Getting under the skin of the Royal Enfield Bear 650 with the team that built it | MCN Review
Вставка
- Опубліковано 18 січ 2025
- #royalenfield #mcn #retro
Chris Newbigging has been out on the launch of the new Royal Enfield Bear 650. He's also spoken at length to the development team and you can watch exclusive interviews above.
Read the full written review here: www.motorcycle...
We'd love to hear your views so get them down in the comment section!
Find your next bike with the experts at MCN Bikes for Sale: www.motorcycle...
MCN Compare is your one-stop bike insurance shop: www.mcncompare...
Check us out on social media:
Facebook: / motorcyclenews
X: / mcnnews OR / mcnsport
Instagram: / motorcyclenews
Visit the MCN website for all the latest news, reviews, advice and bikes for sale:
www.motorcycle...
Subscribe to get MCN every week, in newspaper or digital format: bit.ly/3rEIjaP
Royal Enfield are absolutely killing it at the moment. So many options catering for everyones needs.
The only reason why people buy china or indian motorcycle is price. Nothing else.
@@podunkman2709 It's a factor certainly but it wasn't my main reason for buying a Classic 350. The looks, sound and fun factor came before the price but it certainly made the decision easier.
@@simonhutchins5704 Same here. I bought it primarily on the looks but ride it because it makes me happy.
My Classic was my 47th bike (over 46 years) from many countries but mostly Japanese, had it two years and I can't see me selling it.
@@podunkman2709that's not true at all just your opinion, literally nothing wrong with Chinese or Indian make bikes, made with the same materials and the same machines with the same tolerances, I bought an Indian interceptor because it looks stunning and puts a smile on my face, I didn't care about price, I bought it over a bonnie, because I prefer the styling.
I'm really cheering for R.E.
Love the way they're taking the company. The bikes are gorgeous; they actually look like motorcycles, instead of angry space insects.
Improving reliability and keeping the bikes "bikes" is making R.E. a hard push for my parking spot.
I want one of these things.
That bike is going to be the No1 selling bike EVER, for RE!
I want one, so bad!
What a smart move Royal Enfield made by partnering with English designers and engineers, beginning with the 650cc road bikes. They're producing a lineup of really attractive bikes, in all ways, including price. It is very unusual and refreshing to listen to a suspension engineer talk candidly about the Scrambler's limitations, both in power and in the dirt. 'Simply honest commentary you rarely - if ever - get from a factory rep, and speaks well of the company.
Honestly, never thought I'd buy a Royal Enfield until I saw how they transformed the Himalayan 411 to the ,now, Himi450. Incredible machine. And this bike has caught my attention as well.
Now they upgraded the Himalayan 411 into Himalayan 440 with some tweaks on the same Air cooled engine.
There is no Himalayan 440 yet. Let RE come up with it first before spreading this as a fact @Varun
@@adityan3208 They launched it few days ago, no? I saw videos about that? Isn't that official release?
- It has been revealed at the Motoverse. 440 Scram is official. @@varun2250
@@varun2250 that is the scram
Test rode this bad boy, an absolute rocket! With pillion weighing 100kgs, it managed to reach 110kmph in just couple of seconds. What a beast 🐻
0 to 68 mph in 2 seconds with a pillion? 🤣....bull 💩
@davidedge4557 62 mph with pillion in 6 secs yes sir. Obviously if you know how to ride one first
Have a RE dealer nearby and love the bikes but always been put off by all that chrome to rot. But the Himalayan, Guerrilla 450 and now this actually has turned my head for potential option for my next commuter. I don’t need loads of power for a run down the motorway filtering and likewise in town.
Guerilla 450
@ thanks I have edited it. Thanks for taking the time to point out my mistake.
Royal Enfield is doing such a great job lately ❤❤.
Great video keep it up 🤟
I've been looking at motorcycles on UA-cam and the showroom floor .
Back in the nineteen seventies I had a friend I grew up with that had a dad that enjoyed racing.
They made what they called desert handle bars, expansion chambers, lengthened swing arms, and purchesed cherryonie forks and fox shocks on the rear suspension. And the 21" front wheel.
