Based on the same solid 648cc paralleltwin that underpins Royal Enfield’ s Super Meteor, the Indian brand’ s Shotgun 650 is very much a factory-built answer to the question:“ What if you could have a bobber without spending six months welding one together yourself?” It’ s the first bobber out of the company’ s very modern Chennai factory and it’ s not a motorcycle for the indecisive. You’ ll either love it, or you won’ t- but you’ d best make up your mind fast, before the one you’ re looking at in the showroom roars off, heading home with someone else.
THOSE LOOKS Aesthetically, I think the Shotgun 650 is a real statement. It manages to be industrial, minimalist, and retro-futuristic all at once. The tank is rotund and shiny, the rear fender is boldly oversized, and the squat stature gives the impression the bike wouldn’ t look out of place being transported to a Utah salt flat to be raced at Bonneville. Colour options include moody matte tones and high-contrast schemes, each equally photogenic. Mine was a stencil white, red and blue arrangement – one that added to the overall aesthetic.
Material quality generally seems excellent, as I have found to be true across the Royal Enfield range. The tank feels solid, the paint has a deep, lustrous finish, and the metalwork on the chassis looks quality. However … the bucket seat, whilst sleek and aesthetically integrated- and pulled out as a feature- must have been designed by someone who’ s never ridden in the rain. It retains water like a salad bowl left out in a cyclone. One especially rainy ride was enough to soak my shorts right through my gear, which frankly felt more like a practical joke than a design oversight.
THE MOTOR At its core, the Shotgun 650 shares Royal Enfield’ s trusted 648cc parallel-twin, an airoil cooled unit producing 34.6kW( 46hp) and 52Nm of torque. On paper, these numbers won’ t knock your socks off, but the way this engine delivers its power is where the meat of the experience originates. The throttle response is consistent, and the torque is right where it’ s needed; down low, perfect for lazy city riding or relaxed rural cruising. The Shotgun pulls steadily and cleanly from those low revs, meaning you can loiter
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