Updated opinions on the Royal Enfield 650 twins

[SIR REAL ED]

Howdy WG'ers,

I've read quite a few opinions here and elsewhere on the Royal Enfield 650's.  Most seem overwhelmingly positive.

I've been thinking about buying one.  I'd love to hear evaluations from those who have owned or ridden one.

Specifically, overall quality, component quality, perceived short comings and suggested or implemented fixes to those shortcomings, especially in terms of aftermarket vendors and part numbers.

thanks in advance.   

[rocker59]

The Bear 650 looks like fun.  People note the low 47 hp.  I think they weight 460 lbs.  They also mention good leg room, something that the Guzzi V7 could use more of.

I may run over to Tulsa or up to Joplin sometime in the next couple weeks for some hands-on.

[Turin]

47 HP and 460 lbs. works just fine if you're riding like a normal human being.

[1wild1]

I have not rode the twin yet but my daughter has the continental 535gt cafe racer.  Love that thing. It's what made me notice MG and I originally was going to buy a V7III racer but it was smaller than the RE when I sat on it. I would have chosen the RE in that case cause I'm not a tiny person.  But I Got a V85TT instead. The newer ones are super reliable once you clean the extra grease from the relays.

[guzzisteve]

If you need more poop there are lots of options--------------------------------------

https://www.sscycle.com/products/865cc-big-bore-kit-for-royal-enfield-650-twins/

[John A]

I remember reading in one of the cycle magazines about how they used to modify the oil system for flat track racing in the ‘70s. After the mod they were bulletproof and competitive. That doesn’t have anything to do with current models of course but it’s an interesting little bit of history. I’d like to have a sleeper Enfield..

[guzzisteve]

Jonny Lewis had to modify the same when they entered AFT not many years ago. He has some HP.

[PeteS]

47 HP and 460 lbs. works just fine if you're riding like a normal human being.

I assume thats crankshaft HP. Years ago Brian Slark and Leo Goff, the tech gurus at the Norton rallies, remarked that while Norton claimed 60 HP for the 750s they found a typical Norton made 47-48 HP at the rear wheel. Thats was still enough to turn 13 seconds flat in the quarter if not better. I don’t think a stock 650 Enfield is close that. 14 seconds maybe.

Pete

[Brand X]

I assume thats crankshaft HP. Years ago Brian Slark and Leo Goff, the tech gurus at the Norton rallies, remarked that while Norton claimed 60 HP for the 750s they found a typical Norton made 47-48 HP at the rear wheel. Thats was still enough to turn 13 seconds flat in the quarter if not better. I don’t think a stock 650 Enfield is close that. 14 seconds maybe.

Pete

Depends on the dyno..always Some of the early patrico dynonometer of the 70's really would read pretty low..38 to 50 for a real wheel reading of stock a CB-750..(73 under boost or totally built NA. Every once and a while a really good stock triumph 750 would pull 50 HP.. CB-350 20HP, and about the same for CB-450.  BMWR-90s (some mods) was 50 peak..  TZ-250 about 42 hp but nothing below 8500. It would almost die if you hit the load button before then. Kawasaki 750 triple was 65 on them with chambers..   I know my friend had a Z1 drag racer that pegged my other friends dyno at 100 hp.. Probably a bit more, but not much.. (Small block Chevy rods)That bike weighed 340 pounds (Memory on that) It did turn 9.20 at 145 MPH at the drags ..These are peak # back then,and the little bikes like the Motocross 125 was not that far off from factory #, but farther up the food chain it disappointed many... I enjoy my possibly 40 hp bikes? as much or more as my 162 hp rear wheel 400 pound wet weight R1 I had..(built for mid range 12 g peak hp..)

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

I've demo rode, rented, or borrowed most of the RE lineup and every one has had some bugs to work out. Figure you might have some rattles to chase down or cable adjustments to do when new, but they've all been fun. The INT/Cont/Bear 650 have enough power to get by for any legal road riding you could expect to do in the USA, while some of the lower displacement ones are fun but not adequate for highway riding. If you watch American Flat Track racing and notice the 650 engine, be aware those are their race spec engines, highly modified from stock and not what you'd be buying. Search the web for the model you are interested in and the word "issues" and you'll find plenty. Beyond the actual mechanical issues folks encounter, you're likely to find shortcomings in suspension, and lighting for night riding. They're budget bikes and not on the same level of design or build quality as some other brands, but doesn't mean it can't be a fun cheap bike to ride. We're on a MG board here though, so I'll mention that my V7 850 had the steering bearings rust out in the first year and the factory mirrors were junk. There are some issues that can be a bit of a hassle but you just get them sorted and keep riding.

[faffi]

MOTORRAD magazine did a 50,000 km / 31k mi long term test on one when they first came out. When taking the engine apart at the end of the test, they found next to zero wear, virtually everything was within spec for a new engine ready to be assembled.

[guzziart]

I was able to demo the Int 650 a few years ago at the local BMW/RE dealer openhouse.  I thought the bike was just as good as anything else out there in it's class.  The fit, finish and overall quality appeared good to me.  Performance wise, it felt comfy, had enough power for what I'd do with it, brakes & suspension were better than I had expected and the price was attractive.

[twowheeladdict]

It might be a good idea to join a Royal Enfield forum.  If you are going to hear complaints about the 650s, that is the place to go. 

I really like the idea of the new 650 classic, but don't have a bike that I want to replace at the moment. 

