The All New Shotgun 650
The motorcycle felt so natural, intuitive, and willing around faster corners that we felt confident pushing it from the get-go. Now, even though the rider footpeg position has changed on the Shotgun 650 compared to the Super Meteor,The Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 burst onto the scene as a surprise unveiling at the 2023 Motoverse / Rider Mania event in Goa, capturing the attention of motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide. Positioned as a sportier take on the Super Meteor 650, the Shotgun promises an invigorating riding experience while retaining its cruiser DNA. Royal Enfield chose Los Angeles as the destination for us to try out this motorcycle - not only because America loves the quintessential bouquet of cruisers, but also because Los Angeles and the fabled "sunny California" have some of the best riding roads. Is that a bit much for a cruiser derivative? We will delve into that in a bit.That said, I don't like to approach a new vehicle with any preconceived notions - but the utterly stiff suspension of the Super Meteor had me convinced that RE wanted to take our attention away from the firm ride by offering us the Shotgun on the smooth and arguably flawless American highways. So let us begin by addressing that elephant in the room.
Ride Quality
The Super Meteor 650, while a formidable cruiser, has faced criticism for its stiff ride quality, a common concern in the cruiser segment given the low suspension travel especially at the rear. Royal Enfield took this feedback seriously when crafting the Shotgun 650. It's evident the moment you see the increased height of the rear fender. This seemingly subtle modification liberates an additional 8-9mm of wheel and suspension travel, addressing the most significant pain points of its donor.Venturing onto the roads of America, a pivotal market for Royal Enfield's 650 range, we experienced firsthand the impact of this alteration. Riding on some of the relatively rough terrains showcase a noticeable improvement in ride comfort. Though not as plush as the Classic, the Shotgun handles undulating surfaces with greater finesse, promising a more forgiving ride even on the pothole-ridden roads typical of every day commutes.
It's important to note that the enhanced suspension setup of the Shotgun isn't a plug-and-play solution for existing Super Meteor owners, given the low fender height and the difference in wheel sizesGet App
Subscribe
CARS
BIKES
NEWS
REVIEWS
COMPARE
GO
Home
Reviews
Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 review - a new step for RE, but does it work?
Rohit Paradkar
Updated: January 15, 2024, 08:04 PM IST
The Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 burst onto the scene as a surprise unveiling at the 2023 Motoverse / Rider Mania event in Goa, capturing the attention of motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide. Positioned as a sportier take on the Super Meteor 650, the Shotgun promises an invigorating riding experience while retaining its cruiser DNA. Royal Enfield chose Los Angeles as the destination for us to try out this motorcycle - not only because America loves the quintessential bouquet of cruisers, but also because Los Angeles and the fabled "sunny California" have some of the best riding roads. Is that a bit much for a cruiser derivative? We will delve into that in a bit.
That said, I don't like to approach a new vehicle with any preconceived notions - but the utterly stiff suspension of the Super Meteor had me convinced that RE wanted to take our attention away from the firm ride by offering us the Shotgun on the smooth and arguably flawless American highways. So let us begin by addressing that elephant in the room.
Ride Quality
The Super Meteor 650, while a formidable cruiser, has faced criticism for its stiff ride quality, a common concern in the cruiser segment given the low suspension travel especially at the rear. Royal Enfield took this feedback seriously when crafting the Shotgun 650. It's evident the moment you see the increased height of the rear fender. This seemingly subtle modification liberates an additional 8-9mm of wheel and suspension travel, addressing the most significant pain points of its donor.
Venturing onto the roads of America, a pivotal market for Royal Enfield's 650 range, we experienced firsthand the impact of this alteration. Riding on some of the relatively rough terrains showcases a noticeable improvement in ride comfort. Though not as plush as the Classic, the Shotgun handles undulating surfaces with greater finesse, promising a more forgiving ride even on the pothole-ridden roads typical of every day commutes.
It's important to note that the enhanced suspension setup of the Shotgun isn't a plug-and-play solution for existing Super Meteor owners, given the low fender height and the difference in wheel sizes