The Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 is all set to be launched in India in mid-January 2024. The factory-custom motorcycle from Royal Enfield is essentially the bobber version of the Super Meteor 650. But, although it shares a lot of its components with the cruiser, here are the key differences between the two 650cc siblings.
Design
The most significant difference between the two motorcycles is in the styling department. Apart from one being a bobber and the other being a cruiser, both bikes feature slightly different styling elements. The Shotgun 650 features a different tank design, shorter fenders, and a restyled triple clamp. Meanwhile, the Super Meteor 650 features the quintessential cruiser styling with longer fenders and a larger fuel tank.
Revised Ergonomics
Another major difference is obviously in the ergonomics department of the two bikes. Being a cruiser, the Super Meteor 650 features a laid-back riding posture with forward-set footpegs and a pulled-back handlebar. The rider’s triangle is relaxed and goes well with the cruiser philosophy.
On the other hand, the Shotgun 650 features a slightly aggressive roadster-like rider’s triangle. It gets central-set footpegs and a flatter handlebar, which should offer a commanding riding posture.
Different Wheel Sizes
Furthermore, both motorcycles also feature different wheel sizes to cater to the different needs of both bikes. The Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 rides on an 18-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear wheel, while the Super Meteor 650 rides on a larger 19-inch front wheel and a smaller 16-inch rear wheel.
The smaller front wheel on the Shotgun 650 should help the bobber with better handling and flickability compared to the cruiser.
Dimensions
Lastly, both motorcycles also differ from each other in terms of dimensions. The Shotgun has a shorter 1,465mm wheelbase than 1,500mm on the Super Meteor. The shorter wheelbase and a sharper rake has also resulted in an increased seat height of 795mm, compared to the 740mm saddle height on the Super Meteor 650. Moreover, the bobber has a ground clearance of 140mm, which is 5mm more than the cruiser, while the Shotgun’s kerb weight, too, is 1kg lower at 240kg.
