#royalenfield #shotgun650 #cruiser
Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves has been Stateside to ride the 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 cruiser, and it’s safe to say he’s impressed! Read the full written review here: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/enfield/shotgun-650/2024/
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Welcome to MCN and the launch of the Royal Enfield shotgun 650 now before we set off from uh here at the bike shed in La um let’s go have a little look around it and see what makes it [Music] tick so
Roy 11 Fields say that this bike’s been inspired by other customized Royal enfields so it’s kind of got a bit of everything it’s got a bit of custom it’s got a bit of kind of bobber to it bit of a
Mish mash of all styles really so it’s hard to pigeon hole which is exactly what they want it’s got mid pegs so let’s give you five things you need to know about this bike so number one this
Bike is based on the super meteor which cost £ 7,300 so I’d imagine that the price of this bike isn’t going to be too different which makes it fantastic value Royal enfields uh always great value bikes and they’re well put together and they ride fantastically so that should be one
Big tick number two it’s powered by a 650cc parallel twin cylinder engine which has got 46 BHP that engine started life in the Interceptor and the Continental uh 650 a multiple Award winner when it comes to MCN group tests and and awards fantastic engine it’s also A2 compliant number
Three the chassis on this bike is based on the super meteor um but it’s got a little bit racer geometry so it’s got a smaller front wheel it’s got upside down forks the wheel base is a little
Bit smaller it kind of sits more on its nose the rear is a little bit higher so it should offer quite a sporty ride number four the quality of this bike is superb so you know this bike’s
Built down to a price I mean incidentally you can have a blue one you can have a green one you can have a white one or you can have a gray one um but you’d never know that it is built down to a
Price the quality is absolutely superb and to be honest even if this bike was twice the amount you can kind of accept it but as it is um it should be very very affordable lots of nice attention
To detail lovely switch gear nice clocks uh the barend mirrors are optional it comes with normal mirrors um and finally number five um this bike has kind of been designed to be customized um and that starts right from the minute you take it from the dealer it comes with a twin seat the
Standard um as you can see this is a single seat but a subframe is bolted onto this bike which four bolts it doubles up as a a rack which you can also put a seat on it so when you get this bike from a
Dealer it comes as a two-seater um and then just with four bolts you can take the subframe off and you can give it the kind of single seat look and then if you wanted to go further you could get rid
Of that mug guard chop it down make it look snazzy um and then you got yourself a really nice custom bike so that’s what makes this bike tick and now what I reckon we should do is take it out for a ride
So we’ve been riding the shotgun 650 here in La we’ve been riding there around the town we’ve been riding there on the freeways and up in the the mountains on the canyon roads and you know first
Impressions of this bike when you look at it it’s just like any cruisery retro you care to mention it’s a lovely little thing it’s affordable we’ll come on to the price later on but the longer I’ve
Spent with the Royal mfield the more I realize there’s more to it than initially meet the so you know it’s a few bikes rolled into one it’s it’s a custom bike it’s a cruiser and also it’s a it’s a
Sports bike as well so you know we start with the styling side of things and the custom side of things you know there’s a reason that Royal Enfield decided to launch this bike and the the
Bike shed in La you know it’s all about the the cool custom culture and um and you know the The Styling of this bike itself comes from um Royal enfields that have been modified you know over
The past few years and uh it’s almost got kind of factory fitted retro mod or Resto mod styling um which you either love or you don’t um I think it’s pretty cool so it ticks all the The Styling
Bxs it’s it’s a really nice custom but it’s also very cruisery I didn’t really know what to expect when I was going to ride this I mean I’ve ridden Royal enfields before but this has definitely got
Kind of an American Cruiser feel and you know you know riding on the highway back into downtown LA it kind of feels really at home it’s got kind of a a familiar cruisery kind of weight to it
