Is the press too hard on the Classic 650?

Is Royal Enfield's newest 650 too much of a good thing?

 Royal Enfield's newest version in its line of 650cc twin-cylinder motorcycles was released in India last week. The Classic 650 is the most retro of the bunch and, not incidentally, the one that most interests me personally. 

That's because it is a Royal Enfield that looks like it would have when I was a kid in 1960, but goes (and stops) like it must to keep up with today's traffic here in the U.S. 

Royal Enfield's Classic 350 single was already motorcycle royalty in India. Don't think the riders there were going to fall in love immediately with a 650 twin version, just because it is bigger and badder. 

These guys are tough customers. 

Here's what the press in India thought about the Classic 650 twin, after riding it: 

"The Classic 650 is beautifully designed with elegant lines and a nice choice of colors to choose from. The teardrop shaped fuel tank, the way the engine occupies pride of place, those long chrome exhaust pipes and the overall stance make this bike quite the looker." Rishabh Bhaskar, BikeWale

"The biggest issue with the Royal Enfield Classic is that purists love the way the bike looks. So Royal Enfield can’t do much even if it wanted to do something drastic with the design. Hence we get the iconic Classic fascia complete with the signature Tiger lights. Upgrades come in the form of an LED headlamp which is not exactly the best in business. The light disperses wide and lacks a strong beam and we think that RE should work on it and make it better." Rahul Ghosh, IndiaToday

"One of the key reasons for the success of the Classic 350 was its old-school design language packaged well with vibrant color options. The Classic 650 also carries forward many of the design elements like the headlight nacelle, the mudguard shape, the fork covers, fuel tank shape, tail light and even the pea-shooter muffler, you get two of them here.

"Despite carrying the same design elements, the Classic 650 doesn’t look as cohesive or easy on the eye as the Classic 350 does. Maybe it’s the gap between the rear tire and fender, or just its enormous wheelbase; it just looks a bit too stretched out. To my eyes, it doesn’t have the same visual impact a Classic 350 manages so easily." Arun Mohan Nadar, ACKODrive

"The details add up to make an otherwise gorgeous motorcycle even more impressive. The aluminum switchgear covers, also finished in chrome, the handlebar clamp proudly bearing the Royal Enfield motif and the fuel tank lid, all underscore good fit and finish and quality levels." Preetam Bora, Car&Bike

"In a segment where emotional connect plays a pivotal role, the Classic 650’s legacy-driven positioning gives it a substantial advantage over its rivals." Syed Shazil Hussain, ET Auto

"At 243kg (536 lbs), the Classic 650 is a big, heavy thing, and you feel that at a standstill and also while pushing it around or during U-turns, but Royal Enfield has done a commendable job of masking its weight once you get going." Dinshaw Magol, AutoCar

"The Classic 650 too gets an analogue speedometer that’s easy to read in all conditions. However what’s different here is the speed at the other end of the speedometer – 125 mph instead of 100 mph on the Classic 350. (Ed.: Royal Enfield gives the top speed of the Classic 650 as 98 mph.)

"And just like on (the Classic 350), there’s a digital display under the speedometer which tells you the fuel level, mileage, odometer reading, trip distance, and time. Simple yet effective. There’s also a USB type-C charging port, a Tripper navigation display for turn-by-turn navigation (standard on all variants!), and adjustable clutch and brake levers.

"Although the Classic 650 has impressed us in many ways, its suspension setup leaves a lot to be desired. Simply put, it’s quite stiff for a Classic, with just 90mm of wheel travel. That robs it of the plush ride that one would expect, and the limited scope of travel also makes it difficult to tune it into having a comfier setup." Sohm Mayekar, ZigWheels

"If I look over minor niggles like the lack of feedback on the front brake lever, the instant ABS intervention on the rear brake and vibrations on the seat at high revs, I think the RE Classic 650 makes a compelling case for itself in terms of a cruiser." Sumesh Soman, OverDrive

Royal Enfield posted its response to some of the concerns in a Q-and-A format. In fairness, here are a few points made:

"The Classic 650 is designed for superior comfort with a wide seat, refined suspension, ergonomic riding posture, and minimal vibrations at high speeds, making it ideal for long-distance touring...

"We would encourage any beginner riders who feel intimidated by the Classic 650 but who aspire to Classic ownership to start their riding journey with us on a Classic 350 and upgrade as their skills and confidence increases...

"While the bike is the heaviest in our portfolio, the Classic carries a very low center of gravity, so the weight is not as obvious and the motorcycle gives confidence in its handling and maneuverability. The seat height is very accessible at 32 inches...

"The Classic 650 is not an off road bike. The suspension is tuned to capably take on rough/broken roads while providing the best riding comfort to the rider and the pillion."