Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 with USD forks from KTM 390 Duke is the most recent addition to the modified RE bikes of India. The retro-modern machine already looks impressive but, adding the forks helped Abhinav Bhatt claim an impressive stance for his prized possession.
As with regular updates where technology gets compromised, this one is a different example. The 41mm forks were replaced not just with these USD forks but, the brake calliper was also replaced with the radial mounted unit. Here, the ABS setting was retained to keep safety as the utmost priority for the model. The handlebar was also replaced to achieve this bold stance.
The owner is yet to decide what paint finish should he prefer for the motorcycle while the brake and clutch levers have also been replaced with the aftermarket units. The exhaust setup seems incomplete at the moment but once ready, the motorcycle will be completely different from the Interceptor 650 everybody knows in the country.
The 648cc, twin cylinder engine on the bike is good for 47 HP and 52 Nm. The output may not change here as engine tuning is not a part of the modification plan. However, using performance parts may improve the overall running dynamics of the motorcycle.
Royal Enfield is planning to hike the prices of Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650 by around INR 20,000 in the coming days. This will take the starting price up to INR 2.70 lakh for the former and INR 2.85 lakh for the latter. However, a slight fall in the sales number can be expected with this move as most of the buyers in India are price-sensitive when it comes to big displacement motorcycles.
Also, the overall sales figure posted by Royal Enfield is not that healthy to support this price hike. The current price tag of INR 2.50 lakh makes Interceptor 650 the most happening bike of the Indian market, rivalling products that are almost double in price when compared through engine similarity.
Images Source: Abhinav Bhatt