It’s 240 kilos so it’s not a light bike but it’s kind of a reassuring weight it’s a weight that you really think should be there doesn’t doesn’t deter from the ride at all um in actual fact it kind of
Gives it a nice kind of solidity the engine is really relaxed when you’re cruising in and we spend over 8 hours in the saddle on this bike and it’s really comfortable that there’s lots of room
For you I’m 6t lots of room for your legs your your knees aren’t squashed up the seats really really comfortable the bar position’s natural not a lot of wind protection but you know what you expect is a it’s a naked bike so it does the cruising thing very well and that the engine
It’s only got 46 BHP but it punches way above its weight you never feel like you need more so when you’re cruising the character of this bike is that it’s got a lot of low-end grunt the power deliver
Is very very smooth and you can just waft along you know waft along is six gear there’s lots of there’s lots of grunt you know you’re never up and down the gears looking for the power there a nice
It’s 270° crank it’s a nice bural from the engine without being too vibby and you know it’s just it’s just a joy to cruise on and you know you’re riding down these freeways in LA and it’s like
Being in a film set you know you’re surrounded by these huge trucks you’re almost rubbing shoulders with with massive wheel nuts you’re you know going through like a sea of Teslas it’s yeah it’s just kind of magical really riding this bike in the the California filter photograph kind of Madness
Of this place so yeah it does it Tis the cruiser box really really well but here’s the thing that’s really surprising about this bike and you know this bike doesn’t look like it really should be kind of fun in a conventional sporty way but it really really is Royal Enfield the new generation
Royal mfield make beautiful handling bikes and that goes from the the Interceptor 650 which is a multiple MCN award-winning bike all the way through to bike I’ve ridden recently which is the you know the bullet 350 which is really basic a bike which you don’t think is going to handle
That well but they’ve all got this character where they just roll into Corners beautifully regardless of the shape of bike regardless of the wheel size regardless of the spec of the suspension it’s just put together absolutely beautiful and it’s no surprise really because you know this
Bike here has done countless laps of brunting Thor where Royal enfield’s Technology Center is it’s done countless times and laps at idiada which is a Spanish testing facility it’s been on the UK roads
And you know I don’t really want to mention the t word but you know it’s a it’s a character that a lot of triumphs have got and it’s no surprise because a lot of the test team a lot of the
Engineers come from hinley and this B has got this similar character it’s really good fun and and to show that off Royal Enfield were Keen to take us up in the canyon roads up in the mountains
Where again it’s like a film set you’re go through these corners and you know you could be you think of those 80s films like heart to heart and 18 and Columbo you recognize all the all the canyon roads
It’s amazing and and this bike is really good fun it it rolls into Corners beautifully the you don’t really feel the weight hasn’t got very long travel suspension so it does crash over really big bumps
But when you find some smooth tarmac the lighter your inputs on the steering the the nicer and the more flowing it feels and the handling matches the power of the engine the engine doesn’t overall it there’s always enough power between Corners to to have fun the brakes fantastic the front Brak is
Not not brilliant it’s only a a single disc setup with a twin piston by caliper on the front the rear it’s a 300 disc with a twin piston caliper and that is strong you got to kind of recalibrate
I like using the rear brake a lot and the rear Brake’s quite sharp on this so you got to just lighten your boot pressure and on a bike like this using the rear brake really helps it suck into the
Tarmac helps it turn and the whole whole riding experience is lovely you know you can you can just cruise on it or you can really take it by the by the lapels and ride it hard through corners and
It is a a lot of fun so it’s a custom bike it’s a cruiser it’s a sports bike even though you’d never think it but it’s also the best thing about this bike is that it’s great value for money like
All Royal enfields prices haven’t been announced right now we’re at the end of 2023 as we record this um but the price is going to be announced in January when um this video is going to go live but
I’m guessing that this bike’s based on the super meteor 650 it’s got the same chassis albeit this is a little bit sported geometry it’s got the same engine so I would imagine price is going to
