do it. Then out came the credit card and i said when will she be ready for collection. Im still loving that cruising style no matter the weather Trevor. Have a good weekend and see you in the next one sir 🙏...

@Out_of_Ojai 2 months ago

I'm now 68 years old, having been riding since age 17, but I can probably count the times I got caught by rain during those 6 decades by the fingers of my hands. It's a totally different world.
As for the belt drive: the TFT display of the Bear really messes up the classic look. If one wants to mess up it more, a belt drive or a pink seat would be great choices.

@installgentoo8561 2 weeks ago

9:04 I like this shot. What building is that.

@boppertwin650 2 months ago

I did your same think lowering my inter MarkII both at the front an the rear and changed everything. More control in the curves and so much confort

@Andrew-qc9xw 2 months ago

Good comparison. Thank you. Just a note on the difference in rake and feel, by lowering the rear of your Interceptor, you have effectively slackened the rake so the difference between the stock Interceptor and Bear would be greater. Also, the Bear has a 19” front wheel to the Interceptor on an 18” front wheel which would also contribute to the Bear feeling less agile than the Interceptor. Perhaps there’s also a difference in front/rear weight bias and handlebar width. All these factors combined make a difference in the dynamic of the handling and feel of a machine.

@canopus101 2 months ago

I get the change in wheel size and fork rake may improve the bike. As an Interceptor owner for more than five years I am not convinced that this is progress. The Interceptor is a much better looking bike, which gets loads of attention from both bikers and general public. I will keep my Interceptor, by the way the oft mentioned footrest position has never been an issue with me. I'm just 5' 7" so maybe that is why. I enjoyed the Vid.

@djones6543 2 months ago

Will be interested to see your RSTech belt drive conversion on the Int 650. I recently installed the RSTech belt drive (higher gearing) on my Continental GT. Really amazing. Smooth, quiet, clean, no maintenance to speak of as you know from having it on your SM650.. Oh one thing. You have lowered your Int 650, so you may have some clearance points to address for the belt, specifically the battery tray and plastc mudguard liner as well as the cables below the left side cover. I have the Hagon 20 mm lower shocks on my GT, so I had to do some extra clearance work. Fantastic upgrade though.

@alvindavenport5657 2 months ago

Turn your bars to the right when you’re lifting the bike from the side stand. It often makes it easier. I’ve seen comments that the Continental 650 rear sets will fit on the Interceptor and move the pegs slightly rearward. Might be worth a try. I’ll just keep my Interceptor. It just looks like what I want. The Bear may be better dynamically, but all 3 of my other bikes are as well. If I could only have one bike, and it had to be a Royal Enfield, I’d probably consider the Bear.

@Fabiofo-d1f 2 months ago

They are very similar in aesthetics

@hmoosawi 2 months ago (edited)

Interceptor for classic road riding and touring, the bear is more versatile.
Me too prefer the bear

@madbiker1000 2 months ago

I would say if you want to change the geometry or correct it due to the rear end drop I would start with a 10mm drop of the forks through the yolks/triple clamp and progress from there... I would never drop the rear without dropping the front ✌️