Vredestein Centuro ST: A game-changer for the RE Interceptor 650

Key highlights

• Immediate upgrade over stock CEATs in dry and wet conditions
• Premium experience from packaging to real-world performance
• Superb longevity after 5000+ km without punctures or grip fade

The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is a charmer. It has the looks, the soul, and that creamy parallel-twin engine. But let’s be honest — out of the factory, the stock CEAT tyres felt like handing over a samurai sword but wrapped in bubble wrap. Good intentions, poor execution. On dry roads, the CEATs were barely adequate. On wet surfaces? Borderline dangerous. Every throttle input in the rain came with a prayer.

Stock CEAT tyres

So, the search for a worthy upgrade led to the Vredestein Centuro STs. And boy, what a revelation they turned out to be.

Unboxing – a proper premium experience

Most motorcycle tyres arrive looking sad, deformed, and tied up with old ropes. Not these. The Centuro STs landed at my doorstep in neat, branded boxes. Opening them felt more like unboxing a luxury watch than getting tyres fitted. It’s clear from the get-go — Vredestein wants you to feel that you’re stepping into a premium experience, not just replacing rubber.

First Ride: Dry Grip that Bites and Holds

From the first rollout, the Centuro STs transformed the Interceptor’s behavior. There’s an immediate sense of grip — that mechanical “bite” into the tarmac that you can feel through the bars and pegs. Aggressive downshifts? Handled with a casual shrug. Mid-corner corrections? Smooth and drama-free. No more weird slides when getting on the gas hard out of a corner.
In spirited riding, especially around tight twisties, the bike felt more alive and predictable — like it was egging you on instead of whispering “be careful”.

Vredestein Centuro ST compared to stock CEAT

Rain Dance: Confidence where there was none

Then came the real test: the monsoon season. On the same roads where the CEATs would lose traction like soap on a bathroom floor, the Centuro STs stuck on like Velcro. Puddles, rain-washed curves, and slick city streets — all conquered with a newfound assurance. Instead of tiptoeing through wet roads, I could carry momentum and even have fun in the rain. Imagine that — a tyre upgrade turning a grim survival experience into something genuinely enjoyable!

Vredestein Centuro ST in rain

Long-term impressions: Built to last

One year and over 5000 km later, the story gets even better.

• Zero punctures despite some off-road detours and broken city roads
• No noticeable grip loss, even as the tread wore naturally
• Consistent high-speed stability, including triple-digit highway runs over mixed tarmac

The Centuro STs have held up exceptionally well under different loads too — solo rides, two-up trips, and even saddlebags weighing down the rear.

The Interceptor stayed composed on concrete expansion joints, loose gravel patches, and everything our lovely Indian highways threw at it.

Vredestein = Value for money:

Considering the performance gains, durability, and sheer confidence these tyres deliver — they are massively worth it. Especially because they come in the stock Interceptor size. No faffing around with suspension geometry or rim compatibility issues. Just bolt them on and enjoy the difference.

If you’re looking at comparable premium options (cough, Pirelli, cough), you’ll realize the Vredesteins give you 90% of the performance at a much saner price point — and they are designed to handle Indian conditions. In simpler words the Vredestein Centuro STs offer premium feel without the premium pain.

Final thoughts on the Vredestein Centuro ST

The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is a brilliant canvas. But it’s the right tyres that make it sing. The Vredestein Centuro STs didn’t just fix a problem — they unlocked the bike’s true character.Every ride now feels more intuitive, more spirited, and way more secure — dry or wet, highway or backroad, pothole or gravel patch.

6,000 kms & counting. Grips as if the bike got a traction control add-on.

If the stock CEATs made you feel like you needed blessings at every traffic light, the Centuro STs make you feel like you just earned your motorcycling stripes.

In short — these tyres don’t just grip the road; they grip your soul and drag you straight into the happy rider zone.

Also read: Royal Enfield Flying Flea C6 first testing spyshots are in