Royal Enfield Classic 650

The Classic 350 revolutionised Royal Enfield’s fortunes when it debuted in 2009, becoming an instant hit and remaining the highest-selling model not just in RE’s portfolio but also in the 300-500cc modern-classic segment in India. Given its immense popularity and brand recall, it was only logical for Royal Enfield to utilise the Classic name for a bigger, more premium product.

Enter the new Classic 650! It’s designed for the Classic 350 purists seeking an upgrade and those lamenting the absence of the Classic 500. However, the Classic 350’s revered charm, elegance and character have been difficult for rivals to replicate. But, has RE been able to retain these qualities in the Classic 650? In our quest to answer just that, we spent a day with the motorcycle, cruising along some of the most gorgeous motoring roads in the UK, through the North Pennines. Here’s how it went.

One of the traits of the Classic 350 that has contributed to its success is the design. It’s as British as it can get and Royal Enfield has preserved this visual essence in the 650. At first glance, it is easy to mistake the Classic 650 for its smaller sibling. However, a closer inspection reveals a more substantial, larger presence, particularly from the rear. The twin exhaust pipes, fatter tyre, and a wider rear fender are a clear giveaway. While the front looks almost identical to the 350, the bigger size of the engine, different font style for the badging, and new colours help the 650 stand out.

Get closer to the motorcycle and the quality levels of the Classic 650 become apparent, showcasing its premium status as the largest Classic yet. Some of the elements like the handlebar clamp, switchgear, and paint finish exude exceptional quality, underscoring the motorcycle’s position in the brand’s line-up.

The Classic 650 shares its tubular spine chassis with the Super Meteor and Shotgun, retaining the same headstock, rake, and trail. Moreover, it gets a 19-18-inch spoke wheel configuration, which is the same as the Classic 350. The 43mm Showa telescopic front forks are unique to the Classic while the dual rear springs are shared with the Shotgun, albeit with distinct damping tuning. It also comes with a single seat from the factory and the pillion seat can be mounted using the Shotgun-like sub-frame. The seat height of 800mm is almost the same as the Interceptor but with a kerb weight of 243kg, it is significantly heavier than its 650cc siblings.

Powering the motorcycle is the same 648cc, parallel-twin, air/oil-cooled engine that does duty on its siblings. It produces 46.3bhp and 52.3Nm and comes mated to a six-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch. The analogue console with a tiny LCD and a Tripper navigation mirrors the Classic 350’s layout. Other features include LED headlamp and tail lamp, adjustable levers, USB Type-C charging port, and dual-channel ABS.

Almost the entire route chalked out by Royal Enfield comprised smooth and serpentine tarmac through the scenic countryside of the Northern UK which made for a great setting to put the Classic 650 through its paces. The riding position is reminiscent of the Classic 350 – upright and neutral – with a slightly more cruiser-ish feel courtesy of the wider handlebar and slightly forward-set footpegs. The seat provided adequate cushioning to not feel uncomfortable on our 300km+ jaunt.

The engine delivers the same smooth and torque performance as its 650cc siblings. Courtesy of its significantly heavier kerb weight, the pull from a standstill and the roll-on acceleration aren’t as strong as the Interceptor. However, the engine lugs this 243kg behemoth with superb urgency. Power delivery is linear and strong throughout the rev range, making it quite tractable. On most of the sections, we were doing close to 100-120kmph and the acceleration from those speeds felt robust. On the open unrestricted highways, we even crossed 140kmph and the engine chugged along without much reluctance. While the gearbox is slick and false neutrals almost never occur, the clutch is quite heavy, just like most other Royal Enfields.

The Classic 650 handles corners admirably, considering its weight and size. While initial steering requires mild effort, it sticks to its line with great composure and predictability, inspiring confidence to keep on leaning until the footpegs start scraping. And when it’s time to shed speed or come to a halt, the brakes do a commendable job. The initial bite from the font brake feels a bit soft but keep on pulling in the lever and the stopping power grows stronger. The rear brake feels a lot of more progressive though.

While our route was deprived of major undulations, going over mild surface imperfections revealed that the suspension setup is firm, especially at the rear. At high speeds, the suspension landed rigidly into the minor dips that we were unprepared for, sending a kick into the back over road joints and patchworks. However, this aspect of the bike can be thoroughly tested only on poor roads of India.

The Classic 650 is exactly what it is supposed to be – a larger, more powerful, and a premium iteration of the 350. Its imposing, timeless design and exceptional quality levels make it a standout. You sit in an upright and wide-chested stance while effortlessly gunning your way forward, courtesy of its punchy and smooth engine. While handling is not its strong suit, the stability around corners is impressive and so is the stopping power.

I just feel Royal Enfield should’ve tweaked the engine, or the exhaust in particular, to retain the thump that the Classic 350 has been associated with. This engine, in its current state, feels aurally too soft for a Classic. Plus, the 243kg kerb weight will always feel like a chink in its armour, especially while living with it in congested Indian roads.

Despite these factors, the Classic 650 remains an attractive option for those seeking a bigger and faster Classic 350. The price of the bike hadn’t been announced at the time of writing this review. However, we know it will be very close to the Shotgun 650 which starts from Rs. 3.59 lakh, ex-showroom. And we think it’s justified for Royal Enfield to demand a premium considering the popularity and recall of the Classic brand and the emotional connect people have with it.