(New) Royal Enfield Interceptor compared to Commando?

MexicoMike · Jul 3, 2023

I've read "reviews" of the RE 650 interceptor both here and on dedicated review sites but what I'd really like is a review of how it compares directly to a stock 850 Commando as far as overall feel, acceleration, braking, handling etc. Any specific good (or bad) points compared to the Commando? I realize the RE will be essentially maintenance-free in comparison and that's somewhat important but I'm primarily interested in how the bike actually feels/operates on the rode compared to a well-maintained Commando. Per reviews the RE is a bit heavier than the Commando though reliable Commando weights are a bit scarce! So does the RE FEEL heavier than the Commando on the road or moving it around the garage?

EstuaryBoy · Jul 3, 2023

Can't offer too much insight I'm afraid, bar the fact I was offered one at a good price, but made the mistake of going to see it on my Commando (Mk3).
To step from one straight to the other, to me, just highlighted the gulf between them. I'll upset a few, but 'cheap and nasty' was the main vibe, and even though I was astride it, engine running and helmet on, I had absolutely no desire to ride it........
A mate who commutes on late Enfield singles (and owns a new Guzzi and Honda) has also test rode one with the same conclusion, down to a price!
But, many praise them highly, and you might too??

MexicoMike · Jul 3, 2023

Thanks for the input. There seem to be quite a few of them for sale here (UK) with rather low miles which MIGHT indicate a similar viewpoint - or a "not what I expected/hoped." I would like to have a Commando here but I am not interested in shipping mine from the US and I really don't have the facilities to work on a bike here as I do in the US so a Commando - even if I found a decent one at a decent price probably isn't workable. So I'm liking the retro bikes for here in the UK and currently have a Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe. It's really an excellent machine but I'd rather have a vertical twin. Never been a Triumph fan but that's an option, of course...

baz · Jul 3, 2023

MexicoMike said:
Thanks for the input. There seem to be quite a few of them for sale here (UK) with rather low miles which MIGHT indicate a similar viewpoint - or a "not what I expected/hoped." I would like to have a Commando here but I am not interested in shipping mine from the US and I really don't have the facilities to work on a bike here as I do in the US so a Commando - even if I found a decent one at a decent price probably isn't workable. So I'm liking the retro bikes for here in the UK and currently have a Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe. It's really an excellent machine but I'd rather have a vertical twin. Never been a Triumph fan but that's an option, of course...

My mate keeps trying to persuade me to ride his sons Yamaha MT 07
He reckons I'd go straight out and buy one

concours · Jul 3, 2023

baz said:
My mate keeps trying to persuade me to ride his sons Yamaha MT 07
He reckons I'd go straight out and buy one

The CP2 engine in my T7 doesn't feel anywhere near as torquey as the 850 Cdo.

ashman · Jul 3, 2023

Well essentially maintained free, well if so it won't last 50 years compared to a Commando and really comparing a 650 to a well in my book a 850, I have had a close look at the RE and really I don't like them, give me a modern Triumph anyday over a RE.

baz · Jul 3, 2023

concours said:
The CP2 engine in my T7 doesn't feel anywhere near as torquey as the 850 Cdo.

Just googled it
It's 74 bhp
The torque is 50 lb ft
So it's about 6 lb ft torque down on an 850 commando but up on bhp
Depending what figures you can find

concours · Jul 3, 2023

baz said:
Just googled it
It's 74 bhp
The torque is 50 lb ft
So it's about 6 lb ft torque down on an 850 commando but up on bhp
Depending what figures you can find

CP2 gets pulling at much higher revs

74 Cafe' · Jul 3, 2023

baz said:
Just googled it
It's 74 bhp
The torque is 50 lb ft
So it's about 6 lb ft torque down on an 850 commando but up on bhp
Depending what figures you can find

What does the bike weigh wet? HP/TQ to WT ratio is the big determining factor for me for comparisons.....

rweb · Jul 3, 2023

MexicoMike said:
Thanks for the input. There seem to be quite a few of them for sale here (UK) with rather low miles which MIGHT indicate a similar viewpoint - or a "not what I expected/hoped." I

When I bought my 08 T100 in 2014 there were quite a few lo mileage Triumphs for sale within 150 miles of where I live, middle of nowhere rural Ga. I think what happened was a lot of older guys who hadn't rode in the last forty or fifty years were attracted by the styling and let nostalgia guide there decision only to find that they really weren't into bike riding after all. Could be the same with RE.

baz · Jul 3, 2023

74 Cafe' said:
What does the bike weigh wet? HP/TQ to WT ratio is the big determining factor for me for comparisons.....

No Idea what they weigh
I was talking to a bloke recently that'd bought one brand new
He'd immediately changed the cans and a couple of other bits
He really likes it

NickZ · Jul 3, 2023

I rented a RE Interceptor last year when I was in France for some riding in the Pyrenees. This was the first non-Commando riding I had done in many years. To me, the feel was ok, but it felt under-powered compared to my Commando (750), especially when 2-up. I would say it had enough power, just not as much as the Commando. Also, when 2-up my wife felt the higher knee position required for the Interceptor was not as comfortable.

mean gene · Jul 3, 2023

Way better breaks (I know I'll catch hell) Down on torque. One up fun bike. No oil leaks or problems bought new in 2019

MexicoMike · Jul 3, 2023

"To me, the feel was ok, but it felt under-powered compared to my Commando"

Interesting! Dyno tests that have been discussed on this site indicate that the Commando's claimed 60HP was really more in the mid 40's so I expected the "fell power" to be about the same on the top end though, of course, the larger Commando motor should make more low/mid power which is where it's actually more functional...

