Royal Enfield's New Bear 650 - Will it Go Over the Mountain?

[Seymour Asscrack]

Published in: News

Royal Enfield recently announced their Bear 650, and it’s a beast of a scrambler for less than $7,000 USD.  First, let’s talk about the engine. The 650cc twin-cylinder setup that worked so well in the Interceptor and Continental GT is back, which sounds great. With smooth and predictable power characteristics, this scrambler platform is a great application of the engine and even shaves a couple pounds from its sibling models. While we wish the engine itself was lighter, the looks and performance fit a retro-mod scrambler almost perfectly. We can only hope Royal Enfield eventually brings the same engine transformation to the 650 twin as they did with the Himalayan's 410cc engine.  

There’s no doubt Royal Enfield’s “adventure scrambler” styling is on point. High-mounted exhaust, bear-paw grips, beefy tires make the Bear 650 look ready to tackle anything, but off-asphalt handling will still need to be determined.  That said, like Royal Enfield's recent dual-sportish bikes, we expect it will be okay for its intended market: a rider who's looking for a bike sporting simple looks, easy to handle performance and enough versatility to take on weekend escapes with unpaved backroads. This scrambler styling places it in direct competition with similar models, such as the Triumph Scrambler 900, though the Bear 650 comes at a more affordable price point.

At the end of the day, Royal Enfield's Bear 650 could further expand the brand’s influence in the global middleweight motorcycle market, which has seen increasing demand for retro, adventure-ready bikes. With its balance of classic styling, manageable power, and versatility, the Bear 650 aims to attract riders who appreciate the charm of a vintage bike with the capabilities for mild adventure.

Will it go over the mountain though?  Will riders take to the Bear 650's retro styling with modern features to the corners of the earth? If it delivers on its promises, the Bear 650 may become a popular choice among those seeking a stylish, accessible, and versatile motorcycle for both everyday use and light off-road adventures. Only time will tell and we hope more bikes like this become available on the market to satisfy the itch for both new and experienced riders looking for fun and affordable bikes. 

For more information, check out Royal Enfield's official Press Release below: 

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•  Presenting the Bear 650 - a stylish new scrambler with a 60’s soul | Based on the Interceptor / INT 650 and inspired by Eddie Mulder’s historic win at the 1960 Big Bear Run.
•  Fueled by gut feel and powered by Royal Enfield’s celebrated 650cc parallel twin, the Bear 650 combines authentic heritage scrambler styling and raw, uncompromising spirit.
•  19”/17” front/rear wheel-combo with chunky dual-purpose tires, scrambler-style seat, kicked-up rear loop, and 184mm ground-clearance make it the perfect companion for riders seeking style and attitude.
•  Available in five distinct and striking colorways at a starting price of $6,849 USD / $8,899 CAD
•  Bear 650 motorcycles will begin arriving in North American dealerships on November 5, 2024.

"When you got out on the track, the green flag dropped, and the bullsh*t stopped"

- Eddie Mulder (a.k.a. Fast Eddie), 1960 Big Bear Run Champion

Isolation from reality, flagrant audacity, complete disregard for the outcome, and listening to the GUT; this best describes the mindset of motorcycle racers, and is certainly the perfect description for the 16-year old rookie from the Checkers Motorcycle Club - Eddie Mulder, a.k.a. Fast Eddie - who in 1960 became (and till date remains) the youngest Champion to tame the brutal Californian desert race, the Big Bear Run.

 In 1960, the unforgiving Mojave Desert served as a backdrop for the Big Bear Run; the biggest, baddest race the Californian desert had ever witnessed. With no rules, roads or tech, and only cacti and coyotes for spectators, alongside 765 other riders, Eddie Mulder, shocked the racing world as he surged first across the finish line in 4-hrs and 21-minutes, igniting a legacy that reverberates through the ages. Astride his 500cc Royal Enfield Fury and fueled by instinct, unwavering determination and gut, Eddie was one among only 197 who made it to the end of the finish line.

When asked about what he thought was the turning point for him in the race, Eddie Mulder says, “I was in thirteenth place when I lost control and took a tumble down a ravine. I hauled up the bike and inspected the damage. The handlebars were bent right back, the header pipe had been wrenched out of the cylinder head, and one shock absorber was bust. I heaved the bars into shape and kicked the header pipe back into place. Couldn’t do anything about the broken shock absorber, so I rode the rest of the race on just one”.