Ported out , milled the heads. Larger carbs and jets for adaptation to different elevations of mx tracks here in the southern California area. Three Expansion chambers . Low end, mide range and top end could be changed by the choice you wanted for the track or desert conditions.
All do respect, I'm probably going to buy this bear 650.
I'm sure I'd be right at home on it.
Definitely not for the dirt unless it's easy and your enjoying the environment you're riding in.
I'm old. My last bike was a 1984 Yamaha 490 YZ . They ran like crap. $ 1,500.oo
Took it to Don Jones racing.
He lowered the compression and did great things with the carburetor.
Ran so good after that.
His sons were on team honda back in the day.
What was already great (Interceptor) has become even better!! Congrats!! I'll get one as soon as the Bear 650 is available here in Brazil.
Great review. This is the first review I’ve seen that actually gives positive and negative points. Great to see a journalist with balls. 👍
I've seen dozens of reviews, all had some bad points, Not sure what you're talking about, and it's NOTHING to do with "balls"....
you should have asked why we are not getting the yellow version - it is by far the prettiest and yet....
If it only had 75bhp-ish. I know people say "47 is enough" For them yes, not for me. Make a 650 with 75 that can be tuned down to 47 if that A2 is so important. Come on RE!
Thank you for a very well made review.
What about a 100-110 bhp make it a 850-900cc . Add 8 levels of traction control with cornering abs,5 riding modes,intelligence breaking. Also make it lighter, use plastic and carbon fiber .put a straight pipe .
Also change the name to ktm .
Enfields were never about bhp .this is the exact thing that kîlléd every other retro bikes. And thank God royal Enfield understands that . I at least want one bike maker to survive and keep the retro feel.
You can buy those 80-90 bhp so called retros they are just downgraded sport bike engines with an old look. Every other manufacturer is doing it.
Change the exhaust out and it's more like 50 which is more than enough for literally anyone unless you're riding illegally
Sorry! You need to look at other brands then. Its the same thing, "If it had this, that" etc.... that our bikes now cost are running through the roofs!
You can have a big bore kit fitted by Hitchcock's in England for about 2 grand. Or fit it yourself for half that. Makes it an 865cc with around 75bhp.
They are building an all new 750cc engine.......
They should really release a “tracker” version with dual 18inch wheels. Would be the perfect aesthetic.
@@cowmath77 or 19”. RE are already active in the flat track race world
Interceptor has 18 inch wheels and can easily been transformed into a street scrambler like this one, which is what I've done
Yes, stretch it 2" and raise it 2" then it will fit me! I wanted the int650 but it was too small. I bought the tenere 700 but this is more my style!
Love the look of the Bear 650 scrambler, however for me I'd use it for road use only, therefore alloy wheels and tubeless wheels are important to me please Royal Enfield give me this option!
This always pops up, wish l knew the incidents of punctures per million miles of motorcycling! I like spoked wheels, always have, and from 16 to 60 years of age l've still yet to suffer 1 puncture.
@@saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555 Thank you for your reply.
@@saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555 61, been riding on road since 1979, only owned one bike under 750cc, only ever had one "flat tyre" and it was some 1d1ot that actually let my front tyre down at work, put air in and it stayed up till I sold the bike a year later, NEVER had a puncture either. I've easily done over a million miles in Australia, didn't even have a car license until I was 40....! If you're interested, that includes around 40 different bikes, with 20 odd having spoke wheels {CB750 Hondas}
RE is offering tubeless wire spoke wheels in the new Himalayan and now the newly launched Goan Classic 350. Perhaps they would be offered as an option soon in its 650 lineup as well.
@@saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555wow. You've never experienced a tyre puncture?? Here in India, it's an industry.
1:58 Some Very impressively Graceful Reasonably High Speed Cornering.....!!!!!!
Really wish they would've kept the dual analog gauges instead of the new lcd screen. A retro styled scrambler bike just doesn't look quite right with that modern screen
Loved the 70's when each engine had just 1 bike style, now loads of slight variations using the same motor...
