Team-BHP - Royal Enfield 650cc Scrambler spied. Edit: To be called Interceptor Bear 650

Royal Enfield Bear 650 launched at Rs 3.39 lakh

Last month, Royal Enfield took the wraps off the Bear 650 – a new scrambler model based on the Interceptor 650. The bike maker has now announced the prices for it. The Bear 650 is available in five colour options, with prices starting at Rs 3.39 lakh (ex-showroom).

Royal Enfield 650cc Scrambler spied. Edit: To be called Interceptor Bear 650-bear650_lhs_wildhoney.jpg

The Bear 650 has a classic scrambler look with a circular LED headlamp, a single-pod instrument console at the front, and an exposed frame with a teardrop-shaped fuel tank. The bike is equipped with a single upswept exhaust, unlike the Interceptor, which has dual exhausts.

Powering the Bear 650 is the familiar 649cc parallel twin engine. It produces 46 BHP @ 7,250 rpm, but peak torque has been raised to 56.5 Nm @ 5,150 rpm. The engine is paired with a 6-speed gearbox.

The Bear 650 is fitted with a longer travel suspension with a Showa USD fork at the front and dual shock absorbers at the rear. The bike has a staggered wheel setup with a 19-inch spoked wheel in the front and a 17-inch rim in the rear. Braking is handled by discs with a 320 mm rotor at the front and a 270 mm disc at the rear, supported by switchable dual-channel ABS.

Royal Enfield Bear 650 ex-showroom prices:

Boardwalk White - Rs 3.39 lakh
Petrol Green - Rs 3.44 lakh
Wild Honey - Rs 3.44 lakh
Golden Shadow - TBA
Two Four Nine - Rs 3.59 lakh

Link to Team-BHP News

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaganm (Post 5869639)

I’m hoping RE does pull something out of its hat on Tuesday and offers the option of alloys. If it does, I’ll probably book this at Motoverse where I hope they will offer test rides

Very good looking bike but not sure what issue RE has in providing alloys!! They somehow seem to be allergic to the fact of providing alloys during the launch of a bike. I would not touch a bike with tubes with a 10 foot pole in this day and age. Also given the weight of most RE bikes, it is nigh impossible to push them in case of a flat tyre in traffic or on a bad patch of road. This is something they could have offered with alloys from Day 1 since the wheel sizes are pretty common today and it is not tough to find alloys that would match the tyre profile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by abhinav.s (Post 5871545)

Also bear in mind that this one doesn't come with a centre stand making it more difficult to get assistance from roadside puncturewala in case the inevitable happens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by abhinav.s (Post 5871545)

Very good looking bike but not sure what issue RE has in providing alloys!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by shabih (Post 5871932)

Also bear in mind that this one doesn't come with a centre stand making it more difficult to get assistance from roadside puncturewala in case the inevitable happens.

The RE website is updated for the Bear 650, check out the FAQ section.

Quote:

What are the key features that make the Bear 650 unique?

Performance difference (+8% peak torque);
Retro Scrambler aesthetic
2-1 exhaust system
Full Showa Suspension, including a USD Separate Function, Big Piston Fork
Braking set up as per revised INT/GT - performance increase thanks to overall stiffness increase in fork and front axle.
TFT featuring Tripper Navigation (as Himalayan 450 and Guerrilla 450).
19/17 wheel combination
Bespoke MRF dual purpose tyres
High, wide handlebars - extra control and a dominant riding position.
Frame modifications, including a kicked up rear loop
Bench ‘Scrambler style’ seat
Spacious ride triangle when sitting or standing.
Full LED lighting - a first on the 650cc platform.

RE is very clear on the spoke rims,

Royal Enfield 650cc Scrambler spied. Edit: To be called Interceptor Bear 650-b650tl.png

To summarize, this is the better Interceptor! :thumbs up

Happy riding,
surjaonwheelz

Quote:

Originally Posted by abhinav.s (Post 5871545)

I have the same thought too. Another issue is they offer alloys only on specific colors in previous models (e g in GT 650). Using tubeless tyres since 2007, don't prefer going back to tubed ones. Will consider booking this should RE offers it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shabih (Post 5871932)

Also bear in mind t.

lol: i see what you did there

On a serious note, since the frame is pretty much the same, wont there be space for the center stand, and wont we be able to fit the interceptors stand? Maybe this might be taller too, Not able to figure out

Also wont the meteor alloys be a direct fit? Interceptor folks were already adding the rear to the Interceptor anyways, so a 19 front means the front alloys might be a fit.

