Royal Enfield Bullet 650 2026 Review

Few motorcycle nameplates are as iconic or enduring as Royal Enfield’s Bullet.

It’s been around since 1932 and has gone through many iterations and updates, as well as a shift in production from the UK to India.

Depending on who you ask, it’s the longest-running motorcycle in continuous production.

I’ll save you the rest of the history lesson because it’s been written about enough.

All you need to know right now is that the Bullet, which has traditionally existed in 350cc and 500cc guises, has been translated onto Royal Enfield’s popular 650 Twins platform.

It is the seventh bike in the 650 Twins range, following the Interceptor, Continental GT, Super Meteor, Shotgun, Bear and Classic.

This line-up has been a masterclass in platform sharing and modular design, but after seven models you’d be forgiven for contracting a bout of model fatigue.

And it begs the question: did we really need another 650 model from Royal Enfield?

Looking at the beautiful badging and hand-painted pinstripes on the fuel tank, you’d be forgiven for assuming the new Bullet 650 is the most expensive model in the seven-bike 650 Twins range. But you’d be wrong.

The Bullet 650 is priced from $10,990 ride away, which places it alongside the Interceptor 650 as the cheapest twin-cylinder model in Royal Enfield’s stable.

Of course, in a bid to ensure a degree of authenticity and vintage appeal, Royal Enfield has inadvertently saved some money (or maybe it’s the other way around). The bike features a traditional cable throttle, which means there are no ride modes, and there is no TFT Tripper Dash.

Instead, it features a traditional speedometer with a small LCD display offering trip information, as well as the Tripper Pod (a small round display for turn-by-turn navigation), which is apparently designed to help riders avoid using a phone mount and maintain the vintage aesthetic.

Elsewhere, it’s a familiar story. The 648cc parallel-twin engine produces 35kW and 52Nm, and is paired with a six-speed constant mesh gearbox.

Fuel injection is electronic and the hydraulic disc brakes are fitted with dual-channel ABS (as is legally required in Australia), but the Bullet 650 is otherwise a very classically styled motorcycle, much like the rest of Royal Enfield’s range.

It’s hard to go past the styling as the biggest drawcard of the Bullet 650. It is quite simply beautiful. The Cannon Black colour scheme (which adds $200 to the price tag) is particularly stunning, with hand-painted pinstripes around the tank. As mentioned by the Royal Enfield PR team, the pinstripes feature very subtle imperfections, giving each bike its own unique signature.

The winged badges also stand out, and the overall silhouette captures the Bullet’s British-born, Indian-built heritage perfectly. It really is a work of art.

Adding to the retro feel is a signature Bullet step-up bench seat, LED casquette and twin "tiger eye" head lamps, twin peashooter exhausts, and of course the heritage-inspired switchgear and dash layout.

Like previous 650 Twins models, the engine is also a beauty, with smooth-as-butter power delivery. The 35kW and 52Nm on tap are not record-breaking numbers by any means, but they arrive at the right times and offer a nice, usable power curve that encourages relaxed and leisurely riding.

The Bullet is a feel-good bike that reminds you to take in your surroundings. It potters along like a deer meandering through a field and, maybe it’s a result of its heritage persona, but there is something quite inspiring about the whole experience.

Part of its relaxing nature can be attributed to the riding position, which is upright and comfortable. The seat is another story, but I’ll explain that below.

Other wins for the Bullet 650 include the smooth-shifting gearbox, adequate braking performance, aluminium switchgear and a USB charging port. And with LAMS approval, a three-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, and three years of roadside assistance included in the purchase price, there is a lot to like.

While the Bullet 650’s styling is impeccable, it does result in some compromises.

Weighing in at 243kg wet, the Bullet 650 is the heaviest bike in Royal Enfield’s line-up (equal with the Classic 650). You don’t notice it so much when riding in a straight line, but it does come into play when the road gets twisty.

The Bullet 650 doesn’t turn very easily. It feels a little cumbersome and awkward, and I personally felt like I was fighting it when trying to ride quickly. This is amplified by the riding position, which doesn’t really allow you to get your weight over the front of the bike.

I didn’t feel super comfortable with the front end or the CEAT tyres, which are fitted to 19- and 18-inch wheels. The suspension was a bit harsh at the rear, which is a problem I also found with the Super Meteor 650 back in 2023. There is also a lack of ground clearance and the pegs will scrape.

However, it’s important to remember that the Bullet is a styling exercise in many ways, and it could also be described as a type of cruiser, so I can’t be too critical of its handling. Like I mentioned above, it’s a bike for meandering, not tearing through twisties.

That doesn’t excuse the seat though. While it looks the part and fits in with the heritage vibe, it isn’t very comfortable. It’s a bit thin and the step-up takes some getting used to. In no uncertain terms, it gave me a sore arse after a day of riding.

Back to my question at the top: do we need the Bullet 650? Well, no, not really. The 650 Twins platform has arguably run its course. Instead of a seemingly constant stream of new 650 models, I’d rather see updates to existing versions, or a new platform altogether.

But the Bullet is the most beautiful of the 650 Twins range in my opinion. And despite the underwhelming handling, the iconic Bullet silhouette pairs well with the 650cc parallel-twin engine.

So yeah, it’s not perfect, and it’s not necessary, but man oh man, it is a pleasure to ride and a pretty cool work of art to have in the shed.

ENGINE
Type: Parallel-twin, 4-stroke, air-oil cooled
Capacity: 648cc
Bore x stroke: 78mm x 67.8mm
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 46.4hp (35kW) at 7250rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 52.3Nm at 5650rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Tubular-steel spine frame
Front suspension: Showa, telescopic, 43mm right-way-up fork, 120mm travel
Rear suspension: Showa, twin shocks, adjustable for preload, 112mm travel
Front brakes: Single 320mm disc with twin-piston floating caliper, ABS
Rear brake: Single 270mm disc with single-piston floating caliper, ABS
Tyres: Spoked wheels, 100/90-19 (tubed) front, 140/70R18 (tubed) rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 243kg (90% fuel)
Seat height: 800mm
Ground clearance: 154mm
Wheelbase: 1475mm
Fuel capacity: 14.8 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: from $10,990 ride away
Colours: Battleship Blue and Cannon Black (plus $200)
Warranty: Three years/unlimited kilometres/three years roadside assist