I see this as a 70% on road 30% off road bike, of course it's not going to be like a dirt bike off road but it will get you down a fire road no problem, and even some single track if you're a skilled enough rider.
well obviously chris the suspension dynamics didn't get sorted when you were initially testing the bike because the reviews so far have all come back & said the suspension is too stiff at the rear by a country mile. The description I heard mentioned was that it might be ok if you had a pillion on the back & a load of luggage. But surely it should be adequate of a say 65 kg rider on softest setting & for a heavier rider they may need to adjust the pre load. The same could be said for the 65 kg rider with his girl friend on the back with luggage for a weekend away-he should need to adjust the preload on the back for the extra weight. However that isn't the case & the standard suspension doesn't work as it should which would tend to suggest that the test rider didn't know what he was doing or they chose to simply put it out with sub standard suspension. My Meteor 350 suffers from exactly the same problem-it's practically rigid in the back end.
This is the most pertinent comment on here.
We say in Colorado, "Some of the best twisty roads are got to by a gravel one."
When the Shotgun was released, I wanted one. Now I prefer the Bear. Or maybe both.
Nice work Mark Wells
Any way to install a centre stand on this? The interceptor has it...
I imagine there's a kit. The Conti GT doesn't come with one either, but can be fitted with same as INT.
@garyives1218 bear has the cat con in that location
Based on available photos, you'll need to change the stock exhaust as the catalytic converter will get in the way of the center stand mounts on the frame.
@@cgRui34 that's what. Strangely almost no youtuber is even mentioning it. Like RE has instructed them not to talk about it.
If you change the exhaust then you can yes
Young men can discover what it was like to modify here and there to squeeze out 4 to 8 more hp. A hotter mapped ignition curve would get things going quicker and that responsive nature would be enough without affecting reliability.
VERY attractive bike...
Wow what a beautiful bike..
This looks great, and a good price as well
I LOVE HOW THE FASTENERS ARE PRE-RUSTED
That's a test/developmental/prototype bike, they go through pretty hardcore & rough testing, to the point they can fail & show weakness, so as to develop better bikes & components.
What is the minimim height to fit well this bike? Im 1.66mts im afraid i wont flat foot on this bike
Probably too short. Interceptor may be more suitable. Or Meteor 350
I just sat on one at my new local dealer. Unfortunately not for me. I found it stiff, uncomfortable seat, and I was leaning forward like on a cafe racer. I then sat on a new Himalayan 450. Much more comfortable as I was sitting more upright. The Himalayan was a little over $6000. As far as the 650 engine, it’s a peach so for my comfort with that platform it would be the 650 meteor or the 650 Shogun.
Bbig bore kits have been around for some time now for this power plant, yet don’t offer a huge increase in performance.
Gotta say the BSA 650 Scrambler nudges it on looks
Yes it does but royal enfield have been building bikes for longer so does that count for something?
Probably and I think you’ll have better back up with RE
Great review MCN 👍
I like the styling BUT a set of USD forks and a TFT dash are a deal breaker on a modern classic for me… sure it will sell well though.
Dash looks great to me
I’ll take the better performance of USD any day.
why are the suspensions so stiff at the rear, are there settings to make it softer? Doesn't matter the travel but feels like the travel is not functional.
Great Review
Beautiful bike can't wait to see in dealers
Every review has concerns with the rear suspension. I was going to order, but will wait to see if RE update it.
Great, honest review. I quite fancied one of these as a second bike, but if it struggles on inclines and can’t go off road at all, as you say, then probably not for me🤔
I'm in Australia and seriously thinking about buying one to ride around Australia, that will include 1000,s of kilometres of dirt. I'll put an aftermarket 2 into 1 pipe for considerable weight savings, bring wet weight under 200kg, change the rear shocks and it will do it easily.... Virtually any well set up bike can go off road, it's more about the riders abilities... The UK virtually has NOTHING like Australia offroad, it's way more "off road" here and I'm still considering this bike. I'm 61 and owned around 40 bikes, I've ridden old Honda 750/4 's in places you wouldn't dream of getting a bike that size....
