I came off a BMW K1600 GTL which was getting to heavy for me (I'm 74) onto SM 650, done a lot of 2 up touring around Europe, but now happy to bumble along in the UK. My pillion says she's really comfortable (we have the touring seat). The touring seat is comfy and has plenty of room. I love the bike and must say it comes out of the garage now more than the beemer did. Easy to ride, handles well, lovely gearbox. Low seat and riding position, very comfortable (I'm 5'6" and the Mrs says 'it looks like a proper bike'. )
This is one review I've been waiting for and happily I wasn't disappointed! It was a good and honest review and, as you say, you either like the cruiser style and ride or not, but the Super Meteor is a good ride regardless. Had mine for 3 weeks now and love the style and engine. Being 5'8" but with a 29" inside leg it's also the perfect height for me. Thanks for an honest yet positive review!
@@jonathanmellish4439 Yes, it is harder than most. Luckily I prefer a sturdier shock to a softer one but I do avoid the bigger bumps and holes more often when on the Meteor!
I've got this bike! It does handle well. The rear suspension was too firm for me, replaced the rear shocks with YSS. Pleased with my purchase. Spot on review.
Nice to see you swung your leg over one of these in the end, Andy! Another cracking bike from RE - I too prefer the darker colours. There’s a green and black one which is really nice. Certainly tempted by one of these instead of the VFR
Thank you Mr. Flyer. I always enjoy joining you for a test ride and this was no exception. I actually love the style of this one but also am not a "Cruiser bike guy" The upgrade of suspension and brake parts is interesting and a good thing I'm sure, and the bike appears to ride very nicely indeed, especially for it's price point. All in all I'm beginning to think that Royal Enfield will eventually get some of my money lol. :>)
Well done, just like always. Never rode the Super Meteor, just the Interceptor and it felt very British and stylish. I liked it. Would love to try also this one. :) p.s. Keep going bro.
Went via your manor to Kings Kidlington to eyeball a BSA in real life and they had a Super Meteor next to it. I sat on it and today figuring out garage space and how bigger, and expensive, the dinner will need to be to convince Mrs C that it has to live with us. Had a great ride back via the A roads in your area and will return on a sunnier day.
I am not familiar with RE in general, but I like this SM 650! It seems like a nice and sensible cruiser. I think I’d buy one. They don’t seem to be readily available in my area (OK - USA), yet.
Great honest review 👍 Ive got a super meteor in the astral green and absolutely love it..ive done 1200 miles on it and it just gets better and better...im 6'4" and love the forward controls as im not cramped
Im 6'5" tall, and I just got one in Astral Blue. First bike I have rode that truly feels like no compromise to the fit. Super comfy and feels so much better than the Harleys I was trying to fit on.
Saturday morning normality restored phew. I thought in photos the styling didn’t quite gel however I think in person they look much better, as you always say styling is subjective and I think they look good. I was out on the RE one ride last weekend and there were four on the ride and no Interceptors which I thought interesting, all the owners had Interceptors before. One owner had some some subtle mods, a tail tidy raising the number plate so you could see the slightly wider rear tyre, a single seat, and some nice leather grips, finished off with some new tail pipes. If you like the relaxed riding position then they are a great bike.
You mentioned the hunter but surprised you didn’t mention the 350 Meteor which started RE’s 350 engine rebirth series. A bike you also tested. Good review as ever allowing the viewer to sift personal pref from real world experience. 👍
Having test ridden the bike about 5 times now, I really think everyone should test it to see how far Royal Enfield have progressed in their journey of learning and growing for over 120 years. This motorcycle is a testament to that, and it feels as though it was made for me. I am a cruiser guy for sure, with preferences to the bobber style of bikes. I would certainly make a lot of changes to the motorcycle to suit my riding and aesthetic style, but for all intents and purposes right now, I think it is one of the finest cruisers for the Indian market ❤
To say they have been growing, learning, or progressing for 120 years is a joke, right? They were frozen in time for about 50 of those years. Somewhere around 2015 they were taken over and modernized..
@@Dave-sw2dm Yes that is true. Their 350s are still lacklustre in terms of engine refinement and feel, but the 650s really pack a punch and different kind of charisma.
Nice to hear yet again, your honest view, you don`t gloss over the faults of a bike. There will always be traits of any bike we don`t like, but it does`nt make them a bad bike. I`m not really a Royal Enfield fan, as i`ve posted on your vids a number of times, but for many, they are the ideal bike, and you can`t deny the low cost is a big selling point. My favourite Enfield`s are the Hunter 350, and the Interceptor, and if i were to do a custom project, because of their low costs, i would more than likely do so on an Enfield. Great review Andy, thanks for posting it.
yes, the green and gold wheels just seem so right, as it does on the Kawasaki Z650RS. I have a "look" in mind, but it depends on the finances whether it ever becomes reality.@@TheMissendenFlyer
Great review, tried one, having the opposite of unusually short legs I would prefer more of a mid mount. Another thing many miss, despite the engine being almost identical to the Interceptor, they have shorter service intervals, easy to work on but something to consider if you're not a home servicing type.
For taller/ larger riders this Meteor 650 is much more accommodating than the Interceptor. We are all very spoilt for choice aren’t we. A good review as always.
At 6’1” &250 lbs., out of all of RE’s new bikes, on paper, this one would fit me well, or so I’d like to think. I hit in a 2022 Himalyan and as much as I enjoy Enduro style bikes, the foot pegs were set back too much for me. That said I received a total robotic left knee back in early 2018 and the therapy I was given didn’t get the range of motion all back, so no fault of the Himalayan but, I carnt get in with it due to my situation. I’ve never ridden a cruiser bike yet I look forward to trying out the Super Meteor 650
A great holiday watch! (I'm in Gran Canary again). I do like the looks, especially the tank shape. My Astral Green one is very dark but glints greenly in the sunlight... as you say braking is gentle rather than sharp, but the motor and gearbox are a delight.
