Royal Enfield launched the fourth variant of the 650 Twins platform in LA last week and we were there. Here are the tech highlights of the new Royal Enfield Shotgun 650...
Last week we were in Los Angeles, attending the world launch of the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650, the fourth model in the 650 Twins lineup, joining the Continental GT, Interceptor and Super Meteor. Jeff rode it, but the test is under embargo, so here are the tech details.
Jeff attended the Shotgun 650 launch in Downtown LA last week and will have the full review up on Jan 16.
Custom is making a comeback after the boom era of the early 2000s to mid 2010s withered away. We rode that wave, publishing hardcore custom performance magazine Rapid Bikes, the top custom bike mag globally for almost 15-years. Back then, we would never imagine a manufacturer embracing customising a motorcycle… We then founded Retrobike Magazine, still going today and more about the cafe racer and retro custom scene, which is finally starting to take off.
Seeing manufacturers like Royal Enfield embracing this scene is brilliant, and we witnessed it in Los Angeles at the launch of the Shotgun. It gives hope to the future of custom motorcycles, which have been slowly pushed away thanks to increased police attention, EPA laws and sadly these days fines for venturing outside of OEM… With LAMS approved bikes, and OEM accessories, that may soon change.
The Shotgun launch was all about customisation and expression and the design process was extremely interesting.
The actual review we have written is under embargo until January 16, so jump back on here and check out our written review and video then. In the meantime, we can show you images of the new bike, and share the full technical specifications as well as give you a look at the awesome launch event…
Aside from the engine, frame and swingarm, the Shotgun is all-new from the ground up. Stamped as a Bobber, it is far more than that, and highly customisable too should you choose to go down that road. There will be loads of genuine accessories available as well as merch and cool RE riding gear.
Built on Royal Enfield’s globally proven 650-Twin platform, the Shotgun 650 is a tribute to the culture of customisation and a new chapter in design for Royal Enfield with an exciting vision of the future…
Royal Enfield are doing numerous collaborations with custom bike builders globally, so expect to see some pretty wild machines out there and lots of aftermarket accessories too once the Shotgun gains popularity. There were some stunning examples on show at the launch party held at BikeShedMoto LA
The Shotgun launch was held in Downtown LA and the ride was up in the canyons, 150-miles of incredible roads.
Available from Q1 2024, the Shotgun 650 will be LAMS approved, like the other 650 Twins. It will arrive in Stencil White, Plasma Blue, Green Drill and Sheetmetal Grey with pricing TBA. We can’t say much more, but as you can see, it looks the part… We can tell you more about it next month.
The Shotgun will be in Australia in Q1. If pricing of the Himalayan is anything to go buy, it should come in pretty sharply.
Sid Lal, Managing Director & CEO of Eicher Motors Ltd, “The Shotgun 650 is inspired by the work of our custom community and our years of work with them. It is a retro-futuristic interpretation of what a factory custom motorcycle with thoroughbred Royal Enfield DNA would look like. The Shotgun 650 is something absolutely new and different. It is super fun to ride with confidence inspiring ride ergonomics and handles well in downtown city streets, through twisties and powers through straight highways. The Shotgun 650 is our attempt to bring niche and newer categories”.
“The Shotgun 650 is inspired by the work of our custom community and our years of work with them”.
Built on Royal Enfield’s globally proven 650-Twin platform, the Shotgun 650 is a tribute to the culture of customisation and a new chapter in design for Royal Enfield with an exciting vision of the future. With its retro-futuristic design the Shotgun 650 pays homage to its precursor, the SG650 Concept – showcased at EICMA 2021- and celebrates creativity, acting as a blank canvas for customisation and personalisation for thousands of riders across the world.
“The SG650 Concept is the result of a challenge set to Royal Enfield’s Industrial Design Team by Mark Wells.”
B Govindarajan, CEO – Royal Enfield, “The Shotgun 650 is a very unique motorcycle within our portfolio, but at its heart is the same Royal Enfield pure motorcycling DNA. The 648cc parallel twin engine that powers this machine is a characterful and versatile platform that is capable of adapting to any kind of riding form and format. On the new mould-breaking Shotgun 650, this engine fuels an extremely engaging and joyful ride with power for real world usage, strong mid-ranges and with ample torque across the board. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed creating and riding the Shotgun 650, and are super happy to present this to the world of motorcycle expressionists”.
“The resulting design is both fresh and respectful of our heritage and a future vision of what a custom Royal Enfield could look like years down the road”.