Well said, and of course there is always the option to slow down and ride to suit the conditions and the machine. I road a 550 four Honda across the Tanami desert in 80's. Then I rode a Suzuki GS1100 up the Birdsville track whilst towing a trailer, over 300kgs for just the bike. We rode what owned, and didn't complain endlessly about its ability. If my poor little bottie got sore, I stopped for a rest. If my bike couldn't handle the dirt at 100klm/h then I did it at 75. We didn't spend our days whining about how the bike didn't have tubeless tyres because they didn't really exist for most bikes, if I got a puncture I fixed it.
Great looking bike.
Looks nice very Triumph 1200 Scrambler
How many people actually have an A2 license? Are the numbers enough for so many manufacturers to pander to them and dumb down so many models?
If it encourages the youngsters to an industry dying on its ass then surely a good thing
Last time I checked 46bhp was more than enough power to loose whatever license you hold, it’s not for A2 license holders it’s for people who love motorcycles
No clue, past my test in 1988 …
@@Steve_Greening Absolutely, if you exclude Autobahn in Germany, anywhere else on Earth speed limits are 130kmh max. 48cv with a decent torque curve and good road suspensions can cater to that fairly well, while being good fun!
I've had big bikes, and I've had an Interceptor 650 - had great fun with all of them, had to sell the 650 for financial troubles, but would have kept it otherwise
There's a reason they sell so many...
Love the style, hate the colours. The orange prototype looked great!
Looks lovely but a bit heavy maybe?
I'm getting one🎉
I'd maybe buy an RE outside of India, but for a medium or big bike in India, id probably buy the Bear. Having toured the Himalayas on an old Classic 500, if i was to do it again today, id choose this bike. Im not a huge fan of the Himalayan. The bike looks practical and a lot of fun. And with an aftermarket pipe. Last question: how easy is the engine to tune? Ive seen folks getting big hairy power out of the 650 already on the Interceptor
It looks great but prices are creeping up and you can get a Guzzi V7 for similar money.
A sportier edge on the road with 50/50 tyres? Yes the upside down forks do reduce the unsprung weight but the tyres are still a compromise when the brief is occasional off road fire trail use then why 50/50? Wouldn’t 80/20 be a better option?
Because 50-50 tyres are that good now that you can scrape the pegs on these bikes with ease, seriously, look into the newer 50-50 tyres, I have mates that scrape pegs on the 1200 triumph ADV bikes with 50-50 and 60-40.... Tyres are a lot better than you think....
@ I understand completely. The Pirelli STR’s as an example are great! They just don’t last very long when you are pushing them to their limits especially on a new FTR as an example. Scrapping pegs can also be an indication of poor rider dynamics as well. I’ve scrapped the exhaust headers on an FTR at maximum lean whilst doing everything to prevent this. Pegs are a lot cheaper to replace. 😂
rust in most bolts?! just me that saw that?!
Ask this man,
1. Why a bike created for unmade road does not have tubless spokes(despite knowing that their home country needs it the most)
2. And how are we supposed to fix the puncture when there is no center stand
3. A stiff ass suspension for a soft roader.
4. Same tank range... 😢
Please request them to make kits for such creations... since there is no significant upgrade..
But in 6 years they have managed to make a better interceptor(with new issues)
Oh yeah relocation of the rectifier should solve the rectifier failure issue.. ✌️
Beautiful looking road bike.
My guess is too heavy and tight to ride hard offroad.
I'll keep the scram 411 for offroad.
Muz from oz
who picked the music? )
Well, that's killed that bike off😮
0:39 I see, RE sticking to it's trademark. The age old Rust Livery on their bikes.
I was surprised when I saw that this bike has less suspension travel than the standard Ducati scrambler… it really is 95% road bike.
The Ducati is a mono shock, apples and oranges....
@@MickH60 suspension travel is suspension travel...
It weighs over 200kg you wouldn't take this off road lol, it's more for slight gravel roads of anything, like most of these street scramblers they're all 90% on road
Malle royale 650 is the first prototype. Robert knightingale u need to be credited...
Moto veramente bella.
Hitchcock's do an 860cc big bore kit for the Interceptor so with it being the same engine, I dare it can be used for the Bear....
Simple, well made, affordably priced, sufficient road performance. No wonder they sell well.
Another naked bike exposes me to wind shock😂😂😂
I have one kislux bag I got in 2019, it's the LV white catogram speedy. It's counter quality and it has a nice honey patina now, so the leather is real. I think whatever makes you happy go for it. I've seen LV with plastic leather and blood red glaze...
