loading
reading
writing
saving
searching
Royal Enfield INT650 - $5,500 (soquel)
QR Code Link to This Post
The simple, surprisingly grunty V-twin puts out nice linear power, making for a fun, confidence-inspiring ride. At 650ccs and 50hp, I would be happy to recommend this bike to most anyone. Perfect for a beginner who wants something approachable that they won’t wind up bored of in a year or two. Great for a lapsed rider who misses riding but doesn’t miss the constant wrenching of a true retro. Awesome for an experienced rider looking to take it back to the simple basics.
In short, it's the perfect bike for someone who just wants to cut through Santa Cruz traffic with groceries and their work clothes and get home in one piece, go cruising up through the redwoods on the weekends, and maybe take a summer road trip or two.
When you look below, you’ll see that (almost) everything I have done to this bike has been in service of comfort and utility. I have tried very hard to kit it out as a great around-town commuter and make it as good a tourer as it can be. It’ll go two-up with ease. I’ve really leaned into the “standard” of this modern retro standard: it will do it all.
I'm the first and only owner. The bike has been expertly maintained by Reed at Santa Cruz Motorcycle Service. It runs great. No known issues. I'm still taking it out weekly, both out of love and to keep the battery, tires, and fuel fresh. Has a new front tire and new-ish rear. Has been laid down at low speed once. So it goes. Only thing to show for it is a scrape on the bottom of the engine case and sweet all-new exhaust. I’m selling because I upgraded and can’t justify having two bikes, but I still have a ton of affection for this machine and I’ll be sad to see her go.
NOTE: If you email me immediately asking for my phone number, I will ignore you. Email works fine at this stage. I don't know why scammers always want to harvest Craigslist for phone numbers, but apparently it is valuable to them. While anyone reading this far is an actual human who is interested in the bike, I can't tell the difference between you and the 100 robots at first glance, so email me. Ask some questions. We'll figure out the logistics from there.
THE FARKLES: (See Labeled Photo) I know too many people want to recoup the cost of all the accessories they wasted money on building a bike that only appeals them. That’s not my goal here: I’m clearly going to lose money on the farkels (as is just and right). I just want you to know what you’re getting and why. Hopefully this set-up speaks to the kind of riding you want to do too.
1. Corbin Custom Saddle - $680 - The main (and most valid) complaint that this bike gets is that the seat is terrible. This high-end custom seat fixes that nicely for both you and your passenger. (https://www.corbin.com/re/rein17gl.shtml)
2. RE OEM Deluxe Touring Seat - $220 - Better than stock but not good enough to tour. Classic bench seat layout for that traditional look. I picked this up on my way to the Corbin. (https://www.royalenfield.com/us/en/gma/black-premium-touring-dual-seat-1990482/)
3. TEC 2x2 Big Bore Headers and Exhaust - $650 - Look great, sound GREAT, reduce the weight by a good 20 lbs, and up the low-end torque to a slight but noticeable degree. (https://tecbikepartsusa.com/product/tec-full-big-bore-stainless-exhaust-system-cannons-royal-enfield-interceptor-650-continental-gt-650/)
4. Dart Marlin Flyscreen - $135 - The perfect windscreen. I can not sing this thing’s praises enough! Small and stylish. The air crests just at your neck, taking the pressure off your chest while letting your head ride in clean air for no added noise or head shake. Perfect ergonomics. (https://dartflyscreens.com/products/royal-enfield-interceptor-650?Tint=Light%20Grey%20tint&Screen=Marlin%20S3)
