Royal Enfield Bear 650 (2024 - ) review

Using a reinforced and modified version of the frame used by the similarly powered Interceptor roadster and café racer Continental GT, the Bear 650 adopts a trendy scrambler look with its bigger 19-inch front wheel, semi-knobbly tyres and numberboard side panels. This gives it a subtly more macho stance, the inspiration stemming from victory on a Royal Enfield for a teenage desert racer in the 1960 Big Bear Run. A cool origin story, even Royal Enfield admits the Bear’s off-road ambitions tend to the ‘mild’ and it’s more about the pose than proper dirt riding. Nothing wrong with that, the welcome sight of proper Showa forks and twin rear shocks an upgrade over the basic kit on the Interceptor and Continental GT. The low-slung two-into-one exhaust is perhaps the only aesthetic let-down for scrambler fans, Royal Enfield claiming there are no ‘hard and fast rules’ for such things even if the reality is likely more down to the challenges of packaging the catalytic converter and other emissions kit.

Thanks to its bigger front wheel and relatively tall 830mm seat the Bear instantly feels more substantial than the Interceptor, and a bigger step up than the looks might otherwise suggest. It’s still a relatively wieldy machine, the upright riding position confidence inspiring and giving a good view over the hedges on the lanes and traffic in urban riding. While inevitably exposed to the elements the riding position is comfortable at the kind of speeds the Bear is happy with.

While the size and stature are good around town retros like the Bear are, inevitably, more about style than adventure or commuter bike practicality. But you know what you’re in for on that score, so no issues with that. What the low exhaust lacks in style compared with the likes of the Triumph Scrambler 900 it makes up for in flexibility for luggage options, Royal Enfield’s official accessory soft panniers a commendably affordable option while a small fly screen is also available. The circular TFT Tripper dash is another welcome feature, offering various connected features like navigation and phone via Royal Enfield’s proprietary app. If you can get it to work.

For all its air-cooled authenticity Royal Enfield’s 648cc parallel-twin is a more modern engine than looks suggest but it’s a proven performer and the 47 horsepower output makes it A2 licence friendly out of the box. It’s a torquey unit as well, which combined with the short gearing helps offset the chunky 214kg weight. That flexibility translates into decent response, though you’re kept busy with the gears and it’s at its best in the up to 70mph range. Which is fine, given going much faster on a naked of this type gets somewhat blustery and the Bear is happy playing to its strengths. Braking is, meanwhile, characteristically Royal Enfield. Which is to say the single front disc demands a proper squeeze to rein the bike’s weight in for the corners and you end up using the rear harder than you might on other bikes. Which is fine once you get used to it.

Where the Interceptor and Continental GT get by with basic suspension and tyres Royal Enfield has equipped more recent 650 models like the Classicand Shotgunwith branded Showa kit, the Bear getting the same with glitzy gold-anodised upside down forks that might get the purists muttering. While hardly fancy we’ll still take the improved damping support they offer, even if the travel is a more road-orientated 130mm and not exactly built for hardcore off-roading. The set-up was also on the firm side but, again, that gives you more to lean against than you get on an Interceptor. The knobbly style tyres look good and on the dry roads we rode the bike on seemed up to the job but we’d be a little more wary in the wet. Overall, though, the Bear’s handling is a big step up over the Interceptor, which is impressive given it hardly costs any more. It’s also perfectly matched to the available performance, which adds up to a fun and exploitable character on twisty lanes and city streets alike.

At the time of writing even the fanciest Bear 650 colour option costs less than £7,000, which is a healthy saving on the near £10,000 you need to score a Triumph Scrambler 900 or Ducati Scrambler. True, Royal Enfield is a budget brand in comparison but that remains cracking value for money. The A2-friendly power output and smaller capacity engine should help on insurance costs for younger riders, too.

The 648cc twin’s relaxed state of tune and fact it is well-proven across a multitude of bikes in the Royal Enfield range gives us confidence, ditto the fact the Bear is, at heart, a very simple machine. We did get more than our fair share of false neutrals from the gearbox, though, which might be something to keep an eye on.

Royal Enfield’s standard three-year warranty is more generous than the two-year industry norm, and is a welcome sign the brand has faith in its own products. After the 300-mile initial service inspections come round annually or every 4,600 miles, alternating between basic and more extensive checks.

We’ve already covered the improved suspension over the regular Interceptor but the Bear’s electronics are also a step up, thanks to the Tripper dash. The circular screen helps maintain the retro looks but packs all the phone connectivity modern riders crave, even if we’ve found it a little fussy over which handsets it will pair with successfully and the need to keep your phone unlocked while navigating a drain on the battery. There is, at least, a USB charger included, though that means you’ll have to mount your phone on the bars. The little joystick on the left switch cube is a little flimsy and fiddly to use as well but there’s an impressive range of functionality if you want it, but the appearance of a trad, analogue dial if you don’t. Switchable ABS is also included if you do take Royal Enfield up on the boast of ‘mild’ off-road ability. You might want to accessorise with engine protection bars and a sump guard if you do, given the Bear looks a little glitzy to be rattled over rocks and ruts.

If you like the Interceptor’s looks but want the improved handling of more recent Royal Enfield 650s the Bear feels that bit more capable. The scrambler style should also be very appealing to younger, more style conscious riders the brand is keen to attract as well and the price and running costs make it much more accessible than the equivalent Triumph. As such the Bear certainly earns its place in the 650 line-up, and shares the same combination of affordability, charisma and style as the rest of them. Indeed, it might actually combine the best bits of all of them.