There’s something poetic about riding the oldest motorcycle brand in the world through the oldest city in America. I’m cruising down the cobblestone-lined streets of St. Augustine, Florida, the salty Atlantic air hitting my face, the Royal Enfield Classic 650 rumbling beneath me like it has absolutely nowhere to be and zero apologies about it. The Spanish colonial architecture blurs past on either side, tourists stop and stare, and for a moment, it feels less like a motorcycle review and almost as if I was taken back in time.
This is exactly what Royal Enfield wanted us to experience when they invited us to the US launch and ride of the Classic 650. And, it might just be the most honest motorcycle you can buy right now.
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Where It All Started — For Me, Anyway
I have a personal history with this brand that goes back further than most people expect. My very first motorcycle review as a journalist was the Royal Enfield Classic 350, back in 2010, when I was working in India. I remember sitting on that thing and thinking this is raw, it is simple, it is real. It wasn’t trying to be anything it wasn’t. It was just a motorcycle. Completely and unapologetically.
Since then, I have ridden virtually the entire Royal Enfield lineup and watched this company transform from a beloved Indian cult brand into a genuine global powerhouse. The design has evolved, the engines have gotten better, the quality has taken a serious leap forward, the technology has quietly crept in without disturbing the character, and, through all of it, Royal Enfield has never once forgotten what it is.
The new Classic 650 is proof of that.
Another 650cc Twin Model But With An Unmistakable Identity
Let’s talk about the heart of the Classic 650, because it deserves its own moment. Yes, it’s the same engine found in the entire 650 twin lineup that was first introduced in the INT650 and the Continental GT 650.
The 648cc air and oil-cooled parallel-twin is one of the best engines Royal Enfield has ever built, and honestly one of the most enjoyable engines in the entire segment regardless of brand. It produces around 47 hp and 38 lb-ft of torque, and while those numbers dont jump out at you, they tell absolutely nothing about how this engine actually feels to ride.
The low-end and mid-range grunt is where this motor lives and breathes. The torque comes in early, it’s accessible whenever you twist the throttle, and it delivers in a way that feels effortless rather than frantic. Roll the throttle from low revs in any gear, and it responds with this satisfying, linear surge that just keeps building without drama. No lag, no sudden rush, just smooth and confident delivery that makes you want to keep doing it.
The throttle response is crisp without being twitchy, and that is the kind of response that builds rider confidence rather than demanding it. Riding in urban areas, and filtering through city traffic is enjoyable, and then opening it up on the highway, the engine never feels caught off guard.
And then there’s the sound. That distinctive Royal Enfield thump is still here, refined by the twin-cylinder setup into something that sounds purposeful and characterful without being obnoxious. It thumps with dignity. Riding through the narrow streets of St. Augustine with that sound bouncing off 400-year-old stone walls was a genuinely special experience I won’t forget quickly.
Top speed is not the conversation with this bike because you will not be chasing anyone on a highway. However, for a relaxed cruise at comfortable real-world speeds, this motor is absolutely in its element and, frankly, that’s the whole point of this unit.
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A Design That Needs No Explanation
The Classic 650 is built on the Super Meteor platform, but Royal Enfield made sure it stays completely true to its classic DNA. It looks like it was designed in a different era and somehow survived long enough to reach us.
The chrome version I rode was stunning. Standing next to it before throwing a leg over, I caught at least a dozen people slowing down to look at it in St. Augustine. That doesn’t happen with most modern motorcycles.
In terms of technology, Royal Enfield kept things deliberately simple. You get a dual display — a classic analog cluster paired with a small digital unit for modern readouts — a slipper clutch to smooth out aggressive downshifts, and ABS for safety. That’s it. Everything else is pure motorcycle. No ride modes. No traction control menus. No 47 settings to customize before you pull out of the driveway. Just you, the throttle, and the road. In 2026, that kind of restraint is genuinely refreshing.
The quality of the Classic 650 will surprise people who haven’t spent time with Royal Enfield recently. This is not a Triumph or a Moto Guzzi, and at around $7,500 it’s not pretending to be, but it is overwhelmingly metal. There is very little plastic on this motorcycle, which gives it a solidity and presence that many bikes at higher price points can’t match. At around 535 lbs it has a substantial feel without being unwieldy.
Ergonomics Like They Used To Make Them
Modern motorcycles have largely abandoned the upright riding position in favor of something more aggressive, more sporty, more forward-leaning. The Classic 650 wants nothing to do with any of that.
The riding position is old school in the best possible way. Your back is upright, your shoulders are relaxed, and there is virtually no weight on your wrists. The handlebars sit at a natural, comfortable width. Your legs drop at roughly a 90-degree angle to the ground rather than being tucked up under you or stretched forward. The seat height comes in at around 31.5 inches, which is pretty high, but still low enough to be accessible for a wide range of riders, though not quite as low as a traditional cruiser.
It’s the kind of ergonomic setup that invites you to just ride for any occasion.
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The Price Makes This A Very Easy Conversation
At around $7,500, the Classic 650 puts itself in a position that no other can compete against. The Triumph Speed Twin 900 will run you closer to $10,000 and beyond. The Kawasaki W800 sits higher. The Moto Guzzi V7 commands a premium that its loyal buyers happily pay, but it prices out many newer riders immediately.
The Classic 650 undercuts all of them while offering a twin-cylinder engine that punches well above its price tag. For a first-time rider, this is an approachable, forgiving, and genuinely exciting motorcycle that will grow with you. For an experienced rider, it’s a character-rich second or third bike that reminds you why you fell in love with motorcycles in the first place.
RE Classic 650 Vs Closest Competitors
|
Royal Enfield Classic 650 |
Triumph Speed Twin 900 |
Kawasaki W800 |
Moto Guzzi V7 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Engine |
648cc Parallel-Twin |
900cc Parallel-Twin |
773cc Parallel-Twin |
853cc V-Twin |
|
Horsepower |
47 hp |
65 hp |
52 hp |
65 hp |
|
Torque |
38 lb-ft |
59 lb-ft |
46 lb-ft |
54 lb-ft |
|
Cooling |
Air/Oil-Cooled |
Liquid-Cooled |
Air-Cooled |
Air-Cooled |
|
Gearbox |
6-Speed |
6-Speed |
6-Speed |
6-Speed |
Just to be clear about what the Classic 650 is not. It’s not a sporty machine, and it will not satisfy the part of your brain that wants to carve corners aggressively or drag a knee. That’s not its personality, and it never claimed to be. What it is, is timeless. It has retro charm in abundance, a classic personality that no amount of tech or marketing can manufacture, and a riding experience that strips everything back to what motorcycling is really about.
And in a segment that’s becoming increasingly crowded with neo-retro designs that hint at the past while staying firmly planted in the present, the Classic 650 is genuinely in a category of its own. No other modern motorcycle in the classic segment looks this old school. Not even close.
If you’re considering the Royal Enfield 650 lineup, you’re already in a good place because the whole family is excellent. The Interceptor 650, the Super Meteor, and the Shotgun 650 all share that brilliant twin engine and each one brings a different personality to the table. Choosing between them is genuinely the hardest part.
But if classic, timeless styling is what speaks to you, and if you want a motorcycle that looks like it belongs in a black and white photograph, but rides like it was built yesterday, then the Classic 650 is your answer.