Royal Enfield Bear 650 Unveiled; It’s The Fifth Bike On RE’s 650cc Platform
The Royal Enfield Bear 650 is a new scrambler based on the company’s 650cc platform and gets some significant changes that give it its own identity and is based on the Interceptor 650. The new Royal Enfield Bear 650 uses the same chassis as the Interceptor 650, but with different suspension and wheel sizes. The design changes have been made to the front and rear wheel setup which has moved from 18-inch/18-inch to 19-inch/17-inch, which is more in line with a scrambler motorcycle. The suspension has also been upgraded, with the Bear getting a similar Showa USD fork as the Shotgun, but with different internals, while the rear gets new dual shock-absorbers.
Suspension travel has also increased for comfortable ride from 110mm/88mm on the Interceptor to 130mm/115mm. The Bear 650 also has new set of MRF Nylorex block pattern tyres by MRF on spoked wheels – although there’s no tubeless option here. The front disc is a similar 320mm unit to that of the Interceptor, but the rear disc has gone up from 240mm to 270mm.
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The ergonomics have also been revised, with a new wide handlebar and a different foot peg position and is equipped with dual-channel ABS. Instead of dual exhaust pipes, the bike now runs a two-into one system with a single exhaust on the right side. There are changes made to engine specifications as torque has gone up from 52Nm to 56.5Nm at the same 5150rpm, while peak power remains similar at 47hp at 7250rpm. While this new exhaust has helped reduce some weight, the Bear 650 only weighs two kilos less than the Interceptor at 216kg. This is partly down to the new suspension and wheels/tyres, but also because Royal Enfield has new chassis in numerous areas to accommodate the light off road riding that the Bear is capable of.
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The Bear 650 has new wheel sizes, as well as a scrambler-style seat. The head and tail lamps are both familiar round LED units from existing Royal Enfield, and the Bear 650 also gets new LED indicators. What makes scrambler compete with other bikes in the same segment is it’s raised ground clearance which is now 184mm.
The bike has borrowed few features from the Interceptor 650 in favour of the new circular TFT display from the Guerrilla and Himalayan. This display supports Google Maps and it is controlled by new switchgear. The Royal Enfield Bear 650 will be available in five different colours. Prices will be revealed on 5 November.
