Royal Enfield Bear 650 Preview: 650cc Scrambler Finally Arrives
It has taken a while, but the scrambler version of the Interceptor 650 is here as the Bear 650 is revealed
The Royal Enfield Bear 650 has been revealed, marking the fifth model from the Indian manufacturer to utilise its 648cc, liquid-cooled parallel twin-cylinder engine.
And it’s taken a while for the bike to arrive. Ever since Royal Enfield revealed the 650 twin-cylinder engine platform, riders worldwide have been calling for the factory to announce a rugged-looking street scrambler version of the bike.
It is though here, and Visordown was on hand for the global reveal in Palm Springs California. Here we took a deep dive into the new model and rode the new machine both on and off-road. You’ll need to wait a little longer to find out how the bike handled in both scenarios, but until then, here’s everything you need to know about the tech, specs and features of the new bike.
Bear 650 - What’s in a name?
Rather than lean on a bike model name from Enfield’s past for this bike, the team named the bike after the historical endeavours of one teenager who took on the Big Bear Run riding a Royal Enfield 500 way back in 1960.
The rider was Eddie Mulder (AKA Fast Eddie), who, despite fluffing the start of the desert race, went on to take the chequered flag in first place. From there, Eddie moved into flat track racing, got scouted by Bud Ekins and even took on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, winning it on more than one occasion.
What’s new
The bike is built around the same 648cc single overhead cam engine as found in the Continental GT, Interceptor, Shotgun 650, and Super Meteor 650. From there though, it goes in a much more rugged direction.
The frame of the bike has been bolstered and toughened up in a number of areas and has been engineered to feature a kick-up tail loop for that unmistakable scrambler look.
The engine of the bike is changed with the inclusion of a new exhaust that is said to give the retro-looking engine more mid-range punch and a broader powerband. Peak power is a claimed 47bhp at 7,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 41.6lb ft at 5150rpm is also claimed.
The new bike becomes the second in the 650 range to gain a USD fork, although these are very different items from those found on the existing Shotgun 650. The Showa big piston fork at the front of the bike boasts 130mm of travel and is non-adjustable. The fork is joined by Showa twin shocks at the rear which boast 115mm of travel and are adjustable for preload only.
The suspension, 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels, and revised frame combine to give the bike 184mm of ground clearance, while the spoked rims are shod with 50/50 on/off-road hoops with a blocky tread pattern. The tyres are reminiscent of Pirelli Scorpion STRs which are a fairly focused product. It’s worth noting that the press information from Royal Enfield mentions “mild off-road ability” so it’ll likely be more a soft-road or street scrambler than an out-and-out trail and dirt-track weapon.
The braking system for the new bike comes from Bybre and comprises a 320mm disc and two-piston caliper at the front, and a 270mm disc and single-piston sliding caliper at the rear. ABS comes in the form of a two-channel system, and the ABS can be switched off to the rear wheel should you wish to kick up some dust off-road. Switchable rear ABS aside, there are no other riding modes or electronic safety features to speak of, meaning no traction control or IMU governing how the bike rides. There are also no engine power modes meaning you get on and ride, which is a refreshing idea.
That doesn’t mean the bike is totally archaic, though, as you do get the funky and easy-to-read Tripper TFT dash and Bluetooth connectivity system. That means you get turn-by-turn nav, answering calls and text message notifications, as well as music selection should you be using a compatible Bluetooth headset. We’ve already used the Tripper on bikes like the Himalayan 450 and Shotgun 650, and can happily report that it’s a clear, easy-to-read and simple-to-use TFT that is perfectly in keeping with the Bear’s scrambler aesthetic. The bike also includes a USB-C socket located on the dash should you want to keep your mobile device charged while you’re out on a ride.
What’s it like to ride
For now, that’s all we can tell you about the new Bear 650 from Royal Enfield, and while we have ridden the bike, the thoughts on that are covered by an embargo that will be lifted very soon. Stay tuned for when that goes live.
Royal Enfield Bear 650 spec
Engine | Inline twin cylinder, 4 stroke, SOHC |
Power | 47bhp @ 7,250rpm |
Torque | 41.6lb ft @ 5150rpm |
Clutch | Wet multi-plate |
Gearbox | Six-speed manual constant mesh |
Quickshifter | No |
Slipper Clutch | Yes |
Frame | Steel tubular, double cradle frame |
Suspension (F) | Showa upside down telescopic fork 43mm - non-adjustable |
Suspension (R) | Showa twin rear shocks - preload adjustable |
Travel F/R | 130mm/115mm |
Brake (F) | 320mm disc two-piston caliper |
Brake (R) | 270mm disc one-piston sliding caliper |
ABS | Two-channel - switchable to the rear |
Wheelbase | 1460mm |
Ground clearance | 184mm |
Kerb Weight (90% Fuel and oil) | 214kg |
Fuel capacity | 13.7 litres |