Exclusive: Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Alloy Wheels Upgrade Cost & Details!

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 was recently updated with alloy wheels. Therefore, we decided to upgrade our Interceptor with alloy wheels as well. Read the complete details of the process below.

From day one of ownership, the main plight of the Interceptor or Continental GT 650 owners has been the absence of tubeless tyres. Both of the models come with spoke rims and tube-type tyres. While this setup makes them look aesthetically good; a puncture is a nightmare for the rider. Not long ago, Royal Enfield updated both of these models with the option of alloy wheels. Hence, we decided to update our Interceptor with the same. Read the detailed process and the cost below. Meanwhile, you can join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Group for all of such latest updates from the automotive industry.

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What Is the Problem With Spoke Wheels?

Traditionally, spoke wheels are more rugged. They're also easy to repair in case of bends and hence most ADV bikes & Rally bikes come with them as standard. However, in the case of Interceptor, the spoke wheels are not tubeless. This means that you can't fit tubeless tyres on it. Also, even if you try to do the 'jugaad', you'll have to put in a tube even with a tubeless tyre. The cherry on the top of the cake is the hefty 202+ kg of kerb weight. So, every puncture will be a nightmare on this 650 with spoke rims. In fact, I've faced three punctures in total (2 at the rear & 1 at the front). All of these were repaired with a new tube every time. Also, once you take out the rim, the bike goes out of alignment and hence you've to visit the RE workshop to get it balanced & aligned. Yes, this is all for a puncture repair. My two punctures at the rear cost me upwards of Rs 1,000! The front tyre puncture cost me Rs 350! Crazy isn't it? Hence, the desperation to upgrade to alloys increased with time.

How Were The Alloys Sourced?

Now, where I stay put (Haryana) the RE showroom has been unable to get the part code for alloy wheels. I also tried at nearby cities like Gurugram but all of the RE showrooms are clueless. This can be put in a way that RE is concentrating on Tier 1 cities for alloy wheel deliveries. The alloy wheels can be sourced as an accessory, hence you need to contact the RE showroom and not the RE workshop. In fact, RE showrooms in Tier 2 cities are asking for leads on alloys from me! Irony. After being clueless for weeks even after the launch of alloy wheels, I got a lead that selected Delhi showrooms are delivering alloy wheels. Thankfully, Bunny was able to connect to one of such showrooms i.e. North Delhi Motorcycles (Rithala). They accepted the order over the phone & the alloys were sourced within 10 days. Also, I needed to take the alloy wheels in the car and bring them back home. Hence, I talked to the Store in charge & he gave me a heads-up.

Name of the RE Workshop: Royal Enfield Service Center - North Delhi Motorcycles
Google Maps Location Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/txQJ2h76Nmfvuyup8

Cost, Part Code, & Fitment

The total cost I paid for alloy wheels is Rs 16,500. Both of the alloy wheels are priced differently. The front wheel costs Rs 7,500 (Part Code: RAJ00657/A). The rear wheel costs Rs 9,000 (Part Code: RAT00704/A). The rear wheel is costly because of its wider size. I got the alloy wheels back in my hometown and took the bike for fitment at the RE workshop. Now, the first thing I felt was the lightweight of alloys. The unboxing was done at the workshop itself & even the RE guys were surprised with the quality & finishing. The subtle matte-black alloy wheels came with a wheel bearing and an air nozzle from the factory itself. What a boon! The fitment cost came out to be Rs 460 only. So, the total cost was roughly Rs 17,000 for the upgrade.

Any Changes Felt In Ride & Handling?

So, there are no exact details about the weight of spoke rims or even alloy wheels. Hence, the exact difference is unknown and I didn't take the pain of weighing them. Traditionally, alloy wheels are lighter and that's what was felt when these were unboxed. Now, after the fitment, I took the bike for a short spin of 130 km. For the initial distance (maybe 10-15 km) no change was felt. But, I sensed that the bike was behaving differently. An overall tight feeling on the handlebar & suspension started to crawl. The more I rode it the more I felt that the agility has improved. It is not drastic but if you ride often or regularly, you can feel it easily. The current odometer is around 20,000 km and it is on its second set of tyres. I had to switch to Ralco Speedblaster tubeless tyres (which are super cheap & very grippy). Now, with alloys & Ralco; I can go for a Himalayan tour without thinking twice.

Things To Take Care Of After Upgrading Interceptor 650 Alloy Wheels

Once you get the upgrade done, keep in mind the weight of the bike. Why? It is because alloy wheels have less tendency to bend. While they're lightweight and rigid, alloys are less abuse-friendly than the spoke rims. Earlier, I used to stand up on the saddle and cross the bad patches of the road at a fast pace easily. Now, as per RE guys also, the alloys will require some care of riding. Abusing these on bad roads might lead to cracking. However, this will only happen in case of a very bad impact. But, it's better to avoid such a situation. As both Interceptor & Continental GT are 200+ kg, alloy wheels will have continuous pressure on the weight of the bike and rider. If you're going to ride with a pillion or with luggage, just be extra cautious with the bad roads. Also, check the tyre pressure regularly to enhance the performance on the tarmac. I keep 30 at the front tyre and 35 at the rear (gives a good mix of pace & fuel economy).

Verdict

If you own an Interceptor or a Continental GT & you're looking for a permanent solution to the puncture problem; alloy wheels are a must. Get your bike upgraded and enjoy the hassle-free riding experience. Also, the alloy wheels mean that you get the option of multiple tubeless tyres like Michelin, Ceat, Apollo, etc. If you want to know something more about the Interceptor 650 alloy wheels upgrade experience, let us know in the comments.

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