Cool that they keep coming out with new models but they barely support their existing models. Support and part supply sucks!
Weight will tell you everything about level of technology. And this motrcycle is heavy as hell.
Himalayan family came out before the 650’s. It was ItchyBoots who put RE on the international map. Get the facts right please.
Typically the brightest, bling colour (yellow- my favourite) isn't coming 😪
Better off to have built a 850 Overmode style Dakar beast.
Personally I feel RE have misses an opportunity to fill a hole in the market for someone looking for a ADV with classic looks instead of the SUV generic crap the others are offering. It's too heavy and doesn't have enough suspension travel to take off-road but will look cool at the cafe which is the target buyer sorry RE bit of a fail....
It's not that heavy, actually its way lighter than a lot of popular ADV bikes, change the exhaust alone and it's under 200kg wet, the suspension id good enough for what scramblers are used for, I'd ride one around Australia with a decent setup no problems at all, I'd look to do most of it on dirt roads too....
@@vaughanboyce3702 it’s Retro scrambler. Compare it to Triumph TR6C, albeit 60 lbs heavier with around about the same power.
They have the himalayan
Himalayan?
@@bikes.and.knives Royal enfield himalayan.
Some say, that there is a interceptor 750 being developed......
I see a rustbucket......
I want one!
Imho the only drawback to this bike is weight, it is really heavy for 47 hp, the Ducati scrambler has more power and is much lighter
Ducati is about $10k this comes under $7k.
And it can still achieve top of 100+ mph.
So more than high way capable.
Change the exhaust you get 50hp and that is enough for anything and anyone, I love mine and there's nothing I can't do on it, who cares about hp people obsessed with it
I am sure Yamaha had a Big Bear 350
In America
"Not up to road trips"
Bro people road trip on Honda CT110's 😂
Power to weight ratio is less….Hard suspensions ….and No option for TUBELESS rims …. How will u push or pull such a huge bike if gets punctured ??
Can't believe they gave in and put a hideous gold fork on one of their models.
@@garyives1218 bruh it's literally only in one of the models. Can't believe you're still whining about that
@@adityan3208 It's called a comment section. It's not a praise section. It's not just a spot for people to heap praise on products. A bit of criticism can be useful. Just like people going on and on about digital dashes, and tubed wheels.
@@garyives1218 Yeah and what RE gave is choice. You can criticize (that's fair and well) and we can criticize your criticism too.
All other criticisms you listed like the tubed wheels and dashes make sense, don't cobble it together with the "hideous gold fork" doesn't seem fair.
Also I don't see in what world your criticism about the forks was constructive and useful.
be better off buying the Triumph 900 scrambler!!!.......
Why?
Too heavy
Nah this looks nicer plus you could two of these for the same price lol 😂
Advertorial
Really? They took 4 years to do what someone in their shed could do over a few weekends….
There's lots of hype around this bike, but I don't get it. It's not much different to the interceptor. Really, it's just a styling exercise.
100% true what you've said. RE has been aggressive in their marketing in the past couple of years, they've been reaching out to every avenue to push their bikes, which are sub par at best, I should know, I live in India & I see these all over the place. Plus, add the huge number of Indian blind loyalists praising RE, some less than reputable channels "review" these crappy bikes to increase viewer count & give praise. Honestly, it's bad, cause it gives new riders the idea that RE bikes are good, when in reality, they've sub par at best.
@@K1eanerthere are tonnes of people who like RE and who aren't indian so to say, to dismiss everyone as loyalist and marketing pawn is kind of a reflection of losing rationality. Is RE better than let's say kawasaki? No! But a honda? It depends, bcs honda does not offer the same value for money as Enfield esp in india.
Also, RE has improved over the years, to judge it based on its past isn't rational.
Yess it's maybe not the best bike you can get in terms of tech but it offers other things, more than 1 mil bikes have been sold & it's bold of you to assume that people are buying it without them being reliable or offering quality as advertised.
@@percentbigfoot Thanks, for making my point for me. The second part of your response sums up what I've wanted to add. Cheers.
