Does the RE Interceptor 650 has what it takes to rival against the Street Twin which is an entry-level offering from a premium motorcycle manufacturer like Triumph
Triumph has launched the new 2019 Street Twin in India recently. There is no doubt in the fact that the Street Twin is Triumph’s best selling retro bike because it outsells every other retro bike in their lineup. This is also the bike that people first buy and then customize according to their preference from the long list of accessories that Triumph offers as an optional extra.
The retro-styled motorcycle has been around since the year 2016 and every Triumph motorcycle fan knew a thing or two already about the motorcycle. Like every year Triumph has given some noticeable updates to their 2019 model to keep things fresh. The British two-wheeler manufacturer has worked hard to give the new Street twin more performance and better specification for the year 2019.
Today we are comparing the Triumph’s entry-level Street Twin with the flagship Royal Enfield offerings the Interceptor 650. Although the Street Twin costs more than double of what the Interceptor is worth still we have decided to compare the specs and figures of these two motorcycles side by side.
That said, we will be comparing the RE Interceptor 650 with the Triumph Street Twin on the basis of their styling, engine and comparison, and prices and will also provide you with our verdict. So without any further due let us get straight into the details.
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Vs Triumph Street Twin Styling Comparison
The 2019 Street Twin is more like an enhancement of the existing model. The reason why this modern classic outsells every other premium modern Classics available in the market is because of the fact that it has simple ergonomics, it is easy and fun to ride and also has got simple styling. The 2019 Street Twin retains the same silhouette.
It gets round shaped headlamps towards the front which uses a brushed aluminium clamp to hold the headlamp in place. Triumph has also increased the height of the seats a little more and it now stands at 760 mm while it also gets some extra cushion as well (10 mm to be exact). Besides that the analog plus digital instrument cluster provides almost all the information to the rider.
To bring some fresh air of change Triumph has also tweaked its design logos on the fuel tank to make them appear different. There is also a new alloy wheel as well which gets polished spokes. The Street twin also provides a USB charger positioned under the seat. The motorcycles weigh 198 kilograms (dry) and has a 12-liter fuel tank.
The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 on the other hand also has a simple design. There are many signs of cost-cutting on the motorcycle. To begin with, it does not get a clear lens for its headlamp. The taillamp and side turn indicators all use conventional bulbs in place of LED indicators. The rest of the fit and finish quality looks impressive according to Royal Enfield standards.
The twin-pod instrument cluster is easy to read and provides some vital information. The styling of the motorcycle definitely looks retro. The overall fit and finish quality of the materials might not be at par with Triumph’s standard but they are quite impressive than the rest of the RE motorcycles out there. Just like Triumph, Royal Enfield also provides plenty of additional accessories with the Interceptor 650 as well.
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Vs Triumph Street Twin Engine and Performance Comparison
The Triumph Street twin is powered by a 900cc, parallel twin engine which now uses a lighter crankshaft, dead shafts, and balancers with a magnesium cam cover which has resulted in 18 per cent bump in its overall power output. The 2019 Street Twin now produces about 64 bhp of peak power at 7,500 rpm (10 bhp more than the predecessor) and 80 Nm of peak torque at 3,800 rpm.
The engine is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The Street twin uses a torquey unit and although it comes slightly later at 3,800 rpm it stays almost flat throughout the rev range. Additionally the Street Twin now also gets two different riding modes including road and rain.
The Interceptor 650, on the other hand, is powered by an all-new 648cc, air and oil cooled, parallel twin unit which produces about 47PS of peak power and 53Nm of peak torque. The engine gets a counterbalancer for smoothness. The engine is extremely smooth compared to the RE standard and just like its rival here this too has got a torquey unit as well with over 80 per cent of torque arriving before 3,000 rpm. The engine is paired with a 6 speed gearbox and it gets a slip-assist clutch for the first time as standard.
| Specs | Triumph Street Twin | Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 |
| Engine | Liquid cooled, 8 valve, SOHC, 270° crank angle parallel twin | air-cooled, single overhead cam (SOHC), parallel twin |
| Displacement | 900 cc | 648 cc |
| Power | 64 bhp @ 7500 rpm | 47 bhp @ 7,250 rpm |
| Torque | 80 Nm @ 3800 rpm | 52 Nm @ 5.250 rpm |
| Gearbox | 6 speed | 6 speed |
| Clutch | Slip assist | Slip assist |
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Vs Triumph Street Twin Suspension and Brakes Comparison
The 2019 Triumph Street Twin relies on a single 310 mm front disc with Brembo four-piston callipers, and a single 220 mm disc, gripped by a Nissin two-piston floating calliper on the rear wheel. A non-switchable dual channel ABS also comes as standard. The Street twin also gets an improved cartridge-type KYB 41 mm front forks towards the front with an increased 120 mm of travel for better ride quality, stability and comfort and an all-new twin shocks at the rear.
The Interceptor 650, on the other hand, relies on a slightly bigger 320 mm single floating disc at the front and a 240 mm disc on the rear wheel. The Interceptor too gets a dual channel ABS as standard as well. In order to cut costs, RE has used a conventional telescopic fork setup at the front and a 5 step pre-load adjustable dual shock unit at the rear. The dual shock unit at the rear has been set to its softest settings in order to handle Indian road conditions.
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Vs Triumph Street Twin Price Comparison
The recently introduced 2019 Triumph Street Twin has priced at Rs 7.45 lakh (ex-showroom). The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is priced at Rs 2.50 Lakh (ex-showroom).
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Vs Triumph Street Twin Verdict Comparison
The Interceptor 650 is not exactly a premium motorcycle like its rival here but it will definitely impress the buyers with its simple design, refined engine, and smooth performance. The Triumph Street twin, on the other hand, will impress the buyers with its build quality, high tech gadgets, and that smooth revving engine.
If we compare both the motorcycles in terms of their styling then we must agree that both of them has all the elements to impress someone who loves modern classics. The Triumph definitely stays ahead in the game with its fit and finish quality because it also is the more expensive motorcycle amongst the duo.
If we talk about their engines the Triumph definitely has the bigger displacement and also generates more power and torque. The RE Interceptor 650, on the other hand, provides plenty of usable power and torque output. As a matter of fact that Interceptor is the most powerful motorcycle that RE has ever built. Both the motorcycle promises to offer impressive ride quality as well as stopping power.
To conclude things if you have the money and want a premium motorcycle then you can always get your hands on the Triumph Street twin. However, if you keep the maintenance cost and Indian road condition in mind then you can definitely get your hands on a RE Interceptor 650.