Royal Enfield say the Shotgun’s all new bodywork and stance is a blank canvas, defying traditional categorisation of motorcycling and taking on a personality of its rider. Its modular design enables it to switch between three modes—from single seater to double seater to luggage-carrying tourer, with ease. With the twist of a key, the pillion seat pops off, offering ultimate flexibility.
“We’ve thoroughly enjoyed creating and riding the Shotgun 650, and are super happy to present this to the world of motorcycle expressionists”.
Mark Wells, Chief of Design, “The story of Royal Enfield is one of customisation. Our customers have been taking our motorcycles and personalising them for decades. Looking to that rich creative culture for inspiration, we unleashed our designers to ideate in that same spirit of unfettered imagination. The resulting design is both fresh and respectful of our heritage and a future vision of what a custom Royal Enfield could look like years down the road”.
With the globally award-winning 650 Twin platform at its core, the Shotgun 650 is loaded with a double barrel of fun. It is ergonomically optimised, with mid-set foot position, a low 795mm seat height and an intuitive handlebar position that give the rider a commanding sense of presence and control, while the floating single seat is both retro and modern at the same time.
The Shotgun’s specially tuned suspension with 43mm Separate Function Big Piston SHOWA forks on the front, twin tube 5-step preload adjust RSU shocks at the back, 1465mm wheelbase and a low centre of gravity come together designed to make riding in traffic, on highways and down twisty back roads equally fun, without compromising on comfort. It features cast alloy 18in front and 17in rear wheels with tubeless tyres, combined with 320mm front and 300mm rear disc brakes and ABS.
18in front and 17in rear wheels with tubeless tyres, combined with 320mm front and 300mm rear disc brakes and ABS.
An LED headlight is featured. The Shotgun has a digi-analogue instrument cluster, which comes equipped with the Tripper navigation system and is designed to deliver all the information you need as you head out. The Shotgun 650 also comes with the newly launched Royal Enfield Wingman – a new, in-app feature that keeps you updated on the motorcycle’s live location, fuel and engine oil levels, service reminders and more, all with the touch of a button. It also features a USB charging port to keep your devices charged on the go.
Carrying through with the concept of customisation and personalisation, a diverse range of 31 Genuine Motorcycle Accessories will be available for the Shotgun 650. Designed to further highlight the aesthetic appeal of custom culture, ‘bar end mirrors, a sculpted solo seat and contrast-cut billet rims, to name a few, are available. Also, customisation is inseparable from lifestyle and so to compliment the spirit of the Shotgun 650 a range of apparel has been developed.
Stay tuned for more, including our full review, video and Aussie pricing and availability.
2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Specifications
Price: TBC
Warranty: 3 year factory warranty & 3 year roadside assistance
Colours: Stencil White, Plasma Blue, Green Drill, Sheetmetal Grey
Claimed power: 35kW [47hp]@7250rpm
Claimed torque: 52Nm [38ft-lbs]@5650rpm
Weight: 240kg wet
Fuel capacity: 13.8L
Fuel Consumption Claimed: 22km/L
Fuel Consumption (measured): N/A
Engine: SOHC air and oil-cooled 648cc parallel twin four-stroke, eight-valve, 78mm x 67.8mm bore x stroke, 9.5:1 compression, 270º firing order crankshaft, Bosch EMS/EFI
Gearbox: Six-speed constant mesh Clutch: Wet multi-plate slipper clutch, cable actuation
Frame: Steel tubular spine frame
Rake: 25.3º Trail: 101.4mm
Suspension: 43mm Upside Down SHOWA BPSF forks, 120mm travel, non-adjustable, twin SHOWA Shocks, 90mm travel, preload adjustable.
Brakes: 320mm disc, twin piston floating caliper (f), ABS, two-piston, 300mm rotor, twin piston floating caliper (r) Wheels: Cast alloy. Tyres: 100/90 – 18 CEAT (f) 150/70 – 17 CEAT (r)
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1465mm
Seat height: 795mm
Ground clearance: 140mm
Overall width: 820mm
Overall Length: 2170mm
Overall height: 1105mm
Instruments & electronics: Dual clocks, tacho, speedo, dual trip, warning lights/fuel.
Electronics: Bosch Two-Channel ABS, Bosch EMS, USB point, LED headlight, LED taillight
2024 ROYAL ENFIELD SHOTGUN 650 WORLD LAUNCH GALLERY
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