Multiple 650cc Royal Enfield Bikes Incoming - Bullet 650, Classic 650, Himalayan 650 & More
That twin cylinder platform is sure proving to be rather versatile
At a recent investor pitch, Royal Enfield previewed its plans for the 350cc, 450cc (upcoming) and 650cc platforms. We’ve now seen three examples based on the marque’s 650cc architecture with the Interceptor 650, Continental GT 650 and the recently unveiled Super Meteor 650. But, there’s more on the cards for this engine and platform.
The presentation showcased silhouettes of the Shotgun 650, Classic 650, Himalayan 650, Scrambler 650, Bullet 650, and a sportier Continental GT 650 in a retro racing garb. We’ve already seen the bobber-style Shotgun 650 on test a few times now, and it is likely to debut sometime around November 2023.
What piqued our attention, however, is the Himalayan 650. Given how heavy the Meteor 650 has become with all the new hardware, we don’t see Royal Enfield positioning this as an all-out off-roader; but could be a road-tourer that rivals the likes of the Kawasaki Versys 650 and the Benelli TRK 502X.
That said, the choice for those wanting something lighter and friendlier would be the Scrambler 650, something we’ve seen testing as well. Expect the Himalayan 650 to be unveiled early 2025 (although whether it would bear the name “Himalayan” still remains to be seen), whereas the Scrambler 650 could be launched sooner, say by late-2024.
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While speculations were rife, this is the first official confirmation (sort of) of there being a Bullet 650 and Classic 650 in the future. Can we expect both bikes to carry forward the value proposition attached to their names in the 350cc segment and be the most accessible 650cc models from Enfield? Let’s see. The Classic 650 could debut in the third quarter of 2023, whereas the Bullet 650 could be here sometime in mid-2024.
Finally, it looks like the Continental GT 650 will finally sport the half-faired look inspired from the retro-racing GT-R650s Royal Enfield runs in its Continental GT 650 Cup. It could also get premium hardware like adjustable suspension. The retro-style racer could debut sometime around July 2023. This model too has already been spied on recently.
Royal Enfield’s 650cc parallel twin engine dominates the value proposition game, offering accessibility to middleweights like never seen before in India. It only makes sense for the brand to now churn out varied models powered by it and take the fight to Kawasaki and even Triumph, both at the domestic and international level.
Ishan Lee
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