Motorcycle specifications Royal-EnfieldClassic 650 2025 The future lies partly in the past

Royal-Enfield has had an appetite for motorcycles for some years now. From being a small manufacturer of exotic motorcycles for our European eyes, but a true benchmark in its domestic market, the Indian manufacturer is now looking to the world market. To achieve this, the company's motorcycles are certainly moving upmarket, with larger displacement and European-standard build quality. It has to be said that Royal Enfield has looked to Triumph's development since the mid-90s for inspiration. All that was missing from a household name (born in Europe in 1901) was a few attractive models and the reliability to match. The 650 Classic has a bit of everything, but will it seduce you?

charming retro

The look of the 650 Classic is in keeping with the immutable heritage of a model that has been in the catalog for decades. Yet there's something about this 650 version that stands out. Where the Classic (sometimes also called the Bullet) was a basic (vulgar?) utilitarian, it becomes a chic machine. The bike is terribly seductive in its black/chrome version, and a little flashy in the green. In the middle, the blue and burgundy versions play softly. The bike relies on a few essential parts to sign its DNA: cap headlight, drop tank (14.8 L), wraparound mudguards and a mono seat (800 mm seat height). Mechanical features such as the vertical Twin and sausage exhausts also contribute to the atmosphere. This RE has the chubby look of a 60s BSA, and it's a great success.

This retro look hides a few signs of modernity that will not deceive onlookers at café terraces. The lighting is LEDS, and the dashboard features a remote TFT screen called Tripper for navigation and the clock. The main instrumentation is still analog in style, incorporating a central LCD screen for displaying the fuel gauge or gear engaged. Another small concession to modernity and the age of smartphones: a USB socket is available.

classic chassis

The chassis of this 650 Classic features elements already seen on RE's 650 range. It features the steel frame seen on the Super Meteor. The Classic 650 features Showa suspension with 43 mm telescopic forks and twin shock absorbers. With 120 mm of suspension travel at the front and only 90 mm at the rear, it's easy to understand why the seat is so thick, which also contributes to overall comfort. A two-seater saddle is available as an option. In fact, with 244 kg on the ready-to-ride scales, this 650 Classic is a bit overweight. This weight also reflects the nobility of metal instead of plastic. Fortunately, the wheels (19" FRONT / 18" REAR) are fitted with "thin" tires that should make the bike easier to handle, with a width of 100 mm at the front and only 140 mm at the rear. This should make it a little easier to "balance" the bike.

Braking to stop this somewhat heavy package will rely on a single 320 mm front disc and a 300 mm rear disc, both pinched by a double-piston caliper. The only trace of electronic assistance on this bike, braking is assisted by dual-channel ABS.

engine: Twin vertical, 648 cm3, 47 hp

Although modern in design, this vertical twin engine also plays on nostalgia. By which I mean it's not overflowing with horsepower. a modest 47 hp at 7,250 rpm. In fact, a little bird tells me that we could soon see a 750 cm3 version... Well, what often counts on these machines is torque. Here we have 52.3 Nm available from 5,650 rpm. Don't forget that you'll need to get the 244 kg off the ground, so 0 to 100 is likely to be a little sluggish, but on the other hand, throttle response in the middle gears on narrow roads should give you the soul for the ride. It's this kind of use that will give this bike its charm, a bike that was born to be ridden in the countryside. The transmission is a 6-speed gearbox assisted by an oil-immersed multi-plate clutch. Smooth running should be the order of the day. Thanks to the injection system, fuel consumption is predicted by RE to average just 4.66 liters, giving a range of around 355 km.

the art of motorcycling

The big sister of the 350, this 650 Classic is an attractive proposition, especially with a starting price of 7,090 euros. Not necessarily very powerful, it takes you back to the origins of motorcycling, almost making you feel like a pioneer behind the wheel. Its charm is immediately apparent, and you can put a lot of things into perspective from that point on... It's enough to forgive its weight and relative lack of performance, and it's a bike you'll want to treat yourself to as you get older, because sometimes you want to slow down the action so that the good times last longer.

Vincent Beaucousin - Image credits: constructeu