Royal Enfield Bear 650 Review: Is It Really A Scrambler?

The Interceptor and GT 650 were bikes that brought twin-cylinder performance at an affordable price to the Indian market and have been a major hit since then. With the launch of the Bear 650, there are now six motorcycles sharing this tried and tested engine platform. We recently got to put the Bear 650 to the test in different conditions and here is what we think. 

Design

There are a bunch of changes when compared to the Interceptor and that has given the Bear a more rugged look that I quite like. What we have for this review is the Golden Shadow colour scheme and it surely looks premium because of the the golden inverted Showa forks.

The main change is the use of a 2-into-1 exhaust system which looks more proportionate opposed to the exhausts of the Interceptor which slightly jut out towards the rear. The bike also gets new side panels and sleeker indicators. The overall fit-and-finish is good and with all of the unique colour schemes available, it is surely a motorcycle that grabs a lot of attention. 

Ergonomics

The seat height is on the taller side at 830mm, but quite accessible with a 5’7 frame. I could not flat foot to the ground but it is fairly easily manageable. There is a slight reach to the handlebars and the footpegs have been moved forward.  With the pegs moving ahead, the right leg does come in contact with the guard on the lever, which might get a bit annoying until a rider gets used to it.

The overall riding position is good for daily commuting and the revised footpeg position allows you to stand up on the pegs easily compared to the Interceptor, although, riders who are going to want to tour might have to get handlebar risers or an aftermarket handlebar for more comfort. Weighing in at 216kg, it is very slightly lighter than the Interceptor but still a heavy motorcycle for a scrambler. 

Performance

This has always been a potent engine and it now puts out 56.5 NM of torque which is 4.5NM more than the Interceptor. With these changes and the 2-into-1 exhaust system, it feels even quicker off the line and in our tests, took around 6 seconds to get to 100kmph. It also feels more tractable and was able to do around 50kmph in 6th making it very usable in the city and out on the highway as well. The clutch action is slightly on the heavy side but the gearshifts are very slick. Overall, this has always been a refined and enjoyable engine and now with that slight bump in torque, feels more lively, exciting, and gives the Bear a character of its own.

Handling And Ride Quality

The Bear gets increased suspension travel considering that it is supposed to be a scrambler. Although, the story is a little different. The handling of this motorcycle in the twisties is great as it feels more confidence-inspiring than the Interceptor. The 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel setup seems to be working great along with the revised rake and trail and the chassis which has been stiffened. So, this is a great streetbike but it does not have the offroad capabilities that we had hoped for from a Scrambler as it is just too stiff to wade through off-road trails and bad sections of road. The tyres are decent for daily commuting but if riders are going to push the bike harder and also take it off-road, a tyre swap would be suggested.

Features

In this department, the Bear gets the same TFT screen we have seen on the Himalayan and Guerrilla which supports turn-by-turn navigation. It also gets adjustable brake and clutch levers, as well as a USB charging port.

More experienced riders also have the option of switching off ABS at the rear. Unfortunately, the bike misses out on tubeless spoked wheels but we do feel that Royal Enfield could have offered them as an option considering that they are now also available for the Himalayan. 

Verdict 

The Bear 650 is a great road bike and a lot of fun to ride when the road conditions are good. Unfortunately, it does not make for a good scrambler owing to its heavy weight and stiff suspension. You could say it is a modern-day iteration of the Interceptor itself and it is surely one stunning-looking retro motorcycle, hogging attention wherever it goes.