Enfields best bike to date , it's definitely a step up in build quality to the interceptor. They really are making great progress. They have a nice little line up of bikes
Hi Andy I've got this bike now for 2 weeks as you say it rides great 👍 Guys .. motogb have these and most royal Enfield bikes on offer at the moment £500 off ..grab one while you can:)
Wanted a Royal Enfield since I was 15yo. Finally got a beautiful, '08 Bullet classic Black 500, 55 years later w/ only 4500 miles. Babied it for 500 miles then had a catastrophic transmission failure, doing 5 mph in my driveway. People say " oh there really reliable now!"...YEAH RIGHT! I'll stick w/ my Harley. I'm too old to WALK home.
@@insanelysaneman2033 your right! Have had 2 1200 sportsters that never broke down in 35k miles, but bikers used to have a p/u truck ride w/ them just in case. Alot had to do w/ people working on them. Harley and Enfeild are equal In one repect...my shed recently burned down and HARLEY, HONDA and ENFEILD are definitely not FIREPROOF! have a Kawasaki W800 Cafe and a KTM RC390 now...new shed!
I've had to go down the cruiser route due to old dodgy hips . I bought the Classic 350, fantastic looking bike but didn't really float the boat when riding . So bought the Super Meteor 650. Fell in love with it. Comfortable, powerful enough and I personally love the look, and at the price, can't go wrong. Love the Triumph speedmaster and bobber except for the price. I've now got two new bikes in my garage for less than a second hand Triumph. As for panniers RE seems to have scrapped that idea as the Celestial doesn't come with them.
@mickcresswell1031 My only annoyance with RE is the almost £1000 difference between base model and the Celestial. Screen, touring seat, and paint job, don't add up to that price difference. Fortunately I got my Celestial at base price.
0917 Sat 23rd Sept. Another great review just wanted to congratulate you on what Ivwould call a down to earth review in a relaxing style that everyone can appreciate. Cameras are great, especially the 360 and quality of the voice over second to none. Keep them coming 👍
Nice review TMF, I'm not a cruiser fan particularly but i like this Enfield. I saw one in green with a few accessories and it looked pretty good...i think wire wheels would suit it better. I've been watching your channel forever and still do but I've been slack on the comments!! Cheers Steve
Interesting honest review - my advice is test before you buy. I didn’t and regretted it - ended up selling as not right for me. Found it too weedy on power, suspension hard, too quiet, more like a toy than a bike. Service costs excessive too. But some will like them!
Like you I'm not really a cruiser fan but having bought an interceptor a few months back as my first retro which I love I thought this would also be a good machine for people wanting a budget cruiser like I wanted a budget retro and it seems like it is.🙂
A nice honest review of a bike you aren’t that keen on. I have a feeling that this bike will be popular with A2 licensed shorter riders. Personally I wish that Royal Enfield would update the interceptor and the continental with the switchgear and the lights off the new bikes as it is so much better than the budget looking bits they are equipped with at this moment.
I rode the Interceptor some time ago and overall it felt a great machine. They could made them just a bit more modern, otherwise the RE bikes are just cool. Drop by to check my content mate, you may like it. :)
@@paulbaker1000 That’s good ,I must have seen old stock in my dealership. The switchgear and the indicators were the bits that put me off the interceptor they just looked cheap and nasty and out of place .
The usual excellent standard of review we've come to take for granted over the years, I was interested by your remark about having unusually long legs for your height, IMO your inseam is much more relevant than your height, e.g. I've got precisely the opposite body shape, I'm a shorty to start at 5'7" with a very short inseam of just 29" so the first thing I look at when I find a bike I fancy buying is the seat height, for example I wanted to change my 2020 Street triple RS for the 2023 model but Triumph in their infinite wisdom have increased the seat height by 11mm up to 836mm I was already tip toeing my 825mm 2020 bike, luckily Triumph now provide an after market seat that reduces ride height by 28mm and therefore makes the 2023 bike more accessible than earlier 765 Street triples, my point being I wish more manufacturers would offer solutions for us short arses, European manufacturers are offering solutions but the Japanese are way behind, I can't think of one who addresses the problem.
If you like HD sporters this is the closest thing to getting one now by the looks of it. Proper air cooled cruiser. Hopefully this bike will take off and loads of custom parts will be available for it. Maybe it'll get a following.
Interesting review as always. Thanks for posting something different. I've just bought a 3 year old Continental GT 650 to have as a track bike. I have to say the finishes are showing their age already. You can read that, as having failed completely and let the moisture in at the spoke mounting holes on the hubs. This has had the effect of turning the alloy to dusty powder! R.E. make a good value for money machine, but you have to keep them in an air conditioned environment over the winter because "Painting" is certainly of the very most minimal quality on these bikes.
Thank you for posting this. It helps to balance out all the YT videos that are really nothing more than advertisements. Your experience with overall quality appears to be quite common with this brand.
Nice honest review as usual Andy. Thanks. I think it's a good looking bike except for that speedo which I don't think I could live with. And unlike pipes etc. it's not something you can change for an aftermarket item. Also, a single disc on the front with just a 2-pot calliper isn't really enough for a bike as heavy as that. I know the rear has the same, but that's probably over-braked as I think your review showed. It's got a good-sized tank though, and proper mudguards. A 'nearly there' bike, then perhaps? Give it twin front discs and a decent clock and for a budget bike it'd be 'there', I think! Vince
Cruisers are not my cup of tea either, but I totally get this bike & if were in the market for such a bike I would take this over the Honda Rebel easily. Good honest review - thanks. Royal Enfield are getting better & better. Recently I was on a mini-tour in the Pyrenees on my BMW R 1250 RS, when I was overtaken by a RE Himalayan!!!! Actually undertaken - I was stationary waiting for a flock of sheep to pass & he snuck up my inside - however I'm sure his ride was as enjoyable as mine overall - it makes me think🤔
For future RE offerings, i wouldn't be surprised if they released a variant of this one but with a slightly narrower tank, pegs that are more under the knee and a bench seat (like the interceptor). Give a colourful paint and call it a HNTR650.
Having followed you on youtube for some time now I noticed you have a fair collection of helmets, in your opinion what would you regard as the quietest wind noise wise? thank you for you touring videos, keep up the good work.
