Royal Enfield Bear 650 Review!!
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- I carry out a real world review of the all new Royal Enfield Bear 650!!
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What jacket are you wearing
Thank you Dave. Nice looking bike. One niggle for me would be the lack of a centre stand. And having queried this point with RE at Birmingham NEC show, there is no provision to be able to fit one as an option or for that matter paddock stand bobbins as an alternative !
For chain maintenance purposes especially, a centre stand makes life so much easier. An oversight by RE for me.
My wallet twitched, and I bought one two weeks ago. I was looking for an excuse to p/x my Benelli 702, and so the deal was done. What a brilliant bike this is. Perfect stablemate for my Himalayan 450. Obviously can't afford the Commando you rode last week, but I was thinking if you like that, you'll love this! Enfield have hit the nail bang on the head.
Beautiful motorcycle Dave , professionally rode as usual.
Just a word of WARNING ⚠️ to all riders out there, to be on the look out for OIL 🛢 SPILLS from home heating tankers .
A rider near me had a serious accident skidding off into an on coming car.
The rear wheel stepped out on my Triumph Bonneville as l excelerated from a junction, l managed to restore control thankfully.
Ride Safe Everyone.
After three weeks of ownership, very pleased with mine.
Are you happy with the rear suspension?
That's a good question sir. Happily a twin shock rear end is very easy to upgrade if necessary. I assume Alf Hagon will have something suitable off the shelf in no time or remote reservoir jobbies will become available from one or more of the big players in the suspension industry in due course.
Cheers, Rab
It's firm for sure but I'm a fairly heavy rider so I don't notice it that much.
Thanks Dave, the Bear is the first RE to actually appeal to me. It has the desert racer look and with the air cooled twin now having a 2 into 1 it does look the part. I’m sure RE can wring more power out of that lump, perhaps they should look to offer two power options rather than focusing totally upon being A2 compliant. I’m sure sales would increase further 👍
There has been a big bore kit from day one from S&S and a stroker crank so there was always room to increase, that can still be downgraded to A2 for those that need an A2 bike.
Cracking review, personally I would have liked to see two analogue clocks. As the offset single clock just doesn't do it for me. Love the way you took care riding the bike. Too many other youtubers don't give the bikes given as much care . Something for me to consider in 2 years, but loving my Interceptor at the moment too much
Very smart looking bike! Thanks for braving the 🥶 cold for our entertainment. Keep it on 2
The original Interceptor Mk.1a was a ' desert sled ' made for the U.S. market so it could be argued that the Bear is truly going back to it's roots! A lovely bike and IMO the best 650 twin yet from Royal Enfield.
Loving the recent quality and regularity of videos. Thanks Dave 👍
Wish it had the old twin clocks and better cover on the exhaust but a nice bike
Trading in my super meteor for this color. To me I could never get the super meteor comfortable and since the windscreen was useless this just make sense. Much Much more comfortable and better finish... love the TFT but I'm younger. That is the best color just wish the forks were black. Also the Bear is slightly lighter than interceptor.
A very interesting and well put together first impressions review. Though I couldn’t help being reminded of Foxes Glacier Mints every time the top of the tank came into view..👍
Fox’s Glacier mints there’s a blast from the 80s😁
16:10 as I understand it Dave the maps are through the Enfield app which you have to connect to the clock
Another work of art from RE.. Many thanks Dave.
Like it’s look and sound. Interesting you find it comfortable as that was the only negative on the interceptor for me. Good review again Dave
Cheers buddy defo more comfortable than the Inty for me
I don't get having a collection of bikes that serve the same purpose.
I would have liked a Vincent black shadow.
If I added up the losses over 40 years it would still only be about half way.
Buying new regularly and modifying them will definitely have got through a boat load.
Now this is how a review should be 👍. Looks a great bike and great value for money.
Cheers Richard 😎👍🏻
Morning Dave, a very nice RE bear however the question I asked myself though, is it be better then either of my Moto Guzzi’s and the simple answer is no unfortunately I can only fit two bikes in my garage and I’ve been spoilt not having to do chain maintenance 😜 carry on that man Caio for now tat ta👍🏻
I may have to let one of my BM's go for one of those. Love it. I was told the mid range torque was boosted by a remap. Having found the interceptor lacking mid range, should be great.
May I suggest a handkerchief for your winter rides Dave? 🤣🤣🤣
I do find it strange that we have two giant Indian manufacture using the one engine. Like you said RE has their twin in so many different variants and yet BSA can only manage one model using their single. They've promised us a scrambler model but we're is it, July delivery I've heard but that seems to late to make an impact. BSA just don't seem to be able to match RE at all, wonder why.
