2019 RE Interceptor 650 - quality in USA? Should I be worried?

Hello everyone,,

I live in southern California, I'm considering pulling the trigger on buying a new Interceptor soon. I did a search on this board about quality of RE bikes lately, and if I'm to trust what people are saying here, mine will rattle itself apart and kill me on the freeway! It will rust everywhere, it will die randomly, it will leak oil, cables will break, frames will crack, and it will require hundreds or thousands of dollars a year for repairs. People on this bike's own are warning people to avoid RE like the plague. What the berkeley?

Basically my decision came down to either a Honda Rebel 500, or the RE Interceptor 650. I really want the Interceptor, but not if it's going to become a nightmare for me. Is it really so bad? What is going on? Is a 2019 motorcycle sold in the USA really going to do this? I was reading reviews on the web saying the new bikes were solid machines now, but people here are still warning against it.

Should I avoid the RE and get the Honda? It would be a big disappointment...but if it's all true, I don't have the time or money to be fixing things all the time..

Mod Note:

This is a copy/paste spammer:

https://www.reddit.com/r/royalenfield/comments/c2v0xr/2019_re_interceptor_650_quality_in_usa_should_i/

Every single person I have ever met that had or has a Royal Enfield that wanted to use it as a primary bike HATED IT. Everyone who had it as a 6th or 7th bike and used it on the weekend tolerated its eccentricities. If you need to rely on it for transportation get the Honda. Some of the people who tolerate the RE were guys I knew who would willingly take WL Harley's into traffic.

For a daily ride, I'd get a Honda or maybe if you're set on the classic bike vibe, a Triumph Bonneville. The 2000s version, not the 1960s/1970s one.

The new RE's are quite a lot different than what they were selling just a few years ago. This is a modern(ish) twin cam fuel injected 650 parallel twin. Everything I read says it's a great motor and the bikes are nice. These aren't the designed in the 50's bikes they used to sell. 

mazdeuce - Seth said:

The new RE's are quite a lot different than what they were selling just a few years ago. This is a modern(ish) twin cam fuel injected 650 parallel twin. Everything I read says it's a great motor and the bikes are nice. These aren't the designed in the 50's bikes they used to sell. 

That is definitly true. I wanted to quickly add that most of the people I spoke with had parts avalaiblity issues on the older say 2012ish and prior bikes. If you have a good dealership that could change the equation a bit but Honda is the king of bies to me for a reason and that reason is reliability and service. 

Hardus,

hello neighbor. I have 4 bikes, 2 Ducati, 1 Triumph, and a Suzuki. My dad rode hondas all his life. 
 

I was doing 25-30k miles a year on bikes last 12 years in so cal, before being saddled with family and kids and needing car. I did most of my miles on my dads 929RR and all my Suzukis. I did 10k miles a year on my Ducati's and I was tired of fixing them (998, 1098). 
 

I would get the Honda rebel 
 

good luck and be safe 

https://auto.ndtv.com/news/13-royal-enfield-interceptor-650-problems-that-only-an-owner-can-tell-you-1994314

mr2s2000elise said:

https://auto.ndtv.com/news/13-royal-enfield-interceptor-650-problems-that-only-an-owner-can-tell-you-1994314

That's an interesting article, but to be honest most of the things he brings up are personal preference - what he may not like about the ergonomics, for example, may be fine for another person.

I've read a number of rider reviews for the Interceptor that mostly have high marks for the bike.  I think if you have a dealer close by, check them out - take a test ride, and do what you can to figure out if that dealer will be receptive to repairs or warrantee issues.

Just based on what I've seen and read, I like the bike very much.  I've been thinking hard about liquidating my bike collection to simplify my life, and for the kind of riding I'd do at this stage in life replacing them all with an Interceptor would probably be a good idea.  It's not a superbike, or a long distance tourer, but for day trips or just riding around I think it would fit the bill.  Also, it looks and sounds like I think a bike should.    I just wish it had an all chrome tank like the original Interceptor from the 1960s did.

^^ 

the electronic issues he mentions would worry me 

What about finding a Kawasaki W800? Similar styling, but from one of the japanese big four and a really good price.

Guzzi V7 would be worth considering if this kind of bike does it for you.  CB500F with a headlight swap to something more simple and round might do it as well. 

The only thing bad about the new Royal Enfield INTerceptor is it has to try to sell while battling the reputation of the Bullet 500. Which is what all of the comments above are actually about.

They are NOT the same bike. Not even close.

I've ridden the INTerceptor and own a Bonneville. If my Bonnie got totaled I would buy a INT to replace it. Seriously, they are that nice. Sure, a couple of the pieces look a little bargain basement but have you seen some of the parts on Yamahas lately?

The Honda will be a snooze fest and have no resale value when you quickly tire of it. Ride one and then ride a RE INT. Night and day.

I would push your toward a used Triumph twin or Moto Guzzi V7 before the ho-hum Honda. Or a W650, though I don't feel the price they command is worth it over a similar Triumph. The W800? Way overpriced.

The only problem I've heard about with the RE twins is some folks have had the gas cap lock cylinder fail. That's it.

ETA:  I own a RE Bullet, an original one. It's an antique that was made in 2007. It's a terrible machine by today's standards but it always starts and goes. The new EFI models are way better.

I bought a 1980 Honda 20 years ago for $500 and rode it for 10+ years. A lot. I replaced a clutch cable and changed the oil. That's it. The Rebel is the one you want, no doubt about it.

Check prices though, my V-Star 950 was a $10K bike new, and I can't give it away now. I would look at CL and find something with under 10k miles...spend less and get more.