Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review
The brand new Royal Enfield shotgun 650 and it’s the fourth bike to be launched based upon their 650 platform.
You see you’ve got the Interceptor 650 retro upright naked, the Continental GT Cafe racer, and then the Super Meteor 650, which is a stretched out cruiser style bike.
So naturally, given that many of the components and hardware are shared with this bike, I think I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect.
And yes, while some of this bike is indeed quite familiar actually I’ve found over the past couple of weeks that there are a few things that really have surprised me about it. Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review
Engine
Probably the most familiar component would have to be the engine with the same 650 parallel twin that you’ll find in the other three bikes, and there’s no particularly big change to the tune.
Either you’ve got 46 horsepower peak and 52 NM peak torque. And while there might be some minuscule differences on the spec sheet, I’m pretty much sure they’re down to small changes like the shape of the Exahust system for the sake of styling.
Now in the plus column for this bite, you’ve got that really nice character from the 270 degree crank as well as a nice meaty sound to it, even if it isn’t particularly loud.
And I also think the fact that it’s air and oil cool adds a little bit of authenticity to the the retro nurse, which I think is gonna be, you know, quite appealing to some potential buyers. Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review
I also really like the sort of certainty of that mechanical clunk you get from the gearbox. The Clutch traction is reasonably light as well.
Fuel Tank
And then also you’ve got a 13.8 liter fuel tank, which I think is ample for the sort of riding this bike’s intended for with like a theoretical range of around 300 kilometers or just shorter 200 miles.
The only potential negatives I would say are that you could consider 46 horses to be a little bit limp for a 650 twin and you’ve got other liquid cooled retros like the Kawasaki Z650 Rs or the Yamaha XR 700. Those bikes make more like 70 horsepower.
Also, if you factor in the 240 kilogram KERB weight, which is also going to dull the sense of acceleration, then this bike definitely isn’t one for the sort of straight line thrill seekers, but realistically I think most people are gonna know that already if they’re considering an Enfield and it does make up for a good share of it with that all round pleasant feel and likability on the tech front as well, there’s some familiar kit as well as some familiar absences with all of these 650 being technically pretty simple.
Multifunction
The dash with its big analog speed around the outside and then the LCD in the middle is basically straight off the super meter and it is nice and easy to read.
The switch gear is also in common and actually quite nice to the touch and intuitively laid out. Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review
And then also sitting off to one side, you’ve got their tripper navigation pod, which hooks up to your phone for simple navigation prompts and again, this has been seen on many of their other bikes and really does work rather nicely.
Other than that though, it isn’t exactly bleeding edge and there are no riding modes, there’s no traction control, no engine brake control or wheelie control or anything like that. shotgun 650
But really one could argue that there’s not much need for it given the AFO mentioned power to weight ratio.
So look, so far so familiar, but here’s where it starts to get a little more unexpected.
You see, I think it’s fair to say the shotgun 650 has most in common with the super media and you can easily see that if you put ’em side by side and compare the construction of the frame. Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review
Wheel & Seat
Now the super meteor is 100% build and styled as a cruiser type of bike with that relatively long wheel base and relatively low slung riding position.
This bike though, well as soon as you jump on it, you will notice that your bum is nowhere near the floor and you know the spec sheet confirms it.
It’s 795 mm seat which is far more similar to like a naked bike or something like that, pegs are mid positioned as well, so not a particularly long stretch for the legs and although the handlebars are ever so slightly risen, they’re much more similar to like a naked retro than they are something like a big old ape hanger.
So all combined you’ve got something that really does feel quite neutral and I will say far more sporty than I would’ve expected for a bike that is is ultimately based upon a cruiser. Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review
There are some significant changes to the chassis components as well with a much shorter wheel base.
Combine that with an 18 inch front wheel as opposed to the 19 on the super meteor and you’ve got something much more flickable and willing to change direction than the majority of bikes under the cruiser banner.
Now suspension comes from Showa, you’ve got an upside down fork up front and a pair of twin shocks at the rear.
And while there’s no adjustability apart from preload on the shocks, it is set up I think to be quite firm and sporty.
And so there’s very little dive under breaking, for example, despite the considerable heft of this bike. Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review
At the same time, I wouldn’t say that it is particularly harsh though I’ve been finding it reasonably comfortable despite the fact that I’m not on particularly marble smooth European launch roads, but so for me it feels nicely balanced with a slight bias, more so towards handling.
The only thing that does smack of the classic cruiser formula is the brakes. You’ve got a quite soft feel in front and then a big 300 millimeter disc at the rear with a two pot caliper, which feels relatively beefy.
And so the result is you’re gonna have to use both to get this big old bike to stop quickly and that might be a little bit difficult to get on with if you’re used to just breaking with the front.
For everyone else though, it only takes a short while before you start to adapt your riding style.
That one quicker side though, if you keep up some momentum, it’s a real pleasure to ride through corners and has that rider triangle that’s far more engaging than I’d expected.
But another thing that I think adds to the pleasurable experience of riding one is of course the way it looks and the level of finish as is typical for Enfield, there’s a great choice of colors on offer and they’ve really gone down the more punchy and popping route with the shotgun with some bold graphical schemes that make it look quite modern.Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review
I also think that works really nicely against the blacked out hardware rather than the polished chrome of the more bling looking supered.
Then you’ve got the details of the hardware with stuff like the headlight cylinder clamps for the yolks, which look particularly swish and like they’ve had plenty of attention in the design department, all of which helps to elevate this bike to a level that I think looks better than its price point might have had you expecting.
It’s even got this interesting trick at the rear with a reconfigurable tail section that allows you to run it as either a single seat bobber to up with a subframe bolted on or the seat removed, but still with the subframe, making a handy little luggage rack, which will be a real help if you’re considering a weekend away or a stylish way to commute.
Pricing
Now this bike starts at 6,699 pounds and really as to whether that’s good value or not, you have to compare it to the competition from other manufacturers.
The thing is, I was kind of expecting to put this bike up against stuff like the Honda Rebel 500, the Kawasaki Vulcan S, their own super Meter 650 or even a more affordable option if you like the look of a triumph bobber, but it’s way, way, way out of budget.Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review
Now, yes, the Triumph does get a little bit more peak power. It gets a whole dollar more torque as well is quite a bit lighter.
And from memory, the Brembo Front break off is a touch more reassurance. But look in the M Fields defense, the handling, the finish, the styling, you know they’re all getting impressively close now and you’ve got to consider that the triumph is almost nine grand.
And so that really is a substantial price difference. Ultimately, what I think I’m trying to say is you shouldn’t ride this by off as a cruiser if that isn’t your cup of tea, because actually you’re getting a lot of the same cool looks and fun handling and versatility of the riding position of something like the Triumph.
And see, this is a great option if you’re willing to trade off a little bit of power and performance for a brilliant price.Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review