Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1543956
P88 RIDE REVIEW I 2026 ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC 650 650 looks and feels well built, and, from our experiences, we have good reason to believe it will be re- liable. You can tell they paid close attention to detail, as evidenced by the hand-painted pinstriping on the fuel tank (on two of the three color options). Very cool. One thing they could've done better is the kickstand's position- ing: the tab you use to push it down with your foot is right be- neath the footpeg, making it hard to find and frustrating to use. of which is due to the fairly wide and flat handlebars that give you good leverage. The overall ride on the large 100/90-19-inch front and 140/70- 18-inch rear tires is very smooth. And slowing the 530-plus-pound bike down earns the brakes a B- plus thanks to its ABS-fitted front and rear discs, both featuring dual pistons. Like most of the India-made Royal Enfield motorcycles we've reviewed in the past, the Classic Performance-wise, what again makes you feel like you're on a cruiser is the power. Its 648cc, SOHC, air/oil-cooled parallel-twin motor delivers good bottom- to mid-range torque that doesn't really invite you to rev it, but you can if you want, with decent results. But the best way to get up to speed quickly is to roll on the throttle, shift early through its six gears, and let the torque do most of the work. Royal Enfield claims the Classic 650 delivers 47 horsepower at 7150 rpm and 38 lb-ft of torque at 5250 rpm, not earth-shattering numbers but enough to be a lot of fun. Plus, the Class 650, with its 270-degree crank arrangement, belts out a pleasant thumping tune from its dual exhausts, and vibration isn't a thought until you reach high rpm, but you're not going to be riding it there much, anyway. There isn't anything the engine doesn't do at least well. Fuel delivery from its electronic fuel injection system is spot on, and the cable-actuated clutch works great with a light pull and good feel; however, the lever engage- ment is a little farther from the handlebars than I prefer. I give the Classic 650 five stars for shifting. It's buttery smooth, has a short throw, and finding neutral is as simple as it gets. All motor- cycles should shift like this. Handling is top-notch, though riding in Florida is hardly a good testing ground for cornering prowess and ground clearance. What lazy, sweeping turns we did find, though, the Classic 650 performed nicely, requiring little coaxing to initiate the turn, and it holds its lines as it should, a lot Besides the teal- colored bike we rode, the Classic 650 is also available in red/ white and black/ chrome.