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What's it like riding the Royal Enfield Bear 650? Find out here...

Royal Enfield Bear 650

Tested by Steve Herbert-Mattick

I like big miles on big adventure bikes, with big engines and big tech. But I’ve had my head turned by the simple appeal of Enfield’s desert-sledded Interceptor variant. Having ridden the Interceptor 650 and been impressed with its quality and authenticity, the Californian 60s vibe of the Bear has a bit more kerb appeal for me. The longer travel USD suspension and higher bars should mean I can trundle round in a riding position I’m used to, too. One thing I’m really keen to try out is the Tripper dash.

The oh-so-retro single, round display couldn’t be further removed from your old school clocks and is a world-first, full TFT circular screen complete with smartphone integration powered by Google Maps. I have mixed feelings about Apple Car Play/Android Auto after previous experience but if it works as seamlessly as Enfield say, it should provide frustration-free navigation.

Royal Enfield Bear 650 quick specs

  • Price: £6749
  • Engine: 648cc air-cooled parallel twin, sohc 4v
  • Power: Power 47bhp @ 7150rpm
  • Torque: 41.7lb.ft @ 5150rpm
  • Seat height: 830mm
  • Weight: 214kg (kerb)

Find all the latest updates below...

Year: ALL

Lost, layered, and low on juice: Why my Bear 650 might not be a year-round companion

31 December 2025 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

Lost, layered, and low on juice: Why my Bear 650 might not be a year-round companion

The time for me to just ‘pop down’ to lifelong bestie Jay’s repeatedly vanishes. The 110-mile ride to his gaff is terminally dull, but all interesting diversions I’ve explored add so much time it...

These are the Bear necessities I've added to Royal Enfield's scrambler long-term test bike

18 November 2025 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

These are the Bear necessities I've added to Royal Enfield's scrambler long-term test bike

Royal Enfield’s website is choc-full of juicy bolt-ons for the Bear 650 but they’ve been hard to get hold of. Our bike arrived in late March, with the few tasteful bits I fancied ordered shortly...

The Royal Enfield Bear 650 may have the look of a scrambler, but can it handle a trip off-road?

02 October 2025 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

The Royal Enfield Bear 650 may have the look of a scrambler, but can it handle a trip off-road?

The problem with retro scrambler style bikes is they lure you into thinking you can take them off road. But weight, girth and lack of ground clearance all literally get in the way. In the image above,...

I’ve ridden 100s of bikes over the last 20 years but never one with the Bear 650's mass appeal

11 September 2025 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

I’ve ridden 100s of bikes over the last 20 years but never one with the Bear 650's mass appeal

We all love the kudos that comes with riding a bike, don’t we? Well over the last month, the Royal Enfield Bear 650 has certainly been delivering a serious feel-good factor. With the kids away for a...

Go fast, turn left! Steve takes the Bear 650 on a 6-hour round trip to try out flat-tracking

23 July 2025 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

Go fast, turn left! Steve takes the Bear 650 on a 6-hour round trip to try out flat-tracking

I like riding off road. Or, more accurately on unpaved public roads (also known as BOATs or Byways Open to All Traffic). It’s great fun, and can be simultaneously challenging and a nice day out in the...

I pushed the Royal Enfield Bear 650 long-term test bike beyond its comfort zone and it still shone

18 June 2025 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

I pushed the Royal Enfield Bear 650 long-term test bike beyond its comfort zone and it still shone

Time for the second annual MCN ‘run what you brung’: where those of us who can descend on a local airfield (and regular speed testing/photoshoot location) with an open runway to spend the afternoon...

The Royal Enfield Bear 650 wasn't top of my list, but there's so much to like about it

21 May 2025 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

The Royal Enfield Bear 650 wasn't top of my list, but there's so much to like about it

Two new-for 2025 motorcycle models I really liked the look of made it onto the long-term test fleet this year, but I’m afraid the humble Royal Enfield Bear 650 wasn’t one of them. It’s pretty, yes,...

I've experienced a phenomenon I don't with any other style of motorcycle on Royal Enfield's Bear 650

23 April 2025 by Steve Herbert-Mattick

I've experienced a phenomenon I don't with any other style of motorcycle on Royal Enfield's Bear 650

Ten pence a mile. That’s not a lot, is it? But on my recent, 350-mile, 7-hour ‘getting to know you’ ride on the new Bear 650, it worked out that’s how much it costs to run the new Royal Enfield...