Royal Enfield Bullet 650 Review: The “Big Daddy” is Finally Here

Royal Enfield Bullet 650 India Review: The Legend Gets a Second Heart.

The Royal Enfield Bullet 650 is launching in Jan 2026! We decode the price, the 650cc Twin engine performance, and why this might be the ultimate “Forever Bike” for Indians.

The King Returns (With Double the Power)

If you are a gamer, you probably saw the news today (Jan 15) about the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 dropping into Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). While it’s cool to ride a virtual Bullet in Erangel, for us real-world riders, the bigger news is happening offline.

The “Big Daddy” has arrived. The Royal Enfield Bullet 650 is officially breaking cover this month.

For decades, the Bullet 350/500 was the undisputed king of Indian roads. It was the bike your dad rode, the bike the army used, and the bike that defined “thump.” But let’s be honest—it was slow.

Now, Royal Enfield has fixed that. They have taken the legendary Bullet silhouette and stuffed it with their masterpiece: the 648cc Parallel-Twin engine. The result? A motorcycle that looks like 1955 but flies like 2026.

Here is everything you need to know about the most anticipated motorcycle launch of the year.

Design: “Tiger Eyes” & The Madras Stripe

Royal Enfield didn’t try to reinvent the wheel here, and thank god for that. The Bullet 650 looks exactly how you want it to look—massive, metal, and retro.

• The “Tiger Eyes” are Back: The signature pilot lamps (the two small lights near the headlamp) are present, a nod to the 1950s design that die-hard fans love.
• Hand-Painted Stripes: Yes, the “Madras Stripes” (gold pinstriping on the tank) are hand-painted by artists in Chennai. In a world of stickers, this human touch justifies the price tag.
• The Badge: It gets the heavy, 3D winged badge on the tank. No cheap plastic stickers here.
• The Stance: It sits taller and wider than the 350. The rear fender is squared off, and the seat is a long, single-piece bench unit that looks incredibly plush.

Engine & Performance: The “Rumble” vs. The “Thump”

This is the controversial part. The old Bullet had a single-cylinder “dug-dug-dug” thump. The new Bullet 650 has a twin-cylinder purr.

• The Heart: 648cc, Air/Oil-Cooled, Parallel Twin.
• Power: 47 PS @ 7250 rpm.
• Torque: 52.3 Nm @ 5650 rpm.
• The Character: It doesn’t “thump” like the old cast-iron engine. Instead, it has a deep, heavy rumble (thanks to the 270-degree firing order). It sounds sophisticated, not agricultural.

Real-World Speed:

Unlike the old Bullet that vibrated your teeth out at 80 km/h, the Bullet 650 sits comfortably at 120 km/h all day long. It is now a proper highway tourer that can keep up with modern traffic.

Ride & Handling: The Heavyweight Champion

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Weight.

• Kerb Weight: ~243 kg.

Yes, it is heavy. It is significantly heavier than the Interceptor 650 (202 kg).

• City Riding: You will feel the weight in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Parking it requires muscle. It is not a bike for filtering aggressively through gaps.
• Highway Riding: This weight is a blessing. Crosswinds from trucks? Potholes? The Bullet 650 steamrolls over them. It feels planted, stable, and unshakeable.

The Seat:

The single-piece seat is the best in the 650 lineup. It’s thick, wide, and perfect for the rider and pillion. If you plan to tour with your spouse, this is the 650 to buy.

Comparison: Bullet 650 vs. Classic 650 vs. Interceptor

Confused? Here is the simple breakdown.

My Take: The Interceptor is for the college kid. The Classic is for the style icon. The Bullet is for the grown-up.

Ownership: Price & Mileage

Expected Price:

• ₹3.40 Lakh – ₹3.60 Lakh (Ex-Showroom)
• It will likely slot below the Super Meteor 650 but above the Interceptor.

Mileage:

• Don’t expect 350cc mileage. The 650 Twin usually delivers 22-25 km/l in the city and 28 km/l on highways.
• Service intervals are every 10,000 km or 1 year, which is pocket-friendly compared to brands like Triumph or Harley.

Verdict: Is It The “Ultimate” Enfield?

The Royal Enfield Bullet 650 is not just a motorcycle; it’s a graduation.

It is for the guy who owned a Bullet 350 in college, got a job, made some money, and now wants that same feeling but with the power to overtake cars on the expressway.

Buy it IF:

• You love the “Bullet” brand heritage.
• You want the most comfortable seat in the Royal Enfield lineup.
• You do long, relaxed highway cruises.

Skip it IF:

• You have back problems (Moving 243kg out of parking is no joke).
• You want a nimble city bike (Buy the Hunter 350 instead).

⚠️ The “Do It Yourself” Reality Check

Before you book, do this:

1. The “Parking Test”: Go to the showroom. Sit on the bike. Now, try to paddle it backward without getting off. If you struggle, 243kg might be too much for your daily use.
2. Listen to the Sound: Ask the dealer to start it. Don’t expect the “Dug-Dug.” Listen to the rumble. If you hate it, you might be better off restoring an older 500cc model.
3. Check the Pillion Comfort: Take your partner along. The Bullet’s main selling point is the rear seat comfort. If they aren’t happy, look at the Super Meteor.

FAQs

Q1: Does the Bullet 650 have a kick-start?

A: No. Like all modern 650cc Enfields, it is Electric Start only. The kick-start lever is gone forever.

Q2: Is it tubeless?

A: Likely No. The Bullet 650 comes with wire-spoke wheels to maintain the retro look, which usually means tube-type tires. Fixing a puncture requires removing the wheel.

Q3: Can I fit the Bullet 650 seat on my Interceptor?

A: Unlikely directly. The sub-frame (chassis rear) of the Bullet 650 is slightly different to accommodate the square fender and new seat mount.

Q4: When do deliveries start?

A: Deliveries are expected to begin by mid-February 2026, right after the initial media rides and price announcement.

Q5: Is the BGMI bike the same one?

A: No. The bike in BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) is the Bullet 350. This blog is about the bigger, more powerful Bullet 650. Don’t confuse the virtual toy with the real machine!