5. RE OEM Touring Mirrors - $90 - The second valid criticism of this bike is that the mirrors catch way too much of your shoulders and not enough of the road behind you. Thought the “touring” mirrors would be more functional. They do have additional adjustability than the stock, but no better visibility. Fixed this with #6. At least they look good. (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Royal-Enfield-TOURING-MIRROR-KIT-For-Interceptor-650-GT-650-GT-535/13441166623?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=102576767&adid=22222222222000000000&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075&wl5=85595&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=13441166623_10002596148&wl14=re%20int650%20touring%20mirrors&veh=sem&msclkid=ff1e63aa18be19075d750a0ed827ed80&gclid=ff1e63aa18be19075d750a0ed827ed80&gclsrc=3p.ds)
6. Mirror Extenders - $12 - Pure function. Just little reverse threaded nuts that raise the mirror up and out about an inch. Pretty unobtrusive, but they honestly don’t look great. What they do do, however, is markedly increase the rear visibility. (https://www.ebay.com/itm/226535720769?_skw=reverse+thread+mirror+adaptor&itmmeta=01KJNS3H52AKSAWGB6K11H95WZ&hash=item34be94c741:g:hPYAAOSwehlnf-cO&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA4GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xCIfNG3MNrKvd0%2BDxRIE6rMusnndBne%2FV4dlkWngmOeHk7IYvhBIoZdBVNZNQbF7NlrIj%2B2pa3OTFCNzzwBPNUFmVSL6qXTw%2Bo3Ve2M5LIfwj4JEFEG%2Bo7HrAvD9BH6WhO328Ui1W1bIVq9F1YVodVdgYQkpWZe7%2FLDD6JF9CZro%2FuI74%2FXJkP7dHWzyWv0TLiRP6TsDoXJyo1i%2FlX5YygWeHceWmJECZa1toU%2Fmmklklaxh%2BbVcFV7sJ6mUVLvltqbGe87UFEVOt1h6bR%2Bblgy%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9qSjrmVZw)
7. Hepco and Becker Passenger Peg Relocator - $90 - The last valid complaint about this bike is that the passenger pegs are way too crammed up and back. Maybe because it’s an Indian bike they assumed the pillion would be riding side-saddle? This peg relocator kit helps massively with passenger comfort and knee strain. A great little accessory. Between this, #1, and #8, it upped my Pillion ride time from 30 minutes to about two hours. (https://www.baxtercycle.com/parts-apparel/shop/hepco-and-becker-passenger-footrest-relocation-kit-int-gt-650--1)
8. Rear Rack and Passenger Back Rest - $80 - Piece of mind and comfort for your passenger. Utility for you. Great for camping, commuting, and all-around utility. (https://www.ebay.com/itm/194988775985?_trkparms=itmf%3D1%26aid%3D1110006%26rkt%3D5%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26mech%3D1%26algv%3DDefaultOrganicWebV9BertRefreshRankerWithCassiniEmbRecall%26pmt%3D0%26amclksrc%3DITM%26sd%3D225965758412%26sid%3DAQALAAAAEKqQU3YJCQnVQjxPgg4sR5M%3D%26itm%3D194988775985%26noa%3D1%26brand%3DUnbranded%26asc%3D20200818143230%26ao%3D1%26rk%3D3%26pid%3D101224%26b%3D1%26mehot%3Dnone%26lsid%3D100%26meid%3Dda30084a9f364cbb890fa1cc31df3a7f%26pg%3D2332490&_trksid=p2332490.c101224.m-1)
9. GIVI Engine Guards -$160- Protect your ride. (https://giviusa.com/products/tn9051-engine-guards?variant=38120587362496)
10. GIVI Frames - $200- Hard cases ruin the lines of any bike, but with these, you only need to look at the cases if and when you are actually using them. Pop the cases on and off with a turn of a key and push of a button. (https://giviusa.com/products/pl9051-e22n-side-case-frames)
11. GIVI Waterproof, Locking, Detachable Hard Cases - $255 - The single most useful accessory on here. Suddenly you can store your gear, go to the grocery store, load your boots and go for a hike, run errands, bring a change of clothes, pack a tool kit and safety gear, or do anything else you need to turn a toy into a useful and usable commuter and tourer. (https://giviusa.com/products/e22n-22ltr-monokey-side-cases)
12. USB charging cable - Plug in your phone for navigation or keep your dash-cam charged on a longer ride.
13. OEM “Interceptor 650” Side panels - Honda owns the rights to the name "Interceptor" in the US, so around here they badge them “INT 650.” Dumb name. I got these from British Ebay for a touch of class. (https://www.ebay.com/itm/335548197189?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338590836&toolid=10044&loc_physical_ms=85647&customid=eaa919e67203128e7dbf7042b6c9a42b&gclid=eaa919e67203128e7dbf7042b6c9a42b) $80
14. Aftermarket grips - The stock ones sucked. These are better. My mechanic had them lying around.