Be similar super meteor cost about £ 7,300 so this is going to be in the ballpark and you know it’s a lot of bike for the money when you look around this bike you’ll see that uh they haven’t really
Skimped on the price and of of the components the imagination and the the attention to detail um and you know if this s was another couple of grand you still really wouldn’t kind of raise an eyebrow really so uh I mean let’s talk talk about what it’s got a standard equipment includes a
Center stand shower suspension a really nice Dash LED lights Coke bottle grips th exhaust clamps am Monza style fuel cap old school radial switches and a turn BYT satnav gauge it comes in blue white gray or green and those paint jobs have a real nice quality feel about them and there are loads
Of classy touches that include the enamel like finish on The Rocker and engine covers the hand handlebar clamp and the cast headlights around the seat is really nicely stitched and the mug guards and side panels are metal not plastic this bike has got bar end mirrors which are an accessory
And there are also 31 accessories available for this bike also has really nice switch gear which is really simple to use sturdy buttons uh and old style rotary switches that operate the headlights
And kill switch so to sum up our ride here in Los Angeles on the shotgun 650 I’m I mean what a bike it’s a bike that you go into without without many expectations but it turns out it’s a really
Enjoyable bike to ride slowly and just to cruise on it’s got a really nice kind of a cruiser like American likee character but it also turns into a sports bike when you want to go and have a bit of
Fun it’s also got some nice custom touches on it you know this bik’s ripe for customization as well because it hasn’t got a rear subframe you can cut down the rib mug guard if you want
To you you can put a loud pipe on it and you can go the full bike shed and you know turn it into whatever you want but best of all like all Royal enfields as I said before is the value for money
You know costing less than 8 Grand I’m hoping um is a lot of bite for the money a lot of nice detail touches and a bike that’s going to make you feel good every time you ride on it so you
Know that’s our few days spent with a shotgun 650 of Royal Enfield thoroughly enjoyed the bike um and I think anyone who jumps on one will feel the same way so thanks very much for watching I hope
You enjoyed this video if you did please like And subscribe and we’ll see you on the next one
48 Comments
Personally I am sick of the "bobber" look that bikes are doming out with. Ever ride in the rain with a bobbed rear fender. Hope you like a muddy back.
It’s the same 650 on a Super Meteor with different details, they keep doing the same bike over and over again
T word???
I commuted on a motorbike in LA for 5 years. FZ1, R3, GS500F, and a Ninja 650. Lane splitting next to a semi truck on one side and a 250k supercar on the other side is kind of surreal.
I enjoyed that and look forward to riding one myself (around a damp Blighty!)…..
Can I put panniers on it?
The interceptor has acceptable looks.But this, I wouldn't take it if I was given it.Sorry not for me 😴
Hipsterish gadget/fashion accessorie.
I've always been a 'Roadster-Guy' with a Sports-bike-phase for a few years , now back to old-school-twins (it's been a few years and over 50-bikes ) I turned everything into Cafe'-racers for a while but I've never been a Cruiser-Fan . This bike appeals-though , as you say , it is a bit-of-everything and it seems to work , the mid-pegs will be a lot of the-reason I suspect . Dave nz
Does it still need a service every 2,500 miles or 6 months like many new Royal Enfields? If so, you have to factor in the additional service costs over and above a Triumph 400 or an Honda Hornet, let alone the inconvenience of twice as many trips to the dealership compared with their modern 21st Century competitors.
Not mentioned in the video, but the price is actually less than £7,000!
Saying it's great value for the price and then saying pricing hasn't been announced yet makes me wonder about journalistic integrity and bias… We know they paid to send you out to sunny LA but wouldn't it be best to remain objective until the facts are actually known for certain?
Which alpinestars jacket is in the video?
this is in no way a sports bike.
Some questionable comments in here! You'd have to shoot me before I'd pay 14K for this bike lol. Sports bike that can't lean! Lots of respect for Neevesy but odd comments thrown in.
great review from neeves as always
Looks more limey bike than cruiser than the Super Meteor but still cool looking. Probably more comfortable to ride.
the positive comments coming from Michael Neeves really counts .he is number 1 where reviewing bikes are concerned in my opinion .