I have to say, like you, I'm not a fan of the looks / styling, but it's great that it exists to give folk a choice. I still think the engine is a peach though, lovely to look at and not short of go or character. I can't wait for the water-cooled 450 single to make an appearance and if they do a road styled bike how that might compare with the new Triumph 400s. Interesting times!
Andy, a reasonably good review, just like the bike, reasonably good. The placecard at the beginning of the video has a image of the SM with its reflection in a mud puddle. A Foreshadow of what your review was going to be like? I am interested in this bike as my first cruiser- ish bike. I was hoping for cartwheels but got a meh instead 😂
I think this is just an alternative to a Harley. In India the Classic 350 is quiet literally the cruiser. Because its literally set up like a 100cc commuter bike because of which you can travel for days and not get tired. I think Harley made a very good decision with the new x440 which is the India made single cylinder harley. It also has that classic 350 sort of rider triangle and you can literally travel for days on end with that sitting position while still getting nice handling characteristics.
Interesting review Andy and as far cruisers go the HD Fatboy is the benchmark of Cruiser motorcycles (particularly Arold Schwarzenegger's bike in Terminator 2 and maybe you could do a review on that bike which would be awesome.) I just got myself a new 2023 CB500X and couldn't be happier - styling, adequate features, excellent fuel range, good wind protection, pricing and so much more that make me glad I chose this bike over this cruiser alternative..
Yes the CB500X is an excellent value for money bike I reckon - good choice! That said the Super Meteor (although it’s looks and finish aren’t for me) does ride well….
Hi there, loved the video! I'm 16 living in the UK, very much interested in doing some sort of touring on the continent on one of these or similar during my gap year (after possibly learning to ride this summer) . I love the classic look and sound of the Super Meteor, and RE's reliability apparently speaks for itself. I wondered if you/any of the other bikers in the comments had any advice for someone young interested in starting biking, especially in the UK?
I’d say just go for it! They do make it quite hard for youngsters to pass the test so you really have to be committed but ultimately it’s so worth it and you’ll have a blast on your new Meteor in Europe. Best of luck!
I like RE's too. Very well positioned value for money, great selection of bikes, and great styling. However they just aren't for me. I'm a taller rider and started in the dirt, so i lean towards a taller seat. I appreciate cruisers but whether its a RE or HD, I don't care for the low seat, forward controls, and I hate the sound of foot pegs scraping. Its all subjective. Still, I'm here listening and admiring all motorcycles. It would be awful if they were all the same. Enjoyed the review, the scenery and company Andy. Still thinking about part 2 of your recent Canary Island tour. Really enjoyed that.
The fuel tank looks like it could be elongated towards the front to hide some of the frame and cables, perhaps make it slimmer too. Hope RE do a HNTR 650 soon. Maybe they should also ditch the tripper and have more classic looking dual dials instead.
It hasn't arrived here in the US yet, but it looks like strong competition for the very popular Honda Rebel 500 ABS.. The three year warranty is a big plus for a marque that is still not well known here, but RE would be wise to ditch those feet-forward controls for mid-mounts in this country. This isn't a Harley after all, and it's an easy switch out.
I have a Classic 350 and really love it, but need a second (or 3rd..) bike that can do the distance with a pillion. If RE did this in the Classic style, I'd be seriously interested.
Sorry about that Jim - just an experiment that didn’t seem to work (I had a few complaints and fewer views than expected!). As you’ve spotted normal service is resuming…
Hi Andy. Just watched your review on the royal Enfield super meteor. I have watched a lot of reviews on this bike ( bringle wheeler has one.) Plus username Katie rode one too. Both good reviews like yours. Like told you. I have planted the seed and is blossom out. Big 👍up from my great lady wife. To go try one . And if I like it go ahead and buy one. Big selling point for you is the looks and seat height. I'm 5,8 inside leg 28. So hopefully I can flat foot on it.
As a cruiser it would be a good bike if you are not focused so much on big v twin engines. One of my bikes is a 2022 HD Sportglide with stage 2 cam. It is a good bike in its parameters but I am inclined to walk to my 2023 Ducati V2S Multistrada or my 2017 R1200R BMW. I rode the new HD Sportster water cooled bike while my HD was getting serviced...I would sooner have the Royal Enfield and the money difference. I would suggest the Royal Enfield is a better bike too, as the Sportster was hard on your back, harsh suspension and with teh forward controls and lower bars you would require an osteopath following you. Enjoy the rest of your weather before winter. From deep south New Zealand
sat on one today and being 6ft 3ins tall it struck me at how high my knees were with my 33 inch inside leg and how heavy the bike is for a 650 twin, However it was very well balenced and easy to get on the centre stand, ive ridden lighter 750cc bikes, not entirely happy with the weight of it. each to their own.
I really like the looks of this bike! And being 72 years old with a knee replacement, I think the forward controls would work good for me. But does anyone know the valve adjustment interval for the bike?
Just came from the dealer and they said that at 300 miles you need to bring it in for valve adjustment And it cost around 5-600 but after that every 3000 miles normal engine changes.
Andy, something you touched on, Super Meteor & Honda Rebel low seat. Current & potential petite bike gals have less choice of bike capable of decent highway speed over distances.
Tried this bike several months ago. A real bike with no plastic and useless gadgets. Impressive looks. Smooth engine and general functioning. Great value bike, although a little bit busy design.
Nice review. I won't be buying one either TMF as I'm not really in to cruisers too. Although it does look decent & definitely seems like a good contender in the middleweight cruiser sector. You've also got the Kawasaki Vulcan. I think ultimately if I was going for a cruiser, I'd go for a bigger engine around the 1000+cc mark for the torque I think.
I had the 350 meteor did 1200 miles from new great little bike but just lacking in power , I saw this at the show And it just don’t do it for me . Your right quality wise..I might go for the Vulcan 650 .🤔 I am bike less at the mo and missing it 🫣 So will be looking at the market.. great reviews tho 🥂
Biggest letdown is that it would benefit immensely with real, dual clocs. That plasticcy, of center thingy looks horrible. Other than that it looks great, that cruiser styling is more to my taste than the Interceptor but that is, as you said an individual thing. It is a shame that here in Sweden it is very difficult to find one to test, the current agent is not up to the challenge and there is no real dealer network. Hope that changes, but for now RE is out of the competition.