Agree, that display really grates on me, it's an analogue bike! I really like it but with new Interceptors about £5k RE's pricing looks a bit wonky. Another good vid. 👍
Stunning looking bike and definitely tempting me to, might need to book a testride😊
Handsome bike....Good price, Triumph-esque quality, what's not to Love?.....Can't wait to see the Classic, though....
I don't think that Triumph quality is anything to shout about.
Nice review as always Dave. Unfortunately for me, I don't think RE have gone far enough in styling the Bear as a scrambler, and those indicators are massive. I have a big bore version and the extra power makes it a completely different animal to my std Interceptor, just 10 bhp more would be ideal. Finally, a Yorkshireman's wallet twitching normally only means one thing in my experience - so get the green frame version. Cheers
I saw the bear in Appleyards last week when I went to buy my Himalayan 450, there’s supposedly a yellow special edition colour way coming out. Good review as ever Dave….Just noticed it hasn’t got a centre stand. I’ve heard the BSA has been put back to June, and yes that bear definitely suits you Dave.
Good Morning Dave , I have to admit i love the blacked out engine case's & gold forks , well worth a look at the price , thanks once again Dave for this review , take care & ride safe
Cheers Steve
This is a great continuation of RE's 650 twin, without doubt, and as long as it's popular and folk still want them, in whatever iteration, they should keep offering it.
However, a little voice inside my head keeps nagging, that RE can't keep building this engine indefinitely. They will, sooner or later, need to start considering a fresh replacement if they want to evolve successfully and be competitive in this class. Otherwise, I can't help but feel they will keep releasing essentially the same models and engines in 'different dresses'.
(Then again, to be fair, Suzuki ain't done too bad from their SV650 since 1999, have they? 🤭)
Another good 'un, pal. 👍
Of all the RE 650s, I think I like this one the best. But, I'd need a lower seat for my short legs. Nice review. Stay safe.
I like this bike and would have been interested in one for my wife, BUT it's just that bit too heavy considering the bhp, and the seat height a bit too much. Opted for the Honda CL500, new, for £4,500 in the end. I'm surprised how high the seats are on many lower bhp bikes these days.
And the seat height went from 830mm to 840mm in the course of the video. If I bought one I'd need a stepladder before long. IMHO bikes like this cannot compete with the recent, basic, modestly-priced Hondas.
The seat height is putting me off as well. At 5" 6' I think it is just that bit too high for me to feel comfortable?
6:06 and the 650 classic 😉
Nice review, I've been thinking about one of these. Probably the yellow one, must go and have a look sometime. Sounds like you're going to buy one 😊, that's the trouble with riding so many new bikes, always tempted to get something else.
They’ve done a good job
You braved the cold to bring us the review and it seems unfair to grumble but I will. I'll not be buying a bike with spoked wheels and innertubes. USD fork and spoked wheels surely are anachronistic. Three cheers for a single, off centre instrument.
That is a nice looking bike and thanks for the review. Regards a larger capacity for the REs I had thought the current 650 complied with the limits of the Indian market which remains RE's main market ( as I understand from other comments not actual knowledge). If a larger capacity were made this would be to suit the OS markets. Personally after a few short test rides I do think a few extra cc's would help and at the same time maybe a few less kg's, especially for the more "all-road types" friendly models. Maybe a different cam and compression configuration option would help rather than an entirely different engine.
I like the single multifunction display and assume it also performs the rider navigation function. I'd still like to see two discs up front to accommodate pillion and gear, toothed belt for longevity and maintenance and heated grips and possibly seat.
Finally, let me say that i do find your link in the comments to a deal on a recently reviewed item particularly helpful. A really good idea.
Nice to see you ignoring the 20 mph speed limit at the start! Good review, like the bike.
Great review as always Top man 👏👏👏👍👍
Wow TBW, i can see in your future 1 of these than the BSA version.
You're missing the parallel twin in your garage!
Just add a windscreen & some panniers & viola, a scrambler tourer!
Great vlog, certainly comes across as a great bike!
Like watching an old episode of Hearbeat 😂! I’ll see thee Wheeler,,,👍
If the 650 is a bit LIGHT for the meteor 650 , I am curious what it does for the new classic 650 which is even more heavy.
For sure you will let us now your thoughts if you ride it, hopefully soon and in better weather conditions ;-)
Hi Dave, Royal Endfield have launched the Scram 440 on the Indian website.
The figures show slightly more torque on the spec sheet,.. something to do with the two in to one exhaust.