[SIR REAL ED]

It might be a good idea to join a Royal Enfield forum.  If you are going to hear complaints about the 650s, that is the place to go. 

I really like the idea of the new 650 classic, but don't have a bike that I want to replace at the moment.

I already did that.  Lots of information on the Royal Enfield forum.  Mostly positive.  As one would expect. lots of opinions from the UK.

But when it comes to opinions, Wild Guzzi frequenters are a fertile source!!  Never hurts to till this field!!

Not surprisingly, a lot of the Royal Enfield buyers are older types getting back into motorcycling and in search of something simpler than a modern bike.

What surprised me is that a lot of the Royal Enfield buyers are new to motorcycling.  Royal Enfield seems to be doing a better job of introducing people to street bike riding than many of the other motorcycle manufacturers.

It does seem that many of the young people consider "retro" to be cool these days.

[twowheeladdict]

I already did that.  Lots of information on the Royal Enfield forum.  Mostly positive.  As one would expect. lots of opinions from the UK.

But when it comes to opinions, Wild Guzzi frequenters are a fertile source!!  Never hurts to till this field!!

Not surprisingly, a lot of the Royal Enfield buyers are older types getting back into motorcycling and in search of something simpler than a modern bike.

What surprised me is that a lot of the Royal Enfield buyers are new to motorcycling.  Royal Enfield seems to be doing a better job of introducing people to street bike riding than many of the other motorcycle manufacturers.

It does seem that many of the young people consider "retro" to be cool these days.

For what it.is worth I know a couple guys with multiple Royal Enfields.   One has close.to 50,000 miles on it, but that is the Himalayan 411. 

[RoadToad84]

I'm in the UK and recently bought a Himalayan 411. Had the opportunity recently to ride the Bear 650 and was very impressed. It may only have a modest power output, with limited scope to increase it, but it's punchy and torquey and had no trouble accelerating beyond road legal speeds in short order.

I'm impressed with the RE lineup, they've done a very good job of making the brand fashionable and relevant after years (decades!) as an oddball manufacturer.

However, they are built in India, quality control is erm, patchy to say the least, and parts availability can be a real issue. Though I feel that on a Guzzi forum, that's preaching to the choir!

My Himalayan has let me down one time too many, and I'm now in the process of replacing it with a V85, but I do still really like the Enfield ethos and image. Great, characterful bikes, that many have no issues with.

[SIR REAL ED]

I'm in the UK and recently bought a Himalayan 411. Had the opportunity recently to ride the Bear 650 and was very impressed. It may only have a modest power output, with limited scope to increase it, but it's punchy and torquey and had no trouble accelerating beyond road legal speeds in short order.

I'm impressed with the RE lineup, they've done a very good job of making the brand fashionable and relevant after years (decades!) as an oddball manufacturer.

However, they are built in India, quality control is erm, patchy to say the least, and parts availability can be a real issue. Though I feel that on a Guzzi forum, that's preaching to the choir!

My Himalayan has let me down one time too many, and I'm now in the process of replacing it with a V85, but I do still really like the Enfield ethos and image. Great, characterful bikes, that many have no issues with.

Well said from what I have read.

I suspect that most who like to tinker find the idea of a slightly sub-standard machine with character.... that is simple enough to improve very appealing.

In terms of pure functionality, the Japanese 650-800cc bikes are hard to beat.  I have a friend who has been riding for 50 years and he owns three VerSys 650's.

And after riding one, it is easy to understand.

Same with the Suzuki SV650's and the Yamaha 700's.

Although, superr competent, appliance like function does seem to rob a machine of its "soul."

[Chuck in Indiana]

Lucky Phil has had a 650 since they came out. Since he's (ahem) fairly knowledgeable, that's good enough for me. 

[dlapierre]

I've got 3: A Himalayan 411, a Continental GT 650 and a Himalayan 450. Of the 3, I have the most fun on the 411. I ride it mostly on bush roads. I commute 40km on the Continental and after adding 1" risers to the bars to take the pressure off my back, it has been a real pleasure to ride. The 450 is new, so I can't comment on it just yet.
For all, the main attraction has been the price.

[Ncdan]

I like the ole fashioned looks of the RE but just my personal opinion is, for the most part,
 the 650 models are too big for a small bike and too little for a bigger road bike. And anything smaller is just too small.
If they had a retro model in the 850+ range, it would have my attention.

[lucky]

The Royal Enfield 650 fits right in with yer basic Guzzi sensibility in my view.  If you like the one you'll probably like for the other.  I have the original 650INT which needed suspension and pipes from the get-go but once that's sorted it's a keeper.  I am about to put a restored Eldo on the road and the Enfield may be temporarily rested but it has been completely reliable and is a pleasure and affordable to own.  If you grew up with British twins, this is what you get, but reliable.  My girlfriend has a 411 Himalayan which is a bit of a plodder but also charming and reliable.  As can be seen from the pics it fits right in . .

[red stripeguz]

In addition to my '23 V7 I also have a '19 Int650 that is primarily the girlfriends. The RE is a fun bike to ride, very similar to the V7 of course. You definitely notice the difference in horsepower but mostly pulling from a stop or very top end. The RE feels lighter and easier to toss around in the corners than the MG, which feels more solid and heavier. Foot Pegs feel overly high to me (35" inseam) but not badly so and I get used to it pretty quick.
Nice bikes that I was thinking of getting for myself until I came across the Moto Guzzis