Sixty-four years later, that fearless spirit has sparked the inspiration for a motorcycle that embodies that indomitable grit and determination in its soul - the new Royal Enfield Bear 650, a stylish and versatile scrambler. Designed for riders who trust their instinct and stand out from the rest, the Bear 650 is more than just a motorcycle - it is a journey, a statement, and a reminder to follow your gut. With its versatile capabilities, robust engineering, and distinct scrambler aesthetic, the Bear 650 is poised to redefine the riding experience for ‘scrambler-ers’ across the globe, inviting them to forge their own path, one ride at a time.

Speaking about the inspiration, conception and design of the Bear 650, B Govindarajan, CEO – Royal Enfield, says, “We’ve always drawn deep inspiration for our motorcycles from our community, and from our riders who’ve achieved extraordinary feats. Our inspiration for the Bear 650 came from one such legendary story - Eddie and that of the 1960 Big Bear Run. The Bear 650 channels the same spirit of raw instinct, sheer impulse, relentless determination, and embodies the ethos of a true scrambler ‘full-send’ mindset and DNA. It is built to deliver confidence and control across all terrains—whether you are navigating urban streets or dusty trails. The Bear 650 is not just about performance; it's about versatility, resilience, and an uncompromising spirit.

• In Gut We Trust … and the Gut Roars!

The Bear 650 is fuelled by gut feel and powered by Royal Enfield’s globally renowned 650-Twin platform. Known for its smooth performance and character, the engine delivers a robust 47 bhp (34.6 kW) at 7,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 56.5Nm @5150rpm which increases the mid-range punch on the Bear 650 as compared to the other Twin models. The innovative 2-1 exhaust system enhances torque and offers a broader powerband, while the compact single silencer reduces weight and adds to the Scrambler aesthetic.

• Scramble in style

Chunky tires with retro flavor, open square tread blocks, contoured scrambler seats, 2-1 exhaust, kicked-up rear loop, competition number board and raised ground clearance - each element on the Bear 650 conveys its true Scrambler DNA. Additionally, the inclusion of a competition number board gives the motorcycle a heritage scrambler look; an ode to the scrambler motorcycles of yore.

Accentuating the scrambler aesthetic further are the 5 striking colorways inspired by the vibrant spirit of California. Boardwalk White, Petrol Green, Wild Honey, Golden Shadow, and a special color edition called Two Four Nine, paying tribute to Eddie’s iconic race winning number. Together, all these elements make the Bear 650 a scrambler that embodies the spirit and style of the 60’s desert racing scene of California.

• Boardwalk White contains the Bear 650 base level MSRP of $6,849 USD / $8,899 CAD.
• Petrol Green and Wild Honey will share the common MSRP of $6,999 USD / $9,199 CAD.
• Golden Shadow will be pricing of $7,099 USD / $9,349 CAD.
• Two Four Nine round out the lineup with pricing $7,199 USD / $9,549 CAD.

• The Quintessential ‘Bad-roader’

For those who crave a quintessential ‘badass’ scrambler experience, the Bear 650 gets a revised and stronger chassis, Showa USD big piston forks in the front with 130mm travel and Showa Twin tube RSU at the rear with 115mm travel aid provide a pliant experience while riding on the tarmac. Higher ground clearance of 184mm coupled with the combination of 19" front and 17" rear wheels, fitted with dual purpose tires, provides an authentic scrambler look, improves grip and lends it mild off-road ability. The contoured seat of the Bear 650 has been designed to allow the rider to move around freely and prevent the rider from slipping while riding on rough surfaces. A wide handlebar and neutrally positioned footpegs provides uncramped and confident ergonomics. The motorcycle is equipped with 320mm front disc and 270mm rear disc for superior braking performance with the option of switching off rear ABS while riding on broken roads or graded trails.

• Not So Basic Instinct | Modern Scrambler Essentials

Inspired by legacy but modern in many aspects, the Bear 650 is equipped with Tripper Dash, the all-new TFT display has a simple user interface and experience for easy comprehension on the move. The black aluminum switch cubes and joystick aid in effortless and intuitive interaction while using the Tripper Dash. The Google Maps integration, USB-C charging port provides more confidence for urban exploration. A first on the twins platform, the motorcycle also gets full LED lighting for increased visibility and scrambler aesthetics.

For more information, please visit  RoyalEnfield.com/us/en

 

Source

[Pedro]

Scrambler with 130mm suspension travel?