RE Bear 650 vs Interceptor 650: How Different is the Scrambler?

The RE Interceptor Bear 650 recently became the 5th motorcycle to be underpinned by the 650cc platform. As the moniker itself suggests, it is a derivative of the Interceptor 650 but with Scrambler genes running in its veins. It shares a lot of similarities with the Interceptor but RE has made sure that it has noteworthy Scrambler credentials that set it apart from its retro roadster derivative. Fortunately, that is. Personally, I hate half measures when a manufacturer rolls out a pseudo-Scrambler that implies only cosmetic overhaul. The Bear 650, thankfully, isn't that. Let's take a deep dive into what sets it apart from the Interceptor 650.

Design

The most striking difference between the two motorcycles is the design. While the Interceptor is a quintessential retro roadster that banks heavily on minimalism, the Bear 650 isn't too far behind in this aspect. It is just that RE has thrown in a lot of different elements which make the Bear stand apart from its more civilised cousin. Stance, that's where the two motorcycles differ a lot. This has been attributed majorly to the tyre choicest of both the motorcycles. The Interceptor makes do with 18-inch rims at both the ends but the Bear gets a 19-inch front and a 17-inch rim at the back, lending it a trueblue Scrambler stance. Even the tyre choices different and they add up to their respective appeal. For instance, the Scrambler gets MRF Nylorex tyres compared to the Interceptor’s CEAT units. It is worth noting here that the Nylorex tyres have been specifically developed for the Bear 650. Another key difference between the two is the option of sprucing up your ride. The Interceptor can also be had with alloy wheels and therefore, tubeless tyres while the Bear 650 retains spoke wheels and hence, has to make do with tube-type tyres.

One of the signature design traits of the Interceptor has to be the twin exhaust layout but the Bear 650 has debuted a new two-into-one exhaust unit which goes well with its rugged intent. Even the tail section is pretty different on both the motorcycles. If these differences aren't enough for you to differentiate between these two offerings, the colourways surely will assist you because they are very, very different and playful on both the motorcycles. Particularly the Bear 650!

Engine and Cycle Parts

While we were expecting the Scrambler to have the exact same tune as the other 650s, RE pulled out a Bear out of the hat! The Bear 650 might be powered by the same 648cc parallel-twin air-cooled motor, but it makes 56.5Nm at 5,150rpm which is 4.5Nm more than the Interceptor. That being said, the maximum power output remains the same at 47.4PS at 7,150rpm. This could be the second last motorcycle to be based on the 650cc platform, the last one being the Classic 650. It is expected that RE is soon going to update this powertrain and bump up its capacity to 750cc.

Major revisions have happened in the suspension department. The Interceptor has always been a lovely motorcycle but if there's one achilles heel in this whole package, it has to be the suspension department because its telescopic forks setup at the front was only as good. Thankfully, the Bear 650 rectifies that by inducing Showa sourced USD forks up front. At the back, it gets twin shock absorbers which aren't gas-charged like the Interceptor. The Bear also has increased travel at both ends 130mm/115mm (front/rear) compared to the Interceptor’s 110mm/88mm (front/rear). The Bear, obviously, has better ground clearance as compared to the Interceptor (184mm vs 174mm). Another department where the Bear inches ahead of the Interceptor is the weight which is 216kg, making it 2kg lighter than the Interceptor. The Scrambler has the taller seat, at 830 mm while the modern classic has a seat height of 804 mm. The Bear 650 also has a wider handlebar along with different position for the footpegs.

Features

The Bear 650 has become the first motorcycle in RE's 650cc portfolio to include a TFT dash that has been borrowed from the Himalayan 450 and the Guerrilla. Just like the Himalayan and the Guerrilla, it gets Google Maps integration and Bluetooth connectivity. It also gets two ride modes: Eco and Performance, which has been made possible by including ride by wire into the mix. To have some fun with the Bear, RE has also thrown in switchable ABS which is absent on the Interceptor, which also makes do with a far simpler twin-pod instrument cluster.

Price

Looking at the equipment that is being offered with the Bear 650, we are expecting it to be the top dog in RE's 650cc portfolio. That would make the Bear 650 the most expensive motorcycle in RE's portfolio. We are expecting it to be priced around INR 3.5 Lakh (ex-showroom) mark. On the other hand, the RE Interceptor currently has a sticker price ranging between INR 3.03 to INR 3.31 Lakh.