Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 review, first ride

Royal Enfield’s onslaught of new models rages on. The story of the new-generation J-series 350s began with the Meteor and now carries on with the Classic, Hunter and Bullet. We even have a brand-new Himalayan with an all-new engine, and Scram still comes with the 411cc engine from the older Himalayan. Then there’s the 650 saga, which began with the Interceptor and Continental GT and then moved on with the Super Meteor. If you keep a keen eye on social media and spy shots, you know there’s a lot more to come, but where does the Shotgun 650 fit into the equation? Let’s begin with its most striking quality.

The Stencil White colour looks particularly good on the Shotgun 650.

The biggest talking point of the Shotgun 650, by far, is its design language. The whole point of this motorcycle appears to be the way it looks. And there are no two ways about it – it looks quite handsome in the flesh. The Stencil White colour does help the Shotgun feel distinctive, but I personally would’ve preferred the Plasma Blue or even the relatively plain looking Sheet Metal Grey. The single-seat, sculpted tank – which holds slightly less fuel than the Super Meteor – looks quite well done. There’s also a feeling that Royal Enfield is improving on its quality levels with each motorcycle that it brings out. The rotary dials to control the ignition and headlamps get a gloss aluminium finish, which further adds to its appeal.

The fuel tank design and single-seat setup add to the Shotgun’s bobber design.

The Super Meteor-borrowed tail lamp with the large rear fender looks rather substantial, but there is a downside to this design aspect, thanks to the unusually long pea-shooter exhaust pipes. They are long and jut out quite a bit to the sides as well. This does make one slightly nervous in tight traffic, but nothing that is overtly disconcerting. I also like the unique headlamp cowl, which makes the Shotgun stand out from the apparent family feud. Moreover, the blacked-out finish of the engine casing and switchgear does look quite cool. Overall, the design is where it as at for the Shotgun 650. When you’re stopped at a traffic signal or going through slow moving traffic, people will notice and awe at this bike. Just like its other models, Royal Enfield has kept it quite simple when it comes to features. It gets a USB type-A charging port, LED headlamps, tubeless tyres with alloy wheels, RE’s tripper navigation pod and a part-digital instrument cluster just like the Super Meteor. That’s pretty much it. To give further appeal to the customisation angle, the Shotgun can be had with a luggage rack at the back or even another seat, as per one’s needs. In terms of safety, it only gets dual-channel ABS, which is a slight bummer since motorcycles with lesser capacity and lower price get a traction control system, at the very least.

1. 320mm front disc brakes do a fairly good job at stopping the hefty Shotgun. 2. Rear-brake lever feels a little snug but even a slight input offers immediate feedback. 3. Showa twin shock absorbers do a commendable job at keeping you comfortable

From a mechanical standpoint, the Shotgun 650 sits on the same steel tubular frame as the Super Meteor 650, but, there are some key changes. The handlebar is flat now, and the seating position has been moved slightly up, taking the seat height to 795mm. Just for reference, the Super Meteor’s seat height sits at 740mm. Tyre sizes are also different, with the Shotgun getting an 18-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear wheel, as opposed to the 19-inch and 16-inch set-up on the Super Meteor. One slight concern was the 140mm of ground clearance, but on my commute from Gurugram to Noida, I didn’t really face any issues. The footpeg position is also mid-set, which, combined with the changes to the riding position, make the Shotgun 650 a much more comfortable bike than the Super Meteor. The wheelbase, too, is down 15mm, compared to the Super Meteor. There’s also 9mm more travel at the back, which makes the ride a lot more plush.

1. Part-digital instrument cluster remains the same as the other 650s, which feels like a bit of a sore point. But, it is quite clear, and the tripper navigation pod is a welcome bonus. 2. The Shotgun 650 looks quite handsome head-on. The headlamp cowl along with that flat handlebar fit well together. 3. Brushed blacked-out treatment to the switchgear looks quite unique. 4. Air and oil cooled engine does a decent job of heat management. 5. 648cc, twin-cylinder motor has an easy-going nature. Notice the same treatment as the switchgear. 6. The twin exhausts do jut out quite a bit to the sides, but sounds sweet on the go

In the corners, the Shotgun feels willing to lean, but the footpegs can scrape quite easily, although that is in extreme situations. On normal riding stints, the Shotgun feels comfortable, easy going and an able handler. However, one can’t help but wonder if the handle is a little too committed, given the application of RE’s latest 650cc offering. Another minor complaint is the immense wind blast one experiences out on the highway, but, that’s more down to the riding position than the fault of the RE engineers. Due to this, sustaining speeds on the Shotgun is a little harder than it is on the Interceptor or Super Meteor. Honestly, that’s missing the point with the Shotgun 650. It’s all about pottering around town with style, it’s about being unique from the crowd, and the way one sits on the Shotgun does sort of accentuate that fact.

The Shotgun 650 feels stable on straight roads and isn’t a slouch in the cornering department.

Just like its 650 siblings, the Shotgun gets the same 648cc, parallel-twin engine which produces 47hp and 52Nm of torque and is paired to a 6-speed gearbox. Royal Enfield has made no adjustments to the tuning of the twin-cylinder, so in terms of power delivery there isn’t any change. The Shotgun stutters a bit when you get moving from a standstill, and requires a slight amount of throttle input and clutch modulation. Once you’re past the 3,000rpm mark, this gem of an engine comes alive and power delivery becomes linear and effortless. One tug at the throttle in the mid-range is enough to overtake almost anything on the highway. It is joyous, addictive and extremely easy to get used to. Although, if you’re in the mood to push the envelope, this motor will oblige with a calm and vibe-free resolve.

There is more than enough power on tap from that twin-cylinder, 650cc motor.

The 6-speed gearbox compliments this engine very well, with slick shifts. Speaking of which, the brakes are confidence inspiring, too, but the rear one was set up so firmly, that just touching calls for intrusion from the dual-channel ABS. The claimed efficiency from Royal Enfield stands at 22kmpl, but one can extract a little more if they stick to higher gears and lower speeds. So if you’re light with the throttle, expect a figure in the higher 20s. Overall, this 650cc engine feels at its most appropriate with the Shotgun. That’s because the riding posture combined with those gorgeous looks means you’d want to take it easy. Luckily, that’s exactly what RE’s 650cc motor excels at in spades. Oh, and the exhaust note is a sweet one, too!Â

Verdict

The Shotgun 650 is priced between Rs 3.59 lakh and Rs 3.73 lakh (ex-showroom), which kind of puts it just below the Super Meteor and above the Interceptor and Continental GT. Its biggest rivals are its siblings, and in that respect, if you find the Interceptor a bit too upright, the Continental GT to be too committed and the Super Meteor to be too uncomfortable, then Shotgun could well be the middle path you’re looking for. We feel it’s a good-looking, factory custom bobber motorcycle that will do the occasional highway runs and short bursts around town with aplomb.

Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 specifications:

• Engine - 648cc, twin-cylinder
• Power – 47bhp@7,250rpm
• Torque – 52Nm@5,650rpm
• Gearbox – 6-speed
• Wheelbase -1,465mm
• Kerb weight – 240kg
• LxWxH (mm) – 2,170x820x1,105
• Ground Clearance – 140mm
• Fuel tank capacity -13.8 litres
• Price – Rs 3.59 lakh to Rs 3.73 lakh (ex-showroom)