Royal Enfield Bear 650

Royal Enfield has been on a mission lately, introducing new motorcycles, revamping platforms, and exploring fresh styles. Moreover, they have stepped into the scrambler segment with the all-new Bear 650. The Royal Enfield Bear 650 is based on the well-known Interceptor 650 but comes with its own flair and functionality.

The visual changes, riding setup, and even some hardware tweaks make it more than just a cosmetic update. We spent time riding the Bear 650 through a combination of city roads, highway, and off-beat trails. It definitely stands out, not just in looks but in how it feels. Let’s break it down and see what this scrambler is really about.

• The Bear 650 looks like the Interceptor but adds cool scrambler touches and attitude.
• We noticed the raised stance and new exhaust right away, which feels fresh and exciting. The single exhaust looks great and makes tight traffic riding easier than dual pipes.
• That round LED headlamp gives it a bold face. It lights up night rides really well.

• We rode the Wild Honey colour and people kept staring at red lights and speed breakers. Moreover, the Golden Shadow’s gold forks got a lot of compliments.
• The fuel tank, mirrors, and side panels feel retro. It’s a proper cafe trail mix. 
• The round TFT screen looks smart and blends well with the bike’s overall retro-modern vibe. It’s super easy to read while riding. We didn’t need to glance twice for info.

• Though it weighs 216 kg, the bike feels light once you get rolling on the road. Only when parking in tight spots did we really notice the weight.

• The 648cc parallel twin engine is the same as the Interceptor's, but with a few changes. The 2-into-1 exhaust adds 4Nm more torque, which makes it peppier.

• This Royal Enfield Scrambler bike generates 46.8 bhp and 56.5 Nm of torque.
• When we took it through traffic, the torque really helped. The bike pulled nicely even in higher gears at low speeds.
• On open highways, we cruised easily at 130 kmph. The engine was smooth, and it still had power left.

• The 6-speed gearbox is slick. It shifts cleanly and feels solid. We barely missed any gears, even on twisty roads.
• The engine is butter-smooth most of the time. Only near the redline did we feel a slight buzz.
• The claimed mileage is around 22 kmpl, and we achieved a similar result during mixed riding conditions.
• With a 13.7-litre fuel tank, you get a decent range of up to 300 km. Still, a slightly bigger tank would’ve been great for touring.

• The TFT screen is the same one used in the Himalayan 450. It shows speed, trip info, gear position, fuel level, and more.

• We used the built-in navigation through Google Maps. It worked fine, but keeping the phone unlocked all the time felt like a drawback.
• The bike also features adjustable brake and clutch levers, which is a nice touch. They made a difference in long city rides when traffic got annoying.

• You can switch off the rear ABS when riding off-road. That helped us during a trail ride near the outskirts, especially when sliding through loose gravel.
• It misses out on features like traction control, cornering ABS, and quickshifter. Not dealbreakers, but something we wish it had.

• The Bear 650 feels sharper than the Interceptor. We noticed better cornering, more confidence on fast turns, and stable highway manners.
• The new Showa suspension gives it more travel, 135mm at the front and 115mm at the rear. On bumpy patches, the bike stayed composed, but didn’t exactly float.

• Over bad roads and potholes, the rear suspension felt stiff. You’ll feel the jolts at low speeds.
• The wide handlebars made city riding easier. It gave us good control in narrow streets and while filtering through traffic.
• The brakes are stronger than the Interceptor’s, but not perfect. There’s a better bite now, but heavy braking still brings out the weight.

• The riding position is slightly forward-leaning, not fully upright. It still felt natural after 20–30 minutes of riding.
• We liked the footpeg position. It’s lower and more forward than on the Interceptor, which gave our knees a break.
• The seat felt firm. For a short city ride, it was okay. On a longer highway run, we wished for more cushioning.

• One of our team members is over 6 feet tall, and he said the ergonomics felt spot on. No cramped knees or awkward lean.
• Pillion comfort isn’t great. The rear part of the seat is narrow. Works fine for quick rides, but not for long trips.
• The Bear gets a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel setup. We noticed better handling of broken patches.
• On clean roads, the grip was solid due to MRF Nylorex tyres. But on loose gravel and dusty surfaces, the tyres felt vague. We recommend upgrading to better rubber if you plan to frequently hit trails or rough roads.

• Moreover, the brakes now use sintered Brembo pads. They’re more responsive and give more confidence during quick stops.

Royal Enfield Bear 650 looks cool, has the much-loved 650cc engine, and feels better to ride than the Interceptor. Royal Enfield has added nice changes that give it a fresh feel, while still keeping the price in check.

But this bike may not suit everyone. The seat and suspension are a bit firm, which can be uncomfortable on long rides. Also, if you're shorter than 5'8", the seat height might feel a bit tall or tricky. If you want a scrambler with style and strong road presence, the Bear 650 is a great pick.