Royal Enfield has been working on many 650cc motorcycles, and many spy images and videos have disclosed an abundance of details from their test mules. All the models are in the assessment phase and a recent video has surfaced on YouTube of the upcoming 650cc motorcycles on the Indian streets without camouflage and they look production-ready.
In the short video uploaded on YouTube by the Madras Tribe channel, Royal Enfield coated both the test mules in a black shade. These motorcycles have been progressing through a set of extensive evaluations, which may indicate the launch is near. The same channel (Madras Tribe) has speculated the launch to be around late 2022 or early 2023.
First, the RE Shotgun 650 cruiser looks to be a low-slung fashioned motorcycle with a broad handlebar providing a relaxed driving position, front set footpegs, wide seat, wide rear tyre support and the quintessential massive-engine equipped. Spy video revealed the cruiser to have a twin-pod instrument cluster featuring a semi-digital console with Bluetooth connectivity, LED headlight, LED taillight, 5-spoke alloy wheels at both ends, and a blacked-out engine casing and chrome twin exhaust pipes.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 is based on the RE Meteor 350 platform, the arrangement can be determined to be more upright, the teardrop-shaped fuel tank, upright set handlebar, rear-set footpegs, blacked-out sporty engine and exhaust pipe casing differentiates it from the Shotgun. The video shows both the bikes with alloy wheels, implying that Royal Enfield is trying to address the tube-tyre issue of the Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650 by presenting the tubeless tyres and the alloy wheel upgrade option.
The sought and proved 650cc parallel-twin DOHC engine produces 47 HP and 52 Nm of torque and is mated to the same 6-speed constant mesh gearbox with slip and assist clutch function. 650cc cruiser can be identified with upside-down forks, while the Meteor 650 is seen with conventional telescopic front forks.
RE is all set to roll out quite a few new models over the course of the next few years. There is speculation that the ubiquitous nomenclature of the classic model might overwhelm the cruiser variant. All the anticipation will clear out once these motorcycles make it to the Indian market, which is thought to be soon.