Royal Enfield are doing a lot right of late. Other manufacturers should take note. We don't all want ugly transformer or insectoid esque plastic, hyper complicated, over electronic'ed, expensive, penis compensator missiles.
It is shocking how few manufacturers actually offer a decent range of motorbikes shaped like...motorbikes. It would have been so nice if the new Honda CB750 was shaped like a classic CB, alas they made it look like a pointy Chinese 125 instead.
A good and honest video as usual. RE brakes improve considerably after being thoroughly bled until all the old fluid is out of the system. If as a non- cruiser enthusiast you like the Meteor, try the Interceptor and/or the Continental GT. I think you'll be even more pleasantly surprised.
Have just bought this bike. And found it surprisingly refind! The gears slip in positive every time and this 650 RE motor is something special! Silky smooth even while breaking in. Has everything you need from a cruiser with real everyday riding enjoyment with those rides you want for downtime to just explore and grab a coffee along the way and a perfect start to your day commuting to work. This is a bike that punches a little above its engine capacity once on board with how it feels. Punches above with build quality with its price tag. Highly recommend the RE Barend Mirrors. The vision is so much better and absolutely improves the look of the bike. Great work Royal Enfield! Nailed a quality cruiser at a price many can jump on and enjoy!
The bike is sort of restricted by an undersized exhaust manifold down to 46hp and 38lbs torque. For a few hundred bucks fit the upgraded sports manifold and exhaust for 65hp and 48lbs. No remap needed, stock computer adjusts to the sports upgrade.
Had an Interceptor 650 for three years and 10,000 miles, a great engine, I like the look of the Supermeteor, but waiting to see the 650 classic's arrival .
I hope to see you review the Continental GT as it's on my list to have as my first 'big bike'. Also would love to hear your honest opinion on the GT too!! Great video as always and the start b-roll is so smooth and crisp :))
As one of those older, more "discerning" riders, I am shopping for a motorcycle to ease me into my 7th decade. I saw one of these for the first time at my local RE dealer just the other day. (They are just now coming to the States) These look much better in the flesh and they sit very well. I have owned many bikes over the last five and a half decades and many have been of the cruiser style. You were not impressed with the front brake, but found the rear to be adequate. That is common on a cruiser as they are designed for riders who, in many cases, use the rear binders more than the front. I have learned to use both., except when negotiating parking lots or gravel roads. I am, now, trying to decide between this bike, a T100, a Duzzi V7 Special, or a W800.
I'm in the phase of my life regarding downsizing my motorcycle preferences. For me, less is more. I now have the SM650 as my primary bike. I have done a few minor mods, TEC slip ons, DNA filter and some Nology ignition wires. It definitely spunked up the motor and sounds like a proper cruiser. You just can't beat the price for what you get.
To put the world into perspective. The Bonneville 120e was rated at 46hp, but even without all the modern materials it weighed 165kg dry. If bike manufacturers would make use of lighter materials these 40ish hp bikes would fly along. Nice review of a lovely looking bike ...if you like 50s nostalgia
That is SO true. Enfield missed the opportunity to debut a 750 and make strides (Himalayan got all the improvements), instead they took an off-the-shelf engine of 47 hp and put it in a bike that weighs 60-70 pounds more than the Conti GT/INT650; Suzuki already did this anemic cruiser with the S40 Boulevard 650 😢
I am not a fan of Royal Enfield’s motorcycles, but I think they got the looks of this bike correct. Problem for me once again is the horsepower, but RE seems to focus on the A2 license segment.
I actually thought the brakes were very good, especially the rear which is usually rubbish on most bikes. May the demo I rode had done more miles than yours. The only problem I had was trying to get used to having my feet forward. The engine is the best I have ever tried Very good review and agreed with most of your comments Defo gonna get an RE, but which one? Deposit on Himmy 450, with the well known wait n wait n wait...💤
A good review thanks. But every time I watch a British Cruiser review I have to laugh when they mention how heavy the bike is. From a guy in the US like me who rides a 800+ pound bike a 400+ pound bike is a featherweight. But I’m getting up in age and the weight is starting to become an issue. Trying to decide if I need to downsize and these bikes may fit the bill especially price wise. They are much cheaper by a couple of thousand dollars compared to the UK. Thanks again.
@@Englishbikerdan I have an Indian Springfield it’s more nimble than the Yamaha Stratoliner was:) The Springfield is similar to a Harley road king. Hard Bags and windscreen and huge amounts of heat to my right leg:)
Always enjoy watching yr videos. Even a bike that looks boring ends up a near purchase. How is the riding position compared with the interceptor pls? I always loved the engine.