"Way better breaks ..."

FWIW, Re the brakes...good that the RE brakes are better than the (stock) Commando! The RE probably couldn't be legally sold in any country today if they weren't!

OTOH, with the CNW/Brembo master cylinder/SS brake lines/Ferodo pads, my Commando's brakes are excellent. But again, I'm not looking for another Commando to work on.

I guess I'll have to actually go to Bristol and look at/ride an Interceptor at the dealer though I'd more likely buy one used from an individual if I decided I liked it. Or maybe I should just keep the Z900RS Cafe and forget the vertical twin stuff!

baz · Jul 4, 2023

MexicoMike said:
"To me, the feel was ok, but it felt under-powered compared to my Commando"

Interesting! Dyno tests that have been discussed on this site indicate that the Commando's claimed 60HP was really more in the mid 40's so I expected the "fell power" to be about the same on the top end though, of course, the larger Commando motor should make more low/mid power which is where it's actually more functional...

"Way better breaks ..."

FWIW, Re the brakes...good that the RE brakes are better than the (stock) Commando! The RE probably couldn't be legally sold in any country today if they weren't! OTOH, with the CNW/Brembo master cylinder/SS brake lines/Ferodo pads, my Commando's brakes are excellent. But again, I'm not looking for another Commando to work on.

I guess I'll have to actually go to Bristol and look at/ride an Interceptor at the dealer though I'd more likely buy one used from an individual if I decided I liked it. Or maybe I should just keep the Z900RS Cafe and forget the vertical twin stuff!

In a perfect world you'd buy a well sorted commando
Maybe from a long term owner that'd decided to hang his helmet up
As you know once sorted a commando is extremely reliable
And we all know the upgrades that are needed
My commando has always been extremely reliable
The only time I couldn't ride home was after a crash when I wiped the Lucas Rita off the timing cover
I've not found maintenance particularly high
But I guess it's a lot more than a modern bike?

worntorn · Jul 4, 2023

There are lots of variables in dyno tests.
The results can be raw uncorrected rwhp, or corrected to a number of different standards, which all give different results. DIN, which is often used in Europe and the UK, gives the highest result.
The mid 40s to high 40s numbers seem to be uncorrected rwhp. This correlates to mid fifties for corrected crankshaft bhp, which is what the manufacturers refer to.

So maybe the 58bhp or 60 bhp claim is a bit high, but not that much?

Glen

Tornado · Jul 4, 2023

What about the new BSA? Could it be in the mix of your options?

trident sam · Jul 4, 2023

MexicoMike said:
"To me, the feel was ok, but it felt under-powered compared to my Commando"

Interesting! Dyno tests that have been discussed on this site indicate that the Commando's claimed 60HP was really more in the mid 40's so I expected the "fell power" to be about the same on the top end though, of course, the larger Commando motor should make more low/mid power which is where it's actually more functional...

"Way better breaks ..."

FWIW, Re the brakes...good that the RE brakes are better than the (stock) Commando! The RE probably couldn't be legally sold in any country today if they weren't! OTOH, with the CNW/Brembo master cylinder/SS brake lines/Ferodo pads, my Commando's brakes are excellent. But again, I'm not looking for another Commando to work on.

I guess I'll have to actually go to Bristol and look at/ride an Interceptor at the dealer though I'd more likely buy one used from an individual if I decided I liked it. Or maybe I should just keep the Z900RS Cafe and forget the vertical twin stuff!

There is also the range of BMW vertical twins F800 etc might be worth a thought

NickZ · Jul 4, 2023

trident sam said:
There is also the range of BMW vertical twins F800 etc might be worth a thought

That is what I rented this year in France (F750). Didn't like it. It felt top heavy and I never got a good feel with it. It does have strong brakes, though.
All the RE Interceptors were already spoken for at the rental shop or I would have done that again.

MexicoMike · Jul 4, 2023

My wife owned an F750 for a while and didn't like it at all. I rode it a few times and it was OK but didn't do anything at all for me. I hadn't thought at all about BSA. TBH, I didn't realize until this morning, reading the responses, that "modern" BSA even existed!

Just checked the specs - I couldn't deal with a single!

(New) Royal Enfield Interceptor compared to Commando?

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