2026-on Royal Enfield Bullet 650 review
Royal Enfield Bullet 650 expert review
There’s something rather apt about breezing along country lanes aboard the new Royal Enfield Bullet 650. With hedgerows flitting past on either side, golden fields rolling into the distance and a canopy of unsullied blue above, it captures a snapshot of summer that’s quintessentially British.
Yes, it’s true that Royal Enfield, as we know them, have been an Indian manufacturer for longer than most of us can remember, but their ‘classic’ models do a superb job of conjuring up the halcyon days of motorcycling on this sceptred isle.
Is the Royal Enfield Bullet 650 right for you?
Reasons to buy:
+ Smooth, torquey 650 twin with relaxed cruising ability
+ Excellent value for a big retro roadster
+ Beautiful classic styling with high-quality finish
Reasons to avoid:
– Heavy at 243kg wet
– Suspension feels harsh and basic at low speeds
– The clutch is heavy and gear shifts are firm
But let’s raise our rose-tinted visor for a moment and take a step back to see what the latest model to roll off the Chennai-based firm’s production line is all about. On the spec sheet and swing tag, it’s identical to the 650 Classic, sharing the same engine, frame, suspension and price (depending on paint finish) – in fact, the only apparent difference is a single seat unit, rather than split, for rider and pillion and the shape of the rear mudguard.
Those two elements are crucial to the overall effect, though; along with the hand-painted gold pinstriping on the bodywork, it gives the new 650 the unmistakable lines of RE’s most popular and successful model, the Bullet 350.
This humble single-cylinder thumper has been in constant production since 1932, albeit with the odd update, such as the addition of rear suspension and a single-unit engine/gearbox, and so this new 650 version could rightly be considered something of a plus-sized tribute.
Potter past any village green, or pull up at the pub, and folk are likely to get misty-eyed over the big Bullet; such is the pull of its classic aura. And that’s great if you like making new friends, but the real attraction of the new Bullet is the power and performance it has over its smaller, stalwart stablemate.
The 46bhp 648cc air and oil-cooled twin has been thoroughly proven since its introduction in the Interceptor back in 2018, and although it won’t break any speed records, it builds up a useful head of steam to let the 650 truck along with tangible and vibe-free momentum.
Gears are long and well-spaced, and that, combined with a broad spread of torque, makes flowing B-roads a source of simple joy, with 3rd and 4th being the only ratios you really need. Changes are an entirely analogue affair; however, clutch lever action is heavy and shifts need a good shunt, but that’s something that might get easier as the cogs and dogs bed in.
Fuelling is tweaked to perfection, and rolling on the throttle delivers a smooth and tractable surge when required. There’s enough top end for well-planned overtakes, and both 5th and 6th gears operate pretty much as overdrives for laid-back cruising at 70mph.
Whilst braking isn’t to Brembo race-spec bite and feel, a good squeeze of the front lever delivers steady and progressive stopping power from the single floating Bybre caliper – but if you need to stop in a hurry, deploying the highly effective rear brake in addition is a must.
At 243kg, there’s considerable bulk about the Bullet 650, but it carries it well. The soft, non-adjustable suspension feels rather crude at slow speeds, crashing over speedbumps, potholes and other imperfections; however, the harder it works and the further into the stroke it sits, the better it gets.
Winding off preload really helped improve the ride for us, but while it’s still not exactly plush, it is certainly within the realms of acceptability. Handling-wise there’s plenty of fun to be had, as the low centre of gravity and 18” wheels let you swing the chassis through the handlebars with great effect from bend to bend.
The tyres are MRF NyloHigh-FN, which feel similar to Avon Roadrider Mk2, and in the dry conditions of our test gave no cause for concern.
The riding position is a semi-cruiser stance with mid-mounted footpegs, and although the sculpted seat is comfortable enough, that still puts your weight down your spine and onto your tailbone, rather than through your legs – and that’s where the limit to any endurance lies. But by the time you’re ready for a stretch, it’s probably time to stop for a brew.
Technical Detail
Details, details
Royal Enfield’s heritage is apparent in an abundance of neat touches, from the iconic twin pilot lights to the traditional black and gold colour scheme. There’s even a nod towards the Bullet’s beginnings in Redditch.
How fast?
The old-school analogue speedo is complemented by an LCD panel for fuel, trip data and gear indication. Turn-by-turn directions can be displayed on the smaller ‘gauge’ via Bluetooth and a smartphone app.
Tooled Up
It’s rare for a manufacturer to include a tool kit these days, but RE have furnished the Bullet with a decent little set for basic fettling and adjustments. It’s stored in the metal side case, itself a nod to the original 350’s equipment.
MCN Verdict
Charming, rewarding and relaxed
The Bullet 650 looks every inch the classic roadster, and with mild cruiser ergonomics, delivers a ride that is charming, rewarding and relaxed. It will respond eagerly enough if you want it to hustle (within reason), and while the sensation of mass never goes away, it rarely feels unwieldy.
The quality of the deep-lustred chrome, sparkly metallic paint and hand-finished pinstriping is top-notch, and there are some really nice touches that hark back to its heritage, such as the ‘Made Like a Gun’ decal and proper cast badges on the tank and side boxes.
At £6799, it’s a huge hunk of metal for the money, and as an upgrade for a 350 model, it won’t disappoint in any way – if anything, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. If an easy-going modern retro is on your mind, the Bullet 650 is definitely worth a look.
Deja una respuesta