A Closer Look At The Upcoming RE 650cc Cruiser

The Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 were a massive quantum leap forward for Royal Enfield when they first rolled out a few years ago. Now, RE is gearing up to take the next step forwards on this journey with the launch of its 650cc cruiser just around the corner. We’ve come across some new spy shots of the upcoming bike which reveal some interesting details, chief among them being just how production-ready the test mule appears to be. This, combined with RE’s promise of a new model or variant every quarter for the foreseeable future, indicates to us that an official launch is very near indeed.

The cruiser will be a landmark model for Royal Enfield in many respects. It will be the first RE ever to come with an upside-down front fork, and the first 650cc RE model to come with alloy wheels. It certainly seems to be larger in terms of dimensions than the two 650s currently on sale, with comprehensively different underpinnings. It won’t be a hardcore cruiser though because the footpegs are mid-set rather than forward-set, the handlebars aren’t all that swept back, and the USD fork isn’t overly raked out. That being said, the riding position certainly appears more comfortable and relaxed than that of the Interceptor.

The teardrop-shaped fuel tank swoops down neatly to a pair of very roomy seats, and this model looks like it could be the first 650 to seat the pillion in relative comfort. We do hope RE offers a backrest, though, at least as an accessory. Because it’s going to be powered by the same punchy 648cc parallel-twin motor with an expected output of 47PS and 52Nm (identical to the Interceptor/Continental GT). In this case, though, the engine and exhaust system seem to be almost completely blacked out, as compared to the chrome treatment seen on the current 650s. Whether the production bike will sport a similar scheme is yet to be seen.

There’s also a strong possibility that RE will equip the cruiser with its Tripper Bluetooth navigation pod that recently debuted on the Meteor 350. Previous test mules have been spotted without the massive front screen seen here, so it’s quite likely the screen is either an accessory or will be offered only on the top-end variant. Another accessory seen on this test mule is the large chrome crash guard. We hope to see the round mirrors receive the chrome treatment on the production version because these black units look rather lacklustre.

With these features and equipment levels on offer, it goes without saying that this cruiser is going to be a fair bit more expensive than the Interceptor and Continental GT models. Expect an ex-showroom price in the range of Rs 3 lakh, which will make it the most expensive RE on sale once launched.

Source