Road test of Royal-EnfieldClassic 650 2025 Where vintage meets modern

Our tester's opinion on the Classic 650 from 2025

The month of March, traditionally dedicated to ski descents, took an unexpected turn when I received an invitation from Royal Enfield to test ride their new 2025 model, the Classic 650, in Madrid. The idea of returning to the Spanish sun to discover this bike immediately appealed to me, despite the capricious weather forecast. Born in 1901, Enfield has been constantly expanding its range of motorcycles over the past 10 years, so let's take a look at this latest model.

Balanced aesthetics

As soon as I arrived, the Classic 650 presented itself in an elegant blend of black and chrome. At first glance, it seems faithful to the brand's standards, but a closer look reveals details that set it apart. The small headlamp cap evokes adventurous India, cradle of Royal Enfield, while the spoked rims recall other iconic models such as the Meteor 350,Himalayan 410 or Bullet 350. This little custom is clearly designed for the road, ready to swallow up the miles and travel the world.

Comfort, maneuverability and visibility

Before I got on the Classic 650, I had some questions about its handling, especially with a claimed weight of 243 kg (probably closer to 250 kg fully loaded). However, once in the saddle, all my concerns were dispelled. The riding position is comfortable, with a small tractor-seat-style seat that rises to the rear, offering a pleasant sitting position. The handlebars are well positioned, allowing a relaxed posture without putting too much strain on the arms.

The bike is A2-licensed, and lives up to its claim of being "easy to handle". My 1.70 m height and 800 mm seat height allow me to put both feet on the ground without difficulty, which is reassuring when maneuvering at low speed. Despite an overall length of 2,318 mm, making a U-turn doesn't prove to be an ordeal, unlike other less heavy, shorter but less well-balanced bikes.

We hit the road, and visibility is good, albeit minimal, thanks to the brand's classic 2 round mirrors. We rack up the kilometers, leaving Madrid, avoiding flooded roads to take the main highways, and quickly realize that a windscreen is missing. Indeed, when you're driving at 120 km/h, the speed hits the helmet and the whole body, reducing riding comfort. A perverse effect of the raised seat is that when you try to move back slightly on the seat by bending down to reduce wind pressure, you quickly find yourself on a seat edge, which is not at all comfortable.

Counters and Trippers

When you pick up this bike for the first time, you immediately notice the mix of neo-retro and modern technology. The instrument panel is divided into 2 parts: a speedometer and another giving a variety of useful information.
The needle-type speedometer is easy to read, with a dual display (in km/h and miles), which is a little confusing at first glance, but after a while you realize that this bike is really designed for cruising. There's no need to calculate conversions when you've crossed the Channel or landed in a country with an Anglo-Saxon heritage for your trip.

The small digital display, positioned just below the speedometer, shows the fuel level in small squares that empty as fuel is consumed, providing clear, easy-to-understand information.
There's also a display of the gear engaged, and a small arrow displayed next to it, which is quite handy for fuel-conscious drivers, as it indicates that it's time to shift up a gear, in order to drive more frugally. This can be useful for drivers seeking to adopt a more eco-responsible driving style. However, as soon as the engine revs are increased, the arrow disappears, indicating that economy mode has been exited. A button positioned behind the left-hand comodo allows you to change the information displayed, indicating either the number of km completed since the last fill-up or remaining to the next, or the time.

The tripper display is located just below these 2 meters, slightly to the right, and is also perfectly legible, adding a modern touch to this charming vintage motorcycle. This device allows you to connect your phone to the bike, via the "Royal Enfiled App-Europe" application, which provides gps guidance during your road-trip and allows you to share your route with your friends. Once the phone has been paired with the motorcycle, all you have to do is enter your destination via a GPS address or point, and the tripper will then show you, step by step, the route to follow, displaying arrows on the motorcycle screen, the distance to go before turning and the number of km remaining before reaching your destination.
When the bike's tripper is not activated, it shows the time. This blend of vintage, with the needle-type speedometer, and modern, with the digital display and tripper, is perfectly balanced, with each element in its place without being disproportionate or out of place.

Suspension, braking and handling

The 43 mm telescopic fork and SHOWA dual rear suspension are a real asset, absorbing road irregularities with pleasant ease. Speed bumps are eliminated, making every ride as smooth as a cloud.
Despite the steady rain, I was able to appreciate the smoothness of the ride. The Classic 650 proves tolerant and pleasant to ride, and its very round, parallel-twin engine, with no gearshift, delivers enough power (47 hp) for effortless cruising. This bike is clearly designed for cruising. Its gentle temperament invites you to take your time on the road, to enjoy the scenery and savor every moment on two wheels. The 6 gears shift easily, and the selector is well positioned, accessible without having to put your foot forward. In this fickle weather, it's hard to hear the roar of the engine when shifting gears, but the Classic's 648cm3 doesn't seem too noisy, clocking in at a timid 86 db.

However, there is one detail that surprised me: the rear brake, a single 300mm disc with a double-piston caliper, is particularly biting, and caused me a few scares, especially on wet roads. Using it for gentle, cautious deceleration, the braking response was much sharper than expected. This isn't a big problem when you know it, but I quickly realized that it had to be used with care, especially on wet roads. I therefore preferred to use the front brake, which is less abrupt and, paradoxically, on wet surfaces seemed softer and more reassuring. As the front fork absorbs road imperfections and bumps well, it didn't nosedive with every brake application.

Technical details

This model, presented at EICMA 2024, is now available from dealerships in three colors: red/ecru (Vallam red), teal green and black/chrome. The Vallam Red's tank is embellished with a "hand-made" font, which differs from the 2 other available colors.
LED lights, except for the turn signals, add a modern touch to the design. The main headlight is surrounded by 2 small nightlights, also known as "tiger's eyes", giving it an unmistakable, easily recognizable style.

What's more, a passenger rack is supplied with the purchase, which is not to be underestimated for those who wish to travel in pairs. A USB type C socket is positioned under the left comodo and will allow you to charge an additional device, such as your phone when using the tripper.

In conclusion, testing the Royal Enfield Classic 650 was an enriching experience. This bike succeeds in combining vintage aesthetics with modern technology, while offering very pleasant riding comfort. Whether for new riders or seasoned motorcyclists, the Classic 650 is a seductive choice for those looking to explore the roads with style and serenity. If you're looking for a motorcycle that embodies the "Route 66" spirit while remaining accessible, look no further: the Classic 650 could well be your next road companion.