Great content, thanks.
All rage init, these scramblers. I think RE have knocked this one out of the park for the price. Get some more chunky off road tires on it and i think it will be a real head turner.
Lovely looking bike, sounds well, great vfm.
Looks like a great machine.
Thank you for suffering in the cold for our benefit 😉!
Hi Dave
How does this feel compared to the guerrilla.? I know they are different animals, but I'm torn. Keep up the fantastic work
Cheers Stevie
Hi Stevie for me it would be the Guerrilla as that Sherpa engine is so rewarding to ride….much more “fun” than the Bear
Interesting machine indeed. What would it be like with 750 long stroke engine I wonder?
BJ
I like it trouble is I've already got a 350 classic and a gt650 😎👍
May I suggest adjustable clutch brake levers just a thought
It is...
I think RE should have fitted a non-working (obviously) turbo boost gauge on the right of the 'TFT, just to annoy people more and balance out the offset part..
Easily sourced from KTM.
very nice but love my 350 re for life 😂
The Royal Enfield i have been waiting for, and went to order one for March, until I realised it was fitted with tubed tyres and told the option to upgrade to tubeless like the 450 Himalayan wasn't available yet. So decided against purchasing the bike at this moment in time, which is a shame. For £7k i think Royal Enfield could and should have fitted the Bear with Tubeless spoked wheels.
Now there’s a thought thanks for that you’ve saved me a disappointment at the dealership, I won’t buy anything with tubed Tyres. 👍
My Himalayan 450 has tubeless spoked wheels.
Lovely bike Dave saw it last week at eddys
Very nice retro classic looking bike 😊😊 oh and “then there” ride down that lane where you described it was a great film shot. Loved that 😊😊
Keep doing those shots it enhances the look when you see it riding toward and away from the camera
Phil
I reckon RE have too many 650 twins . This version would look more the part , if it didn’t have those tacky gold wrong way up forks & out of proportion & off centre single instrument clock . Also chrome handle bars , don’t go with black mirror stems . In my opinion if RE are looking to bring another 650 cc bike to the market , it should have been a big 650 single thumper, with bare minimum of nerd tech, required to pass silly Euro Vehicle directives . 👍
Lovely looking bike but ( being Yorkshire) I'd have a Gorilla and save £2k.....less weight, similar performance, more manageable, more economical , more fun.
There's a bike for everybody.
Someone mentioned foxes glacier mints regarding the bear on the tank…. I thought more Corona lemonade… it’s frothy, man….
Cresta ?
@ you’re right! I stand corrected!
I feel a wave of nostalgia.😊
16:22 a technophobe ,give me a break mate your bikes have more tech strapped to the bars than the starship enterprise 😂😂
Hey, Bingley, don't the younger sales and spanner people take the [iss there, like most do everywhere, when anyone is over 40 ?, Comments like " cave man " etc.
I'm 68 years old and I've been riding for over 50 years
I find it difficult to get excited about these under powered slow retro twins and singles and that includes the new Norton
I wouldn't dream of buying a bike with a beak that has two enormous ally boxes on the back that look like home made panniers
I own and ride a Kawasaki ZZR1400 and a remapped Triumph Rocket 3 2.5L
I ride them all year round and I don't hang about!
When I get on my bikes I'm 18 again
Agreed. I'm 73 and love pottering about on my Honda CB1000R. It's a tad lighter than this RE Bear, but with 3 times the power. Pooh Bear reminds me of his friend Lumpy in Pooh's Heffalump movie. It's my second childhood. Sorry.
How fast do you need to go at your age? This motorcycle goes 100. Your reflexes are probably not what they used to be if your going fast.
@Brettmotorcycles If you only have a 10mph brain that's your problem but but don't expect me to sit behind you
Motorcycle reviews regardless who does them just turn out to be a commercial for the manufacturer.
It looks the Dogs bollocks.Give them a year and look for a bargain I think
A very nice bike but the BSA will knock socks off it i dare say, a single is far more preferable and it looks better too
One thing with using the same engine, you don't have to learn any new speil ! just ride the bike, you know the rest by heart. In fact you ought to think up a new way to present your reviews, they are ggetting a bit boring.
Key fomble noticed I will keep my 500 Classic
Key fomble noticed, put a proper place for the key
Thank you Dave. Nice looking bike. One niggle for me would be the lack of a centre stand. And having queried this point with RE at Birmingham NEC show, there is no provision to be able to fit one as an option or for that matter paddock stand bobbins as an alternative !
For chain maintenance purposes especially, a centre stand makes life so much easier. An oversight by RE for me.