Royal Enfield launched its first pair of 650cc motorcycles; the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650. The former is a quintessential classic motorcycle which is focused towards riders who desire to upgrade from their lower capacity Royal Enfield bikes. While the Chennai-based bikemaker managed to price the bike aggressively, the KTM 390 Duke is yet another similarly priced value-for-money proposition. However, let’s have a closer look at how well one competes against the other on paper.
Design:
The Interceptor 650 is a classic motorcycle in the truest sense. The heavy use of chrome on the engine, exhaust, wheel rims and other chrome-finished tiny bits all take you back to the good old days. It gets a round headlamp with conventional bulb along with the twin-pod analogue instrument cluster integrating digital trip meter.
The KTM 390 Duke, on the other hand, looks as modern as it could get. It sports an athletic stance with sharp lines across the headlamp, tank section and tail. It gets a TFT LCD instrument cluster to show the information and changing settings while the exposed frame and sub-frame add to its noticeable aesthetics.
Engine:
In terms of engine, the Interceptor not only gets a bigger engine but also boasts of an extra cylinder. It is powered by a 648cc, air-cooled, twin-cylinder motor that churns out 47bhp at 7,250rpm and 52 Nm at 5,250rpm. The KTM 390 Duke is propelled by a 373.2cc, liquid-cooled, single cylinder engine that is good for 42.9bhp at 9,000rpm and 37Nm at 7,000rpm. Both the powerplants are mated to a six-speed gearbox. However, the 390 Duke benefits from the inclusion of the slipper clutch and ride-by-wire throttle.
Cycle Parts:
The KTM 390 Duke rides on 17-inch alloy wheels on front and rear which are suspended on open cartridge WP USD suspensions on the front and WP monoshock absorber at the rear. A 320mm front disc and 230mm rear disc handle the braking task and it is supported by dual-channel ABS. The 390 Duke is based on a split steel trellis frame and weighs 163kg, kerb.
In the case of the Interceptor 650, the bike gets 18-inch front and rear wheel. Suspension duties are handled by 41mm telescopic forks on the front and twin gas-charged shock absorbers at the rear. It gets disc brake on both the ends while dual-channel ABS is featured here as well. It is built around the tubular steel frame and has 202kg of kerb weight.
Pricing:
The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 comes in three variants including standard, custom and chrome priced at Rs 2.5 lakhs, Rs 2.56 lakhs and Rs 2.68 lakhs, respectively. The KTM 390 Duke is the more affordable one being priced at Rs 2.42 lakhs (all prices are ex-showroom, Mumbai).