I think the closest competition for the Super Meteor 650 would be the Kawasaki Vulcen S which is also a 650cc about the same price. I sold my Halrey (no more Harleys for me) and I've been considering either a Triumph Speed Twin 900 or the Kawaski Vulcen S. But with Royal Enfield coming out with the Suoer Meteoir 650 I'll have to add this one to my list. I think I'm going to have a hard time deciding which one I want. Each have their pluses and minses. One plus I like with the Royal Enfield is the screw adjusment and lock nut value lash system, no shims. On the other two the values are the shim type which makes it much more difficult. Because of this one factor, I might be leaning towards the Super Meteor 650, although I like the Triumph name and the dependablilty of a Kawaski. I have a hard decision to make. Thank you for this viseo. Ride safe and enjoy every journey.
A well-balanced and fair review. A welcome antidote to the typically fawning reviews of Royal Enfields from many other UA-camrs who seemingly are more concerned with being popular by not going against the grain.
I'm curious since you've had your other Enfield since 2019. How do you feel about the reliability of Royal Enfields ? I really want this as my next bike because I'm getting a bit older and I'm tired of big heavy bikes.
I bought a meteor two years ago, I can't ride it much now because the cruiser style forward footpegs put all of my weight on my lower back. Also the rear shocks are ...shocking
Old guy here. Short - 5'4" at best. No inseam. Forward pegs just don't do it for me. That alone would prevent me buying one of these. I also don't like the gauges. Prefer old-style twin analog clocks. Eliminate the tripper. From what I've read about them, I 'll stick to separate GPS. It is nice that RE is offering a great choice of reasonably-priced bikes. Kudos to them for that.
Yes those clocks aren’t the best I’ve ever seen on an Enfield - those on the Interceptor I think look great, would have been fine on this bike too I reckon….thanks for watching!
I just don’t like not having a tach. Should be symmetrical with tach and speedo and put tripper in center. Yeah the frame welds look pretty bad on that one. Most I have seen are way better welds.
Colour can Make a Difference to a Bikes Look. I Think the Super Meteor in Green looks Better I always thought the Same about Suzuki Hayabusa paint Schemes As Well, a nice Paint Job Can Transform a Bike
My gripe about Royal Enfield is the side panel graphics, which are uniformly awful throughout the range. Some nice looking machines, then they put a 1980s sticker on the sides. Just leave them plain. Less is more.
Yes where i live the bus service is not very good, The train station is about half mile away, and you cannot take e bikes on trains because of the fire risk. If you had to go work every day that would be a nightmare.
Really want a Royal Enfield for my city work, and so I can take part in the Distinguished Gentlemen's ride, but 350 Classic or 650 Meteor? Many reviewers have said the quality on the bigger Meteor is impressive and a step up.
@@TheMissendenFlyer Yep, the Classic 350 hits all the right spots for character, weight, and engine (so long as you avoid motorways). It isn't a poorer version of something else, it's just what it is, and very good at it.
I came off a BMW K1600 GTL which was getting to heavy for me (I'm 74) onto SM 650, done a lot of 2 up touring around Europe, but now happy to bumble along in the UK. My pillion says she's really comfortable (we have the touring seat). The touring seat is comfy and has plenty of room. I love the bike and must say it comes out of the garage now more than the beemer did. Easy to ride, handles well, lovely gearbox. Low seat and riding position, very comfortable (I'm 5'6" and the Mrs says 'it looks like a proper bike'. )
Of the bikes on the market today this is the most bike. Looks cool sounds good, affordable price and pleasant to ride. Very bike.Good job!
This is one review I've been waiting for and happily I wasn't disappointed! It was a good and honest review and, as you say, you either like the cruiser style and ride or not, but the Super Meteor is a good ride regardless. Had mine for 3 weeks now and love the style and engine. Being 5'8" but with a 29" inside leg it's also the perfect height for me. Thanks for an honest yet positive review!
Enjoy your new bike catflap!
Hi. I took one out for an hour and was really impressed except on the bumpy roads. Do you find the rear a bit hard ?
@@jonathanmellish4439 Yes, it is harder than most. Luckily I prefer a sturdier shock to a softer one but I do avoid the bigger bumps and holes more often when on the Meteor!
@@catflapcheers for the reply.
I've got this bike! It does handle well. The rear suspension was too firm for me, replaced the rear shocks with YSS. Pleased with my purchase.
Spot on review.
Nice to see you swung your leg over one of these in the end, Andy! Another cracking bike from RE - I too prefer the darker colours. There’s a green and black one which is really nice. Certainly tempted by one of these instead of the VFR
Looking forward to seeing you review the Himalayan 452 when its launched.
Thank you Mr. Flyer. I always enjoy joining you for a test ride and this was no exception. I actually love the style of this one but also am not a "Cruiser bike guy" The upgrade of suspension and brake parts is interesting and a good thing I'm sure, and the bike appears to ride very nicely indeed, especially for it's price point. All in all I'm beginning to think that Royal Enfield will eventually get some of my money lol. :>)
Well done, just like always. Never rode the Super Meteor, just the Interceptor and it felt very British and stylish. I liked it. Would love to try also this one. :)
p.s. Keep going bro.
Nice review. It looks like this bike is coming to the states soon. I look forward to checking it out.
Went via your manor to Kings Kidlington to eyeball a BSA in real life and they had a Super Meteor next to it. I sat on it and today figuring out garage space and how bigger, and expensive, the dinner will need to be to convince Mrs C that it has to live with us.
Had a great ride back via the A roads in your area and will return on a sunnier day.
Very cool!
Nice balanced review … thanks…. It’s a style that’s not for me but I’m a RE fan too so it’s nice to see something a little different…
Thanks for watching!
I am not familiar with RE in general, but I like this SM 650! It seems like a nice and sensible cruiser. I think I’d buy one. They don’t seem to be readily available in my area (OK - USA), yet.
Rumor has them hitting the US market before the end of this year.
