Royal Upield Classic 650 test: Introduction, Positioning and Rivals of the Royal Enfield Classic 650
There are very few motorcycles for sale that they would not clash in our streets forty, fifty or even more years. However, all Royal Enfield models could be time machines that, despite the technology they incorporate, could travel through last decades without arouse suspicion.
The Royal Enfield Classic 650 (46 hp, € 6,887) closes the circle of a very complete range that tilted around the 650 cm³ parallel bicylindrical of the Indian firm, in which there is still hollow, if one day the Himalayan 650 is presented.
In a way, their range sisters (interceptor, continental GT, Super Meteor or Shotgun) are rivals; Their designs evoke past times, without neo-back concessions that some of their rivals do, such as the Bryxton Crossfire 500 (47.6 hp, € 5,968), Benelli Leoncino 500 (48 hp, € 4,490), Macbor Eight Mille 500 Street (47 hp, € 4,999), € €). (47.6 hp, € 4,999) or the VOGE 525 AC (47.5 hp, € 5,587), all of them suitable directly for the A2, but between 100-150 cm³ except in their bicilindrical, all of very similar configuration.
It also has rivals that exceed it in displacement, potential (limitable to the A2), but also exceed it (almost all) in price. We talked about the Kawasaki Z650 RS (68 hp, € 8,299), Moto Guzzi V7 Stone (65 hp, € 8,699), Triumph Bonneville T100 (65 hp, € 11.595) or also the Neo-Rort Moto Morini Seiemezzo Str (61 hp, € 6,590) (73.4 hp, € 8,499).
But if we stick to the purity of lines, in the sense of looking for a period motorcycle, regardless € 11,595).
It may be the subgroup, in a segment in which it is not difficult for the purchase option to come to a large extent by “whether or not it enters the eyes”, the Royal Enfield Classic 650 has a lot of cattle, especially if you like the old taste. After the success of her little sister, the Royal Enfield Classic 350, comes to the market for her own. We can only celebrate it.
Royal Enfield Classic 650 test: Royal Enfield Classic 650 technical characteristics
Royal Enfield Classic 650 is consistent with her aesthetics. It is what it seems, in the best sense of the word. If in a standing time it looks like a fresh motorcycle from the factory, in my first road exit with it I could verify that its stamp in motion is really evocative. Going in a row after my colleagues, I had the feeling of being a escort of some head of state of the last century.
Its engine is simply what is seen: an in -line bicylindrical of air and oil refrigerated. Its power figure is slightly below 48 hp that delimit license A2, specifically 47 hp at 7.250 rpm. In a segment in which pure power is not the priority, that “little” specific power is a benefit in terms of elasticity, softness and ease to rise around.
With a maximum torque of 53.3 Nm at 5,560 rpm, the engine response is really pleasant, to the point of defining the personality of the motorcycle. It is a common aspect to its range sisters, but in this case, the thrust of the motorcycle at low RPM has been enhanced.
The approved consumption is 4.6 l/100 km, lower than the real one who, without being Gastón, can not be cut off to be a 650. With 14.8 liters of capacity in the deposit, the theoretical autonomy must be somewhat below 300 kilometers.
The ergonomics is very careful, where the 800 mm seat of the ground determines its triangulation with fists and strokes, which in the case of the proven unit were very comfortable platforms of the accessories catalog. So were the mirrors, located at the ends of the handlebars, beautiful and effective.
The only discordant point occurs when collecting the goat leg, to which you have to catch the trick into the touch, being hidden by the platform. It may not happen with the standard appelids.
The chassis derives from the employee in the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650, leaving the wheelbase in 1,475 mm. With some MRF tires in measures 100/90-19 and 140/70-18, a good commitment between stability and agility is achieved, as well as a lot of ease to circulate at a very low speed without having to continually correct the direction.
Except for the Mandatory ABS and the LCD screen that complements the instrumentation, there are no electronics traces in the Classic 650. The speedometer is analog and due to the quiet character of the motorcycle and that its normal use is low turns, dispensed with tacometer. Nor will you miss it, because the gear changes are ordered by sensations and on a few occasions you will ask your body to raise it a lot of turns.
