BMW R 1150 R versus Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

BMW R 1150 R

Naked

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Retro

Is it still worth buying a BMW R 1150 R today?

The BMW R 1150 R was built from 2000 to 2006 and is therefore anything but a modern motorcycle. Nevertheless, it is worth taking a look at this beautiful machine - especially since there is hardly any other boxer model from BMW that is available used at a similarly low price.... weiter

BMW R 1150 R im Test

Gallery

It's a motorcycle. Point.

The Royal Enfield stands in front of you and you relax at the sight. So that's what motorcycling used to look like? You want to somehow kick the tire and say something profound like: "Everything used to be better" or... weiter

Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2005 bis 2006

Built von 2018 bis 2024~

RRP

RRP 7.090 €

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

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Competitors

Pros:

easy and manoeuvrable to drive despite size and weight
used relatively cheap
is also suitable as a tourer
wonderful boxer with sound
sufficient power, powerful torque

Pros:

Simple and straight ahead
Stylish
Comfortable
Price

Cons:

vulnerable ABS system
fiddly battery removal

Cons:

ABS only

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.487 mm
Length : 2.170 mm Height : 1.220 mm
Seat : 800 mm
Weight : 238 (max: 450 ) kg

Wheelbase: 1.400 mm
Length : 2.122 mm Height : 1.165 mm
Seat : 804 mm
Weight : 202 (max: 402 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Boxer 4-stroke 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.130 ccm
Hub: 71 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Öl-Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6

Motor design: 2-cylinder 4 stroke in-line engine 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 648 ccm
Cooling: Luft-Öl
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 197 km/h
Performance: 85 HP at 6.750 U/Min
Torque: 98 NM bei 5.250 U/Min

Tank contents: 21 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 446 km

Maximum speed: 170 km/h
Performance: 47 HP at 7.100 U/Min
Torque: 52 NM bei 5.150 U/Min

Tank contents: 14 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 340 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Three-part frame concept consisting of front and rear frame with supporting engine (steel)

Front suspension:
BMW Motorrad Telelever; Standpipe diameter 35 mm (travel 120 mm)

Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 135 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum cast single-arm swingarm with Paralever

Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 170/60 ZR 17

Frame type:
Tubular steel frame with bolted beam (steel)

Tyres at the front: 100/90-18 MC 56H
Rear tyres: 130/70-18 MC 63H

Brakes

Front brake
Four-piston fixed caliper double disc brake (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Two-piston fixed caliper brake (∅ 276 mm)

Front brake
floating disc brake (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Disc brake (∅ 240 mm)

Conclusion - what gets stuck

The BMW R 1150 R is a grateful bike that offers riders a confident and safe riding experience even with high mileage. There are many used machines of this type, most fortunately in uncrafted original condition. But old machines are not really cheap either: 1150s are hardly available in good condition under 4,000 euros. To answer the opening question: Yes, it is still worth buying a 15-year-old motorcycle today. At least if it is a BMW R 1150 R.

A motorcycle. Easy

The Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor makes it easy to like. It's not Superbike, nor Adventure or Naked – it's just a motorcycle like it used to be when all these names didn't exist. She still has everything you need to ride a motorcycle.

It is difficult to determine a competition. Most retro bikes are simply too expensive in comparison. If you base yourself on the price of 6,519 euros, you will quickly end up with the bestsellers Kawasaki Z 650 or Yamaha MT-07. But whether they really take away customers? It's probably as usual: just try it out, if it fits, then it fits. Otherwise, it is not. No drama either.

The test bike was provided to us by the 2 Radhaus Stadie in Pinneberg.