All will be answered by the time deliveries start

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkSolo (Post 5874552)

On a serious note, since the frame is pretty much the same, wont there be space for the center stand, and wont we be able to fit the interceptors stand? Maybe this might be taller too, Not able to figure out

Unfortunately, I don't think that will be possible. That space on the Bear is now occupied by the new 2x1 exhaust system. Fixing a puncture on this is certainly going to be an unbearable experience.

Royal Enfield 650cc Scrambler spied. Edit: To be called Interceptor Bear 650-rebear_exhaust.jpg

Royal Enfield 650cc Scrambler spied. Edit: To be called Interceptor Bear 650-reintcentrestand.jpg

Cheers!

Attended the launch event at Nexus Motorrad, Jafferkhanpet, Chennai. Uploading some pictures below.

Looks are spot on, full on scrambler vibes. Seat height is raised and will be much more comfortable for taller and even shorter riders. Handlebar positioning is much more straightforward unlike the slight forward lean on the Interceptor. Seat is still a bench seat so can't comment on the comfort. Exhaust note is raspier and the volume has been turned up a notch. It growls a lot more now.

Personally, I loved the Golden Shadow colour scheme. It is the only option which gets golden front forks, all others are blacked out. And that golden RE emblem on the tank was my personal favourite. Other colour options do not get the emblem either. 249 variant is the most expensive at 4.3 lakhs on-road and Golden shadow is 4.2 lakhs, while the other colours are around 4.1 lakhs. Delivery timeline - 25-30 days approx.

Even the Wild Honey colour looked good in the flesh, I thought it looked too flashy when I saw it in pictures but it's well done.

This should be a hoot to ride. Everything wrong with the Interceptor now seems to be fixed. Except the tubed tyres and lack of centre stand. Still a very tempting proposition for many. Those who buy it will not be bored.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkSolo (Post 5874552)

Also wont the meteor alloys be a direct fit? Interceptor folks were already adding the rear to the Interceptor anyways, so a 19 front means the front alloys might be a fit.

The rear meteor alloys will be a straight fit but the front will not. I just swapped my interceptor's spoke with the alloys from the hunter and I needed a custom plate to be fabricated to ensure the interceptor disc and abs rings are compatible with the alloy. I suspect this will be the same case with the Bear 650

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2legit2quit (Post 5874725)

. I suspect this will be the same case with the Bear 650

That makes sense.With the new upside down forks, I guess maybe the Supermeteor alloys might fit and that too has a 19 inch front! Will wait for all the experiements to begin once the deliveries begin!

This is where RE has gone wrong. Why should people have to experiment at their cost for a basic safety feature? Especially when they are already offering it on their other vehicles?

I hope people avoid booking this citing the lack of tubeless tyres as a reason. There should be some way to get there message across to them.

I’m curious is this not an issue in western countries where the lack of mechanics and puncture ships is even more acute? Or do people just call a tow truck then they’re stuck with a flat in the boonies?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaganm (Post 5874836)

I hope people avoid booking this citing the lack of tubeless tyres as a reason. There should be some way to get there message across to them.

Couldn't agree more. I would have been one of their buyers for this bike if they had tubeless spokes or alloys as an option. But I am avoiding it solely for that exact reason. I don't want to deal with tube punctures, it's very hard to find a mechanic willing to work on it even inside the city. I don't want to think about what happens when you're on a highway or some remote location. Also, the risk of an accident is way higher in case of a blowout.

I don't buy the cost argument either. If they can provide tubeless spokes at such an affordable price on the Himalayan, what stops them from repeating the same here. Feels like RE is being ignorant or high headed with this particular model.

Bear launch was terrific, only to be marred by a puncture on the TD vehicle, on debut (Nail got in). It is indeed a nightmare to fix, as I could see. RE lost few customers, I guess

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbojc (Post 5874611)

Unfortunately, I don't think that will be possible. That space on the Bear is now occupied by the new 2x1 exhaust system. Fixing a puncture on this is certainly going to be an unbearable experience.