Royal Enfield has bolstered its 650cc lineup with the introduction of the new Interceptor Bear 650. This marks the fifth addition to the segment, joining the Interceptor 650, Continental GT 650, Super Meteor 650, and Shotgun 650. Since Royal Enfield launched the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 in 2017, the segment has evolved, and the company now faces competition from the newly launched BSA Goldstar 650, which debuted in India on August 15, 2024. Let’s take a closer look at how the Bear 650 stacks up against the BSA.
Royal Enfield Interceptor Bear 650 vs BSA Goldstar 650: Engine
It is the classic case of a parallel twin versus a single-cylinder powertrain. The Bear 650 is powered by the tried-and-tested 648 cc air-oil-cooled parallel-twin that continues to produce 47 bhp and 7,250 rpm but has a superior torque of 56.5 Nm at 5,150 rpm, 4.2 Nm more than the rest of the Royal Enfield 650s. The Bear 650 generates the additional torque due to the two-in-one exhaust. The Bear 650 continues to be mated with a 6-speed gearbox but with a taller gear ratio.
Image: Royal Enfield
The BSA Goldstar 650 boasts a 652 cc liquid-cooled engine, delivering 45 bhp at 6,500 rpm and 55 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, which was the best in its segment till the Bear elbowed its way. It’s complemented by a 5-speed gearbox.
Also ReadRoyal Enfield Bear 650 vs Interceptor 650 — key differences explained
SpecificationsRE Interceptor Bear 650BSA Goldstar 650Engine648 cc air-oil cooled652 cc liquid-cooledPower47 bhp at 7,240 rpm45 bhp at 6,500 rpmTorque56.5 Nm at 5,150 rpm55 Nm at 4,000 rpmGearbox6-speed5-speed
Royal Enfield Interceptor Bear 650 vs BSA Goldstar 650: Features
The Gold Star is a new motorcycle carrying an iconic name | Image: BSA
The Bear is the first 650 cc motorcycle in the Royal Enfield lineup to get an all-digital instrument console like the Himalayan and the Guerrilla. The new TFT display offers features like Bluetooth connectivity and Google Maps. The new motorcycle is equipped with a Type-C charging port on the handlebar.
BSA Gold Star 650 has a fairly simple set-up with a twin analogue instrument console with one having the speedometer, a low battery indicator and a small digital display for the odometer and trip meter. The other mount has an analogue tachometer, a digital fuel gauge and a low fuel indicator.
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