Refinement, Road presence, Exhaust note
Stiff suspension, Tube tyres, Engine heating
I've always had a soft spot for scramblers and adventure tourers, so when Royal Enfield announced that it was building a scrambler around its smooth and refined 650cc parallel-twin engine, I knew it was a motorcycle I wanted to ride. Fast forward to July 2026, and after the Classic 650 had completed its stint in the TG long-term garage, it was time to bring in something a little more rugged — something that could shrug off Mumbai's broken roads without a second thought.
Enter the Interceptor Bear 650.
Over the past few weeks, the Bear 650 has taken on everything from daily office commutes to spirited weekend rides through the ghats of Maharashtra, and I've enjoyed every kilometre aboard it. The Bear 650 is Royal Enfield's most powerful motorcycle, thanks to its two-into-one exhaust setup, which bumps torque up from 52Nm to 56.5Nm. The engine is exceptionally tractable, with strong torque available right through the rev range, meaning I rarely find myself reaching for the gear lever, even after slowing down in traffic.
That said, it isn't without its flaws. The engine runs noticeably hot, and because of the front-set footpegs, my legs sit quite close to it. As a result, I often have to be careful not to brush against the engine and burn myself. The rear suspension is another weak point, with limited travel that can feel harsh over broken roads. Then there's the fact that it still rides on tubed wheels, which feels like a missed opportunity on a motorcycle with adventure-oriented intentions.
On paper, the 216kg kerb weight may seem intimidating, but once you're on the move, it does an excellent job of disguising its mass. Even while filtering through Mumbai's congested traffic, I never found the bike cumbersome or difficult to manage. One of my favourite features is the TFT instrument console, which offers smartphone connectivity and map projection. It's particularly useful in a city like Mumbai, while the display itself is crisp, easy to read and presents all the essential ride information in a clean layout. The Bear 650 also gets switchable rear ABS, making it easy to indulge in a bit of sideways fun whenever the mood strikes.
I'm looking forward to piling on more kilometres aboard the Interceptor Bear 650 over the coming months and sharing my experiences as our long-term test continues.