@@K1eaner cheers dude, I don't mind purple having different opinions or not likings. That's not why I replied to you, I simply wanted to emphasize that people have vivid tastes & companies target that for maximum engagement, if the numbers show a positive diff then for the company is doing something right & it's not simply marketing or gimmick.
@@percentbigfoot It's a free world, everyone has a right to their opinion & there's no need for anyone to agree. I shared what I've been seeing lately on almost every motorcycling channel & how some are not being genuine in their opinion, some are giving subtle hints on how they were coerced in doing the review..etc..etc. I've shared my opinion, like it, don't like it, doesn't matter. A highly populate country will have higher sales, anyway. It is what it is. Doesn't change a thing. I know what I saw & what I'm seeing. Take it easy. Laters.
Tight hard rear suspension... Not a fan of such stiff suspension 😅
Eicher Motorcycles and Scooters and Hero Motorcycles and Scooters to change the way you Motorcycles.
TVS Motorcycles and Scooters and Norton Motorcycles can't compete with Eicher Motorcycles and Scooters and Royal Enfield Motorcycles.
This is a fashion exercise not a scrambler the power to weight ratio is terrible ….
needs more cc
They shud have given it WP Apex suspension
Waiting for - Royal Enfield lion,tiger,horse,wolf etc versions
mudguards not good
lol. In the US there is no “A2” and they still sell here. Getting a motorcycle license is easy and you can pilot a turbo Hyabusa without bullshit red tape communist graduated licensing.
Looks great, but at least 40kg too heavy. Useless. Caballero still reigns supreme.
So you can't ride good enough to handle a scrambler on a dirt road ? It's only useless to you. The 500{450} caballero is a great bike but it's too small for a lot of us and really is a far different bike, the T7 Yamaha is around 200KG and this bike, with a decent aftermarket 2 into 1 is under 200kg. I'm only 160 ish pounds {72 KG} and I'd ride one of these , set up well, on dirt roads easily.
@@MickH60 Why would you assume I would only want to take this down a dirt road?
The Caballero actually has a taller seat height than the Bear and is a substantial motorcycle unless you're a massive fatso. It's certainly big enough for my 6'2 frame. It should be more than big enough for you little weed.
Yes, it's a far different bike, in that it does everything the Bear does, just much better. Precisely the same segment and target clientele.
Hey, why do you know so little about motorcycles?
Why you comparing two completely different bikes 😂
Can't believe how crusty the development bike is!
Bye bye KTM, hello Royal Enfield.
I used the think MCN is among the last honest review channel, disappointed to see you're available for sale. Guess the marketing wave of RE got to you too, huh?
How is this review making you feel like they are a sellout? I heard a lot of criticisms thrown at this bike in this review
@@adityan3208Exactly. Haters gonna hate
I was eagerly waiting for the INT Bear 650.
But I've realized that some things never change with Royal Enfield. To start with they are heavy and the power-to-weight ratio is modest at best. The mirrors are useless, poor suspension, the seat is a compromise and selling touring seats is a great way of making money through "accessories". Then the vibrations, cheap chrome components, poor electricals, including relays, and RUSTING.
This bike was launched only a fortnight ago and is already rusting. Take a close look at the nuts and bolts on the bike (12 sec into the video).
After 3 Royal Enfields I have switched to Honda CB 350 H'ness for daily commuting and what really stands out is the smoothness, low maintenance and NO rustings.
I can understand you are here to comment only negativity. The bike shown earlier is the earlier model which they based to refine the new bear. So please take your toxic negativity somewhere else
Royal Enfield ... This is ur true signature. They know it all but they brush it below the carpet.
Bruhhh at 12 seconds.. That's the old interceptor.... 🙄😪
That bike is a Proto not the real thing
😂😂
The rust is from using non production parts and materials
What a load of nonsense you have written.
I think that was a pre-production model. It’s a nice looking bike but I agree with some of your comments. Royal Enfield motorcycles are built to be affordable which is commendable. They have stiff competition now from Chinese manufacturers which were in strength at the NEC. Let’s hope Royal Enfield can continue their very successful comeback!
Same engine how many models lol ? Come up with new engine clowns