Too bad your camera was stuck at that one colour.
great review from neeves as always. Fantastic looking machine..
RE knows how to produce good bikes for a good price.
They won't be getting any of my money with that flat black piece of trash.
So when is it in the dealerships?
Nice review, but I would have liked to hear some raw exhaust / riding sounds with no talking to hear what it’s like
Have they addressed the rust issues??
Why can't they simply design the bike in such a way that both the silencers are on the same side?
Nice motorcycle!!!!, "times are a changing, reminds me a bit of when Honda first entered the marketplace"
I can see the pain in the eyes for having to artificially praise and hype-up a slow, poor quality bike. All for pleasing Indian viewers.
Thanks MCN, you sold me on the Shotgun 650, I'm buying one…
46bhp? for a 650.
I see this bike has rear pegs for passengers.. i wonder how it looks with a pillion seat. Probs going to be offered as an accessory
Great bike, just like the SM. My biggest gripe with RE is the lack of accessories. My Super Meteor has been out for over a year now, I upgraded from an Interceptor mostly to go on longer trips with the advertised panniers. Still no panniers in sight and no one can even give a straight answer as to when they might become available. To RE: if you advertise something and list it in your accessories catalogue, please make it available!
I love my Enfield, but must say if the prices keep going up ( probably put up in greedy England and not abroad so much ) people will go back to jap . 🤔
The seat height kills me. Why so tall. Short riders: 😅
Exellent review, as usual.
Please, what's the model of the Alpinestars jacket worn on the test?
All the best from Brazil.✌
How can it be a "cruiser" and a "sport bike" at the same time? Feels like this was a paid for review.
I like it, but as an interceptor owner I was kind of hoping they'd release the 650 scrambler first.
Put a deposit for 350 Classic. Already have faster bikes VFR800 Honda 750 Vulcan 1500 but need something light and fun and to me 350 does it.I am sure this is a great bike for most people but I would prefer higher displacement.
Only a 2,500 mile service interval from what i heard .That's a bit low , if you are using it all year that's 2 services a year .Unless you do it yourself that is .
Not too sure of the looks though on this one .
Pillion would have a hard time LOL.
just how much are they paying MCN ro get you to make such crap and dishonest review of a cheapo,heavy gutless very average bike. ( I had roadtest afternoon on the 2023 650 interceptor last year .y review
good gearbox
adequate brakes
poor tyres,soggy suspension,poor ground clearance,
weak acceleration,low top speed.
How can it ever be described as "sport bike"….it is an entry level learner nothing else !.
Does MCN ever give bad reviews? Ranting about value for money when the price wasn't even announced is embarrassing frankly.
8:02 Probably more because Royal Enfield (or rather their owners Eicher) also own Harris Performance Products who have built race bikes for Suzuki and Yamaha to run in MotoGP, BSB, WSBK and Supermoto before developing the frames for the current RE range than anybody who came from Triumph.
As much as I love my 2019 650 Continental GT, the suspension is rubbish, both front and back.There is a reason they are such bargains.
Nice but 240KG.. no thank you.
That's a good review. However, since you guys are well respected motorcycle journalists, it would be a good gesture to use the word 'quality' in its proper meaning. What you were talking about at around 2 minutes mark is 'perceived quality', or perhaps a 'sense of build quality'. If you simply say 'quality' the implication is that you have done a rigorous long term test on the bike to see how durable it is. 'Quality' means something that lasts while 'perceived quality' or 'sense of quality' means a feel you get just by looking at the bike, implying that it will indeed prove to be of high quality once you get to live with the bike. Thanks for a good review, guys!
Agree with the first comment, take note HD build bikes that people can afford and still look great, well done MCN a great review
Do you think it is beginner friendly? How is rear suspension (asking have 110kg weight), thanx 👍
The white and black is a disaster colourwise.The green and blue colours are really nice looking!!! Looks really cool from the side and somewhat behind. Mufflers upswept in a fine angle. ❤