Royal Enfield Classic 650 Twin 2024 review

Considering the air-cooled twin engine’s modest-sounding 47PS (35kW) output has a 243kg motorcycle to tow, as well as rider and potentially passenger, the figures don’t seem all that impressive. For context, even the smaller of the two Triumph Bonneville options now has 65PS (48kW), with the BSA Gold Star nearly matching the Enfield’s 652cc single output. Previous experiences with Royal Enfield’s retros also show that the money spent on looking good doesn’t always match the investments in driveline such as tyres, suspension and brakes.

But numbers aren’t everything, and this Enfield twin has always delivered more in terms of character and fun than horsepower. The lazy tuning state is geared more toward low-end torque; This is achieved by a gearbox that has a characteristic bark and a pleasantly bulky feel via six well-spaced ratios. Despite this weight, the engine never sweeps you off your feet, but the Classic 650 Twin gives no feeling of slowing down and delivers sensory pleasures with every gear and throttle opening. This is what you expect from a bike like this.

Where the Interceptor and Continental GT make do with crude suspension parts, the Super Meteor and Shotgun the Classic 650 Twin also have half-decent chassis; the fork shrouds hide some proper Showas mated to the same rear suspension units. These are still relatively simple, but they’re a step up in quality from the equivalent parts used in the Interceptor and Continental GT with which the Classic 650 Twin shares their engine, and they stand out on the road.

You’ll need to be careful about scraping the pegs in tighter corners, but the setup is more than adequate for power output and you’ll be happy to rank 21st in terms of ride quality and braking.^st It’s a century bike and not a bike from the 50s.