Test rode the Bear 650, and man it is fantastic!
BHPian SithDefender recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
A little bit of context : I was the owner of the original Interceptor 650 and loved it to bits. Unfortunately, I had to sell it off because of various reasons described.
To keep it short, the main issue was the messed-up ergonomics (especially the shins which interfered every time), the hard suspension and seat, and the weight. I have always missed the bike, but there was nothing to do but wait for RE to bring in an improved version. However, the refreshed Interceptor also had more of the same ergonomic issues. Pls note that these are my personal observations, and other owners may not feel that way. That is fine, just stating my personal experience here.
First Impressions:
So it was with some trepidation that I stepped up to the Bear 650 on a fine afternoon. I couldn’t flat foot it, of course, but it was still manageable. The weight was far less. Also, the move to a single sided 2×1 exhaust means this is now more agile and nimble, where the Interceptor felt somewhat clumsy in traffic as you have to take care of the protruding exhausts on both sides. The handlebar was raised, with a slight lean, but felt taller and thus easier to reach than the Interceptor. And the seat felt softer too, compared to the rock hard seat of the older version. All this contributed to the bike feeling more like a bigger Hunter 650!
I am pleased to announce that the shins no longer interfere. This one thing is a major improvement. Other factors are also positive. The handlebar grips were rounded this time (like the Meteor and modern Interceptors), instead of arrow straight grips that caused my palms to go numb in a short while.
The seat was very comfortable, a big surprise. Strangely, the blue seats do not look so garish in person.
The display was just fantastic! Gone were the old twin pods, and in their place was this giant TFT screen – that too in color. I cant wait to see Google Maps on this. It even gets a gear counter !!
On the go, it felt eager and quick. RE’s parallel twin is a gem of an engine, with smooth torque rolling off instead of a manic rush. The exhaust sound was different too, but the Interceptor seemed to sound better (especially given a pair of aftermarket exhausts).
During the very short ride, I noticed no cramping in the legs. No finger numbness. No shoulder pain. No butt pain. Incredible! Incredible that they have addressed so many pain points!
The fuel cap still comes detached, instead of staying in place, a bad omission. But it is not a deal breaker. That said, they should have offered tubeless tyres and a wee bit softer rear suspension. Other than that, this is nearly perfect!
This grizzly makes me feel alive!
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