Great honest review 👍 Ive got a super meteor in the astral green and absolutely love it..ive done 1200 miles on it and it just gets better and better...im 6'4" and love the forward controls as im not cramped
Im 6'5" tall, and I just got one in Astral Blue. First bike I have rode that truly feels like no compromise to the fit. Super comfy and feels so much better than the Harleys I was trying to fit on.
Saturday morning normality restored phew. I thought in photos the styling didn’t quite gel however I think in person they look much better, as you always say styling is subjective and I think they look good. I was out on the RE one ride last weekend and there were four on the ride and no Interceptors which I thought interesting, all the owners had Interceptors before. One owner had some some subtle mods, a tail tidy raising the number plate so you could see the slightly wider rear tyre, a single seat, and some nice leather grips, finished off with some new tail pipes. If you like the relaxed riding position then they are a great bike.
Just saw one of these parked up tonight. Looks good in the flesh.
Well the meat tastes swell too..
You mentioned the hunter but surprised you didn’t mention the 350 Meteor which started RE’s 350 engine rebirth series. A bike you also tested. Good review as ever allowing the viewer to sift personal pref from real world experience. 👍
Yes I love all the 350s - build quality on those seems above the 650s to me….
Thanks
Thank you Alan - much appreciated!
Having test ridden the bike about 5 times now, I really think everyone should test it to see how far Royal Enfield have progressed in their journey of learning and growing for over 120 years. This motorcycle is a testament to that, and it feels as though it was made for me. I am a cruiser guy for sure, with preferences to the bobber style of bikes. I would certainly make a lot of changes to the motorcycle to suit my riding and aesthetic style, but for all intents and purposes right now, I think it is one of the finest cruisers for the Indian market ❤
To say they have been growing, learning, or progressing for 120 years is a joke, right? They were frozen in time for about 50 of those years. Somewhere around 2015 they were taken over and modernized..
@@Dave-sw2dm Yes that is true. Their 350s are still lacklustre in terms of engine refinement and feel, but the 650s really pack a punch and different kind of charisma.
Nice to hear yet again, your honest view, you don`t gloss over the faults of a bike. There will always be traits of any bike we don`t like, but it does`nt make them a bad bike. I`m not really a Royal Enfield fan, as i`ve posted on your vids a number of times, but for many, they are the ideal bike, and you can`t deny the low cost is a big selling point. My favourite Enfield`s are the Hunter 350, and the Interceptor, and if i were to do a custom project, because of their low costs, i would more than likely do so on an Enfield.
Great review Andy, thanks for posting it.
Yes agreed 100% - I too did a project on an Enfield and love it....
yes, the green and gold wheels just seem so right, as it does on the Kawasaki Z650RS. I have a "look" in mind, but it depends on the finances whether it ever becomes reality.@@TheMissendenFlyer
Great review, tried one, having the opposite of unusually short legs I would prefer more of a mid mount. Another thing many miss, despite the engine being almost identical to the Interceptor, they have shorter service intervals, easy to work on but something to consider if you're not a home servicing type.
For taller/ larger riders this Meteor 650 is much more accommodating than the Interceptor. We are all very spoilt for choice aren’t we. A good review as always.
Thank you
At 6’1” &250 lbs., out of all of RE’s new bikes, on paper, this one would fit me well, or so I’d like to think. I hit in a 2022 Himalyan and as much as I enjoy Enduro style bikes, the foot pegs were set back too much for me. That said I received a total robotic left knee back in early 2018 and the therapy I was given didn’t get the range of motion all back, so no fault of the Himalayan but, I carnt get in with it due to my situation. I’ve never ridden a cruiser bike yet I look forward to trying out the Super Meteor 650
@@shakin_jakewilson5247you will find it very comfortable.
@@shakin_jakewilson5247 test ride it you won't regret it..
A great holiday watch! (I'm in Gran Canary again). I do like the looks, especially the tank shape. My Astral Green one is very dark but glints greenly in the sunlight... as you say braking is gentle rather than sharp, but the motor and gearbox are a delight.
Have a good break Nick - love the canaries me (that said I’m just back from Majorca!)
Another honest review admittedly it isn’t a Harley or a triumph but a good bike for the money of which you can have a lot of fun on.cheers TMF.
Cheers William
Enfields best bike to date , it's definitely a step up in build quality to the interceptor. They really are making great progress. They have a nice little line up of bikes
I’m a fan of the 350s build quality over these….
Hi Andy I've got this bike now for 2 weeks as you say it rides great 👍
Guys .. motogb have these and most royal Enfield bikes on offer at the moment £500 off ..grab one while you can:)
Wanted a Royal Enfield since I was 15yo. Finally got a beautiful, '08 Bullet classic Black 500, 55 years later w/ only 4500 miles. Babied it for 500 miles then had a catastrophic transmission failure, doing 5 mph in my driveway. People say " oh there really reliable now!"...YEAH RIGHT! I'll stick w/ my Harley. I'm too old to WALK home.
Some of them look kinda cool just quality control would never buy one stick with my Japanese bikes
To be fair, a 15 year old 2008 500 Classic isn't really representative of the latest Royal Enfields.
You say as if Harleys are the epitome of reliability 😂
@@insanelysaneman2033 your right! Have had 2 1200 sportsters that never broke down in 35k miles, but bikers used to have a p/u truck ride w/ them just in case. Alot had to do w/ people working on them. Harley and Enfeild are equal In one repect...my shed recently burned down and HARLEY, HONDA and ENFEILD are definitely not FIREPROOF! have a Kawasaki W800 Cafe and a KTM RC390 now...new shed!
I've had to go down the cruiser route due to old dodgy hips .
I bought the Classic 350, fantastic looking bike but didn't really float the boat when riding .
So bought the Super Meteor 650. Fell in love with it. Comfortable, powerful enough and I personally love the look, and at the price, can't go wrong. Love the Triumph speedmaster and bobber except for the price. I've now got two new bikes in my garage for less than a second hand Triumph. As for panniers RE seems to have scrapped that idea as the Celestial doesn't come with them.
That’s a shame! Luggage makes a bike so much more useful!
Hitchcock do super meteor frames for givi luggage. Bingley Wheeler has just fitted them to his new SM650 👍
@mickcresswell1031 My only annoyance with RE is the almost £1000 difference between base model and the Celestial. Screen, touring seat, and paint job, don't add up to that price difference. Fortunately I got my Celestial at base price.
