Royal Enfield Bullet 650 Ride Review: Retro Done Right

  • Published May 28, 2026
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It is quite simply one of the nicest Royal Enfield 650s

Royal Enfield Bullet 650

An icon that hasn’t died grows to become a legend. The Royal Enfield Bullet is one of such legends in the motorcycling world. At Rs 3.64 lakh (ex-showroom), it costs the same as the Classic 650, and it promises to offer the same traditional, old-school Bullet charm with modern twin-cylinder performance.

I recently got the chance to ride the motorcycle, and despite sharing most of its components with the Classic 650, a few subtle changes make it feel quite different.

Familiar Styling With A Traditional Touch

Royal Enfield Bullet 650

At first glance, the Bullet 650 looks very similar to the Classic 650, but there are two key differences. The first is the boxier rear fender on the Bullet, which gives this roadster a more traditional and purposeful appearance. The second is the taller handlebar, which slightly changes the riding posture and adds to its road presence.

Our test motorcycle arrived in a glossy black shade called the Cannon Black, which is the choice to opt for on the Bullet. Combined with the chrome detailing, golden pinstriping and beautifully finished golden badges delivered the classic Bullet look.

Royal Enfield Bullet 650

The rest of the design remains familiar, featuring a teardrop-shaped fuel tank, generous chrome accents and plenty of metal bodywork. Also, the build quality feels excellent throughout, with premium paint finishes and solid switches.

Comfortable Ergonomics And A Plush Ride

You instantly are greeted with a very inviting riding position. The rider sits in a rather upright and natural manner with the handlebar and controls within perfect reach. Combined with the wide, single-piece seat and slightly forward-set footpegs, the Bullet 650 feels well suited for long-distance touring. 

Royal Enfield Bullet 650

However, if you are planning on spending long hours in the saddle, you would be better equipped with the Touring accessory seat. The stock seat has ultra-soft cushioning that the Touring seat doesn’t. As a result, you don’t sink in the seat pan, causing lower back pain at the end of the journey.

Like the Classic 650, it remains a heavy motorcycle at 243kg (kerb), and that weight is noticeable during parking manoeuvres or tight U-turns. Once moving, however, it feels balanced, easy to manage, and surprisingly, quite flickable as well.

Royal Enfield Bullet 650

What impressed me most was the suspension setup. Compared to the Classic 650, whose rear suspension can feel quite firm over sharper bumps, the Bullet 650 feels noticeably plusher, closer to the Bullet 350. It absorbs road imperfections better and offers a more comfortable ride without compromising stability. Pillion comfort is equally impressive, thanks to the spacious rear seat and sturdy grab rails. Your riding companion is not going to be super happy with you on a long ride but it is not going to be that much of a both on short trips. And if you are keenly looking forward to two-up short rides, might I suggest you also invest a little more and get the backrest from the accessories catalogue.

It Turns And Stops

Royal Enfield Bullet 650

Despite its heavy weight, the Bullet 650 handles quite well. At slow speeds, the steering does feel a bit lazy, but once it gets going the bike is pretty stable. Mid-corner stability is quite nice for when you get the Bullet firing on all cylinders. 

Proven Twin-Cylinder Performance

Powering the Bullet 650 is Royal Enfield’s familiar 648cc parallel-twin engine producing 47PS and 52.3Nm. As expected, the motor remains one of this motorcycle’s highlights. Power delivery is smooth, linear and easy to access, with strong low-end torque making city riding effortless. The mid-range is equally impressive, helping the motorcycle gather speed without requiring frequent gear changes, while the six-speed gearbox feels slick and precise.

Royal Enfield Bullet 650

On the highway, the Bullet 650 feels completely at home. Cruising at triple-digit speeds is effortless, overtakes are easy and the engine remains refined throughout. It may not be built for outright performance, but it perfectly matches the relaxed character expected from a Bullet. The only downside is that the bike has got some amount of vibes, that can be felt on the seat, tank, and handlebar at around 100kmph. It is quite odd for a parallel-twin powered motorcycle.

Royal Enfield Bullet 650

Features? It's A Bullet!

The Bullet 650 keeps things simple. It gets Royal Enfield’s semi-digital instrument cluster with an analogue speedometer, digital display and Tripper navigation pod as standard. The same setup there is on the Classic 650, Classic 350 and the Bullet 350. Other additions include a Type-C USB charging port and adjustable brake and clutch levers. Safety equipment consists of dual-channel ABS and disc brakes at both ends. While there are no riding modes or traction control systems, the feature list feels adequate for a motorcycle of this type.

Royal Enfield Bullet 650

ZigSays

After spending time with the Royal Enfield Bullet 650, I came away genuinely impressed. It combines timeless Bullet styling with the effortless rideability of Royal Enfield’s excellent twin-cylinder platform that actually makes this bike go like a Bullet should. All of this while still offering a comfortable riding experience like the Bullet 350, and much better than the Classic 650.

The plusher ride and easier ergonomics make the motorcycle feel sweeter and more natural to ride. The premium paint schemes only strengthen its appeal, giving it the authentic Bullet character many riders will appreciate. At Rs 3.64 lakh (ex-showroom), the same price as the base Classic 650, the Bullet 650 is a compelling package, and for me, it is quite possibly the best 650cc Royal Enfield bike yet.

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Royal Enfield Bullet 650 STD Price in India
City On Road Price
Delhi Rs. 4,17,199
Kolkata Rs. 4,24,905
Bangalore Rs. 4,61,318
Hyderabad Rs. 4,54,094
Mumbai Rs. 4,32,202
Ahmedabad Rs. 4,24,496
Pune Rs. 4,32,202
Chennai Rs. 4,32,202
Patna Rs. 4,24,496
Jaipur Rs. 4,50,330
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