If I said the words "Royal Enfield Classic 650" to you, what would you picture in your mind? Chances are excellent that even if you're somehow reading these words without having seen the photo at the start of this piece, you're probably picturing a motorcycle that looks strikingly similar to how this bike actually looks in real life. Which is, honestly, kind of the entire point of this bike.
It's not about reinventing the wheel; it's about refining what works.
Channeling a vintage vibe, while at the same time striking the particular balance between vibes and value that only Royal Enfield can. Because while there are a fair few motorcycle manufacturers out here vying for your modern retro aesthetic attentions and affections, the competition narrows significantly when you start to consider some of the fine details that Enfield is able to offer in order to sweeten the pot.
Who else is offering very beautiful, nicely machined aluminum (or aluminium, for our British friends) switch cubes and hand-pinstriped tanks on a modern retro 650cc bike with a US MSRP of $7,499 (or $9,999 Canadian)?
No one, that's who. This isn't a bike that's out to set speed records in its stock trim; it's a bike that's here to offer a generous amount of classic swagger while at the same time not breaking the bank. Or your back, while we're at it.
The Ride Experience
Now, I have to say at this point that I've ridden almost every bike that Royal Enfield has in its current lineup. As such, I'm familiar with some of the brand's quirks, like the bright red, semi-round start/kill switch found on the right handlebar. Once you turn the key (a regular key, not an electronic key fob you can leave in your pocket and then put through the wash by accident), you'll need to flick this switch in order to start the bike.
All other hand and foot controls are where and how you'd expect them to be. The LCD display is housed inside a round bezel, and you'll find a small Tripper Pod next to it, should you want to connect your smartphone using the Royal Enfield app for turn-by-turn navigation. There's also a USB-C socket up on the handlebars, so you can keep your phone charged on your rides. (One thing I don't love about the Enfield navigation app is that the Android version requires you to leave your smartphone screen on while it's running, which makes it very vital that you can keep it charging while it's in use. But that's an app criticism, not something specific to this motorcycle model in particular, just so we're clear. Still, it's something to be aware of, whichever bike you're using that makes use of this app.)
What about the ergonomics? Mid-mounted foot controls are present, along with a relaxed reach to the bars. There's nothing aggressive in the stance you'll need to take in order to ride this bike, and it felt very natural to my 5-foot-3, 27-inch-inseam-having frame. The seat height is 800 millimeters (about 31.5 inches), which meant that while I could touch the balls of both feet to the ground, I could only flat-foot one foot at a time. Still, it's friendly and easy enough to manage, even at slow speeds and stops.
One thing I will say is that it's a pretty substantial machine, with a claimed curb weight of around 535 pounds. Lifting it off the side stand might surprise you a little bit, as a matter of fact. And while it's true that it uses the same tried-and-true 650cc parallel twin engine that's found in five (!) other Enfields in the current lineup, there are curb weight differences to be found in the lineup.
How different are they? According to Enfield's claimed curb weights, there are 472 lb models, and there are 530-ish (give or take a few pounds) models. All of them are easy and familiar to operate, but will you feel that difference when you go to stand them up? I mean, you might, and how you feel about it will of course be up to you, but here's how it breaks down.
| Model | Curb Weight (claimed) |
| Royal Enfield Bear 650 | 472 lbs |
| Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 | 472 lbs |
| Royal Enfield INT650 | 478.5 lbs |
| Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 | 529 lbs |
| Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 | 531 lbs |
| Royal Enfield Classic 650 | 535 lbs |
Styling, seat height, and ergonomic body positioning are, of course, all very different amongst these models, as well. Once you're moving, that 650cc p-twin engine is pleasantly smooth in operation as it burbles down whatever roads you happen to encounter. On our ride in north Florida, in and around the historic city of St. Augustine, we didn't really put the Classic 650 through any serious twisties. Instead, gentle curves and straight lines were the order of the day, but that left more than ample time for the sightseeing a bike like this is built to encourage.
The upside-down Showa front fork and rear shocks were more than up to the task of soaking up any lumps and bumps in the road, though to be fair, most of the roads we were on were quite smooth and well-maintained. Brakes, which are made by ByBre but bear Royal Enfield badging, do a fine job of stopping you as and when expected. The six-speed gearbox shifts up and down very smoothly, and I found zero false neutrals throughout our day of riding; something I definitely can't say for every bike I ride.
Colors and Characteristics
For 2026, the Royal Enfield Classic 650 is available in three distinct colorways in the US and Canadian markets. We have Black Chrome, which is the colorway I rode; Teal, which Royal Enfield historian Gordon May informed us arose from a serendipitous mistake in the color printing of one of the history books he wrote, and which fans loved so much that they wanted to see it come to life on actual bikes; and Vallam Red. All of them come at the same US MSRP of $7,499, or $9,999 Canadian.
If you're interested in getting your hands on a Classic 650, local Royal Enfield dealers across the US and Canada will be opening up their pre-sales at 2 p.m. Central today, February 26, 2026. Pre-sales will remain open until March 31, 2026. After that point, you should see them start to roll into Enfield dealers so that you can see them in person for yourself.
Do you have any questions about the 2026 Royal Enfield Classic 650? If you do, drop them in the comments, and I'll be happy to answer them if I can. Be on the lookout for a full video review and a cool historical video coming soon to RideApart's YouTube channel, as well!
Gallery: 2026 Royal Enfield Classic 650 - First Ride