This bike has made me an RE fan, its a lovely ride.
Great!
0917 Sat 23rd Sept.
Another great review just wanted to congratulate you on what Ivwould call a down to earth review in a relaxing style that everyone can appreciate. Cameras are great, especially the 360 and quality of the voice over second to none. Keep them coming 👍
Wow thanks very much - that's very nice of you to say!
First thing I notice is sensible and effective front mudguard👍
Nice review TMF, I'm not a cruiser fan particularly but i like this Enfield. I saw one in green with a few accessories and it looked pretty good...i think wire wheels would suit it better. I've been watching your channel forever and still do but I've been slack on the comments!! Cheers Steve
Outrageous! Good to have you back and thanks for sticking with me…
Interesting honest review - my advice is test before you buy. I didn’t and regretted it - ended up selling as not right for me. Found it too weedy on power, suspension hard, too quiet, more like a toy than a bike. Service costs excessive too. But some will like them!
Like you I'm not really a cruiser fan but having bought an interceptor a few months back as my first retro which I love I thought this would also be a good machine for people wanting a budget cruiser like I wanted a budget retro and it seems like it is.🙂
A nice honest review of a bike you aren’t that keen on. I have a feeling that this bike will be popular with A2 licensed shorter riders. Personally I wish that Royal Enfield would update the interceptor and the continental with the switchgear and the lights off the new bikes as it is so much better than the budget looking bits they are equipped with at this moment.
I rode the Interceptor some time ago and overall it felt a great machine. They could made them just a bit more modern, otherwise the RE bikes are just cool. Drop by to check my content mate, you may like it. :)
The Continental and Interceptor both now have the new switchgear as standard, but not sure about the lights.
@@paulbaker1000 That’s good ,I must have seen old stock in my dealership. The switchgear and the indicators were the bits that put me off the interceptor they just looked cheap and nasty and out of place .
The usual excellent standard of review we've come to take for granted over the years, I was interested by your remark about having unusually long legs for your height, IMO your inseam is much more relevant than your height, e.g. I've got precisely the opposite body shape, I'm a shorty to start at 5'7" with a very short inseam of just 29" so the first thing I look at when I find a bike I fancy buying is the seat height, for example I wanted to change my 2020 Street triple RS for the 2023 model but Triumph in their infinite wisdom have increased the seat height by 11mm up to 836mm I was already tip toeing my 825mm 2020 bike, luckily Triumph now provide an after market seat that reduces ride height by 28mm and therefore makes the 2023 bike more accessible than earlier 765 Street triples, my point being I wish more manufacturers would offer solutions for us short arses, European manufacturers are offering solutions but the Japanese are way behind, I can't think of one who addresses the problem.
Yes I’m with you on that….
Can't wait for us to get these in the States!
If you like HD sporters this is the closest thing to getting one now by the looks of it. Proper air cooled cruiser. Hopefully this bike will take off and loads of custom parts will be available for it. Maybe it'll get a following.
The only thing lacking on my interceptor was some decent front shocks. Shame they never addressed it on the earlier bike
I absolutely love my Astral Black SM 650 !!! Everyone asks me whether it's a Harley !!! The weight of the bike & the CG is perfect !!!
Yes it certainly rides nicely - where are you based (which country?)
Lol anyone asking If it's a Harley knows zero about bikes
Interesting review as always. Thanks for posting something different. I've just bought a 3 year old Continental GT 650 to have as a track bike. I have to say the finishes are showing their age already. You can read that, as having failed completely and let the moisture in at the spoke mounting holes on the hubs. This has had the effect of turning the alloy to dusty powder! R.E. make a good value for money machine, but you have to keep them in an air conditioned environment over the winter because "Painting" is certainly of the very most minimal quality on these bikes.
Oh dear - sorry to hear that....
Thank you for posting this. It helps to balance out all the YT videos that are really nothing more than advertisements. Your experience with overall quality appears to be quite common with this brand.
It’s always nice to be pleasantly surprised! 🤣👏😀👍🏍
True!
Nice honest review as usual Andy. Thanks. I think it's a good looking bike except for that speedo which I don't think I could live with. And unlike pipes etc. it's not something you can change for an aftermarket item. Also, a single disc on the front with just a 2-pot calliper isn't really enough for a bike as heavy as that. I know the rear has the same, but that's probably over-braked as I think your review showed.
It's got a good-sized tank though, and proper mudguards. A 'nearly there' bike, then perhaps?
Give it twin front discs and a decent clock and for a budget bike it'd be 'there', I think!
Vince
Yes agreed all round Vince....
Cruisers are not my cup of tea either, but I totally get this bike & if were in the market for such a bike I would take this over the Honda Rebel easily. Good honest review - thanks. Royal Enfield are getting better & better. Recently I was on a mini-tour in the Pyrenees on my BMW R 1250 RS, when I was overtaken by a RE Himalayan!!!! Actually undertaken - I was stationary waiting for a flock of sheep to pass & he snuck up my inside - however I'm sure his ride was as enjoyable as mine overall - it makes me think🤔
I would like to see how this class of bikes (600-900cc) cope with a mature pillion passenger, I do most my riding two up.
Good honest review mate ,
Thanks 👍
To me ,it reminds of an older Japanese cruiser. That being said ,I kind of like it.
I think you should review the top variant .
That has got more features as well as comfy seats ! ❤
Anyway great video mate
Noted!
For future RE offerings, i wouldn't be surprised if they released a variant of this one but with a slightly narrower tank, pegs that are more under the knee and a bench seat (like the interceptor).
Give a colourful paint and call it a HNTR650.
Having followed you on youtube for some time now I noticed you have a fair collection of helmets, in your opinion what would you regard as the quietest wind noise wise? thank you for you touring videos, keep up the good work.
I don't find a great deal of difference between them tbh - my Schuberths are my current favourites
I have to say, like you, I'm not a fan of the looks / styling, but it's great that it exists to give folk a choice. I still think the engine is a peach though, lovely to look at and not short of go or character. I can't wait for the water-cooled 450 single to make an appearance and if they do a road styled bike how that might compare with the new Triumph 400s. Interesting times!
