Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Service On Wheels: Review

I had known for a while that my second free service for the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 was coming up. But, two things kept me from making that date. One, I am lazy. And two, with the whole COVID-19 scare going around, it just didn’t seem worth the risk. 

Then, Royal Enfield announced its Service on Wheels or SOW initiative. Now, I have never been a fan of ‘on-the-fly’ repairs, but with the Interceptor 650’s due date long past, it’s the least I could do for the motorcycle. And so, one fine Friday, a Bullet Trials 350 decked up with aluminium panniers rolled into my apartment complex.

The mobile workshop for the Service on Wheels initiative includes one loaded Bullet Trials and one experienced service engineer. The latter has also been specifically trained to handle on-the-fly repairs, no matter what the location. So, be it a closed garage, on the side of a road, or in the middle of a field, the engineer and the bike should be able to handle it. However, in the monsoons, servicing the bike in pouring rain without shelter might be a difficult proposition. So, choose the location wisely based on the weather. 

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

• 648 cc
• 47 bhp
• 202 kg
;

Avg. Ex-showroom price

₹ 2,66,059

The Bullet Trials comes with two side panniers and a top box. And these are well packed with the consumables or spares one’s motorcycle might need during the service. For the Interceptor, there were three oil cans, various spanners, screwdrivers, and allen keys, a volt meter, clean rags, and the like in the top box. The side panniers meanwhile were loaded with the oil tray, the chain clean and lube cans, the oil filter, and a spare air filter. 

As for the jobs done, as I mentioned earlier, it was a routine second service for the Interceptor 650. That involved changing the oil and the oil filter; cleaning, adjusting, and lubing the chain; cleaning and checking the current coming to the spark plugs and its caps; checking the battery voltage at parked, idling, and 3,000rpm; cleaning the air filter; cleaning and adjusting the brakes; and lubricating the various buttons, cables and switchgear.

Now, before I tell you what I liked about Service on Wheels, I must say, I was wrong to be wary about this whole on-the-fly repairs concept. With that out of the way, I loved how professionally the service was executed. Now, the service engineer had no idea what issues I might have had, but he was totally prepared when he came in, then be it the tools, spares etc.

He arrived on time. He knew what he was doing. He had the right answers. He spoke well. And because he had a clean uniform on, he had a well-cared for helmet, and the Bullet Trials service bike itself was clean and dent free, it left me with the impression and confidence that the service engineer will also care for my bike. Even when I am not looking.

And this was obvious in the way he handled the seat and side panels he pulled off the Interceptor to work on it, and in the way he used and stored his tools. It was clear even if I were sipping on coffee at home while he worked on the bike, he wouldn’t have been careless with the tank, or put scratches on the bike, or used hammer as a solution to all the problems.

As I mentioned earlier, it was a thorough service. What’s more, even though he was working at a good pace, he never hurried through any of the jobs. That, along with his measured movements was a big confidence booster in the quality of his work. Additionally, after he was done with his scheduled work, he checked with me if there was anything else I wanted done. Plus, he cleaned up whatever little oil drops etc had fallen on the floor afterwards.

So not only good work, but also good service, if you get the drift.  

Given it’s the digital age, I shouldn’t have to call my local dealer to book a Service on Wheels appointment. There should be a dedicated app for it. One that also shows the progress of the work if one chooses to be upstairs at home or work; one that also allows payment to be made; and possibly the app could also have the option to buy a few easy to fix accessories which can then be brought and installed during the service.

I love my motorcycle, but like is said at the start, I am lazy. So, I would have loved a ‘bike detailing’ option as part of Service on Wheels; you know to get my motorcycle looking all shiny and new. Speaking of which, a dry wash service, would have been a great add-on too. Maybe even at an additional cost. Finally, even though the service engineer told me Service on Wheels can fix a puncture as well, I would have liked tyre pressure check and adjustment to be standard as part of the SOW deal. 

I was quite happy with the outcome. My bike was well cared for, it now had new oil, the controls were functioning better, the chain was running quieter, and I wasn’t feeling guilty anymore. Having said that, I still have to go to the service station to get the tappets adjusted and to get a clean bill of health from the computer, which SOW doesn’t do.

But, lazy or not, I would recommend Service on Wheels to every Royal Enfield owner. Plus, there are no extra charges for the service.

Photo credits: Kapil Angane