LCD screen information is complete, but chaotic. Trip, consumption and gear -gate are overlapping with eco information (which indicates that we are consuming little fuel) and the flechite that advises to change their march, forming a gallimatism difficult to read a view. A detail to review, which does not tarnish the performance of the motorcycle.
There is a third spherical screen on which the clock is located, which also shows the indications (by arrows) of the browser, in case you use the connectivity available through the application of Royal Enfield. The lighting is LED, but the flashing are not. A concession to classicism? Here we would have preferred less authenticity and that all the lamps were full-led.
The brakes are made up of a 320 mm in front brake disc bite by a 2 piston floating clamp, while behind the disc is 300 mm (!). They are enough for the claims of the motorcycle, being advisable to combine its use to stop 245 kg in the order of the Classic 650.
The suspensions are in charge of Showa, with a conventional fork of 43 mm in diameter and 120 mm travel. Do not enjoy regulation, but rear shock absorbers, only 90 mm travel, do offer preload regulation.
Finally, there is a wide catalog of original accessories with which to customize your classic 650, starting with color. The starting price, € 6,887, is with the color you see in the photos, Vallam Red, which some seems red; To others, Garnet. It is also available in Teal Green (€ 6,987) and Black Chrome (€ 7,187), in which the profusion of chrome makes it look even more beautiful.
Royal Enfield Classic 650 test: How is the Royal Enfield Classic 650
If in photos the Royal Enfield Classic 650 seems An old motorcycle, live are Before an old motorcycle. With this word game, I mean that the motorcycle wins a lot of live. Apart from that it looks prettier than in photos, it gives off quality in the materials it uses. There are no chichinabo plastics, or false chrome.
It is true that the aesthetic exquisits are paid on the scale, but we are not facing a motorcycle that prioritizes performance. This does not mean that it is a lazy motorcycle, not at all. The Royal Enfield Classic 650 is a soft motorcycle in its shapes, but forceful in its response, improved to circulate at low turns.
Those most kilos are barely noticed in motion, because as soon as the convenience-confacility binomial is surprised. The position is really cozy, especially with the platforms of the unit that corresponded to us in luck in the presentation of the model in Alcalá de Henares, University City and Cuna of Miguel de Cervantes.
References to the past of the Classic 650 do not reach Quixote, but until the mid -twentieth century, specifically 50 and 60, both in the motorcycle forms and in their chromatic combinations. Pineapples, instrumentation, fluffy of cylinders, seat, escape ..
Mire where you look, the Classic 650 is a trip to the past. That is why the sweetness with which it receives you. The low center of gravity and the length between axes provide very low speed stability that facilitate traffic (or between terraces). The touch of the controls, but especially that of the engine, distils quality, which in turn translates into instant enjoyment.
You soon realize that it is an ideal motorcycle for walking, but little to enter a roundabout, you check that the motorcycle steps very well. The distribution of weights, including yours, is very well raised together with the 140 rear, which helps to provide it with agility and sensation of lightness.
On open road, the limitations inherent to the proposal come out: the null aerodynamic protection causes the limits of comfort with those of legal speed (120 km/h). The motorcycle is very capable of climbing 160 km/hy more, but it is not its vocation. He won’t ask you.
When the curves arrive, the limitations are in the touch of the standard warnings, perhaps a bit long. Without them, the problem disappears and the margins are broader, but you must take into account that then the strokes/platforms will be what they rub, already in a reasonable degree of inclination to warn.
Rolling along the roads near the Entrepeñas swamp I enjoyed making the speed passage by curve. The Classic 650 appreciates the fluid driving giving away sensations. She is not a friend of large braking and subsequent accelerations, but about trying to touch the brakes as little as possible, use the motor brake and trace naturally, the rest she puts it.
His facet enjoy Marida very well with daily use; I only miss a heating fists and cruise control, so that its versatility was maximum, because aerodynamic protection and load capacity can be ignored with the list of original accessories that Royal Enfield puts at your disposal.
I do not necessarily believe that any past time is better, but being able to combine the flavor to nostalgia, with the comfort and security of the 21st century, is a luxury within reach of € 6,887. A affordable luxury.