Indeed!
What a beautiful bike. Great color ..
Andy, a reasonably good review, just like the bike, reasonably good. The placecard at the beginning of the video has a image of the SM with its reflection in a mud puddle. A Foreshadow of what your review was going to be like? I am interested in this bike as my first cruiser- ish bike. I was hoping for cartwheels but got a meh instead 😂
Congratulations on a quarter of a million subscribers 🎉👍👏
Thank you for noticing!
I think this is just an alternative to a Harley. In India the Classic 350 is quiet literally the cruiser. Because its literally set up like a 100cc commuter bike because of which you can travel for days and not get tired. I think Harley made a very good decision with the new x440 which is the India made single cylinder harley. It also has that classic 350 sort of rider triangle and you can literally travel for days on end with that sitting position while still getting nice handling characteristics.
The classic 350 is my second favourite RE - great bike.
Nice stylish lightweight cruiser. The front mudguard could have been a touch longer, other than that, I really like it.
Interesting review Andy and as far cruisers go the HD Fatboy is the benchmark of Cruiser motorcycles (particularly Arold Schwarzenegger's bike in Terminator 2 and maybe you could do a review on that bike which would be awesome.) I just got myself a new 2023 CB500X and couldn't be happier - styling, adequate features, excellent fuel range, good wind protection, pricing and so much more that make me glad I chose this bike over this cruiser alternative..
Yes the CB500X is an excellent value for money bike I reckon - good choice! That said the Super Meteor (although it’s looks and finish aren’t for me) does ride well….
Now I would really like to see Hunter 650. THAT would be RE for me 😊
Don't you know it's coming in 2024 ?
@@vzmax No! Really?
@@IvanIvan-sn5sq Just google it and you'll see ! ✌
Well, sorry, I'm no more sure, I've probably made a confusion even if the web mentions the Hunter 650 somewhere...
@@vzmax Ah, nevermind... we'll find out soon enough I guess 😊
Hi there, loved the video! I'm 16 living in the UK, very much interested in doing some sort of touring on the continent on one of these or similar during my gap year (after possibly learning to ride this summer) . I love the classic look and sound of the Super Meteor, and RE's reliability apparently speaks for itself. I wondered if you/any of the other bikers in the comments had any advice for someone young interested in starting biking, especially in the UK?
I’d say just go for it! They do make it quite hard for youngsters to pass the test so you really have to be committed but ultimately it’s so worth it and you’ll have a blast on your new Meteor in Europe. Best of luck!
I like RE's too. Very well positioned value for money, great selection of bikes, and great styling.
However they just aren't for me. I'm a taller rider and started in the dirt, so i lean towards a taller seat. I appreciate cruisers but whether its a RE or HD, I don't care for the low seat, forward controls, and I hate the sound of foot pegs scraping.
Its all subjective. Still, I'm here listening and admiring all motorcycles. It would be awful if they were all the same.
Enjoyed the review, the scenery and company Andy. Still thinking about part 2 of your recent Canary Island tour. Really enjoyed that.
Glad to hear that Sean - cheers!
The fuel tank looks like it could be elongated towards the front to hide some of the frame and cables, perhaps make it slimmer too. Hope RE do a HNTR 650 soon. Maybe they should also ditch the tripper and have more classic looking dual dials instead.
Yes I agree….
It hasn't arrived here in the US yet, but it looks like strong competition for the very popular Honda Rebel 500 ABS.. The three year warranty is a big plus for a marque that is still not well known here, but RE would be wise to ditch those feet-forward controls for mid-mounts in this country. This isn't a Harley after all, and it's an easy switch out.
I have a Classic 350 and really love it, but need a second (or 3rd..) bike that can do the distance with a pillion. If RE did this in the Classic style, I'd be seriously interested.
Glad we’re back to the usual time Andy, last week was weird 😂
Sorry about that Jim - just an experiment that didn’t seem to work (I had a few complaints and fewer views than expected!). As you’ve spotted normal service is resuming…
Yea…. It’s a Saturday morning treat from TMF!
Hi Andy. Just watched your review on the royal Enfield super meteor. I have watched a lot of reviews on this bike ( bringle wheeler has one.) Plus username Katie rode one too. Both good reviews like yours. Like told you. I have planted the seed and is blossom out. Big 👍up from my great lady wife. To go try one . And if I like it go ahead and buy one. Big selling point for you is the looks and seat height. I'm 5,8 inside leg 28. So hopefully I can flat foot on it.
Nice one
As a cruiser it would be a good bike if you are not focused so much on big v twin engines. One of my bikes is a 2022 HD Sportglide with stage 2 cam. It is a good bike in its parameters but I am inclined to walk to my 2023 Ducati V2S Multistrada or my 2017 R1200R BMW. I rode the new HD Sportster water cooled bike while my HD was getting serviced...I would sooner have the Royal Enfield and the money difference. I would suggest the Royal Enfield is a better bike too, as the Sportster was hard on your back, harsh suspension and with teh forward controls and lower bars you would require an osteopath following you. Enjoy the rest of your weather before winter. From deep south New Zealand
Thank you James - one last weekend here I think then into the gloom......have a great summer!
I would choose the RE over the Suzuki Boulevard CT50, simply because it handles better and does not have side boards.
sat on one today and being 6ft 3ins tall it struck me at how high my knees were with my 33 inch inside leg and how heavy the bike is for a 650 twin, However it was very well balenced and easy to get on the centre stand, ive ridden lighter 750cc bikes, not entirely happy with the weight of it. each to their own.
Yes it is a heavy feeling beast isn’t it
I really like the looks of this bike! And being 72 years old with a knee replacement, I think the forward controls would work good for me. But does anyone know the valve adjustment interval for the bike?
Just came from the dealer and they said that at 300 miles you need to bring it in for valve adjustment
And it cost around 5-600 but after that every 3000 miles normal engine changes.
Oil changes*
Andy, something you touched on, Super Meteor & Honda Rebel low seat. Current & potential petite bike gals have less choice of bike capable of decent highway speed over distances.
