Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 vs Kawasaki Vulcan S 650 vs Honda Rebel 500: Rider Swap Comparison 

I have Super Meteor 650, same colour as yours, absolutely love it, have fitted a DNA air filter which has definitely helped the throttle response, next job is replace the rear shocks with either YSS or Hagon. Really enjoyed the comparison between bikes, well done.

I love my 650 RE Super Meteor. From the ride height to the forward controls. Rode from Hertfordshire to Cornwall recently. Definitely needs better rear shocks. I'm currently on setting three on the rear suspension. 36psi front tyre and 38psi back. I found I'm not getting bounced off my seat riding the back roads so much with these settings while riding between 30 to 40mph, or at 70 on British motorways. That said I intend to buy the same rear suspension units as you have already installed. I only ended up with the Super Meteor as not one local shop had the 650 Kawasaki cruiser when I went to buy a new bike. My grandson bought one - can that bike move when it needs to! Impressive! A possible point of interest for you. We both spent under £25 in petrol travelling to and home from Cornwall. Safe enjoyable cruising guys! 😊👍

I have the Super Meteor 650. I have to say the bike really grows on you. I came to it from a classic 500. Loved its refined nature and the feel of a proper cruiser. It feels really steady and well put together. I like that it's understated in stock yet has a very unmistakable presence. I feel the bike feels different during different times. I hate it while parking in tight spots. I hate it on bad roads. I hate it in choc a bloc traffic. But once the roads are open and a little flat, it turns into a majestic beast. It even sounds different at higher revs than lower. I feel like I'm still not on board with the suspension and the heavy nature of it. Although it feels like I am adapting to it. It's a strange thing this bike. I love it but also feel it's not easy to love all the time. Not like the Classic. But then I've always wanted an authentic feeling cruiser. I guess it will motivate me to take it out of the city on to the highway more. That's the only way to enjoy it. It can feel as unwieldy as a car in traffic. But easy to flick as well. This bike is some what of a paradox.

Yes! I had my chain serviced and tightened, what a big difference!

I'm from Brazil watching this video, not sure which one to buy. But I think it helped a lot. Congratulations and thank you.

Cool viv - thanks. Good advert for a Thai motorbike tour using rentals (I'm in UK). Yes ref bikes all 3 are obviously smile generators but as a Vulcan owner (2018) I must point out that since thier birth in 2015 the ONLY change has been the inclusion of gear change indicator in 2017. So they got it right first time - no expensive suspension mods, no changing bars (from new you can choose bar,seat and reach options), I find I can cruise at 30 without jerking but 3000 revs is pretty uch my preferred cruising speed - and oh boy getting past that line of trucks is a blast with the ninja 650 get up and go - so its in a genre of its own - sports cruiser. Having said all that the Rebel and Enfield would be welcome addirions to my garage - if I gad one! Good touring lads, you've got it made.

Out of the three, I've only experienced the Vulcan which I've owned since 2016. It's not my "main" bike so I only clock about 1,500 kms per year on it. I bought it because of its looks and was also surprised by its performance. I took it on holiday to Sicily and could keep up easily with a couple of friends on Ducatis doing 155kph. I do not find it especially comfortable and I am not too sure about the forward controls which expose one's lower back too much to road imprefections. I've tried moving the footpegs backward and even installing Kuryakyn footboards but, in terms of comfort, nothing beats the standard sit-up-and-beg position. I quite agree that the Vulcan needs to be revved beyond 3500 rpm to reach its sweet spot. I was also amazed at the slack on Scott's chain. I've been worried about mine for some time but it's nowhere near as bad as that! One last point. Over 15,000 kms and 8 years, the engine cut out three times for no reason. It was very unnerving the first time it happened. In reality, it started again immediately each time but I've often wondered what the trouble could be. Anyway, great video ... keep them coming.

Thoroughly enjoyable watching the various views of the bixe. It's the rainy season here in England for the second time this month!!

Own a super meteor and agree that the stock rear shocks were terrible… but after installing aftermarket shocks, it’s not something I think about anymore. How the bike should’ve been. Love the style, sound, 270-degree ‘power pulses’ of the engine. I’ve tried a Vulcan S and I recall it feeling ‘smooth as butter’.. but it doesn’t quite have the cruiser style I love. Never tried a rebel 500.. took my motorcycle safety class on older rebel 250s and those definitely looked the best (most like a motorcycle should look) to my eyes out of the available options.

Hi, Teacher T. I’ve been following you from the very first video. Nice content. Keep up the good work!!! Respecting to the bikes, let me tell you that I have a 2015 Vulcan S 650 ABS for about two years. It’s been a pleasure from the beginning. I have made a lot of mods, and still continue doing it. I’m 58 and it’s my second “big” bike. Before I had a meteor 350 which I sold because I feel the need for more power. At that time the Super Meteor was just a rumor; so I didn’t want to wait and after some really short period finally had the chance with a Vulcan. It’s my come true dream bike. Sorry for the long comment. John from Colombia. Bye for now. Ride safe!!!

Nice video thanks for taking the time guys

Great video guys. I have the rebel 1100. My first bike. I really been enjoying it

Great video; these were my 3 options for my next bike and I am pleased I went for the Vulcan S; all of them are awesome machines; willing to take a trip with my son as pillion from UK to south Spain next summer after his GCSEs

Meteor 650 has soul..it's the best by light years

The Kawasaki Vulcan s 650 stock exhaust its a junk. Once you change that for an after market one, everything changes for good.

