2024 Royal Enfield Classic 650 Twin Review

The numbers don’t look all that impressive when you consider that the power output is modest at 47 hp. The (35 kW) air-cooled twin allows you to carry 243 kg of bike, plus a rider and possibly a passenger. For context, even the smaller of the two Triumph Bonneville variants now has 65bhp. (48 kW) and the BSA Gold Star almost matches the power of the Enfield with a 652 cc single. Previous experience with Royal Enfield vintage cars also shows that money spent on good looks is not always matched by investment in running gear such as tyres, suspension and brakes.

But numbers aren’t everything and the Enfield twin has always shown more character and fun than power. Lazy tuning is more focused on low-end torque, which comes with a distinctive bark thanks to six well-placed ratios and a pleasantly clunky gearbox. Despite the weight, the engine will never blow your socks off, but the Classic 650 Twin doesn’t feel sluggish, delivering sensory pleasure with every gear and throttle opening. This is what you want from a bike like this.

While the Interceptor and Continental GT make do with crude suspension parts, the Super Meteor and Shotgun on which the Classic 650 Twin is based also get half-decent running gear, with the fork guards hiding some real Showas matching rear suspension units from them. They’re still relatively simple, but are a step up in quality from similar parts used in the Interceptor and Continental GT, with which the Classic 650 Twin shares its engine, and it performs well on the road.

You’ll need to be mindful of scraping the pegs in tight corners, but the settings are more than adequate for power output, and in terms of ride quality and braking you’ll be happy you’re on 21.^st. a bike of the century, not the 50s.