Agreed
My Pausing skills are excellent .. Mr. MissendenFlyer! 🤓😉
Well done 👍
It's a nice looking bike!
Tried this bike several months ago. A real bike with no plastic and useless gadgets. Impressive looks. Smooth engine and general functioning. Great value bike, although a little bit busy design.
Nice review. I won't be buying one either TMF as I'm not really in to cruisers too. Although it does look decent & definitely seems like a good contender in the middleweight cruiser sector. You've also got the Kawasaki Vulcan. I think ultimately if I was going for a cruiser, I'd go for a bigger engine around the 1000+cc mark for the torque I think.
I had the 350 meteor did 1200 miles from new great little bike but just lacking in power , I saw this at the show
And it just don’t do it for me . Your right quality wise..I might go for the Vulcan 650 .🤔 I am bike less at the mo and missing it 🫣
So will be looking at the market.. great reviews tho 🥂
Thank you!
my concern is with the frame welding i mean they had peoblems on himalayan that the frame cracked , whats your oppinion on this subject?
All I can talk about is my own opinion and experience - I've had no problems with my Interceptor....
@@TheMissendenFlyer Thanks for the reply :)
Nit picky you are.. those welds are great!!! And the design is exceptional IMO
Personally I really like this bike and think it’s very cool especially at the price
Good to hear that!
1 vlog on compare between super meteor and interceptor pls
Biggest letdown is that it would benefit immensely with real, dual clocs. That plasticcy, of center thingy looks horrible. Other than that it looks great, that cruiser styling is more to my taste than the Interceptor but that is, as you said an individual thing. It is a shame that here in Sweden it is very difficult to find one to test, the current agent is not up to the challenge and there is no real dealer network. Hope that changes, but for now RE is out of the competition.
I think the closest competition for the Super Meteor 650 would be the Kawasaki Vulcen S which is also a 650cc about the same price.
I sold my Halrey (no more Harleys for me) and I've been considering either a Triumph Speed Twin 900 or the Kawaski Vulcen S. But with Royal Enfield coming out with the Suoer Meteoir 650 I'll have to add this one to my list.
I think I'm going to have a hard time deciding which one I want. Each have their pluses and minses. One plus I like with the Royal Enfield is the screw adjusment and lock nut value lash system, no shims. On the other two the values are the shim type which makes it much more difficult. Because of this one factor, I might be leaning towards the Super Meteor 650, although I like the Triumph name and the dependablilty of a Kawaski. I have a hard decision to make.
Thank you for this viseo. Ride safe and enjoy every journey.
You too!
Under-seat storage? Hazard lights? USB? Centre stand? This is of much more interest than your feelings about cruisers in general. Thanks for the vid.
A well-balanced and fair review. A welcome antidote to the typically fawning reviews of Royal Enfields from many other UA-camrs who seemingly are more concerned with being popular by not going against the grain.
I’m well past the point of caring on that one!! Thanks for watching and for the kind words…
I like it and I’m more of a modern classic person maybe a black version for me though
Andy wakes up on the wrong side of the bed but then goes for a ride and everything’s better !
That is so true!
I'm curious since you've had your other Enfield since 2019. How do you feel about the reliability of Royal Enfields ? I really want this as my next bike because I'm getting a bit older and I'm tired of big heavy bikes.
Personally, I’ve had no problem with reliability at all.
where is the Hunter 650!
I bought a meteor two years ago, I can't ride it much now because the cruiser style forward footpegs put all of my weight on my lower back. Also the rear shocks are ...shocking
Rear shocks have adjustable settings..
@@Sha-yw6fb I know.
@@tamar5261 well if its still not your change aftermarket one...test it first then buy it to your satisfaction mate..
Old guy here. Short - 5'4" at best. No inseam. Forward pegs just don't do it for me. That alone would prevent me buying one of these. I also don't like the gauges. Prefer old-style twin analog clocks. Eliminate the tripper. From what I've read about them, I 'll stick to separate GPS. It is nice that RE is offering a great choice of reasonably-priced bikes. Kudos to them for that.
I hate that the clock is off centre if the tripper was the same size as the other and I could get on board
Yes those clocks aren’t the best I’ve ever seen on an Enfield - those on the Interceptor I think look great, would have been fine on this bike too I reckon….thanks for watching!
I quite fancy a cruiser but not sure 7k on the super meteor 650or a used indian scout or bonneville america.
the british summer, still i am waiting for the heatwave and cold is starting to creep.. specially at night. 🤣🤣🤣
Yes I think that boat has sailed!
good vid dometimes a surprise
How is the seat & suspension on your tailbone after an hour of riding? I've heard cruiser are hard on your tailbone.
Yes not great for long rides for sure….
I just don’t like not having a tach. Should be symmetrical with tach and speedo and put tripper in center. Yeah the frame welds look pretty bad on that one. Most I have seen are way better welds.
Colour can Make a Difference to a
Bikes Look. I Think the
Super Meteor in Green looks Better
I always thought the Same about
Suzuki Hayabusa paint Schemes
As Well, a nice Paint Job
Can Transform a Bike
I think so too!
My gripe about Royal Enfield is the side panel graphics, which are uniformly awful throughout the range. Some nice looking machines, then they put a 1980s sticker on the sides. Just leave them plain. Less is more.
Yes where i live the bus service is not very good, The train station is about half mile away, and you cannot take e bikes on trains because of the fire risk. If you had to go work every day that would be a nightmare.
I wish they would put larger gauges on motorcycles
Really want a Royal Enfield for my city work, and so I can take part in the Distinguished Gentlemen's ride, but 350 Classic or 650 Meteor? Many reviewers have said the quality on the bigger Meteor is impressive and a step up.
I'd go 350 classic personally - if I had room I'd have one in an instant!
@@TheMissendenFlyer Yep, the Classic 350 hits all the right spots for character, weight, and engine (so long as you avoid motorways). It isn't a poorer version of something else, it's just what it is, and very good at it.
Cheers Andy. Reckon my wife might be interested. Might suggest a test ride.
Yes a really low seat on this puppy…
Tks. much.
This bike reminds me of the Keyway Superlight.