Great video. I’m in the UK and can confirm the Rebel has 46hp it’s to keep it A2 license compatible like all the Honda 500s It is a great bike and love it. I had a Honda CBF600 before and that had 78hp. Only time I miss the extra hp is on uk motorways the 600 was a rocket compared. But I wouldn’t go back my Rebel gives far more smiles per mile. I have a friend with a Vulcan s and can easily keep up with on my Rebel.

That Vulcan looks very comfortable to ride..

A motorcycle should be a piece of "mechanical art"...the RE is the only qualifier.

I own a super meteor, a meteor 350 and a honda forza 750... Damn every bike has it's pro's and cons. But i love them all! Forza750 long comfy tours with wid protection and luggage space, the meteor 350 puts a smile on my face every time i hop on it and if i want to cruise along i take the super meteor! I can say, royal enfiels is seriously well build... Well on par with premium brands. And honda... Well honda is fantastic

I have the interceptor 650, I love it to bits but next year I’ll sell it and will get the super meteor ❤

I love the super meteor 650 one of the best looking small medium cruisers on the market I ride a triumph rocket 3gt in uk damn weather here as you well know and I’m looking at the 650 meteor or the shotgun for a more sedate ride round the country lanes but torn between the 2 but meteor is just ahead at the moment great video hope you are well and enjoy living in that beautiful country take care ride safe

I think I have the best, I have a Vulcan s and a meteor 350 and I love them both. Charlie

I really enjoyed the video

My Rebel 500 has passed 70k Miles, and still on the original battery. Safe Travels!

You need a handlebar riser for your super meteor 650. Because the suspension is raised it will affect the rider triangle hence a high and inward tilted handlebar riser will make the triangle even more comfortable. It is available in after market. All CNC made, strong and durable. You just have to search a little bit and if you don’t get you can import one from some indian custom accessories brands.

how's life in Thaailand? the surroundings remind me of Hawaii. super nice!

Long legs on the Rebel would be the worse than shorter legs stretching for the forward controls, unless a person can't reach the forward controls. lol Seat height has another equation, the width of the seat. A slightly taller but narrower front of the seat will enable feet on the ground as well as a shorter seat height that is wider. Loved your conversations on the bikes.

Gentleman, I'm 60 years old. I Just started riding at the age of 56 when I retired. I'm not mechanicaly inclided. Which would you say is most reliable and requires the least amount of maintenance?

I've had a Vulcan S and while I liked it, that it's classed as a cruiser is kind of wrong. It's too sterile, for lack of a better term. The Rebel line is growing on me, but I have never liked the peanut tank look and the stock exhaust is hideous (aftermarket not much better with all the upswept, tiny options). The SM650, although I have never ridden one would be my choice as it has the look for sure and from every review I've seen or read, it has the "feel" and that history of RE. Plus the finish and color options for the RE are awesome compared to the paltry offerings from Honda and Kawi.

Good video again, but slightly an unfair comparison as you had upgraded shocks, belt drive and an modified seat, would there comments have been the same if there kidneys were left behind on a standard super Meaty. I test rode a BSA 650 yesterday an although not a cruiser, a very comfortable ride. Although made in India, it has a Rotax single cylinder an only five gears but pulls like a train. I’ve still got my Meaty 350 an love it. Keep well 👍😎

Kawasaki and Honda are both good bikes, but like most are totally soulless and have no character at all.

Kawasaki Eliminator 500 2024 is missing. Moved to Kawa from Meteor 350.

Good video.. 👍. Wouldn't mind a ride on the Vulcan, the Rebel makes me feel a little nauseous 🤢 ascetically but guess i need to ride it also before passing judgement.. *Plough*

You should compare it with Honda Shadow Phantom 750.

I have got a super meteor, i really like it, but, the back shocks are horrible, what could i do to make my bike more comfortable

Benelli 502c 👍❤

Rebel or Vulcan for me, tried a Super Meteor, hated the seating position, and the weight for a 650 is ridiculous.

Have you made an update video on your rider seat that you cut the foam up on?

Great video always👍. What do you think of a heel and toe shifter for the 650?

You need to try the vulcan 900 custom or classic.

Thanks for sharing this comparison! How well suited are these bikes to ride with a pillion on a long ride?

where are you getting those figures from? cause you're missing about 10hp on the vulcan

Hi Teacher, what do you think of the kit for to down the rear shock

Those Kawasaki 'n Honda has the racing engine, don't compare with the classic RE legends

Hi can you recommend aftermarket shock for sm650?

Coming back from Goldcoast not one but 3, 500 royal Enfields were broken down and all of them were less than 6 weeks old , That to me is a warning sign to stay away from them

Excuse me sir, I think hp data is wrong. Vulcan S has around 61 hp, and the rebel as much as the RE, 46-47. At least here in Spain those are the manufacturer specs.

Great video How tall is the rider of the rebel?

Why do you want to insult us eldery people for? Those aren't senior bikes those are for young first riders. 400 to 500 miles a day on one of those would be horrible.

Watching this from India. The Vulcan's on-road price here is a whopping ₹9,34,099, while the Super Meteor 650 is a much more affordable ₹4,81,252. The Honda Rebel 500 isn't even available. Given the massive price difference, would it make sense to consider the Vulcan over the SM 650?

The Rebel is just too ugly for me to consider.

RE cant even put a decent engine with 46hp still cant cross rebel

❤❤😂😂❤❤

Awful vlog, what was the conclusion? A rubbish REnfield with aftermarket parts is now not total rubbish? Really!