Upcoming Royal Enfield Bullet 650: Most Important Things To Know

The Bullet 650 will obviously be powered by the same 650cc engine 

• In terms of styling, the Bullet 650 will be similar to the current Bullet 350
• Underpinnings will include a telescopic fork along with dual shock absorbers 
• The rivals for the Bullet 650 include the beautiful Kawasaki Z650RS

The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is a classic motorcycle that has garnered enduring affection and admiration. The prospect of a 650cc variant has heightened our anticipation. With the imminent arrival of the Royal Enfield Bullet 650 to our market, here's a comprehensive rundown of what to expect: 

Royal Enfield Bullet 650: Design

The design of the Bullet is the most iconic thing and hence, we do not think Royal Enfield will tinker around in this aspect too much. The Bullet 650’s design will definitely be based on the Bullet 650’s muscular and macho design complemented with an open-chested riding position. That said, the Bullet 650 will obviously be substantially bigger in terms of size than the Bullet 350. Hence it will definitely be quite an attention magnet. 

So if you found a bike like the Bullet 350 quite desirable but rather compact and small, the Bullet 650 could do the trick for you, at least in terms of sheer road presence and the number of eyeballs it would grab. 

Royal Enfield Bullet 650: Features 

In terms of features though, do not expect the Bullet 650 to get a whole lot more than the current Bullet. We think it will likely get the same console as it does as of now. If not that, Royal Enfield might switch things up and give it the semi-digital console from the likes of the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and the Scram 411. With the analogue console, there is also a digital inset with provision for turn-by-turn navigation. 

That said, you might think that given modern-day bikes, the Royal Enfield consoles feel extremely dated. So yes, we think it would be incredible if Royal Enfield decides to give the Bullet 650 the TFT console from the quite likeable Himalayan 450. In sum, we think it is high time that Royal Enfield gives its bikes more tech, including things like better consoles and maybe even a traction control setting, to begin with. 

Royal Enfield Bullet 650: Engine

The Royal Enfield Bullet 650 will finally benefit from Royal Enfield’s rather lovable 650cc engine. And that means it will be the fifth bike to get the 650cc engine after the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650, Interceptor 650, Super Meteor 650 and the Shotgun 650. Post the Classic 650, we even get the Himalayan to benefit from the same engine. So yes, the Himalayan 650 is in the pipeline as well! 

The 650cc parallel twin engine from Royal Enfield is something we have always enjoyed riding. It is a torquey engine so riding it at city speeds in higher gears is super easy. But if you want to pick up the pace, the 650cc engine can manage that too and if needed, it can be a very very rapid engine. So we are genuinely very excited to see it on the Bullet 650. 

Royal Enfield Bullet 650: Underpinnings

Underpinnings for the Royal Enfield Bullet 650 will be similar to the current Bullet 350’s underpinnings only. So there should be a telescopic fork at the front along with dual shock absorbers at the rear. We expect the fork to get a fork cover too, again something similar to what the current Bullet 350 gets. As for the monoshock, we expect it to have preload adjustability.

As for the other underpinnings, there will be disc brakes at both ends and we think there will also be dual-channel ABS at both ends. In terms of other features, we also think that the Bullet 650 will get a slipper clutch. So in case of heavy downshifting, the rear will not lock up, something that we have definitely found rather unpleasant on the 350cc lineup of Royal Enfield. 

Royal Enfield Bullet 650: Expected Price & Rivals

We expect Royal Enfield to price the upcoming Bullet 650 around the Rs 3 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi, mark. That means, the Bullet 650 will cost around Rs 1 lakh over the current Bullet 350 and we think that premium makes a lot of sense. Given that you are getting a bigger engine and overall a bike that looks a lot better and bigger than the Classic 350, a Rs 1 lakh premium is only justifiable. 

Once launched in India, we think the Bullet 650 goes up against the likes of the Kawasaki Z650RS, another beautiful retro bike that has quite a nice and torquey engine as well, something we loved riding. Plus, the Z650RS also gets a parallel twin mill, so that makes the competition even more direct.