CLASSIC WORLD
Royal Enfield reveal 650 twin-cylinder version of the successful 350 Classic
Back in 2022, Enfield launched the Classic 350 single, which was great for pottering around town, but was too small and slow for many riders. This new Classic 650 is the answer. Powered by the 646cc, 47bhp parallel-twin engine from the Interceptor and Continental, it promises a lot more speed – 70mph cruising should be a doddle.
The sohc air/oil-cooled motor is housed in the same tubular steel spine frame as Enfield’s Super Meteor and Shotgun cruisers, though the Classic is available with or without a pillion seat. The wheels are the same as the 350’s – 19in front and 18in rear – as are the 43mm Showa forks and chromed front headlight surround. The mudguards look identical, too.
All that metal adds up to a hefty overall weight – at 243kg, it’s significantly heavier than the 218kg Interceptor 650. Still, with a 31in (787mm) saddle, it should be easy enough to paddle about at low speeds.
Neat touches abound. The oil cooler fits snugly by the frame downtube so it’s barely visible, the fuel injection is hidden by a chrome shroud and there’s a pair of pilot lights either side of the main beam, just like on old Enfields. And the clocks have a prominent analogue dial, with just a small LCD panel below with a fuel gauge, clock and gear indicator.
Prices are yet to be announced, but expect it to be around £7000 – a little more than the £6799 Continental GT – when it hits showrooms next year royalenfield.com