Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

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From a logical point of view, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 makes sense for your use case, which is primarily in the city. The Classic is a lighter machine and will be easier to manage in the city. In your case, it will also be a largely familiar machine since you're coming from an older Classic 350, and there won't be too much of a learning curve. Plus, in comparison to the Interceptor 650, you'll also get better fuel economy from the Classic.On the flip side, the Interceptor will be a far better machine for highway riding, and its twin-cylinder engine gives it a different character. If you're looking for a change of pace from your Classic, the Interceptor could be the perfect step up because, despite its added power and weight, it is still an approachable machine. The one thing you need to be mindful of on the Interceptor inside the city is its wide exhaust pipes, which will stick out in traffic.A test ride will reveal whether you should go for the Interceptor or the Classic.

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The Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 is a cafe racer with low clip-on handlebars and rearset footpegs, placing you in a committed riding position. Therefore, given that you will only go to college on it (likely an intra-city commute), you will be at slower speeds, wading through staccato traffic. This is a situation where you will put more pressure on your wrists, and if the roads in your area aren't smooth, over bumps, you will also feel a jerk go up to your spine. All this to say, no, this Royal Enfield bike is not a comfortable machine, but it does bring a lot of cool factor to the table.If you want a similar riding experience without the discomfort, then the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 should fit the bill because both it and the 'Conti' are identical save for different ergonomics and slightly different fuel tank capacities.

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You have already done the right thing by test riding the bikes on your shortlist. That is the best way to make a decision, because all of these are very different motorcycles in terms of character and ownership experience.Given that you are an aggressive rider who likes a bit of punch, the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 makes more sense because it has plenty of performance as well as character, and you can always upgrade the suspension and tyres to improve its handling. The Continental GT 650 is an eye-catching and unique motorcycle, but its committed riding position is not practical for long-term ownership.Do bear in mind that updates to both of these Royal Enfield bikes are expected soon, so we'd advise you to wait.

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While the 250cc Suzuki bikes are undoubtedly good machines, we'd recommend you hold off on that because Suzuki is readying an all-new Gixxer lineup which will debut at the end of this year and these will be next-gen models which will bring in a host of functional improvements. If you can't wait that long, we'd recommend looking at the Bajaj Pulsar N250, which is a sorted machine and will serve you well. Do bear in mind that coming from your twin-cylinder Interceptor 650, these smaller, single-cylinder 250s will feel like a big step down and you may perhaps wish for something slightly more substantial and premium feeling after a while. Instead of downsizing so severely, you should look at the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 which will be pleasant and comfortable to use inside the city but will still give you a premium, feel-good experience which the smaller bikes won't be able to match. Since you're intimately acquainted with RE ownership, the Hunter will slot in nicely into your life as well. Take a test ride of these bikes to see which one fits your usage better ultimately and then make your decision.

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There are no plans to discontinue the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 anytime soon so you can wait as long as you'd like before purchasing it. In fact, toward the end of the calendar year, both the Continental GT and Interceptor are likely to be updated in a comprehensive way. Expect more features, better braking and suspension hardware and some new colours and cosmetic touches as well.