Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 gets KTM Duke 390's upside-down forks [Video]

13/06/2019 - 19:36 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Twin, Royal Enfield, Modifications Suvil Susvirkar

Avid motorcyclist and petrolhead Abhinav Bhatt is back with another modification and this time he has upgraded the front suspension of his Royal Enfield Interceptor INT 650. The neo-retro roadster benefits from upside-down forks sourced from the KTM 390 Duke.

Also Read: Two modified Royal Enfield Interceptor INT 650 bikes are ready for Great Malle Rally

Replacing the stock, 41 mm conventional forks was not an easy task. The new suspension brought along the radially mounted, four-piston calliper from the KTM 390 Duke to the Royal Enfield Interceptor INT 650. Proper research before the installation of the new setup ensured that the ABS tech was not affected.

The cockpit also received a revision with the installation of aftermarket handlebar that was ordered via online shopping portal AliExpress. Aftermarket brake and clutch levers also replaced the stock units. The build, as Abhinav mentions in the video, is still incomplete and it may take a while (nearly a month) before the Interceptor INT 650 is entirely ready. Apart from the revised suspension setup, Abhinav plans to add a new paint theme to the fuel tank that will further enhance the retro looks of the motorcycle.

In other updates, the Royal Enfield Interceptor INT 650 and the Continental GT 650 are reportedly heading towards their first price hike. A report from last month stated that the Royal Enfield 650 Twins may receive a price increase of approximately INR 20,000. Currently, prices for the Continental GT 650 starts from INR 2.65 lakh*. The Interceptor INT 650 retails at INR 2.50 lakh* onwardds. Despite the price increase that’s reportedly heading for the 650 Twins, they still remain the most affordable 650 cc bikes in the Indian market.

Both, the Interceptor INT 650 and the Continental GT 650 share the underpinnings and the engine, and they are distinguished by their respective styling. The motorcycles use Royal Enfield’s newly developed parallel-twin cylinder, air & oil cooled, SOHC 648 cc engine that churns out 47 BHP at 7,250 rpm and 52 Nm of max torque at 5,250 rpm.

Royal Enfield Interceptor Int 650 Ktm Front Forks — The revised front setup is still being tested before the motorcycle is completely ready to hit the roads.

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The 650 Twins are designed to be global products, and they are currently sold in the USA, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, UK and New Zealand as well. The company has hopes with the 650 Twins, and it expects to reach global annual sales of up to 1 million units in the next 5 to 10 years.