Royal Enfield 650 twins: which is the best in the range?

I have been dreaming about buying an Interceptor 650 for two years, but now that I am ready to make the purchase, I am confused about which RE 650 I should go for. Should I go ahead with the Interceptor or should I consider one of the new ones? I am not a fan of cruisers so the Super Meteor is not an option.

Rajiv Joshi, via email

Autocar India says: RE’s 650 line-up has evolved tremendously over the last two years and your confusion is easy to understand. While the Interceptor received an update recently, it remains the most simple and affordable of the 650s. The Shotgun is a unique proposition with its bobber-esque style, but if comfort is a priority, then the Shotgun may not be for you as the rear suspension is quite firm.

There’s also the new Classic 650 that will launch in India in the coming months. For many people, this will be the most beautiful of the 650s, but since it is largely based on the Shotgun platform, we’d advise riding it on Indian roads to gauge its comfort levels.

One bike we are waiting to ride here is the new Bear 650 Scrambler because it has the potential to be the nicest of the 650s to ride on our roads. The Bear is based on the Interceptor 650, but it has a little more suspension travel and a single exhaust, which reduces the width of the bike. If you don’t mind the taller 830mm seat height, the Bear 650 may be the right choice for you.

Finally, if you are open to waiting for another year or so, Royal Enfield is working on a new 750cc engine that will offer significantly more performance when it debuts in the next-gen Interceptor and Continental GT.

Also See:

2023 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, Continental GT 650 review: Retros refreshed

Royal Enfield Bear 650 review: Bullish on the Bear

Royal Enfield Classic 650 Twin review: All-Time Classic?

Royal Enfield Shotgun 650: Bullseye, or a shot in the dark?

Royal Enfield working on 750cc engine for 2025 debut

Royal Enfield Continental GT 750 spotted for the first time