- Honda CB500: A bike that offers modern technology, highly refined engine and great comfort for long journeys.
- Interceptor 650: An authentic classic retro look, powerful twin-cylinder sound and an affordable budget friendly bike.
- Correct Choice: If budget is limited go for Interceptor 650, for premium refinement go for Honda CB500.
In the 500 to 650 cc bike segment, both Honda and Royal Enfield have introduced two very different and unique bikes for the customers. On one hand is the Honda CB500 with its modern Japanese technology, smooth performance and all-rounder personality, while on the other is the rowdy Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 with its classic retro look, powerful twin-cylinder sound.
1. engine, Performance and driving experience
- Honda CB500: It gets a 471 cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine, which generates 46.9 bhp of power and 43 Nm of torque. The biggest plus point of this engine is its refined nature. No vibrations are felt in this bike even at high speeds. The 6-speed gearbox and slip-and-assist clutch make gear changes very easy in city traffic or on the highway.
- Interceptor 650: It has a 648 cc, air/oil-cooled, parallel-twin engine that produces 47 bhp of power and 52 Nm of torque. Due to the high capacity of the engine, it provides good torque at the start. The ‘270-degree crank’ exhaust note of this bike is very special, which doubles the riding pleasure.
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2. design, Riding posture and comfort
- Honda CB500: The bike is equipped with modern features like modern adventure/tourer design, 5-inch TFT screen, Bluetooth connectivity and traction control. Due to its straight riding posture, there is no strain on the back during long journeys.
- Interceptor 650: Pure 80s modern-classic roadster look. It gets round headlights, chrome finishing and twin analog meters. Its riding posture is a bit sporty and leans forward, which may make some feel a bit tired on long journeys.
3. Handling and weight
- Honda: With a weight of 196 kg, this bike is relatively light in its category. Showa’s up-side down forks and 19-inch front wheel make the bike very easy to handle on bumpy roads and gorges.
- Interceptor 650: At 218 kg, the bike remains stable at high speeds on the highway, but its weight is evident when weaving through traffic in the city or making U-turns.
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4. Pricing and Servicing
- Interceptor 650: It comes in an affordable price range of Rs 3.03 to Rs 3.31 lakh. A large network of service centers across the country makes maintenance easy and cheap.
- Honda: As this bike comes in CBU route in India, its price ranges from Rs 5.90 Lakh to Rs 7.44 Lakh. It is available only at Honda’s premium ‘BigWing’ showrooms.
Final Conclusion: Which one is right for you??
- Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Select if: You may be on a tight budget, love a genuine retro classic design, want a punchy engine sound and want service that is easily accessible.
- Honda CB500 / NX500 Select if: Whether you have a flexible budget, want to do long touring with daily commuting, want modern features, light handling and a buttery smooth Japanese engine experience.
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