Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 Review: expect the unExpected
The Royal Enfield 650 platform has produced three popular siblings: the retro Interceptor, the sporty Continental GT, and the relaxed Super Meteor cruiser. The introduction of the fourth model, the Shotgun 650, suggested another cruiser variant. However, as this review reveals, the Shotgun delivers an unexpectedly sporty and engaging riding experience that sets it apart from its cruiser DNA.
The Australian Launch of the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 - this model in Drill Green
Familiarity: The Engine and Technology
The Shotgun 650 is built around the highly familiar components of the 650 line, offering a pleasant and authentic core.
The Parallel Twin
The engine is the reliable 650 parallel twin, delivering 46 horsepower and 52 Nm of torque. While this output is considered "a little bit limp" when compared to liquid-cooled rivals like the 70hp Kawasaki Z650RS or Yamaha XSR700, the engine compensates with character. It features a 270° crank, which provides a distinctive, meaty sound and a desirable retro feel, enhanced by its air and oil cooling. The gearbox offers a certain mechanical clunk, and the clutch action is light. The bike features a 13.8-liter fuel tank, providing a theoretical range of around 300 kilometers.
Despite its pleasant character, the Shotgun's substantial 240 kg (wet) weight further dulls the sense of straight-line acceleration, meaning it's not a bike for "straight-line thrill seekers."
Simple Tech Package
The technology is straightforward, mirroring the simplicity of the other 650s. The dash is a clean unit taken from the Super Meteor, featuring a large analog speedo and a central LCD. It also includes the popular Tripper navigation pod, which connects to a smartphone for simple navigational prompts. Beyond ABS, however, the bike is technically simple, lacking advanced features like riding modes, traction control, or engine brake control—a non-issue given the modest power output.
Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 in Plasma Blue
The Surprise: Sporty Handling and Ergonomics
The most surprising element of the Shotgun 650 is its ride. Despite sharing its frame architecture with the Super Meteor cruiser, the Shotgun’s geometry and ergonomics lean heavily toward a neutral, sporty naked bike.
Riding Position: The seat height is a substantial 795 mm, placing the rider far higher than on a typical cruiser. This is combined with mid-positioned pegs and handlebars that are only slightly risen, creating an engaging and neutral rider triangle.
Chassis Changes: The chassis has been significantly altered from the Super Meteor. It features a much shorter wheelbase and an 18-inch front wheel (versus the Super Meteor’s 19-inch), making the Shotgun far more flickable and willing to change direction than its cruiser heritage suggests.
Suspension: The suspension package includes a Showa upside-down fork and twin rear shocks (adjustable only for preload). This setup is tuned to be quite firm and sporty, providing excellent composure with very little dive under braking, despite the bike's weight.
Braking Quirk: The only aspect that truly smells of the classic cruiser formula is the brakes. The front brake has a soft feeling, while the large 300 mm rear disc and two-pot caliper are beefy. This forces the rider to use both front and rear brakes to bring the heavy bike to a quick stop.
Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 in the heart of Victoria
Premium Finish and Value
The Shotgun 650 offers an impressive level of finish that belies its affordable price point.
Styling: The bike features a great choice of colors, opting for bold, punchy graphical schemes that contrast sharply with the blacked-out hardware, giving it a more modern and premium look compared to the Super Meteor’s polished chrome. Details like the headlight nacelle and yoke clamps have received significant design attention.
Versatility: An interesting trick is the reconfigurable tail section, allowing the bike to be set up as a single-seat bobber, a two-up commuter, or with the seat removed to create a handy luggage rack for weekend trips.
Competition and Value: Starting at £6,699, the Shotgun 650 was expected to compete with cruisers like the Honda Rebel 500. However, the reviewer found its riding style and capabilities most closely resembled the Triumph Speed Twin 900 (formerly the Street Twin). While the Triumph is more powerful and lighter (and features better brakes), the Shotgun gets "impressively close" in handling, finish, and style. The Triumph, however, is almost £9,000, making the Shotgun a brilliant value proposition for those willing to trade a little peak power for significant savings.
As well as the big annual rides like Royal Enfield One Ride and Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride - local Royal Enfield owners clubs meet regularly for rides and share stories about their bikes, trips and mods in owners groups on Facebook.
The Royal Enfield Shotgun Australian Launch 2025
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 should not be dismissed as "just another cruiser." It is an engaging, fun, and versatile retro machine that offers the cool looks and handling of a superior retro naked bike at an exceptionally competitive price.
